Athens Now

February 15th - February 28th, 2019

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature City of Athens Relay for Life event... Beef is what the City of Athens Relay for Life Team is offering for lunch in March. The team is partnering with... Page 5

Special Feature

Tracie’s Tale: How Rodan & Fields Helps Her Help Others By Ali Elizabeth Turner When Tracie Spain was having her kiddos, she developed what is commonly known as “the mask of pregnancy,” or in medical terms, melasma. It is caused by the huge change in gestational hormones resulting in the creation of extra melanin, which is what makes skin brown. Most of the time, the condition fades on its own, but in Tracie’s case, it got worse. Make-up couldn’t hide it, and over time, Tracie began to not Continued on page 15

Rocket City Motors: “Do The Right Thing”

Limestone County Archives Hosts “Alabama Then & Now” Traveling Bicentennial Art Exhibition... If you’re looking for that sweet spot where the vision meets the story, you can... Page 5

From The Vets' Museum

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Celebrating Our Local AfricanAmerican Heroes... I read with sadness the other day that we lost another special brother-in-arms, Tuskegee Airman John 'Captain Jack'... Page 10

February 15 - February 28, 2019

In 2012, Dan and Marcy Baker decided to do something risky, especially given the economy at the time, and that was to start a “Buy-Here-Pay-Here”

Continued on pages 17

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February 15 - February 28, 2019

Publisher’s Point

What Does It Mean To Be Productive?

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

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

For most of my life, I have looked at the concept of productivity as being something that has a bottom line, or on some level was tangible or quantifiable. It’s kind of like the word “success,” which to some means profits, to others means purpose, and to many means a mixture of the two. It can mean the occasionally maddening mantra of “work smarter, not harder,” which is typically NOT something that I quote to myself when I am delivering Athens Now in the rain. One can dash through puddles only so quickly. However, a couple of days

resentative Danny Crawford. Speaker of the House Mac McCutcheon was also on the docket, but at the last minute Governor Ivey called him away. Adam Smith of the News Courier, whom I consider to be the friendliest of all competitors, (as well as someone who has encouraged me on more than one occasion) was the moderator for the event. Adam always approaches these kinds of events with his signature dry sense of humor, and that day was

while to come, and he made fun of himself in a way that was healthfully self-deprecating, as well as showing he’s a man of substance. There were tales of Danny’s first two weeks in office, and things that just gave us a viewpoint of all of them that most of the

perspectives, as well as colleagues who demonstrated a genuine respect and enjoyment for each other.

time we don’t get a chance to see.

group of representatives who have what it takes to tackle some of these gnarly issues and come up with some true solutions that are based on common sense. And, in our current political climate, that equals productivity on steroids.

Were pressing problems solved? No. But what I saw, and what I felt was the conclusion of fellow attendees, was that we have a great

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

ago I had a community experience that I considered to be highly successful, as well as productive even though no immediate or measurable results were discernible. One Wednesday, the Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce sponsored its annual breakfast which featured all of our area legislators for North Alabama. Present at the temporary Chamber headquarters were State Senator Tom Butler, State Senator Arthur Orr, newlyelected State Representative Parker Moore, and State Rep-

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

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no different. So, the stage was set, and questions were asked of each legislator. They ranged from the possibility of passing a gas tax, to traffic nightmares, to human trafficking, to whether or not the State of Alabama should get out of the alcohol business and privatize ABC, to collegeversus-trade school, to Medicaid, and more. There was the requisite ribbing of Parker, who at the age of 29 is going to have to endure all kinds of “You’rejust-a-youngstah” stuff for a

I caught Senator Orr out in the parking lot and introduced myself as we headed on to our respective next engagements, and he said something to me that codified why I thought the meeting was “productive.” As we walked and talked, he said, “I don’t like political-speak, I never have, and I am glad there wasn’t any.” What we saw were men who observed how they worked together, what their thought processes were, how and why they change

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

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All Things Soldier

A Bronco For A Boy by Ali Elizabeth Turner

In 2007, a brave Marine by the name of Nicholas Walsh fell in Fallujah, leaving behind his wife, two boys and a Bronco. The car was red and tan, and had been the property of Jerry Walsh; he had bought it for Nick before he deployed to Iraq. The plan had always been that it would stay in the family, and it did, stored inside the garage, and never driven. Julie Walsh had the idea of restoring the car and giving it to her son Triston when he turned 16, but the price was not right. “It was in pretty rough shape,” said Mertz Ford Service Manager Ricky Boyer, 34, of Granite City, Illinois. “It was garage-kept, so it looked pretty good, but there were mechanical problems from it sitting around for so long.” Enter a whole group of folks from Mertz, which is located in southern Illinois, as well as neighboring automotive suppliers, restoration experts, mechanics, relatives, and people who donated time and money. Some guys worked nights and weekends for free. Mertz Ford had a tow truck come and spirit away the Bronco while Triston was at school. He came home, saw the car was gone, and was really ticked. His mom sweetly told him that she had sold it in order to get him something different, but he gave her the silent treatment for about two weeks. Meanwhile, the crew replaced the Bronco’s ro-

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The restored "ride" and the restored relationship tors, brake pads, tires, rims, suspension system, and radiator. They did a tune up, rebuilt the intake manifold and rear differential, and shored up the sagging headliner. "We pretty much wanted to touch every nut and bolt on the vehicle because of its age," said Boyer. "We wanted to make sure it was safe and dependable for him." Let’s just say the boy had to eat a bit of crow when on his 16th birthday his mom took him “car shopping.” They walked into the dealership, which was decorated in red, white, and blue, as well as full of people, some of whom Triston recognized. There were also pictures of Nick, as well

as his dress uniform. Behind a paper shield was the fully restored Bronco, and at the right moment, it was revealed. It was shiny, it was safe, and it was theirs. Triston teared up, as did several folks, and it was a birthday he will never forget.

Mertz Ford is a 97-year-old familyrun car dealership owned by Don and Nicholas Walsh and Triston took a road trip Debbie Mertz. They before Nick was fatally wounded in Fallujah blessed the Bronco project, as did Genown time. I’m so proud love, and perhaps Triseral Manager Greg Cas- of them. It was all for ton’s greatest challenge telli. “It started out as someone who made the is going to be sharing it something small, and it ultimate sacrifice.” with his twelve-year-old just kept growing,” Don Once upon a time there younger brother, whose Mertz said. “Everybody was Fallujah, a fallen name is Tanner. In any was chipping in, and Marine, and a Ford. case, may God bless the our employees agreed Now there is a legacy of Mertz team, and may to do the work on their God bless Nick Walsh.

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February 15 - February 28, 2019

Special Feature

City of Athens Relay for Life event by Holly Hollman City of Athens Communications Specialist Beef is what the City of Athens Relay for Life Team is offering for lunch in March. The team is partnering with the Limestone County Cattlemen's Association for the annual Steak Sandwich Luncheon on March 15 at Emmanuel Baptist Church on U.S. 72 in Athens. "We appreciate the local Cattlemen's Association for helping us fight cancer with this community event," said City of Athens Relay for Life Team Captain Holly Hollman. Funds raised will support

the American Cancer Society's programs for education, prevention, research and treatment support. Programs include Hope Lodge in Birmingham and Nashville, that provide lodging for those out of area seeking treatment, research grants at Alabama universities, and a 24-hour toll free help line where cancer patients and families can get information. Tickets are $10 per meal. The meal includes a rib-eye steak sandwich prepared fresh on site and chips. Dine-in meals include a drink. Delivery is available for those with orders of 8 or more. Dine-in and

carry-out times are 11:30 to 1 p.m. For tickets or to schedule a delivery, call Kim Glaze at 256-233-8730 or email Holly Hollman at hhollman@ athensal.us. Since the luncheon is in March, which is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society's Huntsville office will have information available at the luncheon about colon cancer screenings. According to the American Cancer Society, regular screenings for those 45 and older help detect it early. When colorectal cancer is detected early the five-year

survival rate is 90 percent. However, only 39 percent of colorectal cancers are diagnosed at this stage, mostly due to low rates of screening. Mayor Ronnie Marks plans to proclaim Fridays in March as

Go Blue Day to encourage citizens to wear blue, the awareness ribbon color for colorectal cancer, in hopes citizens will be reminded to become informed about screenings.

Special Feature

Limestone County Archives Hosts “Alabama Then & Now” Traveling Bicentennial Art Exhibition by Rebekah Davis, Limestone County Community Relations Coordinator

If you’re looking for that sweet spot where the vision meets the story, you can find it this month at the Limestone County Archives. Now through March 7, the Limestone County Archives is hosting “Alabama Then & Now,” a commemorative and educational art exhibition of 30 original paintings of historic sites all over Alabama in honor of Alabama’s Bicentennial. The exhibit, which is on display in the Limestone County Archives’ exhibit space, features a painting of the Scout Music House in Athens, so both the Archives and the Athens Arts League have delved into their collec-

tions to complement the art exhibition with a display of historic photos of the building and artifacts from Limestone County’s music history. Many of these items will find their permanent home at the Scout Music House when the Athens Arts League re-opens the building as a local music museum. All 30 paintings in the exhibition were created by members of the Alabama Plein Air Artists (APAA) who gather monthly around the state to paint en plein air (in the “open air”) outdoors, from life. The paintings depict landmarks and regions of Alabama where these artists live or have traveled and painted

February 15 - February 28, 2019

from life. Subjects include bridges and barns; gins and mills; the natural beauty of Alabama; industry; architecture; sports; government; and popular culture. Each painting includes a history of the site depicted. “It is amazing to see how each artist brings his or her unique talent and perspective to breathe life into these historic subjects,” said Limestone County Archivist Rebekah Davis. “It is an honor to be able to give people the opportunity to enjoy the images and the stories by hosting this exhibition at the Limestone County Archives.” After leaving Athens, this juried exhibition, which is

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officially endorsed by the Alabama Bicentennial Commission, will tour through Tuscaloosa, the State Capitol in Montgomery, Pike Road, Auburn, Mobile, Hamilton, and Huntsville, with most venues hosting opening receptions. The full tour schedule may be found at www.alabamapleinairartists.com. Many paint-

ings are for sale, and entry is free and open to the public. The exhibit is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Limestone County Archives, 102 W. Washington St., Athens. For more information, call 256-233-6404 or e-mail archives@limestonecounty-al. gov.

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Calendar of Events The HEART Academy Zaxby's Fundraiser Feb 19

The HEART Academy at Julian Newman Elementary will be at the restaurant (221 French Farms Boulevard in Athens) to enjoy dinner from 5:00PM-8:00PM. Then take your evening's receipt to Julian Newman School (517 Julia Newman Street in Athens) and drop it off to be counted toward the amount Zaxby's will donate.

30th National African-American Read-In Feb 20

At Athens State University Library. 300 North Beaty Street in Athens. 2:00PM-5:00PM. Hosted by AAUW-ASU Chapter. Share three-to-four minute work penned by an African-American female. RSVP with your name, title of piece, author's name to Vickie Horne at vhorne@my.athens.edu.

AMVETS Monthly Meeting Feb 21

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.

The COPD Blues Feb 23

At the Athens-Limestone County Public Library. 603 South Jefferson Street in Athens. 1:00PM-3:00PM with certified respiratory therapist and musician, Al Keith who will entertain and inform attendees about COPD, its symptoms, and other respiratory symptoms through music and a Q&A Session.

Black History Month Art Exhibit Opening Feb 26

Reception at Athens State University Library. Corner of Elkton and Pryor Streets in Athens. 4:30PM-5:45PM featuring artwork inspired by the African-American experience in Alabama. Free and open to the public.

AMVETS, Post 21. 22769 Black Road, Athens, AL. 35613. 7PM. Kitchen opens at 6 PM. Burger night every Friday night 5–7PM. All Veterans and their guests are invited.

The Last Confederate Flag Factory Feb 21

With the Sons of Confederate Veterans Hobbs Camp at the Alabama Veterans Museum. 100 West Pryor Street in Athens. 6:00PM-8:00PM featuring Belinda Kennedy of the Alabama Flag and Banner company recently featured in the Washington Post.

Limestone County Event Center. 114 West Pryor Street in Athens. Starting at 11:30AM with food line and 12:00PM with presentation. $25.00 for members; $30.00 for non-members. Tickets: 256-232-2600.

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

Limestone County Home and Garden Show Feb 22 - 23

Limestone County Event Center. 114 West Pryor Street in Athens. A variety of home project ideas and vendors to peruse, giveaways, demonstrations, kid activites. Friday, January 22nd 5:00PM-8:00PM; Saturday, February 23rd 8:00am-4:00PM. Admission: $2.00 per person.

Annual Mardi Gras Party Feb 23

Joe Wheeler State Park. 4403 McLean Drive in Rogersville. Page 6

State of the County Address Feb 28

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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 15 - February 28, 2019

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

Happily Hanging On To History by Ali Elizabeth Turner Mayor Ronnie had a lengthy conference call with several leaders from around our fair state; so our time was going to be limited. The group had several challenges on their agenda to discuss, most of which centered on prudently upgrading outdated infrastructure in time to accommodate the record growth that is coming to our region, and doing so responsibly. In our own area, work is beginning soon on Forrest Street, replacing bridges that are way past their “expiration date.” Now, while the combination of the bridge being out in addition to the road replacement work is going to cause people to go out of their way for a while, the ability to safely accommodate the sheer weight and number of cars that use that thoroughfare will be well worth it once it is finished. The mayor has always had a great appreciation for the history of our area, and recently when Birmingham 16th Street Baptist Church bombing survivor Dr. Carolyn McKinstry came to Athens to speak, he had the pleasure of telling her about some of our greatest stories—those of the Scottsboro Boys, Judge James Horton, Trinity School, and Patti Malone. Dr. Carolyn had never heard about any of it and is going to come back to learn more. On Sunday, February 10, another important piece of local history was celebrated and commemorated, that of Alabama Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, Inc., located at the corner of

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In the 1970s, the current building was built, and after three denominational name changes, in 1992 the official name of the church became Alabama Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America. After the marker was unveiled, the Reverend Doctor Mitchell Walker, Sr., preached a message entitled “Lest We Forget,” drawing from the examples of 12 stones being used to record various im-

Cross Key Road and Highway 127. At 3 p.m., the new National Historical Society marker, which has a special insignia for the Alabama Bicentennial celebration was unveiled. The marker tells the story of the church and is visible from the road. Folks then scurried in out of the cold for what Mayor Ronnie called a “wonderful service.” During Jim Crow, Alabama Fork meetings were

held in a school, and the church was under the denominational oversight of what was known as the Huntsville Presbytery Colored (HPC). The Barbee family donated the land to build a new church in 1915, and the land is close to the site of a Civil War battle. The Barbees chose to donate the land because of their concern for the spiritual and educational needs of

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their community. Throughout the years, the church focused on winning souls, taking care of the felt needs of the community, sponsoring revival meetings, and ministering to what their brochure calls “the sick, the needy and imprisoned.” Alabama Fork also partnered with Trinity School during the ‘50s and ‘60s to bring cultural and community building events to North Alabama.

portant events in the history of the nation of Israel. Mayor Ronnie’s takeaway was how important it is that our young people especially know “where they have come from so they can know where they are going,” both as individuals and as a generation. The time flew by, it was time to pray, and then Ronnie rolled, almost at a dead run.

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Slinkard On Success

How Committed Are You? by D. A. Slinkard D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store How committed are you? What does commitment look like to you? How committed to God are you? How committed to your spouse? How committed to your family? How committed to your job? How committed are you in general? Too often we want to lie to ourselves and pretend we are committed when we really are not. When I ask the question about your commitment level, what I am really asking is on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not committed at all and 10 being overly committed, how committed are you really? We all love to say we are a 9 or 10, but too often our actions make us a 2 or 3. You may be saying that you are overly committed, that you are definitely an 8, 9, or even an 11 on the 10-point scale. If so, go ahead to the next article because this one is not for you. Now, if you are like the majority of individuals reading this, you actually fall into the range of 1-5 on the commitment scale. How does one up their commitment level? How does one do what they previously thought was humanly impossible? How does one go from being good to great? It is all in the actions we take and the commitment we have for those actions.

technological advancements known to man. We have ten-year-old children walking around with tablets in their hand that have more computing power than what landed the U.S.A. on the moon. We have all of these advancements, but the one thing we lack is the ability to rise above the noise. These advancements, though they make our toys nice, have created much more distraction in our lives. When we become committed to something and make the conscious decision to go all in, then we will see changes in our lives. Fully commit to God and your life will change. Fully commit to your spouse and your life will change. Fully commit to your family and

your entire family’s life will change. The decision to become committed is up to us, and the commitment levels are going to be different and vary from person to person. We must decide to make something a priority if we want to reap the benefits of our labor. Before you can figure out where you want to go, it is imperative you do some critical thinking, and you must be honest with yourself. The hardest part of determining your commitment level happens when you come to the understanding and realization that we are not giving nearly as much as we could. It is a humbling realization for this writer to acknowledge my shortcomings when it comes to commitment levels in my

life. What you must do is sit down and make a list of the people and things that are important to you. Once you have created this list, you must take the time to fully think about what actions and efforts you must put forth to achieve your desired outcomes. If done correctly, this will not take mere minutes. This should take hours, if not days, to truly give the attention to detail that is required in order for you to achieve the commitment level you want. If you are not willing to make out these detailed lists, let me ask you again, “How committed are you?� I am a firm believer that if something is important to you, you will find a way. If it is not that important, you will find an excuse. The problem with our lives is

that we are really good at thinking up excuses and not very good when it comes to thinking up solutions. We have all the tools necessary to be the smartest people in the world, but these tools too often make us dumb. We want to skip the commercial breaks because we just do not have the time to waste when in reality we should be skipping the television. I urge you to truly think about your current commitment levels. Think about what matters to you most in your life; then, really take the time to ponder what you could be doing differently. If you take these steps and invest some time, and you will change your life -- that is, if you truly commit and go all in.

We have become a lazy society, and I am not just talking about physically, I am talking about the way we do things. Today, we have the greatest

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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

Celebrating Our Local AfricanAmerican Heroes by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum I read with sadness the other day that we lost another special brother-inarms, Tuskegee Airman John 'Captain Jack' Lyle, dead at 98. He was one of the 13 remaining Tuskegee Airmen. Not only are they a part of the dwindling WWII and Korean Veterans we are losing daily, but they are part of a very special group that broke through racial barriers to integrate the military and make it what it is today. Although black Americans have had a part in every major U.S. war, it wasn’t until an executive order by President Harry S. Truman in 1948, that the U.S. military became integrated. Two of the most notable groups who paved the way were the Buffalo Soldiers and the Tuskegee Airmen. After the Civil War, Congress authorized the formation of six segregated black regiments to serve in peace time;

these included the Ninth and Tenth Cavalries, which were stationed in the Great Plains and responsible for building forts and maintaining order. The Buffalo Soldiers earned their name from the Cheyenne Indians, not only for the color of their skin, but also for their abilities in battle. In 1941, these two regiments came together to form PFC Herman Lee Troupe the Fourth Calvary ary. Brigade, which was led by Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., the This month, we celour local Army’s first African-Amer- ebrate African American ican general. Heroes, men such As a way to recognize the as SSgt Raymond contributions of African Phelps, who stepped Americans, “Negro History up to serve his counWeek” was created in 1926 try during the Korean Chief Master Sergeant Charles H. Derrick by Carter G. Woodson. It War. Raymond origiwasn’t until 1976 that Preshome, he was not done giv- of Command Sergeant nally wanted to go into the ident Gerald Ford finally ising to his country, so he Major (CSM) in the AlaAir Force but ended up in sued the proclamation that joined the Army and went bama State Defense Force; the Marines! Once the war it be celebrated each Februthis force is responsible on to serve in Vietnam. was over and he was sent Men also like Chief Mas- for executing the Alabama ter Sergeant Charles H. National Guard's duties Derrick, who was born in whenever the National Athens and graduated from Guard is in federal service. Trinity High School in 1963 And lest we forget those and joined the Air Force. He who gave the ultimate served all over the world in sacrifice, men like PFC his career, including places Herman Lee Troupe, who such as RAF Lakenheath served proudly with the in the United Kingdom and 1st Cavalry Division and Phan Rang, in the Republic was killed in South Vietof Vietnam. His military nam, Quang Nam provawards and decorations in- ince. The debt we owe clude the Legion of Merit, these men can never be Meritorious Service Medal repaid. with 4 oak leaf clusters, and These are just a few of the Air Force Commenda- our little known local tion Medal. heroes; to see them and David Crooks retired from the Army in 1969, but went on to be the first African American to hold the rank

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many more, including our Tuskegee display, come visit us at the Alabama Veterans Museum.

February 15 - February 28, 2019

PlayAction Sports

Winter Sports Still Hanging On To Spotlight by Tim Lambert

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

Local athletes signed various scholarships since our last column. Congratulations go out to two Tanner soccer players, David Pizano and Brianna Burroughs--David will continue his career at Northwest Mississippi Community College, while Brianna will go on to play at Faulkner. East Limestone's Lucas Terry, Jeremiah Thomas, and Ashton Lockett will be playing football--Lucas signed with LaGrange (GA) and Jeremiah and Ashton will be going to College of the Cumberlands (KY). Basketball season is still hanging on, with regional tournaments set to start this weekend. Highlights from our local schools: Ardmore: Ardmore's boys turned back Madison Academy 62-54 while the Lady Tigers fell 55-35. The Ardmore varsity girls beat Tanner 5037 in the Limestone County tournament finals. Athens Bible: In the last games in their old gym, varsity teams swept Cherokee 64-26 and 46-17. Athens High: Athens' boys knocked off Brooks 70-50; the Lady Golden Eagles ran to a 62-28 victory. Athens varsity teams christened their new gym with wins over Decatur: 63-59 in the boys' game and 64-26 in the girls' contest. A varsity sweep also came against Cullman 66-35 and 70-55. The Golden Eagles defeated East Limestone 5746. The Athens’ girls defeated Columbia 71-58 in the area tournament, fell to Muscle Shoals 64-37 in the finals and were eliminated by Hartselle in the sub-regional 69-51. East Limestone: The In-

and 55-30. In the area tournament, James Clemens’ girls defeated Florence 51-37 before losing to Austin 38-24 in the finals. James Clemens' boys turned back Austin 5951, then were topped by Florence 65-51 in the finals. Girls' and boys' teams were slated to face Spain Park and Mountain Brook respectively in the regional tournament. On the soccer field, James Clemens' boys topped Decatur 5-3. Lindsay Lane: The Lions defeated Oakwood Academy 81-65. Lindsay Lane's girls turned back Sheffield 56-41. A varsity boys' win came against Phillips 80-61. The

Tanner's Ja'Quan Thompson and J. J. Jones apply pressure to E. Limestone's La'Garian Gilbert dians beat Ardmore 51-31 while the East girls edged the Lady Tigers 49-47. East Limestone's boys turned back West Limestone 56-35. In the county tournament, the varsity girls defeated Elkmont 51-31, while the varsity boys defeated Elkmont 69-40. The Lady Indians were also 5248 winners over Athens. In area tournament action, the East girls eliminated Ardmore 47-35 then were trounced by Madison Academy 60-12 in the finals before being eliminated by West Point in the sub-regional tournament. The varsity boys edged Ardmore 38-35 and nipped Madison Academy 38-37 in the finals. The Indians advanced to the regional tournament with a 50-31 win over Hamilton. The bowling team finished their season coming in second at the state tournament. Elkmont: The Elkmont var-

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Tanner's Shauna Fletcher drives against Ardmore's Madison Lewis sity boys defeated Ardmore 51-47 in the Limestone County tournament. Varsity teams swept Clements 59-39 and 56-48 in post-tournament action. James Clemens: The Lady Jets won 49-31 over Bob Jones. The boys beat Athens 53-45 and the girls got by the Lady Golden Eagles 33-30. Against East Limestone, the James Clemens boys turned back the Indians 49-34; the Lady Jets posted a 43-41 victory. A varsity sweep also came against Decatur 52-46

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boys won the school's firstever area title, beating Oakwood Academy 71-64 and Whitesburg Christian 79-69. A 79-70 win over Woodville sent them to the regional tournament. Tanner:

In the Limestone

County tournament, the varsity girls got by Clements 4843 and West Limestone 3836. The Rattlers came from behind to defeat East Limestone 46-44 in the finals. In the following regular season games, the boys and girls got the sweep over Clements 5634 and 44-39. Tanner's girls downed Colbert County 4625 and lost to Hatton 49-39 in the area tournament. A 38-32 loss to Red Bay in the subregional ended their season. Tanner's boys crushed Hatton 67-31 and won the area title with a 69-59 victory over Sheffield. They advanced to the regional tournament after beating Sulligent 77-54.

West Limestone: The varsity girls turned back Elkmont 70-55 and came out on top of East Limestone 48-35. The Wildcats took out Clements 58-24 in the Limestone County tournament. West Limestone's middle school boys turned back Ardmore in overtime. The Lady Wildcats smacked Lauderdale County 62-30 in a regular season contest. In the area tournament, the boys got by Elkmont 4935 and advanced to the subregional despite a 57-49 loss to Brooks. West Limestone's girls dominated Brooks 6435 in the finals but had their season ended by Deshler 67-46 in sub-regional play. The Wildcats scored a 62-60 comeback buzzer-beater victory over Deshler to move on to the regional tournament.

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Clean and Green

Litter Says A Lot About A Community – So Who Cares? Part 3 by Lynne Hart - Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful

My last two articles were full of information about the pressure points needed to change behaviors and the many things we must all do to ensure we are not contributing to the litter problem. So who cares? I don’t know. What about you? Do you care? We are in this together, whether we care or not. A littered community just attracts more litter. Trash attracts more trash. In the same way, cleanliness attracts cleanliness and beauty encourages more beauty. Closing our eyes to the problem tells others that we are okay with criminal behavior. Yes, littering and illegal dumping are against the law. When we overlook these crimes, it tells others that we will most likely overlook other crimes. It is proven that clean, landscaped communities attract less litter and less crime in general. Clean communities send a message that the residents care about the places they live and work. So who cares in Athens

and Limestone County? If we don’t care, then we must stop complaining about the litter in the ditches, our parks, and waterways. It is not solely the government’s responsibility to clean up litter. Citizens cause it and should be involved in cleaning it up. It is EVERYONE’S responsibility. So if we as citizens don’t truly care, then let’s just take the litter laws off the books and let the litter fly! So who does care? I would like to pose the following questions to each individual citizen of Athens-Limestone County, our mayor and council members, our county commission chairman and county commissioners, to our sheriff and chief of police, to streets and sanitation workers, and those responsible for county trash collection. I challenge us all to answer the questions that pertain to us personally or in our positions within the city and county, and to answer honestly and with thought. • Will you bend down and pick up a can or bottle when you see it, or do you

Limestone County-Wide Trash Attack – March 9

There are now FOUR starting locations: • Elk River Boat Launch – Hatchery Rd. • Big Spring Memorial Park – Athens Duck Pond • City of Ardmore – Jones Drug Parking Lot • Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area – Tennessee River Start Time: 8 a.m. Supplies and lunch provided for volunteers Thank you prize drawings. Sponsors: TVA, United Pest & Turf Control, KALB CONTACT KALB FOR INFORMATION: 256-233-8000 / KALBCares@gmail.com

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step over it? • Will you get involved and take on an Adopt-A-Spot, join an organized cleanup, or organize one yourself? • Will you ensure all protections are taken to be sure city/county vehicles are not adding to the litter problem? • Will you institute Rule #2? It is everyone’s job to pick up litter, from the top down. • Will you take a moment and stop your vehicle (safely, of course) to pull up illegal signs or yank them off telephone poles? Individuals and city and county employees have the right to remove illegal signs from right-of-ways and utility poles. • Will you go back and remove yard sale and lost pet signs from utility poles once the event is over or the pet is found? • Will you encourage your family members, students, club members, and others to get involved in creating a cleaner community? • Will you speak up when you see a friend or family member littering, putting loose items in their truck

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bed, or transporting an uncovered load? • Will you preach about good stewardship in regard to protection of God’s creation? • Will you take a few minutes to report a witnessed litter incident to the litter hotline 256-233-8000? • Will you take a few minutes to speak with a store manager to make him aware that the store’s dumpsters are open and causing a litter situation? • Will you make the arrests necessary when illegal dumping or littering culprits are caught? Do you care enough to impose the fine to discourage the behavior? • Will you teach your children that nature is a beautiful thing that should be respected and cared for?

• Will you speak with city and county officials when you see equipment in disrepair? The questions could go on and on, but I think the point has been made. Either we care or we don’t. KALB staff members visit every school in Athens and Limestone County, but we have many classrooms to which we have not been invited. Let us address your students. Staff are also available to speak at your club meeting or employee gathering. Invite us. We are also in need of many more volunteers to join KALB for our Elk River Cleanup and County-Wide Trash Attack on March 9. So who cares?

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(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com February 15 - February 28, 2019

Cooking with Anna

The Most HATED Vegetable In The World by Anna Hamilton

When you ask people what vegetable they will not eat, you get a variety of responses. Green beans (in the case of my husband), broccoli, cauliflower… but the number one response is usually Brussels sprouts. People have a horrible memory of frozen tiny cabbages floating in boiling water and being forced by your parents to eat at least one. I’m here to help you break your hatred of the humble Brussels sprouts. They can be absolutely delicious. This recipe is a take on Potatoes Au Gratin. Potatoes Au Gratin is a super-rich, cheesy dish. It is a decadent comfort food, and it is also loaded with fat, calories, and carbs. Brussels sprouts take the place of the potatoes in this recipe. You won’t have that heavy, guilty feeling after eating this dish. This recipe is extremely versatile as well. In place of the ground beef, try ground turkey or chicken. Even shredded baked chicken would work great. If your family is not a fan of sour cream, try making this with plain Greek yogurt. Greek yogurt is a fabulous substitute for sour cream, and it has great protein. Give it a try; I bet your family will love it! I have been on my new diet, even though that is a 4-letter word in my house, so let’s call it a new way of living, for a little over a month. I feel so much better already. It is amazing what a change in your eating habits can do to your whole body. Not only will you feel better physically, your mental health benefits as well.

I didn’t realize just how badly I was treating myself. “You only get one body.” I’ve heard that all my life, but it never has truly penetrated into my brain. Eating chips, buttery popcorn, fried chicken fingers, loads of pasta, chocolate ice cream -- all of these foods are crazy good; no one can deny how good they taste. How do they make you feel? Great...well they do, but only for a little while. For me, food was my drug. Eventually, it made my body crave more and more to achieve that great feeling. This drug bogged down my mind, made me feel tired and sluggish. Every day is a struggle. I work at the largest Ford dealership in Alabama. It is extremely fast paced, and there is a constant stream of sodas and snacks. I have to mentally prepare myself every day to eat only the things that nourish my mind and body. I’m very blessed to have a husband who makes sure I have a great lunch to take to work every day. He helps keep me going in more ways than he knows. Take some time this week and think about how you’re treating your body. Are you truly treating it like it is the only one you will have? Are you taking the time to nourish your mind? This is an uphill climb. Let’s take it one day at a time. Together, we can do great things!

Recipe #4 - Brussels Sprouts and Hamburger Gratin What You Need:

1 lb ground beef, ground turkey, or ground chicken 8 oz bacon, diced 1 lb Brussels sprouts, cut in halves 4 Tbsp sour cream or Greek yogurt ¼ cup shredded cheese 1 Tbsp Italian seasoning Fresh herbs (if desired) Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Cook bacon and Brussels sprouts in olive oil until bacon is crispy. Add Italian seasoning, salt and pepper, and sour cream. Stir to combine and place in a baking dish. Cook ground beef and sprinkle over top of the Brussels sprouts. Add cheese and fresh herbs. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until cheese is bubbly. February 15 - February 28, 2019

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The Millennial Mind

Green Government Wants to Be God by Rosemary Dewar This month, Democrat Congress members presented a massive green energy proposal. It was then taken down, deemed a draft, and was blamed on the Republicans for its distribution. The proposal was an extremely dramatic overhaul that would result in the loss of millions of jobs and the devastation of all industry. In addition, if any tribulations were to be felt by the transition, government would provide “every good and perfect thing” needed to ease the hardship. The only stipulations would be

the public’s unwavering commitment to the proposal, and giving the federal government invasive access to nearly every aspect of an individual’s property in order to accomplish its goals. The American people are not here to bear the burdens that government levies on them. Americans should only carry what they have laid upon themselves when it comes to their personal property, and the communities in their immediate vicinity. Government is there as a last resort to assist in main-

taining or sustaining the state of that property in the Americans’ care. Such a proposal that promises to employ you when you are out of work, house you when you are homeless, pay you when you do not want to work, warm you when you are cold, and treat you when you are infirm is not a utopian dream. That scenario is a long, tedious euthanizing of human purpose and American temperament. A guaranteed government job is an abandonment of selfsufficient independence. The

Judeo-Christian

worldview expresses that the poor will always be with us; the widow and the orphan are always need of charity. The culture wants to assert that it is immoral for both the wealthy and the poor to exist simultaneously. God is not immoral. Mankind has the capacity for immorality, and because mankind is the cause of his own lack, it is up to him to resolve it. Try denying the government. You will either end up a felon or a social pariah. It is that pagan god that will demand that you sacrifice your children and your profit to please it. That vacuous creature will never tire, and if a society does not work to keep it in check as a country like the United States of America would, it will devastate every generation in its wake. If a government relieves its citizens from caring for their neighbors, the citizen will no longer care for his or her neighbor. Furthermore, if you do not care much for your neighbor, a glorified paper-pusher from the federal government will care even less. It is a system of communal negligence, and there is not one regulation that could rectify it. The federal government does not make money; it gathers it from you and your neighbors to supply to others. This type of system robs citizens of fellowship if the system continues to grow. It will isolate them. As soon as the social grace fund runs out,

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someone becomes the enemy, and that feels worse than being alone. In the 1997 movie Contact, Jodie Foster’s character returns from a space/time travel mission with zero evidence that she went anywhere or saw anything. Before her mission, she is a self-defined faithless person. She testifies about what she believes she witnessed: “I was given something wonderful, something that changed me forever... A vision of the universe that tells us, undeniably, how tiny and insignificant, and how rare and precious we all are! A vision that tells us that we belong to something that is greater than ourselves…that none of us [are] alone! ... I wish I could share that.” Her basis for her new-found beliefs expands after she is reached out to by someone during her mission. Some experiences cannot be shared; they have to be put into action by oneself. The one-to-one care that humanity does best cannot be regulated or organized by policy. Do it yourself, no matter how small. When the experience of attentiveness is not given the opportunity to grow one’s faith, one is vulnerable to loneliness. Caring for your family and friends is a purpose. Caring for a faceless line item will not fulfill the immediate need for belonging and purpose.

February 15 - February 28, 2019

Cover Story

Tracie’s Tale: How Rodan & Fields Helps Her Help Others by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

want to leave the house. “It looked like I had a goatee. Add to that the fact that I am Italian, was a sun-worshipper as a teenager, and I had struggled for a long time with acne; well, you get the picture,” Tracie told me. In a word, Tracie and her skin were not on friendly terms, but she didn’t let it imprison her. By grace, she kept pushing through and made herself get out of the house, but it was no fun. Then, about two years ago, Tracie heard about Rodan & Fields from a friend, and while she was skeptical at first, over the next few months she began to notice some pretty remarkable changes. In the presentation, Tracie spoofed, “Actually, I am 84 years old, and I am aging backwards. This stuff really works!” On a more serious note, here is some history about Rodan & Fields. You may remember a prescription-based acne medication that became well-known in the mid- ‘90s called Proactiv. It was developed by two Stanford-trained dermatologists by the names of Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields, both of whom are still practicing. Proactiv was strong stuff, helped to make the term “Retin-A” a household word, and was wildly successful. Once it was available without prescription, they brought it to the cosmetic departments of retail stores, and that’s where they hit a snag. They found that the salespeople behind the counter were poorly trained, and had no “skin in the game” (pardon the pun) because they were representing several different lines. Sales did not reflect the quality of the product, and they sold the company for two billion dollars in order to

develop additional products that would work well in a network marketing/ direct sales context. Rodan & Fields was launched in 2007, and here is what the docs say about why they do what they do: “We want to give everyone access to dermatology-inspired skincare so they can experience the personal confidence that comes with a healthy, clear, even-toned complexion. That's why we created Rodan +Fields. We believe in approaching the whole face to help address sk-

incare concerns. That's why we [also] developed Multi-Med® Therapy—to ensure you have the right ingredients, in the right formula applied in the right order. [Katie and Kathy] have dedicated their careers to making visible, life-changing results possible without a trip to the doctor's office.” The Multi-Med© approach is an interesting one. Tracie explained to us that each one of the four skin-care systems is formulated so there is a onemolecule difference that keeps them from requiring a prescription. Customers get the strongest “essentially-prescription strength” skin care regime that either helps with soothing, acne, restoring, anti-aging, or a combination, and they also get

February 15 - February 28, 2019

a representative who is genuinely interested in improving their quality of life. Here is a description of each regimen, and each has its own three- or four-step patented Multi-Med Therapy system: • Soothe reduces visible redness and calms sensitive skin. It is good for rosacea, eczema, and topical allergies • Unblemish reduces existing acne, prevents new blemishes, and promotes clear skin. • Reverse addresses skin discoloration, to either BRIGHT-

EN dull skin or LIGHTEN dark spots. It’s Tracie’s “baby,” to the point that for Tracie, it would be the product she would pick if she were stranded on a desert island. • Redefine helps you Tracie Spain, Independent create noticeably Consultant for Rodan & Fields smoother, younger been great for avoiding worklooking skin. It targets wrinkles, fine lines, scars, related injuries, but was literand tightens skin. Tracie says ally rough on his wife. As a rethat it helps with crow’s feet, sult of using Rodan & Fields, and her crow’s feet have com- he is back to using gloves, and no one is complaining! pletely vanished after using it. The products work for all peo- It’s important to note that R ple groups, whose skin needs & F is about more than serican vary greatly. For example, ous dermatology; its products Asian women are the most can have fun “side effects” prone to struggling with acne, as well. Lash Boost is one of so Unblemish is a best seller. their top selling serums, and And, good skin care is not just gives the appearance of fuller for women. Tracie has a cus- lashes and brows. Well, in Tratomer who is a roofer, and his cie’s case, her lashes grew so hands were just one giant cal- long that she had to cut back lous; so much so that he no lon- on using the product because ger had to use gloves when he her lashes were hitting her was working. This might have glasses. There is no guarantee that your experience will be the same, but most folks would think this would be a nice problem to have! For Tracie, being a consultant for Rodan & Fields has been an ongoing source of “helper’s high.” She told me with a smile, “If I can help someone feel the transformation, it’s a wonderful feeling for me, too.” She is committed to her customers as well as her crew, and either way, you will gain a friend in the process. Call Tracie today to start your own Rodan & Fields experience or to join her team!

Tracie L. Spain Chris and Tracie Spain having a blast while improving their skin

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traciespain@ myrandf.com traciespain512@ gmail.com 256-434-0042

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Health and Fitness

Why Is Drinking Water So Important? by Nick Thomas, owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist

I know you have heard that drinking water is important, but do you really understand just how vital it is for having a healthy, functioning body? Sometimes the difference in actually incorporating something in your daily life is in not just being told to do so, but having a true knowledge about the reasons behind it. Drinking more water each day is something EVERYONE can do with ease to improve their overall health and body function. Simply keep a bottle of water or your favorite cup with ice water in it with you all day -- yes, no matter where you go! You can even do things like setting timers on your phone or writing target times on your bottles to make sure you keep a good drinking pace through the day. A great goal is to drink about a gallon a day. Now let’s break this down so you gain the knowledge which will fuel your desire to actually make this a part of your daily life. Reaching for water instead of coffee, tea, energy drinks, or sodas is a key to true hydration. This is actually what will really give you the energy you are seeking when you are tempted to grab those other drinks. Water plays a vital roll in fueling your muscles so they can perform at opti-

mal level at all times and especially during exercise. If you have ever experienced a cramp during a workout or while playing a sport, it was likely due to a lack of water intake that day. Avoiding painful muscle pulls and tears can even be traced back to good hydration. Chances are you are not aware of some of the less talked about, but incredibly beneficial aspects of staying well hydrated. Things such as boosting your metabo-

lism and even having more youthful, smooth skin are on this list. Also, the ability to stay focused and concentrate on the tasks of the day are rooted in getting a sufficient amount of water, not to mention keeping dehydration headaches at bay. Here is a biggie, especially this time of year, most of us will do anything to help boost our immune system and keep sickness away. Good hydration actually keeps all your major

organs functioning as they should which helps fight off all those germs that make us sick. When the proper amount of water is consumed, our body maintains a better blood pressure. It also keeps our digestion at a regular level preventing constipation and an overly acidic stomach, which can lead to things like heartburn and stomach ulcers. Drinking plenty of water also regulates the body’s fluid level

which, if not maintained, could lead to kidney stones among other issues. The body can go days without eating, but water is truly essential to life itself. Water consumption is the key to living your most healthy, fit life! For more information regarding a personalized, general, or sports nutrition plan, contact me at Prime Performance 423-8050870.

256-434-7532 423-805-0870 www.getprimednow.com Page 16

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February 15 - February 28, 2019

Cover Story

Rocket City Motors: “Do The Right Thing” by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

car dealership in Athens. It is known as Rocket City Motors, and it is located at 26912 US-72, right across from Butler’s Home Furnishings. After a decade of working at car dealerships, no one knows better than Dan and Marcy that car shopping at a used vehicle dealership is all too often an unpleasant experience. They asked themselves, “Does it really have to be this way?” And, seven years later, they have successfully proven that it does not! Rocket City Motors began as a grand experiment, with a battle cry of, “Let's treat people fairly!” It also began in a building that has a wonderful history in Athens, and that is the old Rocket gas station, the one with the rocket on the roof. “I fell in love with the building,” said Dan, “and I found out that Raymond Roberts started it. Ray was famous for the way he treated people, and back in the day, Rocket Gas sold fresh vegetables, gas, and put on fireworks displays each year on the 4th. People still talk about what a good man he was, and his family still owns the site. At first they weren’t planning on renting, but then they said yes, and we couldn’t be happier. They are nice landlords.” Dan also loves the building because he is kind of a “nostalgic, retro-guy,” and you can find everything from old auto memorabil-

ia to an Elvis clock in the shop. He also collects old license plates, and they are displayed on the ceiling. Dan said further, “Let's be clear, 90% of vehicle customers who seek out a BuyHere-Pay-Here dealership do so because most often, for one reason or another, they are unable to obtain traditional bank financing. Does this really mean that

tomer. Here’s our story: We loaned out one of our cars to a family member, and it got totaled. We needed to replace it, and we always pay cash for our cars. So, we were looking for a high quality used car in the $4,000 range, and got a 2005 Ford Escape with leather seats and a moon roof for less than that. Because we paid

cash, Dan made the deal even sweeter. I love the car, and I’ll recommend Rocket City to anyone.

they have to get a bad vehicle on very bad financial terms? Our ongoing experiment is to find out if we can survive and possibly thrive by treating customers better,” he said. I always like to patronize as many local businesses as I can, and I would like to go on record that I am a raving fan Rocket City Motors cus-

February 15 - February 28, 2019

Here are some more principals that are part of the “Rocket City Experiment.” Daniel said, “Fair prices. Customers will not pay $10,000 for a $5,000 vehicle. We don’t do a credit check, and we finance at only 9.99%. This is just as important as the fair pricing principal. Over the course of our typical short term loan, the interest expense at 9.99% is $360. By compari-

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son, at 28%, which is the going rate at most other dealerships, of it would be over $1200. This makes us very different. We may not be making as much money as we used to, but we can look at ourselves in the mirror,” he chuckled. “Of course for customers not seeking Buy-HerePay-Here, we do work with several local lenders who offer even lower interest rates --- and for the cash buyers, they quickly notice that our pricing is very, very good,” he added. Most of the vehicles are in the $4,000 - $7,000 range. A mechanic inspects each car, but Rocket City Motors does encourage their customers to take the vehicle to their own mechanic before they purchase. Dan and Marcy have found that the price range allows most customers to completely pay off their loan in only about 18 months. “This is great for people who are trying

to rebuild after something like a divorce. There are good people who fall on hard times, and we want to help them dig out, not dig deeper. It doesn’t matter to us how they got there, what matters is that they want to turn it around,” said Dan. If you want to be a part of the Rocket City Motors Experiment, here’s what you need to do: bring your driver’s license, proof of insurance, and, yes, a down payment. “So, Daniel, I want to know, how is the experiment going?” I asked. Here is his reply: “So far, so good! We do have to watch our pennies, we don't have the fanciest location, and we do not have much of an advertising budget; but we are proud to be in our 7th year and have managed to grow every year. Best of all, we are treating people right and are sleeping very well!” Come try “the experiment” for yourself and see what I mean!

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Certificate VS Degree by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 Many people today are considering certificate education rather than a degree. Certificates have many benefits. Certificates are more flexible than degrees. They can be earned in a shorter time. If you already have an advanced degree, a certificate builds on your education and shows a level of proficiency in the field. Many certificate programs are valuable to employers because they carry endorsements from respected industry organizations. Certificates can lead to more opportunities and more pay, according to Dr. Robert Gordon at American Public University. At the Center for Lifelong Learning, we offer several certificate programs. In our Online Learning category there are more than 300

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classes in Accounting, Business, Career Skills, Human Resources, Legal, and Programming and Web Applications, just to name a few. Listed below are some instructor-led certificate courses that are starting soon. There is also a self-study option for these courses. In the selfstudy option, you can start anytime, and end anytime up to one year later. There is a transfer policy for students who decide later that they need the instructor led class instead. Certificate in Data Analysis, starts April 1-June 28, 2019: Data Analysis is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after skills in the workplace. Companies have vast amounts of data, but it is rare to have someone with the ability to analyze that data to see trends and

make predictions. Add a whole new skill set to your portfolio, and make a big difference in the success of your organization by acquiring data analysis skills. Whether your business is home-based or a large company, this certificate will take you to the next level where important decision-making is concerned. Three onemonth classes. $495 Certificate in Accounting and Finance for

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Non-Financial Managers, starts April 1-June 28, 2019: Every successful person in the workplace utilizes financial information to aid effective decision making. The Certificate in Accounting and Finance for Non-Financial Managers explains the financial concepts and accounting processes used in most businesses and will provide practical techniques that will increase your effectiveness and career. An understanding of this information will help you make smart decisions when it comes to budgeting, setting goals, and assessing performance within your own area of influence. Three onemonth classes. $495. Certificate in Project Management, starts April 1-June 28, 2019: In today’s business environment, there is a need

for good project management. Project management provides visibility of project health to the business and the customer. Through continuous monitoring, early detection of variations to plan, schedule, and budget can be communicated to stakeholders for quick resolution, including project cancelation. Project management is one of the fastest paths to promotion by increasing your network through greater exposure. Three one-month classes. $495 Social Media for Business Certificate, starts April 1-June 28, 2019: Get in on this exciting and growing way to communicate, market and serve your customers and clients. From Facebook to Twitter, blogging, YouTube, LinkedIn, and more, discover the new principles of communication that apply across all networks and how these specific social networks work and the possible uses for your organization. Whether you are new to social networks or already involved, you will come away with both an understanding of social networks and practical, how-to techniques to integrate social networks into your organization or business. Three onemonth classes. $495

February 15 - February 28, 2019

The View From The Bridge

The Seeds You Sow! by Jackie Warner

Career Development Facilitator “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters I was in church and the preacher talked about planting seeds for harvest time; so, I leaned in to listen closer and understand his intention for the sermon. As I listened, I realized that we can learn a lot from a diligent farmer. You know a successful garden doesn’t just happen. Think about how they determine what they will plant and how to prepare the ground for a harvest that yields abundantly. The farmer then takes extra care to keep all the weeds away. Seeing a garden full of vegetables

and fruits remind me of my childhood. I can recall my grandfather having me go in the garden and pick peas. It did not stop there. I also had to shell them. I must say, although it was a lot of work to shell enough peas to get one bowl, it was worth it in the end when my grandmother would cook them for dinner. As I thought about the preacher’s message and how we too are accountable for a harvest, I could not help but think about the preparation tasks we so often neglect. 2 Corinthians 9:6

says:

Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 2 Corinthians 9:10 further states: He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. As the farmer chooses what to sow in the garden, we too must choose wisely what we will sow. Consider your ground; have you prepared it for the planting of your seeds? Is it cultivated?

www.JuicePlus.com February 15 - February 28, 2019

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Remember, it is not by chance that the farmer has a harvest. Behold the farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains (James 5:78). 1 Corinthians 3:7 -So then neither is he that planted anything, neither he that watered; but God that giveth the increase. As I leave you, remember that we must sow seeds of love, seeds of compassion, seeds of hope, and seeds of knowledge. When we do the will of God, then he will provide the increase.

destruction; but the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not grow weary in welldoing, for in due time we will reap a harvest, if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.

(Galatians 6: 8-10) Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. Whatever a man sows, he will reap in return. The one who sows to please his flesh, from the flesh will reap

Email: thebridge.us@gmail. com

Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional Jackie Warner, Community Outreach Specialist

Check out upcoming events: http:// thebridge-us.yolasite. com/

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Horse Whispering

Storytelling by Deb Kitchenmaster My daughter’s firstborn was born In Huntsville, Alabama, under the loving care of midwives, on my birthday, twenty-one years ago! What an honor. And to be present at his birth! Brings tears to my eyes as I write. What a beautiful memory. From time to time, I would fly into Huntsville for family visits. It was the car ride from the airport to the house that I want to tell you about. Sitting beside “Grandson Eli” in the back seat, he would look at me from his car seat and say, “Mamaw, tell me a story.” Me? Ok. So I would make up a story. “Another one. Another one.” How surprised I was at the stories that would come from my imagination. Some made him laugh, some were frowned upon, some stirred curiosity, and then there were his favorites -- the stories about Eli Daniel, himself. My storytelling days began with a toddler grandson who simply wanted me to tell him stories. So I did.

morning at 2:00 a.m., after ‘the ask’ to write, story after story after story ran through my mind for two hours! Unable to stop the flow of stories, I came downstairs, turned on my computer, and wrote my very first article.

rytelling was in the form of parables. Is storytelling different than parables? Parables are succinct, didactic stories. They illustrate one or more instructive lessons or principles. Parables have human characters. A parable is a type of analogy (similarity, likeness, equivalence, correlation, resemblance). He wanted those around him to understand with the eyes and ears of their understanding what was being said and shown beyond the reasoning realm into the realm of the heart. Parables (succinct stories) did that. Storytelling that connects heart to heart and flows rivers of living waters of unity, peace, and righteousness.

Invited to be ‘on air’ on WKAC in Athens with Jim Swanner, talking about nothing but horses, that entire interview consisted of telling stories. Real, genuine, actual stories of experiences people have had with horses. How horses showed up as healer, revealer and mirror, and the stories that touched our hearts with picture after picture after picture. Pictures are the language of the heart. Reason is the language of the mind. Horses touch our hearts, challenge our minds. Emotions were awakened and stirred across the airwaves as story-

I have a box full of cards that people have written telling me their stories of being with a horse, or being in attendance of a round pen session. I’m grateful they took the time to share their stories, and gave me permission to share them with others.

Enjoying a conversation with a friend (Kathy Sue) this past week, my heart was touched when she thanked me for the stories. She explained that my stories took her someplace inside that was good, and brought clarity, healing, laughter and much joy. I began to ponder on what we bring to people through our stories. My attention flowed backward into the moment when I was asked to write for Athens Now. Me? What would I write about? What would be the name of my column? How soon do you need an answer? Honestly, I had no intention of writing because I did not think I had anything to write about UNTIL one

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telling was going on behind the microphone. Stories are an entry point to understanding a different experience of the world. Storytelling is important when it comes to connecting with each other. It gives us an opportunity to learn from

I would love to hear from you. Please sit down and tell me a story about you and your horse, and if you can, please give me permission to share with others. Send your story to my email, which is horsinaround188@ gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you. You never know how your story may inspire someone else. another person’s experience and it can shape, strengthen, or challenge our opinions and values. Storytelling captures people’s attention and, hopefully, provokes them to think differently about an issue. It encourages people to delve

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deeper into the evidence for what works and doesn’t work. Now let’s take a moment to consider Jesus. You know, the one who came from Nazareth and took on the form of humanity (flesh). His sto-

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

February 15 - February 28, 2019

Mental Health Minute

Managing Your Worry, Stress, and Anxiety by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor “It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” - Lou Holtz In my last article, we looked at the differences with our symptoms and thoughts when we experience worry, stress, and anxiety. Today, let’s take a look at ways to manage each of these feelings so that you can recognize what is happening to you and what you can do about it. Everyone worries. Some worrying can be helpful when it spurs you on to take action or solve a problem. But unrelenting worry can be paralyzing when you become preoccupied with the “what ifs” and the worst case scenarios. I even used to be under the delusion that worrying meant that I was being responsible and caring; that if I worried enough, I could change the outcome. And you may have already figured out that you can’t just tell yourself to stop worrying. Fortunately, I have some tips that you can try to get that worry pattern under control.

they can build up in your mind until they seem overwhelming. Expressing your worries verbally can help you to make sense of what you are feeling and put things into perspective. Tip #3: Learn to postpone worrying. To do this, you will need to pick a time and place to worry. Write down your worries throughout the day to review during “worry time.” Then, examine your worry list during the scheduled time (usually a 20-minute period.) This allows for the rest of your day to be worry-free and for you to still address the concerns that need your attention. Tip #4: Distinguish between solvable and unsolvable worries. Productive solvable worries are those you can take action on right away. Unsolvable worries are those for which there is no solvable action, such as, “What if I get cancer?” Worrying is often our way

of trying to predict and control the future. As we discussed in my last article, stress is the body’s natural defense against predators and danger. Short-term stress can be helpful as it prepares systems in our bodies to take action. Learning some stress management techniques can help to remove or change the source of stress, alter the way you view a stressful event, and lower the impact that stress might have on your body. This is a short list of lifestyle choices to help manage your feelings of being overwhelmed: 1. Nutrition. A healthy balanced diet of fruits and vegetables helps to maintain the immune system during times of stress. 2. Reduce intake of drugs, alcohol, and caffeine. Contrary to what you may have heard, these substances do not help to de-

Tip #1: Take a time out from worry through movement. I know you have heard this a million times, so here’s a million and one. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins that naturally reduce tension and boost energy.

3. Acknowledging the signs. Noticing your symptoms of stress is the first step toward taking action. 4. Establishing support networks. Talking to friends or family whom you trust can provide encouragement and relief in knowing that “you aren’t the only one.” 5. Prioritizing. Spend a little time organizing your daily to-do list and then focus on what you have completed at the end of the day. 6. Find your own destressor. Discover something that helps you to relax (reading, walking, listening to music) and then take a few minutes for yourself each day to do it. Managing anxiety is a bit more challenging. In my previous article, anxiety was described as an exces-

sive and persistent sense of apprehension accompanied by physical symptoms. This extreme feeling of fear can impair daily functioning and reduce quality of life. It is possible to self-treat your anxiety, but please keep in mind that these management practices apply to shorter and less severe periods of anxiety. You can begin with exploring relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing exercises, long baths, meditation, yoga, and tapping. Alter your diet by decreasing alcohol and caffeine and increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, and berries. Learn to replace negative thinking patterns with positive ones by taking time to write down your negative thoughts throughout the day. Then, make another list of positive ones to replace them. Imagine yourself successfully facing and conquering a specific fear. Learn to live in the moment. A mental health professional can help you develop strategies through cognitive behavior therapy and other therapies to help you rewire your thought patterns, modify your behaviors, and alter your lifestyle. Most importantly, keep in mind, you do not have to battle your worries, stresses, and anxiety alone.

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.

Tip #2: Talk about your worries. When you keep your worries to yourself,

February 15 - February 28, 2019

crease your stress levels.

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The Alternative Approach

Health Update Sleeping Like A Baby Again by Roy Williams A few weeks back my article was on hemp oil and its ability to help with sleep disorders. Many of you came in and purchased a product called Hemp Bombs. The reports started coming in about the almost miraculous improvements in sleep.

with any medication. Many people on heart, diabetic, arthritic, and even cancer medications are using CBD with amazing results. Even the doctors are noticing improvements in their patients who are taking CBD along with their medications.

Then a few weeks later, the Sherriff’s Department came to our store and confiscated all our hemp oil products telling us that it was illegal to sell any product made from hemp in Alabama. We had no idea that a product with no THC (the chemical in marijuana that makes you high) could be illegal.

There are several brands that are now legal in all 50 states. From my research, the ones that are available and show positive benefits for all age groups, I recommend Charlotte’s Web, Regal Labs, or my personal favorite, Hemp Bombs in either capsules or gummies.

Of course, we cooperated with the Sherriff’s Department and stopped selling anything with hemp in it. Many of our customers were so disappointed because it was helping with sleep, pain, nervous disorders, seizures, diabetes, and many other symptoms. We also started doing our research and found that Alabama was one of only a few states that would not allow any hemp, even that with no THC, to be sold. Finally, the federal government passed legislation, with President Trump’s signature, that made any hemp oil product legal as long as it had less than 0.3% THC.

So, we are proud to announce to the public that Herbs & More in Athens has many different hemp oil products. Here are some reasons why you may want to consider adding this most amazing oil to your supplement regimen: 1) Epilepsy (Has been demonstrated to reduce number and severity of seizures) 2) Neuroprotective (Protects neurons in the brain) 3) Post-Traumatic Disorder or PTSD

Stress

4) Tumors and Cancers 5) Pain Relief (May reduce inflammation) 6) Combats Anxiety (Creates

a calming effect) 7) Promotes Natural Sleep (Sleep like a baby again) 8) Natural Stress Reducer (Helps relax the central nervous system) 9) Lowers Cortisol (The stress hormone) which may help with sleep Scientists are rapidly discovering more and more benefits of this most unusual plant oil that is literally changing people’s lives for the better. And one of those amazing benefits is a much deeper, more restful sleep, with many people saying they truly are sleeping like a teenager again. Cannabinoids have proven therapeutic benefits and CBD oil is no exception. It is non-psychotropic, so it does not create the euphoric feelings associated with THC the active ingredient that makes people feel high. However, it is psychoactive, which means it will pass the bloodbrain barrier. CBD oil does have some

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very interesting desirable effects. It can reduce anxiety and paranoia. It is a wellknown anti-epileptic, antiinflammatory, anti-nauseate, anti-depressant and antiproliferative. It also acts as a sleep aid, muscle relaxant, and stress reducing sedative. According to the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, CBD may be useful in reducing inflammation (pain relief), may work as an anticonvulsant, antioxidant, antiemetic, anxiolytic, and antipsychotic agent, and is therefore a potential medicine for the treatment of neuroinflammation, epilepsy, oxidative injury, vomiting and nausea, anxiety, and schizophrenia. CBD oil can have positive effects in the brain, including movement, coordination, pain and sensory perception, emotion, memory, cognition, autonomic and endocrine functions. At this point there is no evidence that CBD interferes

Over a month ago, my wife and I started taking one Hemp Bomb capsule at bedtime. From the very first night, we have been sleeping like we are teenagers again. This oil seems to put us in that deep sleep that is what I call healing sleep. Both of us have noticed that we are more relaxed, have more feelings of well-being, and things that would normally stress us out are easier to deal with. Many others we have told about the Hemp Bombs are reporting the same or even greater results. One gentleman told me that his wife could no longer make him mad and as a result, she has also started taking them. We are convinced that CBD oil is the answer for sleep, stress reduction, and many other disorders. Scientists are convinced that over time even more benefits will surface. It only makes sense that when you can lower stress levels, many other health issues will also be resolved. Your friend in health, Roy P. Williams

February 15 - February 28, 2019

www.JuicePlus.com

Mondays at 10am 1080 AM WKAC February 15 - February 28, 2019

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