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February 16th - March 1st, 2018

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

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

Special Feature The 2018 Mardi Gras Parade With A Purpose... The annual Athens Mardi Gras Block Party was Tuesday, Feb. 13, in Downtown Athens. The Athens State Artheads had their... Page 5

Sweetest Things Tea Room: Good Food. Good News. Good Times.

Tourism Getaway In Our Backyard – AthensLimestone, Alabama Awaits... Athens-Limestone County Alabama, has an abundance of trails, waterways, prime fishing grounds, and RV parks awaiting... Page 10

Clean And Green Mark Your Calendars – We Don’t Want You To Miss A Thing!... Spring is right around the corner! What does that mean here at KALB? It means we are... Page 12

February 16 - March 1, 2018

Sweetest Things Tea Room is both elegant and welcoming

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By Ali Elizabeth Turner I first encountered Sherrol Troupe Gideon, Vivian Troupe Jefferson, and their mother, Ada Troupe, when I began my adventures as the publisher of Athens Now in March of 2011. It was always one of my favorite stops on my Continued on pages 16-17

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February 16 - March 1, 2018

Publisher’s Point

Lovin’ The Crew

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt D. A. Slinkard Paul Foreman Lisa Philippart Lynne Hart Wanda Campbell Anna Hamilton Cayce Lee Hutchins Jackie Warner Deb Kitchenmaster Rosemary Dewar Holly Hollman

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 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 15 Cover Story . . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 View From The Bridge . . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . 20

As I was wondering what to write for this particular Publisher’s Point, I began to tear up as I experienced a wave of loving gratitude for my Athens Now team, and this was to the point that I couldn’t see what I was writing. They are special folks to me, and they wrack their brains at least once a month to bring you a fresh portion of Information and Inspiration from their personal bailiwick – from cooking to personal safety; from pets to vets to sports and more. Please let me tell you about them.

• Jon Hamilton, owner of Curb Appeal Graphics. Jon has been with Athens Now from the very beginning, has faithfully labored sometimes all night so that we can stitch this crazy quilt together, and you have a paper to read. Because of him, we have never missed an edition, and he has become a dear friend. I also highly enjoy and respect his work. • Yvonne Dempsey, our copy editor and grammar/punctuation stickler. This woman has an ability to be firm about the rules and equally friendly in enforcing them. She is another one who has labored tirelessly into the night to get it just right. • Teddy Wolcott, our webmistress, if I may coin a term. Although Teddy describes herself as being “older than dirt,” she is another one who will not rest un-

Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

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til it’s done, and because of her we are now read online all over the world. • D.A. Slinkard, whose column, Slinkard On Success, is one of our most popular, and I think it’s because this guy is the real deal when it comes to being positive. “In sickness and in health,” D.A. has been unstoppable, and we are glad he chose to join our team. If you are feeling discouraged, just Google his name and choose from plenty to perk you up. • Sandy Thompson is the director of the Vets’ Museum here in Athens, and she faithfully honors retired veterans by telling their stories, as well as honoring those who are still serving • Teresa Todd / Cayce Lee

rascal,” regales us with tales that are simultaneously whimsical, philosophical, homespun, and hysterical. He makes me laugh out loud, and I hear that about him from you, too. • Janet Hunt keeps us fit and watches out for us, especially seniors. She has her own studio at her home, and walks the talk. She is also a Master Gardener and will help you get your landscape under control in addition to your lipids. • Wanda Campbell, of ASU’s Center for Lifelong Learning, encourages to make learning a lifestyle and is continually giving us things to do, read, try, and think about, as well as places to go. • Holly Hollman of the Mayor’s

caster, and always zings me with her tag: Until time, be sincere, kind and intentional. • Deb Kitchenmaster makes it her passion to connect us more closely with our Maker, ourselves, and each other through horses. I have personally watched miracles on horseback while leaning against the fence of her round pen, and her waters run deep. There is enough there for equines and humans, as well as some to spare. • Tim Lambert keeps us on top of the sports scene locally, and it is clear that he loves the kids more than he loves the sports. He also keeps things humming at WKAC • Paul Foreman is one of my heroes. Last but not least, both in the paper and on this list, Paul

Hutchins take the time to be the voice of the tourism office and keep us abreast of all the things that are available for us to do in Athens-Limestone County. Teresa wears many hats and expends herself for us because she loves this town. • Lynne Hart, who runs Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful and the Recycling Center. She finds time to write for us in addition to her other duties, which include speaking at schools, churches, civic groups, radio stations; appearing on TV; and sponsoring a number of important events throughout the year. She also makes me laugh with some of the zaniest vids, ever. • Anna Hamilton writes our cooking column, and we want to give a shout out to Shelley Underhill and Kimberly Hobbs for all their hard work in the past. That Anna girl knows how to put love in the food! • Jerry Barksdale, whom I affectionately refer to as our “resident

Office extends herself as a contributing writer and sends me the best pics; much better than the ones I take. She has saved my hide more than once, and has done so cheerfully. • Rosemary Dewar makes you think while you read what millennials think. She was also recently picked as one of The 25 Conservative Women To Follow On Twitter. I think someday I’ll be her seasoned-citizen summer intern when she launches her political career. • Lisa Phillipart heads up the counseling department at ASU, and teaches us how to stay sane in sixty-second chunks. She also has a private practice in Huntsville, and her biz tag says it all: urlifematters. • Jackie Warner is the Renaissance woman who gives us The View From The Bridge. She is a dedicated wife and mom, has been in the ministry, does real estate, is a passionate community builder, has the voice of a broad-

brings common sense to personal defense, and he does it in the midst of the fight of his life, an ongoing battle with brain cancer. I had someone from another state specifically comment on his article, and they were even more appreciative once they found out what he and Joann were having to push through in order to have him write. This is my crew, dear readers. Regular folks who regularly slug it out so that you can have news that you can actually use. And I for one am a better person because of my crew. I straight up love you.

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

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All Things Soldier

Israel Is Officially Facing Down Iran…In Syria by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Mornings and holidays are statistically known to be a time when an enemy will attack, due to the element of surprise. When Syria attacked Israel in the Yom Kippur War of 1973, it was during Shabbat of one of the most important holidays of the year, and Israel will be the first to tell you that they were not prepared, and that the intel they had received was bad. Last week, Israel was attacked on the morning of Shabbat by Iran, but the attack was launched in Syria, and it came in the form of a drone. What happened next demonstrated how quickly things can unravel, and at least from my perch, how completely idiotic it is to have armed Iran with billions of dollars so they can attack our strongest ally and

at the request of the country's legitimate and constitutional government.” Right.

For his part, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded with the kind of strength for which he is well known. “Israel is seeking for peace, but we will continue to defend ourselves against any attack against us, and against any attempt by Iran to establish military bases in Syria or anywhere else,” he said. the only true democracy in the Middle East. An Iranian drone was launched from Syria and penetrated Israeli airspace for about a minute before it was taken out by the Israeli Air Force in the form of an Apache

helicopter. Several IAF F-16s were scrambled in response, and there was a successful raid on the base from which the drone was launched as well. In the process, Syria fired off anti-aircraft missiles, and shot down one of the

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

February 19th

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

Musical Entertainment • 5-7pm 17915 W Elm St • Athens, Alabama • 256-232-0029 Page 4

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F-16s, but, thankfully, all that was lost was the plane, and it crashed landed on the Israeli side. Both pilots were hospitalized, and the worst wounded has been upgraded to stable condition. And, this is the first time an IAF plane has been shot down since the war with Lebanon in 1982. But here is where it gets pesky, or perhaps I should say peskier. Do you remember when we allowed the Iranians to hang on to one of our spy drones when it was brought down and captured via Iranian joysticks in 2011? Well, according to Yuval Steinitz, an Israeli security cabinet minister, the drone that was shot down on Saturday was a copy of the RQ-170 Sentinel, which in 2016 Iran boasted it had reverse-engineered. Of course, Iran calls the charges false, and says, “Claims about the flight of an Iranian drone…are too ridiculous to be addressed because the Islamic Republic of Iran has advisory presence in Syria

I got to spend part of a day with the IDF when I was in Israel in 2014, on a base not far from all this. One of the things I found most fascinating is how true it is that Israel is for peace. It was apparent, and this is not something that can be faked. You see it in the eyes and body language of people everywhere, not just soldiers. In fact, if I had not lived amongst soldiers in an Iraqi combat zone, who truly were willing to give their lives for the peace of people they had never met, I would not have been as able to quickly recognize that same commitment on the part of the IDF.

Here’s a question: Next month is Purim, the holiday that sprang out of Queen Esther’s triumph in defeating Hamaan without firing a shot. Persia is where that happened, and Persia just happens to be Iran. Is it possible that the same wickedness that wanted to annihilate Israel is alive and kickin,’ and is showing up in the form of a glorified video game? You be the judge.

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Special Feature

The 2018 Mardi Gras Parade With A Purpose by Holly Hollman The annual Athens Mardi Gras Block Party was Tuesday, Feb. 13, in Downtown Athens. The Athens State Artheads had their costumes ready for this year’s theme, "Things That Fly." Festivities started at 5:30 p.m. at High Cotton Arts with a free mask-making craft session for kids, as well as a popcorn bar. There were also bead making and International Crane Foundation booths at the Athens State Center for Lifelong Learning. The parade was at 6:30 p.m., with the Athens High Dixieland Band performing at the Center for Lifelong Learning

and the East Limestone Band Ensemble at High Cotton Arts. This was advertised as a Parade With A Purpose, as groups decorated shopping carts on loan from Lowe's that they pushed in the parade in order to collect canned food from spectators. All food was then given to the LCCI Food Bank in Athens. A total of 300 cans of food was collected and donated. Decorators included the Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter, who featured a cart that was flying animals to the rescue, and the Athens Arts League which had a cart called, "When Pigs Fly" as a tribute to Julia the Pig. Julia, you’ll remember, was the

February 16 - March 1, 2018

pig that was nearly ousted from the city limits in the 1980s, but who went on to become the SunDrop drinking queen of the Christmas parade. Her portrait also had a place of honor on the walls of LuVici’s. The Limestone County Courthouse had Mardi Gras colors showing on the Courthouse walls and festive music as well, using the new speaker system which can be heard all around the Square. This event was hosted by the Athens State University sculpture students known as the Artheads with assistance from Athens Arts League, and it turned out wonderfully.

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Calendar of Events

auction. Tickets are $15.00 includes a hand-made ceramic bowl to take home. Tickets at First Presbyterian Church on the Square (112 South Jefferson Street in Athens).

Women Empower Women Organization & Food Pantry First Saturday of Each Month

Athens-Limestone Community Association's Fifth Annual Black History Celebration Feb 24th

Prayer • Elderly Assistance • Feed The Hungry Clothes • Scholarships • Empowering Women Volunteers Wanted & Needed Call for Details -256.233.5995 Meeting Time: First Saturday of Each Month at 1:30pm Food pantry open now. wewoa.org • E-Mail: wew5995@gmail.com

6pm. The Beasley Center of First United Methodist Church. Mix and mingle with historic figures from Limestone County's past. Admission by donation.

5K Tiger Dash Feb 24th

SilverSneaker™ Stability class Every Thursday

11:30am – 12:15pm. This class will meet every Thursday at East Limestone Senior Center at 25820 Nick Davis Rd. SilverSneaker™ Stability is a group exercise class designed specifically to keep participants “safe on their feet”. This class will include standing and walking exercises that will be beneficial in decreasing the risk of falling. Chairs are encouraged for warm-up and cool-down only. Donations for the class are accepted. For additional information, call Janet at 256-614-3530 or email at jhunt9155@gmail.com.

7th Annual Singing Feb 23rd

Market Street Church of Christ. 514 West Market Street in Athens. 7:00PM-8:30PM.

2018 Empty Bowls Luncheon Feb 23rd

At Revival. 305 West Washington Street in Athens. 11:30AM1:00PM with soup prepared by local restaurants and silent

Cedar Hill Elementary, 27905 Cedar Hill Road in Ardmore, AL. Starting at 7:00AM. The race benefits Ardmore High School Cross Country & Track Teams, Cedar Hill Elementary Physical Education Department, Elkmont Cross Country and St. Jude's Children's Hospital. Information and Registration: Itsyourrace. com

Hee Haw at the Hollow Dinner and Show Feb 24th

For the Nehemiah Project Ministries at Harvest Hollow Venue & Farm. 29881 Harvest Road in Toney. 6:00PM8:00PM. Tickets free, donations welcome. Tickets at Wooley Springs Baptist Church, 28025 Bethel Road in Toney, or email nehemiahproject10@gmail.com

County for a Cure Swamp John's Fundraiser Mar 1st

Limestone County Sheriff's Arena. AL-99 just past the Elm Street intersection. 4:30PM-7:30PM. Combination Platters with drink are $10.00 each. Tickets can be purchased at Limestone County Commission (310 West Washington Street in Athens) or Limestone County Sheriff's Office (101 West Elm Street in Athens).

AmVets Burger Time Mar 2

Join American Veterans Post 21 for a juicy burger, fries and drink. 22769 Black Road in Athens from 5:00PM-8:00PM. $5. Extend your evening with Karaoke Night fun for $5 admission and over 30,000 songs to perform. For more information: 256444-2793 or www.AmVetsAL21.com

Ladies Sip N Shop Mar 4

Vietnam Veterans Building. 17915 West Elm Street in Athens. 2:00PM-6:00PM featuring local independent businesses and non-alcoholic beverages to enjoy.

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February 16 - March 1, 2018

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

Enjoy The Ride, Part 2 by Ali Elizabeth Turner

This particular Monday started off with a particularly meaningful set of thoughts about Mondays. We knew that we were going to continue on our series centered around Steve Gilliand’s Enjoy The Ride. And Mayor Ronnie mentioned that in Gilliand’s book, he discusses a secretary that worked for him for many years who would start off each work week by declaring, “I hate Mondays.” The mayor sipped his coffee and said, “Think of that! That is 1/7th of your life, and you are going to lose it by choosing to hate it? What a waste!” I nodded in the affirmative, as I had just come off a weekend of battling the

be indirectly having a positive impact on our growth. He said that amongst other things, he had encouraged the attendees to explore Athens on their downtime, starting with the

crud, and knew that I needed to step it up, even though it would seem justifiable to rue the day along with the cough that functioned as an involuntary workout of one’s core. Gilliand used to be an anti-Monday type of guy, but then he came up with an antidote to his secretary’s “Eeyore vibe.” In Enjoy The Ride, he says cheerfully, “Life picks on everyone. Don’t take it personally.” Mayor Ronnie had just come from Leak City, where he had welcomed the latest conference attendees to the rigorous week-long seminar held several times a year to

teach them how to manage all kinds of hazmat and fire-related disasters. This current group hailed from places as far as Puerto Rico and Idaho, and as always, the mayor invited them to experience our special brand of Classic. Southern. Character. We talked about the fact that Leak City was a wonderful way to send our essence as a town out to places all over the country who would have never heard of us, and acknowledged that the outstanding job Steve Carter and his crew do in training these folks could

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birthday bash held in the Event Center. The photos, displays, memorabilia, refreshments, music, presentations, all of it were top-drawer. Mayor Ronnie men-

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Mardi Gras parade. The State of the City address had gone well, and the State of the County luncheon and address is coming up. It will be held in the Limestone County Event Center on February 28 at noon, and tickets can be purchased at the Chamber of Commerce. “This is a time of tremendous growth in our city and county, and people need to come out and hear what is going on, and what’s coming up,” the mayor said. We both talked about what a beautiful job the County had done in pulling off the 200th

tioned that when the City of Athens does their celebration in November, Mooresville is invited to be a part of the party, due to the fact that the incorporation of both towns occurred within days of each other. As always, so many things were coming up, including the Home and Garden Show, Chili Challenge, Poke Sallet, and more, and so we thanked God for our blessings, in our time and in our lives. Then it was time for Ronnie to roll.

February 16 - March 1, 2018

Slinkard On Success

Suck It Up, Buttercup by D. A. Slinkard

D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store Life is all about not giving up. We will all have bad things happen to us along this crazy thing we call life, but what is most important is how we respond to those crazy happenings. Recently, I was hospitalized for 12 days in the Huntsville Hospital (not to be confused with The Hilton) due to me having Crohn’s Disease. I can tell you from firsthand experience how easy it is to become a Negative Nancy (sorry to all Nancys out there) when life is not going how you planned. There’s one thing you can do, and that’s to suck it up, buttercup. We need to realize how good we actually have it. While in the hospital, I received word that a fellow church member was also in the hospital on the floor above me. Sadly, she had fallen and broken both ankles, and, I believe, a hip and a wrist. It was at this point in time that I realized how fortunate I was that, even though I was fighting an infection in my body and a Crohn’s flare, at least I had the ability to be mobile. We need to understand that no matter what bad things are happening in our life, there is someone out there that would surely trade our sorrows for theirs. Be thankful. Show gratitude. Being thankful and showing gratitude are going to affect your attitude. Taking the time to be thankful for what you have, not concerned with what you don’t have, is going to impact the amount

of gratitude you have for what life offers us. We must be prepared for when seasons inevitably change in our life. Truth be told, we are all battling the storm of negativity. We are either going into, in the middle of, or coming out of a storm, and we must stay steadfast in our attitude even when our circumstances suggest otherwise. I think back to my oldest daughter and her basketball team. During the regular season they lost 7 times in 10 games, finishing in fourth place out of five teams. Then came the time for the rec league tournament, and life has taught me that the regular season means nothing when there is a tournament involved! We had our first game against the last-place team to see who would go up against the tournament favorite. The girls could have been negative, especially having only won 30% of the time during the regular season, but they were not. They played so well and advanced on to face the number one team in the tournament, who fin-

February 16 - March 1, 2018

ished the season with a perfect 10 wins and 0 losses. The girls had a decision to make - do we just give up facing the undefeated team because they are supposed to win or do we come out and fight? Dealing with 9- to 12-year-old girls you never know what you are going to get, but what I found them displaying was a ton of heart, a ton of courage, even when their previous history showed they should just roll over and give up. It reiterated the point that it is not always the dog in the fight so much as the fight in the dog, and these girls had a ton of fight in their bodies. When the final whistle was blown, the girls were victorious and Goliath had been taken down.

tween them and finishing the season number one in the tournament. They had to go up against the number two team, who finished the regular season with 8 wins and 2 losses. The final game was intense and was a battle for both teams. In the end though, we ended up losing by a mere 6 points, which still felt like a victory especially when watching the girls put the second-place medal

around their necks. Sure, we might not have won the championship trophy, but it certainly felt good knowing where we came from and where we finished. This made me realize an aspect of how life works. We might not always finish out as number one, but we must remember to never give up, even when the odds are against us. And always be thankful for what we have.

The girls had qualified for the championship game through hard work and determination. Their success was not handed to them; they had to fight hard to qualify to play for the distinction of being the Athens Rec League Tournament Champions. The girls had one final test standing be-

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Tourism

Getaway In Our Backyard – Athens-Limestone, Alabama Awaits by Cayce Lee Hutchins Social Media Specialist Athens - Limestone County Alabama, has an abundance of trails, waterways, prime fishing grounds, and RV parks awaiting you. These marvelous gems are tucked among the emerald greenways and luscious landscape of our blooming and friendly communities. With AthensLimestone County located along the Interstate 65 and U.S. Highway 72 corridors and centrally located in North Alabama, it makes for a perfect getaway from the havoc of the city, a base station for exploring the region or just a simple daytrip for a change of scenery. No matter what your escape requires, you'll find options in Athens-Limestone County. Whether it’s RVing, boating, fishing, swimming, water skiing, hiking, kayaking, canoeing, birding, or just simple relaxation - there's a playground for everyone. Limestone County is served by not only the Tennessee River but the Elk River and offers water suitable for rafting, fishing, and water sports. The Wheeler Lake and the Elk River have come to host several fishing tournaments throughout the year, including the Cabela King Kat Tournament, Alabama Bass Trail–Wheeler Lake, City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Tournament. There are the

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smaller tournaments for the weekend angler like the Friday Night Bass Tournament, Saturday Night Tournament, and the Heartland Anglers Bass Tour-

nament. Anglers will enjoy the chance at three different kinds of catfish, three different kinds of bass, plus bream, crappie, sauger and other species. From enthusiast to lazy day pacer, there’s a trail to suit your needs in the AthensLimestone area with over 20 to choose from. If you'd like to keep things in an urban environment, the City of Athens offers several trails featuring the history and architecture of Athens, including the Columns and Culture Trail, Beaty Historic District Trail, and the Athens Historic Volksmarch,

or enjoy the one of the tracks or Veterans Walk of Ardmore AL/TN. The Richard Martin Rails to Trails is a 10.3 mile trail start-

ing just south of the northern border of Alabama in Veto. It travels through the Civil War historic site Battle of Sulfur Creek Trestle before continuing through the heart of Elkmont to finish at Piney Chapel Road north of Athens at Coffman Park. Walkers, bikers, and horseback riders can enjoy this scenic trail through nature along the reclaimed railroad that once served as the L&N Railroad connection between Louisville and Birmingham. The Noah Bike and Antique Car Trail winds its way through Limestone County

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for nearly 90-miles of history, scenery, and adventure - perfect for a road trip in the family car or testing the curves with your motorcycle. Several of Limestone’s communities are highlighted along the way with options to stop at sites including historic churches, cemeteries, and nature areas. The Noah Bike and Antique Car Trail is a great way to link the trails and attractions of the Richard Martin Rails to Trails, Marbut’s Bend Accessible Nature Trail, Athens-Limestone County African-American Heritage Trail, Athens-Limestone County Civil War Trail, and the Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail. RVers have the option of views and locations in Athens-Limestone from the shores of the Tennessee River to the heart of Elkmont. RVers are always welcome in Athens-Limestone with RV parks conveniently

located to attractions, waterways, and the interstate simply by choosing one of the conveniently located RV parks. Cowford Landing has access to the bass rich Tennessee River and boat launches, walking trails, and convenience station. Mill Creek Park visitors can choose to pull their RV in and enjoy access to the town of Elkmont, the Noah Bike and Antique Car Trail, the Richard Martin Rails to Trails, and Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail. While RV visitors looking to spend their time in historic Athens can choose to make their home at Northgate RV Park at Exit 354 or Swan Creek Park at Exit 347. Athens-Limestone Tourism has created a brochure highlighting available trails and tracks in the greater Limestone County, including Ardmore, Mooresville, Lester, Elkmont, and Athens areas. This brochure is available at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center, 100 N. Beaty St., Athens, AL, between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, or by visiting www.VisitAthensAL.com and using the contact form to request a copy. You can also reach the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center by calling 256-232-5411.

February 16 - March 1, 2018

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Clean and Green

Mark Your Calendars – We Don’t Want You To Miss A Thing! by Lynne Hart Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful

Spring is right around the corner! What does that mean here at KALB? It means we are busy, busy, BUSY working on opportunities for you!

art lessons at High Cotton Arts ($120 value); and 3rd Place: 2 art lessons at High Cotton Arts. Winners may choose from a variety of art lessons.

Leigh and I look forward to spring and all the KALB-sponsored events that are about to happen. All of these activities will amount to nothing without you, our fellow Athenians and Limestone Countians. Here is a list of upcoming events. Mark your calendars. Sign up. Just get involved in some way. There is something for everyone!

Entry Deadline: All entries must be submitted in good condition no later than March 16, 2018. No entries will be accepted electronically.

Watch for more details about each of these events on the Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Facebook page or our website at www.KALBCares.com. Earth Day T-Shirt Design Contest KALB invites all students from 5th grade through 12th grade to enter this contest to design the 2018 Earth Day t-shirts to be sold at our Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO on April 28.

For a complete list of guidelines, visit http:// www.kalbcares.com/earthday-t-shirt-design-contest.

for the cleanup and lunch. Marbut Bend Guided Trail Walk – April 28 Damien Simbeck, TVA Natural Resource Management, will lead this walk. Damien is a birding expert with knowledge of the area’s history and the wildlife that call it home. Meet at the trailhead at 7:30 a.m. Bring Volunteers clean the Elk River from land and water

Elk River Cleanup – March 10

One of the beautiful raptors from Wings to Soar

Awards in Each Category: 1st Place: 6 art lessons at High Cotton Arts ($180 value); 2nd Place: 4

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Wings To Soar will be returning with their beautiful raptors that they will free-fly over the heads of spectators. Free hot dogs and Pepsi will be available while supplies last, and a free door prize ticket will be given to everyone who attends. This year, you will not have to be in attendance to win! This is a family-friendly event that will keep the entire family busy! Bring

GRAND PRIZE: Design selected to be on Earth Day t-shirts, framed tshirt, and $100 in art supplies for winning student’s teacher. Contest Categories: Grades 5-6; grades 7-8; and grades 9-12

The Marbut Bend Walking Trail is located in West Limestone KALB welcomes WOW! as on Hwy. 99 about a a valued partner in bringing mile past the Elk Rivquality programs to Athens and Limestone County er bridge on the left heading west, and is the kids and grandma and handicapped accessible. grandpa, too! We are nevEarth Day & Outdoor er too old to learn something new from our exhibiEXPO – April 28 Thanks to WOW!, our tors, and everyone loves to newest sponsor, this shop with our vendors. year’s Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO will be even more exciting! Teachers, parents, kids, and grandparents have told us how much they look forward to attending each year.

KALB invites you to join other volunteers in an effort to clean up in and around the Elk River in Limestone County. We will gather at 8:00 a.m. at the Hatchery Rd. boat ramp in West Limestone for registration, distribution of supplies, and a group photo. Groups will then disburse to various areas around the river. Thanks to TVA sponsorship, lunch and prize drawings will take place at

WOW! Is sponsoring some terrific prizes that include the following:

appointed. Damien assures us that you will be finished in time to get to the Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO by 10!

KALB is currently accepting space registrations for exhibitors and vendors who would like to share information about our environment, earth-friendly products and services, health and wellness, or to sell quality crafts and wares. MORE INFORMATION Visit www.kalbcares.com and click the EVENTS tab to find links to these events. Watch the Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Facebook page, email us, or give us a call. We would love to talk with you about these or any of our activities and programs.

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noon. Please let us know you are coming, if you can, so we will have adequate supplies

binoculars if you have them and insect repellent, and wear comfortable walking shoes. You will not be dis-

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(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com February 16 - March 1, 2018

Cooking with Anna

Bring On The Spring by Anna Hamilton

On February 2, all eyes were focused on a small rodent to tell us whether we should get ready to enjoy the warm sunshine of spring or brace for another round of frigid winter winds. Little Punxsutawney Phil, arguably the best-known groundhog in the world, came out and saw his shadow this year, which means we brace for six more weeks of winter. Well, this summer-loving Southern girl, is ready to hang up her boots and whip out the flip flops. Spring can not get here fast enough. Spring brings a re-birth to the earth. Vegetation begins to grow again, animals begin to wake up from their winter slumber, and birds begin to chirp in the trees. We are ready to come out and play in the

sunshine, have picnics, and breath the fresh air. During the winter, we eat such heavy foods. Christmas Ham and Thanksgiving stuffing make way for healthier, lighter foods of Spring. We want to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather and eating healthy foods helps us enjoy it even more! Even though Phil may have predicted six more weeks of winter, I’ve decided to go ahead and eat like it is already Spring. One of the best recipes to get me in the “Spring” spirit is a Spring Vegetable Salad. It’s simple, fast, satisfying, and most importantly delicious. So, break out your flip flops and enjoy this yummy salad while we anxiously await the arrival of Spring.

Spring Vegetable Salad What You Need:

2 medium zucchini 2 medium yellow squash 1 mild, sweet apple (such as Gala or Fuji)

1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, finely chopped 1/2 cup shaved Parmesan cheese 1/3 cup lemon (or citrus) vinaigrette 1/4 cup sunflower seeds

Directions: Cut zucchini, squash, and apple into small 1/2-inch cubes. Chop basil. Combine all ingredients in salad bowl. Toss to coat. Chill until ready to serve.

February 16 - March 1, 2018

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The Millennial Mind

The Dance With Darkness by Rosemary Dewar Last year, upon the announcement of Fidel Castro’s overdue exit from this world, our mainstream media toadied at his dreadful rule. The so-called achievements he made were held up as standards to the rest of the world. Cuba’s citizens enjoyed Castro’s feats so much that they were willing to risk death by either the government or by dangerously floating on barely buoyant garbage for 103 miles just to escape it. Now at the Winter Olympic Games, as a result of the long-term, frigid relations between the United States and North Korea, our mainstream media decided to pit our Vice President Mike Pence against the North Korean Dictator’s sister, Kim Yo Jong. The primetime segments

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were rife with magnanimous fawnings over a women who happens to be the propaganda director for the North Korean regime. In addition, she is one who has not yet spoken about her half-brother’s assassination last year. Every news outlet, other than Buzzfeed who used just enough forethought to cast criticism on Kim Yo Jong, readily presented the North Korean team leadership and chaperones as though they had just graduated from charm school. It is as if Joseph Goebbels escorted the German team to the Olympics Games, and the United States media gave him accolades for giving Vice President Alben Barkley the cold shoulder. Secularists raise the question that they think the religious community

ture to lie to one’s self. A lie is also a choice. As long as people willfully lie to themselves, evil will have no other course than to flourish.

has never thought of: “Why is there heinous wickedness while a good God exists?” The JudeaChristian worldview asserts that mankind can choose evil because they love darkness. There is not a better example of this idea than to witness people who have been given the brightest opportunities to shine a light on unscrupulous people, and they instead choose to applaud actual

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oppressors. Prime Minister Winston Churchill stated, “In wartime, truth is so precious that she should always be attended by a bodyguard of lies.” In all honesty, truth is always under attack. It seems to be that the best way to confirm a truth is by how persistently it is attacked by lies. One does not have an inherent, involuntary na-

Political philosopher Edmund Burke asserted, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.” A lie is worse when it used to suppress a truth for the sole purpose of doing harm, or in order to keep someone from excelling. The attempt to keep someone in the dark long enough in order to control them is a seething, great evil. That is a dance with darkness, and no good thing can come of it.

February 16 - March 1, 2018

Health and Fitness

Fitness Myths by Janet Hunt

Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment. In this time of “fake news,” I am going to review a few myths that are out there regarding exercise and fitness. •Abdominal crunches will give you a six-pack. Core work, including abdominal crunches, is an effective method for increasing muscular endurance, strength, spine stabilization, and posture. However, abdominal crunches will not necessarily reveal the “six-pack” look. To flatten the stomach, you must work to achieve a favorable change in body composition (reduce fat and build muscle). This is accomplished through a combination of cardiovascular activity, resistance and core training, which are all supported by healthy and balanced eating habits. •Women who weightlift, get “bulky.” One of the fundamental ingredients for muscle growth is testosterone, which is a hormone found in high concentrations in men, but not so much in women (women do have testosterone, but not in the levels present in men). Women should lift heavy weights.

ual (both men and women) stops lifting weights and adopts a sedentary lifestyle, lean tissue will atrophy (weaken) and reduce in size. Muscle will not and cannot turn to fat. •Working out in the “fat-burning zone” helps you lose weight. Yes, a “fat-burning zone” does exist—it’s the point at which fats are being used as the primary source of fuel. Fats are generally utilized at rest (including sleep) and during very lowintensity activities, but the number of calories burned in this “zone” is too low to initiate (or maintain) weight loss. If the goal is weight loss, a higher-intensity activity is best. •Stretching before a workout is beneficial.

Rather than stretching before a workout, a warm-up is recommended to prepare your body for your workout. A warm-up increases muscle temperature and heart rate releasing specific hormones, getting you mentally “fired up,” and improving range of motion. Static stretching is recommended at the end of the workout during the cool-down portion.

For more information and answers regarding fitness myths, call Janet

Hunt, ACE certified personal trainer at 256-6143530.

Fitness myths and “fake news” will continue. Some things change with research over time. As with all news, if you question the validity, check the author’s credentials and the scientific evidence to back it up.

•When resistance training stops, muscle will turn to fat. Lean tissue (muscle) and non-lean tissue (fat) are entirely separate materials with different biochemical structures, metabolic rates, and functions. If an individ-

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Cover Story

Sweetest Things Tea Room: Good Food. Good News. Good Times. by Ali Elizabeth Turner

delivery route, a place where my stomach, spirit, and soul could find sweetness. I am so pleased to have a chance once again to tell you their story, and invite you to their Tea Room on the north side of the Square in Athens. It is there that I can tell you from experience that you will have good food, good news, and good times.

taurant experience at all prior to 2006 when they opened their previous location on North Jefferson, right across the street from Frame Gallery. What Sherrol did have, however, was a degree in Business Administration from Athens State University, experience as a trainer for a large corporation in Huntsville, a lifelong love for cooking started by her grandmothers, and a vibrant prayer life.

Sherrol and Vivian are the owners of the Tea Room, and it is definitely a family affair, down to a small granddaughter functioning as a tiny helper in between coloring and playing with her grandmother’s cell phone. The success of Sweetest Things is something for which all of them give God the glory, as no one in “the Troupe” had any res-

I asked her, “How did you start?” “Well,” she said, “We have always cooked.” Now please understand, when she makes that statement, you need to know a bit about their heritage. The grandmothers on both sides were legendary as bakers in Limestone County, and are the sources of the recipes used in the Tea Room. For one grandmother, it was

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customary during the holidays to have every square inch of counter space lined with cakes and pies that people had hired her to bake for them. It didn’t stop there; she would improvise by making more flat surfaces by putting pieces of plywood across armchairs to accommodate her creations, and it wasn’t until everyone came to get their “sweetest things” that she could take back her own home for the holidays. For her part, Sherrol used to make cakes at home and sell them at work, and at the time, she also was decorating cakes I didn’t know what it was,” she said.

on the side, something she no longer has the time to do. Her husband, Ronnie, was career military, and it was during his first deployment to Iraq during the Operation Iraqi Freedom assault phase

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in 2003 that she began to feel an inexplicable shift inside. “I was restless, and didn’t know why. Everything was okay, my husband was safe, and so was my daughter. Nothing was wrong, I just had the feeling that a change was coming, but

For about two weeks straight, Sherrol got up in the wee hours to pray, and basically told God, “I don’t know what to do; so, please just put me where You want me to be.” At the end of the two weeks, the powerful, manifest presence of the Lord came into her prayer room, and she just knew that everything was going to be okay, but had no idea what was next. It was a good thing, too, because when she got to work that day, she was informed that she had been laid off. What she felt the Lord told her was that this was the answer to her prayers, and though she loved her job and the people she worked with, she was being “moved on to move on.” People expected her to be upset, but she truly was at peace. For about a year she baked from her home – things like “million dollar chocolate chip cookies,” which she would

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I put myself on it. I can tell you that I am the recipient of an amazingly speedy answer, and not a moment too soon. I asked Ada what she enjoyed the most about the business, which is her third career, and she said, “I LOVE to cook.” Vivian’s answer to the same question was, “I love meeting new and interesting people.” It is apparent that someone at Sweetest Things loves Paris, France, and that would be Sherrol. There is a glass model of the Eiffel Tower in the front display window, and there are pictures of Paris all through the restaurant. As someone who knows firsthand just how beautiful the City of Lights is from experience, I hope Sherrol gets to visit someday, and lets somebody cook for her. Business has been good, and they have had to hire extra help. In addition to the lunch crowd, people were coming in to pick up their custom dessert orders. “We can’t make enough caramel cakes,” she produce 30 dozen at a time. They always sold out. She baked for a hotel in Huntsville, for her friends, family, church, and community. In 2006, another set of miracles occurred that just might need another story, and Sherrol, Vivian, and Mother Ada opened up the Tea Room on Jefferson Street. “Then,” she told me, “we outgrew that,” and it was time to pray again. “We began to thank God for a new location before one ever opened up, and we moved to our new place right around the week of Thanksgiving 2016.” Faith most definitely had been rewarded once again. As mesmerized as I was by their story, I knew that some of our readers would need to know what the “Troupers” bring to the table, literally. I asked Sherrol, “Why should I come here?” She replied, “We have three generations of recipes, and the meals we prepare for our customers are like what we prepare for our own families. We make

things in small batches, specifically for you. We pray over the food before it goes out, we pray while we’re working, and at the end of the day, we ask God to bless our customers for coming here. We know they don’t have to come here, and we are thankful.” They also keep a prayer request list on the wall in the kitchen, and

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Sherrol Troupe Gideon and Ada Troupe Not pictured: Vivian Troupe Jefferson when Pablo’s on Market was in the same location serving lunch, it was Sweetest Things that prepared the chicken salad. Every time I have eaten there, the place has been packed, and somehow they always find a way to give me a hug. Sweetest Things does high teas by reservation only, on- and off-site catering for baby showers, bridal showers, community and church dinners, and more. But, truth be told, the “sweetest things” in the building are Sherrol, Vivian, and Ada, love-

ly women, all. Come and find out for yourself.

Sweetest Things Tea Room

216 West Market Street Athens, AL 35611 Hours: 11-5, Mon-Fri Phone: 256-232-5042 www.sweetestthingtea room.com

said, and that is also the case for the coconut cakes. In addition, they make pies, including caramel pecan, chocolate, chess, buttermilk, and sweet potato. Their daily specials include champagne chicken, smothered pork chops, and chicken stew, and

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Learning As A Lifestyle

The Value of Certifications by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262

“In November, Governor Kay Ivey, announced that the state's preliminary, seasonally adjusted October unemployment rate is 3.6 percent, down from 3.8 in September, which tied the previous record. A year ago, Alabama's unemployment rate was 6.1 percent.” (Thornton, William. “What Alabama’s Dropping Unemployment Rate Means.” AL.COM, Nov. 20, 2017) With the unemployment rate so low, the job market has become much more competitive. How can you stand out? William Draves, of Learning Resources Network, says pro-

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fessional certifications are becoming more valuable in today’s workplace because employers value the standardized set of skills and qualifications to perform the job – especially in the fields of IT and healthcare. Research from CompTIA found that high school graduates with professional certifications have earnings 22% higher than high school graduates without certifications. “A certification is more than a gold star. It’s more than a pat on the back or a ‘job well done.’ Obtaining a professional certification is an indication that you’re an expert.

It is proof to employers, peers, and even yourself that you speak and think in a specific language.” (Day, Ryan. “18 Certifications Worth Having.” Globalknowledge.com, Feb. 12, 2018) At Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning, we offer many of the “18 Certifications Worth Having,” according to Ryan Day of Global Knowledge. Online courses are a great way to succeed when you can’t find the time to go to class. We are currently offering two programs in both formats. You can come to class or take the class online. Threats and Vulner-

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abilities in Cybersecurity is offered on Friday, April 20, from 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. at the CyberProtex Training Center in Madison. You can also take Cybersecurity for Managers online March 5-30, May 7-June 1, or July 2-27. These courses are an introduction to understanding the basics of threats, vulnerabilities, and attacks. The courses are designed for IT personnel, administrative staff, management, and other professionals. The other course we are offering in two formats is CompTIA Security+ 5-day Exam Preparation Boot Camp. This course is Monday, March 5-Friday, March 9, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the CyberProtex Training Center in Madison. This course will prepare you to sit for the exam and includes the workbook, study guide, and access to the online practice tests. Also included in the course is the exam voucher to register and take the exam. The online course lets you gain hands-on expertise in CompTIA

Security+ certification exam by course and performancebased labs. Performance-based labs simulate real-world, hardware, software, and command line interface environments and can be mapped to any textbook, course and training. The class is available on demand and you can access the classroom 24/7. Another popular online course is the Certificate in Data Analysis, which is a three part program. The first course Introduction to Data Analysis starts April 7-27, Intermediate Data Analysis is May 7-June 1, and Advance Data Analysis is June 4-29. Project Management Professional is another popular online course. We offer introductory courses and exam prep courses online to meet your needs. Check our website – www.athens.edu/ CLL -- for specific session dates and other available online and classroom format certification programs. If you have questions, please call 256233-8260. There are over 400 online course offerings available.

February 16 - March 1, 2018

The View From The Bridge

The House We Live In - Enjoy It! by Jackie Warner Jackie Warner

Career Development Facilitator “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

“In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amoz came to him, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live.” – 2 Kings 20:1 As we engage in this year 2018, I ponder over what Hezekiah must have thought when

he was told to get his house in order. As we all know, “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27 When we think about our house, it is often the one we have purchased, leased, or rented for ourselves. We decorate it, maintain it, and do whatever we need to make everyone feel at home and welcoming. Over the years, I feel like I never have had time to just enjoy our home. Yes, I go to work, come home, take

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care of chores, get off to sleep, and then up and out the door to start the process all over again, not really enjoying what I spend so much time working for. I am sure you all can relate in some way or another, but realization has really been hitting home with me these last few months. The realization that our house is actually the one we personally live in… not the one we are buying, leasing, or renting but the one we were given when we were

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born. The house we inhabit daily - our internal body, our spirit, the inner most part of us. Yes, that’s the one! We so often dress the outside, being so careful to look our very best, but give not even a second thought about the real house given to us at birth - our Soul! How is it clothed? ”Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.” Colossians 3:12

Is your house in order? Because ultimately, what is home - You are. Your body is your house! – M. Abramovic

Until Next Time, Be Sincere, Kind and Intentional Jackie Warner, Community Outreach Specialist Email: thebridge.us@gmail.com Check out upcoming events: http://thebridgeus.yolasite.com/

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Horse Whispering

February Fun by Deb Kitchenmaster Brother Donny from Blomkest, Minnesota, called to tell me that it is actually warmer in Minnesota than Alabama! Seriously! “Rub it in.” Yes. That’s the reason he called his sister! It’s beyond expression when simply out of the clear, friend/brother calls, just to have some fun. We laughed, enjoyed a connecting moment, said “I love you,” with a promise to come for a visit before too long. Are you comfortable having fun? Are you creative in thinking of fun things to do, safely and soundly? Is fun natural for you or a bit challenging? If you could benefit from having someone in your life that would help you with FUN, that would be a horse. Horses like to play. Some horses have more play in them than others, but play is part of their gift to us humans. I know of some horses that play often. They will kick at each other, then run to the other side of the pasture chasing each other, and if they have the jolly ball, they throw it and race to grab it from the others (they have done this with rubber feed bins too). A friend of mine told me her horses play hide and seek by going into the woods or around the side of the barn to hide from her, and then hurry to another spot. She sees ‘the game’ and hides from them. They

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arena. On the road several people were out with their cameras for social media and training brochures. Giggles, smiles, and laughter is expressed when I am shown a picture taken of me smiling as I lead my horse. My dear horse, on purpose, deliberately, sticks out its tongue as we pass by the camera. I love it! Why? Because the horse can! What a gift. I’m at a horse show. I stopped to visit with some people I know and their horse started licking my arm like a dog. The twins I’m with asked me what the horse was doing. I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I don’t know.” They made some silly comment like, “Only you try to figure out where she is and if she has treats. Game on! Watch their eyes, their ears, and their tails (swishing or flagged) because it will make you laugh! Personally, I think these amazing horses KNOW more about laughter being good medicine for our souls than we do. Our stallion, EMR Big Sky, has a huge play drive. The more you laugh, the more he entertains. I remember being with Sky in the round pen, and we did this dance. It’s really cool. I asked him to stop, he did, and then he bowed to me. Some friends were over and thought that was the coolest thing they had ever seen. How long did

it take for me to train him to do that bowing thing? I didn’t. He simply wanted to bow to me, out of respect? Or being a knucklehead? Only he knows. Isn’t that just funny! Involved with training to become an Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner, I was leading a horse from paddock to indoor

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crossed, you may very well find yourself asking frequently, “Isn’t that interesting?” And it is. I can relate to the Disney movie SPIRIT. Do you remember the scene when the man came to trim the horse’s hooves? He ends up with two black eyes, doesn’t he? When Sky was a much younger stallion, I was cleaning out his front left hoof. Extending my hoof pick, Sky flexes his muscle and pops me in the left eye. Ouch! I look at the dude and he’s laughing at me. I said something intelligent like, “I know a vet with a very sharp knife if you don’t straighten up.” I finished that hoof and moved to the front right hoof; same thing, only right eye this time. The next morning I had two black eyes. I got the eye cream out and then applied makeup. Did this become a habit? No. One and done. Did I become more aware of energy, body posturing, my own presence? Absolutely!

Debbie.” They giggled. I smiled. Are you com- My heart for you this fortable with unan- February: relax, have swered questions? I fun, and laugh. hope so. Horses have a brilliant way of chalYour NEIGHbor, lenging our linear, raDeb Kitchenmaster tional thinking patterns Corral Connections and usher us into open www.corralconnections.com continuum patterns of 256-426-7947 thinking. When you Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner “shift” from having every “i” dotted and “t” dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

February 16 - March 1, 2018

Mental Health Minute

Y is for Yoga

The Mental Health Benefits of Yoga by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor “Yoga is not about selfimprovement, it is about selfacceptance.”

- Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa Wait! Come back! I know what you are thinking…you have absolutely no interest in yoga…it’s a fad that won’t go away…you tried it before and it didn’t do anything. I get it. I’ve said the same things. Please, just take five minutes tops (I know this is supposed to be a mental health minute) to learn how and why yoga can be the key to psychological and emotional healing. When practiced effectively, yoga is a mind-body-spirit exercise that can help decrease anxiety and depression, improve

memory and focus, and even resolve issues with relationships and self-confidence. Fundamentally, yoga is a practice of poses and breathing techniques designed to strengthen and balance the body and the mind. But as a psychology, yoga helps us work with the nature of the mind, the framework of being a human, and the understanding of how emotions live in our bodies and affect our behavior and our minds. So let’s get specific:

February 16 - March 1, 2018

1.When you practice yoga, you are moving from your sympathetic nervous system to your parasympathetic nervous system. Simply paying attention to breathing deeply, and moving with intention, can take you from fight or flight status to

resting and calming your nervous system. 2.Yoga allows you to connect to your self. Your true self. By developing a more non-judgmental relationship through your unconscious mind, you are telling your self that you are worthy of the “me” time. And really, doesn’t everything come down to your relationship with yourself? Yoga can provide that grounding in your sense of self, which develops into a healthy, balanced center. Nothing to prove and nothing to hide. 3.Believe it or not, yoga improves your romantic relationships! When you are more at peace with yourself, you are more likely to be that way with your part-

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ner. Yoga teaches compassion and love for who you truly are, which transfers to the way you treat those you love.

Have you owned who you are? You are the only one who can change your actions and behaviors. Yoga embraces the authentic you.

4.Yoga helps you to become aware of where in your body you hold certain types of energy. For example, when you are anxious or stressed, where do you hold that tension or tightness? This emotional energy can be released through various poses and movements. You are healing from the inside out.

So, if you prefer yoga as a social activity, commit to a class. Or if you tend to be more solitary, learn a few poses and commit to making meditation time daily. Either way, the physicality of yoga will boost your mind and spirit in surprisingly positive ways.

5.Stick with me, because this may be a bit esoteric. (Love that word!) Yoga can often guide you in dealing with your family-of-origin issues. You were born with gifts and challenges over which you have no control.

Until next time…Lisa 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.

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Medical Update

Fight For Your Sight: 5 Tips To Fight Age-Related Macular Degeneration courtesy BrandPoint content The ability to see is one of our most precious gifts. Like most things in life, our vision may be impacted as we age. That's why it's important to learn about Agerelated Macular Degeneration (AMD). Prevalent among older Americans, it affects one in five adults age 65 and older, and is the leading cause of blindness for this population. While there is no cure for this condition, there are steps that you can take to help reduce the risk of progression, including: 1) Schedule routine eye exams. As early stages of AMD

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may not present any symptoms, you may not think to consult your eye doctor. Keeping routine eye exams that include eye dilation may help to identify the condition early, as well as help maintain overall eye health. 2) Address symptoms immediately. See your eye care professional right away if you experience sudden or gradual changes in vision quality. As AMD progresses, straight lines may appear distorted, central vision may look dark, blurry or white, or changes in color perception may become noticeable. If

you have been diagnosed with AMD, you should also regularly check your eyes with an Amsler grid tool that helps track incremental vision changes. 3) Lead a healthy lifestyle. If you smoke, quit. Regular exercise can also help to maintain eye health and minimize the risk of progression. Other risk factors for AMD include obesity, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. 4) Eat right. A diet rich in green, leafy vegetables as well as healthy fatty acids may also help reduce the risk of progression.

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Foods that contain these nutrients include: spinach, kale, broccoli, cabbage, romaine and chard, and fatty fish such as salmon, sea bass, herring, whitefish, mackerel, anchovies and sardines. 5) Consider supplements recommended by the National Eye Institute. If you've been diagnosed with moderate to advanced AMD, The National Eye Institute recommends taking a specific nutrient formula based on the AREDS 2 study, that may help reduce your risk of progression. Talk with your doctor to see if an AREDS 2 formula eye

vitamin is right for you. To raise awareness of this public health issue, Bausch + Lomb, in collaboration with Prevent Blindness, the nation's oldest volunteer eye health and safety organization dedicated to fighting blindness and saving sight, has launched the Why Eye Fight campaign. To learn more about AMD, what steps you can take to help fight for your sight or to watch the patient stories or PSA, visit www.WhyEyeFight.com. You can also join the online conversation and share your story using #WhyEyeFight on Facebook and Twitter.

February 16 - March 1, 2018

Foreman’s Forum

Give Your Piece A Chance: Get Trained On How To Use One! by Paul Foreman I have heard, “Anti gun people who believe if there is a robbery by an armed criminal, a good guy with a gun will more likely hurt innocent people while trying to stop the bad guy.” I will accept that while that scenario is possible, BUT, in fact it rarely ever happens. I am totally convinced that a good guy with a gun can stop a bad guy with a gun. Many Sheriffs and police chiefs are coming on news broadcasts and telling citizens to get armed and get trained. For this article, I did some research. Now I am very pro NRA, but I wanted to seek out a fair and balanced set of statistics. So I “googled” the question: “How many innocent victims are killed by armed citizens while defending themselves?” I could not find any such cases docu-

mented. One report by the “Gun Owners of America” states: “Guns are used 2.5 million times a year in self defense by law abiding citizens.” That is 6,800 times per day! Guns are used 80 times more often to defend lives of innocent citizens rather than criminals taking lives (www.gunowners. org). The lame stream media will never report such facts because the facts do NOT support their antigun agenda. The United States is third in murders throughout the world. But if you take out just four cities (Chicago, Detroit, Washington DC and New Orleans), the United States is fourth from the bottom in the entire world for murders! Yet, these four cities also have the toughest gun control laws in the U.S. All four of these cities are controlled by anti-gun politi-

cians. It would be absurd to draw any conclusions from this data - correct? I spent a total of 23 years in Law Enforcement. Today’s officers get much better training than I did back in the 70’s. Today, I am a student of self defense. I am an NRA certified instructor. I read, study and practice self defense with a firearm every chance I get. I am a huge advocate of staying out of and away from trouble. As a Deputy Sheriff in Lee County Florida, I would often be dispatched to various locations which were known to be trouble spots. For instance, a small public beach was a nice place during the day. But, at night, it was known for heavy drinking and the resulting fights. For a guy to take his girl there, it just was just plain dumb, stupid, ignorant or all of the above.

The point here is stay away from trouble! There is the rare, but possible, case where you have done everything right, stayed away from trouble and evil presents itself anyway. Last issue we talked about the fact that you cannot be the aggressor. If you start the fight and then find yourself losing the fight, you cannot pull a gun and legally defend yourself with it when you started the trouble. You cannot go back an hour later and get even with a guy who insulted your wife or girlfriend. So, before evil presents itself, do what eighteen other good citizens in North Alabama have done recently and get trained to use your firearm, safely and properly. Give your PIECE a chance! It will not do you any good sitting in a box hidden somewhere in your home.

When I give a class, I keep the class size small (2-3) so I can give individual attention. Sixteen of my students have been as novice as can be. Almost ZERO experience. Two of my students were former career military, but wanted a refresher. My desire is for my students to be cautious, but familiar and safe when picking up their gun. If an armed citizen picks up a gun in self defense, but has to stop and think, “Is the safety on or off? Is this gun loaded? If not loaded, where did I put the ammo?” If you need to do all that, in a self defense situation, it’s probably too late. Get trained so whether you pick up a gun for target practice or self defense, you are totally familiar with it. It is a tool and should be NO different than picking up a hammer in your workshop or a skillet and spatula in the kitchen. I can teach you to use your gun safely and properly. Paul Foreman is a retired deputy sheriff from Lee County Florida, now living in Athens. Paul is an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor. “As many of you may already know, due to my current battle with cancer, I am NOT doing firearms classes. Prayers are welcome. As for the classes, I have a gentleman whom I am referring people to, who is also an NRA certified Firearms Instructor.” Email me at: Captureman@ PaulForeman.com Join the NRA and protect your 2nd Amendment Rights go to www.PaulForeman.com click on the NRA Eagle.

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February 16 - March 1, 2018