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January 4th - January 17th, 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 Grammynominated Duo The Secret Sisters Performing Jan. 26 In Athens... Shoals-native sisters who have toured with Bob Dylan and Brandi Carlile will bring their harmonizing... Page 5

Butler’s Home Furnishings: “A People Business, Not A Furniture Business” By Ali Elizabeth Turner In the very early 1950s, a furniture store by the name of Butler’s opened for business in a building that was located between the Athens-Limestone Hospital and the Athens US Post Office on Market Street. It was started by Cecil Butler and at the time, the store offered a bit of everything from seed to used furniture to antiques. Because of hard work, outstandContinued on pages 16-17

Tina's Tales Out With The Old… In With The New... In December 2011, I stood and faced a group of my peers and shared what I called “Jesus: The Reason for the Season.”... Page 7

Mental Health Minute What’s My Name? The Story Of A Promise And Persistence... If you are a dog lover, then this story will make perfect sense to you... Page 21

January 4 - January 17, 2019

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January 4 - January 17, 2019

Publisher’s Point

2019 -- A Whole Year To Head Toward Wholeness

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers D. A. Slinkard Lisa Philippart Lynne Hart Anna Hamilton Cayce Lee Rosemary Dewar Jerry Barksdale Roy Williams Wanda Campbell Joel Allen Holly Hollman Tina Cook Nick Thomas

The ball dropped on New Year’s Eve, the guests are gone, the cleanup is over, the resolutions have been made, we’ve all gone back to work, now what? Well, believe it or not, I am not here to ask you about your New Year’s goals, or tell you about mine. In fact, I am here to say that the traditional approach to making resolutions doesn’t work! But I am here to talk about what can happen, what kinds of lasting changes can be made, and most importantly, why long-term change is not only possible, but completely predictable. What’s the catch? You have to be willing to grow a new brain in small, measurable doses, and that takes about 63 days. It is the

process of what scientists call neuroplasticity, or “brain change” that makes all the difference, and understanding the science of change is one of the things that turns resolutions into results. I have had the great privilege of being around some of the most famous neuroscientists, neurosurgeons, mental health advocacy lawyers, psychiatrists, and medical doctors in the world, and they all agree that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” or perhaps stated differently, we were hard-wired from the get go to do things well. This is true even if you were abused, raped, traumatized, bullied, endured in the field of com-

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 & Fitness . . . . . . . 15 Cover Story . . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Jerry's Journal . . . . . . 19

Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Alternative Approach . . . . 22

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So, why is it that by the end of January most people who made noble resolutions not only have not made any progress, but have completely forgotten that they made them in the first place? Some of it stems from a lack of focus, the wrong focus, or a misguided sense of rugged individualism that is spiritually bankrupt. Toss in some confusion regarding the difference between goal setting and making resolutions, add some self-loathing and a lack of gratitude, and you are back to drowning your sorrows in booze, a bong, or a pan of brownies. Quickly, here is what to do. Bother to search out what you need to resolve, and when you need to set goals. Many changes need both approaches, and the difference comes from knowing if you want changes to be small or large, internal or external, time-stamped or eternal. Come to an understanding that your brain was designed to see the change as what the French call a fait accompli; literally “an accomplished fact.” Spending a bit of time each day zooming ahead in time and observing

Tina's Tales . . . . . . . . . 7

Dog Barker . . . . . . . 20

bat, or were dropped on your head during potty training. Please understand, I am not making light of what for some is the genuinely excruciating pain of life, I am simply saying that scripture and science agree that you can be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and the evidence is mind-blowing. For a zillion resources on the science of change, go to www.drleaf. com.

the desired finished product literally inspires your brain to align with your will to make the change. Jesus taught that. And for heaven’s sake, and I do mean that literally, partner with your Heavenly Papa to find out what things are the most important to Him, and then invite Him into the process. Lastly, celebrate and record the changes, even if they are miniscule. In fact, if you want to come and experience tasty whole foods, along with people, products, and principles with the theme of “New Year, Better You,” please consider this an invitation to hang out with my friend Tracie Spain, manager of Frame Gallery, and me on the evening of Thursday, January 10, or Saturday morning, January 12. We’re heading toward wholeness in 2019, and we want you to come with us! New Year, Better You Where: Frame Gallery, 701 N Jefferson St, Athens, AL 35611 When: Thursday, January 10 from 7-8 p.m. and Saturday, January 12 from 10 to 11 a.m. For more information, call Tracie at 256-434-0042, or Ali at 256-468-9425

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

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All Things Soldier

“We’re Not Broken, We Don’t Need To Be Fixed. … We Just Need Each Other” by Ali Elizabeth Turner “Finally!” I wanted to holler as I sat and read in the kitchen of Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful where my Athens Now desk is officially located. The reason for my squelched outburst of relief is that someone has come up with something that has been proven to work to help veterans who have returned from combat, and that is a reunion. “Well, duh,” you might say, but before you do, let me try to explain what vets go through at the hands and mouths of well-meaning friends, family and, sadly, professionals. Also, be forewarned: This might turn into a series. The findings are that important; so you might need to saddle up

for more than a one-day ride. Here’s what happens to vets who have been in a combat zone, and it is not because anyone is trying to harm or cause frustration. In a word, returning vets feel like they are on Mars, and Mars has become a nanny state. People try to get them to “open up,” but the problem is, when they do, people who have no frame of reference get uncomfortable and feel like they need to say something “to fix it.” Or, and this has become a caricature, vets get asked some version of “Did you kill anyone?” Neither approach helps at all, and the biggest reason is that those around haven’t earned the right

to ask the question in the first place, and that’s because they weren’t there. Rule number one: Let a vet be the one to decide what, if, when, who, where, and why a subject gets broached, and then shut up and listen without judgment. OK, “the uninitiated” may not be the ones who get to ask the tough questions, but the ones who were actually there do, and that is why vet-centered, vet-designed weekend retreats are becoming a formidable therapeutic modality in their own right. As is the case with most great discoveries, this one was made completely by accident. A group of Marines had been in the Great Sand-

Kilo Co. 3/24 Marines Reunion, May 5-7, 2017 Page 4

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box, and let’s just say they suffered more than getting sand thrown in their eyes. One guy from their group decided to have an almost impromptu reunion about five years after they got back, tracked everyone down, and the results were miraculous. Of course a foundation was formed, but the great thing is that everyone who would normally feel the professional need to jump in and control is instead letting these guys find their way through, discover what works and what doesn’t, and a movement has been born. The name of the Marine who planned the first reunion is James Ferguson, and the name of his outfit

is Marines of India Battery, 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines. They spent a weekend in 2015 camping outside (because nature has a healing role in all this), hanging out, celebrating their accomplishments, grieving for and honoring the fallen on their own terms, eating great food, fishing, listening to a live band, playing games, and just reconnecting. There are professionals on duty but out of sight in case things get messy; and there is nothing in the weekend to trigger “white-coat syndrome,” the name given to the added stress that can occur when someone with letters after their name is in charge of a situation. The vets run it, and it works.

Ferguson, who has gone on to organize and further develop the Warrior Reunion Foundation says this: “I firmly believe that the most important factor in success in life after service is remaining connected with those with whom you served. It’s been the most important factor in my success, and I think it’s often what’s missing in the equation.” More than anything, vets are given respect for their experience, and as the subtitle of this article says, “We’re not broken, we don’t need to be fixed… We just need each other." More on that next time, and if you can’t wait ‘til then, please go to www.warriorreunionfoundation.org to find out how you can attend, organize, or support a reunion.

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Special Feature

Grammy-nominated Duo The Secret Sisters Performing Jan. 26 In Athens by Holly Hollman City of Athens Communications Specialist

The Grammy-nominated duo The Secret Sisters will perform at Athens State University’s McCandless Hall at 7 p.m. Tickets are $50 and benefit Athens Arts League, a non-profit that supports artists, provides art education, and brings cultural events to Athens and Limestone County. “Athens Arts League’s Alabama Music Series is an on-going program to support Alabama-based artists and provide opportunities for them to perform for our community,” said Athens Arts League Board President Jennifer Hilton Sampieri, who reached out to The Secret Sisters about performing here. “This exposes our community to the phenomenal talent of local and area musicians, and we search for teaching opportunities for students interested

in the music business, such as helping set up the stage.” Members of the Limestone County Legislative Delegation helped sponsor the series with $5,500 in community grants. The Secret Sisters, Laura and Lydia Rogers, received their Grammy nomination in 2017 for Best Folk Album You Don’t Own Me Anymore, which Carlile produced. According to The Secret Sisters website, the album features “collective tales of triumph, rage and the indefatigable human spirit.” The album came after a whirlwind of music industry highs and lows, from a debut album produced by T Bone Burnett and Dave Cobb, to opening for artists like Dylan, Willie Nelson and Paul Simon, to declaring bankruptcy and almost giving up on their music career. "This record is deeply personal because of what we endured," Lydia Rogers said on The Secret Sisters website. "But it's

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photo by Abraham Rowe

Shoals-native sisters who have toured with Bob Dylan and Brandi Carlile will bring their harmonizing magic to Athens on Jan. 26 as part of Athens Arts League’s Alabama Music Series.

important as a songwriter and artist to talk about the times things weren’t great. This is a hard business, and it's not all roses and rainbows. What we came out with is more honest than ever, and we couldn't help that a lot of it is about the darkness." Sampieri said their story of perseverance is an example to youth in our community about what it takes to pursue your dreams. She said the sisters, who originate from nearby Greenhill, Ala., will visit Scout Music House while in Athens. Scout Music House is a historic site Athens Arts League is renovating into a music venue that will host house concerts and other cultural events while providing hands-on learning experiences for students. While

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Scout Music House is under renovation, Athens Arts League has hosted concerts at its visual arts center High Cotton Arts and at McCandless Hall. Most recently, Athens Arts League hosted a private fundraiser concert by Grammy-nominated Athens native Anderson East. For that concert, high school students participated in event preparation, stage setup and sound check, and took photos of the performance. The Secret Sisters Performance and Ticket Info • Athens State University’s McCandless Hall. • 7 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 26. • Doors will open at 6 p.m. • Tickets are $50 and general admission. Proceeds

benefit League.

Athens

Arts

• The duo will sign autographs after the performance. • Tickets to The Secret Sisters concert are available online and from Athens Arts League. To purchase online, go to: https://www.eventbrite. com/e/the-secret-sistersconcert-in-athens-altickets-54292335838 • To purchase from an Athens Arts League board member, email athensartsleague@ gmail.com. • For more information about The Secret Sisters and to watch their videos, go online at https:// www.secretsistersband. com. • For more information about Athens Arts League, go online at www.athensartsleague. com.

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Calendar of Events Spaghetti meal at the Vietnam Veterans of America building 3rd Monday monthly

Athens - Choir Room. 201 Hobbs St E, Athens, AL 35611. 5PM. Audition sides and forms may be found on our website: www.footlightstheater.com

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.

3rd Annual Alabama-Kentucky Rifle Show Jan 10-12

Joe Wheeler State Park. 4403 McLean Drive in Rogersville, AL. Featuring a variety of long-rifles. Starts Thursday: 12:00PM; Friday 8:00AM, Saturday 8:00AM. Adults $10.00 each age 16 and under free.

Athens-Limestone Trash Attack! Mar 9

1st Annual CommUNITY Breakfast Jan 18

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.

Athens State University Center for Lifelong Learning. 121 South Marion Street in Athen. Starting at 8:30AM with featured speaker Dr. Carolyn McKinstry, Supervisor of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing Birmingham. Space limited to 150. Free but reservation required. Reserve: 256233-8260 or Athens.edu/cll

Stateline Bridal Show Jan 19

Coffee Call Jan 5

Veterans of all wars and their families are invited for breakfast and fellowship from 8-9:30AM at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archive. 100 West Pryor Street in Athens. 256-771-7578.

Play Outside Day Jan 5

Families everywhere are encouraged to get outside the first Saturday of every month and play in public parks, enjoy trails, hit the waterways, explore greenspaces and just play! Limestone County offers over 20 trails to explore including walking, cycling, horseback riding and kayaking â€“ perfect for all ages. For more information: 256-232-5411.

With Slap Your Mama Catering at Ardmore Station. 30490 Ardmore Avenue in Ardmore, AL. 10:00AM-2:00PM with vendors, goodies of all kinds and door prizes. Fee: $5.00 per person. For more information or to register at slapyourmamacatering.net

Elkmont Hound Dog Half Marathon Jan 19

With the Elkmont High School Cross Country Team in Elkmont, Alabama. Enjoy 13.1 miles of mixed terrain marathon including the scenic Richard Martin Rail-to-Trails. Information and Registration >> ItsYourRace.com

Harry Potter Book Night 2019 Feb 7

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry with the AthensLimestone Public Library. 603 South Jefferson Street in Athens. Starting at 6:00PM to celebrate the works of J.K. Rowlings. Ticket available at the Circulation Desk.

Athens Garden Club Monthly Meeting for "Topiary Turtles" Jan 9

Tanner Baptist Church, 11590 U.S. Highway 31S in Tanner. Starting at 9:00AM with light refreshments followed by program. For more information: AthensGardenClub@aol.com

Auditions for The Wizard of Oz Jan 10

Presented by Footlights Community Theater. First Baptist in

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Athens Garden Club Monthly Meeting Feb 13

With guest speaker Susan "Soos" Weber presentation on "Alabama's Invasive Plants" at Tanner Baptist Church. 11590 U.S. Highway 31S in Tanner. Starting at 9:00AM with light refreshments followed by program. For more information: AthensGardenClub@aol.com

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January 4 - January 17, 2019

Tina's Tales

Out With The Old…In With The New by Tina Cook Director, Athens-Limestone County Family Resource Center In December 2011, I stood and faced a group of my peers and shared what I called “Jesus: The Reason for the Season.” They, like me, were prisoners at a local jail. It was a pivotal moment in my life. It was the moment I publicly announced that I was going to stop allowing the enemy to defeat me with his lies, so I could begin walking in the victory of the cross. Today, I walk in that victory as a free woman. I decided to share these life-changing words that became my only and most important successful New Year’s resolution. I figure that if there is anyone who needs a resolution that truly works, they can share mine. Also, it is a tribute of gratitude for the life Jesus gave so that I could have one in abundance! “God laid this testimony on my heart over a week ago. I committed myself to sharing it. Then, for good measure, I made myself accountable to Texas* and Donna* to include me in the Christmas Pageant. I’m glad I did because Satan has sure been working on me… telling me not to do it… whispering in my ear that people will laugh at me and wonder who I think I am to stand up here… that y’all will gossip to one another: ‘Do you know why she’s here?... how many times she has been here before?’ But what I have to say is not about me, or even from me. It’s all about Jesus: the reason for the season. John 3:30 tells me that I must decrease so that He

can increase; More of Thee and less of me. And, I’ll just tell all y’all right now: I’m getting pretty tired of being me…so here goes! “I came to Port Manatee for the first time on Dec. 29,, 2010. Since then, I have served a 60-day sentence, an 83-day sentence, served 78 days then bonded out only to return 2 weeks later, which I am awaiting sentencing on now. Each time I left here, I knew I did not want to come back. But, in spite of that desire, I have spent most of the past year right here at the Port. Romans Chapter 7 describes this dilemma! Verses 18-20 state: For I have the desire to do what is good but I cannot seem to carry it out! What I want to do I don’t do…and, what I don’t want to do, this I keep on doing! This dilemma is not un-

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common for a lot of folks! That’s why God’s word offers an explanation and solution in the remaining verses of the chapter. Verses 21-25 ascertain that: When I want to do good…evil is right there with me! There is a war being waged; a battle is going on between my spirit and my flesh. God and Satan are fighting for ME! ‘What a wretched woman I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?’ Jesus! I believe…y’all, I truly believe…that I wasn’t arrested, I was rescued. “Jesus was born not so He could come to earth and plead my innocence. He was born so He could die on the cross for my guilt. I don’t need a lawyer…I need Jesus! The Righteous Advocate. The ONLY Mediator. (By the way, He’s never lost

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a case!) Philippians 2:9 declares: God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name above all names. Jesus… The Messiah. The Light of the World. The Bread of Life. The Good Shepherd. The Gate for the sheep. The Great I AM. Jesus…friend of sinners. The Way, the Truth, and the Life. Living Water. The Word of God. The True Refuge. Jesus…Lord of Lord. King of Kings. Bright and Morning Star. The Lion and the Lamb. The Everlasting Father. Jesus… Prince of Peace. The Sun of Righteousness. The Head of the Church. The Alpha and the Omega. The Teacher of teachers. Jesus…the Son of God. Immanuel – God is with us. The Cornerstone. The Great Physician. The Resurrection and the

Life. Firstborn of Creation. Blessed Redeemer. Jesus…The Savior of the world. Born to die so that I, Tina, an unworthy sinner could live, not in shame, but in glory and righteousness as a daughter of The King. I’m a princess, y’all! I’ve rededicated the vow I made to God way back in 1985; I told Him that I was repenting of my sinful ways and that I am not going to come back here and live out of a gray bin** anymore! Jesus…The ONLY hope for me. And, He’s available to us all!!” *Two fellow inmates I was serving time with **Plastic containers inmates are issued to store items they are permitted to have

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

Saying Goodbye To 2018 And Hello To 2019 by Ali Elizabeth Turner City Hall was closed on New Year’s Eve, so meeting on Athens Now’s Publication Day of Wednesday, January 2 was going to be a sprint -- a true “talkfast-and-write-faster” type of situation. I knew from past experience that somehow we would “git ‘er dun,” and Mayor Ronnie and I were both excited to be back to work. Of course, at the top of the discussion was the fact that we had celebrated our 200th birthday as a city and a county. The yeoman efforts of the many to see to it that Athens and Limestone County had been fêted properly were greatly appreciated, and no doubt a run-up to the 200th anniversary celebrations of Alabama itself that yet await us.

always learn something new about just what is involved in “running the place,” and this time I found out that right now our city is working with the Alabama Department of Transportation to recalibrate the synchronization of the traffic lights on Hwy 72, as you travel east and west off of I-65. “You ought to be able to get off the interstate and travel through several green lights at around 40 miles an hour; and instead you have to stop at light after light within just a few blocks. We are trying to get that fixed,” the mayor said. Mayor Ronnie wanted to spend some time thanking the chamber of commerce, the sheriff’s department, and the area churches for all

that had been done for our youth, and is looking forward to the opening of the new schools. “But if you are going to talk about youth, there are few city positions more important and sensitive than heading up Parks and Recreation, and we have a tough position to fill,” he said. He was referring, of course to the sudden passing at Thanksgiving of Ben Wiley, who had been at the helm for 28 years. Kids that had been coached by Ben from years ago showed up at his funeral, and many were in tears. Mayor Ronnie had spoken at the funeral and said quietly, “That was not easy.” So, the city has got to find just the right person because, “In that position, you are dealing with kids,

parents, foster parents, coaches, the schools, courts, umpires, visiting teams, and in the summer you have to hire about 20 extra people to keep the grass cut,” he said. Athens is different from some cities, in that Parks and Recreation also takes care of the cemeteries. In addition, because we are building a new 70,000-squarefoot Parks and Rec facility, whoever is hired is going to need to have the management skills to be a part of that massive endeavor. “We are hoping to have the position filled by March 1. We moved on to 2019, and the topics were everything from the Delphi building getting a new occupant to the coming of Panera Bread to Athens, as well as highly

unusual lunar and celestial events. As always, the mayor had sermon notes with scribbles and sideways entries on the margin, and informed me that in 2019 we are going to have 5 eclipses, several meteor showers, and a rare “super blood wolf moon,” which will be on January 20 and 21. I had already seen some blood moons, and I always look forward to the beauty of the super moons, but what was a “wolf moon?” A “wolf moon” is a name only given to the first full moon of the New Year, and this one is going to be a doozy, or as one scientist called it, “a trifecta of lunar events.” We prayed for great wisdom to lead and live life well in 2019, and then it was time for Ronnie to roll.

“We had so much industrial growth, new businesses, and more to come,” said Mayor Ronnie, and then added, “and with new opportunities come a whole bunch of new challenges.” The topic of growth is something that he, the city council, the city attorney, and the county commission have to face daily. “How do you move more traffic, prepare for an increase in use of water, electricity, sewer, and gas?” And, then there is the inevitable clutch: How do you pay for it? Every time we chat, I

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January 4 - January 17, 2019

Slinkard On Success

Be Intentional by D. A. Slinkard

D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store Can you believe it? We are in the year 2019, and time is stopping for no one. As you are reading this, we are quickly a few days into the new year and my question for you is: What have you done differently since the calendar flipped from one year to the next? If the answer is that nothing has changed, then do not worry, you are just like the rest of the average world. The key word in that sentence is average, and if you want to break out of obscurity in 2019, you are going to need to separate yourself from the rest of the average world. It is safe to say that average is a failing formula in the world we live in. I question our mode of thinking because it seems that many people want to settle for just getting by. How many times have you heard someone say, “If I can just make it through the day” or “if I can just make it until...” and these phrases are all kinds of wrong. If you want to make something out of yourself, you must first choose to make something out of yourself. Yet we have people sitting around waiting for their dreams to manifest without requiring any effort on their part.

I believe is ingenious. Each year she picks her “word” and then she focuses on living her life based off the word she has picked. For example, in 2019 she has picked the word “Intentional,” meaning that everything she does throughout this year will be intentional. If you had to think about a word, what would you choose? As you think about this, I hope you find a word that will help you focus during the next twelve months on becoming a better version of you. Now with your word in mind, take the time to write it down and visualize how you can apply this word to your daily life. Going back to my wife's word, I believe it is a great word because if we had more people living life in an “inten-

tional” way, oh how different would the world be around us. If you wake up each day and make it a point to live your life like there is no tomorrow, I promise you will achieve more than you thought you could. The problem is that humans are creatures of habit and though change is inevitable, too often people are affected by the change instead of effecting the change. I believe that many people reading this article may have already skipped over the part about taking the time to pick out their word for 2019, so I am going to throw out some suggestions. A few suggestions include: Listen, Joy, Brave, Consistent, Growth, Discipline, Believe, Grace, Focus, Trust, Strength, Confi-

dence, Positive, Love. These are all potential words that anyone could use, so I am going to ask you one more time, “What word will you pick for 2019?” I believe that not picking a focus word to live your year by would be like the people who complain about the politics and politicians around them but fail to vote in the elections. If you do not vote, then you do not have a right to complain, because you failed to exercise the right to voice your opinion. Picking a focus word and living your life with purpose is much the same. If you are doing nothing to make your life better, then do you really have a reason to complain? I know this is a tough way of thinking, and probably someone

out there would suggest sensitivity training, but we need to stop feeling sorry for ourselves. If only we could be more accountable to our success, then just maybe we could stop the madness going on around us. Now that 2019 has already started, and it will not stop for anyone, what are you going to do about it? Personally, I am going to be more aggressive this upcoming year, which is coincidentally my focus word for 2019. Although some of you may be thinking, “But he is already aggressive enough,” I am here to tell you that I want to own 2019. There will be nothing to hold me back. I choose to be intentional and to be aggressive.

My suggestion is going to come straight out of my wife's playbook and a practice she does that

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Tourism

Happy New Year 2019 – Start Building Your Story by Cayce Lee Social Media Specialist, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association The year 2019 is upon us – and it’s the final year of the Alabama Bicentennial celebrations and the focus is all about stories. We all have stories to share, building upon our tale with every adventure; every person we meet is a new character in our story; and our roots, history, and heritage serve as the backdrop and even characters themselves…all we have to do is live! Stayed tune for opportunities to build and tell your story as Limestone County and its communities also mark their 200th birthday along with the state. Speaking of adventures… The year is starting off with auditions for the

Wizard of Oz with Footlight Community Theatre, for anyone looking to try the spotlight. The Alabama-Kentucky Rifle Show returns to Joe Wheeler State Park, too – historic rifles from the pre-cartridge era. Explore your community and some of Alabama’s history with the Center for Lifelong Learning when they host the 1st Annual CommUNITY Breakfast featuring Dr. Carolyn McKinstry of the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church Bombing historical site in Birmingham. Run with the pack as the 13.1-mile Elkmont Hound Dog Half Marathon loops through the scenic community of Elkmont. You can get details for these and other events for your whole family at Visi-

tAthensAL.com. Martin Luther King Observance… Schools, municipal offices, and other businesses may be closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. on January 21, 2019. Each year, the Limestone County NAACP hosts an annual walk on this date around the downtown Athens Square and concludes at Limestone County Event Center for a presentation of area school children’s themed reports. For details on upcoming events remembering and commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., please visit VisitAthensAL.com Looking to get on the trail to good health… Athens-Limestone Visitor

A family enjoys cycling the Richard Martin Rails to Trails as it stretches from Veto, AL through the heart of Elkmont to Coffman-Mitchell Park

Center (100 North Beaty Street in Athens) is host to a variety of brochures featuring trails in Limestone County and North Alabama. Whether you run, walk, bike, ride horseback, or just want to get out and explore in the family car, you’ll find a variety to choose from. Favorites include the Noah Bike Trail,

Richard Martin Rails to Trails, Historic Beaty District, and the North Alabama Birding Trail. The visitor center is open 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M., Monday-Friday (except holidays). You can also find some of the trails at VisitAthensAL.com.

Special Feature

Art Trunk Sale by Holly Hollman City of Athens Communications Specialist A donor has provided Athens Arts League with prints ranging from hunting themes to Christmas to ballet. Many have their certificate of authenticity. One print is the official Alabama Reunion 1989 print called "Southern Autumn." Athens Arts League is hosting an Art Trunk Sale at High Cotton Arts on Saturday, Jan. 19, from 10 a.m. until

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4 p.m. to sell the prints. Part of the proceeds from the sale of the prints will benefit High Cotton Arts and Athens Arts League. In addition, there will be other art items available for purchase, and some of the High Cotton Arts artists will have items on sale. High Cotton Arts is located at 103 W. Washington Street in Downtown Athens.

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January 4 - January 17, 2019

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Clean and Green

This Message Bears Repeating by Lynne Hart - Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful

As we begin a brand new year, I share with you a message that I believe is so important that it surely bears repeating Being in the business of helping people understand the importance of caring for our world, we often hear the words “dominion” and “stewardship” brought up as referenced in the Bible. It seems there are differing opinions as to what these words mean as we apply them to our responsibility in caring for Planet Earth. Scripture tells us that God is the creator of all things. He created the heavens and the earth, the waters and all creatures within, the birds of the air, the land and all that dwell upon it. Since the beginning of time, everything needed by man has been provided. Everything we need, and everything we’ve discovered or will discover in the future has been here since God created the world. As the creator, God is also the owner. Once man was created, God showed Adam all the creations of heaven and earth and gave man dominion over them all. What does that mean? The definition of domin-

ion is “the power or right of governing and controlling; sovereign authority.” Wow! That sounds like we have complete control and can do whatever we want to do! Animals, plants, the air we breathe, the water we drink, are all under our authority! So if we choose to use them for our pleasure without care, we have that authority, right? Parents have authority over their children; however, we would never say that parents have the right to treat their children any way they please, would we? Authority comes with great responsibility. Then there is that second word – stewardship. Stewardship is the careful and responsible management of something trusted to one’s care. If we believe that God is the creator of all things,

then stewardship includes the careful and responsible management of this earth and all that dwells upon it. When we treat our environment with selfish entitlement, we are acting as if we are the owner. An owner is responsible to himself. A steward, on the other hand, is responsible to the owner. If we believe that God is the owner of all things, then we will answer to God for our care of all He has entrusted to us. If we spoil it, waste it, trash it, harm it, or pollute it, we are failing in our responsibilities as good stewards and will answer for our actions or inactions. It has also been said that “God will make the earth new, so it doesn’t matter what we do.” I have a pretty easy-going personality, but that statement really upsets me! Only God knows for how many more years this planet must sustain life. How selfish it is to feel free to trash it at the expense of future generations! It is good stewardship to be aware of what harms our environment and to do what we can to avoid those things. It is also good stewardship to be aware of what

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helps the environment and to do those things to make our lives better. A few simple examples would be to recycle all we can to protect our natural resources for future generations. Recycling also provides jobs right here in this community. We can learn to properly handle garden and other chemicals to protect our land and water from poisons. We should care for wildlife by doing no unnecessary harm or plant gardens that attract and feed butterflies and birds. We have taken so much of their habitat; it would be kind to provide a bit in return. We also have a responsibility to protect those domesticated animals we have invited to share our lives. Let’s learn and understand how littering can injure and kill wildlife, poison

our water supply, and pollute the oceans. We can learn more about the importance of trees and all they do to provide clean air, pollution control, fresh fruits and nuts, homes for wildlife, cooling of the earth, and so much more. Knowledge is key to knowing how to protect them. Maybe we could plant a garden to raise fresh, healthy food for our families, or to help feed those less fortunate. We may not be able to do it all, but we should all do what we can. I believe God will smile as each good steward passes on this respect for His creations by teaching others, especially our children, to do the same.

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(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com January 4 - January 17, 2019

Cooking with Anna

Happy New Year… by Anna Hamilton

As 2018 is coming to a close, most of us begin to reflect on the events throughout the year and make decisions to improve our lives and the lives of our families for 2019. Some of us will choose to lose weight, some of us will choose to become financially independent, and some of us will choose to work less. This year, I’m going to try and focus my recipes on healthy versions of comfort classics. I hope to keep great tasting dishes but lose the heaviness of them and lose the guilt as we enjoy our comfort foods. Everyone enjoys comfort food; just as the name suggests, it comforts you.

Recipe #1 Turkey Chili

Whatever you choose to improve on this year, remember to take it one day at a time. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Enjoy every day we are given and treat it as a gift. Spend time with your family and loved ones. Remember that happiness is a choice. Let us choose to be happy, no matter our circumstance. “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

What You Need:

1 Tbsp. Canola Oil 1 small onion, chopped 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 lb. ground turkey 1 red bell pepper, diced 2 cans (15 oz.) white beans 1 can (15 oz.) corn, drained 2 ½ cups chicken broth 1 can (10 oz.) cream of chicken soup 2 can (4 oz.) diced green chili peppers ½ tsp. cumin ½ tsp. oregano Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Heat oil in a pot over medium heat. Add onions and garlic. Cook until softened. Add turkey and cook until no longer pink. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, and oregano. Add bell pepper and cook until tender. Add white beans, corn, chicken broth, condensed soup and diced green chilies. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally for 20-25 minutes. January 4 - January 17, 2019

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The Millennial Mind

Ways to Conquer by Rosemary Dewar

The tale of Robin Hood is one of the most misinterpreted stories of the conflict between good and evil. He is usually depicted as the righteous thief, the valiant and defiant defender of the poor. The history of England surrounding Robin Hood’s origin presents a starkly different story. 12th century England was overwhelmed by war and debt. Predictably, the poorest of society began to revolt because many were taxed into poverty. Because the distinction is not clarified, those that advocate for governmental redistribution of wealth attempt to reframe the ‘Robin Hood’ type of virtue for themselves.

that someone not be offensive, they are demanding that they “be nice.” The Judeo-Christian worldview stresses that one should be wise. It asserts, “Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise.” Sometimes that manifests itself as admitting when one is wrong. Now, Robin Hood may not have been a social justice rebel. He might have simply been a libertarian in a feudalist, authoritarian system. In Feudalism, a serf or vassal was given

land to work and fight for a lord or king. King John took advantage of his brother’s, King Richard’s, absence while King Richard was at war. Instead of managing the kingdom on low taxes, so the lords and serfs could efficiently steward the land, he raised taxes and eventually starved the people. Robin Hood’s opposition to King John may not have been theft. It might have simply been refusing to pay exorbitant and unfair taxes. Democrats want to say they are not taxing the

Stealing for the sake of equality is about as moral as stealing bread from a priest. The regressive left attempts to use religious charity as a warped appeal for compassion. If Robin Hood was indeed stealing from King John, it is still immoral. No different than when Les Miserables’ Jean Valjean is stealing from Bishop Myriel. Stealing is wrong. Period.Today, taxing only the rich is presented as a moral and “nice” thing to do. The reality is that the demand for equal wealth is taxing a targeted group at an unequal rate. That is a serious contradiction.

Founding father John Adams stated, “There are two ways to conquer and enslave a country. One is by the sword.The other is by debt." Like it or not, socialism and communism use both to conquer not only a country, but the culture as well. Government is a sword, or in the present case a gun. When someone does not pay their taxes, they go to jail like Al Capone did when America was cracking down on the mob. However, someone like Al Sharpton goes untouched because he forwards the left’s agenda. When the law does not judge impartially, it fails morally. It is neither wise nor healthy nor moral to drown a society in debt. Former U.K. Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli truly stated, “Debt is the prolific mother of folly and of crime.” The deeper the United States has fallen into debt, the more prevalent corruption and unrest has become. It is time to think on Robin Hood as a governmental-libertarian, not a leftwing, socialist advocate.

T d t o t t t b w g v p T d m s f s a t a p l o m h s n o b w t

J c v e s t t a l y It is not advised that one p not pay their taxes. If the m issue is to limit the percentage that someone is taxed, the solution is to continue to work toward relying on the government less. Expressing one’s desire for independence will not come with an increase in government-funded social services. Both cannot and will not coexist.

The word “nice” comes from the Latin root word for ignorant. The virtue of niceness is not a Judeo-Christian principle. When the left demands

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poor, but they are. Obamacare is the perfect example. When someone couldn’t afford “affordable care,” they received an IRS penalty – in other words, another tax. When a government promises a service in exchange for your taxes and they don’t serve you, that’s stealing as well as lying. Furthermore, when a government continues impractical economic practices and accumulates debt, it slowly enslaves its citizens. When a government system fails, their answer is always more taxes.

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January 4 - January 17, 2019

Health and Fitness

The Importance Of The Sweet Potato by Nick Thomas, owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist

Editor's note: We welcome Nick to our Athens Now crew and are looking forward to getting more fit and healthy! The potato, as a rule, does not usually come to mind when thinking of eating a highly nutritional diet; however, the sweet potato defies this. Itâ€™s a complex carbohydrate but unlike the white potato, it has a great deal of nutritional value and deserves to be part of our regular diet. The complex carbohydrate is slow acting with minimal sugar while the simple carbohydrate is fast acting with a higher sugar content. For example, a weight-loss nutrition plan would need a high amount of complex carbohydrates early in the day and taper off in the evening with minimal simple carbohydrates. On the flip side, an athlete would need a increased amount of simple carbohydrates because itâ€™s fast acting with a rush of sugar to the muscle. Just one sweet potato contains 400% of the vitamin A recommended to keep our eyes, skin, and organ function healthy, not to mention it helps keep illness away, which is especially important this time of year. That same sweet potato also contains almost half of our daily

vitamin C intake. Both of these vitamins hold the antioxidants which protect against aging and disease. Research has also proven that a unique protein called protease inhibitor can be gained by eating the sweet potato, and this slows cancer growth. This same one serving of sweet potato holds a third of our needed daily mineral manganese intake, helping our bodies produce collagen and promote skin and bone health. Finally, several energysupporting B vitamins and minerals can be

found in the sweet potato, including potassium which is responsible for releasing excess sodium from the body and lowering blood pressure causing the heart to have a more regular rhythm. Now, for those who were worried about the starchy side of this super food, rest easy knowing that the high fiber content makes them a slow-burning starch which means they will not cause a spike in your blood sugar or insulin levels. One serving of sweet potato is about 6 grams of fiber which is more than a quarter of

the recommended daily amount our bodies need. So how do we cook this super food to incorporate it into our daily meals? Here are a couple of simple ways to make the sweet potato taste great. Keep in mind that cooking it in the skin does provide another element of nutrients. Take a washed sweet potato, still in the skin and place it on a baking sheet and put it in a 400 degree oven for roughly 45 minutes or until fork tender. When it is cool to the touch, cut it open and add a small amount of olive oil-based but-

ter and cinnamon. When the craving for fries hits, try this: Peel a few sweet potatoes, cut them in 1 inch cubes or slices if you prefer, place them on a baking sheet, drizzle them with olive oil, and give them a generous sprinkle of sea salt. Bake them at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes until crisp and tender. For more information regarding a personalized, general, or sports nutrition plan contact me at Prime Performance. My personal contact is 423805-0870.

256-434-7532 423-805-0870 www.getprimednow.com January 4 - January 17, 2019

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Cover Story

Butler’s Home Furnishings: “A People Business, Not A Furniture Business” by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

ing customer service, and just following the Golden Rule, Butler’s was blessed and grew to be one of the bestknown furniture stores in the area. It also became a landmark in Athens-Limestone County. As was the case with many businesses in North Alabama, the building was hot in the summer and cold in the winter; air conditioning was considered a luxury. It was there that Mark Butler, the grandson of Mr. Cecil, the son of Arthur Lee Butler, as well and the current store owner, told me that he “cut his teeth” on furniture. Mark grew up at the store and started officially working there when he was 14. He did everything from assem-

bly, repair, and delivery, then graduated from high school and headed off to Auburn. He attended college for a year, and then came home to help his dad at the shop, as Mr. Arthur Lee’s health was starting to wane. Abra, who is married to Mark and met him while working at the original store, filled in the rest of the sequence of the family story. When Mr. Cecil died, Mr. Arthur Lee took over the business. “Mr. Arthur Lee was good, fair-minded, and had an infectious laugh,” she told me. He also was a past president of the Southeastern Home Furnishings Association. Mark said that he learned more about the furniture business from his dad than he could have in college. He started to work full time, and

then took over in 1980. Since then, he has also learned what it takes to make repeat customers. Now people come into the store who say to Mark and Abra, “My mom and dad bought their first couch from Butler’s when Mr. Cecil owned it,” or, as was the case recently, “Every piece of furniture in our house when I was growing up came from your store.” Mark says that the family’s one approach to running a successful business since 1950 stems from the belief they are “in the people business, not the furniture business.” I saw that to be true as I was in their store, which is now Mark Butler, 3rd generation owner of Butler's Home Furnishings

located at 26795 US-72, in Athens, and for several years has been known simply as Butler’s Home Furnishings. I observed how they interacted with the steady stream of folks who walked in the door. I knew that I would be doing the interview with Abra and Mark between customers, which is most often the case, but that solid and satisfying feeling of watching people being treated well

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was present in my bones the whole time I was in Butler’s. People from newlyweds to senior citizens came in looking for various pieces, and each one was greeted in a friendly manner. However, there was no sense of someone trying to “close a sale”; everyone was there to meet the needs of the clients. While Mark and Abra were busy with customers, I spoke with Leesa Zayas, who retired here with her husband three years ago. She spent

January 4 - January 17, 2019

counter, including Karen Baldwin, who runs our Facebook page. We have a really good group of vendors, and they keep the same high level of quality on the Easy Pickens side as we do on the showroom floor,” said Abra.

30 years as a legal secretary, and now works behind both the counter and in one of the vendor booths, which we’ll discuss in greater detail below. I asked her why she thought Butler’s had been so successful, and she quickly replied, “Customer service.” Leesa and Abra proceeded to tell me that Mark can tell you the names of everyone who comes in, what they purchased, what kind of service they may need, and even has the prices of the hundreds of pieces of furniture, which are in the more than 18,000-square-foot shop, all memorized! To them, he is a human computer of sorts, and a customer service superhero. For example, a while back a customer came in who had purchased a recliner some 8 or 9 years previously, and the mechanism for reclining was no longer working well. Mark was able to not only remember the original piece of furniture, as well as its owner, but made arrangements to get the now hard-to-find replacement piece and install it himself. That

kind

story

served as the answer to my question, “I have choices when it comes to purchasing furniture in North Alabama, so why should I come to you?” Abra smiled as she said, “We live here, and we see our customers at the grocery store or at church.” “In other words,” I said, “You have to live amongst your customers and want to be treated the way you are at their shops?” “Yes!” was her heartfelt and honest reply.

cided to open up some floor space to let people bring in their products, and that’s how we met Leesa,” she said. "We also have other friendly and capable women helping out behind the

In a way, Butler’s has come full circle and returned to their roots by carrying new and used furniture, and each of the name brands of the new pieces is of the highest quality. They include: Liberty, Craftmaster, and Best, which is also their recliner line. In addition to a large display of bedroom, dining, and living room furniture, outside the store is a cheerful display of brightly colored wooden Adirondack chairs and rockers that will be perfect for spring. And if

you need a landmark in order to find the store on Hwy 72, look for the yellow single-engine plane that looks like it took a nose dive in order to get there! For the past year, that crazy plane has helped many a customer find the store that is a legend in Limestone County. Come see for yourself, and enjoy the third generation of a family-owned business — Butler’s Home Furnishings / Easy Pickens.

Butler’s Home Furnishings

26795 US-72, Athens, AL 35613 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. (256) 232-7020 Facebook: Butler’s Home Furnishings / Easy Pickens

Abra went on to talk about the major change they had made in the store recently by opening up floor space to local vendors in order to sell used, antique, and re-purposed furniture; and the selection changes daily. They call it Butler’s Easy Pickins. The booths also carry wall art, memorabilia, and collectibles; and there is plenty of room for more vendors. “We have had to let go of several of our lines, even ones that we carried for years,” she said. “The quality got worse and worse, the customer service was impossible for us as well as our customers, and we were not willing to sell inferior merchandise. So, we de-

January 4 - January 17, 2019

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Ringing In The New Year by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 tions. Elizabeth Warren has already announced an exploratory committee to see if she should run for President in 2020. There will be lots more. Whatever your affiliation, I hope you will try to find the truth in your candidate. But most of all, I hope you will VOTE.

For many, 2018 was a very busy year and we are just a few days into 2019. We have fresh date planners with lots of empty pages. We have made our New Year’s resolutions and we are ready for this new year. There are some pretty exciting things happening this year. If you are a royal watcher, Prince Harry and Duchess Meagan are going to have a baby in April. For the sky watchers, astronomers say there will be five eclipses this year. Of course, most of them will be in the Southern Hemisphere or the Arabian Peninsula this time. For the history buff, there should be several festivities as we celebrate the 75th anniversary of D-Day and the Normandy Invasion. We can expect a celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission which put Neil Armstrong and Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin on the moon. If you are thinking about a trip out west, you might consider visiting the Grand Canyon. The National Park Service is planning a year of celebrations for the 100th birthday as a national park. The Grand Canyon, located in Arizona, is considered by some to be one of the seven natural wonders of the world. At its widest point, it is 18 miles across.

Last, and certainly not least, for the music lovers. Kiss fans will have a chance to rock out one last time as the band goes on a 44-stop tour across Nations has designated 2019 the Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements. The periodic table was developed by Dmitri Mendeleev 150 years ago. The modern periodic table provides a framework for analyzing chemical reactions and is still used widely in chemistry, nuclear physics, and other sciences. For the readers and film buffs among us, 2019 will be the first time in 20 years that items published in 1923 will enter the public domain. Starting January 1, hundreds of thousands of works of art, film, literature, and music will be put in the public domain. That means they will be easier to access, sell, buy, and enjoy legally. It is time to enjoy Aldous Huxley, e e Cummings, H.G. Wells, Charlie Chaplin, and Cecil B DeMille, just to name a few.

If you are a teacher, parent, or other type of educator, you might want to know that the United

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Whether we like it or not, 2019 will mark the kick off of the 2020 elec-

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North America. This is not the first farewell for Kiss, but if you are a fan, who cares? Elton John is also planning a farewell tour, also not his first. Look for information about these tours on the bands’ web sites. Whatever you are hoping for in 2019, may you have a very Happy New Year from the Center for Lifelong Learning.

January 4 - January 17, 2019

Jerry’s Journal

Drunk, Passed Out In Public, And Winning In Court by Jerry R. Barksdale www.jerrybarksdale.com

When I was a child and misbehaved, Mama would shake her head and say, “Uh, uh, you’re going to turn out just like Early Smith.” (Not his real name). Other mothers did the same. It was enough to never miss Sunday School and straighten up and fly right. There is no kinder way to say it. Early was the town drunk. Daddy was no slacker himself when it came to drinking whiskey, but he wasn’t in Early’s class. When I was in the third grade at Athens Bible School, Mama left Daddy (one of several times) and we moved into one room at Grandmother Holt’s house in Milltown. It was winter time and I walked two miles each morning to school as coal furnaces belched out black smoke and soot polluting downtown Athens. After school I walked the railroad tracks back home, mainly because Mama told me not to, which made it even more tempting. My favorite activity was looking inside empty boxcars parked on the side track. One afternoon I crawled inside a darkened boxcar, heard snoring, and when my eyes adjusted, saw a man slumped against the wall. Empty bottles of Bay Rum hair tonic were scattered at his feet. Lord, have mercy -- it was Early Smith! I’d never been that close to evil. I inched closer…closer; slowly stuck out my hand and touched his leg. He woke up. “Get outta here, kid!” I scrambled out of the boxcar and hit the ground running and didn’t stop until I reached home. I didn’t dare tell

Mama or she would’ve given me a long lecture on the evils of alcohol which she had experienced firsthand. At school the next day, my buddies were saucer-eyed when I told them about how I had barely escaped death, at the hands of Early Smith. They were impressed and I was very popular for a day or two. Many years passed and, after graduating from Alabama Law School, I returned to Athens to practice. Early Smith was still alive. I saw him shuffling down the sidewalk wearing an old kneelength Army overcoat. He was humped over, head bowed, never looking up, a sad empty hull of a man. Who was he? Why did he fall so low in life?

fb.com/jerry.barksdale.7 him for public drunkenness and hauled into court before Judge David L. Rosenau. Sheriff Ennis testified that he found Early passed out in broad daylight on a public bench. Early admitted the allegations. Slam dunk conviction, right? Not so fast. Early pulled out the Code of Alabama and cited the definition of public drunkenness. “Any person,… drunk, appears in public place…

manifests a drunken condition by boisterous…conduct, or loud and profane…. “Yo Honor, I was drunk and in a public place,” said Early, “but I wasn’t boisterous and I wasn’t loud and I wasn’t profane. I was passed out -- sound asleep.” Judge Rosenau found Early not guilty, and rightly so. As President Obama was fond of saying, “There is a

teachable moment here.” When you get drunk in public, keep your mouth shut and always, always drink enough to pass out. I’ve often wondered what the future would have held for Early if he hadn’t slid down the alcohol rat hole as a young attorney. Early didn’t aspire to be an alcoholic. He had a dream and ambition. It’s a lesson for all of us.

I asked an older lawyer, Bruce Sherrill, about Early. He told me the back story. Early had graduated from Alabama Law School in the early 1920s and was said to have been a classmate of Senator John Sparkman, one of the most powerful senators in Washington. (Had I sat in the same seat that Early once occupied while a student at Farrah Hall?) “He was practicing with an older lawyer in Athens,” said Sherrill, “and began to drink and was eventually disbarred.” Losing his law licenses and the ability earn a livelihood was a knock-out punch. Maybe that’s what triggered his trip down a rat hole. Who can say? Perhaps I would have done the same. During the late 1950s, Early was discovered by Sheriff Clyde Ennis passed out on a public bench on the courthouse lawn. Ennis arrested

January 4 - January 17, 2019

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Dog Barker

Lost and Found by Joel Allen

Years ago, I had a female Dane named Kyra who could open doors. Deadbolt locks and doorknobs would not slow her down. I found this out the day before the 2011 tornados. It was dark that evening when I got home. Have you ever driven at night and had your lights reflect back from an animal’s eyes? Usually when you see quite a few at night together that is an indication of a lot of deer. Well, as I was coming up to my driveway, I began to see a lot of these eyes reflecting back, moving around in my front yard in the dark. As my headlights fell onto the holder of the eyes, I saw it was Kyra and all my other Danes playing in the front yard! I quickly pulled into the driveway yelling out my window that they had better get back in the house. The whole situation caused me to laugh and shake my head as they all ran back into the open front door of the house… all but one. Kyra stood there, her black and white body standing with an attitude like, “What?! You think you can make me go back in?!” I again told her to get in the house and she refused. Sometimes when we have a stubborn dog the size of a Dane, we have to be inventive. First, I tried to coax Kyra in with a treat. Then, I tried a toy and she still refused. I even asserted my voice and commanded her to come in the

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house. She stood there in the dark and gave me the attitude many of us know so well. So, finally I told her that if she did not come in that “Boogie Claus” was going to get her. Folks, “Boogie Claus” was a Santa Claus hat with an attached beard; so here

ing this, know your dog or there could be serious hospital repercussions… lol. Anyways, with a howl like a banshee and that beard flying sideways, I ran out of the dark after Kyra and she yelped running for the front door which was now closed.

down getting back in the house. I acted surprised and asked her, “What is it baby girl? What’s wrong?” She stood behind me just like Scooby Doo would have done and stared out the door like there was something out there!

came my inventive side. She stood there as I closed the door. I waited and peeked out the window to see if maybe she was at the door. Nope! She still was refusing to comply.

This dog stood on her hind legs beating on the front door with her paws. As she was still pining at the door, I retreated back into the dark and watched her for a second to see if she would leave the front porch. When she saw I was not chasing her, she stood and looked out to where she last saw me. I scared her so bad she would not go out into the yard, and when I made my way back through the house and opened the front door, she almost knocked me

with everyone to make a point. Know what to do if your dog should get out and get lost. I would not recommend what I did, but sometimes it works. Make sure all your dogs are collared and tagged with not just a rabies tag but an engraved name tag on a secure ring. I recommend that the tags have the dog’s name on the front and the owner’s contact information on the back, if possible. Microchipping is another option that I personally am starting to

So, I got “Boogie Claus” and went out the back door into the dark. I then jumped the fence and stayed in the dark watching Kyra who was getting spooked by the noise I was making. I pulled the hat and beard on then readied myself to run at her. Let me say that before ever do-

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I shared this memory

endorse. There are other options, such as GPS tracking, and there are volunteer websites that people use like “Track My Paws” or the “Athens-Limestone Lost and Found.”

In the event that a dog is lost, I recommend checking the AthensLimestone Animal Shelter as soon as they are open. Folks, don’t just call them and ask if your dog is up there. Describing your dog over the phone may not always be accurate enough for the person answering the phone. Get out there and see who they have on stray hold. Stray holds are dogs that have been found and turned in that have no identifying tags and are being held for their possible owners to reclaim them. Another method that has some success is using Facebook. Posting pictures and information is very helpful because many of us share your posting and that has led to many dogs getting back home. So, when your dog is missing, try not to panic, and use these methods to assist in getting your loved one back. “Remember to love your dogs because they love you. Maybe not the way you want them to, like chewing up your favorite shoes or what not, but that is just love chewing. Be thankful for the time you have with them always.”

Joel Allen 256-651-2211

January 4 - January 17, 2019

Mental Health Minute

What’s My Name? The Story Of A Promise And Persistence by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor If you are a dog lover, then this story will make perfect sense to you. If you aren’t, then you will either have no clue what I am writing about or think I have completely lost my mind. Either way, I would like to share with you my connection to the most human-like dog I have ever had the privilege of knowing. Several years after my divorce, my daughter and I decided that we were ready to add a dog to our family. I had always loved golden retrievers, because of their pleasant, easy-going, Ilove-everybody dispositions. When Shadow joined our family, he instantly became my daughter, Kate’s, brother. And we treated him like her brother. For all of his life, Kate would say to me, “talk for Shadow.” We gave Shadow a voice that matched his personality, and he truly seemed to understand and communicate with us through my characterizations. We played games with him that he actually picked up on quite quickly. For example, we used to play a silly game where Kate and I would hide under the covers in the bedroom, and he would be waiting outside the door. As soon as we called, “Shadow,” he would come bounding in (all 100 pounds of him), jump on top of the bed, and try to find us under the covers. The entire time we were laughing hysterically. I have so many stories to tell about Shadow. It is my hope that What’s My Name? will be book number one in a series of books that traces Shadow’s life. He was truly an amazing dog. One wintry evening in midJanuary 2003, Shadow and I went for our nightly walk. It still hurts me to remember

that by the next afternoon, he was gone. Shadow’s spleen had ruptured that next morning, and following an ultrasound, our worst fears were confirmed. Shadow had pancreatic cancer that had spread to all his digestive organs. My husband and I went in to the vet’s office to say our goodbyes. The depth of my grief was and is still indescribable. I knelt down next to Shadow and whispered into his ear that I would never forget him. I promised him that I would write a book, sharing his life and telling his story. Someday. And then he was gone. Some people cannot possibly understand how a dog could touch our lives so deeply. But Shadow especially connected with me in such a profound way. I grieved intensely for over a year. By mid- 2006, I was ready to fulfill my promise to Shadow. There was only one problem. I had no idea how to write a children’s book. So, I hopped on the internet and started my research. I purchased a book entitled, Writing Children’s Books for Dummies. I put together a list of publishers. And then I started writing Shadow’s story. It took me about 8 months to get my manuscript together, crying off and on throughout. In 2007, publishers only accepted hard copy manuscripts, so I spent another few months printing out copies of my manuscript and then mailing them off to various children’s book publishers recommended in my Dummies book. I waited and waited. Most publishers did not respond at all. Some came back with a “thanks, but no thanks.” Some told me that I couldn’t write and should not waste any more time trying to get

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something like this published. A few were kind, and simply said that this type of story was not what they were looking for at the moment. Rejection hurts. And every response or non-response seemed to be telling me to just forget it. So I did…for a while. Actually a long while. But I didn’t forget about my promise. In 2016, I felt ready to try again. So much had changed technology-wise, since my first

efforts. Now, all submissions are done online. The process was much faster, which also meant the rejections came in faster too. But finally, last July, I found a publishing company willing to take a chance on me. I learned quickly that getting a book published is much more difficult than I ever imagined. There were so many decisions to be made. I thought I could just hand over my manuscript and “they” would do the rest. I believed they would send me the finished copy in a couple of months, ready to submit to the printers. Not. I had to make ALL the decisions about how I wanted my book to look. I am definitely illustration-challenged, so I depended heavily on my illustrator to recapture the images and spirit of Shad-

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ow. Fortunately, I had pictures for her to use, since I struggled to describe all the details for each illustration. For example, I forgot to share eye colors, background images, styles of fencing, floor patterns, kitchen appliances, and the list goes on. One detail in particular had to be corrected immediately. In the final image, the illustrator had included “my husband!” Once we established the tem-

plates for each illustration, we moved on to the text. My editor was really harsh, but now I’m glad he was. (Of course, I took everything personally.) He made positive “suggestions” about how to make the story more readable and purposeful. One of the best ideas he proposed was to “let go” of needing to stick to reallife situations and details. He encouraged me to just tell the story as if I were reading it to my daughter, Kate. My original manuscript in no way resembles the finished product. And I am grateful. I was finally ready to create the front and back covers. Book secret: I was originally going to call the book, Shadow’s New Home. But as the story evolved, it became more about finding

a name for our sweet puppy. For the back cover, I knew I wanted to include a picture of the “real” Shadow. The problem I ran into was finding an appropriate picture that did not have copyright restrictions. I am so pleased with the picture I chose, which captures the loving relationship between Shadow and Kate.

When I first saw the completed book online, I cried. The story and illustrations stirred up so many memories of years of love for this special and wonderful ‘golden.’ I was still trying to believe that Shadow’s story was really and finally happening. What’s My Name? is to be read using “Shadow’s voice,” however that sounds to you. This is Shadow’s story told by the adult Shadow, just as Shadow “talked” to my daughter over 25 years ago. I found a golden retriever puppet to go with the book, which really enhances Shadow’s story, truly connecting the reader (parent) to the listener (child.) If you are interested in purchasing the book, I will be at the Athens-Limestone Library on January 14, 2019 at 4:00 p.m. for story time. I will read Shadow’s story with my puppet of course, and sign copies afterward. If you can’t make story time, you can purchase my book and puppet online at: https://www.facebook.com/ whatsmynameLPP/ or contact me at 256.326.0909. I look forward to sharing Shadow’s story with you!

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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The Alternative Approach

Diabetes Cure? by Roy Williams You may ask yourself if it is possible to prevent or even reverse diabetes. When you are talking about type II or adult onset diabetes the answer is definitely yes, that is if you are willing to do your part. Type 2 diabetes is often accurately described as a lifestyle disorder and that is why the problem is insurmountable for so many diabetics. Americans are set in their eating habits, and most would rather treat the symptoms of diabetes than change their diet. Almost 98 percent of all diabetics are type 2. It has become epidemic in America for two main reasons. The first reason is a lack of exercise and when that is combined with the standard American diet (second reason), it is inevitable for thousands of people to develop diabetes. Let’s cover the first of those two issues, a lack of exercise. Everyone knows that exercise forces the body to burn more sugar. The more you burn the less likely it is that your blood sugar levels will go

too high. So let me recommend that you find a type of exercise that you will be consistent with and then do it. The hardest part of reversing or preventing diabetes concerns not only what but also the amount they eat. An amazing fact that is often over looked is that in the year 1900, the average American ate 5 pounds of sugar a year, and there was almost no type 2 diabetes and practically no obesity. By the year 2000, the average American was consuming over 150 pounds of sugar a year and type 2 diabetes had reached epidemic levels. To reverse type 2 diabetes, the person must be willing to change their diet. It is imperative that a diabetic make a habit of eating less and learn which foods they should eat and which foods they should avoid. As complicated as it sounds, let me make it as simple as possible. I have seen hundreds of type 2 diabetics come off all their medications by doing these five things: 1) Avoiding all types

of sugar, but especially high-fructose corn syrup. There is a definite connection between type 2 diabetes and high-fructose corn syrup. This sugar is made from corn and has been shown to confuse or restrict the body’s production of insulin. Diabetics should avoid all soft drinks. 2) Reduce the amount of white starchy foods, such as breads, potatoes, pasta and rice. These starchy foods are converted to sugar in your body, which will cause your blood sugar to spike. A good rule is that no more than ¼ of each meal should contain these starchy foods. 3) Eat more protein, such as eggs, nuts, meats and vegetables (other than white potatoes). Green, red, yellow, purple, and other colorful foods are great for diabetics. 4) Drink more water. Water is an absolute must for diabetics. It is the great hydrator and purifier. It will flush

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your body of excess negative things, such as sugar. 5) Support your health with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients. Nutrition is key to longevity for a diabetic. Diabetes is an inflammatory condition. When it comes to the American diet, almost all of it is nutrient deficient. The nutrients that are missing just happen to be the ones that help us avoid diabetes. When you don’t get proper nutrients from your food you will begin to crave more food. Unfortunately, most foods we are taught to eat in America causes spikes in blood sugar levels. Diabetics tell me that they can’t seem to get enough to eat, that nothing satisfies them. It also blows my mind how many diabetics tell me that they don’t like water. Besides oxygen, water is absolutely necessary. Water is the great detoxifier. Without enough water, your kidneys and liver simply can’t get rid of the

toxins. Those toxins will eventually reach dangerous levels and can then begin to affect insulin production and can also block the receptors that are used to lower blood sugar levels. You can begin to see why so many Americans are becoming diabetic. Eating too much starchy, sugary, mineral-deficient foods and a lack of enough exercise and water will almost guarantee type 2 diabetes. Now that you know the causes of type 2 diabetes, are you willing to make the changes that are necessary to prevent or even reverse this dreaded condition? If you are willing and just need some help, please contact us at Herbs & More in Athens or NHC Herb Shop in Killen and we will give you some very impressive information that may set you free. Your friend in health, Roy P. Williams

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