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January 20th - February 2nd, 2017

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

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

Life Lessons With Charlie Small Boy, Big Choice... "Mom, can we please buy me a body wash?" It was a simple request, but I thought of our tight budget and reminded him that we had just... Page 5

What Makes Ronnie Roll

Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana Athens: For The Love Of Food And Family By Ali Elizabeth Turner The Martinez family has become well known in the Tennessee Valley as a classic American success story, having started out in Jalisco, Guadalajara, Mexico. They are the owners of the highly successful Casa Blanca Mexican restaurant chain. They Continued on page 15

For The Love Of Cities, Part 2... For the past 20 years, Sweet Home Baptist Church has hosted a service to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, and per usual, there was... Page 8

Drucilla’s Tea Room: Creativity And On Site Catering

From The Vets' Museum Meet Army Spec 5 Flavious (Teddy) Dutton... Teddy was born in Lawrence County, AL in March of 1946, and he grew up in Hatton. While working at... Page 10

January 20 - February 2, 2017

By Ali Elizabeth Turner It was the fall of 2014 when I first had the chance to tell the readers of Athens Now about Drucilla’s, a Victorian era “manse” (parsonage), converted into a marvelContinued on pages 17

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January 20 - February 2, 2017

Publisher’s Point

Three Days In January

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Paul Foreman Sandra Thompson Deb Kitchenmaster Charlie Wallace Raven Warner Sasha Acelajado, MD Kimberly Hobbs

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Life Lessons With Charlie . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 From the Vets' Museum . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Kimberly . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . 15 & 17 The View From The Bridge . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . . . 20

In the last week, we have been exposed to everything from the threat leveled toward attendees of the Inauguration of Donald Trump being punched in the throat, to the intention of lawmakers that they will make “history” by boycotting the ceremony and the festivities, to the plans of some to stage a coup because they believe that the election was hacked by the Russians. Lots of Vitamin D, which in this case stands for Drama with a capital D, and no matter where you land politically, it is embarrassing. In the midst of this, a fresh breeze engendered by a look back in time has emerged in the form of a wonderful book written by Fox News Correspondent Brett Baier. It is about one of my greatest heroes, President Dwight David Eisenhower. There are a number of reasons why Ike is so dear to my heart. The first is that he was my grandfather’s lieutenant during WWI. Ike and my grandfather, Ernest Glenn Hersman were married in the same year, 1916. Ike married Mamie, and my grandfather married Mimi, the former Mary Gertrude Turner. Gumbo, (our nickname for our grandfather) had stories about Ike, one of which involved getting sent by Lt. Eisenhower on a 20-mile ruck march for being inebriated, but I digress. We all loved Ike; he was the man under whom my dad served during WWII, and one of the few times I saw my dad cry was when we watched Ike’s funeral on our old black and white TV in the spring of 1969. Mr. Baier chose to write his book largely because, in his

Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

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view, Eisenhower was one of the most under-appreciated Presidents ever, and Bret felt the things he discovered about Ike are most helpful for the times in which we live. It is not at all well known that Harry Truman did not handle Ike winning the Presidential election of 1952 in what we would consider a mature manner, and

train instead. All of this in an era of much better manners than those of our era of social media, as well as inviolate protocol as far as the “peaceful transfer of power,” was concerned and yet, our nation survived. I believe we will again. For his book, Baier did an incredible amount of research,

He had to deal with notable arrogance during WWII in the form of Generals Patton and Bradley, and I am sure that by the time JFK was elected, he was more than ready to get back to his home in Kansas. I have visited that home, and the similarity between it and my grandparents’ house was almost eerie.

Three Days In January focuses on the way Eisenhower handed over the country to JFK, a man young enough to be his son. It discusses Ike’s farewell address, something which would turn out to be uncomfortably prescient. It is carefully crafted, meticulously organized, and a superb look into times that on the surface appear to have been far more innocent than ours.

while Harry didn’t blame it on the Cold War, the rift between them was so great that Ike and Mamie did not go in for the traditional pre-Inauguration breakfast with the Trumans. Instead, they sat outside in the car. In turn, after the ceremony, Ike offered to fly the Trumans home, and Harry declined his offer. They took the

and was allowed to read old letters and other documents stored in boxes that had long been forgotten, and whose significance had never been perceived. His work has paid off, and Three Days In January is a monster best seller. Ike was someone who despised politics and over-inflated egos.

The picture used for the cover of the book shows that one of Ike’s most important tasks came not long after JFK was inaugurated. Kennedy came to need everything Ike had been through, both as a president as well as a general, to guide us through the Cuban Missile Crisis. The new President flew the former President to Camp David, and together they came up with a way to read what was going on with Castro and get us through it. However, true to form, Ike didn’t try to grab any glory. He just found a way to serve his country once again, and his example as well as the story is a true pleasure.

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

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All Things Soldier

Plumb And PTG by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Retired Captain Charlie Plumb, who was shot down in Vietnam and survived the Hanoi Hilton, is a true hero, although he and almost all of his fellow “sur-thrivers,” if I may coin a term, are not at all comfortable referring to themselves that way. For six years, he was tortured, lived in an 8’x8’ cell with a bucket for a toilet, at times was nearly naked and covered in boils to the point that his eyes were swollen shut, and endured tropical heat under a tin roof. John McCain was “two doors down” from him at “the Hilton.” One would have expected Charlie to have come home irreparably broken, but instead, he not only returned to America with absolutely no trace of PTSD, he actually has chronic symptoms of something far more powerful, known as PTG.

times in radically positive ways, is not new. The theme is present in ancient spiritual and religious traditions, literature, and philosophy. What is reasonably new is the systematic study of this phenomenon by psychologists, social workers, counselors, and scholars

PTG stands for Post Traumatic Growth, the medical term described first by philosopher Fredric Nietzsche, and later anecdotally by Martin Luther King when he stated, “What don’t kill ya just make ya stronger.” Far more than something that you would hear from a motivational speaker, which Charlie has gone on to become most successfully, University of North Carolina Charlotte researchers define PTG as

“positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with a major life crisis or a traumatic event.” It is a huge departure from therapeutic thinking prior to 2001. UNC went on to say that: “Although we coined the term posttraumatic growth, the idea that human beings can be changed by their encounters with life challenges, some-

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

February 20th

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

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

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in other traditions of clinical practice and scientific investigation.” Charlie will be the first to say that as he lay in squalor, he used to pray nearly every waking moment and often in the night. He would also plan for the future, and in his mind build his career and his life. He leaned hard on the compilation of wisdom he had received over the years from his parents, teachers, preachers, Boy Scout troop leaders, mentors and coaches. He learned the “tap code,” (an alphabetic system of tapping sounds made on walls when guards weren’t near), and encouraged his fellow prisoners, which is an important part of not succumbing to victimization. As if he hadn’t gone through enough, when he

got home, rather than wrap his arms around his waiting wife, he was told that she had filed for divorce three months earlier because she just “….couldn’t hang on.” Interestingly, around 4% of our soldiers came back from Viet Nam with PTSD, as opposed to 30% of troops returning from combat today. Why is that? I think much of it comes from the belief that has invaded our culture that if something horrible has happened, you have no choice but to be permanently damaged by it. Mind you, I am not dismissing the existence of PTSD, its severity, or its complexity. I was diagnosed with it myself in the early ‘90s as a result of an assault in which I was handcuffed and one of my fingers was broken. I just know that my beliefs about it have changed, and Charlie Plumb is one of many upon whom I will cheerfully hang the blame. If you are a vet or anyone who is struggling with PTSD, I would highly recommend that you devour everything you can on Charlie Plumb and PTG, and partner with those who won’t give up on you because they know you can literally change the landscape of your brain, and therefore, your life. Your future still awaits you, and it is not bound by your past. Or, as Charlie would say, “"Life is a choice - a choice every day. You can become the victim or you can become the victor."

January 20 - February 2, 2017

Life Lessons With Charlie The Coach

Small Boy, Big Choice by Charlie Wallace

This article previously appeared on Charlie's blog "52 Fearless Fridays" 52fearlessfridays.wordpress.com "Mom, can we please buy me a body wash?" It was a simple request, but I thought of our tight budget and reminded him that we had just bought body wash for the kids' shower. "I know, but that doesn't smell very much like a boy body wash. I want one that smells like a boy." He had a point. I remembered the struggle to get a teenage and a preteen girl to agree on one body wash, and they had eventually settled on some frou-frou fragrance that wasn't the least bit manly. It had never occurred to me that a growing boy may not enjoy smelling like a tropical flower - vanilla- sunset after a shower! I agreed to take him to the soap aisle on our next trip to the store. Make a quick trip to the soap aisle, grab something and go...at least that's what I was expecting my son to do. No... we had to put every single body wash to the sniff test, weigh the merits of a single purpose product against a shampoo/ body wash combo, and to make sure that everything met with the approval of my completely serious 8-year-old. Yeah...we spent almost 10 minutes choosing body wash. This morning I was putting my son's new body wash away and had to smile. My little guy is growing up and making choices for himself. I had

a twinge of nostalgia and thought of endless bottles of cartoon character themed shampoo, rubber ducks, and other assorted bathtub toys. For a moment, I wished my kids would stop growing...or at least mature a little slower. The days of my making all of their choices for them are gone and their own opinions and styles are emerging to set them apart as individuals. All of a sudden, I realized that the lesson here really had nothing to do with body wash, or even with letting my son smell test every choice on the shelf. It was to respect his opinion, to encourage him to have his own preferences and to encourage that individuality. Yes, my baby is growing up, and I want him to! I want him to figure out what he likes, the music he likes, the sports he wants to play, the teams he wants to cheer for...and yes, even how he wants to smell. He isn't going to like all the same things that I do, that his sisters, father, grandparents, uncles, cousins or friends like. Eventually my son will figure out what he likes, and I'm sure there will be days when I'm struggling to remember what his new favorite color or song is. That's okay. Guess what...? You have the same right to have your own opinions, favorite things, and style. We tend to forget sometimes when we've been in a continually abusive relationship. You've always loved wearing green, but someone

January 20 - February 2, 2017

important says they don't like the way you look in green...so you stop wearing it. You love heavy metal but your spouse insists that country is all you listen to together. Your friend

Are you a cat person or a dog lover? Don't let it get overwhelming trying to figure everything out all at once. Go try on new clothes. Volunteer at a local animal shelter and find

change your mind over and over again until you are content. As you grow into yourself and become stronger, you will go through several seasons and will have different

ignores your requests to try a new restaurant in favor of her usual cafe...you get the idea!

a new friend to adopt. Listen to music you've never heard before. Smell every body wash in the aisle.

If you are trying to step out of someone elseâ€™s shadow, it can be overwhelming to try to redefine yourself. What type of music stirs your soul? What colors bring a smile to your face?

Before long, you will find those things and experiences that resonate with you, and you will begin to define your own self. Don't be afraid to try anything new, and don't be afraid to

energy. You will resonate with different people, places, and things. No one else gets to tell you what works for you, so don't be afraid to get out there and figure it out for yourself.

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Remember that it's important that YOU like the way you smell when you get out of the shower...

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Calendar of Events Miss Alabama at the Toastmasters Feb 4th

Premier Women's Organization & Food Pantry First Saturday of Each Month

Join the Toastmasters for Miss Alabama at the Toastmasters Community Outreach Program from 11:30am-1:00PM. Come meet Miss Alabama and learn more about the Toastmaster program. Light refreshments. Free of charge and open to the public. For more information: new.athens.club@outlook.com or call Mrs. Earnestine Doubek 708-691-2447.

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 Opening Monday January 30, 2017 wewoa.org • E-Mail: wew5995@gmail.com

Yesterday's Valentine's Dinner Show Feb 11th

Hound Dog Half-Marathon Jan 21st

Elkmont, AL. Beautiful, CERTIFIED (USATF #AL15062JD) half marathon through the rolling hills of Elkmont, Alabama. The course begins in downtown Elkmont and heads out into the country on the rolling rural roads. About 7-8 miles into the race, runners will move off the road and onto the old L&N Railroad bed and is now known as the Richard Martin Trail and is part of the Rails to Trails Conservancy, where they will run the final 5-6 miles of the half marathon. For more information or to register, https://runsignup.com/Race/Events/AL/Elkmont/ElkmontHalfM arathon#event-90406

2nd Anniversary Celebration Of The AthensLimestone Public Library’s “New Home” Jan 28th

3:00 – 5:00 pm. Enjoy heavy hors d’oeuvres, beverages, live music, and an art exhibit featuring original work by Peter Max, and limited edition lithographs by Chagall, Picasso, and other renowned artists. The Library Foundation will unveil plans for the Library Green Space project.Tickets Are $20 and may be purchased at the Athens-Limestone Public Library, 603 S. Jefferson Street, Athens.

Poke Sallet Follies Ticket Sales Begin Feb 4th

Athens Senior Center, 912 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL. Tickets for the 2017 show will go on sale Saturday, Feb 4th at 10:00 a.m. at the Athens Senior Center on Pryor Street. No tickets will be sold in advance. Out-of-town guests may purchase tickets over the phone beginning that date and time by calling 256-232-0323. Tickets may be purchased weekdays after February 4th from 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Senior Center. Tickets are $35 each and include your meal.

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Yesterday's Event Center, 15631 Brownsferry Rd, Athens, AL 35611. Treat your sweetheart to something special. Enjoy a candlelit dinner with intimate seating, sit and enjoy the music or take the dance floor. Doors open 6PM, dinner available 6-7PM, showtime 7PM-9:30PM. Individual reservations for 2 will receive a private table for two, but Yesterday's can also accommodate group reservations, church groups, car clubs, social clubs, etc. and seat them together for the evening's event. Reserve seating by e-mail at info@yesterdaysevents.com. www.yesterdaysevents. com

Hospice of Limestone County Chili Challenge Feb 18th

Suzanne Paysinger is the new director of Hospice of Limestone County replacing Pat King who retired after 28 years as the first director. There are still team slots available if you are interested, however teams are urged to sign up as soon as possible. For more information on Hospice of Limestone County, visit www. hospiceolc.org.

Poke Sallet Follies Mar 2 - 4

Athens Senior Center, 912 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL. The successful Poke Sallet Follies is an annual fundraising event hosted by the foundation board each spring. This 3-night dinner event provides entertainment and comedy while showcasing many local politicians and dignitaries. Tickets for the 2017 show will go on sale Saturday, February 4th at 10:00 a.m. at the Athens Senior Center on Pryor Street.

Athens April Historic Walking Tours Apr 1st - 29th

100 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL 35611. Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association host the Sweet Home Alabama April Saturday Walking Tours each Saturday in April. Attendees will be offered up to 4 simultaneous tours each Saturday to choose from. Check-in is 9:45am at the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center and the walking tours are 1-2 hours in duration.

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January 20 - February 2, 2017

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

For The Love Of Cities, Part 2 by Ali Elizabeth Turner For the past 20 years, Sweet Home Baptist Church has hosted a service to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, and per usual, there was standing room only. Mayor Ronnie was there, as was Athens City Councilman Frank Travis, Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson, Limestone County Commissioner Ben Harrison, and others. The Round Island Male Chorus “raised the roof,” as they always do, as did the Athens High School Choir. And, as much as remembering the legacy of Dr. King was the focus, it became far more about the future of Athens as

proven by what’s going on with our kids. The annual MLK Essay contest has gone from having 50 contestants last year, to more than 400 entries this year. The theme was “Advancing the Dream: A Nation of Freedom and Justice,” and the 1st Prize winner for the high school division was Raven Warner. An excerpt from her essay is being featured in her mother Jackie’s column, “The View From The Bridge” on page 19. Tanner High School student Chadarius Townsend was the recipient of the 1st Annual

the parade around the Square illustrated the truth of the following quote made by Paul Kageyama, author of “For The Love Of Cities”: “When we have an emotional connection to our place, we are less likely to leave it, and far more likely to champion and defend it in the face of criticism.”

Jimmy W. Gill Youth Leadership Award, and the whole day, including the earlier gathering at the Event Center, and

As we met for our time together on Tuesday, we talked about the importance of loving Athens for the special place that it is, as well as our concern for our nation. “We need to focus on heal-

Tanner High School student Chadarius Townsend, recipient of the first Jimmy W. Gill Youth Leadership Award.

ing our nation, and that starts in our city,” said Mayor Ronnie. “And, if we don’t get our kids involved, we won’t grow,” he added.

The building of the future of Athens, and the healing of our nation depends on leadership. One of the things being done is to give kids a chance to become true leaders. “The Chamber Youth Leadership Program has the kids developing business plans,” said the Mayor. He was also happy to add, “And, three of the kids who participated in the essay contest are in the Mayor’s Youth Commission.” He also talked about the role that Spark Academy and the Renaissance School play, and how they are meeting the needs of kids in a different way.

As always, he encouraged people to talk about what needs to be fixed, “in a respectful way, of course,” he said with a chuckle, and said, “We will get the potholes fixed.” We talked about Kageyama’s book, and how it was affecting us, and he made me laugh out loud when he said, “If I don’t invest in this community, I am an idiot!”

It was time to pray and thank God for all the good in the town we love, which we did, and then, Ronnie rolled on out of the office to his next labor of love.

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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

Meet Army Spec 5 Flavious (Teddy) Dutton by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum Teddy was born in Lawrence County, AL in March of 1946, and he grew up in Hatton. While working at Sears in 1968, he received his draft notice into the United States Army on April 10. After attending basic training at Ft. Benning, GA, he went to Ft. Pope Louisiana to become a truck driver. His first duty station was at Ft. Lewis, Washington where he was assigned to the 143rd Supply Company in the 6th Army. His primary job was transporting petroleum fuel (JP4 and AVGAS) to various aircraft at Ft. Lewis. His most memorable experiences include being a rifleman on the Army

Honor Guard burial detail, in which he would travel all over the east coast performing at funerals for our country’s fallen heroes. After serving his two year commitment, Teddy separated in 1970 and went into the active reserves. At the same time, he went back to work at Sears and enrolled in Calhoun Community College using his GI Bill. In 1986, he graduated from Athens State University with a degree in Systems Engineering while working for NASA. While at NASA, he held a variety of positions, perhaps the most interesting of them being part of the Space

Station Support program. When going into space, everything has to be carried with you, including water. Teddy was part of a program that converted urine and sweat into safe drinking water. Also, when you are in space, each time you reprocess your “water” you lose 4 – 6% of a gallon, so you have to know how many times you can reprocess the fluid. After retirement from NASA in 2011, Teddy came to the museum to volunteer in January of 2013. Teddy was looking for some-

thing to do, and he saw an advertisement for volunteers here at the museum. He decided to

come in and see what we were all about. Not too long after Teddy started volunteering, I found myself in need of a part time employee. I noticed his attention to detail and offered him the job, which he happily accepted. Teddy is a wonderful tour guide. We have had a number of guests comment on his professionalism and knowledge. He is also in charge of daily building maintenance and setting up for our monthly coffee call. We certainly would have a hard time doing it without his dedication! He thinks the community does a wonderful job of recognizing our Veterans, but he will help in any way he can. He would like to see a bigger meeting place for our coffee call, and see more people utilize our library. Teddy is also active in the Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA) and the American Veterans (AMVETS.) Teddy has been married to his lovely wife Patricia for 52 years in June, they have two sons Tarry (who is married to BJ) and Trent (who is married to Rebekah). He has 4 grandchildren: Vance and Ty Dutton, and Hallie and Andrew Hall.

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Clean and Green

Proper Disposal Of Paint by Lynne Hart

KALB and our recycling center receive numerous phone calls every month asking how to dispose of leftover paint. Although we have addressed this on our Facebook page, on our website, and here in Athens Now, we feel it’s important that we address it again.

automobile fluids, pesticides, garden chemicals, some household cleaners, and more. KALB and our recycling center have attempted several times to find funding so that we can hold another collection, but have been unsuccessful.

How you dispose of leftover paint depends on the type of paint you have. Some paint is considered household hazardous waste (HHW) and some is not.

Although this is discouraging, it is illegal and dangerous to dispose of any household hazardous waste in any other manner. Also to be considered is the presence of many of these hazardous items could be dangerous in the event of a fire. If this is of concern to you, please address this with your city councilman and/or your county commissioner who may help find a solution to this problem.

If any of the following is true of your paint, then it cannot be placed in your trash under any conditions. It must be disposed of at a proper household hazardous waste collection. •The paint is oil based. •The paint is listed as mildew resistant or a preservative. •The paint is more than 20 years old (it may contain lead). Athens and Limestone County residents have not had access to a Household Hazardous Waste Collection since 2008. Other items considered as HHW include

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Latex Paint Latex paint, or waterbased paint, is NOT considered a household hazardous waste; however, it CANNOT be placed in your trash in liquid form. Much damage can occur to roadways and trash collection trucks from liquid paints. Never pour paint down

a drain. It can be harmful to your pipes and is not good for the water supply. It is also harmful to pour paint onto the ground. Here are safe ways to get rid of leftover latex paint: •Use it up or donate it: Mix light colors together and use as primer on your next paint job, or offer it to someone else with a painting project. •If you have full or nearly full cans: Check with the Habitat for Humanity ReStore to see if they will accept it for resale. •Dry it up: Once latex paint is completely dry, it is no longer a danger to trash trucks or roadways. Cans that are ¼ full or less can be placed in a safe location away from children and pets with lids off and allowed to dry. Once the paint is completely dry, you can place the can

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in with recycling or in your trash container. Larger amounts: Line a cardboard box with a trash bag and place it in a safe location away from children and pets. Pour paint into the box and add a drying agent such as kitty litter, sand, or shredded paper. You can also purchase paint hardener from Lowe’s or other DIY or hardware store that will work quickly and easily. Once the paint is completely dry, you may place the garbage bag of paint into you regular trash.

The number of phone calls we receive tells us that this information needs to be shared. Please help us do that by passing along this article to others who might be interested. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, visit our website, and let us know if you’d like to receive our monthly eNewsletter. We never share email address and won’t spam you. Encourage others to do the same. Let’s make our community better together.

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com January 20 - February 2, 2017

Cooking with Kimberly

Chicken ‘N’ Sausage Gumbo by Kimberly Hobbs

2 whole chickens 1-1/2 pounds of smoked sausage 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 carrot 1 celery rib

1 large onion, diced Parsely 1 bay leaf 1/2 cup white wine 1 teaspoon salt & pepper

Add all these ingredients in a largestockpot, cover and boil for 1 hour. Strain broth and set aside. Remove chicken from the bone, set aside.

1-1/2 lbs fresh okra 2 tablespoons vegetable oil Sauté the okra in a pan until no longer sticky, set aside 2 med onions, diced

2 med bell peppers, diced 2 celery stalks, diced 1/2 cup all-purpose flour 1/3 cup vegetable oil

Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add flour and oil, stirring until it becomes a dark brown roux. Do not burn; this is what sets your gumbo. This takes about 20minutes Add onions, bell peppers, celery, and garlic. Stir until soft. Add salt. Add 5 cups of broth, okra, tomatoes, chicken, sausage, and the rest of the spices. Cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. If you are adding shrimp, add at the last minute. Add File powder to taste. Serve over a bowl of rice with a crusty piece of bread

January 20 - February 2, 2017

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Health and Fitness

Fiber

by Janet Hunt Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment. Eating healthy may improve your health and lower your need for prescription drugs. Dietary fiber is a component in plant based foods that is linked to a wide range of improved health outcomes, including lower cholesterol, better blood sugar regulation, improved intestinal health, greater satiety (feeling of fullness), and lower rates of certain types of cancer. Fiber is found naturally in plant foods that should comprise the greater part of a healthy diet. The typical American diet includes only about half of the daily recommended amount of fiber, primarily due to the amount of processed foods we eat. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 30 grams of fiber per day in your diet; and here are five great fiber sources. Legumes Legumes are a class of vegetables that include beans, peas, and lentils. They are some of the most versatile and nutritious foods available. Legumes are typically low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are high in folate, potassium, iron and magnesium. They also contain soluble and insoluble fiber. Because they are a good source of protein, legumes can be a healthy substitute for meat, which has more fat and cholesterol. Canned beans are affordable and a convenient

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canned pears usually have added sugars and less fiber (because fiber degrades over time and is generally lost during the canning process). Peas Peas are one of the few members of the legume family that are commonly sold and cooked as fresh vegetables. Black-eyed peas pack 6 grams of fiber per half-cup, and even green-pea powder is popping up with 4 grams fiber and 4 grams protein per 1 Â˝-tablespoon serving.

way to get your legumes. Try subbing pinto beans for meat in your next batch of chili (or add less meat and more beans), add black beans to your burritos or canned beans to your salads, or whip up a batch of lentil soup. If youâ€™re concerned about sodium, rinse the beans under running water first. This will eliminate about 30 percent of the sodium. The fiber in legumes ranges from 5 to 8 grams per half-cup serving. Berries While fruits and vegetables both contain fiber, fruit generally has more fiber per serving than do vegetables. One cup of berries, for example, contains 4 to 10 grams of fiber (about twice that of an apple). Blackberries and raspberries have 8 grams fiber per cup,

while elderberries top the chart with 10 grams per 1-cup serving. Bran There are many different types of grains that contain bran. Oat bran, for example, contains soluble fiber, which helps lower bad cholesterol levels. The bran found in corn, wheat and rice is largely insoluble fiber, which can help fight constipation. High-fiber cereals often include bran in their ingredients. Or if you donâ€™t eat cereal, sprinkle bran on fruit and yogurt or add into casseroles or baked goods. One ounce of wheat bran and oat bran yields 12 grams of fiber, whereas raw corn bran packs 22 grams of fiber per ounce.

to 3 grams of fiber per serving, but pears contain two to three times that much. A large pear has 7 grams of fiber, while a large Asian pear contains 10 grams. Stick with fresh pears because

To check out the fiber content of some of your favorite foods, visit the USDA Nutrient Database website at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ ndb/search. For more help with a healthy nutritious diet, talk to a registered dietician or a certified Health Coach.

Pears Many fruits contain 2

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January 20 - February 2, 2017

Cover Story

Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana Athens: For The Love Of Food And Family by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

have restaurants on Hwy 72 in Athens in the Lindsay Center, and other locations have included Pulaski, Madison, Browns Ferry, Bailey Cove, University Drive and Rogersville. They have purchased land in Decatur to build a new restaurant, which hopefully will be their next project. In addition, once Lucia’s Athens is up and humming, they are going to temporarily close the Athens Hwy 72 Casa Blanca for extensive remodeling. In the downtown Athens area, the Casa Blanca outlet which was located on the north side of the Square was one of my favorite places to eat, day or night, especially when the weather was good enough to eat outside on the patio. That particular Casa Blanca opened in the spring of 2013, was nearly always busy. Then disaster struck, something that can happen all too often in a historical building. A pipe burst in the kitchen, causing extensive damage, and the floor began to sink. The kitchen floor nearly collapsed, and Casa Blanca was closed for almost 13 months. Undaunted, the family joined together as they always do to get everything repaired, and found that the “messing turned into a blessing,” as they came up with a new name and a new concept for a restaurant. They decided to call it Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana, in honor of their mother, Maria Lucia Aguilar Lopez. She is a cancer survivor, and thankfully is still with us. There is a picture of the beautiful Lucia that you can’t miss as you enter the door and wait to be seated. Here is what her sons Gabriel, Hector and Elias have to say

about her: “Our Mom, Maria Lucia Aguilar Lopez, has always been the matriarch of the family. Growing up, she always taught us to work hard, believe in our dreams and to take care of each other. Raising 11 kids, our Mom sacrificed a lot, so in return we opened Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana to honor her and to give thanks for all her sacrifices. And dedicated to all those

who’ve lost the fight to cancer and to those who won’t quit the fight.” As I sat with eldest brother Gabriel listening to his tales of this new chapter in their lives, I was so glad that they prevailed, and once again we have a charming place to eat in Athens that was birthed out of love and honor. The “Lucia’s Concept” is basically “less is more.” The décor is elegant and understated, with a warm two color scheme, and on the walls there are several classic black and white glossy photos of famous female Mexican

January 20 - February 2, 2017

movie stars back from Lucia’s day. The play of light as a result of the gorgeous mirrors throughout makes for an inviting ambience day or night. The menu has been scaled back, and there are now two menus: one that features food one would most often expect in a Mexican restaurant, and a smaller one that is at once painstakingly authentic as

well as a bit more sophisticated. There will be a cóctel de camaron, (shrimp cocktail), carne en su jugo, (steak in its own juices), tacos de carnitas, (tacos with seasoned shred-

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ded pork), tostados de ceviches, (made from small pieces of shrimp, marinated in lime juice, with onions, spices and chilis), tacos, and other dishes made with chorizo, (Spanish sausage), and a full bar. Hector and Elias are in charge of the bar, which will feature homemade sangria, (a chilled red wine with fruit in it, most often citrus wheels), as well as other classics such as margaritas and cheladas. Gabriel told me there will be daily drink specials, as well as daily lunch and dinner specials that will be posted either on a chalkboard outside or on a fresh sheet at the table.

Lunch is served from 11am to 3pm daily, and has very reasonably priced offerings such as quesadillas, fajitas, enchiladas, nachos topped with chicken or steak, chicken dishes seasoned with orange juice and spices, burritos, and several salad choices. There is a kids’ menu for children 11 and under that has American as well as Mexican fare, and the price includes a soft drink, tea or milk. The desserts are big enough to share and include: flan, (a rich egg custard topped with caramel), sopapillas, (a deep fried puffy taco served hot, drizzled with honey and sprinkled with cinnamon), chocolate chimichangas, (a deep fried tortilla stuffed with chocolate), and deep fried ice cream. Come and taste delicious, authentic food served in an inviting atmosphere at Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana, a restaurant reborn, dedicated to a loving mother, Lucia preciosa.

Lucia’s Cocina Mexicana Athens 208 W Market Street Athens, AL 35611 Hours: Mon-Thur 11 to 9, Fri-Sat 11-10, and Sun 11-9

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January 20 - February 2, 2017

Cover Story

Drucilla’s Tea Room: Creativity And On Site Catering by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

ous restaurant. It is the labor of love of Athens native Carol Holland, and named in honor of her grandmother, Drucilla. Now it is 2017, and Carol has teamed up with Lori Hartselle to bring customers a chance to create seasonal keepsakes while sampling delicious fare. I will tell you about what they have “cooked” up in a moment, but first let me tell you about some changes in the menu and on the floor that Carol is finishing up. “We are changing our lunch selections some and planning to offer more of a ‘tea-room’ type fare. “We will keep our loaded potato soup that everyone loves, and add a second soup daily. Our salads and sandwiches will also stay, as will our delicious desserts,” she added. “We aren’t planning on offering the hot daily specials but if any group of six or more will call in for a reservation 48 hours ahead, we will be happy to prepare the hot meal of their choice for them. We also plan to have ‘homemade goodies’ always ready for sale – banana bread, muffins, cookies, etc.” Another change is the concept of “on-site catering.” Drucilla’s is known for bridal showers, family reunions, baby showers, receptions, and high teas. “We want to do weddings as well as rehearsal dinners, and receptions, too,” she said. The house is large enough to handle around 40 guests inside, and more outside for an outdoor wedding. We discussed what her plans were for Drucilla’s to be a part of this Valentine’s Day, and she was pleased to report that a church group had reserved out the entire venue for a special sweethearts’ dinner. I asked her if she had finalized the menu, and she said, “They’ll have their choice of Poulet de

Normandie, congealed cranberry salad, and green beans, or prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes, and green beans.” Each individual’s menu choice will be provided as part of finalizing their reservation. The dessert will be the ultimate all-

items for sale throughout the restaurant. Small items such as dishes, crystal, glassware, quilts, small furniture pieces will be available. Another new feature will be a small boutique featuring vintage ladies’ accessories. “We’ll have jewelry,

February - Valentine’s Day heart shaped door hanger March - a cross-themed canvas painting April - Easter egg door hanger May - Mother Day’s gift paint class (ages 7+)

American confection, red velvet cake. Urban legend states that it was a cake served by the Waldorf-Astoria in New York, and the recipe was sold for $350 during the Great Depression. She is not sure whether she’ll go with cream cheese frosting or an old fashioned boiled seven-minute frosting, but either way, it is bound to be memorable. In keeping with the transition to more of an Antiques/Tea Room atmosphere, there will be more

hats, scarves, and pocketbooks. Every once in awhile there will be shoes,” she said. Lori Hartselle, mentioned above, is a welcome addition to the Drucilla’s team. She and Carol have come up with some great ideas for adults and kids to enjoy the food and history of the house, create artwork and food, learn the traditions associated with high teas, and perhaps participate in a dinner mystery. Here’s the schedule:

June - Father’s Day’s gift paint class (ages 7+) July - Youth abstract on canvas August - High Tea etiquette and/or monster cookie baking class (ages 7+) September - Fall painting on canvas October - Halloween door hanger November - Vintage ornament door hanger

January 20 - February 2, 2017

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December - Christmas themed painting on canvas All of the monthly art projects will feature refreshments from Drucilla’s and are included in the price of the class. We talked about things that it seems nobody seems to know how to do anymore, such as setting a table, or how to enjoy a tea. “I learned how to do fractions by cooking,” she said, with a fond remembrance of being in the kitchen with her grandma, Drucilla. Another attraction that Carol is currently investigating is the hosting of an interactive murder mystery dinner. She is going to attend the one being presented soon in Huntsville to see how they do it, and knows there are great folks in Athens who would be good characters to play the parts. If you have ever been upstairs at Drucilla’s, you know there is a literal library and mezzanine, perfect for a live game of Clue where it was “Colonel Mustard in the library with a candle stick.” I am looking forward to seeing what she puts together, both in terms of food and fun. So, if you are looking to take a step back into another time during your lunch hour, a place to take your daughter or other special little girl for a memorable high tea, a perfect place for a Victorian wedding, or a place to figure out “whodunnit” after a delicious meal, call Drucilla’s today for your reservation. I can speak from experience: it will be memorable.

Drucilla’s Tea Room

300 North Marion Street Athens, AL, 35611 256-497-7279 Hours: M-F 10:30-2 Facebook: Drucilla’s Page 17

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January 20 - February 2, 2017

The View From The Bridge

Letter From A Birmingham Jail, Moral Ends by Raven Warner

Jackie Warner

Community Outreach “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

This month, I yield to my daughter, Raven. She participated in the Limestone County NAACP MLK Essay Competition. Enjoy an excerpt from her essay!! Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote a letter titled "Letter from a Birmingham Jail." In this letter, he said, "It is wrong to use corrupt means to attain moral ends....it is just as wrong...to use moral means to preserve immoral ends." How does this quote relate to advancing the dream of freedom and justice in America? “It is wrong to use moral means to attain immoral ends…. it is just as wrong to use immoral means to attain moral ends…” During the time of Martin Luther King, Jr. and still today, the fight for the dream of pure freedom and justice in America is the same. For example, the sit-ins and peaceful protests of the Civil Rights Movement to motivate leaders to desegregate cities, encourage equality, and brotherhood can easily be compared to the modern-day protests, social media outreach, and the refusal of people to conform to rid America of issues such as police brutality, the targeting of minorities, and outright racial bias. As mentioned before, Dr. King’s quote says it is both wrong to use moral means to attain

immoral ends and to use immoral means to attain moral ends. One may be preferred over the other, but each situation has one key word: immoral. How can the dream of freedom and justice in America turn into a positive reality if the fundamental steps are based on immorality and corruption? The answer is simple. It cannot. Through his powerful quotes and his influential actions, it is obvious that Martin Luther King Jr. was a strong advocate of advancing the dream

January 20 - February 2, 2017

of freedom and justice in America for everyone. Concerning the aspect of actions, Dr. King believed in peaceful, non-violent ways of demonstrating his displeasure with the issues he and racial minorities faced during his brief but truly phenomenal life. With this approach, he changed the mindsets of several people in leadership roles, continuously advancing the dream of freedom and justice. However, today, although some still utilize Dr. King’s methods, several

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others have disregarded how successful his approaches and techniques were. Dr. King mentioned 3 steps before the last step of direct action concerning non-violent campaigning: collection of the facts to determine whether injustices are alive, negotiation, and self-purification. If people were to follow through instead of disregarding all four steps and turning to things such as violent protests, an example of immoral means to attain moral ends, the American

dream would progress much faster, causing the nation to thrive. - Raven Warner 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

The Power Of Mission Statements, Vision Statements, And Remembering by Deb Kitchenmaster What is a mission statement? Is there a difference between a mission statement and a vision statement? Let’s look at this together, NEIGHbor. Some time ago, I was “found” on Facebook by a couple whom I had met over a decade ago. In fact, their youngest daughter was a camper in my first horse camp! She is now married and has children. (Yes, I had a moment but I’m all better now!) Their stay with us was extended as we enjoyed “connecting.” After they left, I remembered the mission statement I had written years ago when I developed Abba’s Lad Riding Camp for the community I lived in. What is a mission statement? It’s a statement of the purpose of a service, company, organization or individual. This statement answers the question, “Why do we(I) exist?” A mission statement focuses on the present state. My mission statement was and remains today “to provide a safe conscious environment where horse and handler can experience inspiration, education and fun; a setting where connection happens.” Was I conscious of this mission statement when I got the email? No, I wasn’t. Was it fulfilled? Yes. What then, is a vision statement? A vision statement is sometimes called a picture of your

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service in the future for all your strategic planning. This statement reminds you of what you are trying to build, acting as a compass which gives direction. A vision statement is for me. A mission statement is for them. A vision statement asks the question, “Where do we (I) want to go?” One of my grandchildren took a picture that defines the vision statement I have. “Horses are like bridges that can lead us home;” home to loving God with all your heart, soul and mind, your strategy.

and loving your NEIGHbor as yourself. A bridge is a connection or a link. A wall is a barrier or a divider. When we are in relationship, whether it be with God, people, or animals, we are either building a bridge or a wall. Ask questions that will connect you with others and lead you into harmony with the relationship you

desire to build. And if you find yourself building a wall, please don’t require your horse to pay for it. Just sayin’. So, here we are on a “mission” with a “vision,” remembering that our mission statement is about the people we are serving and the service we are providing. The vision is the picture of your service, what it looks like. Vision is like a blueprint;

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I want to talk briefly about HOME. I’m not talking about the physical address but the place INSIDE, where YOU dwell and abide. This is the energy our horse connects with. Seriously. What happens when you are not at home (address) and someone knocks on your door? No one answers. Why? Because no one is home. Our horse knocks on our door (our inside abiding/dwelling place) and we need to be HOME/ PRESENT.

bill for hoof care, I noticed a discount. On the bill he wrote “Your presence made the difference” YES! It does! Please always remember this. In the flow of simplicity, “being home” simply means to know you in the truest form where you are at rest inside. From your relationship of knowing God (free from condemnation, shame, guilt, and accusations because of Jesus’ finished work on the cross), flows knowing you, and from knowing you flows your connection with your horse.

Let me give you an ex- Knock, knock… Anyone ample. A farrier was put- home? ting horseshoes on a stalYour NEIGHbor, lion at a barn I worked at. Deb Kitchenmaster The stallion wasn’t standCorral Connections ing for him, and he asked www.corralconnections.com me if I would help. When ‘A church of great heart’ I took the lead rope, the 256-426-7947 stallion let out a sigh and stood like a gentleman. Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner When I went to pay my dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

January 20 - February 2, 2017

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Medical Update

Flu Season Is Here! by Sasha Acelajado, MD The 2016-2017 flu season has arrived. Influenza (more commonly known as flu) activity in the United States is on the rise. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that out-patient clinic visits for influenza-like illness (where patients report symptoms that suggest an influenza infection) are elevated compared to baseline all over the nation. In Limestone County, significant influenza activity was detected (as reported by the Alabama Department of Public Health, and based not just on symptoms, but also a positive flu test) for the past 3 weeks. There is also an uptick of hospitalizations related to the flu. Based on CDC data, the age group that has had the most number of hospitalizations for influenza have been people 65 years and older. This is followed by the 50-64 years age group. These age groups also account for majority of seasonal flu-related deaths in recent years. The good news is that it is not too late to get the flu vaccine to get protected against the flu. There are specific groups of people that should not skip the flu vaccine, either because they are at higher risk of developing complications, or because they can expose those who are at high-risk to get the infection. These include the following (based on the CDC recommendations): 1.Children aged 6 months to 5 years and 11 months. 2.Adults aged 50 years and older. 3.Anyone with a long-term lung or heart condition (examples include heart

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failure, congenital heart disease, COPD, asthma), or any chronic kidney, liver, neurologic, hematologic (blood) and metabolic condition (including diabetes). 4.Any individual with immunosuppression (weakened immune system), either because of a known condition (such as HIV) or because they are on medications that weaken the immune system (such as long term steroids). 5.If you live with or care for anyone who meets the criteria for #1-4 (you can give them the flu!). 6.Anyone who is pregnant or plans on becoming pregnant during the flu season. 7.Residents of nursing homes.

8.Health care personnel. 9.Morbidly obese individuals with a body-mass index greater than 40 (if you don’t know your BMI, there are several calculators available online. All you need is your height and weight). 10.American Indians and Alaskan natives. 11.Children 6 months to 18 years of age who are taking long-term aspirin or those who may be at risk for developing Reye’s syndrome. Symptoms of influenza include fever, headache, and muscle aches. A cold, sore throat, and a non-productive cough can accompany these symptoms. While a lot of people “get over” the flu, some individuals develop complications, which can

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lead to death or disability. The complications of influenza include pneumonia (from influenza and other bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus), rhabdomyolysis (muscle inflammation and destruction, which can lead to kidney failure and death), and infection of the brain (encephalitis). Antiviral treatment is available for high-risk individuals who get the flu. These antivirals are prescribed by your physician or health care provider and can lessen the risk of developing complications (but do not get rid of them entirely). The best cure, however, is prevention, and you can do this by getting your flu shot, washing your hands frequently, and

avoiding contact with sick persons. If you get sick, minimize your activity (avoid going to crowded areas where you can spread it to others), wash your hands regularly, and cover your cough. The flu vaccine is typically well-tolerated, and one of the more common adverse effects is soreness at the injection site. Vaccine technology has gotten advanced over the recent years that some formulations contain very little egg protein, so people with an egg allergy can receive certain types of flu vaccines. If you have questions or concerns about the flu vaccine, talk to your healthcare provider.

January 20 - February 2, 2017

Foreman’s Forum

Who Would You Die For? by Paul Foreman

In 2016, law enforcement officers found themselves the target of assassins who attacked and ambushed police at previously unseen levels. During this past year, 135 officers died on the job, with 64 dying by gunshot. Two hundred seventy six police officers were shot. That averages out to an officer shot 3 out of every 4 days, and 1.19 officers killed per week. The previous year was almost as bad. Last year, I was talking on the phone to my granddaughter who lives in Georgia. She was 9 years old at the time, and she knew I was teaching gun safety and self defense classes. At that time, the media was really hitting heavy with the anticop propaganda. There were headlines such as “Cops gun down 16 year old boy.” Or, “Cops kill another unarmed teenage youth.” As if the television news isn't bad enough, schools around the country were teaching the students to be afraid of the police. I read about one elementary school which had given out an assignment in art class. The students were instructed to draw pictures about how they felt about cops killing people. Then my own granddaughter hit me in the face with a brick. “Papa,” she said, “Please teach the police to stop killing people.” Those who believe that cops are just begging for a chance to kill someone are living in a self induced fantasy

of media and lies. People need to start realizing that at every single encounter police have with citizens, a GUN is involved. Yep, at least one gun is present every single time officers come in contact with citizens. Back in the day, when I was a new officer, the

Northern Alabama, especially in the city of Athens and Limestone County, we have two very fine law enforcement agencies. Chief Johnson and Sheriff Blakely do a superb job, and both have officers in the public schools throughout Athens and Limestone

say to your sons or daughters when you see a news story on TV about an officer involved shooting? This past year, men and women have been wounded and killed in the line of duty just because they wear a uniform. That is frightening. I will admit there are a few bad

a police officer's job in an area like Ferguson or Baltimore? In Washington, some sick elected officials put up some despicable painting they call “art,” which depicts police officers resembling pigs. What message does that send to our children? To emphasize again, this past year, 135 officers died on the job and 276 police officers were shot and 64 gave the ultimate sacrifice. Who would you take a bullet for a total stranger?

number one weapon used to murder law enforcement officers was the officer's own gun. During the ‘90s, we began using some very well engineered holsters that helped keep our guns from being snatched away during close encounters. This is just one of the reasons attitudes toward law enforcement need to change -- and that change begins at home, facilitated by parents. It also needs to be taught in our public schools! Here in

January 20 - February 2, 2017

County. One of the local papers showed pictures of Athens Police giving out Christmas gifts to children. Mom and Dad, this message is for YOU. Have you contributed to the disrespect and loathing your child or teenager has for the police and sheriff deputies? What do you say to your sons and daughters when you pass an officer who has pulled someone over? What do you say when YOU get pulled over? What do you

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apples out there. BUT, they are really few and far between. I believe this “war on police” has also made many men & women question whether or not they want to be police officers. Officers have found themselves repeatedly vilified in the media. This anti-police attitude in the media, and in the highest levels of some elected officials, has caused a serious shortage of police applicants in many large cities. Who would want to sign up for

As I can attest, there are many rewarding things about doing law enforcement work. But, there is something chilling that runs through your mind, as well as that of your family, when they see you strap on the ballistic armor and walk out the door. Will tonight be the night an officer does not come home? Cops will not be safe on America's streets in 2017 if current attitudes prevail.

Who would you die for today? John 15:13 Paul Foreman: Is a retired Deputy Sheriff, from Lee County Florida. Paul is a NRA Certified Pistol Instructor For further information about Firearm's Training, Paul can be reached through e-Mail at Captureman@PaulForeman.com or his web site, www.PaulForeman.com or by Phone at 256-431-6702

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January 20 - February 2, 2017