July 19 - August 1, 2013
athensnowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: 256-468-9425
Touchdown Wings: 21 Sauces, And That’s Just The Beginning
See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32
Tourism Tractors, Longhorns, Cars & Trumpets... Before the kids go back to school, come out and enjoy all Limestone County has to offer.... Pages 8-9
By Ali Elizabeth Turner
Byron Guo was born in the FuJian province of China in 1973, and in 1981 his father came to America “to make a better life.” For fifteen years, his father scrimped and saved enough to bring his wife, son and daughter over to America, and in 1996, Byron started out his American life in Connecticut. He got his G.E.D, was still in that “language
Athens Rehab Spotlight
Byron Guo, owner of Touchdown Wings
Athens Rehabilitation and Senior Care Center Spotlight on Gary Clem... Gary Clem never expected to have to spend some extended time in a senior care facility before he retired, but then some serious back injuries changed everything... Page 19
Horse Whispering HOPE... Horses Opening People’s Eyes is one way of spelling “hope”. How do horses open people’s eyes? I honestly don’t know. I simply know that they can and they do!.... Page 20
July 19 - August 1, 2013
Snapdragon Kids: Snappy Kids’ Clothes And A Sharp Looking Shop By Ali Elizabeth Turner Just off the Square, under a new, snappy black and white awning, there is a shop with a green door that invites you to see what can happen when a family comes together to Continued on page 17
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Continued on pages 15
Tax Free Weekend is Coming... August 2nd, 3rd and 4th
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July 19 - August 1, 2013
Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner
Sales / Editing Deborah Huff
Graphic Design Jonathan Hamilton
Contributing Writers Shelley Underhill Lynne Hart Deb Kitchenmaster Wanda Campbell Teresa Todd Jackie Warner
Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . . 4 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . 6 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9 View From The Bridge . . . 10 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 11
Dana Loesch, A Dazzling Young Light I have to tell you, sometimes I get mighty discouraged about the plight of the minds and souls of our young people, especially those who are emerging from our universities not being able to pick Adolph Hitler out of a lineup. This week I wondered, (after hearing about how one business associate experienced being checked out by a clerk at Michael’s who had never heard of Teddy Roosevelt,) if the clerk knew anything about the Holocaust, and if she did, did any of it matter to her? Then, my hope was restored by being introduced by way of the media to a young woman named Dana Loesch. Dana is a journalist who looks like she could be a member of the Kardashian crew, but that is where the similarity ends. She is unabashedly conservative, quick on her feet and with her tongue, has her own radio show on KFTK FM in Missouri, and WIBC in Indianapolis. She also appears on CNN, Fox News
well.”
She attributes her success to her faith in God and her boyfriend (and now husband), Chris Loesch.
and The Blaze TV Network. She “went off the reservation” of progressive liberalism after 9/11, and had to rethink everything. Prior to that time, she was a card carrying spouter of the standard college party line: a pro-choice, feminist historical revisionist. By her own admission, she had left the God of her youth, and her faith. She became pregnant out of wedlock, and the only “choice” her friends gave her was to abort her child. She realized that one of the ways feminism gains
Clean and Green . . . . . . . . 12
“I rejected that ideology in large part because I grew tired of these people telling me that as a woman I wasn’t strong enough to raise a child in my circumstances,” Dana said. “Mentally, I said screw this, I can do it. Twelve years later not only did I do it — I did it pretty
Cooking with Shelley . . . . . . 13 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . . . . 14 Cover Stories . . . . . . . . . 15 & 17 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 18 Athens Rehab Spotlight . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . . . 20 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22
July 19 - August 1, 2013
its strength is to make women dependent on government, and, ironically, it tells women they are not strong enough to be a single parent. Their only “means to strength” is to take a life, and that death is justifiable in order to insure that their own life not be inconvenienced. She said the following: [I] “got pregnant” as a broke, unwed student from a single parent household.” And not broke like “wearing last season’s clothes… Broke like I can see through the rust hole in the back passenger side of my Buick.”
“I wasn’t alone in this, and from this, I learned something valuable that I’m instilling in my sons. Men, do not allow yourselves to be emasculated,” Dana said. “Do not allow yourselves to be persuaded to let an entire generation die away because you didn’t feel it was your place to step up and speak out. Fight back. Your sons need you. Your daughters need you. Your wives and your girlfriends need you. The mothers need you, and you need it too as fathers.”
Whoot! Time for a fist bump, or several, for that matter! If a former feminist is telling her sons to not allow themselves to be emasculated, to fight for their children, and is sending the same message out across America, we may have more to rejoice about than we thought. Keep shining, Miss Dana!
Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com
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All Things Soldier
Protecting The Chaplaincy by Ali Elizabeth Turner This is not the first time that this column has sounded an alarm over the fact that our military men and women are in harm’s way spiritually, while they are in harm’s way physically. I have an acquaintance who earlier this Spring had to visit a soldier who had been thrown in jail for praying publically in the name of Jesus. The Family Resource Council and other conservative groups recently appeared on Capitol Hill in tandem with the celebration of the establishment of the Chaplaincy by General George Washington 237 years ago. Below is a portion of the speech delivered, and the call to action addressed to the current Commander in Chief that the religious rights of our troops no longer be curtailed. “Today is the 237th anniversary of General George Washington’s general order establishing the Chaplaincy,” Rep. Jim Bridenstine (R-Okla.) told the crowd. “In that general order, he stated, ‘The General hopes and trusts, that every officer and
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man, will endeavor so to live, and act as becomes a Christian Soldier defending the dearest Rights and Liberties of his country.’ Unlike General George Washington, nobody here is suggesting that every soldier be Christian or that every soldier live and act like Christians. But we are suggesting that the President allow Christian soldiers to have the right to live and act like Christians...or whatever faith.” This is yet another example of the “faith of our Fathers” as originally intended, and proof once again that the re-writing of history that results in a change of policy is as insidious as it is insistent. George Washington hoped and trusted that each soldier would be a Christian, and all these guys who went to Capitol Hill are asking for is that each soldier be allowed to be a person of faith. We citizens, by contrast, are told that such a passionate belief in God was never a part of the Founders’ dream, and are looked upon as though we have three heads for suggesting otherwise.
What is also alarming is to find out, according to the Washington Post, that the Air Force has produced a 27 page booklet that codifies just what it thinks is acceptable behavior on the
part of Chaplains, as well as troops. The booklet has not been distributed yet, but it has been prepared. “‘Leaders at all levels,’ the document says, ‘must avoid the actual or apparent use of their position to promote their personal religious beliefs to their subordinates or to extend preferential treatment for any religion.’ It even suggested that noncompliance could result in court-martial.”
to the Theatre of the Absurd for a moment to illustrate a point. A Catholic priest is on the field, and there is a heavy firefight. A backslidden Catholic kid
has been hit and knows he’s dying. He asks for a priest, he wants to make one last confession, and he wants last rites. Does the priest face a potential court martial for granting the request of the dying soldier? Is he supposed to say to the kid as he bleeds
out, “Hey, if I pray in the name of Buddha, are you good with that? I mean, we can’t show any preference, right?”
Now, I am not Catholic, and my personal belief is that when you confess your sins to God, and believe in your heart that He raised Christ from the dead, you will be saved, as the Scripture says. But I am surely not going to allow robbing someone of their blood bought right to the dictates of their faith as guaranteed by the Constitution, and you shouldn’t, either. If this is a fight to which you feel called, contact our legislators and make sure they are backing the military conscience rights amendment that has been included in the Defense Authorization bill. Please, defend the Chaplaincy, Chaplains, and the soldiers they serve.
OK, so let’s just take this
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Calendar of Events Athens State Art Students to participate in National “Athens” Exhibition Now – Aug 20
Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, and Friday from 8:00 to noon. Athens Voices USA ’13, an Athens, Ohio biennial event by The Dairy Barn Arts Center, is an all media, juried art exhibition that aims to feature the diverse styles and visions of artists residing within 30 miles of a city named Athens in the United States. Athens Voices USA 2013 will be the fourth juried art exhibition celebrating “Athens” from all over the Nation. The event will be at the Alabama Center for the Arts located at 133 2nd Avenue in Decatur, Alabama.
Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival Now - Aug 3
Thursday-Saturday night of each weekend, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (CLOSED JULY 4TH). There are rides for kids along with great concessions and bingo! The rides are: small Ferris wheel, rocket ships, small swings, carousel, train, roller coaster, parachutes, large swings and the scrambler. For safety and maintenance reasons, no adult riders on any of the rides. Concessions available include hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, french fries and cokes. Also available are the crowd favorites of cotton candy, dippin’ dots and funnel cakes. The private birthday parties are available June 1st through June 26. Private parties for the month of August will begin on August 6 thru August 31. The Kiddie Carnival is located at the intersection of Forrest & Beaty streets, just across from Athens Middle School. For more information or updates see our Facebook Page also: Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival.
Junior Golf Camp at Canebrake Club Jul 19, 22, 24-26 9:30 AM. - 11:00 AM each day
Our Camp is right around the corner! To register, visit the Pro Shop or contact Micky Wolfe: micky@canebrakeclub.com or (256) 232-2412, ext. 2. $80 per child (includes all instruction, tee gifts, and refreshmentsy. *Members only - Not a Canebrake Club member? Visit ttp://www.canebrakeclub.com/belong/membership/ membership.html?menu_id=52 for membership information!
Over 20 visual artists including painters, photographers, ceramicists, potters, jewelers, mixed media artists, clothing designers, and more will be at the Limestone County Courthouse Lawn on The Square. There will be live music and children’s activities. Enjoy great restaurants and old fashioned ice cream in our own downtown. Art. Experience it. Own it. For More information, contact Athens Arts League at athensartsleague@gmail.com.
AL Championship Tractor & Truck Pull (Tanner) Jul 26 & 27
This Tractor Truck Pull is one of the best in the nation. Make your plans today to attend at Tanner High School. Contact: 256-497-4309, 431-1292 or 256-233-7077. Fee
Ice Creammm! K-I-N Stables ‘I Scream for Ice Cream Family Day’ July 27 from 2-5 PM
Do you remember the simpler times when we invested time with our families, gathered around the ice cream freezer waiting for the cream to freeze? It was usually my job to turn the crank. Now, you have an opportunity to gather as family and enjoy some delicious ice cream. K-I-N Stables at 13124 Carter Road Athens, AL The cost is $20.00 per family, due by July 20. Request a registration form by contacting us at kinstables.info@gmail.com or call 256874-6781. Come out and meet new friends, meet the horses, see the facility, meet the people of K-I-N Stables, games for the kids and learn a little bit about horses. We Hope to see you here. - See more at: www.jimswanner.com/ice-cream-family-day-at-k-i-n-stables/#sthash. S4DxQnGG.lgp14YGO.dpuf
Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days Aug 2 & 3
Antique Tractor ride on Aug 2nd on the Rails to Trails; Hays Mill to Elkmont. Contact: 256-431-6226, 256-431-0619, 256-431-12316 Fee
Singing on the Square Jul 19 at 6:00 PM
Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the free concert featuring Dixon Todd and Southern Splendor Chorus
Rogersville Bluegrass Festival Music Championship Jul 19 - 5:00PM - Jul 20 - 9:30AM www.RogersvilleBlueGrassFestival.com
CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament Jul 20
Enter your team early. About 100 teams will be competing for the championship. Contact: 256-232-5751, casalimestonecounty.org. Fee to participants
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Summer Art Strolls in Athens Jul 26 at 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Hilltop Arts Society Festival Aug 3
The festival features music and the arts. The genres of music vary, giving everyone a chance to see a wide diversity of music around the area on a great day in the country. The Lineup includes: Banditos Birmingham, AL; Clear Plastic Masks - Brooklyn, NY; Spiral Down South - Athens, AL; John and The Conners - Auburn, AL; Riley Downing - Holt, MO; Estoria - Athens, AL; Kudzu - Decatur, AL; Sleep Through Storms - Decatur, AL; and Andrew Lynn & Co. Athens, AL. There will also be an area for local performers to show their talents to the public. Lots of food and drinks from vendors, as well as local artists. Children under 10 years are admitted free! Visit our website http://reddevilrockshow.org/, for more information and upcoming news on the event. More info and tickets at http://www. brownpapertickets.com/event/400728! Vendors and artists email us at reddevilrockshow@gmail.com or hilltop.arts@yahoo.com or message us here on Facebook.
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Spread the word... Give this issue to a friend after you have www.facebook.com/ElkmontBakery
read it to spread the best of Athens!
Friends to Elect Eric Smith Sheriff PO Box 1470 Athens AL 35612
July 19 - August 1, 2013
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Tourism
Tractors, Longhorns, Cars & Trumpets… By Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association
Before the kids go back to school, come out and enjoy all Limestone County has to offer. You don’t want to miss the AL Championship Tractor & Truck Pull in Tanner on July 26th and 27th. For 35 years, the Tanner Tractor and Truck Pull has been one of the largest events in the South. Each night will include six classes sanctioned by the NTPA/Mid-South Pullers Association. Saturday night events include
it’s the 21st Annual Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days on August 2nd and 3rd at 20147 Elkton Road, Athens, AL. Show grounds open at 9:00 AM on Friday and 7:00 AM on Saturday. Voted one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeastern Tourism Society, you will see these gasoline engines, steam engines, antique tractors, cars, trucks and horse drawn equipment in action. This year they are featuring Un-Styled John Deere Tractors and Engines. New to the event this year, on Friday Aug. 2nd, is
a 20 mile tractor ride sponsored by the Limestone County Farmers Federation. Departure time is 10:00 AM with the Cattlemen’s Association serving rib-eye sandwiches at the Historic Elkmont Depot upon arrival. Events include the Parade of Power,
dual-wheel farm tractors. Concessions for food and T-shirts will be available. Proceeds from the event, sponsored by the Tanner Quarterback Club, benefit Tanner High School athletics and Tanner youth sports. Make your plans today to attend at Tanner High School. Contact: 256-497-4309, 431-1292 or 256-233-7077. For more information visit: www.tannerhigh.org. Then the next weekend
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Fast Crank Competition, Slow Races, Skillet Throw (for the ladies), Pedal Pull (for the kids) and lots of fun for the entire family. Live entertainment on Friday night will begin at 5:30 PM featuring “The Piney Creek Boys.” Admission is $5.00. Children 10 and under are admitted free. Contact David Hargrove at 256-431-6226 or Allen De-
ment at 256-431-0619 for more information. After a fun day at the Farm Heritage Days, take a drive to Ardmore for the 21st Annual Ardmore Police Rodeo on August 2nd & 3rd. It’s time for bucking broncs, calf roping, barrel racing and Rodeo Queens at the Ardmore, TN John Barnes Park. Chances on Saddle are $3 per ticket. Advanced Rodeo tickets are available at Ardmore Police Department, Adams Western Wear (Ardmore), Preston Western Wear (Athens), Roy & Rogers (Fayetteville), First National Bank (Ardmore) and Peoples State Bank of Commerce (Ardmore) - $8 for ages 6-12 & $10 for ages 13 and up. RODEO QUEEN CONTEST for ages 1-21 & $25 to enter so get your form today!! NEW this year is a Kid Fun Zone with Pony Rides, Military Flight Simulators & Boys &
July 19 - August 1, 2013
Tourism (continued) by August 4th and the fee is $20. Day of Show entry fee is $25. Spectator admission is $5 per person or $15 per family. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Contact: Rodney at 205-908-2677 or Sandy at 256-656-3413. On August 16th, the Athens State University Community Band will hold its annual ‘Concert on the Square.’ The concert will be held on the east side of the Limestone County courthouse @ 6:30 PM in historic downtown Athens, AL. The Community Band, sponsored by Athens State University, was founded in 2003 by Dan Havely. The band was Girls Club Face Painting. The John Barnes Park is located at 30500 Ardmore Ridge Road. Gates open at 5:00 PM; Rodeo begins at 8:00 PM. Contact ardmorepdreserves@ hotmail.com or the Ardmore Police Department @ 256-423-2146 for more information. Come to downtown Athens August 3rd, from 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM for the monthly Cruise In on the Square. Bring your antique vehicle and park around the square. Join the fun and enjoy a delicious meal offered by our downtown restaurants. Come early and check out the great buys at our unique downtown businesses. Be sure and get ice cream at Limestone Drug or Kreme Delight and cupcakes at Wildwood Deli. Don’t forget to stop by the Kiddie Carnival at Forest and Beaty Streets for their last night of fun for the season.
TN John Barnes Park located on Ardmore Ridge Road. Awards are presented in 10 classes with the top five by class. All judging is done by the contestants. Live music will be provided by Microwave Dave. Six grand prize drawings will be held during the day. The AQBC Grand Prize is a 1967 Chrysler Imperial. Brad Stovall’s Auto Body Shop will present cash prizes of $1,500 for first place,
$1,000 for second place and $500 for third place. A Corporate Prize of a rolling tool box valued at $4,200 will be given away by Snap-On Tools. Naylor Performance Transmission will give away a 700R transmission. $50 cash drawings will be every 10 minutes. A 50/50 drawing will also be held. Pre-enter created primarily as an outlet for former Athens State University students, but now has members from our community who wish to continue in their musical pursuits. Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy the music under the direction of Mr. Dan Havely. The event is hosted by the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association. The concert is free but donations will be appreciated. For information about the above events or other Athens-Limestone County events call 256-2325411/256-867-1438 or visit our website www. VisitAthensAL.com.
Ardmore Quarterback Club Car Show Aug 10 from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM. One of the biggest and best car shows in Tennessee and Alabama is in Ardmore at the Ardmore,
July 19 - August 1, 2013
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The View From The Bridge
The Power of Reflection: Ingredients to Success
by Jackie Warner
Jackie Warner
Community Outreach “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters
•Reflection is a Leadership Fundamental. •Reflecting back allows for improved success when reflecting forward •Think on a scale larger/ smaller than what you are used to thinking - See the forest for the trees - Look for patterns - Look at how nature solves “problems” - Do something you typi-
cally don’t do
•Ask questions -What if...? -How about...? -How can we...? -Why not...?
•Create Time -If you can’t find time in your busy day for reflective thought, make time: 1-Get up one hour early 2-Go to bed one hour late 3-Go to the park for lunch 4-Listen to music instead of the news
5-Take a long shower or bath 6-Cut the grass 7-Take the dog for a walk In today’s hectic rat-race, it is very difficult to find time for reflective thought and getting in contact with our sub-conscious. New ideas typically don’t present themselves when we are too busy to think. In order to truly tap into your greatness make time to get away, think deeply, and truly reflect.
Reflecting Questions 1.Personally and professionally, what were my successes in 2013 and why do I view them as successes? 2.What new found strategies for success will I continue and bring with me
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into 2014 and why?
3.What were my missed opportunities thus far in 2013 and why?
4.From my experiences in the last year, what will I leave behind and why?
5.What guidance will I seek to make me a better person, and leader in moving forward?
July 19 - August 1, 2013
What Makes Ronnie Roll
The Gift Of Community, Part 3, “Bridges”
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
Why do people move to cities? Why do they leave cities? Why do they come back, (as is often the case with Athenians,) and raise their kids in the same town in which they were raised? In a word, to achieve a sense of connectedness. If they are looking for it, and find it in a given town, they tend to want to stay. If they move away because they can’t find it, they tend to stay away. And if they tried to find it somewhere else, and didn’t, then they tend to work harder at finding it back in the “realm of their roots.”
Gary McCaleb, the author of The Gift Of Community, (which will serve as the basis for our chats for a good while, me thinks,) uses the analogy of bridges when talking about connectedness. He talks about the city of Amsterdam, which boasts over 1,000 bridges. I have had the chance to walk on some of them, they are gorgeous, and they connect the city whether on foot, bicycle or in an automobile with a beauty that is utterly charming. As a consequence, Amsterdam is considered one of the best designed cities in the world.
As lovely as are the physical bridges of Amsterdam, every city has a chance to be a “city of bridges,” even if they are out in a physical desert. Bridges of relationships, the arts, things like the new Library getting under way here in Athens, the community garden that is coming together, the Farmer’s Market, volunteerism, and the ongoing insistence on the part of the Mayor and others that Athens move toward the future in a true and just unity, are some of the “bridges” that make our town so special.
“Athens is alive with younger families,” said Mayor Ronnie, “and alive with activities like the mural that has been painted underneath the Forrest St railroad bridge.” As
July 19 - August 1, 2013
cluding himself, is what are we doing to repair the unseen bridges in Athens?
glad as I am to hear that, I must admit I am hoping that those of us whose families are no longer young will understand the need to invest in the future of our city by getting involved. McCaleb quotes the world famous futurist Alvin Toffler in his classic work, Future Shock, by saying that “long lasting relationships in our lives are becoming as rare as ‘long-stemmed flowers towering above a field of grass in which each blade represents a short-term relationship.’”
McCaleb finishes his chapter on bridges with a simple, but touching story of Arthur Ashe, the man who broke the color barrier in the world of pro tennis. Ashe knew his death was near, and he wrote a last letter to his daughter. In it he said, “Be ruled by that rule called golden.” Physical bridges take physical gold to repair and maintain, the unseen ones take ‘that rule called golden.’ And the desire to build both is one of the many things that make Ronne roll.
Continuing on with the analogy of bridges, McCaleb says, “Unseen bridges are built with trust, respect, compassion, encouragement, and love.” They are as crucial as physical bridges, and cannot be allowed to deteriorate. Happily, our physical bridges, (specifically the two on Forrest St,) are going to be able to get A.T.R.I.P.P. grant funding to help with their much needed repair. Each bridge needs about $1 million dollars in repairs apiece in order to be restored and able to well handle the rail traffic that is so much a part of our town’s culture. The question that the Mayor would like to pose to all of us though, in-
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Clean and Green
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle... And Respect by Lynne Hart
All trash and packing materials should be removed from boxes
Everyone knows the three Rs of recycling... Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. We believe there is a fourth R...Respect. We’re not referring to respecting our environment, although we know we should. The respect this article addresses is respect for the people who must handle the items recycled by businesses and individuals in the community. Until we walk in another’s shoes, we often don’t think about how our actions affect someone else. Our KALB Secretary Leigh Patterson and I had the opportunity to walk in the shoes of our recycling center drivers. Leigh and I manned a truck and serviced cardboard cages at local business. These cages are provided and serviced free of charge. In the heat of the summer, this is very strenuous and dirty work. What did we find? We found that most locations did not break down their cardboard boxes, which means we could not efficiently fill our truck. That sometimes meant multiple trips to the same location, which is not time or fuel efficient. We also found
boxes filled with Styrofoam, air pillows, or garbage. Time had to be taken to remove these contaminants so the cardboard could be recycled. Our non-profit recycling center provides a wonderful service to this community. We accept more materials for recycling than most other centers in North Alabama! We do it because it is the right thing to do for our environment. In return, all we ask for is
respect. How can you do that? •Empty and break down all cardboard to be recycled •Don’t toss garbage in a business recycling cage •Remove food waste THANK YOU to each person and business that DOES take the time to do these things. We notice and we appreciate you VERY MUCH! We do appreciate everyone who takes the time to recycle cardboard and other materials. We do ask that you remember when tossing your recyclables in a collec-
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tion cage, curbside bin, or recycling center collection bin, that there is a real person who will have to handle it. Please put it in the cage or bin the way you would want it if YOU were the one that had to handle it next. A bit of RESPECT will go a long way to let our staff know that you appreciate
the hard work they do to keep these materials out of the landfill, and to reduce business dumpster costs. I am pleased to say that Leigh and I made the center proud with the amounts of cardboard we were able to stuff into our truck with each load! The greatest moment of the day for us, however, was going home and taking a long, hot shower! We take our hats off to our recycling center staff!
(256) 233-8728 KeepALBeautiful@att.net
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Cooking with Shelley
Summer Salsa It’s that times of year again-time to break out the salsa recipes for all of those tomatoes from the garden. And if you don’t have a garden or a tomato plant planted here or there,
by Shelley Underhill
keep a close eye on the markets, because they should be plentiful soon. Fresh salsa is always better with home grown or locally bought
produce. I served this version very cold with tortilla chips. Let me know if you try it! You can email me at shelleysdesk@ gmail.com Enjoy!
What you will need: 2 fresh tomatoes - chopped 1 small can of mild Rotel chilis, drained 1 small jar capers - drained 1 small white onion - chopped 1/2 cup bell pepper - chopped Combine all ingredients together and mix well. Place in refrigerator for several hours. Serve cold.
July 19 - August 1, 2013
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Learning As A Lifestyle
End Of Summer Summer is just about over, and it is not too late to make the end of summer special. As you are taking in the Artist Stroll on Friday, July 26, stop by the Center for Lifelong Learning, from 7:00-9:00 pm, for a Songwriter/Guitar Workshop. The guitar segment features John Tinger. John has performed in hundreds of venues, numerous house and business concerts and is a professional guitar instructor. He will focus on organic and original thinking, how to improvise creative tunings, hammering techniques, and melodic overtones. Jim Parker will conduct the songwriter segment. Jim is a singer/
Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant firing range. You will receive directions from the instructor on Thursday. Remember to bring your handgun and permit to class both days. DO NOT bring your handgun loaded. The class is scheduled Thursday, August 1, from 6:00 – 9:00 pm (light refreshment served), and Saturday, August 3, from 9:00 am to 12:00. The fee for the course is $15.
songwriter who has written classic country hits with the legendary John Anderson, and is the creator of Jim Parker’s Songwriters’ Series in Huntsville, Alabama. He will cover song structure and rhyming, lyrical content, and business realities. The fee for the workshop is $45. Then, for the more adventurous, take the Handgun Safety class. In the first session of the Gun Safety Course, you will learn liability and handgun laws in Alabama, the psychology of defense, handling and storage issues, how to maintain your handgun, how to hold your handgun and the seven fundamentals of handguns. This session of class will be held at the Center for Lifelong Learning, located at 121 South
Marion Street. Refreshments will be provided.
Kudzu Chronicles: A Southern Writers Event on the Square
Join us for panel discussions and a great silent auction! Event will be held on Sept 7th, 2013, 9:00 at the Center for Lifelong Learning, downtown Athens. Looking for local authors who would like to be a part of this years Kudzu Chronicles Book Bazaar..For only $20.00 you can promote and sell as many of you books as you would like! Sign ups are limited, so get your spot at one of our tables.Contact Sandy Thompson @ 256-771-7578 for more information. Page 14
by Wanda Campbell
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The second session of the Handgun Safety Course will be taught at the
As you can see, the Center for Lifelong Learning offers a wide variety of classes from which to choose. Information is always available on our website – www.athens.edu/CLL - or you can call 256-233-8260 for more information. If you are not on our mailing list, call us today.
Essay Contest for Kudzu Chronicles
Calling all would-be writers! If you would like to see your name in print, send an essay to the Kudzu Chronicles essay contest.
on August 20th. Mail your essay to Wanda Campbell, 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 or email it to CLL@athens.edu.
“We know there are untold stories out there,” said Kelly Kazek of the Kudzu Chronicles Committee. “This is a great way to identify all those budding authors in our area, and in the meantime, hear some great tall tales that people are just itching to tell.”
First place winners will receive a $100 gift card. First, second, and third place winners will have their essays printed in the News-Courier.
The essay contest is open to all ages but should be no longer than 500 words. You will need to include the words “courthouse,” “grits,” and “Athens” in your story. Essays are due by 5 p.m.
Kudzu Chronicles: A Southern Writers Event on the Square is scheduled for Saturday, September 7 starting at 9:30 a.m. Learn how to get published, writing tips, and how to research characters. We will also have special authors Tim Hollis, John Mantooth, and Jacqueline Reeves.
July 19 - August 1, 2013
Cover Story
Touchdown Wings: 21 Sauces, And That’s Just The Beginning
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
continued from page 1
window” where it was easy to pick up English, and began to move toward the American dream of freedom in general, and free market opportunities in specific. As a teenager he began to work in a Chinese restaurant, learned the restaurant business from top to bottom, and then moved to Alabama to help a friend in Huntsville with his restaurant. “I always had the dream of owning my own place,” he told me, so when Cotton John’s became available, he went for it. “I love Athens,” he said, “and Touchdown Wings is in a really good location.” Byron and his family actually live in Madison, but he is enjoying experiencing the “specialness” of Athens on a daily basis. In the few weeks that Touchdown Wings has been open, I have noticed that the place is busy, which is always a blessing to see. Additionally, I have eaten at Touchdown Wings several times, and I am one satisfied customer. I asked Byron why I should come to Touchdown, seeing as there are wings places all over AthensLimestone County. “We make our own sauces,” he told me, and by the way, there are 21 from which to choose. “You can sample a sauce before you order,” he added. He told me that “if you don’t like a sauce, we’ll find you one that you
July 19 - August 1, 2013
do like.” Some of the 21 sauces include all “hotness levels” of buffalo, as well as BBQ, lemon pepper, Asian fusion, teriyaki sesame, honey mustard, garlic parmesan, Cajun ranch, and more. There are buffalo wings, buffalo shrimp, fresh tenders and catfish. Sandwiches include chicken, catfish and shrimp, and there are two Philly styles, the standard Philly cheese and chicken Philly. The fries are crispy, and other sides include pork egg rolls, chili, corn dogs and hush puppies. For dessert, you can pretend you are at a State Fair and get a funnel cake, fried cheese cake, or just regular
cheese cake. There are side salads and salad entrees, which include catfish salad, buffalo shrimp salad and grilled chicken salad, as
well as a house salad. There are lunch specials, family meal deals, and party orders, including a party wing order of 1,000 pieces! Any large party order of over 200 wings
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is split between up to six sauces, your choice. Byron also told me that he makes sure his employees know that if there is anything that does not look just right about a plate, “they
don’t serve it.” He stresses to them that they need to treat the customer the way they want to be treated, and in watching the staff, I sensed that they enjoy working there. He has eight employees, and both the staff and the clientele reflect the “melting pot” that is America at its finest fulfillment of the dreams of our Fathers. I asked Byron how he came up with the name Touchdown Wings. Without a moment’s hesitation, he answered, “I am a huge football fan.” There are pennants from several universities all over the walls, as well as several TV screens showing sportscasts and Fox News. With regard to the passionate rivalry that exists in our state at the college football level, Byron admits he is a ‘bama fan, but was quick to point out that Auburn
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Cover Story (continued)
Touchdown Wings: 21 Sauces, And That’s Just The Beginning
by Ali Elizabeth Turner
continued from page 15
Touchdown Wings
got equal billing. When I inquired as to his favorite NFL team, he fired back, “I grew up in New England, so it will always be the Patriots.” He is a NBA fan, too, and I enjoyed regaling him with tales of when the Sonics were “all that and a bag of chips,” although, admittedly that was many moons ago.
1124 US Hwy 72 E Athens, AL 35611 (Across from and east of Lowe’s) 256-232-1666
Byron is glad to be in America, glad to be sacrificing to give his own kids the kinds of opportunities that his parents gave him, and now his parents live with him and his family. His is an American success story worth celebrating, and Touchdown is a “wing-ery” worth patronizing. Byron and crew, welcome to Athens!
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Hours: Mon-Thur 10:30 am to 9:30 pm, Fri and Sat, 10:30 am to10 pm, Sun 11:00 am to 9:30 pm wwwTouchDown WingsAthens.com
July 19 - August 1, 2013
Cover Story
Snapdragon Kids: Snappy Kids’ Clothes And A Sharp Looking Shop by Ali Elizabeth Turner
continued from page 1
villagers who want to learn the art of needlework that is all but gone in our mechanized world.
launch a kid’s clothing and gift business. Snapdragon Kids, located at 113 W. Washington St in Athens is the brainchild of Tiffany Seibert, the wife of City Councilman Chris Seibert. But Tiffany will be the first to tell you that everyone in the family has made it possible for Snapdragon Kids to take off like a rocket. First of all, the name came from their son Brock. He was into knights and dragons, (and said that was the boy’s part,) and the snapdragon flower was for the girls. He came up with this idea before the Seiberts moved back to Athens, and while Tiffany was doing the online version of Snapdragon Kids from home in Birmingham.
Snapdragon Kids carries clothes by The Bailey Boys, Know Wear Kids, and Ida-Clair. The loft in the store is set aside for “tweens,” and will be open by Tax Free weekend, August 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The fall line is arriving, Tiffany will be going back to market one more time for the last of the back to school purchase, and the summer apparel is on sale right now for 50% off. igi’s, and Wes and Willy for boys. Some of her other favorites are Twirls and Twigs, Rag Dolls and Rockets, and Kensie. She is also an authorized Under Armour dealer.
One of the things that inspired Tiffany to carry certain lines was the desire to help the economy of Athens. “I had friends who were driving to Huntsville to get Flit and Flitter clothes. Her other exclusive line is Lu-
July 19 - August 1, 2013
She continued, “When the owner of Kids’ World retired, I knew we needed another option for children’s clothes. I wanted a store that was fun for both the parents and the kids to come to for a special outfit, a birthday or baby gift, or a place for grandparents to bring their grandkids. A woman was asked by her granddaughter if they could go back to the shop ‘with the green door,’ and I even have grown men come in here and say, ‘I just want to tell you how glad I am that you have opened up.’” Come and check out what Snapdragon Kids is all about, and see if you don’t agree.
The Seibert men folk got into the personalization of the shop, which included new carpet, some repairs, painting, the adventures of dealing with electrical wiring in an old building, and David, who loves to do wood working, also refinished the cash register/checkout counter. Tiffany’s mom, Debi Davis, works on Saturdays, and Tiffany says her mom “loves it so much she comes up here every day.” The shop is adorable, and has a place for kids to play, and a wrapping room. There are genuine Beatrix Potter books, a gift registry, excellent educational toys, (including interactive writing books by Literacy,) and worm farms. There are dolls made of organic cotton and stuffed with corn silk, and a full line of dolls by Gotz.
to have beautiful clothing at affordable prices. “We have a wide variety of prices, something for everyone. There are polo shirts for $8, and dresses go up to $58. Nothing is over $60 in the whole store.”
The moment I walked into Snapdragon Kids I spied one of the cutest dresses I have ever seen. The fabric was camo, and had the most intricate, beautifully crafted smocking and shirring at the yoke. Camo and smocking are an unlikely combination, to be sure, but it worked! There were shorts for boys, made of the same fabric, and apparently two outfits had been purchased for a brother and sister who were going to have a portrait taken that Tiffany said were perfect for the occasion.
ber Nguyen,” (pronounced “when”.) They are from Vietnam, and are works of art. The handwork is stunning, and the dresses are affordable heirlooms. Remember Nguyen finds villages that they describe as “quaint but poor,” and they offer scholarships to
Snapdragon Kids
A local Athens woman started her own clothing line called Kiddo’s Klothes. Her specialty is dresses in Athens High School Golden Eagle colors that look somewhat like cheerleader outfits. Snapdragon is also a place to get clothing for private schools. One of the things that was important to Tiffany was
113 W Washington Street 256-232-1572 Hours: Tue-Fri 10-5:30, Sat 10-2 snapdragonkids@ yahoo.com facebook.com/ snapdragonkids
Another line that Snapdragon Kids carries is called “Remem-
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Health and Fitness
Pets Make Powerful Partners In Weight Loss Courtesy of BrandPoint Content (BPT) - Lives. Homes. Furniture. Even beds. People share a lot when a dog or cat is part of the family. Unfortunately, one trait that far too many owners and pets have in common is excess weight. In fact, two-thirds of U.S. adults and 55 percent of U.S. pets are considered overweight, according to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009-2010, and the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 2012 Pet Obesity Study.
make great weight loss partners for reasons both scientific and psychological.
For the second year in a row, Jenny Craig and Purina are pooling their resources to create a cus-
weight loss buddy can be the perfect partner, as they won’t judge and will provide great motivation to keep active by walking.” “Pets love exercising with their owners and can even help boost their owners’ time and intensity level,” said Purina Certified Weight Coach Heather Prendergast. According to Canadian researchers, dog owners walk nearly twice as much as people without dogs, while a University of Missouri study determined that walking speed increases 28 percent with a dog.
The silver lining is that while many pets and their owners are tipping the scales, losing weight is something they can do together, as people and pets
Collins and Prendergast offer the following tips for people and pets during weight loss:
tomized offering to help people and their pets lose weight together. “Support while losing weight is invaluable,” says Jessica Collins, Area Market Director and spokesperson for Jenny Craig. “And a four-legged
* Walk before you run. If you and your pet are new to an exercise program, set short-term, manageable goals and gradually increase the level of difficulty and duration as the two of you work together toward your activity goals. -Jenny Craig offers free walking plans here:
http://www.jennycraig. com/heart-walk
* Play together. Dogs love to play fetch. Throw the ball and do lunges or squats while your dog runs to fetch - or race to get the ball first. Cats love chasing toys, too, and can even be taught to retrieve.
* Connect mealtime with exercise. Before breakfast or dinner, squeeze in a short walk. Teach your dog to earn his treat by performing a trick first. Have your cat hunt for their food by hiding kibble in different places around the house.
* Embrace snacking. Snacks for people and treats for pets can be built into a healthy meal plan, and can serve as protection against binge eating. Frequent small meals can also boost metabolism and keep hunger away.
* Drink up. Don’t forget to always hydrate, before and after exercise and throughout the day. Sometimes thirst can be confused with hunger, so make sure you and your pets always have a full water bowl.
* Get a checkup. Consult with your physician - and veterinarian - before beginning a weight loss, diet or exercise program.
The Power of Two program created by Jenny Craig and Purina includes additional healthy lifestyle tips for pets and owners, rebates for veterinary services, free counseling from Jenny Craig and other offers for participants. To enroll in the Power of Two program or learn more, visit PowerOfTwoProgram.com.
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July 19 - August 1, 2013
Athens Rehabilitation And Senior Care Center Spotlight On Gary Clem by Ali Elizabeth Turner
Gary Clem never expected to have to spend some extended time in a senior care facility before he retired, but then some serious back injuries changed everything. Born in 1958 and raised in Elkmont, Gary got his degree in Electronics from Calhoun. The most satisfying part of his career was to be a part of the team that tested the guidance system of the Patriot missiles. He also owned a TV repair shop prior to his injury.
A fall off of a truck resulted in his spine not just being broken, but crushed, and when he arrived at Athens Rehab and Senior Care in September of 2012, he couldn’t stand or walk at all. Bit by bit, that is changing, thanks to the excellent care he is receiving. He had crushed three vertebrae and two discs, and has had a total of 12 surgeries on his spine. All of this took an enormous toll on him emotionally, and at first, by his own admission,
he “did his best to get kicked out.” Fiercely independent, he was not having an easy time with following rules or being told he had to do a certain thing at a certain time. “I felt like I had been put in jail, and I hadn’t done anything wrong. I’d go smoke in my room, just to get in trouble,” he told me with a chuckle. “No matter what I did, they were good to me. Finally I figured out that they were only trying to help me, and I needed to do it their way,”
Gary Clem enjoys the patio at Athens Rehab and Senior Care he added. Since then, he has gotten to where “he loves being here,” and is understandably looking forward to the day when he can go back to his home and live on his own again.
step grandkids, and he wants to get back to being Dad and Grandpa full time. He is also hoping to return to the workforce, and wants to do something with computers, perhaps doing repairs with his son.
Another interesting fact about Gary is that while he was going to Calhoun in the ‘70s, he worked as an orderly at the facility, and knows every square inch of the place. “I loved it so much, that for awhile I thought seriously about getting a degree in nursing,” he told me.
The Spotlight series tries to find out some “faves” about each resident, and here are Gary’s:
Now that he is a resident, he zooms around the facility on his red scooter chair, knows everyone, and even managed, as a gentleman, to open my door for me after we took his picture out on the patio. He has quite a sense of humor, and says he loves “cutting up with Keisha and Michelle,” who, along with Misty Gilbert, work in the Activities Department at Athens Rehab.
Book: The Bible
He has three kids, three biological grandkids, and some
July 19 - August 1, 2013
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Color: Blue
Food: Steak, cooked medium rare Movie: Blazing Saddles President: Ronald Reagan
Songs: Amazing Grace, He Stopped Lovin’ Her Today, by George Jones, and his all time favorite song is Family Tradition, by Hank Williams, Jr.
Advice to young people: “Weigh all your decisions, because you’re going to have to live with them, or die with them…” He also added, “You know, as I got older, my parents got smarter.” Amen to that, bro, and, I might add, 60 is the new 30!
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Horse Whispering
HOPE
by Deb Kitchenmaster
Horses Opening People’s Eyes is one way of spelling “hope”. How do horses open people’s eyes? I honestly don’t know. I simply know that they can and they do! In the days when we were raising German Shepherd puppies, one of the pups the children called “Beautiful,” was bitten by an older dog while at the food dish. Her eyelid was torn through by a tooth, but fortunately the pup’s eyeball was unscathed. The next day that little puppy could not see out of her eye because it was swollen shut. I was reminded that one act of compassion that Jesus did when he walked this earth, Son of God; Son of man, was to bring about recovery of sight to those who were blind. Key word “recover”. Wounds, like that of the puppy, can close our eyes and bring about blindness. Doing the work here at Corral Connections, I have observed time and time again the healing
eyes to behold the wonder of simplicity, and eyes that are softened to the hardness and harshness of people’s choices that have wounded us deeply. “With a spark of hope, faith is ignited and love is illuminated.” Deborah Ann I received a card from a woman who came
power of horses in opening blinded eyes. Some eyes have been opened to leadership skills within, eyes have been opened to a sense of belonging; eyes have opened to dignity, value and worth that run much deeper within than the scars. There are eyes that are more focused and deliberate because of connecting with a horse.
One person with great intelligence and a scientific engineering mind shared openly and honestly about his Corral Connections experience. He said he was quite skeptical when he came out with his group for a horse session. He was amazed at the connections between a human and a 4-legged animal! He experienced such heart.
A young person experiencing horrific nightmares due to intense abuse connects with a horse for a week. Now when the nightmares come, this horse enters her dream; she swings upon the back of this horse, and the horse carries her away from the “mean people.”
Is it possible that we people experience a measurement of hope when we connect with a horse? This hope brings to us a
confident expectation of something good, a measurement of trust, of a wish, and optimism that anoint our eyes to see. What an act of compassion to have our blinded eyes opened, to have eyes to see the beauty within and all around us,
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riding into the arena of a mother/daughter relationship, and two amazing women were restored and reconciled!
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out to Corral Connections with a group for a horse session. There was a moment, (sometimes that’s all it takes,) when she observed the connection between me and the mare I was with. In that moment, God reached in, touching her heart and opening her eyes to reconciliation. After years of therapy, hope came
Hope. Hope. Hope. May you hear the sounds of horse’s hooves coming to you to bring you hope in any situation, whether it’s unbearable or simply uncomfortable.
Your NEIGHbor, Deb Kitchenmaster Corral Connections: Connecting with LIFE through a horse Animal B.E.S.T practitioner dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com
July 19 - August 1, 2013
7950 Hwy 72 Suite A Madison, AL
July 19 - August 1, 2013
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Medical Update
Remedies For Deadly Heat: More Than Just Staying Hydrated Courtesy of BrandPoint Content
(BPT) - Some parts of the country are experiencing record high temperatures this summer. Las Vegas hit 117 degrees and Phoenix topped the charts at 119 degrees. Salt Lake City also hit the triple digits as did several areas in California. Dry heat or not, residents and visitors were undoubtedly feeling it, and anytime the mercury gets remotely close to these temperatures, staying hydrated is of paramount importance. This is especially the case for anyone participating in outdoor activities or any sort of exercise program. Our bodies produce sweat in order to regulate our core body temperature. As the moisture that appears on your skin evaporates, you cool off.
In fact, human beings are the most effective mammal when it comes to regulating our body temperature. At the extreme, an adult can sweat as much as two to four liters per hour. All of this water needs to be replaced, but remember that when you sweat you are not just losing water, you are also losing minerals such as sodium and potassium. According to Dr. David McCarron, adjunct professor at University of California, Davis, “You must replace the sodium and potassium along with the water. This is why athletes drink sports drinks like Gatorade, rather than just water. Replacing water without sufficient sodium can quickly produce hyponatremia, a potentially fatal condition.”
Hyponatremia symptoms are similar to those of heat exhaustion and heat stroke, and are often overlooked. Symptoms range from mild to severe and can include nausea, muscle cramps, disorientation, confusion, seizures, coma and death. To avoid this condition, medical authorities advise marathon runners to consume extra salt and this advice should also be considered by anyone exposed to excessive heat. Salt is critical in maintaining hydration. Sadly there have been several cases of illness and even deaths from hyponatremia over the past several years. According to the British Medical Journal, 16 runners have died as a result of too little sodium and over-hydration,
and another 1,600 have become seriously ill. It is true that water intoxication is more commonly seen among extreme athletes but older individuals are also at high risk for several reasons. As we age, our kidneys become less efficient at conserving salt when the body is stressed and common medications such as diuretics greatly increase that risk. That’s one of the reasons that during severe high temperatures news accounts most often refer to elderly victims of the heat. The proper balance of electrolytes in the human body is essential for normal function of the cells and organs. Electrolytes help to regulate cardiovascular and neurological
functions, fluid balance and oxygen delivery. Ideally, anyone engaging in outdoor activity in the heat or even an indoor exercise program should drink 8 to 12 ounces of fluid every 15 to 20 minutes during a session. If exercising exceeds an hour, a beverage that contains salt and an energy carbohydrate is far superior to plain water. The recommended concentration of salt in a fluid replacement beverage is one quarter teaspoon per liter. Most sports drinks contain salt, although the amount is not quite that high. Anyone can make an alternative to commercial fluid replacement beverages easily by adding one quarter to one half teaspoon of salt per liter or 32 ounces of water. Every day, more and more Americans are motivated to start exercise programs. Physical fitness is a state of good health resulting from regular exercise and good nutrition. When you exercise, your body’s metabolism works at a much higher rate, breaking down and regenerating tissues and creating waste metabolites that need to be flushed out of your system. However, regardless of your level of activity, you still need to maintain good hydration. So remember to always drink plenty of water to beat heat, but also up your intake of electrolytes, particularly sodium and potassium. Learn more about staying hydrated by visiting www.ALittleSalt. org.
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