June 2nd - June 15th, 2017
AthensNowal.com E-MAIL: info@athensnowal.com ADVERTISING: Ali Elizabeth: 256-468-9425
See Our Listings Inside this edition... Pages 25 - 32
Special Feature Homeland Trading: Coming Up On Two Years And Getting Ready To Celebrate... It was Christmas of 2012, and John and Amanda McGrew decided that they were going to accept the “All America Challenge.”... Page 5
Clean And Green Saying Thank You!... I have recently been reflecting back over the last year at Athens-Limestone Recycling Center (ALRC) and I am so excited about where we are today... Page 12
Cooking With Anna Chantilly Potatoes... Growing up in the South, I was fortunate enough to receive a very special, one-onone education... Page 13
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The Expansion Of Athens Health And Rehabilitation LLC: Our Family Caring For Yours By Ali Elizabeth Turner It was over 50 years ago that Doug Maund, founder of Athens Pharmacy, and the late Dr. William Pennington, a well known and beloved “country doc” in the truest sense teamed up to found the long-term and rehabilitation facility at 611 Market Street now known as Athens Health And Rehabilitation LLC. The place has been remodeled, added on to, and has gone through a number of name changes to reflect the changes in the industry; this past April broke ground on a new facility on the east side of AHR that will be known as the Restore Therapy Pavilion. I spoke with Lory Walmsley, Admissions Coordinator at Athens Health and Rehab, who told me that the old conContinued on pages 16-17
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Nathan McGriff, PTA, Rehab Director, speaks with new rehab resident
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Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner
Lessons From “The Lion”
Copy Editor
Yvonne Dempsey
Graphic Design
Jonathan Hamilton
Web Design Teddy Wolcott
Contributing Writers Janet Hunt Anna Hamilton D. A. Slinkard Wanda Campbell Paul Foreman Joel Allen Teresa Todd Jerry Barksdale Rosemary Dewar Rachel Clark, RN BSN Lisa Philippart Ruby McCartney
Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Anna . . . . . 13 Millennial Mind . . . . . . . 14 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 15 Cover Story . . . . . . 16 - 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . . 18 Jerry's Journal . . . . . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . . 20 Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23
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About a week ago, my family and I had a chance to see “The Lion,” a remarkable true story about a young Indian boy who was separated from his family, adopted by loving Australian parents, grows up on Tasmania, and then 25 years later miraculously finds his family of origin. His name is Saroo Brierley, and he was 5 when he became lost in the subcontinent of India in the middle of nearly a billion people. He did not know his mother’s first or last name, (other than “Ammi,” a Hindi term of endearment), he mispronounced the name of his town to the point that no one recognized it, and Saroo was utterly vulnerable. He spent two days on the train and ended up in Calcutta, lived on the streets, was nearly sold into sexual slavery, but managed to escape. Before you say, “Look, there’s enough ugly stuff in the world, I think I’ll pass,” I am going to be the spoiler and let you know that it has a real-life happy ending, and Saroo has two families today who love him desperately. It’s also not a chick flick. My husband’s protective “guy heart” was so stirred he could hardly finish the film. I saw that same heart every day when we lived at an orphanage in Mexico, and it is not that of a wimp.
The journey from lost little boy to greatly loved adoptee to a wild searcher/seeker, to a finder and lover of two utterly disparate families is compelling, and worth the ride. Any parent will want to hug their kids and hold them tight, no matter how old they are. It is a gorgeous film, and for the life of me, I have no idea how they got
formance. His understated but obviously deep love for both of the boys that they got from India is like a quiet, nourishing river. What made the Brierley’s situation even more challenging was that Mantosh, who was adopted after Saroo, had even deeper issues, including self-battering which I believe is still a problem, as well as subDev Patel (L) and the real Saroo Brierley
Sunny Pawar, who plays young Saroo to portray a lost little kid in such a convincing manner. His performance was heartbreakingly real, as was that of Dev Patel, who played the adult Saroo. Dev was introduced to the west as the lead actor in Slumdog Millionaire. So, what are the lessons? What first comes to mind is the powerful role of fathers, in this case, fathers who choose to adopt. Adoptive moms get a lot of press, adoptive dads not so much, and this dad is a true hero. David Wenham, who plays the part of John Brierley, Saroo’s Australian dad, absolutely nails his per-
stance abuse. John Brierley was most definitely “there” for his kids, and while he couldn’t heal their torment, I have no doubt that his love and influence was and is their rock. Secondly, the “lioness” heart of a mom, that of birth moms and adoptive ones is not to be trifled with, and never gives up. Saroo’s Indian mom, who was single, illiterate, and supported her kids by carrying rocks, looked for him literally for years with no resources for the search. Sue Brierley, who is played by Nicole Kidman, is one remarkable mom, fighting for her sons, wanting them
close while letting them go. It’s every mom’s journey, adoptive or not. The film shows the moment in real life when the two moms met for the first time, and I am having a hard time seeing my computer screen as I type, just thinking about it. The quest for finding one’s family against all odds is as epic as Homer’s Illiad and Odyssey. While it consumes the adult Saroo nearly to the point of a complete nervous breakdown, the prize of perseverance and the resolution of his “root” questions inspire one to “dig deep” when it comes to tackling the impossible in other arenas. Most importantly, The Lion is about the power of love. Love that would cause adults to take on two utterly traumatized kids and raise them well, irrespective of the cost. Love that is insistent upon the truth, no matter how shattering it might be. Love that transcends culture, illiteracy, poverty, comfort and trauma,that is what The Lion is. Rent it and happily bring Kleenex. You are going to need it.
Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com
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All Things Soldier
Healing Heart Strings With Violin Strings by Ali Elizabeth Turner
Ten years ago, Sonja St. John lost her brother Jon to an IED in Taji, Iraq. Sonja is both a violinist and an artisan violin maker, and Jon was one of her biggest fans. She can still describe in detail how she slid down the wall to the floor as she fielded the call from her folks that informed her that Jon had been killed. She married in 2008, and was divorced seven years later. Her world began to unravel, and she was simply lost. For a good while, Sonja was so overcome with grief from losing her brother that she subsequently became overcome by alcohol. She stopped playing her violin completely. It took more than one self-admitting stint in rehab for her to get clean. One significant part of her recovery after she got out functioned as a powerful,
creative, meditative process: making violins for the families of other fallen vets. Each violin Sonja makes, whether it is for a vet’s family or not, is a handcrafted work of art. Then she adds a special touch. Inside the body of each violin, she puts a note she writes herself which is glued in such a way that it doesn’t interfere with the distinctive vibrations that make up a violin’s unique sound. For veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect us, she writes something along the lines of "In honor of past, present and future souls of courage and wisdom." While she made great progress through making violins for others, another enormously important aspect of her healing was to
start making music again, not just instruments. Enter Jason Moon, himself a musician as well as a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He and Sonja
Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)
$7
June 19th
11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm
Musical Entertainment • 5-7pm 17915 W Elm St • Athens, Alabama • 256-232-0029 Page 4
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had known each other as teenagers, and while Jason came home from Iraq in one piece physically, inside he was battling PTSD. He felt badly that he hadn’t been able to be much help when Jon died, but truth be told, he was barely hanging on himself. One of the things that made such a difference for Jason was music, and as a result, he became the head of a non-profit arts organization for veterans, which he called Warrior Songs. He also has a band, and they write and record music especially for veterans. The CDs are given to veterans for free, and are intended to be therapeutic in nature. Jason asked Sonja if she would help him with a second project. This one was to focus on female soldiers and their stories. It is also for wives, sisters and mothers who’ve lost loved ones in combat. Sonja agreed, picked her
violin back up, and started practicing. She saw the project as a way to heal, to help, and to stay sober."I just really woke up when I realized I know that my brother was willing to die for me and our country," she said. "I better be willing to live and take advantage of what I DO have."
Though Sonja is an accomplished violinist, she had never been in a recording studio, and was nervous. To help calm herself down during the session, she kept a picture of her brother on a music stand near her and “played for him.” The result, according to all who were present, including her parents and the sound staff, “was lovely.” For her part, Sonja replied through the studio mic, “Let’s all thank my brother.” Indeed, let’s all thank Jon and everyone else who has made the ultimate sacrifice for us, and may they hear our song of thanks loud and strong.
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Special Feature
Homeland Trading: Coming Up On Two Years And Getting Ready To Celebrate by Ali Elizabeth Turner It was Christmas of 2012, and John and Amanda McGrew decided that they were going to accept the “All America Challenge.” That meant that every gift they bought had to have one thing going for it – it had to have been made in the good ol’ US of A. They were successful in their endeavor, had a blessed holiday, and a few years later decided to start Homeland Trading, which is located at the intersection of Forrest and Hwy 31 in Athens, right near CVS Pharmacy. The address is 1207 East Forrest Street.
“American-made jeans” are a whopping $150 apiece, and this unfortunately perpetuates the misunderstanding that if you “buy American” you are going to be paying through the nose. Homeland Trading Company carries two lines, Roundhouse and Union Line, which are more than reasonably priced. One customer said, “This is how my Carhartts used to fit,” and loves the quality. Amanda said, “Even
It was July of 2015 when they opened up shop, and I have rarely seen a harder working and more determined set of entrepreneurs. They both have other full-time jobs in the construction fields, and for two years have put everything into Homeland in order to make it a go. The good news is that on July 14, they are throwing a birthday party as well as an anniversary sale, and you are invited! Amanda said, “There will be a storewide markdown of 20%, and refreshments will be served.” (The 20% does not apply to items that have already been reduced.) The McGrews have always made it clear that they are not opposed to imports, they just have felt that things were out of balance, and America was coming up on the short end of the stick when it comes to jobs and the economy in general. “So many people think that Wranglers are made in America, and they aren’t, except for just a tiny high-end part of the line,” said Amanda. Wrangler is not the only one whose attempts to appear “all-American” are confusing. Carhartt produces most of their clothing in Mexico, and Levis also produce just a very high-end line items here in America. Their
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John and Amanda McGrew, owners of Homeland Trading are cheaper than what you will get at a big-box store. “They are made here, packed by hand, and they even include a handwritten note thanking me for my business,” said Amanda. “Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about,” I replied.
if a customer isn’t a ‘part of the movement’ to buy American, no one has ever taken issue with us saying, ‘Buying American is good for America.’” To the McGrews, this is just a way of showing patriotism that benefits everyone. Some of the changes in the sum-
Besides the anniversary party, Homeland Trading is going to have a boutique/booth at the Piney Chapel Antique Show, to be held on August 4 and 5. The work boots will be clearance priced, and there will be jeans, overalls, and big and little Emilee Daly pocket T-shirts. These are plain, no logos, and mer season that Homeland are perfect for work or is going to be making will school. There will also be socks be transitioning away from for the whole family. That weekwork boots and making room end happens to be the back-tofor children’s clothes. A most school tax-free weekend; so popular item is camo overalls you can get a good deal of your for kids. The toddler girl camos school shopping done while eneven have little pink ruffles joying the unique atmosphere of along the trouser cuffs. Another a small town festival. item that is a big hit are the AlaI asked Amanda if the Made In bama Wholesale Socks. Talk America Movement is gaining about being “made in America,” traction. She said, “Yes! There these are 100% cotton, made are more Made In America opover yonder in Ft. Payne, and tions that are the real deal, and
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more online items are now available.” She also told me that from her point of view, she is “proud to have been associated early on with a movement that is growing.” For my part, I am enormously proud of John and Amanda. They took a huge risk to bless us with things we need and a commitment to grow our local economy, have worked themselves down to a nub, and still have the desire to throw a family-friendly party. That indeed is the American Dream, and may the Made In America Movement spread from sea to shining sea.
Homeland Trading Company
1207 East Forrest Street Athens, AL 35613 Summer Hours: Tue-Thur 9-5, Fri-Sat, 9-5:30, closed Sun and Mon Phone: 256-444-4825 Facebook: Homeland Trading Company
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Calendar of Events
National Trail Day June 3rd
Premier Women's Organization & Food Pantry First Saturday of Each Month
Lace up your shoes, dust off your camera lens, grab the bikes or load the horses and enjoy over 20 trails in Limestone County Alabama including the Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail, Richard Martin Rails-to-Trails, Marbut Bend Accessible Trail, Civil War Driving Trail, Noah Bike and Car Trail and more! For more information: 256-232-5411.
Prayer • Elderly Assistance • Feed The Hungry Clothes • Scholarships • Empowering Women Volunteers Wanted & Needed Call for Details -256.233.5995 Meeting Time: First Saturday of Each Month at 1:30pm Food pantry open now. wewoa.org • E-Mail: wew5995@gmail.com
Play Outside Day June 3rd
Families everywhere are encouraged to get outside the first Saturday of every month and play in public parks, enjoy trails, hit the waterways, explore greenspaces and just play! Limestone County offers over 20 trails to explore including walking, cycling, horseback riding and kayaking – perfect for all ages. For more information: 256-232-5411.
Gardening Questions Answered Every Tuesday
Limestone County Master Gardeners Association (LCMGA) is available every Tuesday and the first Saturday of every month at Athens Limestone Public Library from 10am - 2pm to answer gardening questions.
Battle for the Boards Cornhole Contest June 10th
SilverSneaker™ Stability class Every Thursday
The Blaze Baseball 9U team will be running a cornhole tournament at Ardmore Park on Park Avenue in Ardmore AL . Entry fee is $75 per team. Prizes will be 1st Place - 20% of overall entry fee, 2nd Place - 10% of entry fee, 3rd Place - Gift Card + Entry Fee. If interested please contact Austin Turner (256) 656-9313 or Tim Turner (256) 508-0734. Deadline for registration is 7:59 AM on day of event.
11:30am – 12:15pm. This class will meet every Thursday at East Limestone Senior Center at 25820 Nick Davis Rd. SilverSneaker™ Stability is a group exercise class designed specifically to keep participants “safe on their feet”. This class will include standing and walking exercises that will be beneficial in decreasing the risk of falling. Chairs are encouraged for warm-up and cool-down only. Donations for the class are accepted. For additional information, call Janet at 256-614-3530 or email at jhunt9155@gmail.com.
National Marina Day June 10th
Boogie Shoes Bash June 3rd
The Revival Center, 303 West Washington Street in Athens from 6-10pm. Come kick up your heels with Habitat for Humanity of Limestone County with music by Trippin' Dixie. More info: Deb Kohlhase 256-230-6001.
Houston Memorial Library and Museum Book Sale June 3rd
Limestone County Master Gardeners Association June Meeting June 12
Athens Limestone Visitor Center on Beaty Street. Light refreshments at 5:30pm. Speaker at 6:00. And meeting to follow at 6:30. Speaker will be Trevor Cole from Across the Pond. All are welcome.
Come get your beach books on Saturday, June 3rd from 9am-noon. 101 North Houston Street in Athens. Priced to sell, 10 paperbacks for $1 and each hardback for $1 or get an extra bargain and buy 12 hardbacks for $10! Don't miss out. Our book sales are busy, busy, busy with patrons gathering up bags of summer fun. We have every genre out on our tables with new titles being added during the sale! If you love to spend the hot summer months with a great book then we will see you there. Please remember that 100% of the money collected will go directly to repairing and renovating the Houston Memorial Library and Museum. Please call Deb with any questions about the sale at 610-304-9390. Our next sale will be in August. Page 6
Joe Wheeler State Park, 4403 McLean Drive in Rogersville, AL. Enjoy concessions, free peddle boat rides, kids crafts and more. Celebrate National Marina Day from 10am - 1pm at the marina. Hosted by Wheeler Yacht Club.
Breanna’s BBQ Fundraiser June 16th
Sheriff’s Arena, Hwy 99, Athens. Breanna Smith, wife of Deputy Justin Smith, is battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia. Insurance will not cover part of the treatment cost in Vanderbilt. They must raise $9000 in advance to receive the treatment. $12 plates include: ½ chicken, baked beans, slaw, roll, drink and dessert! Lunch: 11am 1pm or Dinner: 4pm - 7pm. Tickets Available: Limestone County Sheriff’s Office (256-232-0111) or Limestone County Commission (256-233-6400).
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What Makes Ronnie Roll
The Challenge Of Growing Well by Ali Elizabeth Turner We walked into City Hall at the same time, with Mayor Ronnie telling me about having just watched a mockingbird dive bomb a squirrel. “Ooh, they can be mean, especially if they have babies close by,” he chuckled. We got our coffee, headed toward his office, and once again I got a look into the life, or week, of Ronnie. Several news outlets had mentioned the night before that Huntsville is on track to become the largest city in the state; but did you know that as opposed to Huntsville’s 7.2% increase in growth, Athens is growing more than twice that rate with the most recent statistic being 15.97%? For some, this is good news, for others, not so much, and the “challenge of growing well” is enormous. Running anything, whether it’s a family, a business, or a city in the 21st century is significantly more complicated than it was even 20 years ago. The need for a number of leaders to involve themselves in continuing education with regard to human resources, insurance, safe-
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ty, finance, and more is greater than ever. Nationally, summer is conference season for mayors and municipalities. Because Mayor Marks is a part of the League of Municipalities, has been appointed to the Alabama Insurance Board, as well as the fact that the City of Athens has complex insurance needs, he will be attending a conference to learn more about growth and risk management. “Public risk management is not something we used to have to think about much,” he said. The fact that we live in an area where natural disaster is not uncommon, as well as having to consider other threats and emergency situations, make it necessary for everyone in leadership to be at the top of their game. “Leadership positions must be in place to plan for growth,” he said, and added that there will be several workshops and presentations geared toward pursuing personal excellence, as
well as management, at the conference. Ed Hochuli, famed NFL referee will speak on “The Average Joe Principle: Is This Pop Warner Or The Superbowl?” His presentation will be on life lessons he has learned about everything from making calls at a smallfry football game clear on up to the Superbowl, and that in his experience, there really are no “Average Joes.” I hope Mayor Ronnie is able to get the Power Point slides, as this sounds like good stuff. He is also going to learn more about IT security and what it takes to keep the city safe from that kind of attack, another thing that leaders didn’t have to think about not all that long ago.
need to be in place in order to “handle growth well.” Our electrical grid needs three new substations and power lines to be redone. We have completely outgrown the Rec Center and need to build a new one. There are an estimated 4,000 FBI jobs that are going to be out at Redstone Arsenal, which could increase our population quickly if they choose to make Athens home. Part of planning ahead for the City Council was the 1-cent sales tax increase, which although not universally liked, generated 1.2 million dollars to help handle growth. More growth also
means the need for increased public safety, and right now our city is in the process of applying for a grant that would give us three more firefighters. “Electric, fire, police, water, all are essential, and while growth is wonderful it has its challenges. If you’re not planning, you will fail,” said the mayor. His next meeting after ours was regarding our new Wound Care Center; so we prayed, asked for wisdom for all our leaders, and then it was time for Ronnie to roll.
We are looking at several things that
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Slinkard On Success
Don’t Let Fear Determine Your Fate by D. A. Slinkard D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store
We have all had something that we wanted to do but we were afraid. Why were we afraid? The reasons could be fear of failure, fear of ridicule, fear of the unknown. No matter the reason, there was one determining factor that stopped you in your tracks. It was fear. At some point in our lives we will all be paralyzed by this word, and we will either respond in one of two ways. We either give in to fear or we learn to squash it. I think about the times my life has been altered by fear, and I know that many of you are just like me. Maybe there’s something that has been weighing on your mind, but something is stopping you from moving forward. That something is fear. The question becomes: How do we overcome our fears and face these demons to become the person we were meant to be? Fear is a four-letter word that strikes terror in the hearts of billions across the world. What characteristic or action allows some to do what others cannot fathom? When we find this answer, it will enable us to overcome that four-letter word and will put us in a state of Utopia. The dictionary defines fear as, “an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or
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a threat.” It is human nature to avoid danger, pain or even a threat. There are many “entrepreneurs” working regular jobs, receiving regular paychecks because of the fear of failure. The first major cause
of fear stems from the word “failure” because who likes being deemed a loser? No one does. We worry about failure because society has taught us fear of ridicule. How many people have you seen set out to achieve fame and glory only to come back with their tail between their legs? The failure part isn’t as hard as the ridicule part because, even though it is human nature to avoid dangers, pains and threats, it is also human nature to be the most vicious and vindictive when someone else fails.
The ridicule part goes both ways. If a person fails, they will be ridiculed, but what happens if a person succeeds and becomes “obsessed” with succeeding? People will ridicule the individual for being
obsessed with achieving greatness. These people who ridicule are the very ones that will tell you not to work so much, that it is okay to call in sick even when you’re not; however, the truth of the matter is that these are people who have fallen prey to that word fear. These people have given up on their dreams, so now they want to encourage you to give up on yours.
friends. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run, then walk, if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” Whatever journey
you feel your life tugging you towards, whatever direction it may be, do not stop moving forward. The more you press, forward the easier you will find your fears dissipating. Another aspect of fear is the unknown. Anything new in life is going to
create an unknown that can be either good or bad. This is no reason, though, not to live your life because every day a new dawn breaks, giving you the opportunity to start fresh. If you have allowed fear to run your life, the great news is that you can stop it and start fresh right now. Do not wait for tomorrow because fear will creep back into your life, whether it is fear of failure, fear of ridicule, or that fear of the unknown. You cannot allow fear to determine your fate because it will rob you of the wonderful joys of life. Think about the fears in your life that you have been able to overcome throughout your life experiences. There were some things you probably thought you couldn’t do, but eventually you did. Realize that the fears you have today can be overcome by taking the necessary actions and keeping on moving forward. Someone, somewhere, has been in your same predicament and they were able to rise to the top. So can you!
Don’t fall for it. Keep pressing on. When things are going good, your friends know you and when things are going bad, you know your
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Tourism
Time Flies When You Are In The People Business by Teresa Todd, TMP
President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association We’re only six months into 2017 and Tourism has been more active than ever. To date we have already given two haunts walk tours for Leak City. Leak City is a one-of-a-kind Natural Gas and Fire Service training facility for people all over the U.S. to come master their skills here in Athens. Also, we hosted several events for our ongoing bicentennial. On March 3 and 4, Rebekah Davis and Dr. Harry Joiner came together for an Oral History presentation. They presented a detailed the history of the Territory of Limestone County to our Athens Rotary Club as well as to the public at our newest venue, the Revival Center. Tourism also hosted Khris Anderson, the Executive Director of the North Alabama Bureau of the American Red Cross. This year marks the 100th Anniversary for this prodigious organization, and we were so honored to host them at our Athens Visitor’s Center.
church on the tour was First Presbyterian Church (which was formed in 1829 as a Cumberland Presbyterian) with tour guide Buzz Estes. Our third church was Marion Street Church of Christ (This building was originally constructed in 1836 by the First United Methodist Church). Our tour guide was Wayne Kuykendall. Our final church was First United Methodist Church. (First United is actually older than our state. They relocated to the corner of Hobbs & Jefferson and built their current building in 1925.) Our tour guide for this final leg was Richard Martin. On May 24, Athens-Limestone County Tourism was host to 29 students from India. This marked the fourth year of our ongoing partnership with Nina Tijoriwala, owner of EDU Outing Concepts from Mumbai, India. Along with myself, the students were welcomed by Commissioner Chairman Mark Yarbrough, Mayor Ron-
nie Marks and Athens State President Robert Glenn. Mrs. Sara Love offered an in-depth tour of the University’s facilities as lunch was served later in the day. We are partnering with local organizations to facilitate a program to encourage a two-day stay for next year’s excursion. ing on May 19, featuring lifelong Athens resident Garth Lovvern and his band “Temple of Blood.” Our next Singing on the Square Summer Concert will be headlined by another local favorite, “Trippin' Dixie.” They are scheduled to take the stage on Friday, June 16.
In April, we held five historical walking tours. Each Saturday we gave 4 to 5 separate tours so each visit would provide a different experience. We
May 23, we had the first of our bicentennial church tours with Dr. Eric Betts of Athens State University's Curtis Coleman's Religious Studies and Ethics class. We scheduled to tour four facilities. Dana Waldrop with Athens State University gave the tour of the “New Testament Chapel” in Founders Hall at the university. The next
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also had our Bicentennial Historical Cemetery Stroll. Altogether there were approximately 500 guests to enjoy the tours in Athens. Over 100 people explored Mooresville during the five weekends of walking tours. Out of the 67 counties in Alabama, Limestone County was second in attendance for the state. Next year we would like to have Ardmore and Elkmont included in the historical bicentennial tours to share their rich history. Due to the threat of inclement weather, our first Singing on the Square was held in the Vietnam Veterans build-
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Tourism along with Habitat for Humanity Director, Deb Kohlhase participated at the Rodeo Parade by offering parade watchers and rodeo fans a cool, nearby location at the Revival Center. We offered refreshments, a little bit of rodeo ambiance, and rodeo history the while awaiting the arrival of the 100 plus horses and buggies traveling along the parade route. We greatly appreciate those who have come out to support AthensLimestone County and all its events. If you didn’t make it to the first Singing on the Square performance, I feel we will have something for everyone to enjoy this summer. See you soon!
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Tourism
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June 2017 Events June 3 Coffee Call: Veterans and their families are invited for breakfast and fellowship from 8:00AM9:30AM at the Alabama Veterans Museum, 100 West Pryor Street in Athens. 256-771-7578 National Trail Day: Enjoy over 20 trails in Limestone County Alabama including the Limestone County Canoe and Kayak Trail, Richard Martin Rails-toTrails, Marbut Bend Accessible Trail, Civil War Driving Trail, Noah Bike and Car Trail and more! For more info: 256-2325411
music by Trippin' Dixie. More info: Deb Kohlhase 256-230-6001 Bike MS: Rocket City 2017 will start and finish at James Clemens High School, 11306 County Line Road in Madison. Enjoy a scenic ride through Mooresville, Greenbrier and other portions of Limestone County. Riders can opt for a 20-, 40-, 63-, 100- or 126-mile ride on a fully supported course. VisitAthensAL.com
June 4
Athens Saturday Market, 409 South Green Street in Athens, from 8:00AMnoon with local producers, growers and entertainment. VisitAthensAL.com
Round Island Baptist Church 200th Celebration: Come celebrate 200 years of sharing the gospel of Jesus in our local community and the world. Many activities and historical displays covering two centuries of service. Food, fellowship and fun! VisitAthensAL. com
Book Sale at the Houston Memorial Library and Museum: At 101 N. Houston St. in Athens from 9am-noon. Paperbacks 10 for $1, hardbacks for $1 or 12 hardbacks for $10! Proceeds benefit the Houston Memorial Library and Museum's repair and renovation.
Fishing & Boating with DCNR & ALEA: Starts 5:00PM in the Meeting Room of the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center. New to the community and want to learn the laws of the water? Join us for this info and Q&A session. Free! More info: 256-232-5411
Play Outside Day: Families are encouraged to get outside the first Saturday of every month and play in public parks, enjoy trails, hit the waterways, explore greenspaces and just play! Limestone County offers over 20 trails to explore including walking, cycling, horseback riding and kayaking – perfect for all ages. More info: 256232-5411 Boogie Shoes Bash: At the Revival Center, 303 W. Washington St. in Athens, from 6:00PM-10:00PM. Come kick up your heels with Habitat for Humanity of Limestone County with
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June 6
June 9 & 10
Elkmont Lions Club Smokin' Railroad Street Barbecue Cookoff - Backyard Division in downtown Elkmont, AL, is a Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned event as well as a featured event of the Alabama Barbecue Trail. VisitAthensAL.com
June 10
National Marina Day at Joe Wheeler State Park: Enjoy Concessions, free peddle boat rides, kids’ crafts and more at 4403 McLean Drive in Rogersville, AL. Hosted by Wheeler Yacht Club.
Battle for the Boards Cornhole Contest: The Blaze Baseball 9U team will host a cornhole tournament at Ardmore Park on Park Avenue in Ardmore, AL. Entry fee is $75.00 per team. Prizes: 1st Place - 20% of overall entry fee, 2nd Place - 10% of entry fee, 3rd Place - Gift Card + Entry Fee. If interested please phone Austin Turner (256)656-9313 or Tim Turner (256)508-0734 or go to the Blaze Baseball page. Registration deadline is 7:59 AM event day. Athens Outdoor Short Track Race with the Tennessee Valley Flattrackers: Limestone County Sheriff's Arena on AL-99. Gates open 2:00PM. Signup 4:00-6:00PM. Practice 7:00PM. Racing 8:00PM. Gate fee is $10.00; 6 years & under free. More info: Sam Brown 256-714-3729 Light Up the Night 5K & Fun Run with Athens Bible School: 7:30PM - 9:00PM. Runners will weave through the historic district of Athens, AL following luminaries to mark the course and wearing anything that glows. VisitAthensAL.com
June 10, 17, 24
Athens Saturday Market, 409 South Green Street in Athens. from 8:00AM12:00PM with local producers, growers and entertainment. VisitAthensAL. com
June 14
Flag Day with Athens State University: Members of the ASU community will gather to honor the flag and first responders. Enjoy patriotic medleys performed by the Athens State Community Band and Copeland Road Barbershop Quartet. Guest speaker will be Eddie Hicks, Director of Morgan County EMA and Class of 2000. For info: 256-233-
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Singer/Songwriter Night at Loft 1880: At 222 West Market St. in Athens from 6:00PM-9:00PM presented by Frank's Good Stuff. Enjoy the sounds of Bruce Salmon of Austin, TX. Free to the public.
June 16
Celebrate America at Yesterday's Senior Lunch Matinee Show at 15631 Brownsferry Road in Athens featuring singer/impressionist Kevin Adams. All seating is reserved - $12.00 each. Groups are seated together. Doors open 10:30am; event starts at 11AM with seating, opening announcements, blessing, and lunch. Show begins around noon; about 1 hour show. Bus parking available. E-mail reservations are required info@ yesterdaysevents.com. Singing on the Square at Limestone County Courthouse, Marion Street, Athens, AL: Join Tourism and sponsor Jimmy Smith Buick GMC for a free concert starting at 6:00PM with Trippin' Dixie. Be sure to bring your lawn chair. Rain location is the Vietnam Veterans Bldg. 17915 W Elm St, Athens.
June 16 & 17
9th Annual Ardmore Truck& Tractor Pull at John Barnes Park, 26425 Hamlett St. in Ardmore, TN, starting at 7:00PM both nights. Ages 7 & up: $10.00; 6 & under: Free. No rain checks, no refunds. For more info call Mike Magnusson (256)468-4950 or VisitAthensAL.com
June 17
Dalton Scott Memorial Trail Ridge on the Richard Martin Rails-to-Trails starting at 9:00AM with the Cowboys for Christ - Cowboyin' for the Son Chapter. Park trailers at Veto Church on the north end or at Coffman Park on Airport Rd. on the south end and ride to Elkmont by noon for lunch
and activities. $10.00 suggested donation to ride and for hamburger/hot dog lunch and drink. Bring your money for the auction! If you don't ride, join the fun in Elkmont for music, activities and lunch. For more info call Shawn Adams 256-653-0159. Celebrate Father's Day in Limestone County with over 100 restaurants to choose from for a special meal. Take him fishing on the Tennessee or Elk River and try to land a record Bass or Catfish. Stroll, bike, kayak, or drive one of our 20+ themed trails. For more ideas visit the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center, 100 North Beaty St. in Athens.
June 24
Christmas in June at Joe Wheeler State Park, 4403 McLean Drive in Rogersville, AL. Join Santa on his vacation at Joe Wheeler State Park from 7:00PM10:00PM. Campers are encouraged to decorate their sites with traditional Christmas decor. Enjoy the Christmas parade at 7:00PM followed by a Christmas movie at the Activities Center in Section B of the Campground. Heartland Angler Bass Tournament Div 1 Wheeler Lake/Elk River: Lee-Hi Boat Ramp at US 72 in Athens, from safe light until 3:00PM for the weekend angler. Membership: $35; Tournament fees: $50; Lunker: $10. Matt Leicher ~ 256-777-9843 or E-mail: aldeerhunter23@yahoo.com
June 29 - July 1
Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival opens at 309 East Forrest Street (at the corner of Beaty and Forrest St. across from Athens Middle School in Athens from 6:30-9:30PM. Tickets are $0.50 each, 1 ticket per ride. Concessions available. VisitAthensAL. com
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Clean and Green
Saying Thank You! by Ruby McCartney, Plant Manager Athens-Limestone Recycling Center I have recently been reflecting back over the last year at AthensLimestone Recycling Center (ALRC) and I am so excited about where we are today.
vices – whether it is our drop-off bins at Lucas Ferry or one of our 14 community collection centers throughout the county. I THANK YOU!!
Did you know that one year ago the future of Athens-Limestone Recycling Center did not look so promising? Cuts had been made to the point that there was nowhere else to cut. Commodity prices had fallen; not for just one or two commodities (as is common) but ALL commodities prices had fallen as the experts had predicted. (Eighteen months before, experts warned to buckle your seatbelts and hold on, it is going to be a bumpy ride.)
To Mark Yarbrough and the County Commissioners that are always there to offer support, I THANK YOU!
I am so grateful to our residents that utilize our many drop-off ser-
To Mayor Marks, the Athens City Council, the staff of the Streets and Sanitation Department who are also always there to support us, I THANK YOU ALL!
nancial support in the form of a Recycling Grant, we would not have been able to purchase a much needed forklift. Our old ones had outlived their useful life. A fully functioning forklift is vital to our operation. ALRC was also able to purchase a much needed box truck and lift gate from the generous erosity of this grant from ADEM was a new canopy at our Lucas Ferry Road location. This will allow us to keep our baled material under cover while it awaits shipment. It will also offer shelter from the sun and rain to our employees while they are sorting recyclable material.
To our more than 300 businesses that utilize our services, I THANK YOU! I would also like to thank the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM). If not for them and their fi-
grant funding of ADEM. We had one of our trucks that had over 300,000 miles on it go down, and it was not worth fixing. Without this new addition, servicing our schools and businesses would have been a real challenge.
This ADEM Grant was for just over $70,000.00. To ADEM I THANK YOU! THANK YOU ALL for realizing what a vital role Athens-Limestone Recycling Center plays in this community – a community I am glad to call home and to serve.
Another purchase that we were able to make only through the gen-
(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com
Become a Fan
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June 2 - June 15, 2017
Cooking with Anna
Chantilly Potatoes Growing up in the South, I was fortunate enough to receive a very special, one-on-one education. It did not happen in the traditional classroom setting however, it happened perched on a stool in the kitchen next to my grandmother’s soft blue gingham apron. I would watch with wonder and amazement as she would gently fold the edges of a crust on an apple pie, or as she would use a brown paper grocery sack to bread her famous fried chicken. Having dinner on the ground after church, bringing a casserole to a dear friend’s home when they have lost a loved one, or simply celebrating with friends and family, my grandmother taught me how to show love
by Anna Hamilton
through cooking. After she passed away, I was given the gift of her precious cookbooks. While turning through the yellowed and torn pages, I stumbled across a recipe written in my grandmother’s handwriting. It was for a dish called Chantilly Potatoes. I finished reading the ingredients and knew I had to make it for my family. Everyone I have made the dish for has fallen in love with Chantilly Potatoes and the love my grandmother had of cooking has lived on in this recipe. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I have, and I hope that you are fortunate enough to share the joy of cooking with someone special in your life.
What you will need:
6 Cups Mashed Potatoes
(Feel free to substitute Instant Potatoes in a pinch)
1 Cup Diced Ham ¾ Cup Whipping Cream 1 Cup Grated Cheddar Cheese, Divided
What you will do:
Preheat oved to 450 degrees. Place mashed potatoes in a greased 9x13 casserole dish. Top with ham. Whip cream until firm and gently fold in ¾ cup of cheese. Spread over ham. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 20 minutes; allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before serving. NOTE: If your family does not eat ham, feel free to substitute with chicken, turkey, or ground beef. For a vegetarian option, sauté mushrooms, onions and peppers in place of the meat. This is a great recipe that you can customize to your family’s needs.
June 2 - June 15, 2017
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Page 13
The Millennial Mind
The Western Wall And Western World by Rosemary Dewar Modern Western civilization continues to chip away at the Judeo-Christian foundation upon which it is built. History is either ignored or revised due to the left's agenda to "liberate" the social constructs they believe are causes for inequality and marginalization. They do not realize they are dismantling the foundation by which they live their lives,
The Wailing Wall Jerusalem
Faith hovers over the towers of Jerusalem; and Athens embodies the pre-eminent quality of the antique world, Art.” So, let's break this down. Rome was the vehicle by which Christianity was able to reach much of what Europe is today. The root of Christian expression and ethics is Judaism, whose eternal home is Jerusalem. Finally, Athens was an origin a coherent example of what is right and what is wrong. Jewish radio commentator Dennis Prager stated, “In a secular world, there can only be opinions about morality. They may be personal opinions or society’s opinion, but only opinions. Every atheist philosopher I have read or debated on this subject has acknowledged that if there is no God, there is no objective morality.”
The Parthenon Athens, Greece
regardless of whether they hold religious views or not. Refusing to acknowledge the origins of our social structure leaves people who benefit from it vulnerable. As much as a theocracy is not ideal, neither is an overly expressive secular society. That's why in the United States, the pluralism they are able to embrace is vitally important. The existence of this type of complexity is present when explaining the Judeo-Christian worldview. Former British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli, expressed it best when he said, “A great city, whose image dwells in the memory of man is the type of some great idea. Rome represents conquest;
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In this case, our Western civilization will continue to decay as we see it is now. If Western civilization is to recover, the current culture
US Capital Building Washington DC
of philosophical reason and science. All these aspects are elemental and essential to the social structure that gave birth to Europe, England, and the United States. Without consistently balancing these three dimensions expressed in Western culture, society is prone to instability and inevitable self-destruction. Currently, we are dealing with a culture in the United States that is dead set on pulling down the society they have the privilege of benefitting from. Christian apologist Ravi Zacharias stated, “…We are now standing with our feet planted firmly in mid-air. I would say, while theoretically a person may block God out, logically there will be a breakdown because ultimately all enunciation implies a
Jewish roots from which they spring. Should this continue, the secular world will devastate the logical structure of society in coordination with the religious community dismantling its moral core.
moral doctrine of some kind. And if that moral doctrine is not absolute then the definer himself becomes undefined.” The idea of a God is integral to the implementation of a moral standard. Without one, it is impossible to give
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Now, the origin by which that God is defined is just as important as what is implemented on behalf of His authority. Some Christian denominations are dealing with the same relativism issues by attempting to override the
must reconcile itself to the historical record that has brought it here. The longer the Judeo-Christian worldview is rejected, it can be concluded that the demise of Western civilization becomes more imminent.
June 2 - June 15, 2017
Health and Fitness
Fall Prevention by Janet Hunt
Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment. I know that I write about fall prevention a lot, but falling is a serious issue as we age. More than 1 out of 3 older adults fall each year. These falls can be very serious for our longterm health, our health care costs, and our dependency on friends and family. Many different factors can cause falls: •Medications: Read about side effects for the medications. Talk to your physician about all your medications including over-the-counter medications. •Medical conditions: Joint problems (knees, joints, ankles, etc) can contribute to the risk of falling. Uncontrolled blood pressure and blood sugar can cause dizziness. Ear and sinus infections may increase dizziness. •Sedentary lifestyles: After the age of 30, we begin losing muscle mass; therefore, to counteract the aging process, we must remain active throughout our lives. Without muscle strength, we cannot stand and walk safely. •Environment: At all ages, we need to be observant of fall hazards, such as wet floors, cords, rugs, uneven surfaces, children and pet toys, and so much more. Some of these hazards can be removed, but some we need to watch for every day. •Shoes: I recommend shoes with a nonslip sole that can be tightened with laces or Velcro as they stretch out. Slip-on shoes,
June 2 - June 15, 2017
especially flip flops are not a safe choice. To prevent falls, we need good balance and the ability to recover; both of those require muscle strength. Balance is the process of controlling our body’s center of mass (center of gravity) with respect to its base of support, whether our body is stationary or moving. Recovery is our ability to right ourselves after losing balance, before it becomes a fall. Exercise can reduce the risk of falls. Below are some basic exercises that can help keep us safe and healthy.
standing hamstring curls behind the chair, stand up/sit downs without using your arms to pull up. •Practice righting reactions or training muscles to react and recover from loss of balance. Try standing lunges – front, back, and side.
at 10 -11
M/W (Strength & Balance) at East Limestone Senior Center - Nick Davis at 11:30 -12:15
Th (Stability) at East Limestone Senior Center – Nick Davis at 11:30 – 12:15
T/Th (Cardio & Strength) at Round Island Baptist Church – Brownsferry Rd
For more information, contact Janet Hunt at 256614-3530.
•Strengthen abdominal and other core muscles.
•Practice balance with stationary poses, such as side leg raises using the chair for support, and toe stands (calf raises) behind the chair.
For more information regarding fall prevention, talk to a Personal Trainer or join a group fitness activity such as SilverSneakers™, SilverSneakers™ Flex, or water fitness classes. Participate in a Stability class. SilverSneakers™ classes are offered at Athens Limestone Wellness. SilverSneaker™ Flex classes are classes outside a gym and are scheduled below:
•Practice muscle strengthening exercises, such as seated leg extensions,
M/W/F (Strength & Balance) at Athens Senior Center - Pryor Street at
To prevent falls:
8:30 -9:15
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Page 15
Cover Story
The Expansion Of Athens Health And Rehabilitation LLC: Our Family Caring For Yours by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1
cept of “nursing home” has been replaced with more of an emphasis on rehab. So whether people are able to return to their homes outside the facility, or end up making AHR their home, they are functioning at their best, and their quality of life is the highest possible. AHR does its best to be the best possible long-term and/or rehab facility anywhere in the Tennessee Valley. “People don’t understand that the im-
portance of therapy is greater than just about anything else in this type of facility. There is speech therapy, occupational, physical and memory therapy, and more. Those are what make it possible for people to go home, and live well if they stay,” she emphasized. Since Northport Health Services took over the center, a lot of hard work and re-vamping has gone into making the place essentially brand new. “It really is a total change, and we want to get away from the old stigmas,” said Lory. “Peo-
Holley Fisk, PTA, walking with rehab patient John Thomas
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ple don’t realize that ‘convalescing’ is no longer our goal, rehab is, and we have a new rating and essentially a whole new facility,” she said. AHR now has a four-star rating
Hillary Eason, PTA, assisting a patient
with CMS, the Centers for Medicare/Medicaid Services, a government agency, as well as five stars with Quality Measures, the system of reporting and performance standards with CMS. She gave AHR an insider’s thumbs up by saying, “If I could no longer take care of myself and needed to be in a long-term facility for the rest of my life, this is where I would want to be. I wouldn’t change a thing. The residents are so much our family that our kids come here on holidays to be with their ‘other grandparents.’” Linda Sams, who is the Administrator of Athens Health and Rehab echoed Lory’s sentiments. “We have such caring, compassionate staff who are really committed to the patients. I have had people walk in, and their first response is, ‘You can feel the love when you watch the interaction between residents.’” Linda is a RN, and her official certification is LNHA, Licensed Nurse Hospital Administrator. She further underscored her statement by saying, “Our director of nursing has been here over 30 years.” Still, I had to ask them,
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“Why should I come to you, either for my own care or on the behalf of a parent?” “We are the closest facility to the hospital, if there is an urgent need,” said Linda. She added, “The nursing staff has the backing of a corporation to manage any kind of acuity. We have a physician on site two times a week who is also on-call 24/7. We have a nurse practitioner here 40 hours a week, and that is unusual. We have also upgraded the written procedures and protocols, so there’s more accountability.” Linda and Lory went on to tell me about the new rehab center, the Restore Therapy Pavilion. It is going to have its own entry and exit, and will essentially be closed off from the long-term facility. There will be a 1200-squarefoot gym, offices, a conference room, and a large commons. “This is strictly short-term, where the average stay will be from 20-30 days,” said Linda. Additionally, Lory mentioned that “[t] he equipment will be state of the art, and there will be room for all of it. Depending on the weather, the new building should be ready in 8-10 months.” The next day I spoke at length with Nathan McGriff, who is
June 2 - June 15, 2017
selves again, get dressed, bathe, etc. and can’t go home until they do. It’s important to know that if a patient cannot, for example, re-learn to turn over in bed, their caregiver will receive all the training that they need to do it for them prior to discharge.
the Rehabilitation Director at Athens Health. Nathan’s parents are both nurses, and he grew up in Sulligent. “I was always around the medical profession,” he said, “and at first I thought I would do high-level sports rehab and therapy.” He has a bachelor’s degree in exercise science from Jacksonville State, and then received his PTA certification from Wallace State. He has 11 years of experience with everything from athletes to geriatrics, and says that his favorite thing to witness and be a part of is “to see someone come in not very responsive, and then see them be able to function again.” Most of those who come to the Rehab part of AHR are either stroke victims or have had knee or hip replacements.
June 2 - June 15, 2017
Nathan told the story of a “graduation” that was just held in the rehab wing whose description brought a lump to my throat. “A stroke patient came in who was in such poor shape that at first we met with the family to discuss the possibility of only keeping their loved one comfortable, and not pursue treatment, due to a nearly complete inability to swallow. We all decided to wait a week and then make a definitive plan. That patient responded so well in a week, and after 100 days of treatment, that when they “graduated,” they walked out to the car (with a walker), and were able to speak.” The staff and other patients lined the hall, and Nathan said, “Someone even provided a cap and gown for the ceremony.”
He told of the individualized care plan that each patient receives, including a “how to” manual for when they go home. He also makes a point of spending one-on-one time with each rehab patient within 24 hours of their arrival. Nathan is always available by phone to discharged patients and their families. “While they are with us, we find out what makes them ‘tick,’ including likes, dislikes, interests and goals, and use that to motivate them.” There are often so many things to address, such as swallowing, cognition issues, medicine management, the need for a consistent routine, and more. Those who have had joint replacements work on strengthening, stabilizing, and balance. Those with occupational therapy needs to learn to feed them-
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An exciting feature of the new Therapy Pavilion will be a full kitchen and bathroom. This will be the testing ground for those that are good candidates to return to unassisted living, and it’s a fun one. “They might make brownies,” said Nathan, and have the satisfaction of creating something delicious, as well as demonstrate the level of their recovery. Most likely in the new gym there will be a suspension system and harness that can be a part of learning to walk again. Because the system is attached
to the ceiling, the patient literally cannot fall, and gets to experience the satisfaction of being able to walk unaided at a much earlier point in their rehabilitation. I asked Nathan why I should come to the Pavilion myself, or have a needy parent receive care there. He said, “I treat everyone like they are my grandmother or grandfather. We pay close attention to the level of care, make sure there are proper progressions, and that there is good communication between staff, patients, and families. I rely heavily on my team, and we all feel that it is our team.” If this is the kind of care for which you are looking, either for yourself or a loved one, then call Athens Health and Rehabilitation LLC today at 256-232-1620 to schedule a tour, and be on the lookout for more announcements regarding special summer activities to come.
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Learning As A Lifestyle
Hodge Podge by Wanda Campbell
Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 I am a big fan of old wives tales and Mother Goose rhymes. As I was cleaning out the closet in my youngest son’s room to turn the room into an office, I came across a Disney encyclopedia of old wives tales and nursery rhymes called Hodge Podge. I remember buying it for the kids and I remember reading it to them a lot, especially my youngest. It seemed like every day I was reading the “Monday’s Child.” Monday’s child is fair of face, Tuesday’s child is full of grace, Wednesday’s child is full of woe, Thursday’s child has far to go, Friday’s child is loving and giving,
Saturday’s child works hard for a living, But the child that is born on a Sunday, Is bonnie and blithe, and good and gay. This rhyme was first recorded in A. E. Bray's Traditions of Devonshire (Volume II, pp. 287–288) in 1838 and was based on folk tales of a child’s fortune according to the day they were born. When I read the poem I was hoping to be a Monday’s child, but it turned out I was a Saturday’s child. While researching “Monday’s Child,” I found it published in a collection of Mother Goose tales. Mother Goose tales were told in France and England in the 1590s. They were published in the United States in 1786. There are many, many tales of Mother Goose. Most are just fun
rhymes, some have morals, and some just retell ideas from the past, like “Monday’s Child.” Mother Goose tales are a great way to get kids interested in words and reading. They are fun stories, they rhyme, and they are easy to read. Albert Einstein said, “If you want your children to be intelligent, read them fairy tales. If you want them to be more intelligent, read them more fairy tales.” This summer, the Center for Lifelong Learning will host a Kids’ Enrichment Challenge, Monday
– Thursday, June 12-15, from 9:00 a.m. to noon for the child who loves to learn – even in the summer! Reading and mathematical abilities will be further advanced through challenging, enriching, and thought-provoking activities. Critical-thinking, problem-solving, and reasoning skills will also be incorporated into each fun and exciting day. This camp is a MUST for every child who thrives on academic challenges and social interaction. Recommended age: Rising 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. You can register for this
program online at www. athens.edu/cll or call us at 256-233-8262. The Center is offering many camps this summer. If you have not registered, don’t wait too long. Three camps are already filled. Camps are offered in Athens and at the Alabama Center for the Arts in Decatur. Children from age 5 and up can come to camp. Camps are designed for specific age groups for better learning and safe fun. For the whole family, we will be offering the Songwriters Showcase – The Story Behind the Song. This concert is Friday, June 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Alabama Center for the Arts, 133 Second Ave. NE, Decatur. Get your tickets online at www.athens.edu/ cll or call us at 256-2338260. Never stop learning at the Center for Lifelong Learning.
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June 2 - June 15, 2017
Jerry’s Journal
Flashbacks Of “Bad Sam” At The 50th Class Reunion by Jerry Barksdale
www.jerrybarksdale.com It began when I received a letter from Alabama School of Law. I flashed back fifty years. Oh, Lordy! “Bad Sam” Beaty has flunked me in judicial remedies! Just thinking of Professor Samuel Beaty made me nearly wet my pants. The letter announced that the graduating class of 1967 was having its 50th reunion. By virtue of being Student Government President, I was asked to drum up support. Apparently, they didn’t know that I beat John DeBuys by only one vote, which hardly gave me a mandate. My winning campaign was time tested – I employed whiskey and women. My beautiful wife, Carol, turned on her charm, and I offered cocktails from a pint hidden inside a hollowed-out law book. “Would you like a sip of Jack Daniels Gold?” I asked fellow students. I called it Gold. Actually, it was from a gallon jug of rot gut purchased for $2.75 in Juarez. My campaign team compiled a list of students who pledged to vote for me and marked off their name when they voted. Foster Musgrove, Tuscumbia, hadn’t showed up to vote. Volunteers went to his rat-nest apartment and found Foster sound asleep on top of his fallen front door. Apparently, he had had returned home from an “animal house” party, pushed open the unhinged door and fell on the floor where he remained. They fetched him and I won by one vote. I credit my first political victory to Foster. Next would come the Legislature, then Governor and finally prison and a lucrative book deal. I was on my way to success.
June 2 - June 15, 2017
I persuaded the Executive Counsel to pass a resolution requiring all law students to wear white shirt and tie to class. The following morning a petition was circulated to impeach me. I back pedaled. Fast! “Bad Sam” scared the ignorance out of me and made my life miserable. After going to bed and saying my nightly prayer, I thought of ways I could make him miserable. My favorite was to throttle him with a rusty piano wire. Ah, yes! Serenity, then peaceful sleep. One Monday morning, “Bad Sam” announced to our class that we were lucky since he was in a jolly mood. His daughter had married over the weekend. “Who held the shotgun?” asked a voice. “Bad Sam” went wacko. He paced the aisles, asking, “Did you say that?” Everyone denied it. I heard that it was Ed Gosa, who later became a learned judge in Lamar County. My hero for 50 years. I also thought about my constitutional law professor, Jay Murphy, a kind old, gentleman, who leaned left in his politics. He paid me the ultimate compliment in class. After giving my interpretation of a Supreme Court decision, Professor Murphy said, “Well we all know that if Mr. Barksdale had his way we’d still be getting around on stone wheels.” My finest moment. There was Professor Philip Mahan, often absent-minded, who hauled a bale of hay around in his MG Convertible that he parked in front of Farah Hall. Was he powering the MG on hay? Strange. He taught contracts and real estate. One day he began lecturing on real estate. Several minutes later, a student inter-
fb.com/jerry.barksdale.7 rupted him. “This ain’t real estate, this is contracts class.” My good friend (and sometimes red head) Pat and I drove to Tuscaloosa on Friday afternoon, checked in the Jack Warner and hooked up with former classmate, John Baker and wife, Regina, Collinsville, Alabama. Norman Cummins of Clermont, Florida also joined us. John was my best friend and study buddy in law school. Following graduation, both of us began practice in DeKalb County. I was earning $250.00 a month working for Bob French. Carol was pregnant and we didn’t have furniture, not even a kitchen table. John found one in his mother’s barn and brought it over. Carol antiqued it and we used it for years. I think she got it in our divorce. John is a Democrat and I’m a Republican. That never came between us. He served in the Alabama House and Senate for 8 years, ran for the U.S. Senate and later was Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party. Norman Cummins served in the Army before law school. One night, Carol and I were called. “Come over to Norm’s house, he’s getting married.” Classmates, Billy Church married them and O’Neal Browder gave the bride away. I may have been flower boy, don’t remember. It was a crazy night. I hope it was legal. Dean of the Law School, Mark Brandon, a former Vanderbilt Professor, threw a picnic for our class on Saturday. He is a tall fellow with stylish glasses and close-cropped graying whiskers and handsome as a Hanes underwear model. He doesn’t fit the image of a sourpuss dean. I offered advice to improve his image. “Dean, I suggest you part your hair down the middle
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and wear wire-rimmed glasses like Dean Harrison did fifty years ago.” “They didn’t have wire,” he replied. Huh, I won’t offer to help him again. He’s on his own. Afterwards, we piled into Baker’s Chevy pick-up and, while running over every curb, toured campus. Cummins kept score. “Back up John, you missed one.” Bouncing off curbs doesn’t make for happy hemorrhoids. We tried to locate where we lived 50 years ago. Everything had changed. The old two-story house on Caplewood Drive where Carol and I had once lived, and where she walked to work in heels, was unrecognizable. Her job was our salvation. One evening she came home crying. Her male supervisor had hit on her. I handled it the old- fashioned way. I called him. “If Carol comes home crying again, I’m gonna kill your ass.” Problem solved. Coeds were sashaying to the coliseum for the A-Day game wearing summer’s newest fashion. “Would you just look at her!” exclaimed Pat. We did. “Look out John!” Regina yelled. Baker slammed on the brakes, nearly pitching us out. Advice to Mamas: Don’t send your boys to Bama the first year. Too many beautiful women to distract them. Send them to Auburn. That evening we attended a reception at the law school where we nibbled cheese and sipped wine. That’s when Ronald Strawbridge, Vernon, Alabama, informed me that it wasn’t Ed Gosa who asked “Bad Sam,” “Who held the shotgun?” It was like being told that my Mama ran a “cat house.” Talk about disappointment. “Who was it?” I asked. “John DeBuys.” No way! I figured DeBuys for a milquetoast
frat dude, with a Vanderbilt degree, who couldn’t parallel park an MG. Wrong. Never judge a man by his brown penny loafers, Khaki pants and buttoned down collar. DeBuys had bumped Gosa off my hero list. I looked up and there he stood, bald as myself. We shook hands and talked. Before retiring, in Birmingham, he was selected one of the “Best Lawyers in America.” I looked around for Mac Dunaway, hoping he would be present with his beautiful actress sister, Faye. Several former Judges were present. Two of the only four women in our class of ninety-nine were there – Susan William Reeves, Birmingham and Jane Smelley Grubbs, SugarLand, Texas. Also present was George Barnett, former mayor of Guntersville and Ted Little who served 32 years in the Alabama Senate. Years later “Bad Sam” became one of my heroes. I learned that immediately following Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps. While I was sucking my pacifier, he was saving democracy, flying a B-25 bomber on 62 missions against the Japanese. In 1976, he was elected to the Alabama Supreme Court and served for 13 years. I ended up seated next to him at a Trial Lawyers Conference in Birmingham several years ago. “Barksdale,” he said, “I saw your potential and squeezed you hard.” I nodded. “You darn sure did.” He was a great patriot, a great professor, and a great man. I’m honored that he taught me at a great law school – Alabama, ranked one of the “best in the Nation.” I can’t wait for our next 50th reunion.
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Dog Barker
A Journey For Another Service Dog by Joel Allen Hello, Dog World! A quick recap for many who know and some who do not know. In December, Zues passed away. He was what I called the unofficial Athens Walmart mascot because when we were out, we always stopped into Walmart. Meet Zoey. She is training to become my next service dog. It may surprise a lot of people that many have already met Zoey. She is the black and white dog on the Limestone Veterinarian commercial that we see when we go to the Athens Cinemagic Theater. That’s right, I adopted her from the pound. As far as I can tell, she has Border Collie and Blue Heeler mix. So why Zoey for my next service dog? Let me explain what, in my opinion, makes a good service dog (SD). First, the person looking to get an SD must have a documented disability. I say documented because there are those who just want to take their dog into every place they can, so they tell people that their dog is an SD. In a lot of cases, these frauds cannot truly control their dog and the dog does what it wants, like barking at people or doing other things no one would see an SD do. An SD, a true SD, regardless whether they are in training or not will remain calm and not think everyone has to pay it attention. Zoey is in training, and I limit the attention that the public wishes to bestow on her.
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So, when I tell someone she is still training, I am not trying to be rude. I am trying to politely keep anyone from breaking her training that I have successfully built upon. Can an SD have a bad day and act like a regular dog? Yes, if the circumstances were just right. That is
certain disability, I would always recommend meeting the potential SD and see if they choose you. Depending on your disability and need, always consider what your SD is needed to do. If they are for pre-seizure alert, they should have an outstanding sense of smell. A dog
SD. There are other disabilities that need an SD and do not require a strong sense of smell. Secondly, federal law allows for anyone who is able and willing to train their own SD. Many of us do not want this headache, so we hire someone or we go to a private en-
with the entity claiming to train your SD; many have a hidden clause stating that if the SD is not fully paid for by a certain date, the entity can take the SD back. I always recommend training the SD yourself because one can customize the training exactly as needed. Most companies or businesses that train SDs just train with a “cookie cutter” style of “one size fits all.” Zoey has done her public access training and she has done well. She is now training for her diabetic alert abilities, and she has blossomed in this area with surprising speed. Her trainer has stated that she has caught on faster than expected. I cannot wait for her to finish training and watch her alert.
why, even after the SD completes their training, we always reinforce their training. Now when looking for a service dog, always let the dog pick you. Zoey chose me, and I was not looking to find her. But that is how God works. Just because they are beautiful to look upon or cute does not necessarily make them the ideal SD. Unless someone is dealing with a reputable breeder that has the proven track record of producing an SD for their
with a mashed in muzzle does not normally fit this criteria. Zoey, in my case, does because she has a long muzzle ideal for a strong sense of smell. She will be my next diabetic alert dog, and she will be able to alert me anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour whether my sugar levels will be going high or low. She also carries my medicines, just as Zues did for me. Let me say that just because the dog has a mashed muzzle does not disqualify it as an
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tity that charges a huge sum of money. If the option is to train your own SD, they must have basic obedience taught to them. After the basics are taught, we can build on what the SD knows and then get to the advanced levels of training which will lead to their SD training. If one decides to purchase an SD, investigate the company claiming to “certify” their training. The law states there is no certification; so be careful. Also, be aware of any contracts signed
Again, everyone please welcome Zoey into our community, and when we are out, say a quick “Hello” but don’t cause Zoey to break her training because then I will correct her and she will learn. I hope this article helps everyone understand about SDs and if anyone has questions feel free to call me. “Remember to love your dogs because they love you. Maybe not the way you want them to, like chewing up your favorite shoes or what not, but that is just love chewing. Be thankful for the time you have with them always.”
Joel Allen 256-651-2211
June 2 - June 15, 2017
Mental Health Minute
Making Time For Mindfulness by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor
“Learning to be content in one’s own company is one of life’s most difficult lessons.” Lisa Philippart WAIT! Don’t just skim right past this section. If you are in a hurry and think this article doesn’t apply to you, then you are exactly who should be taking that minute to read this. Your mental health may depend on it! Ok, so now that I have your attention, when was the last time you took time out of your crazy, hectic, multi-tasking day to just BE in the moment? I know what you are thinking. I’m not into all that reflection, meditation stuff. Well, let me give you some information and see if I can change your mind.
depending on who is using it. For your mental health’s sake, I am referring to just the straight dictionary definition, which means “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.” I love this! Have you ever allowed yourself to be completely present in the moment? To take breaks during the day to center yourself? The beauty of mindfulness is that there is no
right or wrong way to do it. You simply set aside as little as 5 minutes daily. I recommend sitting in a comfortable chair (don’t lie down or you might fall asleep!) and closing your eyes. Try to clear your mind completely…no thinking about what else you should be doing, no wondering what time it is, no planning out your day. You are just being you in the moment. Some people use this time to pray or repeat a calming word or phrase. The purpose is to spend a few minutes in the company of yourself and to learn
to accept who you are in that moment. Try this daily for a week and see if you don’t notice a difference in how you think, feel, and act. I promise, it is worth investing the time to become a more contented you.
Lisa Philippart is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who divides her time between her own private practice in Huntsville and providing personal counseling services at Athens State University.
Mindfulness has become quite a buzz-word during the past decade, and it seems to have taken on many different meanings
June 2 - June 15, 2017
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Medical Update
Shhh….It’s A Secret! by Rachel Clark, RN, BSN Several weeks ago, I saw a Facebook post about how secrets can be dangerous things. Webster’s Dictionary defines a secret as something we keep hidden from the knowledge of others. Teaching children about secrets is an important part of keeping them safe from the long-term effects that can be caused by abuse. According to a sexual abuse prevention workshop called “Parenting Safe Children,” secrecy is a key element to childhood sexual abuse. A Denver mom wrote a blog post about her experience with teaching her son an alternative to secret keeping. In her home, she teaches her children about surprises instead. She recounts the story of a friend who gave her son a cookie and said “shhh…it’s a secret.” To the mom’s utter delight, the son told the woman that in his home, they don’t do “secrets,” but instead they do “surprises.” The mom explains “Surprises are something we keep quiet about temporarily; then you share the surprise and people are happy. But secrets are meant to be kept quiet forever and they are often protecting something that would make people unhappy.”
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Surprises are things like a birthday party or a gift. Secrets like sexual abuse leave long-lasting scars on everyone involved.
doesn’t keep secrets. He is no longer a vulnerable target because of the wisdom of his mother in teaching him about body safety.
the following (adapted from Parenting Safe Children Workshop developed by Sandy Wertele, Ph.D. and Feather Berkower, MSW):
Often times, sexual predators will test children by asking them to keep smaller secrets (like cookies or other treats), building up to bigger and bigger secrets about what is happening to them. By teaching her children different terminology, she is bypassing this common method of trapping children in the abuse cycle. This little boy was bold enough to say that he
It is vital to start early teaching children about their bodies and which parts are ok to touch and which parts aren’t. If these important lessons are instilled in them early on, they are less likely to experience abuse, and the devastating effects it can lead to in the future such as anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation/attempts.
1.No one is allowed to touch your private parts
Body Safety Rules include
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2.You should not touch someone else’s private parts 3.No one is allowed to take pictures of your private parts 4.If someone tries to touch your private parts, say “NO!” 5.When playing friends, play with your clothes on
6.You are allowed to have privacy when bathing, dressing and using the toilet 7.You have permission to say “No” and get away if someone tries to touch your private parts or breaks any of your body safety rules 8.We don’t keep secrets in our family. If someone tells you to keep a secret, tell an adult. Also, educate children that doctors and nurses sometimes have to examine these private parts of their bodies and that is ok, because Mommy or Daddy is with them. Begin to teach your children these rules now to eliminate them as targets later. If you don’t yet have children, adopt the practice now of not keeping “secrets” so that it will be easier to instill in them these principles when you do.
June 2 - June 15, 2017
Foreman’s Forum
Shooting Range Etiquette by Paul Foreman Three rifles walked into a saloon and took seats at the bar. They ordered drinks, but the bartender refused to serve them. Why did the bartender refuse service to the three rifles? They were already “loaded!” There is more where that one came from, but I’ll save them for another day. Even before I started teaching firearms and self-defense classes, I witnessed unbelievably bad etiquette, or manners, displayed by way too many gun owners. This display of bad manners has been observed by myself to be the worst at public gun ranges. I have not visited the public range south of Athens for at least three years now. I certainly hope it has gotten better since I was last there. During the seven or eight times I did go there to shoot, I found the place to be both
dangerous and filthy. On one particular occasion, my buddy and I arrived early and found the fifty-yard range empty. There were two or three guys down at the long-range rifle area. (The short-, medium-, and long-range areas are separated by a high earthen berm.) We both walked downrange and were setting up our targets when a man drove up, got out of his truck, and began blasting away with his handgun at some unknown objects downrange. We both yelled at him to hold his fire until we got off the range. We hustled back to the shooting line. The man was reloading, allowing us a few moments of safety. He left as abruptly as he had arrived. On several other occasions, I observed shooters walking back and forth setting up or checking targets while others were still shooting. There was
one such time I had the audacity to shout out loud, “Hey everybody, let’s call the range ‘cold’ and everybody put their guns down while people are going downrange!” I continued, “Then, when everybody is safely back at the shooting line, we call the range ‘hot.’” Boy, did I get some strange stares. You would have thought I cursed out the pastor right during church! Two guys who were downrange came back to the shooting line; so I yelled, “OK, the range is HOT!” Some unidentified man down at the far end of the line yelled, “Who does that guy think he is?” My buddy and I left. We have not been back since. Shooters should NEVER, EVER have a gun in their hand when someone is downrange. When the range is “cold,” all firearms should be on the table, with actions
open. Shooters should keep all firearms pointed downrange at all times. Guns should be pointed downrange even when they are lying on the table. Shooters should only use proper targets, not old cans and bottles. Shooters should clean up after themselves. Don’t leave empty ammo boxes and torn targets scattered across the range. Take your trash home with you. I have been to the range south of Athens when all the trash barrels were overflowing. The cans and broken bottles were a real eyesore. Never ever pick up someone else's gun. I would go so far as to say, “Don’t even ask!” When there is no Range Safety Officer on site, it can be a problem. If fellow shooters don’t like a “non-official” Range Officer, then my advice is to leave. Good manners off
the range are also important in maintaining good relations, especially with non-shooters.
Keep your gun in its holster! Any public arena is NOT the place to be showing off your new gun to your buddy, such as in Wally World. I personally believe in “concealed carry.” It just does not seem wise to let everyone around you know you are armed. I really have nothing against “open carry.” It just needs to be done with some modesty and discretion. I have a good friend who carries his gun openly. He uses an inside-thewaistband type holster, and you need to look really close to notice the grips showing above his belt.
Last year we went to a popular restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner. Outside, walking back and forth was a young man, maybe 21 years old wearing a large, full-size 1911 semi-auto 45. He had a fancy, black leather holster and really pretty wood grips. This is a huge handgun by anyone’s standard. It was just NOT good manners parading around showing his gun off to several dozen people who were waiting for their dinner. Paul Foreman is a retired deputy sheriff from Lee County Florida. He is an NRA Certified Firearms Instructor. For self-defense firearms training, Paul can be reached through his web site, www.Paulforeman.com, or e-mail at Captureman@ PaulForeman.com To join the NRA and protect your 2nd Amendment Rights, go to my web site and click on the NRA Eagle.
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