June 17, 2016

June 17th - June 30th, 2016

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature Global Premiere Of "Hating Israel- In Search Of The Truth Behind BDS" Held In Jerusalem Cinematheque...

The global premiere of Hating Israel: In Search of The Truth Behind BDS was screened on Wednesday evening at the Jerusalem Cinematheque in the presence of...

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From The Vets' Museum I Hear Footsteps Behind Me!...

It has been said that “imitation is the highest form of flattery.” If that is the case, a few weeks ago the museum was paid one of the highest compliments...

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The Tenth Annual Elk River Boat Party: An Anniversary Celebration For The Whole Family

By Ali Elizabeth Turner Back in 2006, Mike Jackson (of Mike Jackson Home Builders) and his adult kids, Beth and BriContinued on page 16

Save The Date: The Grand Opening Of Persell Lumber And Mill Shop Is June 23rd!

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

2011 was a remarkable year. We had tornadoes, some of which were legendary, and it was the year Lynn and Vickie Persell purchased Craig’s Lumber. They began to convert it into what is present day Persell Lumber and Mill Shop. In 2014 another tornado hit, headed up 5th Avenue in Athens, and badly damaged

Athens Rehab Spotlight Spotlight On Miss Betty Buckley...

Betty Buckley is a happy woman born in the South, raised in the North, and finally made it back home...

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Continued on pages 24

June 17 - June 30, 2016

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June 17 - June 30, 2016

Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Wanda Campbell Paul Foreman Shelley Underhill Rachel Clark, RN BSN Sandra Thompson Jackie Warner Deb Kitchenmaster Wayne Kuykendall Jackie Monaghan

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 View From The Bridge . . . . . . 8 From The Vets' Museum . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Shelley . . . . . 13 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 14 Athens Rehab Spotlight . . . 15 Cover Stories . . . . . . . 16 & 24 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 19 Horse Whispering . . . . . . . 20 Fitness, Fiscally Speaking . . . 21 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

June 17 - June 30, 2016

Taking The Pulse Of The Pulse As is fitting, the massacre that occurred at the Pulse in Orlando on June 12th is dominating the media, our minds, and as conservative columnist Star Parker said so well, we need to “mourn with one eye open.” Paul Foreman did a splendid job of both asking the question, “Why didn’t anyone fight back?” as well as remind us of common sense options if we find ourselves in a live shooter event. His column, Foreman’s Forum, can be found on page 23. Mayor Ronnie and I discussed public safety and situational awareness in his column, What Makes Ronnie Roll, and the need to continually remind the “average citizen,” whatever that is, of the need to stay alert and know how to act responsibly in any situation. The Mayor’s comments can be found on page 19.

However, my intent in the course of this Publisher’s Point is to educate our readers as to the all-encompassing nature of jihad, as well as some of its targets and strategies. I am not a professional, I simply earned the right to speak to this by virtue of living in Baghdad amongst the experts, and having to deal with the aftermath of successful jihadist acts that killed people I cared about.

My husband told me of an account written by a first responder who was on the scene to deal with the bloody aftermath. This man had always wondered what it would be like to be at what in the military is known as a “mass cal,” which is Army speak for a mass casualty event, and technically includes both injuries as well as fatalities. He expected the eeriness or the “surreality”, (if I may be allowed make up a word), to be the utter silence from being in a location where death abounds and all movement has ceased. Instead, what

was unexpectedly unsettling to the first responder was the cacophony of cell phones that seemed to be utterly frantic as they chirped, rang, spoke, played music, or whatever the customized ring tone sounded like in the desperate desire of

friends and loved ones to make contact. The sound was heartbreaking.

The LGBT community is both understandably alarmed as well as poised to leverage the carnage in order to parlay an act of jihad into a violation of civil rights.

For the record, I am someone who has dearly loved gay friends and family members, I do not agree with the lifestyle, am not a hater, and personally know way too many people who have “come out” of the lifestyle and become spouses and parents to think that you are “born that way.”

The gun control folks are predictably calling for more gun control, Chick-fil-a (the supposed haters of gays) opened up the local store on a Sunday to give away food to people helping at ground zero as well as those giving blood, and the NRA has made some folks angry by saying that “terrorists are not deterred by gun laws”, and, “law-abiding gun owners

are tired of being blamed for the acts of madmen and terrorists.”

I agree. A well-armed citizenry should never be painted with the same brush as a murderer. If you disagree, do your homework on Switzerland, where every home is required to have a gun, and the weapon is issued by the government. Many historians believe that the reason the Nazis didn’t invade Switzerland is that they knew they would lose for this very reason. The Swiss only “appeared” to be neutral.

Here is what needs to be understood: if you are not a follower of Allah according to the standards of a jihadist, you are fair game for what happened at the Pulse.

It was a superb psy-ops move to target a gay bar, but if you are a Jew, a Christian, a Buddhist, a Hindu, an atheist, an agnostic, a woman who dares to go for a walk by herself, a Westerner of any kind, or a fellow Muslim who is not functioning as a true believer from the perspective of the jihadist, you deserve to die, period. There is absolutely no

concept of innocent civilians, armed or unarmed. And, the only assurance of heaven for the one who “dispatches” you is to self-martyr; hence, the “inspiration” to take yourself out and as many others as you can while you are at it.

Therefore, the quicker we understand that this was not a hate crime, but true jihad, we are under attack, it is a global campaign, and the only way to deal with it is to come together in firm response as well as love, the better off we are going to be.

To “steal” from FDR, the only thing we have to fear is that we give in to fear, and allow ourselves to be scattered and silenced.

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

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All Things Soldier

“I Served, Did You?”

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Rebecca Landis Hayes served in the United States Navy for 8 years.

She is married to a veteran who served in the United States Army. She had parked in a spot that is reserved for veterans, and found a note saying, “This parking is for veterans, lady. Learn to read and have some respect.” Apparently her detractor assumed that because she was in civilian clothes, and perhaps, because she was female, she didn’t qualify. She decided to respond with the following, written on her Facebook account, and with a picture of the note intended as a rebuke: “To the person who left this note on my windshield today at the Cod-

fascinating about the whole situation: it was the cowardice of the note-leaver. This person saw her pull up and go in to her destination. This person apparently had the time to vent their frustration in the form of leaving a note on her windshield, but did not have the courage to go up and at least find out if she had seen the sign that designated the parking spot as for veterans only. This person did not have the courtesy to ask questions first, and perhaps say politely, “Ma’am, are you a military veteran?”

dle Creek Harris Teeter in Concord, NC: I know I parked in one of the Veteran Parking spaces today, it was hot. I had been in and out of my car several times already this afternoon, and I was only going to be a minute.

Besides, the parking lot was full, so I just did it. It was the first time, and I won’t do it again. I’m sorry…

I’m sorry that you can’t see my eight years of service in the United Sates Navy.

I’m sorry that your narrow misogynistic world view can’t conceive of the fact that there are female Veterans. I’m sorry that I have to explain my-

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

self to people like you.

Mostly, I’m sorry that we didn’t get a chance to have this conversation face to face, and that you didn’t have the integrity and intestinal fortitude to identify yourself, qualities the military emphasizes.

Which leads to one question, I served, did you?”

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July 18th

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Mrs. Hayes told a local news outlet that her husband had parked there many times, and people would often come up and thank him for his service. They assumed that he would not park there unless he was the “real deal.” She also told them, “Veterans come in all shapes, sizes, genders and colors,” and, “More veterans don’t fit that stereotype than do.”

Here is what I find so

While I appreciate a protective posture toward our veterans, and champion the desire to see that they are, in fact, treated with respect, I would just about be willing to bet that the note-leaver did NOT serve, and here’s why.

The training all members of our military receive when it comes to dealing with civilians is a politeness and level of professionalism that runs deep, nearly to a fault. Not only that, but they fully understand that they have a duty to protect even the ridiculous. Ex-mil or not, the note-leaver needs to learn some skills, the very least of which is not being rude and disrespectful while preventing rudeness and disrespect. Thr-ee cheers for the “squid” who set ‘em straight.

June 17 - June 30, 2016

Special Feature

Global Premiere Of "Hating IsraelIn Search Of The Truth Behind BDS" Held In Jerusalem Cinematheque

by Jackie Monaghan

sonal stories from local Palestinians to learn firsthand how, if successful, the BDS movement would actively destroy the livelihoods of thousands of Palestinian families.

The global premiere of Hating Israel: In Search of The Truth Behind BDS was screened on Wednesday evening at the Jerusalem Cinematheque in the presence of a select group of parliamentarians, clergy, business leaders, and VIPs. The full-length documentary takes viewers on a personal journey through Israel in search of the truth behind the global movement to defame and destroy Israel.

T The film is the latest initiative of Proclaiming Justice to The Nations (PJTN) as part of their ongoing global educational and mobilization campaign against the BDS movement. The film will be distributed through PJTN's media partners on several television networks, reaching a combined audience of over 950,000,000 viewers in 200 nations worldwide.

The documentary offers a news-driven, satirical approach to focus on the global impact of the "BDS Movement"a movement to boy-

June 17 - June 30, 2016

cott, divest, and sanction against the State of Israel. Through the lens of Emmy Award winning director, Stan Moore, host Brad Stine leads viewers through a twisted landscape of false perceptions to fully explain the antiSemitic roots of BDS. Through commentary, interviews, and visuals from headline news from around the world, the documentary exposes the frightening rise of a new anti-Semitism being promoted through the BDS Movement.

Viewers joined American Comedian Brad Stine on a journey in search of truth that takes him across Israel and the United States of America. He met with Ethiopian Jews in Jerusalem, and Muslim-Israelis in Haifa. Brad encountered Israeli colleges and high-tech companies to hear about the latest breakthroughs in Israeli innovation. Mr. Stine traveled into the West Bank to hear per-

In America, Stine met with an array of experts including former CIA director James R. Woolsey, Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, Jewish comedian Jackie Mason, exiled Palestinian Christians and Jewish students under attack on university campuses.

Laurie Cardoza-Moore, president and founder of PJTN noted: "Not only have we been relentless in exposing the BDS movement and its leaders as anti-Semitic, but it is inherently antithetical and deeply damaging to the cause of peace, justice, equality, democracy, and human rights for the

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Proclaiming Justice to the Nations (PJTN), a 501c3 non-profit organization, was established to educate Christians about their Biblical responsibility to stand Emmy Award winning film producer and co-founder or Proclaiming Justice To The Nations, Stan Moore

people of Israel. The movement also threatens Palestinian jobs".

She continued: "This docu-tainment film is PJTN's next step to expose the lies of the boycott Israel movement".

He learned about the increasingly violent protests and intimidation tactics used against proIsrael students.

and university campuses, before civic groups, as well as churches and synagogues around the globe.

Hating Israel: In Search of The Truth Behind BDS will have its global release in the fall. The film will have a limited theatrical release in the U.S. and Europe and will air in over 200 nations, reaching over 950 million viewers globally. The film will also be screened on college

with their Jewish brethren and Israel, utilizing powerful film and video presentations, a variety of grassroots rallies, events and speaking engagements to facilitate dialogue between the Christian and Jewish communities in support of the State of Israel and against global genocidal anti-Semitism. In recent months the organization has led the struggle against BDS in America with a wave of state resolutions and the upcoming release of a new documentary film that will expose the truth behind the BDS movement.

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Calendar of Events Mud Volleyball registration NOW OPEN

2016 Mud Volleyball. Athens Swan Creek Park. Saturday, July 16 at 9:00 AM. Why play Mud Volleyball for CASA of Limestone County? Mud Volleyball is CASA’s primary fundraising event each year. Your fee is used to provide services for homebound seniors. Primary services include transportation to medical appointments, construction of wheelchair ramps, winterization, etc. CASA depends on outstanding volunteers who provide these services. You may register by coming to the CASA office at 912 West Pryor St., Athens, Al. Mailing registration to CASA at P. O. Box 749, Athens, AL. 35612 or Register online. Please call Glynda Walker (CASA Director) at 256-777-1038 for more information or email her at casalimestone@gmail.com.

Ardmore Lions Club Tractor and Truck Pull Jun 17th-18th

John Barns Park, Ardmore Ridge Road, Ardmore, TN. The engines will rev and the dirt will fly as the tractors and trucks pull the grounds of John Barnes Park starting at 7:00PM. Classes: Light Super Stock Tractors, Heavy Super Stock Tractors, Limited Pro Stock Tractors, 6200 TWD Trucks, 9300 Super Farm Tractors, P4=PSFWD TrucksAdmission $10.00 each night 6 & Under FREE, No Rain Checks * No Refunds http://www.eclubhouse.org/sites/ardmoretn/projects.php

Emma Clark Memorial Cruise-In Jun 21st

Athens Big Spring Memorial Park, 106 North Beaty Street, Athens, AL. Whether you have a cool car, or just want to enjoy an evening at the park, you are invited! Join Team Victory 4 All for a "Summer Night Cruise-In for Emma Clark" from 5:30PM-8:00PM. Emma who has been fighting a second cancer for many months at St. Jude in Memphis has lost her battle.

Team Victory would like to raise money for the family and be an encouragement to them by gathering as a community in her honor. The Athens Optimist Club will be grilling hamburgers and Brain Freeze will be there with ice cream to cool you off.

Bring a chair and hang out with us. There will have an open 50/50 drawing, some door prizes, and books written by Emma's mom Katie Clark for sale. One hundred percent of what we raise for this event will go to the family. If you can't come, but would like to make a donation, you can mail a check made out to TV4A, earmark it "Emma Clark", to 24900 Savannah Trail, Athens, AL 35613. There is no registration, just come and park. We are hoping to have some informal pickin' and grinnin' sessions through the evening, so if you've got a cool car to show, or if you can strum a cool tune, or just have a cool bag chair to sit in, bring what you've got and join us.

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Athens Lions Club Kiddie Carnival Jun 23rd, 24th & 25th

309 East Forrest Street, Athens, AL. Join the Athens Lions Club Thurs - Sat from 6:30PM-9:30PM for 10 rides including a small ferris wheel, rocket ships, swings, carousel, train, roller coaster, parachute rides, bigger swings and the scrambler. Also we have bingo and concessions available. We serve sandwiches, french fries, popcorn, sno cones, funnel cakes and drinks. Tokens to ride are $.50 each and all monies go to local charities.

Minor Hill Rodeo Jun 24th - 25th

Minor Hill Park Ag-Grounds, 13200 Minor Hill Hwy, Minor Hill, TN. Approximately 10 Minutes from Lester, AL. City of Minor Hill presents our 13th Annual Rodeo starting at 8:00pm each night.

Cal Ripkin State Baseball Tournament Jun 24th - 28th

Athens SportsPlex, U.S. Highway 31, Athens, AL. Approximately 30 Teams from all over Alabama will compete during the Cal Ripkin State Baseball Tournament.

Singing on the Square July 1st

Limestone County Courthouse, Marion Street, Athens, AL. Join Athens-Limestone County Tourism and sponor Jimmy Smith Buick GMC for a free concert starts at 6:00PM with DJs and Friends. Be sure to bring your camp chair. For more information: http://www.visitathensal.com/3/singin-on-the-square.htm

5K Training Program Jul 7th

Have you ever wanted to run a 5K but had no idea how to prepare?

Here is a class to teach you how. Registration is currently open through June 30th. Kickoff meeting is July 7th and training will begin July 11th. Register for this training program through the City of Athens Parks and Recreation Department at 256-233-8740.

For more information about the program, contact Eric Patterson at ericdpatterson@yahoo.com.

WILLPower Race of Champions 5K Run / Walk 2016 Jul 30th

Will Haney Foundation Race of Champions. USTAF Certified.

Open to all ages. 7am sign in, 8am run/walk, 1 mile fun run immediately following, 10am Awards. Water and refreshments will be provided. 5k is $25 and Fun Run is $15. Tshirt included and guaranteed to all who pre-register by July 15th. Register online at www.willhaneyfoundation.org.

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June 17 - June 30, 2016

June 17 - June 30, 2016

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The View From The Bridge

The Next Chapter . . . Turn The Page!

by Jackie Warner Jackie Warner

Community Outreach “Impact, Engage, Grow” Community Matters

It’s so hard to say goodbye to what we know, even if there is good to come. It is as if we get stuck and can’t move forward. Why is this so true?

Well, in our present and current situation, we know what we have, we know where we are, even though it is not really where we want to be. We still know. As we contemplate making a change in our lives, or moving to the next chapter, we stall, stop, straddle the fence, or make excuses for not

being able to turn the page. It is truly hard, but we all know it is necessary. Going through to get through is tough, and retreating to what is familiar is what we do.

Sometimes we can stay too long.

I am reminded of Lot’s wife.

Genesis 19:17 When they had brought them outside, one said, "Escape for your life! Do not look behind you, and do not stay anywhere in the valley; escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away."

Genesis 19:26 But his wife, from behind him, looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.

So often, when we decide to leave what we know so well and finally press go and turn the page, we think we are starting over but actually we are progressing. Yes, the page turns, but we have not lost anything.

We take it with us. We merely gain: the good, the bad, and if we allow it, perspective to help us in this next chapter.

Some tips: •Stop trying to control the uncontrollable things in life.

•Change is good.

Breathe, and then let go.

•Sift through it all, and then sift again; keep the

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good.

•Take calculated and informed risks.

•Life lessons: cherish them but learn from them.

•Accept and move on.

•You can’t get there if you don’t go.

Don’t let one chapter in your life define your whole life. Remember: You can’t start the next chapter if you continue to keep reading the last one.

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

June 17 - June 30, 2016

June 17 - June 30, 2016

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From the Alabama Veterans’ Museum

I Hear Footsteps Behind Me!

by Sandra Thompson, Director, Alabama Veterans’ Museum

It has been said that “imitation is the highest form of flattery.” If that is the case, a few weeks ago the museum was paid one of the highest compliments to date. Our Board of Directors President, his wife Michaela, my son Drew, and I attended the first Veterans’ Appreciation breakfast in Clinton, TN. This breakfast was modeled after our monthly Coffee Call.

One of our regular guests at Coffee Call is veteran Bill Ward. Over the years when his parents’ visits coincided with the Veterans’ Breakfast, he would bring his dad. He was so impressed with the breakfast and the museum, that he wanted one in Clinton, Tennessee, (Anderson County) where he lives. After several years of trying and running into dead ends, he convinced the County Mayor Terry Frank, (head of the county government), and the Veterans Affairs officer Leon Jaquet, to come to Athens and look at our museum. Of course the trip was arranged to coincide with the monthly coffee call. Terry Frank was so impressed that she immediately said that she wanted to do a breakfast in Anderson County. Terry has worked diligently to get this off of the ground. The first breakfast, which was held on May 14th, was a huge success, with approximately 100 attending. Terry and her husband sponsored the first breakfast and sponsors for the next four months are already lined up. The town of Clinton is providing the facility for the breakfast.

As Terry stated to Bill, "Your dad's hope of a museum and monthly breakfast for Vet-

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erans in Anderson County is off to a good start!” She is doing everything in her power to make a museum a reality.

Bill Ward, Sr. grew up in the panhandle of Florida. He entered the Navy at the age of seventeen and celebrated his eighteenth birthday in basic training. He was assigned to the destroyer O'Brien, (DD415) which left the Atlantic fleet to transfer to the Pacific fleet in November 1941. They arrived at Pearl Harbor on the evening of Dec 6, 1941 (great timing). Besides surviving the Pearl Harbor attack, his ship was involved in the Battle of the Coral Seas, Battle of Midway, and the Battle of the Solomon Seas. During the Solomon Seas battle, they took a torpedo that blew off the bow.

They went to Espiritu Santo for temporary repairs, proceeded to Noumea for further repairs, and were cleared to return to the west coast for permanent repairs. The damage suffered in the torpedo attack was more severe than

previously thought; it broke in two, and sank off of Samoa.

He received the Purple Heart for wounds received during a Japanese air attack. He was on an antiaircraft gun which was hit with several killed and the rest wounded. His rank at time of separation was Boatswain Mate 2nd class (BM2C.) Bill Ward, Jr. grew up in Anderson county Tennessee and entered the Air Force Sep 29, 1966 at the age of seventeen, and also celebrated his eighteenth birthday in basic training. During his career, he worked as ground radio repair, aircraft maintenance control, aircraft scheduler, software development for Maintenance Management Information Control System (MMICS), quality control instructor for cargo prep for airlift, hazardous cargo trainer, NATO driver instructor, Forward Air controller, (both airborne and ground), night director of Air Support Operations Center (ASOC), and first sergeant. He traveled to all of 50 states, as

Bill Ward, Boatswain Mate 2nd class (BM2C), US Navy well as 105 foreign countries, and retired as a MSgt. Wow!!!

Bill Ward, Sr. told a story that really hit home while we were visiting him in Clinton.

Seems there was a very old man building a bridge across

a river, a stranger came up to him and asked “Old man, why are you worrying about building that bridge? By the time you finish you will be too old to use it.” The wise old man replied, “Yes, but I hear footsteps behind me!”

Bill Ward Sr., Boatswain Mate 2nd class (BM2C), US Navy and Bill Ward Jr., MSgt, USAF www.athensnowal.com

June 17 - June 30, 2016

June 17 - June 30, 2016

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Clean and Green

Were You Smarter Than Our 5th Graders? Here Are The Answers!

by Lynne Hart In an April issue of Athens Now, our Clean and Green article asked if you were smarter than our local 5th graders. We now have our answer!

Congratulations to Marcy Hamilton and Kathleen Cutting, who each answered all of the quiz questions correctly!

Marcy’s name was drawn for the prize package, but Kathleen will receive a gift as well.

recycled. Our city and county schools recycled nearly 130 tons of paper products during this past school year. That is 2,210 trees spared in one year by our school systems alone!

60% of respondents answered correctly.

Marcy Hamilton, winner of the prize package, and her newly-adopted dog, Dovey. Marcy's was one of only two fully correct entries!

7. Once an aluminum can is recycled, how long will it take for it to become a fresh, new can on a store shelf?

Several people took the quiz and came close, but did not end up in the winner’s circle.

That’s ok, because the purpose of this quiz was to get you thinking about the topics.

Our winners may be just that smart, or they may have taken advantage of the ability to look up the answers. Either way, we now know what you DO know and what you may NOT know.

In just 6 short weeks, a recycled aluminum can will be processed, formed, and back on the store shelves. 64% of respondents answered correctly.

Here are the questions and the correct answers from the quiz: 1. If you leave litter under the bleacher seat at a sporting event, is that littering even though someone may be paid to come and clean up?

The answer is YES. It is never someone else’s job to clean up after us. We should all take responsibility for our own trash.

100% of respondents answered correctly.

2. How many times can glass bottles and jars be recycled without losing quality?

Glass can be recycled ENDLESSLY without losing quality. That is why I personally try to purchase items in glass containers rather than plastic.

Plastic can be toxic and never goes away. 98% of respondents answered correctly.

3. What percentage of all plastic created makes its way to the ocean?

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10% of all plastic EVER MADE makes its way to the ocean -10% from the very first plastic item created to the last one created today. It is so very important to recycle every plastic bottle and jar so the materials can be reused in new products.

31% of respondents answered correctly.

4. If you find a sick or injured bird, is it ok to take it home to nurse back to health?

It is not ok, particularly if the bird is a raptor. These birds will imprint on the caregiver very quickly and then rely on humans for providing food, causing them to live out their lives in captivity. These birds will never be able to survive in the wild.

If you find an injured bird, visit https://www.awrc.org/ and look for the “Found an Animal?” section of the page and follow the instructions. 93% of respondents answered correctly.

5. Approximately 40 species of snakes live in Alabama. How many of them are venomous?

There are 6 venomous snakes: Water Moccasin (or Cottonmouth), Copperhead, Coral Snake, Timber Rattler, Eastern Diamondback Rattler, and Pigmy Rattler. 62% of respondents answered correctly.

6. How many trees are saved from being destroyed for every ton of paper recycled?

17 trees are spared from being cut down for every ton of paper

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8. Which of the following statements is true about native plants? You may choose multiple answers. A) They provide the right food for native insects, birds, and wildlife. B) They are adapted to the local environment and require less care. C) They will not attract non-native insects and wildlife which could disrupt the balance of the ecosystem. D) They will not become invasive and choke out your garden.

All 4 answers are correct! Two invasive plants, Kudzu and Chinese Privet, were both brought in from China – one for erosion control and one as an or-

namental shrub. Both have become extremely invasive and troublesome. 90% selected answers A and B, but only 45% of respondents selected all four.

9. What very important pollinator is suffering from Colony Collapse Disorder?

Honey bees have been affected by this disorder, causing serious concern. Honey bees are one of our most important pollinators which we rely upon for our food production. 100% of respondents answered correctly.

10. Name three things that trees provide that make them vitally important to humans and our environment.

We received a variety of correct answers. Trees are literally the lungs of the earth, providing oxygen and removing carbon dioxide and pollutants from the air and water. Trees also provide food, shelter, help prevent soil erosion, and cool the earth by absorbing the sun’s heat. We also rely on trees for fuel and building materials.

Thanks to all who participated and congratulations to our winners! Watch for more quizzes and information by following us on Facebook!

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com June 17 - June 30, 2016

Cooking with Shelley

Cool Summer Fruit Salad

by Shelley Underhill

This is a cool summer dish to take to your next picnic or BBQ. It is a mixture of both fresh and canned fruit.

Serve with a topping of whipped cream, or a scoop of vanilla ice cream; either goes well with this dish. Let me know if you try it.

You can email me at shelleysdesk@gmail.com.

Cool Summer Fruit Salad 1 jar of cherries 1 can of pineapple chunks 1 large can of mandarin oranges 1 large can of sliced peaches 1 pint of blueberries Drain all juice from fruit, mix together well. Refrigerate for several hours serve with whipped cream or ice cream.

Enjoy!

June 17 - June 30, 2016

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Health and Fitness

Reducing Sodium In Your Diet

by Janet Hunt Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment.

It is probably time to decrease the sodium content of your diet.

Sodium chloride, or salt, is the most common food preservative. Therefore, it is added to most of our foods. The 2015 Dietary Guidelines recommends that the general population limit sodium to less than 2,300 mg/day. Additionally, if you have high blood pressure or have been diagnosed with prehypertension, you should limit your daily sodium intake to less than 1,500 mg/day.

Unfortunately, most Americans age 2 years and older consume more than 3,400 mg/day; nearly twice the recommended amount! This is a concern because excessive sodium intake is linked to increased risk for stroke and heart attack in some people.

There is some good news related to sodium and your diet. Sodium is found in high quantities in foods we shouldn’t be eating that much of to begin with: processed, packaged, and fast foods. So, if you stick to whole foods and ingredients such as whole grains, legumes, fruits, vegetables and dairy, you’ll automatically start paring down your sodium intake.

Sodium is everywhere in our diet and sometimes hard to avoid. However, nutrition labels do list sodium amounts and food manufacturers must follow strict guide-

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pasta and cereal mixes, which usually have added salt.

•Convenience foods: avoid when possible. If unavoidable, choose those that are lower in sodium. Reduce frozen dinners, mixed dishes like pizza, packaged mixes, canned soups, broths, and salad dressings.

lines on their products.

Because food labels are somewhat confusing and misleading, some definitions are listed below: •Sodium free: Less than 5 mg per serving* •Low sodium: 140 mg or less per serving* •Reduced sodium: 25 percent less sodium than appropriate reference group •Light in sodium: 50 percent less sodium than appropriate reference group •No Salt Added: Unsalted but must also declare “This is not a sodiumfree food” •Lightly salted: 50 percent less sodium than normally added to appropriate reference food * Note the serving size on the label.

Sodium is pretty easy to identify in typically high-salt foods such as frozen dinners, canned goods, and packaged snack foods. But many other foods might not be so obvious. For exam-

ple, meat in its pure animal flesh form has a limited amount of naturally occurring salt. However, meat processors often inject meat and poultry with a salt solution to increase bulk, tenderness and flavor. Other meat products may have salty marinades or sauces added to them.

Below are some tips for reducing your sodium.

olives, sauerkraut), and condiments (mustard, horseradish, ketchup, BBQ sauce).

Limit even lower-sodium versions of soy sauce and teriyaki sauce because these are still high in sodium.

•Starches: Cook rice, pasta, and hot cereals without salt. Limit instant or flavored rice,

•Canned foods: Rinse canned foods, such as tuna and canned beans, to remove approximately one-third of the sodium.

•Spices: Use spices instead of salt. Flavor foods with herbs, spices, lemon, lime, vinegar, or salt-free seasoning blends.

Remember to always read labels when in doubt. If you still need assistance, talk to a registered dietician, or a certified health coach.

•Condiments: select low- or reduced-sodium or no-salt added varieties.

•Vegetables: select fresh, frozen or canned (low-sodium or no-saltadded).

•Protein: select fresh poultry, fish and lean meat, rather than canned, smoked or processed.

•Cereals: select readyto-eat breakfast cereals that are lower in sodium •Cured foods: limit cured foods (bacon ham, deli meats), foods packed in brine (pickles, pickled vegetables,

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June 17 - June 30, 2016

Athens Rehabilitation And Senior Care Center Spotlight On Miss Betty Buckley

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Betty Buckley is a happy woman born in the South, raised in the North, and finally made it back home. She is one of the most positive, joyful people I have ever met. If I were given just one word to describe her, it would be either “unsinkable,” or “irrepressible.” Born in Hammond, VA in 1948, Betty grew up in a solid Midwestern home, and her father was the first to come down to Athens for work. Her mom soon followed, as did the rest of the family, and Athens

June 17 - June 30, 2016

is most definitely home. She did spend close to 30 years in Florida with her husband and raising her kids, but eventually everybody ended up here.

“They came in waves,” she says of her tribe.

Betty married at the age of 15, and said with a twinkle in her eye, “I didn’t have to, either. It was just that back in 1963, that was pretty common, and really, all I ever wanted to be was a wife and mom. And, I stayed married to the same man!”

I have a feeling that she was great in those most important roles, and when her kids were school age, she worked in the Yumatilla, FL school system as a teacher’s assistant, and got so good at it, that when a woman with whom she had worked was ill, the school specifically contacted her to take the class for a full month. The teacher said that she wouldn’t trust anyone else with her kids.

She lived in England for 5 years, has had a fascinating life, and then the time came

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when her full time occupation was caring for her mother until she passed. I asked her if she was with her mom at that moment, and her face shone as she said, “Oh, yes, we all were, and I know where she is.”

Such are the many gifts when a family that loves each other is present for a “home going.”

She told me that one of the blessings of having to become such an excellent caregiver for her mom was that it prepared her to face her own health challenges, which has been a pretty substantial undertaking. She has had rare, complex and extensive problems with her aorta, and really shouldn’t still be here, according to the statistics. “But, I have a job to do,” she said again with that infectious smile, and while she is currently still in a wheelchair, she is determined to walk again.

She raves about the care that she has gotten at Athens Rehab, and she has been here since March 31st. She was in a different facility, and on the last possible day of her care contract, a place opened up at Athens Rehab. “This is where I wanted to be. Everyone has been ‘super-duper.’ When I saw Washington Street from my window, I knew I was going to be ok.” The day we met, she had just gotten the news that an apartment had opened up which is exactly where she wanted to live, and her son and the rest of the family will be helping. I asked her if there was anyone she especially wanted to acknowledge at the Center, and she said, like the

good mom she is, “Oh, yes.

I already told them when I found out we were going to be doing this article. I didn’t want anyone to be left out, so what I am going to say here, is, ‘You know who you are.’”

We moved on to favorites.

Favorite Color? “Blue-green, or peacock. I like blue, I like green, so ‘peacock’ works best.”

Favorite food? “Spaghetti, my recipe I learned when I was a kid. It’s simple, and so good.”

Favorite movie? “Gone With The Wind.”

Favorite book? Not surprisingly, “Gone With The Wind.”

Favorite actor and actress?

“Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn. They just don’t make ‘em like that anymore.”

Favorite scripture? John 3:16.

“I grew up in Camp Meetings and Vacation Bible School, and loved them.”

Favorite song? “Onward Christian Soldiers, and the Old Rugged Cross.” We took a couple of moments to sing, “And the Cross made the difference for me” before we moved on.

Favorite President? “JFK.” Biggest change in her lifetime?

“For good or bad, I would have to say the Internet.”

Advice to young people? “Appreciate everything you have, and everyone you know.”

Words of wisdom from a joyful warrior. And Miss Betty, we wish you the very best in your new place.

Page 15

Cover Story

The Tenth Annual Elk River Boat Party: An Anniversary Celebration For The Whole Family

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

an, came up with the idea of starting a summertime family friendly boat party on the Elk River. Although it started out small, now the annual Elk River Boat Party attracts upward of 300 boats, and is a highlight of the summer for boating families in North Alabama. This year it will be held on Saturday, July 2nd, and will go from 3pm until dark.

Mike has a custom built home on the river, known as the General Jackson. He, his kids, and his sweetheart, Bridgett Browning, greatly enjoy throwing the party for the community. They are all committed to making this 10-year celebration the best ever, and started working hard to pull it all together back in February. When Mike first built the two-story

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boat pier for the General Jackson, he knew the upper floor was the perfect place to have a band play live music. The sound carried across the water, and was its own best advertising. They found a great Huntsville based band called Kozmic Mama to come play for the inaugural event, and “Mama” has been coming to the party ever since. Kozmic Mama has opened for such legendary artists as Bob Dylan and Gladys Knight for performances held at the Von Braun Center, and is considered to be one of the best bands in the area. Their genre is everything from blues to rock to R&B, and they perform songs made famous by everyone from Janis Joplin to James Brown to the Staple Singers. They also have a solid repertoire of original music, all of which gets woven into the playlist for the evening’s concert. Most importantly,

the playlist, like the party itself, is family friendly. At the end of the concert, Mike and Bridgett get on jet skis, go out to each boat, thank the guests for coming, and give out commemorative koozies.

Here are some comments from sponsors as well as guests with regard to the party: • “It is an enjoyable annual event that we look forward to so we can just listen and dance to the music with our family and friends.” — Connie and Phil Carpenter, Giles County Furniture

every year.” — J.J. Brindley, Brindley Construction • “I really enjoy the boat party and would like to see it continue in coming years. This is a fun event everyone looks forward to.” — Allen Johnson, Allen Johnson Farms, LLC • “We always look forward to the boat party! It’s become a fun tradition. It’s awesome from our view to look out and see all the boats tied off

together and folks celebrating together, and of course the scenery, just beautiful.

Throughout the year we run into folks that heard us on the river and they make it a point to be there every year.

It’s just a really special gig to us, and so are the people we do it for!!!” — Carla Russell, Kozmic Mama • “The Annual Elk River Boat Party is just good clean fun for everyone! There is

• “This is a great event.

Mike and Bridgett put a lot of ‘behind the scenes’ work into making this event happen. This is an event that anyone can attend. This is an awesome event that I personally enjoy being a part of and look forward to hearing an awesome band each and

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June 17 - June 30, 2016

21 to enter, and do not need to be present to win. Proceeds from the raffle will go to the Rogersville Volunteer Fire Department. “They do so much for us, and we wanted to do something special for the community for this 10th anniversary,” said Bridgett.

As you can imagine, putting on an event of this size takes several sponsors, some of whose enthusiasm was expressed above. The list of sponsors has grown every year, and there are several new sponsors that the organizers wanted to make sure felt welcome. They include: Randy Michael of Athens Aluminum, Allen Johnson of Allen Johnson Farms, LLC, Steve Knox of Steve’s Barber Shop, Rogersville Hardware, and Ryan McKee of Tobacco Express. nothing like it—tying up with several boats on a hot afternoon filled with music.

It is undoubtedly an event we look forward to every year. We sponsor it because it’s the best party on the river. Safe, fun and wellorganized, we anxiously await every year to see the banners go up. It just keeps getting bigger and better every year. If you have never been, you must come out,

because you’ll never miss this party ever again.” — Greg and Shonn Lunn, New South Concrete • “It’s one of the first boat parties on Anderson Creek and has become a 4th of July tradition that many have come to look forward to and enjoy each year.” — Travis Lewter, Advanced Electrical • “We love the Boat Party because, the generosity of Mike

2016 Sponsors

Mike Jackson — Mike Jackson Home Builders New South Concrete — Greg & Shonn Lunn Giles County Furniture — Phil and Connie Carpenter Gerald’s Auto Body — Gerald and Sheila Martin 72 Roadhouse McCrary Endodontics — Paul McCrary Elk River Market and Beverage Growing Younger — Jamey Wagnon Quality Vinyl Advanced Electrical — Travis & Kelley Lewter D&D Marine Grayson Carter & Son — Halston Carter Classic Signs Twice the Ice — Chuck Moore Fat Cat’s Seafood JJ Brindley — Brindley Construction Brenda Wilson, Broker, Realty and Auction LLC, The Pointe

New Sponsors This Year

Randy Michael of Athens Aluminum Allen Johnson — Allen Johnson Farms, LLC Steve Knox — Steve’s Barber Shop Rogersville Hardware Ryan McKee — Tobacco Express

June 17 - June 30, 2016

and Bridget Jackson bringing good friends together for the last 10 years has bonded this community in a way that makes it such a great place to live. Anyone that lives in this community looks forward to July every year because of the open generosity and welcoming spirit of this lovely couple.” — Barry and Lori Goff Mike has estimated that close to 3,500 people have attended in more than 300 boats, and this year the number is expected to go higher, perhaps reaching as much as 4,000.

“This year, with it being on the 2nd of July, there will

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be people arriving on Friday night and staying through ‘til Sunday or Monday. People are starting to plan their vacations around this,” he said.

Kids can go water skiing, ski boarding, and the AL Marine Police as well as the Rescue Squad will be on duty, watching out for everyone. As a way of saying a huge thank you to our first responders, there will be a raffle for a fully loaded Yeti cooler that will be given away at the 72 Roadhouse on the evening of June 24th during the sponsor appreciation meet and greet party. Raffle tickets cost $10, you must be

The only way to get to the party is by boat, and the directions are as follows: from the Tennessee River, go north on the Elk River and under Lee Hi Bridge (U.S. 72 bridge). Turn left into Anderson Creek and the party is on the right. The nearest boat launch is the Lee Hi Bridge boat launch.

For more information, go to 10th Annual Elk River Boat Party on Facebook and then get yourself to the celebration, even if you have to hitch a ride!

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Summer Learning Fun

by Wanda Campbell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 For the past two weeks, the Center for Lifelong Learning has been hosting summer camps for children.

Last week there was an archery camp for 8 to 12 year olds. The Archery Camp focused on form and shooting. More than that, the kids learned range safety, eye dominance, and how to set up a shooting range. All of the equipment was provided so kids could come and try archery for the first time. Camp was limited to 20 students, and it maxed out.

This week we have kids in Decatur and in Athens.

In Decatur, Ancient Art camp is at the Alabama Center for the Arts. This camp is for 5-7 year olds.

They explored cave drawings, investigated hieroglyphs, and even uncover lost civilizations. It was a time for creativity.

rolled in “From Cows to Cotton” went to visit Mr. Darryl Adams’ cows. Mrs. Wynell Britton helped us find the farm and told the kids about all the things cows provide for us, like, leather, glue, meat, milk and so much more. Mr. Adams let the kids pet on some of the tamer cows and told the kids about moving the cows between the pastures.

It was an exciting morning.

But that was not the end of it; after visiting the cows, the kids went to Isom’s Orchard. There they were treated with a chance to pick their own peaches!

There are more camps coming at the Center for Lifelong Learning. Next week will feature Stop Motion Animation, ages 8-13

and Smart Photography, ages 10 and up.

July 28-30, we will host the CSI Camp. This camp is for 11-12th grade and college students. The camp is an exploration of forensics – blood, bones, and handwriting. Camp is scheduled

from 9:00am – 12:00pm.

Even though the month is over, that does not end the camp opportunities.

The month of July we will host five more camps – July 11-15, from 9:00am – 12:00pm; Chess, ages 8-12, Art Explorers, ages

8-12, and Ancient Art, ages 12 and up. July 1822, from 1:00-4:00pm we will host the Great Brick Adventure for ages 5-13.

Check out the website – www.athens.edu/CLL - or give us a call at 256-2338262.

The Athens camp, “From Cows to Cotton,” was an exploration of farming.

The kids went on field trips every day. Monday, the kids went to the Farmers Co-op. They picked out plants for their garden.

We want to thank the folks at the Farmers Coop, John Curtis and Amy Wright, for their help. After the Co-op, the kids went to the extension office to find information about how to plant their new plants.

Susan Smith and Camilla Greene were very helpful.

They shared pamphlets and talked to the kids about the services they offer.

On Tuesday, the kids en-

Page 18

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June 17 - June 30, 2016

What Makes Ronnie Roll

Effective “Followership”

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

When I met with Mayor Ronnie this week, the murders in Orlando had happened the day before, and we were both sobered by it. We talked about all the possibilities, reasonable and otherwise, that one might consider as a response to that situation in Orlando; everything from open carry, to stricter gun laws, to jihad, to ISIS, to concealed carry, to the encroachment of Sharia law upon our nation, as well the temptation of anyone in any position to surrender to fear, which is the whole point of jihad. For every mayor, whether their city is large or small, their number one concern is public safety, and

June 17 - June 30, 2016

these are not easy times for anyone who has been given the sacred charge of protecting.

We talked about the fact that the most important thing that people can do is learn to live confidently in a state of situational awareness. It simply means that even in a place as safe as Athens, day or night, the skill, the gut, the mindset has to be that wherever you are, you continually pay attention to your surroundings, and if you see something, say something. You do not take unnecessary risks, and you do all you can to be citizen who “keeps watch, and keeps safe.”

We talked about leader-

ship, as well as a concept set forth in a recent Rotarian magazine entitled, “Best In A Supporting Role.” That concept calls for the coining of a new term, and that is “followership.” The idea is that we spend so much time learning about how to be a good leader, and we should. But there is an equal, and perhaps even greater, level of skill involved in being a good follower. It is not being like a sheep, having no opinion, being a “yes man,” a slave, or a sycophant. It is developing the understanding that you still lead by following if you do it right.

You are the one who ultimately makes the desired outcome possible,

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and really, in so many ways, leadership and followership “flow and go,” and are interchangeable.

To quote the article’s author, Steve Almond, “The hallmarks of the effective follower are precisely this: an ability to check your ego at the door, to remain positive and self-motivated even if you’re not setting the agenda.” True leadership demands a checking of one’s ego, and so does true followership.

There was something in the article that especially spoke to Mayor Ronnie, and it was this: “Good followers have to be committed to the mission of the group, and they have to be compe-

tent in their given role…

Good followers have to be able to work independently and maintain their ethical standards.”

“We need, now more than ever, to be committed to the ‘mission’ that is Athens. We are in an election season, and we have great opportunities to get in new leaders in new positions.” He went on to reiterate his mantra, which is, “It ain’t-a me, it’s a we.”

We then prayed intensely for our town and its mission, for our country and its leaders, for our families and our friends.

Then, it was time once again for Ronnie to roll.

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Horse Whispering

Horses Dispel Human Nonsense

by Deb Kitchenmaster Every relationship in your life can be healed. You can personally experience reconciliation in a relationship that seems impossible. It always begins with you. I know this is a bold statement, and you will need courage to choose to face truth, KNOW the truth, speak the truth to yourself, and to be completely honest with yourself. But you can.

As life comes from sperm fertilizing an egg, choosing how we live our lives comes when the Spirit of God and the soul of man connect. The home of forming life is the womb.

The home of health (how we live) is our choice. God himself says He sets before us life and death and instructs us to choose life; however, it is our choice.

When I am connecting with a horse, I can either choose to be a predator or a partner. When I am connecting with a person, I choose to react or to respond. If my choice is to be a predator or reactor, my actions will be generated by fear. If my choice is to be a partner or responder, my actions will be generated by love.

It takes a huge AWARENESS inside yourself, because it is easier to take things personally and react the way you always react.

This only leads you to a lot of mistakes and more suffering and pain, because reactions only generate more emotional poison and increase the drama.

Reaction comes from a belief that is deep inside, has been repeated thousands of times, and has become a routine. However, once we have AWARENESS,

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we connect with the “feet” of our soul (which is our will) and begin to walk out of fear and into love; out of reacting and being a predator into responding in love as a partner. This describes relationship versus programming. “We’ve always done it this way,” transforms into, “I have awakened to a new way of being.”

One of the sessions I had re-

touching your arm, saying, “Hey, this is way cool, just hanging out,” to a gentle breeze sweeping across your face, sweat dripping from your forehead, a songbird singing a song that soothes your mind, the rhythm of your own breathing, or that of your horse.

This session is about “presence.” Yours. A PowerPoint comes across the screen of your mind and you un-

or “to BE aware,” as you enjoy a session with a herd of horses, you begin to log what it is you are noticing.

I refer to this type of session as an “awareness” or “wake-up” session. It’s fun and inspiring to be included in one’s discoveries that horses are willing to share.

For example, observations written down on paper was the way the horses showed my client how to set bound-

can’t.” “It’s impossible.”

•As part of my soul, I have a free-will. No one can take my power of choice from me, as no human gave it to me. I was created in the image and likeness of Perfect, Unfailing Love and Love always provides a space to choose. Always!

3.It’s my job to meet the demands of others out of obligation or fear of punishment.

•I choose to live in the flow of supply. Freely I receive. Freely I give.

4.My life is about doing, productivity, proving, and performing.

•Inside me is a place called stillness. I choose to say “yes” and enter this stillness. It is here all judgments must leave, and I rest in being the Beloved daughter/ son of Perfect, Unfailing Love.

5.I need to protect myself.

I choose to build walls.

cently was about horse and human spending time together, “not doing.” Horses are particularly good at this. This type of session holds value to silencing the demands of “get this done, do this, fix that, or work on this” and connecting with “supply.” The source of supply could be anything from the awareness of a horse swishing its tail, the sounds of a grazing horse, the softness of a muzzle

derstand the simplicity of standing still. This “not-socomfortable” experience of standing still can lead us into a stillness that is inside us, a stillness where judgment cannot exist. When that voice of judgment gets silenced, a whole new arena opens to knowing goodness and well-being. This type of session is holistic in the way that less is more.

With clipboard in hand, and an assignment to “notice”

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aries with each other, while remaining intimately connected to each other.

These are five of the human nonsenses that horses dispel: 1.Fear is keeping me from enjoying and living my life.

•Perfect, Unfailing Love casts out all fear. As long as there is breath in me, I get to choose. I choose love.

2.“I don’t know how.” “I

•I let my “yes” be yes, and my “no” be no. I choose to build healthy relationships because I enjoy the sense of wellbeing more than offense.

Let go of nonsense, and enjoy the vibrant sense of well-being.

Your NEIGHbor, Deb Kitchenmaster Corral Connections www.corralconnections.com ‘A church of great heart’ 256-426-7947 Animal B.E.S.T. practitioner dkitchenmaster@mchsi.com

June 17 - June 30, 2016

Fitness, Fiscally Speaking

Helping to Secure the Future of Your Business

By Wayne Kuykendall, Financial Services Representative with Strategic Financial Partners, an office of MetLife.

We all know that successful entrepreneurs are highly motivated people, prized as job creators in our communities and respected for their drive, hard work, and practical know-how.

Among the many rewards of being a successful business owner – along with all the responsibilities -- is the ability to provide a desirable life-style for family, including educational, social and financial opportunities for children that might not be possible without the resources the business provides. In other words, success in business presents an opportunity to leave a legacy. It seems surprising at first glance, then, that practical and successful business owners often find themselves at a critical juncture in their lives and business careers with no plan in place to preserve the financial engine of that legacy, the business itself.

Not only is the legacy imperiled by lack of professional planning, but so might any future business income that may be counted on by the owner during his or her retirement years.

Unfortunately, instead of having a well-thought-out plan to keep the business viable despite the impact of predictable life events such as retirement or passing away, or even unpredictable ones, such as incurring a disability, some owners find themselves trying to patch together a plan at the wrong time - when they are under pressure to do so. Up until that time, the business owner – and perhaps his or her partner(s) -- may be engaged in “fantasy planning.” In other words, they have an idea about the future of the business, but yet have nothing appropriate on paper. Real succession planning needs to be robust. It requires candid discussions with partners, senior employees and fam-

June 17 - June 30, 2016

ily members, as well as implementation assistance from financial and legal professionals. There may be some costs involved, but any cost is likely to be minimal relative to the stakes that are involved. Effective succession planning means the business goes on after you leave it, and that you and your family can benefit financially from it because it continues to be profitable and well managed.

Deciding on someone to succeed you can entail discussions with a partner or partners, with senior employees, with family members, or with someone else you may select. It is important to be as objective as possible about the qualifications of a successor, even if it is a family member. Remember that you and other family members, as well as employees and customers, will benefit most from having competent management at the helm of the business when you’re no longer there.

Buy-Sell Agreements As part of a business succession plan, you may want to consider a buy-sell

agreement as an integral part of your overall strategy. A buy-sell agreement is a legal document that defines the rights of buyers and sellers with regard to interests in a business.

Most importantly it does the following: • Identifies in writing who will succeed you and thus sets up a smooth transition of ownership.

• Determines when a buyout will be triggered. You get to determine the appropriate triggering events to incorporate into your buysell agreement. Besides the death or disability of an owner, you might consider a divorce, or a bankruptcy, or the termination of employment or retirement as triggers that put the agreement into effect.

• Finally, it’s important for the buy-sell agreement to set forth a method of valuing the business. The method chosen (dollar amount or formula) for valuation should reflect the input of professional legal and tax advisors How will it be funded?

It’s great to have the outlines in place for a succes-

sor to eventually run the business, but how about the critical issue of funding the buy-sell agreement before it kicks in? The individual you choose to run your company, be it a senior employee, partner, or family member, may not have the cash or the ability, to borrow at the time required by the agreement. A life insurance policy can be a straightforward solution.

The death proceeds of the policy can be paid to your successor upon your death and the funds can then be used to purchase the business from your heirs. Or, the cash value of the policy can be used as a down payment to purchase the business at your retirement.

In addition, it may be prudent to explore how your unexpected disability could affect not only your plans for a successor, but also your own or your family’s financial well-being.

A disability buyout policy can provide a successor with cash to purchase the company from you upon your disability.

As a business owner, you’ve worked diligently over the years to ensure

your company’s success.

Navigating all the hazards of the economy and your particular market is no easy task. It would be a shame if a lack of professional succession planning caused the business to flounder or fail and thus undo your prior achievements as well as your hoped-for legacy.

With proper planning and professional help, this trap can be avoided -- and you can leave the legacy you desire.

Prepared by MetLife Delivered courtesy of Wayne Kuykendall, Financial Services Representative Strategic Financial Partners, an office of MetLife For more information on the financial, risk and wealth management strategies that Wayne Kuykendall provides, please contact him at (256) 777- 4524, wayne.d.kuykendall@ strategicfinancialpartners.com, 105 S. Marion Street, Suite 202, Athens, AL 35611

About the MetLife Premier Client Group The MetLife Premier Client Group (MPCG) provides consumers and small businesses with access to local financial professionals across the United States who can provide advice and guidance tailored to their financial needs. MPCG financial professionals stand out in the market for their holistic financial strategies, their team-oriented approach to client service and their adherence to a core financial planning philosophy that helps clients both grow and safeguard their assets. MPCG’s highly trained and credentialed representatives provide their clients with a wide range of services, including wealth management, retirement planning, estate planning and small business planning. For more information, please visit www.metlife.com/premier.

About MetLife MetLife, Inc. (NYSE: MET), through its subsidiaries and affiliates (“MetLife”), is one of the largest life insurance companies in the world. Founded in 1868, MetLife is a global provider of life insurance, annuities, employee benefits and asset management.

Serving approximately 100 million customers, MetLife has operations in nearly 50 countries and holds leading market positions in the United States, Japan, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, visit www.metlife.com.

The MetLife Premier Client Group is a distribution channel of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MLIC), New York, NY 10166. Securities and investment advisory services offered through MetLife Securities, Inc. (MSI) (member FINRA/SIPC) and a registered investment adviser, 1095 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036. MLIC and MSI are MetLife companies.

The foregoing discussion is general in nature and not intended as specific advice. Neither MetLife nor its representatives are engaged in rendering tax, accounting or legal advice. A qualified professional should be consulted regarding the effect of such considerations on the matters covered in this publication.

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Page 21

Medical Update

Staying Healthy All Summer

by Rachel Clark, RN, BSN

It’s that time of year again! School is out, warm weather abounds, and families flock to various vacation spots. Many families choose the beach or a cruise, while others go on road trips, to Disney World, or other attractions. One thing that often suffers during these trips is nutrition and fitness. We become tempted to think that because we are on vacation, we can neglect our normally healthy diet, exercise, hydration, and sleep patterns. These 4 core principles are essential to maintaining our health throughout the summer months and beyond.

Nutrition If you are taking a trip this summer, pack healthy snacks to go along rather than junk foods that are full of processed sugars and fats. In addition to being better for you, they will help save you and your family money.

Some good examples of healthy snacks include: •Dried fruits and vegetables •Fresh fruits and vegetables •Raw or roasted nuts •Homemade trail mix •Granola If you are going to be staying in a rental home or condo, go grocery shopping once you arrive so that you can prepare your own meals rather than eat out every meal. This will also save you money, as well as build your health while having fun. If you are taking previously prepared food with you when you leave your rental property, make sure you are able to keep it cool so that it doesn’t spoil. Food poisoning is a sure fire way to ruin any vacation.

If you do go out for meals, choose healthier options such as lean meats/fish/ poultry, steamed veggies,

and rice.

Exercise Just because you will be out of town, that doesn’t give you a pass on moving your body. One of the laws of physics states that an object in motion tends to stay in motion while an object at rest tends to stay at rest, including the human body. Taking a week or two off from exercise makes it extremely hard to begin again once you return home and to your normal activities.

You don’t have to do your normal routine, especially if you use specific equipment. However, getting in physical activity can be a fun part of the experience.

Rather than drive, walk or bike short distances.

Go hiking if you are in a location where this is feasible. Swim. Take a walk on the beach. Anything you can think of to get and keep your body moving. Additionally, if you are driving long

distances, make sure to get out of the car and stretch your muscles and walk at least every 90 minutes to 2 hours. Driving or sitting in a car for long periods puts stress on the muscles and joints due to immobility.

Hydration This is also important to staying healthy. It is easy to get so wrapped up in activities that you forget to drink water, especially if you are swimming or playing in/around water. Heat combined with exercise can leave you dehydrated, which you may not notice when you are in and out of water because you do not realize that you are sweating. The best thing to drink is water, or coconut water,

rather than sugary drinks or alcohol, which can dehydrate you further.

Symptoms of dehydration include: •Thirst •Headache •Dry, sticky mouth •Decreased urinary output •Dark, concentrated urine •Fatigue •Dizziness/lightheadedness Minor dehydration can be

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remedied by drinking water. More severe dehydration requires evaluation and treatment by a healthcare professional. Symptoms of severe dehydration include rapid heart rate, inability to produce sweat or tears, weakness, fainting, breathing rapidly, or confusion. If you or a family member experience these symptoms, call 911 immediately, as this is a medical emergency.

Sleep You may be tempted to skip sleep while on vacation in order to take full advantage of all the activities you want to do.

However, sleep is important to regenerate. During

sleep your body releases human growth hormone, which helps to restore and repair our bodies. In children, it helps them grow and mature. In adults, it helps maintain healthy cells and tissues. Also, sticking to a similar sleep schedule on vacation will make it easier to readjust to normal activities when you return home.

So, enjoy your summer vacations, make a lot memories, and stay healthy while you do!

June 17 - June 30, 2016

Foreman’s Forum

No One Fought Back During Killing Spree In Orlando!

by Paul Foreman As I am writing this on Monday, June 13, 2016, I have already read dozens of stories about the terrorist shooting spree in Orlando which happened Sunday. I have read the interviews with survivors and witnesses. I have read about the ex-wife of the shooter who tells of the fear she had during their short marriage. Coworkers at the security guard company tell how the shooter would rant on about ISIS. I continue to read about the wounded victims who were shot multiple times, then shot again while they were lying on the floor dying.

The news reports say the shooter forced five or six victims into a bathroom and held them hostage while police negotiators tried to reason with him. That hostage situation went on for three hours. One story stated, “The people fled to the bathroom to hide, but the shooter somehow got in and held them at gunpoint.”

vivor who escaped out the back door into an alley. Once he was safe outside, he barricaded the back door to prevent the shooter from following him out into the alley.

The survivor told how he could hear pounding on the door while the shooter blasted away with the gun. The Fox News host asked him, “By barricading the door, didn’t you block others from escaping?” The guy had a strange look on his face.

His silence was deafening.

I think some key parts of my article from last June are worth repeating.

No one fought back. It is my personal opinion there are always plenty of weapons available. It seems there was no one in the club that knew how to improvise and find a weapon. I cannot believe there was never a moment when the shooter had his back turned to someone who could have come up and wacked him with a chair, anything.

4) If you cannot escape, try to hide out of the shooter’s view. Barricade the doors with anything heavy you can find. Get behind heavy furniture such as desks or file cabinets. If possible, keep an escape route open. Use bathrooms as a last resort because you will be pinned down.

Lock the doors.

1) Escape if you can.

Get out of there. Leave all your belongings BEHIND! Help others escape if they will cooperate.

2) Once you are safe, stop others from unknowingly walking into a deadly situation.

3) Call 911 as soon as possible. If the 911 operator tells you to stay on the phone, cooperate with them.

5) If none of the above will work due to time or situation, FIGHT! Attempt to disable the shooter. Get mad and defend yourself! What do you have to lose?

6) In a restroom, use toilet tank lids or toilet seats, metal trash cans, or mirrors as improvised weapons. Use fire extinguishers, chairs, lamps, broken glass from a picture frame or mirror, heavy vase, broken furniture, scissors, or a glass ash tray. Spray the bad guy with the fire extinguisher and then hit him in the face. Use hot coffee, full soda cans, hair spray, and bug spray, anything heavy. Hit him, and hit him hard. Your life depends on it.

7) If you have a gun, use it! GET TRAINED by me, or another qualified trainer.

8) If you are evacuating a crowed theater, church,

or mall, get away from the center of the hallway. Get next to the wall.

You do NOT want to get caught up in the rushing mob of terrified people who might not care if you get trampled. Use the wall for support if you get shoved or knocked down.

Walls have windows and doors. You might find an escape route. Grab hold of small children and carry them if possible.

If children are too big to carry, grab your child’s belt rather than holding onto their arm. Grab each of your family by the belt and hold on for dear life.

Paul Foreman Retired Deputy Sheriff, Lee County Florida NRA Certified Pistol Instructor.

For firearms training, Paul can be reached through e-mail at Captureman@PaulForeman.com or his web site, www.PaulForeman.com

For crying out loud!

What’s wrong with this picture? NO ONE FOUGHT BACK! I cannot find one single story about anyone, not one single person, in that “club” who tried to stop the shooter. Ok, I will accept the fact that all of the reported two hundred and fifty patrons in that club were just not “Sheep Dogs.” But not even one person picked up a chair or table and tried to attack the shooter! I did see an interview on Fox News with a sur-

June 17 - June 30, 2016

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Cover Story

Save The Date: The Grand Opening Of Persell Lumber And Mill Shop Is June 23rd!

by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

an old warehouse right next to the yard’s main office, located at 501 North Clinton in Athens. However, all that great old brick from the early 20th century has been re-purposed into a beautiful headquarters with a retro “General Store” feel, and the Persells would like to invite you to come see the shop’s sharp new digs.

On June 23rd, the Chamber of Commerce will have a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11am, which will be followed by a luncheon catered

by Lawler’s, and celebratory desserts will be provided by Persell’s “next door neighbor,” Sweet Thymes Deli, and Suzanne’s Bakery.

Lynn Persell is no stranger to our local building industry. He worked at Delphi for 7 years, and then began his own construction firm in 1986. He began to learn the trade as a kid by following his carpenter grandfather around his workshop. “He got me hooked on building,” Lynn said. He currently owns six subdivisions in Limestone County, his company builds the houses in each, and he truly loves building, especially being up high on a roof. However, in July of 2015, he decided to come down from his favorite place, put the organizational skills he learned at Delphi to good use, and run the store the way he would want to be

served if he were still framing houses and responsible to meet deadlines.

He knows firsthand what a difference it can make to a builder to have a supplier who is in their corner, wants to see builders make a profit, and give them any and all help that they need. Lynn’s construction firm purchased many of their supplies from Craig’s back in the day, and Lynn wanted to have a chance to continue providing the same great service he had received.

So, that is how the new place

came into being, with Lynn at the helm. “It’s important to me to have people understand that this place is dedicated to making it possible for people to be able to have their dream home, whether contractors build it, or they build it them-

selves,” Lynn said.

He has surrounded himself with folks he calls “some of the finest, most knowledgeable people in the business, and my specialist in the mill shop has 27 years in the business.” The people behind the counter are very familiar with the needs of builders, and how to get those needs met well.

He also is proud of the guys out in the yard. “They understand the industry, and are really good at getting you back on the job quickly,” There is a grand story behind the change in the design of the new building, which has fulfilled Lynn’s dream of Persell Lumber and Mill Shop being a “showplace of products and services.” He knew they were going to use the old brick, if for no reason than that it was practical. However, his original plan had been to have the windows and doors on the façade be fairly standard. Then, one night he just “knew that

we needed to change direction with the front of the building.” The result is that every window and door is custom designed and built, shows off the artisan abilities of the mill shop, and it frees up floor space for more displays. Inside, there is a different style milled door on each office, and the service counter is made from pine reclaimed from the old cotton warehouse which was damaged in the tornado.

The service counter has that unmistakable feel that comes from being worn smooth from years of use, and brightly repurposed for a whole new era.

The supplies are displayed in both a pleasing and well thought out sequence, and the

whole place is a fine example of reclamation and restoration.

There are a number of factors that make Persell Lumber and Mill Shop a great choice for everyone from contracting professionals to do-ityourselfers. Thirty years of experience as well as success in the highly competitive construction industry are good for openers. However, it is not often that you hear from a business owner that he “loves a challenge, and loves to help people build their dream home.” And, it is even rarer for a man to see the need to leave a legacy in the form of “helping young builders become master contractors,” passing on down what started with his own grandfather.

Save some time between 11 am and 1pm on June 23rd to see the results of a dream, enjoy a well-prepared meal, and celebrate the Grand Opening of Persell Lumber and Mill Shop with Lynn and Vickie.

Persell Lumber and Mill Shop 501 North Clinton Athens, AL 35611 Hours: M-F 7-5, Sat 7-noon, closed Saturdays Phone: 256-232-6320 www.PersellLumberand MillShop.com

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June 17 - June 30, 2016