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March 1st - March 14th, 2019

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

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

Special Feature Youth Commissioners Are Utilizing WOW! Sponsorship For Athens-Based Projects... High school students in Athens are supporting fellow teens, children dealing... Page 5

What Puts The “More” In Herbs & More? Services! By Ali Elizabeth Turner For over 30 years, Roy and Gwen Williams have been in the natural health industry, and their products and services have helped thousands of people. They have produced supplements, broadcasts, podcasts, newsletters, brochures, and back in the day, their cassette tapes could be found all over the Tennessee Valley. Today they have two stores -- one in Athens and one in Killen, as well as an online store that ships products to all 50 states and

Continued on pages 16-17

Clean And Green Trash Attack – Join The Fight!... On March 9, an army of volunteers will be spread across Limestone County and around Athens attacking... Page 12

Jerry's Journal Twelve Lives of “Crash Baker” Part I... If you met Hal Baker walking near his home on East Street in Athens, his unassuming appearance and quiet demeanor wouldn’t hint that he holds two.. Page 10

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March 1 - March 14, 2019

Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Marauding The MAGAs

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

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

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Features . . . . . . . . . 5

For the past year, our country has experienced a strange and disturbing phenomenon, and that is verbal and/or physical attacks on people of all ages, genders, and colors who dare to sport Make America Great Again hats out in public. And while people who are opposed to the current administration may think that this version of Publisher’s Point is a political one, they would be wrong. This is a plea for preserving the 1st Amendment, even when it’s painful. If anything, it is a cry for the Constitution that hopefully transcends “the frantic flapping of the wings,” right or left. Attacks began in earnest during the 2016 presidential campaign, and they are increasing, both in frequency as well as fraud. Here are

just a few: • Actor Jussie Smollett is in a heap of trouble for trying to claim that as a gay black man, he was accosted in Chicago by men wearing MAGA hats, had bleach poured on him, and a noose placed around his neck in the middle of the night in sub-zero Chicago weather. Turns out that he paid two guys to wear MAGA hats and beat him. It was all fake, and as NBA legend Charles Barkley has now famously said, “If you are going to break the law, don’t write a check.” • An 81-year-old man wearing a MAGA hat was recently attacked and beaten in New Jersey as he shopped at a grocery store. The perpetrator was a teenager. • A woman who was here illegally

from Brazil attacked a male MAGA hat wearer in a Massachusetts restaurant. Not smart, as she put herself on ICE’s radar, and now she is facing charges as well as deportation. • A MAGA-hat wearing teenager in San Antonio was attacked by a man in July 2018 • Teenagers in the familiar red hats were falsely accused of mocking a Native American at a pro-life rally, when in fact it was the just the opposite • A black man wearing a MAGA hat was cursed out crazily by a woman at a rally, and calmly stood his ground And so it goes. Several of the above attacks have been since January of 2019, and the chances are that it will get worse before it gets better. What is so problem-

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12

atic is that the ones who believe that this is acceptable behavior don’t understand that when widespread attacks become tolerated, no one is safe. The idea of “tolerance” is anything but. The “co-exist” bumper stickers seem a bit dented; and please forgive the throwback to a bumper sticker of 25 years ago, but “visualize world peace” is not even being able to be parodied into “visualize whirled peas” without evoking a sigh instead of a laugh. This is what I imagine it was like in the run-up in Germany to first being forced to wear yellow stars, and then being made into wallets and soap.

At the end of the day, no one said it better than Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” If MAGA hat wearers aren’t safe, neither is Antifa.

Cooking With Anna . . . . 13 The Millennial Mind . . . . 14 Ali Elizabeth Turner Athens Now Information & Inspiration 256-468-9425 ali@athensnowal.com Website: www.athensnowal.com

Health & Fitness . . . . . . . 15 Cover Story . . . . . . . . 16 - 17 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . 18 Jerry's Journal . . . . . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . 20 Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Alternative Approach . . . . 22

March 1 - March 14, 2019

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All Things Soldier

Stasi Stumped, Reputations Restored by Ali Elizabeth Turner Forty years ago in Cold War Germany, the Stasi set up some United States Air Force officers and ruined their careers. While they were not court-martialed, the effect on their lives was dreadful; they steadfastly maintained their innocence to no avail. For those of you who have no idea what the Stasi was, it was the East German outfit that generated the classic “spy-versus-spy” stereotype of men in trench coats who marked postal boxes with one half of a chalk “X” on rainy nights. In 1979, two USAF officers were part of an American group called the U.S. Military Liaison Mission. In a word, their job was to “build” relationships with their German Democratic Republic (GDR) counterparts in order to keep an eye on them, and the Stasi did the same. They would have meals together, celebrate holidays together, and it was the wane of the glory days of what is portrayed so skillfully in Steven Spielberg’s Bridge of Spies.

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that for decades nearly destroyed him. Tonge’s blood work had traces of a heart medication that he wasn’t taking, and he testified that they both had been “slipped a mickey.” The problem was, no one believed them except for one USAF officer who had no power to help. Now, 40 years later, it turns out that it’s true, Burhans and Tonge had been “dosed,” and the proof of the plot comes from old Stasi files that have recently been unearthed and exposed.

Retired U.S. Air Force Col. James Tonge, then a lieutenant colonel, far left, is seen here talking to his Soviet counterparts during a USMLM reception. Photo Courtesy of James Tonge One of the men, Lt. Col Bill Burhans, was the designated driver on the night of December 29, 1979, bringing home fellow US officers as well as Soviet counterparts from a holiday party. Strangely, he lost control of the car and it ran into a bus. A fellow USAF Lt Col. James Tonge, told Bill to move the car over to the shoulder. Burhans sat there frozen, and Tonge said he looked like he had been “hit in the

head with an ax at the slaughterhouse.” Burhans' response was not consistent with the accident, and he claimed he had been drugged. Burhans had his blood tested; bromazepam showed up, which has the ability to cause drowsiness, lack of coordination, memory loss, and dizziness.

Retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Bill Burhans is seen here in this official U.S. Military photo taken upon his promotion to Major in 1974.

In a memoir that Burhans wrote for his children, he said, “To my knowledge, there was no standard operating procedure in place” to respond to being drugged. “In my case, no one bothered to do any investigation other than to implement the [U.S. Command Berlin’s] directions” to

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pursue it as a drunkendriving case,” he noted. While Burhans was not court-martialed, he did take a non-judicial punishment, and essentially his career was over. The greater tragedy was that Burhans actually did develop substance and mental health problems

There is a happy end to this story. Both men, who are in their 80s, have been completely cleared of any alleged wrongdoing, and while they didn’t get to have the careers for which they dreamed, now they can face any and all naysayers with confidence. “For me, the most unusual part of the story is finding written evidence that the Soviets drugged us,” said Tonge, now 85 and living in Charleston, S.C. “It would have been good to have had that information when Berlin authorities were treating it as an ‘alcohol-related incident.’” In retrospect, Burhans said, despite the professional and personal price he paid following the incident, “I take it as a compliment that the Soviets considered me that much of a threat.”

March 1 - March 14, 2019

Special Feature

Youth Commissioners Are Utilizing WOW! Sponsorship For Athens-Based Projects by Holly Hollman City of Athens Communications Specialist High school students in Athens are supporting fellow teens, children dealing with grief, downtown revitalization, and the arts through grants they are administering. The Athens Mayor’s Youth Commission received a $1,500 sponsorship from WOW! The Youth Commissioners voted to invest that funding back into the community by accepting grant proposals from non-profits that have projects to benefit Athens. WOW!, an internet, cable, phone, and leading broadband and communications service provider, sponsored the Youth Commission because the company was impressed with grant projects the Commission supported in previous years with Dekko Foundation grant funding. Forty students in grades 1012 from Athens High School, Athens Bible School, Lindsay Lane Christian Academy, and home school comprise the Youth Commission. The students reviewed grant proposals and voted on projects and funding amounts. Those who receive grants must report to students their progress on the project and invite the students to volunteer in some manner or to see the finished project. “These youth are an inspiration and true leaders for our community,” said Family Resource Director Tina Cook,

March 1 - March 14, 2019

whose organization received a grant last year and is receiving a grant this year. The grants for Family Resource support the Teen Christmas Program and goody bags for teens who complete it. Last Christmas, members of the Youth Commission volunteered to assemble the goody bags and set up the snack/ beverages table for the teens’ Christmas party. “It’s one thing to tell students their opinions and dreams for their community matter,” said Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks, who helped create the Youth Commission nearly seven years ago. “It resonates so much more when you entrust students with projects and the responsibility of making decisions. I’m proud of our students for being engaged citizens, and am thankful to WOW! for seeing the importance of our program.” The projects the students are supporting this year with the WOW! Community Grant Project are: Athens-Limestone Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Essay and Art Contest $150 The local NAACP chapter utilized these funds in January to provide cash awards for students who placed in an essay and art contest for the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. Hospice of Limestone County - Camp Hope $350

Youth Commissioners who volunteered at the Family Resource Center to put together goody bags for teens: from left Ally Cook, Bonnie Cundiff, David Fontanez, Sydney Johnston and Elizabeth Hobbs. The Family Resource Center is one of the grant recipients again this year. Hospice will purchase material to make feeling pillows for campers for this bereavement support camp in June. During camp, children learn about the feelings of grief and associate those with their feeling pillows, which they can hug, hit, squeeze, etc. They will make 125 to 150 pillows with this grant. Athens-Limestone Family Resource Center $350 This is for the annual Teen Christmas Program. The center receives referrals for 50 teens for the program, and a parent

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or guardian must attend one of three classes offered to encourage adult involvement. The classes focus on issues youth face today, such as bullying, internet safety, and budgeting. At the end of the program, the teens attend a Christmas party and receive a goody bag with items such as toiletry items, socks, blankets, gift cards, candy/food, etc. The money will fund items for the goody bags. Athens Arts League $300 This is for the Alabama Music Series for this concert season. The League hosts concerts with Alabama-based musicians such as Anderson East and The Secret Sisters, and ask music/art teachers from city, county, and private schools for recommendations of students to help with stage setup, running sound, event planning, photography, etc. The students

receive hands-on experience, learn from professionals, and interact with Alabama-based musicians. The funds will cover the ticket cost for the students who help with a concert to attend that concert at no cost. Athens Main Street $300 This is for a new program called Full of Potential, PopUp Window Gallery. Volunteers will create window displays in vacant buildings. Funding from this grant will fund the Smith's Men's Wear Building as an art gallery to house art from local artists, such as High Cotton Arts, as well as student art. This is an effort to increase foot traffic downtown, make vacant buildings attractive, and to support the arts. Funds will purchase easels, stands, and props for the window display.

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Calendar of Events Dr. Seuss Day Mar 2

Athens-Limestone Public Library. 603 South Jefferson Street in Athens. 10:00AM-3:00PM. Along with the library's own Catfish Book Festival, we're celebrating one of America's favorite authors, Dr. Seuss. Children are invited to drop in any time today for crafts and activities focused on The Cat in the Hat, the Lorax, and all their favorite characters.

Annual Catfish Literary Festival Mar 2

With the Athens-Limestone County Public Library. 603 South Jefferson Street in Athens. 10:00AM-3:00PM with featured author, Robert McCammon, native Alabamian and bestselling author of nineteen novels including Boy's Life and Speaks the Nightbird. The festival will also feature other Southern authors and a celebration of local writing, panel discussions and more. For any questions, please call 256-232-1233 or email kreisz@ alcpl.org

Mardi Gras Parade Mar 5

Athens State Art Heads and Athens Art League in downtown Athens. 5:30PM-7:00PM. Featuring specially designed costumes of Athens State University Students depicting this year's theme, "Mr. Rogers' Neighborhood". Kids are invited to bring their decorated wagons, bikes and trikes, adults deck out your umbrellas and join the parade procession. Lowe's is providing the shopping carts to be decorated as well. Spectators are asked to bring can goods for LCCI Food Bank and drop it in the "floats" as the procession passes. Bead stringing booth at the Center for Lifelong Learning, mask and wagon decorating at High Cotton Arts. Parade starts at 6:00PM. For more Info: Gail Bergeron Gail.Bergeron@athens.edu

Grief Support Group Mar 7

Poke Sallet Follies Mar 7 - 9

Poke Sallet Follies is an annual fundraising event hosted by the Council on Aging Foundation Board. This 3-night dinner event provides entertainment and comedy while showcasing many local politicians and dignitaries during the show. PokeSalletFollies.org

3rd Annual Spring Clean Mar 9

Ardmore with United Pest and Turf Control in Ardmore starting at Jones Drug, 30508 Ardmore Avenue in Ardmore, AL. 8:00AM-12:00PM. Volunteers welcome - will be provided trash bags, gloves, litter grabbers and safety vest. Lunch for volunteers at 12:00PM-1:00PM in Town Park. To register: 256-423-7378.

Annual Corporate Spelling Bee â€‹Mar 9

10:00AM. Athens Middle School Cafeteria. 100 U.S. Highway 31N in Athens. Free admission to spectators; refreshments served. To sponsor a team or more information: 256-230-3050 or learntoreadcouncil@gmail.com.

Organ Concert Mar 14

McCandless Auditorium on the campus of Athens State University. 300 North Beaty Street in Athens. 12:10PM1:00PM featuring the Greater Huntsville AGO. Free.

7:30am to 12:30. Topic Generation Rx & Social/Ethical Issues of Drug Use. Registration fee, $20. Contact Tina Cook at alcfamilyrc@gmail.con or 256-230-0880.

Hosted by Amedisys Hospice at Traditions Senior Living of Athens. 22171 Traditions Way in Athens. 11am to noon. Open to the public. All are welcome to meet. First Thurs. of every month. Questions call the Amedisys Hospice at 256-760-7877

Spaghetti Meal at the Vietnam Veterans of America Building 3rd Monday Monthly

17915 W. Elm St. in Athens. 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and 5:00-7:00 p.m. Cost is $8. Eat in or carry-out. Profits fund scholarships for local students. Please call ahead for group carry-outs or more info 256-431-3213.

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(4) CEU Seminar Apr 19

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Athens-Limestone Trash Attack! Mar 9

Join KALB and the community to clean up the Elk River, roadsides, waterways, and public lands throughout Athens and Limestone County. Groups and individuals will meet at 8:00 a.m. at two locations: Elk River boat launch on Hatchery Lane off Hwy. 99 and Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens. All supplies will be provided. Lunch and door prizes for all who participate. This is a great community service project. Call 256-233-8000 or email KALBCares@gmail.com for information or signup. March 1 - March 14, 2019

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

“Ardent” In Athens by Ali Elizabeth Turner I was sitting at the round table in Mayor Ronnie’s office on Monday morning when Kim Glaze, City Hall’s Executive Secretary, popped her head in the door and said, “Mayor is on his way, and he asked me to ask you if you know what ‘ardent’ is.” I answered, “Yes,” laughed and said, “OK. This is going to be an interesting way to start off our interview.” I also wondered if this was a trick question.

to compete, Mr. Mayor?” “Oh no, I am just the timekeeper,” he said as he imitated doing the job. (The annual Corporate Spelling Bee will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 9 at the Athens Middle School Cafeteria, 100 U.S. Highway 31N in Athens. Free admission to spectators; refreshments served. To sponsor a team or for more information: 256-2303050, or learntoreadcouncil@gmail.com.)

In came the mayor and while heading to his desk, he smiled and said, “So, do you?” I quickly replied, “It basically means passionate or strong,” and then waited for the other shoe to drop. “Very good,” he said. Then I got it! He was testing me to see if I was aware of the fact that the Corporate Spelling Bee is coming up, and I told him that entrance to the Bee had been opened up at the Chamber Coffee, and teams were firming up. I asked, “You going

“Ardent is going to be a theme, here, today,” said the Mayor, as he handed me a copy of the proclamation he had just signed re: March being “Colon Cancer Awareness Month,” with the tag line of “Go Blue.” Each Friday in March, Athenians are encouraged to wear blue to show support for finding a cure. As most of you know, a couple of years back the mayor had a bad scare with what at first looked like it might be colon cancer. As a preventative measure,

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before, and he described them as “passionate, intense prayers,” or “the kinds that get things done.” The answers to those kinds of prayers are necessary if the battle against cancer is ever going to be decisively won.

several inches of his lower intestine were removed, and while the outcome still looks positive, that was one rough time, which

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he understandably does not want to repeat.“Ardent prayers” had been the subject of the sermon the mayor had heard the day

Ardent is one way to describe the rains we have had recently. By some estimates, more than 12 inches fell, and the mayor mentioned that his gratitude was deep over the fact that none of the possible tornadoes had materialized. “I don’t want to think about what it would have been like if our guys had to deal with a tornado after rain like this. The ground would have been so soft that all kinds of trees would have fallen on power lines,” he said. Ardent thanks were in order. Mayor Ronnie mentioned that ADECA (Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs) had just approved a grant for $400K that will fix the standing water problem on Sanders Street near the Athens-Limestone Hospital. He went on to mention that Poke Sallet Follies is coming up next week, and showed me the picture of his goofy “Barney Fife” character who will be returning to “Poke.” “We are ardent in Athens for seniors,” he said with a grin. “Mr. Mayor,” I replied, “I think that if you run in 2020, you need to put your ‘Barney’ picture on your flyers.” He shot me a look of mock outrage, we prayed, and then it was time for Ronnie to roll.

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Slinkard On Success

Believe Or Leave by D. A. Slinkard D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store Believe or leaveâ€Śthose were the sentiments spoken by the zealous leader as he spoke to his employees pertaining to the upcoming year. I really liked this slogan, and as soon as I heard the words uttered, I knew that I had an article in the making. The speaker of this slogan was referring to his employees either believing they could achieve success or needing to leave the organization. This makes perfect sense to me because if you have the wrong belief system, then you will not achieve success. This made me question how many people go about life having the wrong thought process on their success. How many people get up to go to a job they are absolutely miserable at?

How many people trudge through the day being one thing when they actually desire to be something else? Why would anyone put themselves through that kind of torment? Their belief system. That is right; what is wrong with these people comes down to what is between their ears. I am a firm believer that many people go through life thinking about all the things they cannot do; when, if they had the right belief system, they would be thinking about all the things they can do. If the thought process was changed into believing the person could have success, there would be more positive results happening throughout everyone's lives. Instead, you have the people who think they cannot, and behold, they are correct

because they do exactly what they thought. If you do the same things over and over again, do not be surprised when you keep getting the same old results. If you are not going to believe in what you are doing, then why would you not want to leave? Now I am not talking about leaving a spouse or a family. I will not advocate divorce because I believe in the sacredness of God and marriage being between one man and one woman until death do them part. If you are at a job you hate, why be there? If you are not doing what you are destined to do, why not? Too often people struggle with their careers because they are doing things that are contrary to their belief system. Anytime someone goes

contrary to what they believe in, there will be a struggle for survival, a struggle for happiness, a struggle to make an impact in life. I believe that too many people want to complain about how bad things are; they want to gripe and grumble about their career, maybe their boss, or even their company. But if they are doing nothing about their situation, then they need to shut up! No one has a right to complain if they are doing nothing about their situation. It is like the people who complain about politicians, and then come to find out, they did not exercise their right to vote. If you do not vote, then you do not have the right to complain. Furthermore, if you are not doing anything to better

your situation, then just shut your mouth. Human nature, though, makes it enjoyable to think negatively. It is a proven fact that it is easier to think negatively in life than it is to think positively. However, negative thinking is not going to get you to where you want to be. The cream always rises to the top, and if you are thinking negatively, you are going to be sinking. Work on your belief system. Start out small each day. If you are not a positive person, you are going to need to train yourself to become one. Ask anyone who has kids, and you will find out our human nature is to tell lies. You do not have to teach a kid how to tell a lie; but you do have to teach them to tell the truth. A positive attitude is the exact same way. You are going to need to work on your attitude daily. Doing so will allow for personal growth in your life. Your belief system is going to grow; your outlook is going to change. You will notice a difference in your life. You will find yourself handling situations in a different manner, but please realize that you must change that belief system in order to grow as an individual. Now there is one thing you must decide on in your own life: Are you going to believe or are you going to leave?

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Tourism

Athens-Limestone Is Blooming With Events In March by Cayce Lee

Social Media Specialist, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association Who’s ready for spring? Maybe not spring showers so much after nearly eight days of solid rain to wind down February, but the warm weather, sunny days, and chances to get out and enjoy the community and nature. Well, the chances to get out and go are definitely on our calendar at the tourism office, so for all the details of the featured events, head over to VisitAthensAL.com for times and specifics. Laissez les bon temps rouler… Let the good times roll as Mardi Gras comes to Limestone County with celebrations of all sorts including a celebration good for the whole family at Building 709 in Athens for UpTown Mardi Gras, or maybe it’s a date night trip to Bishop’s Westside on County Line Road in Madison for Mardi Gras costume parties and drinks on March 2. The highly anticipated Mardi Gras parade with the Athens State University ArtHeads and Athens Art League will happen March 5 – with activities for the kids plus a call of “We have the beads, you bring the beads” to fill the specially decorated “floats” to feed the hungry. Get all the details at VisitAthensAL.com

9. This year will feature cleanup opportunities in four areas of the community – Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens, Swan Creek Wildlife Management Area, Boat Launch on Hatchery Road, and the Town of Ardmore. Volunteers will be provided trash bags, gloves (while they last), vests, grabbers and nets – plus lunch and prize chances for their volunteer work at the end of the day. Contact KALB to volunteer or for more information: 256-233-8728 Angler invasion… Anglers from all over will be descending on the area for a chance to hook the big one. Fishlife National Championship Catfishing 2019 tournament comes to Joe Wheeler State Park on March 2 and 3. Cabela’s King Kat tournament on Wheeler Lake hits the waters March 16. Alabama Bass Trail Tournament on Wheeler Lake will reel in

the big ones March 23. Get their move on… It’s time for the small town of Mooresville to host the 43rd Annual Rocket Run Ten Miler for the Huntsville Track Club on March 16. Runners will be Running Buck Wild Extreme 10K, 5K and Camo Fun Run at our neighborhood state park, Joe Wheeler State Park, on March 23. Community festivals, harbingers of spring… Athens-Limestone County Public Library hosts its annual Catfish Book Festival with authors from around the Southeast on March 2, along with kids’ activities celebrating Dr. Seuss Day. Poke Sallet Follies will take the stage for three nights, March 7 through 9 with tickets available at the Council on Aging, until their gone.

Spring cleaning – the community-wide version… It’s time for the annual Tennessee Valley Authority Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful (KALB) Elk River Cleanup and Trash Attack on March

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Volunteers from around Limestone County answer the call annually to remove trash from roadsides, trails, and waterways during KALB Elk River Cleanup and Trash Attack

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Hospice of Limestone County Chili Challenge can tame your tastebuds with spicy samples from each hosting cooking team Learn-to-Read Corporate Spelling Bee invites the public to come cheer on the teams for free as they spell their way to the top on March 9. Hospice Chili Challenge is spicing things up with a new date and new location as they move to the Limestone County Event Center on March 23. For the kids… Kids can bring their bikes, trikes, and wagons for decorating at High Cotton Arts or string some beads at the Center for Lifelong Learning before the Mardi Gras Parade on March 5. North Alabama Soccer Shots is taking reservations for their Super Free Fun Day for ages 2-8 at the Athens SportsPlex on March 9. Sardis Springs Baptist Church will be hosting a Kids Expo with fun for the whole family on March 12. The little ones can don their favorite pjs and grab their favorite stuffed animal for Lil Z’s Pajama Party with Zaxby’s on March 26. It’s time for the 6th An-

nual Youth Education and Awareness STEaM Conference at Athens State University for students K-12. Visit the event calendar at VisitAthensAL. com for how to sign up to reserve you and your child a spot at this great event. These are just highlights of some of the events on our tourism calendar at VisitAthensAL.com with more and more being added daily. You can also stop by the Athens-Limestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens from 8:00AM-5:00PM any Monday through Friday for information, brochures and more. Remember your clocks… March 10 is the time to move your clocks forward one hour as we prepare to welcome spring. So be sure to set your clocks ahead one hour as you go to bed and you won’t be late for the day’s activities – hopefully.

March 1 - March 14, 2019

www.JuicePlus.com

Mondays at 10am 1080 AM WKAC March 1 - March 14, 2019

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Clean and Green

Trash Attack – Join The Fight! by Lynne Hart - Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful

On March 9, an army of volunteers will be spread across Limestone County and around Athens attacking litter. Our last three articles have been an informational series about litter, the problems it causes, things we should do to help prevent it, and a series of questions to help determine who really cares. Now we want to offer an opportunity for our community to come out in force to attack the problem. KALB, TVA, and United Pest & Turf Control invite everyone to come out and help clean up the mess. Groups will meet in four locations for registration, instructions, supply distribution, and a group photo after which groups will disburse to areas in need of cleanup. After the hard and often dirty work is done, all

volunteers are invited to join KALB at 11:30 a.m. at Big Spring Memorial Park (Duck Pond) for lunch and prize drawings to start at noon. Ardmore volunteers may join United Pest & Turf Control at Town Hall Park at noon for lunch and prize drawings. SPONSORS: TVA, United Pest & Turf Control, KALB, and Keep Alabama Beautiful in partnership with the Alabama Department of Transportation REGISTRATION: Let us know the number of participants and what location you'll attend. Call 256233-8000 or email KALBCares@gmail.com to let us know you're coming to help ensure we have plenty of supplies and food. MEETING PLACES: There are currently FOUR

locations to meet: • Boat launch on Hatchery Rd. off Hwy. 99 in West Limestone (for river and west side of county) • Big Spring Memorial Park in Athens (the Duck Pond) (for Athens and east side of county) • City of Ardmore – Jones Drug Parking Lot • Aerospace Building at Calhoun College – for cleanup of Swan Creek Wildlife Mgt. Area CLEANUP LOCATIONS: Groups and individuals may

Schedule - Saturday, March 9, 2019 8:00AM - 8:30AM

come prepared with an area where they would like to tackle trash, or KALB will provide an area for you. All city councilmen and county commissioners have been contacted and asked for a list of areas that are in need of attention. SUPPLIES PROVIDED: Trash bags and buckets, net water bags, vests, litter grabbers, gloves WHAT TO WEAR: Dress appropriately for the weather. Wear clothes and sturdy shoes/boots that can get dirty. Bring gloves if you have them -- some will be provided. Bring sunscreen and/or insect repellent, depending on the weather and location. LUNCH:

TVA, United Pest & Turf Control, and KALB will provide lunch for all volunteers. See event schedule below for times and locations. All volunteer’s names will be entered into drawings; however, one must be present to win.

PRIZES:

Meet at any location for supply distribution, instructions and group photo

8:30AM - 11:00AM

Head to cleanup locations to ATTACK TRASH!

11:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Meet at Big Spring Memorial Park (Duck Pond) for lunch and prize drawings

Noon – 1:00 PM

Ardmore volunteers meet at Town Hall Park for lunch and prize drawings Page 12

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Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com March 1 - March 14, 2019

Cooking with Anna

Run With Perseverance The Race Marked Out For Us by Anna Hamilton

How many times have you started to eat healthier foods, just to feel sabotaged? You get your refrigerator stocked with low-fat cheese sticks, lettuce, lean ground beef, turkey, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables … just to open the freezer and be face to face with frozen pizza and ice cream sandwiches. We know our families love us and want us to be healthy, but why, oh, why do they torture us so? How do we learn to not let those foods bother us? By sticking to your plan! The longer you eat healthy, the less you want all the “bad stuff.” I made the decision in January to devote this year to my health. Then, I went to see my doctor and realized I had no choice but to devote this year to better health. In years past, I had tried different diets. I had tried reducing my calories drastically. I had tried a popular diet plan where every food has a point. I had tried only eating breakfast and lunch. Every time, within just a few weeks, I had “broken” my diet. Falling off the diet wagon would make me feel depressed, upset with myself, and would break my spirit. So, we all know we need to stick to the plan and the longer we stick to the plan, the easier it is. But how do you do that? How do you commit yourself to stick to the plan? I read one time that if you do something consistently for 3 weeks, 21 days, it will become habit. I can testify that this is true. My husband and I made a commitment to read a chapter from the Bible every night. We started in the New Testament and are

currently reading the Old Testament. We have missed maybe two nights since we started over a year ago. It has become our daily routine, our habit. Eating is the same way. Commit to changing your eating habits for 3 weeks; eating healthy foods will become your habit. The recipe this week is a shortcut recipe for your busy family. Most grocery stores now have cooked, rotisserie chickens at the front, all bagged up and ready to go. This recipe for Chicken Caprese Casserole takes advantage of this HUGE timesaver. This casserole will please even the pickiest eaters. It combines delicious chicken with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes. I’m sure your family will love it as much as mine. Remember, make healthy eating a habit. Set yourself up for success! If I can do this, ANYONE can do this. The writer of Hebrews wrote about running the race of life with perseverance. This applies to how we approach taking on healthy eating habits, but it also speaks true of our whole lives. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12: 1-3

Recipe #5 - Chicken Caprese Casserole What You Need:

1 rotisserie chicken 8 oz. cherry tomatoes 8 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese 2 Tbsp pesto 4 oz. lite cream cheese, Neufchatel ¼ to ½ cup milk ¼ cup parmesan cheese Salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces or shred using a fork. Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and cut the mozzarella cheese into small pieces. Place all chicken, cherry tomatoes, and mozzarella in a baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Using a hand mixer, combine Neufchatel, pesto, garlic and onion powder, and half of parmesan cheese. Slowly stir in milk until mixture is creamy and pourable over the chicken (you may not need a full ½ cup of milk). Pour mixture over chicken. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

March 1 - March 14, 2019

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The Millennial Mind

Love, By Any Other Word by Rosemary Dewar Affection, lust, adoration, and desire -- they are not the wholeness found in that of actual love. A healthy commitment to a significant other will try you in every way. The relationship will force you to better yourself. When the work of either party fails to continue working, the relationship fails. Finding a nearly flawless mate is impossible, and after a long duration, neither of you will be any closer to being perfect – even to one another. There are many conditions that can help sustain the experience known as love over the long haul, but the only “unconditional” aspect would be to not leave the healthy “experiment” you both are conducting. On Jada Pinkett Smith’s Red Table Talk, Jada invited rapper Wale and actor Justin Baldoni to discuss what love meant to them, and how they find it. Wale states that he has had a revelation, “… Maybe it is time to have somebody, [and] have a bond with somebody… I’ve been doing all these things, [and it] would be funner to do with somebody that was with me. There have been times that I was really in love, and it wasn’t me.” Rappers are given the persona as someone beastly, selfish, and addicted to excess. However, they are no different than any other warm-blooded human who is starving for a bond that is not meant to be shared freely with others.

find a place to find all the peace, love, and joy in my heart in order to bring it to the table to share.” She further explains that if you don’t go off and find those things where you are, you will bring your trauma, insecurity, and fear to share instead. You can’t fix your partner. Having the demand that “I need you to be this thing for me so I don’t feel a certain way… I am going to put so much pressure on you, and find really sneaky ways to manipulate you so that you will always be the thing that I need you to be so that I am happy, “ will leave you more unhappy and under-nurtured than you where before. Wale then said that, “I got famous young… how women acted around me shaped how I view women moving forward. All I see is promiscuous behavior….In our industry…everyone moves so fast. We

can’t even argue….Any conflict, they’re gone. You can’t even reconcile.”

on it. If what you are growing doesn’t produce fruit, you will starve.

Actor Justin Baldoni added, “The best description of marriage I ever got was from a good friend who said,’ Marriage is two people that take a lifetime full of s*#@ [that] bring [each other’s] twenty-five bags of s*#@, and then you put it in the front yard, and that is your foundation for your house. It becomes your fertilizer from which your marriage can grow.” If something substantial is going to grow from a situation like that, you have to be will to work it. That work is not like putting out a marketing advertisement in order for your partner to buy from you. You have to work it like a garden: till it, weed it, water it, cover it, etc. The next morning, you have to get up and do it again, again, and again. The relationship depends

Justin goes on to say that, “It’s a human issue that’s happening right now, and I think the symptom of… instant gratification… After a year of soul searching and patience, she [his wife] had been through the exact same thing… We meet in the business that way. I was not easy. The dating process…was painfully horrific. I was uncomfortable. I jumped in and [showed] all the things that were wrong with me… It became the foundation for our healthy, beautiful marriage.” Jada’s daughter, Willow, said something insightfully profound: “It’s an emotional desert out here. People think that love equals satiating all of their pain.” Your partner can’t be what solves all problems, and

eases all your agony for you. You will end up adoring your partner for your sake, and not theirs. That is ultimately selfish.

T e b n p Jada explains that, “Re- t lationships [are a] mirror. e They show us ourselves. y b “ d Justin adds, “…We have two options when you’re Q in a relationship. You can s look at a lens of fear…or a p the lens of love.” r Our culture has not cul- a tivated a will to endure. w Digital interaction has g further isolated physical p interaction. Humanity is B simply hungry to know, i be respected and be cher- a ished; and personal rela- u tionships take effective w effort. The more emo- a tionally and physically intimate the relationship, Q the more work, effort, and a care is needed to sustain t it. It’s time to get to work p o and love. i p f i a m

T e o i y a d w

Jada responds, “…I had to

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March 1 - March 14, 2019

Health and Fitness

What’s The Big Deal About Quinoa? by Nick Thomas, owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist

This strange food almost everyone has heard of, but many seem to pronounce differently, is packed with quite a nutritional punch. It can be extremely beneficial in your diet; it might even be worthy enough to be deemed a “superfood.” Quinoa is botanically considered a seed rather than a grain. It is a broadleaf plant that produces seeds rather than fruit. Unlike actual grains, such as wheat and barley which grow in grasses, quinoa plants grow edible seeds. Because of this process, it is officially labeled as a “pseudocereal,” a seed used in nutrition the same way a cereal grain such as barley would be. Quinoa holds some pretty awesome anti-inflammatory and disease fighting properties, among many other things, as well. It is a rich source of complete protein, especially for a grain. The secret is lysine, which is a rare amino acid not found in many other gains. This “super grain” reduces your chances of developing type 2 diabetes, but it can also help you keep your glucose levels balanced if you already have diabetes. The reason this works is because quinoa

is rich in complex carbohydrates, or healthy carbohydrates, that slowly digest and keep you satiated for longer while maintaining your blood sugar and appetite level. Also found in this super grain is magnesium, which is a vital mineral required for optimal metabolic, cardiovascular, and blood vessel functions. Do you suffer from migraine headaches? Quinoa may be a great choice for you to work into your weekly meals because it is high in riboflavin, or vitamin B2. This promotes blood vessel expansion in the brain and reduces the chances of migraines. Maybe you have Celiac disease or a gluten intolerance -quinoa will be your new best friend. It is technically a seed, however, because it is unrelated to wheat, it makes the perfect substitute for pasta, wheat flour, oatmeal, and so much more. You can grind, boil, bake, steam, and even fry quinoa.

There are three verities of quinoa: white, red and black. White quinoa is the most widely sold and takes the least amount of time to cook. Red quinoa is used mostly in salads or other recipes where a grain-like texture is desired because it does not easily lose it shape during cooking. Black quinoa

actually has a bit of a different taste than the other two types. It has more of an earthy, sweet flavor and takes the longest to cook. Now, let’s get to the practical side of this new superfood you now want to add to your weekly menu. You can find quinoa in the grain isle at almost any

grocery store these days. When you get home ready to cook your quinoa, it’s really pretty simple. Just follow the directions on the package, and don’t forget to add a little sea salt to your water when you boil it to add some flavor. You can also cook it in some bone broth for added flavor depth. Use quinoa instead of rice or other grains as a side dish to any meal, or even mix it in with your salad for added texture, taste, and nutritional punch. For more information regarding a personalized general or sports nutrition plan contact me at Prime Performance 423805-0870.

256-434-7532 423-805-0870 www.getprimednow.com March 1 - March 14, 2019

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Cover Story

What Puts The “More” In Herbs & More? Services! by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

several countries. Recently, Gwen texted me with an idea for an Athens Now front cover article, and she was bursting with an energy befitting of spring. What sets Herbs & More apart is not only the quality of their inventory and the friendliness of their staff, but the personal and technological services they provide for their clients. No one in the area has the BEMER mat, the infra-red sauna, the Whole Body Vibration machines, the ionic foot detox AND a massage therapist under one roof! We’ll talk about those below, but

here is a great admonition Gwen shared with me from Dr. David Jeremiah that is the “why” behind the services available at Herbs & More, especially as they pertain to stress: “Life—You can wear it out, rust it out, or live it out.” Read on if you want to find out how to “live life out.” We’ll start with massage. Anyone who has experienced an outstanding massage knows that this aspect of good self-care is possible because of an inexplicable blend of skill, training, experience, and intuition that are in the massage therapist’s “tool kit.” Jason Mitchell, who practices at Herbs & More as well

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as elsewhere in North Alabama, came into the massage world 16 years ago. At the time, he was in a lot of pain from sports and work-related injuries, and was getting chiropractic treatments which definitely helped. However, it was the combination of adjustments and massage that made the greatest difference. His chiropractor, Dr. Millar in Decatur, actually offered to pay Jason’s tuition to Massage Therapy Institute. At the time, Jason was a single dad with a one-year-old and living with his parents. He completed his schooling, started walking in his calling, and wanted to thank Dr. Millar for giving him his start. Jason also has a heart for special needs people, and

has clients who are quadriplegic, have cerebral palsy, Downs Syndrome, and he is outstanding with children. He uses a blend of modalities, but somehow intuitively knows what approach to take with each client. “It can change every day, even with regular clients,” he said. “Often I use music, but not always. It just depends. I have seen people greatly reduce their level of stress, unwind, and sometimes release the effects of difficult situations,” he added. One such raving fan client of the massage, foot detox and BEMER services at Herbs & More is Jane Lassiter, who was present for the interview. About two years ago, Jane came in first for ionic foot detox treatments, then add-

BEMER Mat www.athensnowal.com

ed regular massage, then the BEMER treatments. “I feel so much better since I started coming here,” she told me. “It’s not just the services, it’s the people—I respect them so much,” she said with gratitude. Below are descriptions of the rest of the services available at Herbs & More: The Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation Mat Don’t be put off by something that perhaps sounds a bit like it is something from a Flash Gordon movie. The technology was developed in Germany in 1998 and is used throughout Europe by numerous doctors of various specialties, as well as by the Swiss Olympic Team. NASA is currently working on putting energy-field capabilities in the next generation of space suits for astronauts. Our bodies are wonderfully designed to emit and receive low-level electro-magnetic energy, as does the earth, and humans need exposure to the right kinds of that energy in order to help cells with circulation, absorption of nutrients, regeneration, and waste disposal. The BEMER mat helps with the production of ATP, or adenosine triphosphate. ATP is a highly complex compound that provides energy for everything from muscle contraction to chemical synthesis.

March 1 - March 14, 2019

for a long time in my own battle with Lyme’s disease, and quite frankly, doing this article is reminding me that I need to be more consistent with using all of the services at Herbs & More! According to the Mayo Clinic, “Several studies have looked at using infrared saunas in the treatment of chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, dementia and Alzheimer's disease, headache, type 2 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, and found some evi-

Ionic Footbath (before and after)

Incidentally, this magnetic-energy-field technology is cleared for use by the FDA, and one of the things it is also used for is grief. People who have lost loved ones or have experienced trauma report feeling less “trashed” after a series of treatments, and when you combine services, the effects look to be quicker and deeper. Whole Body Vibration Machines (WBV) The WBV machines were developed for the purpose of restoring lost bone and muscle mass for cosmonauts and astronauts after long stints in space. They are also approved for use by the FDA. As is the case with

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the energy-field technology, the WBV devices first gained extensive exposure, refinement and acceptance in Europe, and then made their way here. Herbs & More has two machines, and I use them often. I always make sure I have a session after I have finish a 5K race, because the difference in post-race stiffness and soreness is huge. I also find that if I hop on the WBV for about 10 minutes in the late afternoon, I experience an energy boost. People like 71-year-old female pop artist Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac fame, as well as ageless supermodel Cindy Crawford, swear by it. Infrared Sauna This is one I have used

1 FREE Cup of Elevate Coffee!

Herbs & More 622 SJefferson St, Athens, AL 35611 www.newtritionalhc.com ther helpful or harmful. The nootropics in Elevate are all-natural amino acids typically found in protein-rich foods, but not always easy to get from diet alone. Nootropics are recognized for supporting cognitive function, memory, creativity, and even motivation in healthy individuals. Some people have

We mess up our levels of ATP through our diets, lifestyles, and overexposure to electronic devices. The Bio-Electro-Magnetic-Energy-Regulation mat is used once or twice a day for only 8 minutes. You lay on it, and I can say from experience that I have become so quickly relaxed, that I fell asleep for a re-invigorating mini-power nap.

Redeem this coupon for

found that it helps with their weight, but each person reacts differently. Bring in the coupon to Herbs & More to get a delicious free sample, and while you are there, look into adding their services to your health regimen. There’s still plenty of time to “spring into spring,” Herbs & More style!

dence of benefit.” Understandably cautious, the Mayo Clinic also said that more and larger population studies on Infrared saunas need to be conducted, and that no adverse effects have been reported. “Happy Coffee,” or “Smart Coffee” This is the newest product at Herbs & More, and has quickly become “all the rage,” in a positive way. The brand name is Elevate, and is a greattasting micro-ground, functional coffee that contains a proprietary blend of nootropic ingredients designed to assist with mental clarity, memory, and energy. “Nootropics” is a general term for “stimulants,” ei-

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Learning As A Lifestyle

What’s Happening At The CLL by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 We are getting busy again at Athens State University’s Center for Lifelong Learning preparing for summer camps and finishing up the spring semester. Check out our website at www.athens.edu/CLL or give us a call at 256233-8260 for more information about these or other courses we are offering. There is still time to take some of our spring courses. Pottery: Introduction to Wheel Throwing has openings. Class is on Monday nights, April 1 April 29, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., at the Alabama Center for the Arts, in Decatur. The fee is $89/person and includes all the materials and paints. In the class, students will learn the basics of creating pottery on the potter’s wheel. You will learn how to center the clay on the wheel and make cylinders and bowls. No prior expe-

rience necessary, but come ready to make a mess! Register early as class size is limited. In the Basic Blacksmith Class, scheduled Saturday, March 30, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., our instructors will guide you through the basic blacksmithing techniques of forging metal using tools to hammer, bend, and shape. Students will learn basic safety, fire instruction, tapering, bending, twisting, spreading, rolling, punching, and riveting. At the end of class, students will take home a coat hanger. No previous experience is required. We recommend students use safety glasses, wear long sleeve cotton shirts, long pants, and leather high-top boots. Students will need to bring leather gloves to class. The fee is $89/person and includes all materials, tools and equipment. Our beginner Yoga Class has been moved

to Carter Gym on the Athens State University Campus. This is a free class offered on Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. Please bring your yoga mat and enjoy!

If you are looking for classes to help you get ahead in your career development, I suggest the Time Management Class, scheduled March 13, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at the Center for Lifelong Learning. The class will cover these topics: SMART goals, prioritizing your time, planning wisely, tackling procrastination, and so much more. We are offering the Microsoft Excel Series, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced, February 28, March 28, and April 25. Having taken the Intermediate and Advanced courses myself, I can highly recommend them. I learned more in a two-hour class, than I learned in six hours

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several years ago. You will want to mark your calendar to attend. Don’t forget to mark your calendar for the 4th Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium – Breaking the Glass Ceiling, No More Limits, on April 10. Watch for information on the website – www. athens.edu/CLL or call us at 256-233-8260. Catalogs for summer camps should be out the end of April or first of May. We have a couple of new camps and some of the tried and true favorites from years past. At the Center for Lifelong Learning, Learning is a Lifestyle. Check us out!

March 1 - March 14, 2019

Jerry’s Journal

Twelve Lives of “Crash Baker” Part I by Jerry R. Barksdale www.jerrybarksdale.com

If you met Hal Baker walking near his home on East Street in Athens, his unassuming appearance and quiet demeanor wouldn’t hint that he holds two Purple Hearts, a Silver Star and seven other medals for heroism in battle. To my knowledge he is the most decorated Vietnam veteran in Limestone County. Baker has to be the luckiest, unlucky helicopter pilot that ever flew in the Vietnam War. His call sign was “Darkhorse onethree” and his nickname, “Crash Baker.” A sign in the operations room stated, “Fly with Crash Baker at your own risk.” He survived 3 crashes and went down a total of 12 times, 9 of which he was shot down. Cats must be envious of Baker.

airplane props. He yearned for adventure. In the dead of winter, February 1968, at age 19, he joined the Army and was sent to Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, for basic training. “Ft. Misery” he calls it. Afterwards, having received a top secret security clearance, he was assigned to Cryptographic School, Ft. Meade, MD. He didn’t like it. “We were to be located in a small compound in Vietnam guarded by MPs,” says Baker. “If our compound was overrun by enemy, the MPs were supposed to destroy all cryptoequipment and kill the personnel. I didn’t think much of that.”

fb.com/jerry.barksdale.7 Living on the edge made Baker feel alive. He completed parachute school at Ft. Benning, and was assigned to the famed 82nd Airborne Division. Meanwhile, he tested for both the Green Berets and Flight School. “I weighed wading through rice paddies versus flying over them.” He chose flight school. Unlike the other services, the Army didn’t require pilots to have a college degree. Baker was accepted and began 9 months of primary flight training, the first half at Ft. Wolters near Mineral Wells, Texas. It was brutal and the harass-

Harold “Hal” Gene Baker and his twin brother, Carold were born on July 3, 1948 in a share cropper’s shack in a cotton patch near the small Arkansas Delta town of Swifton. He was too young to pick cotton, but not too young to ride his mother’s sack while she picked. Times were hard. His father moved the family north to Indianapolis seeking work when Hal was three years old. His interest in flight came early in life. When he was a first grader, he jumped out of a barn loft. Being unlucky, he severely injured his hip requiring traction for 6 months and crutches for 2 ½ years.

Following a 30-day leave, Baker flew to San Francisco, headed to war. The United flight attendant moved him up to first class. “I told one of the young hostesses that I wanted to see the Golden Gate Bridge before I died, that I was going to Vietnam and had no expectations of coming home. She drove him across the Golden Gate at 2 a.m. “That’s the nicest

we were ever treated.” He adds, “Coming home from Vietnam wasn’t all that great.” On February 17, 1970, Baker landed at Long Binh, a mosquito infested wet area in the Mekong Delta not far from Saigon. “I woke up next morning never to forget the smell,” says Baker. “It was damp and mildewy and smelled like a rice paddy.” Roads were clogged with motor scooters darting through the streets. The appearance was peaceful but deceiving. Soon, he would learn that it was a smelly green hell where ordinary looking people wanted to kill him. Over 40,000 Americans had been killed in the conflict to date. The average life expectancy of a chopper pilot was 19 minutes. By war’s end, almost half of the 12,000 helicopters sent there were lost, and approximately 5000 pilots and crew members were killed. That doesn’t include those injured. A few days after arriving, Baker was assigned to the 162nd Aviation Assault Company at Can Tho. Initially, he flew a “Slick” (transport chopper without external weapons) often ferrying combat troops to “hot” landing zones. “I was scared to death,” he says. Later, he flew a Huey gunship armed with 72 rockets and machine guns manned by two doorgunners whose job was to suppress enemy gunfire. There were no gun sights on Hueys. The pilot marked an X on the windshield with a grease pencil and flew toward the

After graduating high school, he worked for Allison Motors manufacturing

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ment never ceased. “We weren’t allowed to look up at a helicopter when one flew over,” he says. Then on to Ft. Rucker, Alabama, where he graduated and was commissioned warrant officer.

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Dog Barker

Why Have A Pitbull? by Joel Allen

Folks, recently I decided to drop into our local Athens-Limestone Animal Shelter to interview the workers and discuss pit bulls, also known as “pitties.” I spoke with Mendi, one of the supervisors at the shelter. She shared with me an interesting story about a recent incident at the shelter that involved the Limestone County Animal Control and a neglected pit bull. On February 6, 2019, Animal Control Officer Joe Moss answered a call about a possible neglected dog chained outside that may have been abandoned. Officer Moss went to investigate and found that the dog was a black female pit bull with a large chain around her neck, food in an automatic feeder, and an empty water dish. Out of concern for the welfare of the dog, Officer Moss took custody of the dog and left a calling card on the door of the residence. Now I am always keep-

ing tabs on any dogs the shelter takes in and posts on my Facebook page. I even ensure I share the posts with everyone connected with me. In saying that, it was not until February 11, 2019 that the owner showed up at the shelter wanting his dog back, and it was Mendi who met with him. Let me point out that it took this man approximately 5 days to come for this dog! That indicates one of two things -- either he went by to check on the dog when it was time to refill the feeder again or he heard she was at the shelter. I’ll let my readers decide as they read what Mendi told me about the interaction with the owner, and it went something like this: “He came through the door asking for his black pit bull, and I asked him what would make him think she was at the shelter?” He said that he had heard that she was here. I start looking

through the folders, and he starts talking about her being on a chain and that Animal Control had been out there. We started realizing who it was. I called Joe for him, and we could hear only his side of the conversation and he was saying, ‘Of course she is going to be aggressive. She’s a guard dog.’ He had left her there because he did not live at that property anymore and that she was guarding his place while he wasn’t there. He kept repeating that of course she is going to be aggressive, that is what she’s for. And he said that just because she is a pit bull, we had a problem with it. He also said that we didn’t need to be worried about what some other person said because they didn’t belong on the property anyway. He kept repeating that was what she was for, a guard dog, and we started questioning him on that as far as she had heartworm and was she vaccinated. He

stated that she had not been vaccinated, and he did not need a guilt trip. We asked him if he was going to get her vaccinated, and he kept brushing us off and kept saying he didn’t need a guilt trip, and he wasn’t here to listen to all that. He was just there to pay his money and get his dog. Which he did. He threw the money at me and wanted her instantly, but we had to get her rabies vaccination taken care of. He did get the dog back. I told him he at least should get her seen about the heartworm problem. He kept saying she was only a guard dog, and that’s what she was there for.” That was pretty much the conversation Mendi had with this man. She also informed him that it was because of people like him that pit bulls get a bad reputation from being chained outside and mistreated making them mean. I will say this because it was said to me, and it is

fitting, “The dog is only as good as the IDIOT raising it!” Pit bulls have a bad reputation that is only fueled even more by the media. A lot of the negative coverage causes many to judge this breed harshly. Many places here in the US will not allow this breed to live on their property because of this. Let me say this, I have seen pit bulls make wonderful service dogs. This breed has been around for centuries. Yes, they were originally used for blood sports. But there are many other breeds of dogs that were used for far worse. Know your history people, and stop thinking that all pit bulls are bad. I thought it fitting to share this with my readers. I have met my share of pit bulls, and I will say that 90 percent of them have been loving dogs, unless they have been mistreated or they felt threatened. Let me challenge those who are seeking a dog. Go by the shelter and meet the pit bulls that are there. I know for a fact that they are loving and kind. You won’t be disappointed. “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

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March 1 - March 14, 2019

Mental Health Minute

The Second Brain by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor

“Anything that affects the gut will always affect the brain.” - Dr. Charles Majors Have you heard the phrase, “Trust your gut,” which means to trust your instincts when making decisions? Or ever have that uneasy feeling in the pit of your stomach when you are anxious or something just doesn’t feel right? Do you get stomach pains when you feel depressed? Your gut is sensitive to emotions like anger, joy, worry, and sadness, and your brain can react to signals from your stomach. In fact, it turns out that the gut plays a huge role not only with our emotions, but in our judgments, overall health, and mental well-being.

The gut includes every organ involved in digesting food and processing it into waste. This includes the esophagus and stomach, small and large intestines, gall bladder, liver, and pancreas. The lining of your gut is often called the second brain, because it can operate on its own, and communicates back and forth with your actual brain. Your gut and brain are connected in two ways: physically and chemically. Physically, the vagus nerve controls messages to the gut, heart, lungs, and other vital organs. This nerve is the gut’s direct connection to the brain. Chemically, messages are passed between the gut and brain through bacteria, viruses, and fungi that live in the gut, called the gut microbiome. The bacteria, viruses, and

fungi that live in the gut may be beneficial, harmless, or harmful. So how is the gut microbiome related to mental health? First, there is a strong relationship between having mental health problems and having gastrointestinal symptoms like heartburn, indigestion, acid reflux, bloating, pain, and constipation and/ or diarrhea. Second, having anxiety and depression can cause changes in the gut microbiome because of what happens in the body when it has a stress response. Third, animal research has confirmed that changes in the gut microbiome and inflammation in the gut can affect the brain, producing symptoms that look like Parkinson’s disease, autism, and anxiety and depression. So, what does this all mean for those who struggle with

mental and emotional challenges? We know that the human body interacts with the environment in complex ways. Your body creates panic attacks, anxiety, and other symptoms on purpose, as a meaningful reaction to what is going on around you. There is a good reason for your brain and mood to get your attention…so you can make a change. So stay with me here while I suggest that there is a correlation between inflammation and symptoms of mental illness. I am not proposing that there is a cause and effect, but rather a relationship. When your body is in a state of inflammation, this can translate as “danger” to the brain and influence the neurochemical balance. For example, gut inflammation can impact the ex-

tremely sensitive feedback systems around stress hormones, like cortisol. The problem is that once triggered, inflammation can be repeatedly activated, signaling distress to the body and mind. This inflammation transfers information to the nervous system typically through the vagus nerve (remember the link from the gut to the brain?) Quite possibly, depression, anxiety, and a host of other symptoms of mental illness may be a complex product of chronic inflammation. You may have a “sick gut” that is a result of infection produced through a cortisol or other hormonal dysfunction.

The gut is the gatekeeper of inflammatory response, and houses a large portion of our immune system. Continuing down the gut-brain path, the natural healing process conclusion would be that if you learn to take care of your gut, you can improve your mental health. If this topic interests you, and/or you have found yourself saying, “Yes, this all makes sense to me,” then I encourage you to do further research on your own. There is a wealth of information on the gutbrain connection. So start to balance your moods by listening to your gut. You have the power to change.

Lisa Philippart is a Licensed Professional Counselor, who divides her time between her own private practice in Huntsville and providing personal counseling services at Athens State University.

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The Alternative Approach

What I Would Do If I Had IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) by Roy Williams Irritable Bowel Syndrome can cause an amazing amount of stress due to the need to be near a bathroom at all times. Many have expressed their fear of even going out to eat, travel, or go to church. It can also cause dehydration, poor nutrient absorption, forgetfulness, depression, back pain, nausea, dizziness, gas, anxiety, vomiting, extreme weakness, and fatigue. IBS occurs when the beneficial bacteria that live in the digestive tract are destroyed by antibiotics, chlorinated water, food preservatives, and many prescribed medications. When the beneficial bacteria are weakened or destroyed, a person may not be able to control their bowels with as many as seven bowel movements a day. The opposite may also occur with long spells of constipation. IBS may also occur if you have ulcers, colitis, or an excessive amount of fecal matter caked up on the lining of the colon. If your abdomen is swollen, your colon may be impacted, which is a sure sign of digestive disorders. One of the prescription

drugs advertised to treat the symptoms of IBS is called Linzess. As always, before taking any medication, I recommend you read the possible side effects, which in the case of Linzess states: LINZESS can cause serious side effects, including diarrhea, the most common side effect, which can sometimes be severe. Diarrhea often begins within the first 2 weeks of LINZESS treatment. Stop taking LINZESS and call your doctor right away if you get severe diarrhea during treatment with LINZESS. Other common side effects of LINZESS include gas, stomach-area (abdominal) pain, swelling, or a feeling of fullness or pressure in your abdomen (distension). Call your doctor or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you develop unusual or severe stomacharea (abdominal) pain, especially if you also have bright red, bloody stools or black stools that look like tar. You may recall my definition of prescription, “Per-

mission To Poison.” It is important to understand that if the drug was not toxic, you would not have to have a doctor sign off on it, giving you permission to poison yourself. All prescription drugs have side effects because they are, to one level or another, toxic to the human body. No living cell in the human body is dependent on a synthetic drug for survival. All drugs must go through a LD-50 rating in order to get approval by the FDA. LD-50 stands for Lethal Dose 50. The drug is tested on a group of animals at ever increasing doses until 50% of the group dies from overdose. That is how they determine how much to give an average size person. Natural Digestive Support The following statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure, or treat any disease. Because drugs are toxic

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and have too many side effects, which can be worse than the disorder, we always turn to all-natural support. In this case the following has proven to help thousands of people with all types of digestive disorders including IBS. In most cases IBS can be solved by replacing the beneficial bacteria and taking supplemental digestive enzymes. Taking a good probiotic daily and a high quality digestive enzyme when you eat can make all the difference. If I were diagnosed with IBS this is what I would do to support digestive health: PB-8: This probiotic delivers up to eight billion live bacteria in a daily dose. Over time the beneficial bacteria will culminate in the digestive tract and begin to help with digestion and elimination. Take 2 capsules with clean water each morning with or without food. Super Enzymes: Because enzymes are necessary for the breakdown of the food we eat, we recommend

you take 1 capsule with each meal. If you are going to eat a large meal you may consider taking two with that meal. If you have been diagnosed with IBS and colitis, ulcers, diverticulitis, or other more complicated digestive disorders you may want to consider adding the following: MPS-70: You should take this product on an empty stomach and wait 30 minutes before eating. It can be mixed with water or fruit juice. It is safe for any age group and can be taken with any medication. This formula has worked for virtually everyone who followed the instructions. It works with your body’s own healing processes. To help you make the right decisions you may wish to bring your doctor’s diagnosis to Herbs & More in Athens or NHC Herb Shop in Killen. There is never a charge for our time. Your friend in health, Roy P. Williams

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Jerry’s Journal (continued)

Twelve Lives of “Crash Baker” Part I by Jerry R. Barksdale

continued from page 19

target from 1500 feet, firing. “Below 500 feet you couldn’t pull out,” says Baker. “Some pilots got “target fixations” and flew into the ground and were killed.” Bad luck stalked Baker, but good luck always saved him. The first time he was shot down was while inserting South Vietnamese troops on the ground. They began taking enemy fire. Baker went in to cover them, and his rotor blade was hit by AK- 47 rounds. The blade began shaking, and he went down behind enemy lines and was rescued. His luck held. The pilots had to operate within strict rules of engagement. “I got in more trouble about that that than anything else,” says Baker. At the end of the runway at Can Tho, was an enemy bunker. “They shot at us in the morning when we flew out and when we came back in the afternoon. We couldn’t return fire. One evening I flew over and saw five enemy soldiers.” He rolled in and squeezed the trigger, killing three or four. The door-gunner was shot in the foot. He called for Cobra backup, but they told him he had to quit. “I kicked out the radio and told them I didn’t know what they were saying. Finally, I ran out of bullets and quit.” He grins, “I got chewed out.” On another occasion after completing a firing mission, with two rockets left, Baker decided to practice on two water buffalo near a tree line. They swooped low and opened fire. Suddenly, bullets ripped into the flight control. “We splashed down by a dike

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on the other side of a rice paddy,” says Baker. “One of the door-gunners jumped up on the dike like John Wayne and raked the tree line with bullets.” The enemy zeroed in on him. Baker, armed with only a .45 pistol, was no match for AK-47s, and moved away from the targeted machinegunner. The fire fight lasted for 45 minutes, but again luck intervened. A recovery chopper from Can Tho rescued them. A close friend invited Baker to join a “Hunter-Killer” team which consisted of 5 choppers. Two Cobra gunships armed with rockets, mini-guns on the nose, and a door-gunner, flew overhead at 1500 feet. A Huey flew at 1000 feet and acted as command and recovery. Baker’s 5’9”, 165 pound frame fit nicely into one of the two Loaches (light observation choppers) that flew no more than 10 feet above the ground. They were scouts looking for targets. His door-gunner, attached to a “monkey strap,” hung out the door and manned an M60 machine gun. It was dangerous and very stressful. The HunterKiller team averaged killing 120 enemies a month. “Our life expectancy as a Loach pilot was 11 seconds after we made contact,” says Baker. “We flew two missions a day for 3 days, then off.” However, most of the time he didn’t take his off days. Instead, he flew door-gunner or front seat on a Cobra gunship. “I figured if anybody was going to get killed, it’d be me,” says Baker. “We were young. I really didn’t care. Most of us didn’t care.”

in for the kill. The VC returned fire and shot out the chopper engine. “I splashed down in a rice paddy on the other side of the sampan,” says Baker. “The left skid broke off, and we flipped over.” Again, good luck intervened. The other Loach sank the sampan and rescued Baker and crew. The first time Baker was wounded by enemy fire was when he was shot down with an M-79 grenade launcher. It was his ninth crash. He had a new doorgunner. They spotted three sampans turned over in the water. Enemy soldiers were hiding beneath them. “Water was so clear at times we could see people on the bottom breathing through a reed. Command and Control wanted to capture and interrogate them.” Baker dropped down to provide covering fire. Suddenly his

Often Viet Cong hid in sampan boats in the river. Baker spotted an enemy and went

chopper was hit on the left side knocking out his flight control. “We were going inland. All glass, airframe, everything on the right side was blown off.” It seemed Baker had finally run out of luck. “I stomped the left pedal and we crashed, rolling over, end over end, five times. My door-gunner was hanging on the monkey strap and wounded. I got out of my harness and jumped into the water and unhooked my door-gunner. Bullets were flying everywhere - water splashing around me. I saw blood streaming down my arm and I had been hit, with shrapnel in my arm and leg.” After rescue, they were flown to a hospital where pockets of shrapnel were removed from his body. “I never felt getting shot.” Afterwards, Baker learned

that a turncoat South Vietnamese soldier had fired the M-79 that shot them down. The turncoat was stood up in front of a brick wall and machine gunned by his fellow soldiers. In Vietnam, one never knew who was friend or foe. The barber that cut the men’s hair during the day was a Viet Cong fighter at night. He was killed coming through the barbed wire that surrounded the compound. On another occasion, a “friendly” pulled the pin on a hand grenade, wrapped a rubber band around it to hold the plunger down, and dropped it in the chopper’s gas tank while the crew was temporarily absent. Fortunately, the gas ate through the rubber, and the grenade exploded before the chopper was airborne. To be continued…

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