Issuu

March 3rd - March 16th, 2017

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

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

All Things Soldier The Bravery Of Bud Liebenow... John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a true war hero during WWII, and his story of shipwreck and rescue is the stuff of legends... Page 4

Special Feature Top Job Roofing And Construction: Gold Sponsors Of The 2017 Home And Garden Show... I first had the chance to tell the folks in our area about Top Job Roofing and Construction back in the fall of... Page 5

Learning As A Lifestyle

Habitat For Humanity: Dancing Back Into “Builds” By Ali Elizabeth Turner Habitat for Humanity of Athens/Limestone County has had a challenging few years, which thankfully are just about wrapped up. One of the toughest parts of the rough patch Continued on page 15

Meet Our Athens Limestone Pulmonary And Sleep Disorder Physicians

It’s All In The Game!... Athens State University’s Center for Lifelong Learning is pleased to announce our 2nd Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium on... Page 18

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Working together: Habitat for Humanity Collegiate Challenge volunteers from Bridgewater College in Virginia and Juniata College in Pennsylvania

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

For over 20 years, Athens Limestone has had at least one board certified physician dedicated to specifically improving the function of our lungs as well Continued on pages 17

www.athensnowal.com

Page 2

www.athensnowal.com

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Publisher’s Point Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

You Can’t Hurry Love

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

Graphic Design

Jonathan Hamilton

Web Design Teddy Wolcott

Contributing Writers Janet Hunt Lynne Hart Teresa Todd Joel Allen Jerry Barksdale Shelley Underhill D. A. Slinkard Wanda Campbell Chad Davis, O.D.

When I was a kid back in 1966, Diana Ross and the Supremes had a hit song entitled, “You Can’t Hurry Love.” It is still considered to be one of the top 500 songs that shaped contemporary music, and it was based on a gospel song that was produced in the 1950s. The most notable part of the song is the chorus, immortalizing the words of a wise mom who says to her daughter: You can’t hurry love No, you just have to wait She said, “Love don’t come easy, it’s a game of give and take” The chorus is repeated, and the young woman is barely comforted as she laments her loneliness, but ultimately, she hangs on to the words of her mother.

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3 All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4 Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 Cooking With Shelley . . . 13 Cover Stories . . . . . . 15 & 17 Health and Fitness . . . . . . 16 Learning As A Lifestyle . . . . 18 Jerry's Journal . . . . . . . . 19 Dog Barker . . . . . . . . 20 Medical Update . . . . . . . . 22 Foreman's Forum . . . . . . . . 23

March 3 - March 16, 2017

It’s 50 years later, and while humans don’t change all that much intrinsically, parents and grandparents who weathered their own storms with regard to love and relationships are up against some new challenges when it comes to helping their younger loved ones: social media. We now have the ability to instantly and without any filters let the entire planet know how things make us feel as many times a day as we choose, and, our “friends” are expected to respond each time. Part of the reason this format is so powerful is that every time someone responds, a small bit of dopamine,

ter, it’s by instilling in ourselves and our kids the belief that delayed gratification makes everything sweeter, deeper, and more fulfilling. And more importantly, it is walking in the truth that if you want love, you need to give it. In addition, you need to become your best self so that you are not a black hole that sucks any love one of the neurotransmitters that causes us to feel good, is released, and thus our complaint is rewarded with a tiny and only temporary fix. You might ask, “Well, isn’t that the same as going to a friend or loved one to gain solace?” No, and the reason is deceptive. If you go to a friend who listens and gives you wise counsel, you hear their voice, you see their eyes, you might have a cup of tea, you might get a hug, and perhaps they will pray for you right then and there. It is the cumulative effect of “facelook” as opposed to Facebook that can help turn the tide more readily and with better results. By contrast, emojis are at best well-meaning masks, or in the case of the furious ones, not so much. Please understand, I am not trying to bash social media here, and I have been gratified at times when I have gotten a ton of “likes,” whether it’s related to Athens Now or my own page. I am just saying that our kids first

of all are told they are ultra special and invincible from morning till night, they “deserve” _________ (just fill in the blank), are given trophies for showing up, and have helicopter parents hovering over them in case they “fall down and go boom,” literally or emotionally. Millennials are miserable, and some of the fault is ours. How do we manage this ourselves, no matter what age we are, or healthfully help our young people? No one likes to be told, “You just have to wait. Love don’t come easy…” Like all things that really mat-

that does come your way into the far reaches of your emotional universe. We are in a season where we are talking a lot about love— love of Athens, love of country, love of freedom, love of God. “Love don’t come easy,” just ask our Savior. But pursuing a life of love is always worth it.

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

athensnowal.com www.athensnowal.com

Page 3

All Things Soldier

The Bravery Of Bud Liebenow by Ali Elizabeth Turner John Fitzgerald Kennedy was a true hero during WWII, and his story of shipwreck and rescue is the stuff of legends. He skippered a PT boat in the Solomon Islands designated by the number 109, and it was cut in half by the Japanese destroyer Amangiri. Eleven men survived, including Kennedy, and they swam three miles to the shore of a deserted island, unsure what they were going to encounter next. Natives in a dugout canoe paddled out to the island to help the sailors. JFK carved a message on a coconut which he gave to the natives, and they in turn took the coconut to the closest PT base on Rendova, which was 35 nautical miles away. In block letters, Kennedy carved, "NAURO ISL… COMMANDER…NATIVE KNOWS POS'IT…HE CAN PILOT…11 ALIVE…NEED SMALL BOAT…KENNEDY" A man by the name of William “Bud” Liebenhow, also a

dent Kennedy, and the President had the famous coconut shell turned into a large paperweight which he kept in the oval office. It is well known that the injuries JFK suffered as a result of the shipwreck set him up for a lifelong addiction to painkillers; he had a rocking chair that became iconic during his presidency in which he rocked to help deal with the pain. Liebenhow and JFK remained friends until the president was assassinated in 1963. Liebenhow lived a quiet life as a chemist for thirty years,

PT Boat skipper, was the one who was dispatched to rescue Kennedy and his crew, who were behind enemy lines. He, like JFK, was also a true hero from the same era. As is so often the case with warriors of the Greatest Generation, Bud was modest in his description of what happened. “Pulled

right up to the beach," Liebenow told WRAL-TV in 2015. "Just a part of the job, really." Another “part of the job” was both clandestine work with the French Resistance in preparation for D-Day beginning of January of 1944, as well as the rescue of more

Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 511)

March 20th

11am - 1pm and 5pm-7pm

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

www.athensnowal.com

than 60 troops whose boats had been destroyed by the Nazis in the Normandy Invasion that June. Again, with the characteristic modesty of his ilk, Liebenow said, “We went in to pick up survivors and do what we could." He told the Mount Airy News in 2014, "We spent most of that day picking up guys out of the water." Besides rescuing sailors from the USS Corry which was destroyed that day, Liebenhow’s boat transported the likes of General Dwight Eisenhower and British General Bernard Montgomery. Eighteen years later, Liebenhow (from Bud) was invited to the inauguration of Presi-

was a husband and the father of two children, and on February 24, passed away at the age of 97 from pneumonia. He was the only D-Day survivor remaining in the entire area of Fredericksburg, VA. Liebenow was awarded the Silver Star and Bronze Star for valor in combat. He also received the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal. I have no idea if Bud Liebenow was a Republican or a Democrat, a liberal or a conservative. All I know is that I am grateful for his service, and from here on out may he experience smooth sailing.

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Special Feature

Top Job Roofing And Construction: Gold Sponsors Of The 2017 Home And Garden Show by Ali Elizabeth Turner I first had the chance to tell the folks in our area about Top Job Roofing and Construction back in the fall of 2014. At that time, they had been in business for about a year, and have now grown to where this year they are going to be Gold Sponsors at the Limestone County Chamber of Commerce Home and Garden Show. The show will be held on Friday, March 10th, and Saturday, March 11th at the Limestone County Event Center, and they will be there to answer all your roofing questions. Zeb Lewter and Tim Lewter are the owners, and together bring decades of construction, roofing, and classroom experience to both get the job done right and educate as well as serve their clients throughout the entire experience. Why should you choose Top Job Roofing for your project? There are a number of reasons, one being that it is the only roofing company in the area to have the GAF Master Elite Contractor certification. Top Job has also achieved the status of Certified GAF Weather Stopper Roofing Contractor, an achievement for which only 6% of professional roofing contractors meet the qualifications necessary to be designated as such.

Top Job provides 10-50 year warranties and itemized statements as part of the contract process prior to beginning the job. The contractors are certified, and the shingles used for each job are made locally in Tuscaloosa. Top Job offers monthly specials, as well as special discounts for members of our Armed Forces, Educators, and Emergency Response Personnel, (active, retired and their surviving spouses). They also offer incentives for referrals. In addition, they are members of the National Roofing Contractors Association, the Limestone County Chamber of Commerce, they have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, and have the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval. They are also what is known as Green Roofers, a certification that demonstrates that their methods are ecofriendly. I have learned some things about roofing in talking to the Top Job guys; one thing being that architectural roofing materials have to be nailed in six specific locations per shingle, or they can slide off the roof. All felt from the roof must be removed in order for the job to be done right, and not everyone does that. Top Job uses

synthetic felt, which provides a much better moisture barrier. In 75% of their installs this year they, used the architectural grade materials, and they are paying more per roof in their contracts than anyone else. They use lead boots instead of rubber gasket boots, and the result is simply a much better product, with a higher level of customer satisfaction. Top Job also puts a professional starter strip at the edge of the roof, rather than do what many companies do, and that is flip around a shingle tab to make a strip. The problem with that is there is no seal on the makeshift strip, and it can peel up far more easily. The professional starter strip greatly increases a shingle’s ability

March 3 - March 16, 2017

www.athensnowal.com

to withstand high winds. Storm season will soon be upon us, and for the last several years as we have had to contend with Nature’s wrath, bargain rate roofing companies have sprung up out of nowhere, offering “unbelievable prices.” One of the reasons they can do that is because their roofers are not covered by Workman’s Comp, and the State of Alabama only requires that roofing companies guarantee their work for one year. “All our roofers are covered by Workmen’s Comp,” I was told. What you as a consumer may not know is that if a worker gets hurt on your property, and does not have insurance coverage, you as the homeowner are liable.

Top Job will also go above and beyond to help their clients finance their roofing jobs, and are proud of their ability to do so. They know that replacing or repairing your roof may be an unexpected expense. They offer interest free financing from 12 to 24 months – same as cash with a 90% approval rate. They also have longer term loans available at low interest rates. If it is a repair and you need help filing an insurance claim, they are there to help. If you are looking for a local roofing and contracting company with membership in the best national trade related certifying organizations, Top Job Roofing and Construction is going to be your best choice, because Zeb and Tim will make your job their “top priority.”

Top Job Roofing and Construction 803 South Jefferson St Athens, AL, 35611 256-232-5559 www.topjobroofing.com They are also on Facebook and Twitter Page 5

Calendar of Events are seated together, doors open 10:30am, events start at 11AM with seating, opening announcements, blessing, and lunch, with show beginning about 12 noon. (About 1 hour show) They have bus parking available, e-mail reservations are required. Info@ yesterdaysevents.com.

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

Prayer • Elderly Assistance • Feed The Hungry Clothes • Scholarships • Empowering Women Volunteers Wanted & Needed Call for Details -256.233.5995 Meeting Time: First Saturday of Each Month at 1:30pm Food pantry open now. wewoa.org • E-Mail: wew5995@gmail.com

Welcome Spring At Mooresville Mercantile Mar 25th

Join Mooresville Mercantile in welcoming Spring by enjoying the crafters, artists, small businesses and community organizations that join them under the trees from 9:30AM to 2:00PM at 5081 Mooresville Road in Mooresville, AL. The Spring Gathering is being held in conjunction with the Sheep Shearing Day at 1818 Farms.

Poke Sallet Follies Mar 2nd - 4th

Ribeye Steak Sandwich Fundraiser Mar 31st

Athens Senior Center, 912 West Pryor Street, Athens, AL. The successful Poke Sallet Follies is an annual fundraising event hosted by the foundation board each spring. This 3-night dinner event provides entertainment and comedy while showcasing many local politicians and dignitaries. Tickets for the 2017 show are on sale now at the Athens Senior Center on Pryor Street.

Join the City of Athens Relay for Life team and the Limestone County Cattleman Association for a Ribeye Steak Sandwich Fundraiser at Friendship Church, 16479 Lucas Ferry Road in Athens from 11am-1pm. Cost is $10.00 for eat in or carry out.

Elk River Cleanup Mar 4th

Athens April Historic Walking Tours Apr 1st - 29th

Join KALB at 8 am to help clean up the Limestone County portion of the Elk River and surrounding land areas. Learn about your river, help remove debris, and meet other community volunteers. Canoes, kayaks, and boats welcome but not required. Volunteers will gather at the Hatchery Rd. boat launch in West Limestone for instructions and supplies, then be disbursed to areas along the river. There will be no trash weighing this year! Work from 8 a.m. to noon and have your name entered into a drawing for prizes and enjoy a complimentary lunch. Contact KALB at 256233-8000 or KALBCares@gmail.com for information.

Fifth Annual Little Light of Mine Foundation Benefit Dinner Mar 4th

Supporting Blakely Goodman. The event will be held from 6pm until 8pm at the Limestone County Event Center, located at 114 Pryor Street in Athens, Alabama. Tickets: $75.00 per seat Tables of 8: $500.00. Visit http://www.bernieslight.org/benefit-dinner for more information and to purchase tickets and sponsorships online.

The Cadillacs at Yesterday's Senior Lunch Matinee Show Mar 16th

15631 Brownsferry Road in Athens. March's featured performers will be the The Cadillacs with a collection of Oldies, Doo-Wop and Old Country.. All seating is reserved - $12.00 each, groups Page 6

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

Rock and Walk For Babies Apr 29th

The TEARS Foundation provides compassionate assistance and ongoing support for bereaved families. Join us for our walk on Saturday, April 29th from 10-1 at the Athens Sportsplex. For more information or to register, visit www.thetearsfoundation.org/walks

2nd Annual Biker / Motorcycle Event Apr 29th

Point Mallard Park (large pavilion near wave pool), Decatur, AL. Get your motor runnin’… head out on the highway… looking for adventure? If that’s you (yes, it’s you!) come out and join us for a scenic ride, food and prizes. Hosted by the Decatur-based chapter of the Christian Motorcyclists Association (CMA). No fee is required but any donation appreciated. This is a Run for the Son (RFS) event whereby any donations collected will be 100% disbursed to CMA headquarters so it can be used to help spread the gospel of Jesus Christ, nationally and internationally. 8:30am-3pm with group ride at 9am, then lunch at approx noon. Ride maps will be provided if you want to ride solo. More info: 256-509-2419.

www.athensnowal.com

March 3 - March 16, 2017

www.athensnowal.com

Page 7

What Makes Ronnie Roll

For The Love Of Cities, Part 4 by Ali Elizabeth Turner If you look at the “City Nutrition Pyramid” that Peter Kageyama uses in his book, For The Love Of Cities to describe a town’s total healthiness, you will see an unfamiliar word, “conviviality” just below the word “fun,” and both of them are at the top of the triangle. Conviviality is defined as “the quality of being friendly and lively; friendliness.” This is not to imply that friendliness and/or fun are more important than public safety, but when a city is able to have fun safely, it is an emotionally nutritious city, one that is indeed lovable. This weekend marks the 25th anniversary of Poke Sallet Follies, one of the most fun events of the year, and it is fun with a noble purpose. Twenty-five years ago, PSF was born out of a desire to raise funds for the Council On Aging, and to nearly everyone’s surprise,

it has grown into quite the formidable fête – one that comes with a delicious three course dinner. This year Mayor Ronnie will be reprising his role as Deputy Barney Fife, and he and Sheriff Mike Blakely will be doing a classic television skit from back when people thought Mayberry was a real town. It is the one where Barney tries to demonstrate to Andy that he knows the Preamble to the Constitution. In addition, there are about 75 people who are actors, 25 of whom are children, all from diverse backgrounds as well as countless people behind the scenes. There are directors; lighting and sound folks; prop masters; costumers; stage managers; and the people who write the skits, film the “ads,” and cook the food. Forgive me if I have left anyone out! “Each year, we wonder how it is going to all come to-

let off. City Councilman Joseph Cannon was filming one of the “ads,” and production had gotten a bit behind schedule. They were running out of time, and they needed to get it filmed. Joseph jumped into deep, cold water on a day when it was 30 degrees outside as part of the ad, and thank-

gether,” said the mayor, “then it does. We have a great time, and we start thinking about how we are going to do it again next year.” He also told me that Poke Sallet raises thousands of dollars each year for the community, thus making it a “nutritious event” in the realm of financial support for an important service.

Kageyama's "nutrition pyramid" for the city. Courtesy of Peter Kageyama.

Here’s an example of what Athenians are willing to do in order to pull Poke Sal-

fully, they didn’t need more than one take. Over the years, Mayor Ronnie has been a two-headed alien, a man covered with a contagious rash, a man who had somehow managed to “catch” pregnancy, a pirate, a biker, Barney Fife, and more, and says he “might not have talent, but tries to inject some joy.” He also told me that one of the more fascinating acts this year is a pantomime that is back lit behind a curtain, and performed only with feet.

“It was amazing,” he said, having come in fresh from the dress rehearsal. “I don’t know how she does it.”

So, why is fun important to and for a city? According to Peter Kagemaya, “…we don’t love places because they are merely functional and safe. When we start including the higher aspirations of community into the mix; comfort, conviviality, beauty and fun, we begin to make places that are beyond merely livable and may ultimately be lovable.”

The Home & Garden Show is coming up, and it is largely about beauty. The Corporate Spelling Bee certainly comes under the category of “higher aspirations,” i.e., the preserving of the integrity of the English language. The recent fun and successful Chili Challenge fits the category of comfort, most specifically comforting those who are passing and their families. “We have many things going in Athens that make it lovable, and we need more,” he said. I agreed, and am confident he will get his wish.

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

Athens Mayor Ronnie Marks and Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely portray Barney and Andy in a skit for Poke Sallet Follies. Page 8

www.athensnowal.com

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Slinkard On Success

What’s In Your Library? by D. A. Slinkard Athens Now is pleased to welcome D.A. Slinkard, manager of the Athens Staples store, to our crew of contributing writers. We are all familiar with the television commercial for the major credit card company asking you, “What’s in your wallet?” This actually got me thinking about the business world, and my question for you is, “What’s in your library?” The saying that “Knowledge is power” holds truth for the business world, and my question for you is, “What books are you reading?” It is said that CEOs of companies are the most avid readers out there. In fact, I have read Internet statistics that suggest CEOs read an average of 60+ books per year. How does this number compare to what you are reading? If you want to be great in the world of business – and I know you do, otherwise you wouldn’t have made it to paragraph two of this article – you are going to have to start reading.

sales (by the way, all businesses are selling something), how many sales books have you read in the last year? It amazes me how many sales managers I see working for companies that have never picked up a sales book in their life! How are you going to be effective in your role? This makes me wonder how many times people are successful in their employment not because of what they are doing, but actually due to what I term “accidental success.” Accidental success means you reached success but it was by no part on purpose. You accidentally achieved your results. The results you obtained were by mere luck, and the chips just happened to fall in your favor. What happens next week,

next month, or even next year when you are not finding the lucky breaks? This is why you must build your reading library.

ty. Before long, I am building a strategy from many people’s thinking (books) and am becoming a better business leader.

There is not one-size-fitsall for the business world. Just go to any book store and you will find countless books on business matters. There are different focus areas for growing your business and no matter which author you read, each book requires you to do one thing: read or listen to the audio book.

Now that I have these ideas in my mind and I have written my notes, the next step I take is to put them into action. This particular activity is the hardest part, because it actually requires you to do something. This is also the most rewarding, because you are able to see the impact reading has on you, your employees and most importantly, your customers.

Personally, I love the feel of having the book in my hands with a pen by my side ready to jot down notes and “a-ha” moments I have while reading the author’s words. Many times I am able to take one idea and morph it into something that fits with my personali-

As your library begins to expand you will notice your business intelligence level start to change as well. Certain things that didn’t make sense before will suddenly make perfect sense, and you will be able

to better judge the direction you need to go with your business. The more knowledge you gain and the more you apply the principles learned, the more “lucky breaks” you will find yourself “catching.” Think about the impact this will have on your life. When you see a book, I don’t want you to see it as the price tag someone says it should cost. I want you to see the book for the amount of money it can bring you when you apply the knowledge you gain to your business. A $30 book investment could easily amount to $1,000,000 in sales if you use what you learn. Start today, build your library, and change the world of business as you know it.

To survive in the business world, you must equip yourself with a special skill set or should I say skill sets if you are going to achieve success. I want you to think about your business and what skills need to be learned. You need the ability to effectively communicate with your customers and your employees. You need to be able to effectively grow as a leader, because we all know there are bosses and then there are leaders. Also, you must be able to work on your mindset to be able to positively impact all facets of your business. If you are in the world of

March 3 - March 16, 2017

www.athensnowal.com

Page 9

Tourism

The Bicentennial Begins 2017-2019 by Teresa Todd, President, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association

The Tourism activity is starting early this year with some new events I think you are going to love! The next few years, 2017 – 2019, Limestone County will be gearing up for educational, historical, inspirational and fun events. Below is one we are having Saturday, March 4th at 11a.m. On March 3, 1817, as officials gathered beside the Tombigbee River to declare Alabama a territory and St. Stephens its capital, business was already booming at the military fort, river ports, trading posts and taverns in what would soon become Limestone County, Alabama. On March 4, 2017, as Alabama kicks off three years of celebration of the state’s bicentennial, Limestone County will kick off its own bicen-

tennial celebrations with a history program and special events around the Limestone County Courthouse Square.

Facebook at www.facebook.com/limestone200. (Article written by Rebekah Davis, Limestone County Archivist)

At the new Revival Center, just off the square on West Washington Street, local historians will share stories about the earliest days of Alabama and Limestone County, home to elk and the Chickasaw people who called the place Elk County; the people and places who made up Limestone county leading up to it establishment on February 6, 1818; when cotton floated down the Tennessee River from Limestone County ports; and when an enterprising businessman created an open-air bar from a split log and two barrels, and served his own brand of shine in gourds.

March 4th – Athens, Alabama will kick off its 200th Anniversary with Limestone County Archivist Rebekah Davis and Athens State Professor Dr. Harry Joiner giving the history of the territory of Limestone County. Throughout the day, downtown merchants will offer specials, including historic foods and historic prices. This first bicentennial learning event will be held at the Revival Center on Washington Street on Saturday, March 4th at 11:30 a.m. Doors open at 11 a.m. so that attendees have the opportunity to browse the resource center presented by various local history groups.

For more information, follow Limestone County, Alabama, Bicentennial on

Mar 4th – The 22nd Annual Corporate Spelling

Bee will begin at 10:00 a.m. at the Athens High School Cafeteria, 100 Hwy 31in Athens. Free admission to spectators; refreshments served. 256230-3050 or learntoreadcouncil@gmail.com. Mar 4th – Heartland Anglers Bass Tournament DIV 1 Wheeler/Elk River (Lee High Ramp on Hwy 72) Safe Light until 3 p.m. Open to the weekend angler. Membership: $35; Tournament Fees: $50; Lunker: $10. Matt Leicher ~ 256-777-9843 E-mail: aldeerhunter23@yahoo. com or Doc Dumas ~ 256497-0084 Mar 4th –North Alabama Birders Association's final trip to White Springs Dike - Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge for birding with a variety of ducks in the area (especially shovelers), good songbirds, other water birds, raptors, etc. from 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Take the Mooresville exit off I-565, go south on Mooresville Road and meet at the parking area near where it intersects with Old Hwy 20. For more info: Ken Ward, Leader (256-837-5646; phinken@wowway.com) Mar 4th – Join fellow veterans and their families at the Alabama Veterans Museum’s monthly Coffee Call (100 W. Pryor St.) for breakfast and fellowship from 8:00 a.m.-9:30 a.m. Contact Director Sandy Thompson at 256-7717578

Officials gathered beside the Tombigbee River to declare Alabama a territory. Page 10

www.athensnowal.com

Mar 4th – Join Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful at the Hatchery Road boat ramp just off AL99 past the Elk River Bridge

at 8:00 a.m. until noon for their annual river and shoreline cleanup of the Elk River Canoe and Kayak Trail. Complimentary lunch will be served at noon to volunteers. Proper dress: Participants should wear long pants and shoes appropriate for walking in the woods or on boats and bring gloves. There will be prize drawings for volunteers who work the full 4 hours. Winners must be present. Contact information: 256-2338000 or KALBCares@ gmail.com Mar 4th – Join the Fifth Annual Little Light of Mine Foundation Benefit Dinner supporting Blakely Goodman. The event will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. at the Limestone County Event Center, located, 114 W. Pryor Street in Athens, Alabama. Tickets: $75.00 per seat or tables of 8: $500.00. Mar 10th & 11th – The 2017 Limestone County Home and Garden Show is March 10-11. Friday from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. and Saturday from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $2.00 for one day and $3.00 for two days at the Limestone County Event Center, 114 W. Pryor Street in Athens. For more information: 256-232-2600 Mar 11th – The Cabela's King Kat Tournament Trail on Wheeler Lake starts at 6:30 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. launches from Ingall's Harbor. All anglers must be in weigh-in line by 4 p.m. You must

March 3 - March 16, 2017

be a member of the King Kat Association to fish this event. A one-year membership is $30. To pre-register, go to kingkatusa.com or 502-3845924. Fuel, supplies, and food are available at the Lucy's Branch Marina Mile Marker 287 on the Tennessee River. www. lucysbranch.com Mar 12th – Join 2-S Arena for their Spring Series 2017 Barrel Racing Series at the 2-S Arena, 26155 Thach Rd. in Athens, Alabama, starting with Exhibition Barrels at 12:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. with the show starting at 3:00 p.m. Membership is $25.00 for individuals, family $40.00 (same household), day permits: $10.00; class competition rates vary. For more information: Mindy Sanders 256-278-5758 or Wil Sanders 256-246-0628 Mar 16th – Come enjoy the Senior Lunch Matinee Show at Yesterday's Event Center, 15631 Brownsferry Rd. in Athens. March's featured performers will be the Cadillacs with a collection of oldies, doo-wop and old country. All seating is reserved - $12.00 each; groups are seated together. Doors open at 10:30 a.m.; events start at 11a.m. with seating, opening announcements, blessing, and lunch. Show begins around noon and lasts about 1 hour. Bus parking available. E-mail reservations are required. Info@yesterdaysevents. com. Mar 18th – Join the

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Huntsville Track Club for the Rocket City Ten Miler in Mooresville, AL. This Grand Prix event will run through scenic Mooresville, Alabama's oldest town. Race starts at 8:00 a.m. For more information: Valerie Connaughton (256) 337-0417. Mar 25th – Heartland Anglers Bass Tournament DIV 1 Wheeler/Elk River (Lee High Ramp on Hwy 72) Safe Light until 3 p.m. Open to the weekend angler. Membership: $35; Tournament Fees: $50; Lunker: $10. Matt Leicher ~ 256777-9843 E-mail: aldeerhunter23@yahoo.com or Doc Dumas ~ 256-4970084 Mar 25th – Join Mooresville Mercantile in welcoming spring by enjoying the crafters, artists, small businesses and community organizations that join them under the trees from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 5081 Mooresville Rd. in Mooresville, AL. The Spring Gathering is being held in conjunction with the Sheep Shearing Day at 1818 Farms, 24889 Lauderdale St. in Mooresville. Mar 31st – Join the City of Athens Relay for Life team and the Limestone County Cattlemen’s Association for a ribeye steak sandwich fundraiser at Friendship Church, 16479 Lucas Ferry Road in Athens from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Cost is $10.00 for eat in or carry out.

www.athensnowal.com

Page 11

Clean and Green

KALB Marches Through A Busy Month by Lynne Hart As we begin the month of March, the KALB organization kicks off a very busy season. There are a few things taking place during this month. Read on to learn more about classroom presentations, free seedlings, volunteer opportunities, free dump day and recycling information. We invite you to march right up and participate in something that is of interest to you. 4-H Presentations In November, we presented a program on recycling to more than 40 Limestone County 4th and 5th grade 4-H clubs/classes. Several more county classes will be visited in March as well as all 5th and 6th grade classes in the Athens City Schools. We are following Chloe Wilson, Foundation Regional Extension Agent with 4-H, and will present the same program using a competitive Jeopardy game. When all is said and done, we will have reached over 1,500 students with our message. It is a rigorous schedule, and I tip my hat to the 4-H agents who do this month after month

during the school year. We appreciate the opportunity to join forces with the 4-H team.

Each year, Limestone County residents have an opportunity to take a pickup truck or trailer load of trash to the transfer station free of charge. On Saturday, March 25th from 7 a.m. until noon, residents will once again have the chance to dump their junk at no cost. Gates close promptly at noon. The transfer station is located at 16100 BFI Lane off Hwy. 72 just before 7-Mile Post Rd. (heading west).

Elk River Cleanup This annual event will be held on Saturday, March 4th. We welcome volunteers to join us in our efforts. No particular skill or ability level is required. All you need is a desire to give back and protect the river which provides our drinking water and recreational opportunities. Volunteers will meet at the Hatchery Rd. boat launch area at 8:00 a.m. Lunch will be provided at noon, as well as a drawing for lots of prizes. Contact us for information. Free Tree Seedlings KALB is grateful to have received 800 tree seedlings from the Alabama Forestry Commission to be given away to Limestone County residents. Members of KALB have first choice of trees and may reserve them via email or phone. All remaining trees will be giv-

RESTRICTIONS: Refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners must have compressors removed, or be accompanied by a receipt showing that the en away at the Limestone County Home and Garden Show on March 10th and 11th taking place at the Event Center in Athens. The following is a list of seedlings that will be available: bald cypress, crepe myrtle, river birch, black gum, redbud and Shumard oak. Free Dump Day

Freon has been professionally removed. No hazardous chemicals or medical waste. Limit of 4 automobile tires per load (please recycle –

see below). You may be asked to show proof of residency; so be prepared with a utility bill. No contractors will be permitted to dump free. Although the transfer station will accept up to 4 tires per household, we ask that you take all tires to the county shed in your district where they will be recycled. Sheds are located as follows: • District 1: 22555 Elkton Road (7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) • District 2: 24795 Pepper Road (7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) • District 3: 14119 Ripley Road (6 a.m. – 2 p.m.) • District 4: 22155 Section Line Road (7 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.) Please also remember that books of all kinds, metals, paper, cardboard, plastic and glass bottles and jars, and electronics can be recycled at our AthensLimestone Recycling Center on Lucas Ferry Rd. in Athens. If you are unsure whether something is recyclable, please call 256233-8746 or 256-233-8000 for assistance. Let’s make our communities better together.

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com Page 12

www.athensnowal.com

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Cooking with Shelley

Cream Biscuits ~ She’s Cooking Up A Storm! by Shelley Underhill

Y’all, I must share my latest found treasure with you. Several weeks back my mother asked me to locate a cookbook for her online. I could hear the excitement in her voice as she said “It’s called Cooking up a Storm.” Instantly I knew it had something to do with Hurricane Katrina. Even though we are transplants by virtue of Hurricane Katrina and are grateful for our new beginnings…there are still times when we long for a tiny piece of days long ago. I had book in hand within a few days. Mother has been making the cream biscuits from page 105 since she got the book. In fact, this is no lie...as I sat working on this article, she called and said,

“I made you 20 biscuits, pick them up on your way home....” In this cookbook are the lost and found recipes from the TimesPicayune newspaper of New Orleans. Each recipe has a short story...remind you of anyone? Part of the Cream Biscuits story reads…“This recipe was a major sensation after Jolene Black shared it in 2005. Black’s inspiration was Velia Black, her husband’s grandmother who was a great country cook from Jasper, Alabama…” Jolene recommends the use of heavy whipping cream that is not ultra-pasteurized, if you can find it. And White Lily low-gluten brand self-rising flour. Y’all there are only two ingredients. Yep, it’s true. Try them and let me know what you think.

Makes 10 to 12 Biscuits 2 1/2 cups white lily self-rising flour 1 1/2 cups heavy cream (Mom substituted cream with half and half.)

Preheat oven to 450 degrees, lightly grease baking sheet. Put the flour in a medium mixing bowl and add cream. Stir until a soft sticky ball forms. (the dough will seem wet at first) On a very lightly floured surface, knead lightly with your well floured hands about 3 times, just until the dough comes together. Pat the dough to about 1/2 inch thickness. Cut out with a 2 1/2 inch cutter. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden brown.

March 3 - March 16, 2017

www.athensnowal.com

Page 13

Page 14

www.athensnowal.com

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Cover Story

Habitat For Humanity: Dancing Back Into “Builds” by Ali Elizabeth Turner

framed, and then finished.

continued from page 1

was that the “builds,” the community-supported house building projects for qualifying families, had to be put on hold for a bit. However, Habitat is moving toward being able to start the builds back up, and there is no more fitting way for them to celebrate their 25th anniversary in Limestone County than by getting our community out on the “dance floor” at the Pincham-Lincoln Center at the Trinity-Fort Henderson Complex. “Trinity seemed a natural fit. They have been good to us, and we are excited to work with them,” said Deborah Kohlhase, the Executive Director of the Athens/ Limestone County affiliate. You say you don’t know how to dance? Well, Deb and her husband David Foreman – who is both an engineer and a certified ballroom dance instructor – are pleased to announce that Habitat is sponsoring a ten-week class for everyone in our community who is interested in learning Swing, Waltz, Foxtrot, and Rumba. All proceeds go to Habitat, and here is why you are going to celebrate your new skill. It’s found in the following statement: As a faith-based organization, Habitat seeks to put God’s love into action and to bring people together to build homes, communities, and hope. Using volunteer labor and dona-

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Dancing has long been known to bring people together, and after the dance classes are completed, there will be an actual dance! The Boogie Shoes Bash and will be held on Saturday, June 3rd, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. The band is Trippin’ Dixie and the place is Revival, recently renovated by First Presbyterian Church and located right across the street at 303 West Washington in Athens. Cost for tickets for age 10 and up is $10, $12

tions of money, materials, and services, Habitat builds and sells decent, affordable houses to people who would otherwise live in substandard conditions. Partner families are selected based on the level of need, ability to pay, and willingness to partner with Habitat. The classes will begin Tuesday, March 21st, and will be from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The cost is $50.00 per person. You don’t need a partner, and the class size is limited to 20. I can say from experience that I watched Deb and David dance at Chili Challenge, and they are both very good. The classes are one of the ways Habitat is “trying to generate funds to start construction again,” Deb told me. She also said, “Ballroom dancing requires partnership; so does building a house.” In ballroom dancing, there is a term known as “framing,”

Dedication ceremony held at House #41. Pictured in the foreground - Alma Lopez, homeowner, and her children Elsy & Ury - encircled by (l-r): Ronnie Marks, Mayor, City of Athens. Dave Snyder, President, Board of Directors, Habitat for Humanity of Athens/Limestone County. Deb Kohlhase, Executive Director, Habitat for Humanity of Athens/ Limestone County. Chris Seibert, Athens City Councilman and former Habitat Board member. Mark Yarbrough, Chairman, Limestone County Commission

which explains a dancer’s body position in terms of how she stands, holds her arms and physically connects with her partner. It’s what “builds” the dance. In construction, “framing” is the fitting together of pieces to give a structure support and shape. In this case, having our community learn how to “frame” on the dance floor will pave the way for Habitat houses to be first

www.athensnowal.com

at the door, and children under 10 can get in for $5. All proceeds go to Habitat. Another way that Habitat for Humanity builds community is through the ReStore, which is located at 17505 U.S. Hwy 72 West in Athens. The ReStore has three primary goals/functions: • Generate revenue to fund

the construction of decent affordable homes in Limestone County • Reduce the pressure on local landfills by accepting donations of useable building materials, furniture, appliances, and household goods • Help customers save money by offering items at affordable prices The store is open to the public Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturdays 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. Donations are accepted during store hours, and Habitat is now able to process vehicle donations. The ReStore is managed by William Darracott. The largest Habitat project is located on Adell Place, a cul-de-sac of variously styled homes located just off Brownsferry Street, not far from the Wellness Center. “We have one more lot on Adell (which is also known as Hope Place subdivision) and we also have property located in other areas of the county,” said Deb. Habitat for Humanity is indeed all about true hope. If you want to be a part of it, come learn to dance, or, if you already know how, come to the dance. Your “frame” will help frame the next build. To register for the dance classes or for more information on anything mentioned in this article, please call the Habitat office at 256-230-6001 or the ReStore at 256-444-1050.

Page 15

Health and Fitness

Fermented Food Trend by Janet Hunt

Janet Hunt is a Certified Personal Trainer and can be reached at 256-614-3530 to schedule an appointment. Fermented foods are foods that have been through a process of lactofermentation in which natural bacteria feed on the sugar and starch in the food creating lactic acid. This process preserves the food, and creates beneficial enzymes, b-vitamins, Omega-3 fatty acids, and various strains of probiotics. Today fermented foods are the new rage for their purported health benefits and because the fermented foods wind up filled with “friendly” bacteria they are advertised in probiotic products. The bacteria “predigest” carbohydrates, making them easier for our guts to handle and for nutrients to be absorbed. For example, people that are lactose-intolerant can often eat yogurt because the lactose sugar has

Page 16

been partly converted by the bacteria. Some vegetables can benefit from the fermentation such as cabbage to sauerkraut because it increases glucosinolate compounds found in cruciferous vegetables. Glucosinolate derivatives are known to lower the risk of some cancers. But, as with other food fads, not all you read is true. Not all traditionally fermented (pickles, sauerkraut, etc.) foods contain probiotic bacteria. And even those that do may contain high amounts of added sugars or sodium. Most fermented foods you purchase at the grocery store in jars and cans have been pasteurized and cooked at high heat which kills all bacteria including friendly bacteria. Therefore, to retain fer-

mented foods’ bacterial benefits, you will have to make your own! You can make your own yogurt. However, many commercially available fermented dairy products do contain probiotics. Check the label! Make sure the label says “live cultures.” Yogurt can also be a good source of calcium and vitamin D. But again, check the label because some yogurts are not made with milk fortified with Vitamin D. Another caution with yogurt is the added sugar and calories with flavored yogurts or sugar substitutes. One of the downsides of fermented foods such as pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, etc. is the high sodium levels. Look for the low-sodium alternative products when possible or make your own to con-

www.athensnowal.com

trol the salt.

products.

Remember, if you want to join the fermented food trend, make sure you are getting the friendly “live culture” bacteria and the low sugar and sodium

For additional information regarding the benefits of fermented foods, talk to a registered dietician or nutritionist.

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Cover Story

Meet Our Athens Limestone Pulmonary And Sleep Disorder Physicians by Ali Elizabeth Turner

problems that are caused or aggravated by poor sleep.

continued from page 1

as the quality of our sleep, and now we have three. One is truly homegrown and an Athens High School graduate, one is from the sub-continent of India, and one is from Peru. As far flung from each other as are their backgrounds and countries of origin, they all share one thing, and that is a passion for radically improving the quality of life of their patients. Their names are Dr. Al Scherff, Dr. Eduardo Bazan, and Dr. Ravali Tarigopula, who goes by “Dr. Tari.” Here is a bit about each of them, and why what they do is so important.

Dr. Al Scherff practices out

of a clinic just behind Athens Limestone Hospital on the north side, called North Alabama Pulmonary & Sleep Consultants. It is located at 902 West Hobbs, near the ER parking lot. Dr. Scherff graduated from Athens High School in 1977, got his undergrad degree in chemistry from Auburn, went to medical school at University of South Alabama, and did his internship in Savannah. He did a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care at the Medical College of Georgia. He told me he “always wanted to be a doctor,” and finds sleep to be “fascinating.” One thing Dr. Scherff told me, as did Dr. Bazan, is that “no one really understands why we need to sleep.” We know what happens when we don’t get enough sleep, but much of the topic of sleep is still a mystery. “It’s one of the few ‘miracles’ left in medicine,” said Dr. Scherff, and he gets enormous “personal satisfaction out of seeing peoples’ lives change.” Dr. Scherff says that one of the things he strives to do is “educate our patients. We try to be truly patient oriented, and it’s important for

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Dr. Eduardo Bazan them to know what we are doing and why we are doing it.” Treating sleep disorders is a relatively recently developed specialty, and the CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machines, used in the treatment of sleep apnea, have greatly evolved since Dr. Scherff began his career. If you have sleep disorders, a CPAP machine may be prescribed for you, or you may just need to learn and practice what Dr. Tari calls “good sleep hygiene,” which I’ll explain in a moment.

Dr. Ravali Tarigopula

was born in India, in a city called Bellery (near Hydrabad) in the state of Karnataka. She graduated from Mahadevappa Rampure Medical College, and did her residency in Internal Medicine as well as a fellowship in Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine in New Jersey. She also completed a fellowship in Sleep Medicine in Philadelphia. She is the one who spoke to me about what she calls “good sleep hygiene.” It is important, especially if you are a shift worker sleeping during the day, that you have a room that is dark, quiet, and undisturbed. You need to avoid caffeine close to bedtime, and she may prescribe melatonin (a natural sleep inducing hor-

Dr. Ravali Tarigopula mone) to help you sleep. As a female doctor, Dr. Tari is interested in helping women who are having difficulties with sleep that are related to hormonal changes such as menopause. Other complaints such as restless leg syndrome, depression, acute and chronic coughs and asthma can also be associated with sleep disorders. She educates her patients about the need for sunlight during waking hours, as well as embracing a healthy lifestyle. As is the case with Dr. Scherff, Dr. Tari loves what she does because “sleep is a problem that can actually be fixed,” and that is not always the case with other disorders. “Their lives change,” she said. She smiled as she told me, “People become married to their CPAP and tell me they can’t live without it.” Dr. Tari’s office is located in the new medical building just south of the hospital at 101 Fitness Way, Suite 2500.

Dr. Al Scherff University Medical Center in Chicago. Dr. Bazan is also a hospitalist, a physician who is trained to help patients who have been admitted to a hospital. His office is at the Sleep Center, which is located at 205 Sanders, just northeast of the hospital. The Sleep Center is where you go when your doctor feels that you need to have a sleep test, and the facility is available to sleep patients 7 days and nights each week. Dr. Bazan became interested in sleep medicine when he was in Detroit, and finds it particularly interesting because of all the

Some of the conditions the Sleep Center treats are what is known as narcolepsy as well as parasomnias. Narcolepsy is a condition that defined as excessive and uncontrollable daytime sleepiness, and can actually be dangerous if it hits while you are driving or operating machinery. Parasomnias are things such as night terrors, sleepwalking, teeth grinding, and PTSD episodes, sometimes with the patient having no memory of any of it. As is the case with his colleagues, Dr. Bazan also enjoys the fact that sleep disorders can be treated successfully, which makes a big difference in peoples’ lives. Teresa Fields, who is the Sleep Center Manager as well as a technician, says that the sleep physicians “take a lot of time with their patients.” If you are in need of pulmonary care, treatment of sleep disorders or sleep related conditions, then Dr. Scherff, Dr. Tari and Dr. Bazan are interested in helping you. The Sleep Clinic is rated as one of the country’s best sleep centers, so you will be in excellent hands. Call their offices today for an appointment.

Dr. Eduardo Bazan is a na-

tive of Lima, Peru, and went to medical school at La Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia. He did his internship at Metropolitan Hospital Center in New York, his residency in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, and his fellowship in sleep medicine at Rush

www.athensnowal.com

Page 17

Learning As A Lifestyle

It’s All In The Game! by Wanda Campbell and Kim Bell

Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 Athens State University’s Center for Lifelong Learning is pleased to announce our 2nd Annual Women’s Leadership Symposium on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Dynetics Solutions Complex in Huntsville. This workshop offers an opportunity for strategic leadership development, a chance to “meet the experts,” interactive discussions, and partnership building. The theme for this year’s symposium is: “Leadership: It’s All In The Game” – and we have an amazing panel of guest speakers including our featured keynote speaker, Mrs. Barbara Dooley (first lady of Georgia football, morning talk show host, author, and breast cancer survivor). The panel also includes Tina Tuggle, Director of Community Relations for the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. Tuggle was an Active Facilitator at the NFLNCAA Life Skills Education and Professional Development Summit. She earned the NFLWharton Athlete Development Professional Certification and represented the Titans at the NFL Women’s Summit in conjunction with Super Bowl LI (2017). Kim Tibbs will also be part of our speaker panel. Kim is a state

Page 18

May 2016, will also be featured speakers.

Barbara Dooley

In addition to our exciting speakers, we are offering your choice of small group sessions. The first session choice is “Recruiting for a Winning Season” led by Jackie Warner, Saputo, Site HR Generalist, Lead Facilitator in Strategic Management and Organizational Effectiveness, and Community Out-

champion in track and field and is a singer/ songwriter with two #1 hits currently on the Official U.K. Soul Chart. Her next album is already receiving Grammy attention! Brooke and Audrie Hamann, two of Athens State’s own students who recently won the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championship in

Tina Tuggle reach Specialist for The Bridge Community Center in Athens, Alabama. The second small group session choice is “Building a Championship Team” led by Angie Sandritter, Haufe Inc., Partner and Vice President of Global Services. She is an expert in Performance Management Strategies, and an avid runner with a love for coaching new runners to achieve goals.

Kim Tibbs www.athensnowal.com

The third small group session choice is “Retiring Your Number: How to Financially and Emotionally Prepare for Retirement” led by Linda Spalla. Spalla is Past President and General Manager of WHNT-TV, and the first female in top corporate management for the NY Times Broadcasting Group. She is also a local author. You may remember that Spalla was a featured speaker last year. We would love for you join us. Early-bird registration is currently available through March 15 ($85). We are also promoting opportunities to purchase a table if you have several employees interested in attending ($850 for a Table Sponsor, includes one table for 8 attendees with business name/ logo prominently displayed on table, ½ page color advertisement in printed conference program, and logo placement on social media communications and symposium ‘Welcome’ display). Last year, we had over 125 participants at the symposium, and we are working to reach an even broader demographic this year. If you know of anyone who might be interested in attending, please feel free to call me at (256) 233-8260 or register on our website - www.athens.edu/cll.

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Jerry’s Journal

Ma And Pa Take Taos: Part 2 by Jerry Barksdale www.jerrybarksdale.com The “Runt” (Mitsubishi Mirage) was straining all three cylinders as it putt-putt-putted up the steep mountain road and out of the Rio Grande Canyon. “Do you want me to get out and push?” asked my good friend (and sometimes red-head) Pat. Finally, we crested the mountain and the view that lay before us was breathtaking. Taos (elev. 7000), nestled against the towering Sangre de Cristo Mountains, sparkled in the afternoon sun. Across the valley, the Rio Grande River sliced 565 feet deep into the earth. Below us pearl gray smoke curled from squat, brown adobe houses. We followed a dirt road lined with ancient cottonwood trees and past a Hindu Ashram to our destination – a one bedroom casita. Our landlords, Tara and Jean (French for John) - greeted us. Like most everyone in Taos, Jean has an interesting story. Later, while tending his winter garden, he told me he was from Paris; that his father fought for the Loyalists in the Spanish Civil War in the late 1930’s and afterwards, was a member of the French Resistance and fought Germans. Shortly, my daughter, Shannon, arrived rubbing her ear and complaining that she couldn’t hear. She had come to Taos 17 years earlier driving a pickup with a dog and no job. She has prospered.

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Now she has two dogs, a cat and a dusty Subaru, a good job at the Bavarian in the Ski Valley and many fans of her band, Shannon and the Southern Souls. She was nearly deaf. “We’re going to a doc-in-a-box,” I said. She made excuses and promised she would stop by on the way home. Pat, who raised a daughter, has a nose for deceit. “I’m going with you, NOW!” she said. Shannon turned pale. She hasn’t changed one bit since childhood when I had to hold her down while her mother gave her medicine. A glob of wax was removed and amoxicillin prescribed. Problem solved. Next morning, I rose at daybreak and looked out the window. Snow was accumulating on mountain peaks. I made strong coffee, sat near the stove and worked on a Christmas story set in Athens during the Civil War. It was very cold outside and the wind howled, and in my story it was cold and snowy and the wind howled between the chinks of the log house. I sipped coffee and was warm and well into the story, but getting tired when Pat got up and prepared a big country breakfast of eggs, biscuits, jam, gravy, bacon and brewed more coffee. Shannon joined us. In my story, the family had squirrel dumplings and cornbread for Christmas. Pat cooked chicken and dumplings for lunch and made johnny cakes. I was greatly restored. The Taos News carried

fb.com/jerry.barksdale.7 sad tidings for many locals. Trump won! He received only 17.92% of the vote in Taos County. “It’s a nightmare made real,” said a Democrat. “The sun still came up. My dogs were still glad to see me.” I figure her dogs were Trump supporters. It reminded me of my reaction to Goldwater’s landslide loss for the presidency in 1964, when I was an idealistic 23 year old university student. I wept that night. The world was doomed. But it never occurred to me to seek counseling, throw a temper tantrum and block a highway. I moved forward and made a noble contribution to mankind. I became a lawyer. Youthful idealism has long since vanished. The way I see it we have two gangs of thugs in Washington called Democrats and Republicans. They remind me of Al Capone and Bugs Moran’s Northside gang, each vying to control the rackets. They swap power, scratch each other’s back, and feed out of the same trough. Their major goal is to remain in power and live country club lives on the taxpayer’s largesse. We drove the Runt down into the Rio Grande gorge to hike. Getting there proved to be dangerous on a narrow gravel road with no guard rails. A large Rocky Mountain ram stared at the Runt and shook his head. Uh oh! In a head butting contest, the Runt would lose. Finally, he wandered off to join his harem.

www.athensnowal.com

On the hike down, we kept a watchful eye for rattlers, saw numerous sheep clinging to the rocky walls, and inspected an ancient Indian Petroglyph - perhaps their version of men writing on a bathroom wall today. I was gasping for air and my tooth ached as we hiked out. I needed a slab of fat back bacon to tie to my jaw. The three cylinders of the Runt strained mightily as we climbed up the gravel road. Near the summit it choked down. I pressed the accelerator. “Come on little feller.” I remembered the Thrifty rental clerk telling me it wasn’t designed for mountain driving. Finally, we putt – putt – putted out. Shannon and the Southern Souls were playing at the Tap Room of Taos Mesa Brewing and invited us to attend. We were running late. I missed the turn off, but being sharp of mind, saw a solution. I turned in at a nearby McDonalds with the intention of circling back. “I wouldn’t do that,” Pat said. I fell behind a long line of cars going through the drivethru and was blocked. “I told you,” she said. Grrr. One of these days Alice. POW! Right in the kisser. Many of Shannon’s friends were present and greeted us with hugs. I was especially glad to see Brendan, who is a longhaired, head slinging, guitar playing rocker. He made a special visit to greet us. I won’t relate his history, but his life is now exemplary. Cleaner

than a hound’s tooth, as we say down South. He was recently married, has a new baby, and doesn’t touch alcohol. “I’m proud of you Brendan,” I said. The band is all acoustic. Dave Kinney, originally from Chicago plays anything that makes a sound. Willie Hunton plays Dobro and mandolin. Shannon sings mostly soul and blues with a little Hank and Patsy Cline thrown in to make it real music. Jamie, who Shannon calls “my sister,” arrived. She is Northern Cheyenne born and raised on the Lame Deer reservation 42 miles east of Custer Battlefield where her ancestors defeated Custer in 1776. When Shannon is down, Jamie is always there to lift her up. One evening while enjoying wine, Shannon decided to seal their friendship. They would become blood sisters. Jamie watched in amazement as Shannon sliced their palms with a butcher knife and then pressed them together to mix their blood. Jamie was puzzled. “I saw it in the movie,” Shannon said. Jamie had never heard of such a practice. Next day, Pat and I went to Walmart and purchased diapers, baby clothes, and a Huggy Bear for Brendan’s new baby. Pat and Shannon delivered them, along with left over chicken and dumplings. Now, the kid is prepared to face life head on.

Page 19

Dog Barker

An Easier Path For Obedience Training… Laying A Foundation by Joel Allen How many of us have looked at our Canine family member and asked ourselves, “What did I do to deserve this?” Whether your dog is the best behaved dog in the world and you’re asking that question in gratitude or you are rolling your eyes to heaven, while your dog seems possessed and is chewing holes

Page 20

in your furniture, we have all been there a time or two. Just remember there is always a reason why “Fido” is in your life. Now for those of you who have the “Bad Dog”. Let’s start by asking: “When do you feed your dog?” - It is important to feed your dog after YOU eat. This establishes the

ranking hierarchy. You are the leader, not the dog. Dogs have a “Pack Mentality”. If you don’t lead, the dog feels insecure and will take the leader role from you by assuming you are there to serve them. This leads to them not listening when called, uncontrolled barking, impatience, thinking they come first by running

www.athensnowal.com

into the room before you, growling at you when you tell them to get off the furniture, and many other issues that stem from this. Solution - At feeding time, instruct your dog to sit. Those of you who have never taught your dog to sit, here is an easy way. Give the command “SIT” firmly. Then with the feeding dish in one hand, keep it at nose level, and with the other hand grab the dog’s collar. Hold the collar and move the dish toward their face. The dog’s head should bend back, following the dish. By doing it this way the dog is least likely to jump up and will sit easier. If the dog does not sit, repeat the command again. Remember not to yell. Let’s say this did not work. Then holding the dog in the same position, place your foot that is closer to the dog’s rear behind the dog’s closest leg, and gently nudge behind the leg. Like us humans, a dog will buckle when someone bumps them behind their knees. Once they sit, give the command firmly “STAY”. Then place the dish down. Before

they move, give them a release command, “OK”. If the dog moves before the release command repeat the above steps again. Be patient. This takes time in some cases. “Do you just leave the food out?” - If so, you are sending the Canine family member the wrong message. You are telling them you are there to serve them. Stop placing the food out and follow the suggestions above for feeding your dog. For many of us, leaving food out can be hazardous to our dog’s health. They can over eat causing obesity and bloat. Bloat affects barrel chested dogs mostly. There have been some cases where it affected small breeds. Another reason for a feeding time is it establishes a disciplined structure and shows the dog that you control their food. A hungry dog makes for a focused dog that can be molded into a well behaved dog. “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

March 3 - March 16, 2017

www.athensnowal.com

Page 21

Medical Update

Left Untreated, Glaucoma Can Lead To Vision Loss by Chad Davis, O.D.

Glaucoma can strike without pain or other symptoms and is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. According to the American Optometric Association (AOA), early detection and treatment is critical to maintain healthy vision and protect the eyes from the effects of potentially blinding diseases, such as glaucoma. Awareness and understanding surrounding glaucoma is relatively low. According to data from the AOA’s latest American Eye-Q® consumer survey, less than 20 percent of all Americans know that glaucoma primarily causes deteriora-

tion to peripheral vision. The survey also indicated 50 percent of Americans incorrectly believe glaucoma is preventable. While the disease is not preventable, it is treatable, and regular, comprehensive eye exams play a critical role in successful outcomes for patients. The AOA recommends those who suffer from glaucoma have a dilated eye examination annually. More frequent exams may be needed if you notice additional changes in your vision. “Those individuals who do not visit their eye doctor on a regular basis are putting their vision and quality of life at risk,” said Dr. Davis.

“Vision lost to glaucoma cannot be restored, so early detection and treatment are important.” Americans also are not aware of the factors that put them most at risk for developing glaucoma. Only 16 percent of those surveyed indicated knowing that race or ethnicity may increase their risk. According to the Glaucoma Research Foundation, African Americans ages 45 to 65 are 14 to 17 times more likely to go blind from glaucoma than Caucasians. Other risk factors include people who have a family history of glaucoma, are over age 60, or have had severe eye trauma.

To find a doctor of optometry in your area, or for additional information on glaucoma and other issues concerning eye health, please visit www.aoa.org. About the survey: The sixth annual American Eye-Q® survey was conducted by Penn, Schoen & Berland Associates (PSB). From May 19-23, 2011 using an online methodology, PSB interviewed 1,000 Americans 18 years and older who embodied a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population. (Margin of error at 95 percent confidence level.) About the American Optometric Association (AOA):

The American Optometric Association represents approximately 36,000 doctors of optometry, optometry students and paraoptometric assistants and technicians. Optometrists serve patients in nearly 6,500 communities across the country, and in 3,500 of those communities are the only eye doctors. Doctors of optometry provide two-thirds of all primary eye care in the United States. American Optometric Association doctors of optometry are highly qualified, trained doctors on the frontline of eye and vision care who examine, diagnose, treat and manage diseases and disorders of the eye. In addition to providing eye and vision care, optometrists play a major role in a patient’s overall health and well-being by detecting systemic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. Prior to optometry school, optometrists typically complete four years of undergraduate study, culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Required undergraduate coursework for pre-optometry students is extensive and covers a wide variety of advanced health, science and mathematics. Optometry school consists of four years of post-graduate, doctoral study concentrating on both the eye and systemic health. In addition to their formal training, doctors of optometry must undergo annual continuing education to stay current on the latest standards of care. For more information, visit www.aoa.org.

Page 22

www.athensnowal.com

March 3 - March 16, 2017

Foreman’s Forum

Would You Shoot? Part 2 by Paul Foreman

In the last issue of Foreman’s Forum, I described a scenario where you needed to make a decision on whether or not to use deadly force. If you have not read part one, find a copy of Athens Now, or go to www.athensnowal.com and click on Foreman’s Forum. There is lot going on in the scenario that leads up to the time when you need to make the decision to use deadly force. There are the loud voices, which sound angry and threatening. The fact that you witness the violent actions of an angry man, also contribute to fear that your safety is threatened. When the man is yelling angrily at you, you have even more concern for your well-being. Finally, when he begins crashing against your front door and actually begins to make forceful entry, you are now in

great fear of bodily harm or death. All of the above events are going to be critical evidence as to your state of mind and are part of what investigators or a jury will use as a basis for their decision as to whether or not deadly force is justified. Many people, myself included, would very quickly come to the conclusion to shoot when a violent assailant is coming through the front door. But, maybe, there are other options. While you certainly have the right to defend yourself and your loved ones, retreat may be the best option. Many things come to mind when making the decision to fight or flee. If you are alone and concerned only for your own safety, your actions will be different than if your loved ones, such as your spouse

or children, are in danger. Can you retreat and also get them to safety? Getting them rounded up and escaping out the back door on a moment's notice might not be so easy. Will they cooperate or begin asking tons of questions about what is happening? Do they know what just transpired with the angry man outside? There may be a time when retreat is NOT the best action. There may not be sufficient time to retreat safely. In that case, a deadly threat must be met with deadly force. Taking a life, even when it is justified, is not like in the movies and on TV. In all my twenty-four years as a deputy sheriff, thank goodness I never had to take someone’s life. I have known deputies who did use justified deadly force. It is not something that is easily forgotten.

If at all possible, I must advise you to choose “retreat” as the best option when you are threatened. To run away from a threat is not something most men want to do. Most men think they would rather brag to their friends, “Hey, when that stupid jerk started kicking in my front door, I shot him so many times it took half his face off!” That is NOT something you want a jury to hear. Either way, you must have a plan in place. Include your family in your planning and actually carry out a “fire drill,” so everyone knows what to do if threatened with a home invasion. You may need to assign older children to be responsible “guardians” of younger siblings. You will need to have a “safe” room inside, if that is your plan, or a place outside such as a neighbor's home.

Just like in the last issue, dialing 911 as soon as possible is a top priority. Don’t hang up once the cops are on the way. Keep the line open and on speaker phone. If you have a shirt pocket put the cellphone or cordless phone there to free up your hands. If you are warning the attacker that you are armed, that recording over the phone will be to your advantage if you do have to shoot. After you have retreated to a safe room or are in a good position in which you can defend yourself, take some deep breaths and think about the firearms training you took as a student in one of my classes. If you can, barricade the door. Do that and take up a defensive position behind some heavy solid furniture. Let the 911 operator know what part of the house you are in and yes, tell them you are armed. Don’t open the door until the 911 operator tells you the officers have safely secured your home. Paul Foreman Paul is a retired Deputy Sheriff from Lee County Florida Paul is currently at the MD Anderson Cancer Ctr, Houston Tx. Firearms Classes are on hold until this cancer is healed. Prayers are certainly welcome. E-mails are welcome; Captureman@ paulforeman.com 256-431-6702 NRA Recruiter, to join or renew: https://membership. nrahq.org/forms/signup. NRA Protects your 2nd Amendment

March 3 - March 16, 2017

www.athensnowal.com

Page 23

Page 24

www.athensnowal.com

March 3 - March 16, 2017