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May 3rd - May 16th, 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 Jerry Gilbert: Encourager Extraordinaire... Eighty-five-year-young Jerry Glenn Gilbert is most likely no longer hollerin’, “Go, Vols!” My guess is that he is shouting some kind of heavenly version of “Go, God!”... Page 5

Special Feature

The 37th Annual Sheriff’s Rodeo: Bucking Broncs And A Birthday By Ali Elizabeth Turner For the 37th year in a row, the Limestone County Sheriff’s Department is going to throw one of the best parties of the year—the annual rodeo. It has become a well-loved tradiContinued on page 15

Brody Jackson Insurance Agency: A Good Neighbor Indeed

Bass Weighing More Than 7 Pounds Tops Relay For Life Bass Fishing Tournament... A bass weighing more than 7 pounds was the Big Fish at the 8th annual City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Fishing... Page 7

Health And Fitness Nothing Is Sweet Like Honey... We all have a sweet tooth, and it always seems to strike hardest about the time we are trying to be on a healthier... Page 16

May 3 - May 16, 2019

Kaitlynn Norman, 2018 Miss Limestone Sheriff's Rodeo Queen

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Brody Jackson, State Farm Insurance Agent

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In 2016, when Brody Jackson first opened his State Farm agency, it seemed like this guy and his crew were everywhere!—Earth Day, Home & Garden Continued on page 17

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May 3 - May 16, 2019

Publisher’s Point

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

Alabama “Makes Aliyah” state whose legislative body made history with global repercussions.

Copy Editor

Yvonne Dempsey

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 Feature . . . . . . . . . 5

Last year, Athens Now had the privilege of writing about the 75th anniversary of some state history that in the minds of many Alabamians was nothing short of miraculous. In 1943, a full two years before the harrowing footage of the Holocaust was filmed in April, 1945, both legislative houses called unanimously for the formation of the State of Israel. The resolution was hand-written, passed into law, and we became the first state in the Union to do so. This was before Harry Truman was referred to as Cyrus, as he defied his cabinet and called for it; this was before Adlai Stevenson saved the day by arguing brilliantly for it before the nascent UN while defying the Arabs, before the Six Day War, the Yom Kippur War, and everything since. We have the distinction of being the

Last week, Alabama passed the political equivalent of what is known amongst Israelis as “making Aliyah.” Loosely defined, when one makes a physical trip to Jerusalem in order to honor the city and its history, that pilgrimage is referred to as “making Aliyah.” I did so in 2014, and one of the personal highlights of my life-changing trip was finding out how much it meant to the Israeli people that visitors potentially put themselves in harm’s way to come there. The mayor of Jerusalem sees to it that each visitor receives a signed certificate commemorating the occasion. He also thanks them. I don’t know of any other nation that acts in kind when you visit their capital, except perhaps Kurdistan. When you visit Erbil, the capital city, whether you served in Operation Iraqi Freedom or not, if

you are an American, you are a rock star. So, how did Alabama make Aliyah? By “going there” in the form of passing legislation that honors and designates Jerusalem as the “eternal, undivided capital of Israel.” In 2018, President Trump saw to it that a decades-old federal law was upheld by placing our embassy up on a well-protected Jerusalem hill on land that we already owned which was purchased for $150,000. There was a predictable push-back and an attempt to shut down the celebration, but we Americans believe in the rule of law, and our president saw to it that this resolution, which was passed in 1995 and again in 1999, became a reality. Governor Kay Ivey showed the same courage by signing into law last week Alabama Joint Resolution (Act 66, SJR 27, 2019 Regular Session), which says in part:

Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6

WHEREAS, the U.S. Embassy was officially opened in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018, the 70th anniversary of the Israeli Declaration of Independence; now therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA, BOTH HOUSES THEREOF CONCURRING,

That we do unequivocally recognize Jerusalem as the eternal undivided capital of Israel, and do fully affirm and celebrate the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED,

That it is directed that copy of this resolution be forwarded to the President of the United States, to the Alabama Delegation to the United States Congress, to the Governors of all the United States of America, and to the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., for transmission to all the proper authorities in the State of Israel.

I for one am one proud resident of Alabama the Beautiful and am planning on letting Governor Ivey know she made my day. How about you?

Special Feature . . . . . . . . . 7 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12 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

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

May 3 - May 16, 2019

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All Things Soldier

Stewart And The Synagogue Shooter

by Ali Elizabeth Turner

Attacks on places of worship are becoming commonplace both in the United States and abroad. It doesn’t matter if you are Jewish, Christian, or Muslim; there are those who hate you and want to take you out when you are at your most vulnerable—in Armyspeak that would be what is known as a “mass cal.” In regular English, that would be a mass casualty incident which would occur in a population-dense environment such as a church, synagogue, or mosque. Slaughtering people when they are worshipping makes perfect sense to a shooter because there is less chance of someone stopping you. Such was the case on April 28 when a 19-yearold burst into a synagogue in California and killed a 60-year-old woman as she threw herself in front of the rabbi, saving his life. The rabbi’s hand was wounded in the shooting. Former soldier Oscar Stewart, who served in the Army during the ‘90s and then re-upped after 9/11, finished out his military service in 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was present for the Pesach service. He was

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in the synagogue on the last day of Passover, and heard the shots. At first, he started to run out of the synagogue along with everyone else. But then, something else kicked in. I have a feeling that it was part instinct, part training, and part of what makes me love first responders of all types, military and civilian: being compelled to run toward the danger. Please understand that the worshipper became the warrior in the blink of an eye, and most remarkably ran unarmed toward the shooter. Oscar saw muzzle flashes and kept on. He roared at the assailant with a voice that inside sounded to fellow wor-

shippers like the unified voices of four men, and the Catholic priest across the street heard it as he conducted Mass. To my knowledge, the doors of the Catholic church were closed during their service. Oscar’s courage did not stop there. He chased the guy all the way to his car and hit the car repeatedly with his hand. The shooter, who didn’t appear to Oscar to have had a great deal of experience with his weapon, was going to try to shoot again, but a Border Patrol agent named Morales called from behind for Oscar to get out of the way

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and fired off five shots before the shooter drove away. Remarkably, Oscar had the presence of mind to memorize the license plate number. What the shooter did have experience with, though, is age-old maniacal hatred in the form

of anti-Semitism. He is rife with it. By contrast, while Oscar isn’t exactly, “Aw, shucks, ma’am, I was just doing my job,” when he has appeared on interviews his pièce de résistance has been what I can only describe as a confident humility. Soldiers are trained to take a bullet, but this level of courage isn’t something you can train into someone. It is something that flows out unabated when the need arises. A worshipper and a warrior, that is Oscar Stewart, and soldier, we owe you. Thank you for your service, then and now.

May 3 - May 16, 2019

Special Feature

Jerry Gilbert: Encourager Extraordinaire

by Ali Elizabeth Turner Eighty-five-year-young Jerry Glenn Gilbert is most likely no longer hollerin’, “Go, Vols!” My guess is that he is shouting some kind of heavenly version of “Go, God!” I wish I could compare notes with him regarding

one of my favorite Mercy Me songs, “I Can Only Imagine.” I can genuinely imagine him singing it, and part of the chorus is stated below: Surrounded by Your glory, what will my heart feel?

all?

Will I dance for You, Jesus, or in awe of You be still?

I can only imagine, I can only imagine

Will I stand in amazement, or to my knees will I fall?

Written by Bart Millard © Essential Music Publishing

Will I sing, ‘Hallelujah?’ Will I be able to speak at

But, I am going to have to wait for a bit to hear him sing in his new, strong, eternal voice; hopefully not too long. As irony would mandate, this song, which is an anointed favorite sung all over the globe, has been made into a movie, translated into many languages, and was born out of a young man’s experience with his father who was the polar opposite of Jerry Gilbert. Bart Millard’s dad spent many years acting like a veritable gremlin who finally tasted of amazing grace, and Jerry Gilbert was one of the most consistently kind and loving men I have ever known. I came to know him beginning in 2003 when his wife, Judy; her daughter, Julie; his sister-in-law, Sue; and other family members became a part of what we have come to refer to as our extended Juice Plus family. He was one of those people whose eyes would light up when you came in the room, and when I would walk into their kitchen for various team events, he literally would say, “There she is!” Then he would chuckle and give some of the best hugs this side of heaven. They were safe hugs, too. He believed in all of us as we began to make our way through the uncertain wa-

May 3 - May 16, 2019

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ters of building a network marketing business, and especially at the beginning, I needed to “borrow his belief,” as odd as that may sound. There were two more times when his belief in me meant everything; the first was when I got home from Iraq and wrote my book, and the second was when I found myself the publisher of Athens Now. As often as I could, I would make sure he had his own copy of the latest edition of the paper, and with complete sincerity he would thank me as though I had given him a perfect Christmas present. There was one time when I was a caller on the Sean Hannity show, and I felt like I had been kind of a dork all over the airwaves of our nation. Jerry happened to be listening that day, and later made a point of telling me how proud he was of me. “I could tell it was you! They said, ‘Ali from Athens, AL,’ and it was your voice! You did great! Keep goin,’ girl,” he said, and not just on that occasion. Just that bit of à la minute encouragement lowered the “Dork Quotient” to a manageable level, and I was, and remain a grateful girl. Jerry Gilbert was an “Encourager Extraordinaire,” and he has crossed the finish line. I miss him, I will see him again, and I want to be like him when I grow up. Rest in peace, dear man.

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Calendar of Events We're Looking For a Few Good Yards for the Month of May!!

If you know of a gardener whose yard is exceptional (no professional maintained yards, please) and would like to have them recognized, the Limestone County Master Gardeners would like to know, check out the website link https://mastergardenerslimestonecountyalabama.org/ and/or provide the information and a picture to tlt_brown@charter.net.

The Wizard of Oz May 2-4 and 9-11

Footlights Community Theater will be performing The Wizard of Oz May 2nd through 4th and May 9th through 11th at Athens Middle School auditorium. Tickets and information may be found at www.footlightstheater.com.

3rd Annual Alabama Rock & Walk for Babies May 4

With the TEARS Foundation benefiting families grieving the loss of an infant. Alabama at Swan Creek Park. 100 U.S. Highway 31N in Athens. 10:00AM. Registration: thetearsfoundation.org

Chick-Fil-A Athens 10K, 5K & 1-Mile Race May 4

Will start at 7:00AM in downtown Athens, AL and wind through historic Athens on USATF Certified courses. Registration and Information www.cfaracenorthalabama.com

big prize for the event is the random drawing for a brand new ProCat 200 fully rigged with a Suzuki engine and Marine Master trailer.For more information or to register: seaarkboats. com

Limestone County Sheriff's Grand Marshall's Rodeo Parade May 11

Starting at the Limestone Sheriff's Arena. AL-99 past Elm Street on the right traveling down West Market Street to the courthouse square, north on Jefferson Street and west on Elm Street and returning to the area. Lineup at 10:00AM; start at 11:00AM.

Mother's Day in the Orchard May 11

Isom's Orchard. 24012 U.S. Highway 72 in Athens. Starting at 3:00PM featuring the airing of the quilts and luncheon among the trees. $100.00 per person. Tickets at the Alabama Veterans Museum 100 West Pryor Street in Athens. 256-771-7578.

Tee It Up Fore Kids May 13

Big Brothers Big Sisters of North Alabama. Canebrake Club. 23015 Founders Circle in Athens. 8:00AM-1:00PM with auctions, raffles, hole-in-one contest plus meal for registrant. Single golfer: $125.00. Registration link TBA. For more information, visit www.bbbsna.org or call 256-890-2123.

Athens Garden Club Monthly Meeting May 8

For the Annual Luncheon. Tanner Baptist Church. 11590 U.S. Highway 31S in Tanner. Starting at 9:00AM. For more information: AthensGardenClub@aol.com

Street Dance & Fashion Show May 15

Limestone County Courthouse in downtown Athens, AL starting at 6:00PM featuring Jeff Whitlow Country. Part of the Limestone Sheriff Rodeo.

Limestone County Relay for Life Walk May 10

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

Athens SportsPlex. 1403 U.S. Highway 31N in Athens. 7:00PM12:00AM with team tents, Survivors'/Caregivers' Laps, Luminaria Ceremony, Zumba, and more More information at acsevents.org

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.

SeaArk Owners Invitational Catfish Tournament May 10 - 11

On Wheeler Lake launching from Ingalls Harbor. 701 Market Street NW in Decatur for SeaArk owners. Registration open. Prizes include payout to the top 20 teams, Big & Little Cat, Goose Egg, and door prizes. This year will also have a new prize with a random drawing for a team who participates with their mom (since the event does fall on Mother's Day weekend). The

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Athens Now Clarification April 19th - May 2nd, 2019 Edition

Page 15, 3rd column, bottom paragraph should read "American bar."

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May 3 - May 16, 2019

Special Feature

Bass Weighing More Than 7 Pounds Tops Relay For Life Bass Fishing Tournament by Holly Hollman - City of Athens Communications Specialist A bass weighing more than 7 pounds was the Big Fish at the 8th annual City of Athens Relay for Life Bass Fishing Tournament on April 27 at Ingalls Harbor. Craig Johnson and Chris Steeples caught the bass that weighed 7.37 pounds and won the Big Fish Pot. The top fishing team was Tony Harvey and Donnie Beck who caught fish weighing a total of 21.95 pounds. Harvey and Beck won the $1,500 grand prize and a set of custom made City of Athens Relay for Life Champ rods donated by Grassy Custom Rods and Tackle of Lexington. The second place team was Ricky Story and Darren

Story with 17.83 pounds. The third place team was Dale Gist and Brian Simmons with 17.65 pounds. “This is our team’s largest fundraiser, and we are grate-

ful to our sponsors and the anglers for their support in helping us fish for a cure,” said City of Athens Relay for Life Team Captain Holly Hollman. “We also have dedicated volunteers on our

team who ensure the tournament is a success from checking live wells to registering anglers to weighing fish to preparing lunch.” Fourth through 10th places also received cash prizes.

This is the list of those winners and amount caught: Jerry Lawler and Danny Johnson, 16.61 pounds; Benny Stewart, 16.17 pounds; Kobi Mears and Boyd Mears, 16.13 pounds; Jerry Pike and Victor Pike, 15.93 pounds; Craig Johnson and Chris Steeples, 15.42 pounds; Roger Comer and Jonah Comer, 14.53 pounds; and Kenneth Goodwin and Jeremy Gallaher, 12.89 pounds Tournament sponsors were: Athens Utilities, Athens Gas Department, Cahaba Pressure Treated Forest Products, American Overhead Door, Park Supply, Utility Power, Power Supply Company, Morell Engineering, Wesco, Hughes Gas Piping, Gresco, Core & Main, Consolidated Pipe & Supply, Pepsi, A to Z Office Resource, and Grassy Custom Rods and Tackle. This year’s tournament raised about $9,000. Organizers are working to secure Ingalls Harbor for the next tournament, April 26, 2020 and to raise the amount for first and second place in order to lure more anglers.

May 3 - May 16, 2019

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

“Show And Tell” by Ali Elizabeth Turner Mayor Ronnie bounded into his office and said, “Grab your stuff, we are going for a ride.” I scrambled to my feet as we quickly headed out to his car. “I want to show you something—this is going to be “Show and Tell.” “Great!” I replied as we zipped toward what is sometimes referred to semi-affectionately as “Chicken Park.” That is the old Pilgrim’s Pride blighted site, and it has been under “deconstruction” for several months. I know from having grown up in a long-term remodel that a project needs visionaries, and this has been no exception. The mayor brought me to the site when the project first got underway, and it was tough to imagine it being anything but blighted. But now the beauty of the place, even in its

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excavated state, is something to behold. The Pilgrim’s Pride site is 32 acres, and with the right type of development, will become the crown jewel of Athens — our Central Park, if you will. The east side of the property, which butts up against the new high school, has been sold to a developer who will build 146 residential units. The architecture will be consistent with the portion on the west side which will be somewhat like Providence in Huntsville. An instant town, to be sure,

but a beautifully designed one. The idea is to have the west side be mixed-use with shops, restaurants and condos, and in between the two will be the park. “It cost us $499,000 to clear this out,” said the mayor, and added, “And that’s a bargain! The next bid was $750,000.” The deconstruction was supposed to be finished in December, but two things occurred—an unusual amount of rain, and they ran into layers and layers of concrete that no one knew were there. We headed back west

and down Jefferson to what used to be Jimmy Gill Park on Sanderfer Rd. Toyota Boshoku is breaking ground there for their new plant which was unveiled last month when Governor Ivey came to Athens to announce it to the public. You might ask, “But what about the park?” After looking into a lot of options, including consulting with Jimmy’s family, it was decided that the perfect place to relocate the park would be at the former site of the Woodland Golf Course. It, too, is stunning, and to reclaim it to what will be better than its former glory is going to be another thing about which we can “show and tell.” I have mentioned on more than one occasion that when I came to interview Mayor Ronnie

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for the first time at the old City Hall, before we began our interview, he went outside to pick up litter. The man hates litter with a passion, as do I, and it appears the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. His granddaughter, Molly, called him up last weekend concerned about the fact that recycling is going to be phased out in Vestavia. She asked him, “Pop, what do I do?” “Write a letter,” he replied. “Get involved,” he continued.

The mayor and I zipped back to City Hall where my friend Carrie Radnov was waiting for us. She had come from St. Louis for Jerry Gilbert’s funeral. So, the three of us prayed, and once again it was time for Ronnie to roll.

May 3 - May 16, 2019

Slinkard On Success

Define Your Why by D. A. Slinkard D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store I write this on the emotional high of visiting with my mom back in Missouri. What a great weekend it was being able to spend a few hours with my mom while also being able to visit with my brotherin-law and his family just outside of St. Louis. While there, we had the opportunity to attend his church, be a part of his Sunday school class, and then listen to an emotionally-charged sermon by his pastor. Sunday was a great day and a great way to start off the week. One of the topics discussed in Sunday school was about God's Will for our lives and understanding the WHY of your life because when you know your WHY, your WHAT becomes more clear and more

May 3 - May 16, 2019

impactful. The WHY becomes more impactful because you are heading towards your purpose. When we understand the WHY of trying to be in the center of God's will, achieving the WHAT becomes that much easier. This got me to thinking on the seven-hour drive home about how many times we go after the wrong thing; instead of figuring out the WHY first, we try to answer the WHAT and we get it wrong. How many times have you changed your mind about what you want to be when you grow up? It goes back to chasing the elusive WHAT when we should be focusing in on the WHY. This led me to think about the mentality we had as a society when I was a kid that if you were a man, you wanted

people to know you were a man. Today's society is teaching our children that being a man is a bad thing… something to be sorry for, something to be ashamed of. Our society is teaching our men to be more feminine and our women to be more masculine. I have said it before and I will say it again -- the only feminine thing about me is my wife. With our society’s changing thought processes trying to diminish the roles in which God Almighty established Himself, we now also have the emergence of the victim mentality. There is probably someone reading this article right now who feel they are a victim because they think I am being too harsh. To quote my elevenyear-old daughter: “It's

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April and we still have snowflakes.” Sadly, she is correct because this is the society we have created as we have grown soft in our way of thinking and in our way of living. Not too long ago, I had someone complaining to me about how unfair life is; although they went on to explain to me they were blessed with a new car that a family member helped them purchase. A few months later they were involved in a wreck due to another person's negligence. They received the insurance money to make the repairs but spent this money on other things and did not repair the damage. Then they complained about their employer not paying them enough money because they could not afford to fix their car!

This interaction left me scratching my head because their complaint was irrelevant. They received the money to fix their car from the insurance company. However, they opted to use this money on other things and then blamed their employer for not paying them enough money? Say what? How does this make sense? We live in an age now in which when you disagree with someone, chances are they are going to tell others you “attacked” them. Why? Goes back to the mindset we have created. If we want to make the necessary change in our life, we need to go back to the lesson mentioned in the Sunday school class. We need to seek out the WHY and this will answer the WHAT for us. It is time we focus our efforts on the WHY when it comes to our society, focus on the WHY when it comes to our future leaders, focus on the WHY when it comes to our educational system. The WHAT is constantly changing, but if we can figure out the answer to the WHY, that is when we will make changes to our life and to the world around us. That will have the biggest impact in our lives and the lives around us. You probably already have your WHAT in mind; but what would you say your WHY is and how are you going to achieve it?

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Tourism

May Bursting With More Than Blooms in Athens-Limestone AL by Cayce Lee Social Media Specialist, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association May is upon us and the redbuds, dogwoods and flowers are welcoming the warmer weather. Hope you can make time to enjoy one of our many trails as spring puts on her finest blooms and buds. Just a reminder – the southern end of the Richard Martin Rails to Trails is closed as the bridges are being repaired, so start either at Veto or Elkmont and enjoy the scenery. Hope you’re ready for a load of fun as our calendar is bursting at the seams for things to do in Athens-Limestone, Alabama. You can always find all the details for the highlighted events plus dining, lodging, and more at our website VisitAthensAL.com. Get Sporty… May 4 welcomes cyclist to northern Limestone County for the 5th Annual Spring Krusher

while the Chick-Fil-A Race Series takes over downtown Athens, and the Alabama Rock and Walk for Babies takes over Swan Creek Park. Athens Police Reserve Golf Tournament hits the links on May 9. Relay for Life lights up the night at the Athens SportsPlex on May 10 while the SeaArk Owner Invitational Catfish Tournament takes to the waters of Wheeler Lake for two days of fishing. Tee It Up Fore The Kids takes to the tees on May 13, CASA Swing Fore Children offers another chance for a hole in one on May 16, and Athens State Alumni Association hosts another chance for a bogey on May 23, all at Canebrake Club. NAKA Public Kayak Demo Day is a great way to explore kayaking on May 25. Grab Your Cowboy Hat, It’s Rodeo Time… Time for some bronco

busting and bull riding fun as the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo comes to town with parade on May 11, Preston’s Kid’s Rodeo day on the 13th, Street Dance and Fashion Show on the 15th, Slack Day on the 16th, Special Needs Rodeo on the 17th, and two days of the “Greatest Show on Dirt” the 17th and 18th. Play in Nature… 1818 Farms plays host to a Yoga Retreat on May 4 or you can take a stroll on Marbut Bend Trail near Lester with TVA during the TVA BioBlitz. Spend a morning on the farm with 1818 Farms during their Open Farm Day on May 11. Treat Mom to something extra special with Mother’s Day in the Orchard on May 11. Getting Dirty at the Library invites you explore Integrated Pest Management on May 14. Enjoy the stage…

The Limestone County Sheriff's Rodeo kicks off with a parade with horses, wagons, and more

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Footlights Community Theatre offers The Wizard of Oz on May 4, 9, 10 and 11. Music For A Mission will have you tapping your toes on May 5 in downtown Athens. Art After Hours takes over High Cotton Arts on May 10 with The Redeemers. Elvis Remembered shakes things up during the Senior Lunch Matinee on May 16. Be sure to check our

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Ardmore Welcome Center will hold its Tourism Day during the National Travel and Tourism Week May 5-11

event calendar for live music shows throughout Limestone County and our neighbors.

event featuring local music, vendors, and small business owners all in one place.

Rev it up…

National Travel and Tourism Week…

The Sonic Drive-In in Ardmore will be the backdrop for the Boys & Girls Club Cruise In on May 16. The Ardmore Park gets revved up on May 18 with The Park After Dark Cruise In. West Limestone High School Booster Club will host its first annual Car, Truck and Tractor Show on the 18th as well. National Small Business Week… We invite everyone to come “Shop Small” from May 5 to 11 with our Limestone County small businesses. Whether you enjoy antiquing, boutiques, mom and pop restaurants – we welcome you to explore Athens, Mooresville, Elkmont, Lester, Tanner, Ardmore, and all points in between. May 11 is a great day with Watson’s Portable Building Small Business Week

Join Athens-Limestone County Tourism in marking National Travel and Tourism Week from May 5 to 11. The travel and tourism industry provides jobs, offsets household taxes, provides funding for our governments, and contributes to the quality of life. Join AthensLimestone County Tourism and other area organizations and businesses at the Alabama Welcome Center for a Tourism Celebration on May 23 as we celebrate the impact travel and tourism has locally, regionally, and statewide. Hope you leave room on your calendar – there are even more events on our calendar at VisitAthensAL. com that couldn’t be squeezed in above plus more events are added every day.

May 3 - May 16, 2019

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Clean and Green

Pollinators, Cheese Doodles, and Chocolate – What You Might Not Know by Lynne Hart - Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful

We could not be happier with how the 11th Earth Day & Outdoor EXPO went on Saturday, April 27! The weather was perfect, the crowd was steady, and everyone had a great time! I was most impressed with the Pollinator Power exhibit put together by second grade students and teachers from Cowart Elementary SPARK Academy. According to Jennifer Kennedy, SPARK Lab teacher, the exhibit was a team effort and included work by Jill Daniel, Leigh Ann Fleming, Holly Scarbel, Cindy Smith, and art teacher Leah Pierce. My coworker Leigh and I visit just about every 5th and 6th grade class in Athens and Limestone County schools and make a point to talk about pollinators. I am always quite surprised by the number of students that only know that bees make honey and can’t tell me why they might be important to food production. My faith was restored when Allison Contreras, a second grader from SPARK Academy, explained the entire pollination process using the giant flowers at their exhibit. Cheese doodles were used as flower stamens which are the pollen-produc-

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ing part of a flower. When a child (or adult) touched the cheese doodle “stamen,” the orange cheese powder “pollen” stuck to their fingers. When they touched the Styrofoam “pistil” of another flower, the orange powder was transferred to the new flower. Viola! Pollination!

through the pollination process are critical to humans and wildlife. Remember, the food produced includes CHOCOLATE and COFFEE! That certainly moves the importance level of our pollinators up a notch or two!

Why Is Pollination Important?

Pollinators Need Help

When bees, butterflies, wasps, hummingbirds, beetles, and other polli-

According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, pol-

Jaxon Swift (L) and Collin Platt (R) simulate plant pollination as teachers Cindy Smith (L) and Holly Scarbel (R) look on with pride to disease. Here are simple things you can do to help:

Second grader Allison Contreras (R) shows Harrison Pettus (L) how an insect pollinates a flower nators move from flower to flower, they aren’t thinking about pollen or pollination. They are seeking the sweet nectar they love. In the process of finding the nectar, pollen sticks to their feet, wings, and other body parts. Pollen is not what they are after, but as they seek their food, they are doing nature’s work pollinating nearly 75% of our crops! The seeds, fruits, and vegetables produced

linators in the United States contributed to over $29 billion of crops in 2010, with over $19 billion by honey bees alone. A recent study of the status of pollinators in North America by the National Academy of Sciences found that populations of honey bees and some wild pollinators are declining. Declines in wild pollinators may be a result of habitat loss and degradation, while declines in managed bees are linked

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• Plant a pollinator garden. Choose plants that flower at different times of the year to provide nectar and pollen sources throughout the growing season. When possible, choose native plants. Ask a Master Gardener or check with the Limestone County Extension Office for suggestions. • Provide nesting sites. Learn about the types of pollinators you’d like to attract and how

to provide them with shelter. • Avoid or limit pesticide use. Pesticides can kill more than the pest you are targeting, and some pesticides can kill pollinators for several days after use. If you kill natural predators, it will lead to an even more difficult pest problem. So the next time you enjoy a juicy peach, a sweet ear of corn, or your morning cup of coffee, thank a pollinator and do what you can to protect them.

Become a Fan

(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com May 3 - May 16, 2019

Cooking with Anna

Snackers Of America, Put Down Those Chips! by Anna Hamilton Three months… a quarter of a year… 90 days… from winter to spring…that’s how long it has been since I have had a potato chip. For some people, that may not seem like a big deal, but to me…it’s HUGE!!! You see, at this time last year, I could consume a whole bag of chips by myself. Y’all, I would have chips and dip for supper. I lived for chips and dip! It was a whole food group for me. In my world, there was nothing better than a potato chip, especially Cheddar and Sour Cream flavor. Anytime we were taking a little road trip, and by little, I mean like 2 hours in the car, I would have to get a bag of chips at the gas station. I was a chip addict. After eating a full supper at night, I would sit down to a bag of chips to eat as snack while watching television. It was a habit that I never thought I would quit. When I heard my doctor say I was diabetic and had extremely high blood pressure, I knew I would have to give up the snack I loved. I didn’t think I would be able to do it. In the past, when I was on one of the many diets I had tried, I would let myself “cheat” with a bag of chips. I would buy baked potato chips; and of course, instead of eating one serving, I would

eat half a bag and a few hours later, I would eat the other half of the bag. I am happy to say that it has been 3 months and I have not had a potato chip one. Not only that, I haven’t even wanted one! The fact that I haven’t craved that little salty nugget of goodness is amazing to me! I started eating more balanced meals and food that wasn’t highly processed, and it has made all the difference. When I want a snack now, I will have sliced veggies or sliced lunch meat with cheese. These snacks leave me feeling full and satisfied and not wanting to mindlessly fill my face with processed food. Another great snack that has helped me kick the chip habit is salt and vinegar zucchini chips. Zucchini chips are light, crispy, and delicious. They are a no-guilt snack that won’t leave you feeling like you just consumed a pile of rocks. Last week I had my three month follow up appointment, and I have lost a total of 46 pounds. I am feeling great and ready to see where this journey is going to take me. I would love to hear from any of you that are on a journey to better health; you are welcome to email me at annapella2003@gmail.com. “We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” Hebrews 6:11

Recipe #9 Salt and Vinegar Zucchini Chips What You Need:

4 cups thinly sliced zucchini, about 2-3 medium zucchini 2 Tbsps. olive oil 2 Tbsps. white balsamic vinegar 2 tsps. coarse sea salt

Directions:

Use a mandolin or knife to slice zucchini as thin as possible. In a small bowl, whisk olive oil and vinegar together. Place zucchini in a large bowl and toss with oil and vinegar. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Lay zucchini evenly. Bake at 200 degrees for 2-3 hours. Rotate halfway during cooking time. Store chips in an airtight container.

May 3 - May 16, 2019

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Page 13

The Millennial Mind

Culture’s Chronic Anxiety Problem by Rosemary Dewar A lack of patience weaponizes bitter anger. Those that stir up fears of scarcity and jeopardy attempt to lead the next revolution. Most epiphanies are meant for the individual to live out for themselves. Bringing down a society in order to facilitate one’s subjective ideal is nothing short of tyranny. If the desired outcome is lasting improvement, it will take merciful endurance. Not only are there those who want to convince you of imminent calamity, they want to be the ones to persuade you that they are the only answer. It is possible that the ones who claim they are trying to save you

are also orchestrating the disorder in the first place. That sense of urgency can easily be alleviated with a willingness to wait. Elements of tension, suspense, and drama are what people use to emotionally con the viewer. The ability to wade through that is a valuable commodity. When someone discovers a new method or process that makes one’s life easier, sometimes that revelation is meant for that person alone. Once that one person tries to persuade others through force, the good that could come out of it is extinguished. Leading by example is difficult because you have to live it out. Time has to be invested, and more

than you anticipated most of the time. Similar to an episode of the TV show Shark Tank, investors ask, “How long have you been in business?” or “How many units have you sold?” or “What have you personally invested?” The audience never feels bad for the guy that expresses skepticism and scolds the investors for “missing out on a big opportunity.” If what someone has to offer is beneficial, and people find a need for it, it will be appreciated enough to be distributed. Granted, people in history made decisions that hindered advancement. They also allowed their inner drama and anxiety

to form conclusions that harmed their communities.

“improving” their way of life. They were both gravely wrong.

British author, James Allen said that, “Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves; they therefore remain bound.” It is simply impossible to advance one without the other. If too anxious, men will destroy their neighbors before changing anything. Ruthless leaders have done that for centuries. Their ideals will bring millions to slaughter before others deliver them out of that thinking. It is no different than the Bolsheviks and the Mensheviks; they both had rash ideas about

The Judeo-Christian perspective states that we are to “not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself,” as well as “do not [worry] because of evildoers, or be envious of the wicked.” Maliciousness eventually destroys itself without your help. Those that squander their wealth will lose it soon enough. Waiting out the storm is essential most of the time. It is strenuous and uncomfortable, but those behind you will value you for doing so. Many will depend on it, and that type of experience is rarely ignored or needless. Lessons are long, and they are to be endured. Many will try to cheat it, change the rules, and deprive you of your investment; however, their success will be short-lived and diminished. Those that promise “a leveled playing field,” or “give you the wealth that is ‘rightfully’ yours” are lying, and are willing to violate your community to satisfy you. There is nothing to be gained from empty assurances. Revolutions that demand blind submission and emotional coercion have ended gruesomely. Take your time. Society is counting on those that can suffer properly, not needlessly.

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May 3 - May 16, 2019

Cover Story

The 37th Annual Sheriff’s Rodeo: Bucking Broncs And A Birthday by Ali Elizabeth Turner continued from page 1

tion in our area, one that has something for everyone, and this year there is an additional reason to celebrate. Lone Star Rodeo Company, one of the major sponsors of the rodeo, is turning 70! In 1949, Lone Star was started in Marfa, TX, by a man named Preston Fowlkes, Sr., and now is a second and third generation Fowlkes family-run operation. The company moved to Kentucky, and currently manages rodeos in cities throughout the south and on up to Maryland. We wish them a wonderful ‘Happy Birthday,’ and thank them for all their help in making the Limestone County Sheriff’s Rodeo the largest outdoor rodeo east of the Mississippi. Truly, it is the Greatest Show On Dirt! Rodeo Week begins May 11 and the main event is Friday, May 17 with the conclusion and crowning of the Rodeo Queen on Saturday, May 18. The rodeo was started 37 years ago by Sheriff Mike Blakely, and is a nearly weeklong, family friendly festival that includes a no-fee parade which anyone can enter, free pony rides for kiddos, slack rodeo, a special needs rodeo, a street dance, fashion show, and a rodeo queen pageant. The rodeo also helps pay to get new equipment or training for our sheriff’s deputies. In addition, it is sanctioned by the International Professional Rodeo Association, was voted by the IPRA as the Number One New Rodeo of the Year, and continues to be in its Top 5 Outdoor Rodeo Category. Alabama Mountain Lakes Tourist Association chose our rodeo as the Event of the Year in 2010. They also have declared it a Top 20 Event in 2011, 2013, 2015, and last year in 2018. Everyone involved in the rodeo will be quick to talk about the support of the sponsors, which make it all pos-

May 3 - May 16, 2019

Preston Fowlkes, Sr. sible. This year the sponsors are Lynn Layton Chevrolet; Flanagan Lumber; Preston’s Western Wear; Combined Public Communications; Halsey Food Service; Cast Products, Inc.; Allen Brown Heating and Cooling, and Pepsi Bottling Decatur, AL. Every year “the book” carries a multitude of ads and articles sponsored by local businesses. In addition, Utilities gets into the fun by cookin’ and helpin’ with the Special Needs Rodeo, and the Fire Department shows up in their trucks to give the kids a supervised chance to crawl all over and under. The Lions Club gives train rides, and this year, there are parents whose kids have gone through the Sheriff’s Mentor Camps who are volunteering in order to give back to the community that helped them. Volunteers of all kinds are welcome, needed, and appreciated. Close to 500 kids will be a part of the Special Needs Rodeo, and for many, it is the best part of the week.

Sheriff Blakely receives the Top 5 Outdoor Rodeo Award at the January 2019 Oklahoma City IPRA International Rodeo Finals Another outstanding set of crowned. Lest you think this events is the Queen’s Pag- is some easy crown to win, in eant. We have several rodeo addition to all of the physically queens who have won the daunting horsemanship skills national title, and the entire that need to be mastered and program is quite challenging. demonstrated to experts, the The contestants are judged on queen must be able when intheir interviews, written test terviewed to answer questions results, poise, and of course, about equine science, current events, politics, government, and more. This contest is not for the faint of heart on any

level, and Kaitlynn has exuded grace and poise throughout her reign. Once again, Jeff Whitlow’s band will be playing for the street dance, Preston’s will be giving free pony rides on Monday, and “Leader In Me” as well as “Reading Initiative” participants accompanied by their parents, can attend the Slack Rodeo as guests of Sheriff Mike Blakely. Truly, there is something for you and yours at the 37th Annual Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo! Or, as now-retired Deputy Paul Cain once told me, “Once you’ve been to one, you never want to miss one.” Tickets are available online at the event’s Facebook page, which is www.facebook.com/ LimestoneSheriffsRodeoAL. Rain or shine, see you soon!

Preston Fowlkes, Jr. Lonestar Grand Entry, 1981 horsemanship. The queen will be crowned on Saturday night. Debbie Blakely and her crew work tirelessly to make sure that every aspect of the contest goes smoothly, and they deserve a shout out for the contest’s success. Limestone County native Kaitlynn Norman, the 2018 Miss Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo Queen, knew from the age of seven that she wanted one day to wear the crown. As a high schooler, she won the Senior Miss Limestone Rodeo Queen title in 2015, and I am sure it will be a bittersweet moment when this year’s queen is

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Page 15

Health and Fitness

Nothing Is Sweet Like Honey by Nick Thomas, owner of Prime Performance Training, and Certified Sports Nutritionist

We all have a sweet tooth, and it always seems to strike hardest about the time we are trying to be on a healthier eating path. So, letâ€™s talk about a way to solve the sweet tooth without destroying your hard work. Honey is a fantastic natural sweetener and actually has some great health benefits as well. Honey is a wonderful source of simple carbohydrates. Bees add enzymes to the nectar itself which is made up mainly of sucrose and water. When the enzymes are added, chemical compounds convert the sucrose into fructose and glucose, which ultimately evaporates the majority of the water. This is actually what helps prevent from honey spoiling. The high level of fructose also makes honey sweeter than table sugar.

when you wake up. This will promote weight loss and help flush the toxins and waste from your body. Honey has a great glycemic index which means the sugars it contains can be gradually absorbed into the bloodstream, so better digestion is achieved. This is much better than choosing foods with an excessively high glycemic index which prompt an elevated insulin release in your

body due to the pancreas being stimulated to metabolize the sudden surge of glucose in the blood. For this reason, honey can be an excellent option for diabetics who struggle with keeping their blood sugar regulated. You can use honey as a food sweetener without the danger of an intense sugar spike. The benefits of honey go far beyond what you might think. For athletes who

struggle with muscle fatigue slowing them down, honey is a simple solution to help endurance levels. This results from the combination of glucose and fructose being absorbed slowly, which helps sustain energy throughout performance time. For those of you who want to increase your energy levels, honey can assist you as well. Honey contains the natural sugars which

help boost energy and give you a surge through calories. When you are feeling that midafternoon drag and sweet tooth, grab a cup of hot tea and add some honey. This will solve both issues. This same cup of tea will also act a natural cough suppressant. Honey not only will sooth your throat, it has potent antibacterial properties which help kill bacteria that can lead to infection, such as strep throat. Finally, honey can even prove to be an effective sleep aid. If you are struggling to fall asleep, it could be due to your body being a bit chemically unbalanced. Honey is a type of carbohydrate that is fat digestible, which allows tryptophan to enter your brain causing the stimulation of insulin release. The tryptophan makes you feel tired, helping you fall asleep.

Many minerals and vitamins can be found in honey as well. They work together helping metabolize the undesirable cholesterol and fatty acid in the organs and tissues into the system, which helps prevent obesity and promote better overall health. A great way to gain the full benefit of this property found in honey is to have a cup of lukewarm water with honey and lemon juice each morning

As you can see, honey adds much more than sweetness to your life. You can pick up pure honey at most any local grocery store and start incorporating it into your daily routine. For more information regarding a personalized general or sports nutrition plan, contact me at Prime Performance 423-8050870.

256-434-7532 423-805-0870 www.getprimednow.com Page 16

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May 3 - May 16, 2019

Cover Story

Brody Jackson Insurance Agency: A Good Neighbor Indeed by Ali Elizabeth Turner

continued from page 1

Show, Superheroes, Relay for Life, various 5Ks and more; if you were at a community event, Brody was there under the trademark cheerful red State Farm tent. From my perspective, he genuinely lived out the jingle: “Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.” Always upbeat, generous, and helpful, I was glad to see that his business was thriving. More importantly, his heart for our community was continually made manifest. However, it wasn’t until earlier this spring when I became a member of the Limestone Leaders Business Network International chapter (which meets every Tuesday morning at the Veterans’ Museum) that I got a chance to get to know “the guy and his why” when it comes to selling insurance. All it took was a ten-minute presentation, complete with a picture of his demolished truck, as well as a description of an accident where by grace, Brody cheated death. I now understand that there is a world of difference in insurance companies and the care they provide for their customers. A bit about the accident itself—on September 21, 2009, Brody was in his Athens Utilities truck during lunch hour. He had been reading meters and was at the intersection of New Cut Road and Glaze Road in Owens/Athens. A kid ran a stop sign, hit him, and the truck was knocked into oncoming traffic. Brody was then hit head on by another vehicle. Someone helped Bro-

May 3 - May 16, 2019

dy, badly injured and dazed, get away from the truck moments before it exploded. “It was like something out of a movie,” he said. Thankfully, he was the only one hurt. Pieced together by staples and pins, Brody was in a wheelchair, yet decided that no matter what, he was going to be back at work in 6 months. He had months of physical therapy, did not sleep sometimes for days, and then when he did sleep, had horrific nightmares wherein he could hear the glass breaking and the truck crunching all over again. It was in the middle of this mess that he met his beloved Claire. They married in 2011 and now have 3 children: Bryant, age 5; Brayden, age 3; and little Miss Blaire, who is just two months old. He has had a total of 12 surgeries: five on his hand, three on his hip, one on his knee, and extensive dental surgery. Upon impact, Brody clenched his jaw so forcefully that he split his teeth. A man of faith and determined joy, Brody was quick to point out how much people helped. Athens Utilities and workman’s comp were

there, and friends, family, and co-workers supported him every step of his journey. He also maxed out all his credit cards and was in dreadful pain. But Brody’s “why” as to becoming a State Farm agent could not have been clearer or deeper. “I did not want anyone else to go through what I went through when it came to the help that I didn’t get from my insurance carrier,” Brody said. He continued, “I would call to inquire about an aspect of coverage and the agent would actually say, ‘Why are you calling?’” It wasn’t just the accident, but you’ll recall that 2011 was also the year of the killer twisters. Brody was starting to feel like he had

The red tent at the Athens Earth Day celebration, 2019

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Brody's fateful accident September 21, 2009

found his calling, but when I asked him why he specifically chose State Farm, it was the helpful agents that were assisting people in the literal midst of the storm that let him know this was what he wanted to do. “People don’t trust the industry, and I wanted to change that. Being able to do that in my home town is that much sweeter,” he said. Brody’s State Farm agent

contacted him regarding the prospect of becoming an agent, and he went through extensive training with his agent functioning as a mentor. He then began to carefully build his team. “We all have the same passion,” he said, which can be defined as undaunted advocacy for their clients. “Accidents are where we shine,” he said. “We go there, even in the middle of the night,

and our question for our clients is, ‘What can I do for you?’” There is far more to insurance than just accidents or fires. People need to understand that many needs can arise, even amongst seemingly invincible homeowners in the 30-55-year-old age group. “Health and disability needs can hit anyone,” Brody said. This morning at our BNI meeting he told us with a grin how he had been able to save a woman ten dollars a month on her premium and give her better coverage. “Ten dollars a month can add up over time, and we give great discounts for being accident free,” he said. If you are looking for an insurance agent who is indeed a good neighbor, Brody Jackson and his team “are there” to help you. Call him today for an appointment, and experience what happens when a man chooses to change life’s worst into our community’s best.

Brody Jackson State Farm

885 U.S. Hwy 72, Ste A Athens, AL 35611 256-998-5577 brody@brodyjackson insurance.com Page 17

Learning As A Lifestyle

Fun With Art by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 At the Athens State Center for Lifelong Learning, we offer programs for adults and children. We have been hosting pottery classes at the Alabama Center for the Arts for two years. We offer both the Introduction to Pottery and an Introduction to Wheel Throwing. They have become very popular. This summer we will introduce Raku Pottery, a low firing method that involves removing pottery from the kiln while at bright red heat and placing it into containers with combustible materials. Watch the website – www.athens.edu/CLL - for more information or call 256-233-8260. In May, we will introduce 3-D Art for adults. This class is also for beginners and includes a lawn sculpture made from papier mâché and an introduction to macramé. Class is scheduled Mondays, May 6t –

June 3r, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Alabama Center for the Arts. Our Blacksmith class is another popular class. This ancient art is for the person who wants to build with their hands. The class teaches the basic blacksmithing techniques of forging metal using tools to hammer, bend, and shape. Watch the website for the next class. We are excited to offer Summer Camps for kids again this year at Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning. Complete information is available on our website – www.athens.edu/ CLL - or call us at 256-2338260 to register. Here are the camps that we will be offering in June. SPORTS CAMPS, for ages 8-13, will include Archery Camp-Level 1 and Level II, both at the Carter Gym on the Athens State campus.

Archery Camps are during the first two weeks of June from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and snacks will be provided daily. Archery Camp-Level 2 will experience advanced emphasis in the areas of form, shooting, and aiming techniques. Soccer Camp and Golf Camps will also be offered. CREATIVE ARTS CAMPS will include activities for writers, dancers, photographers, artists, and crafters. Some of the camps that will be offered include: Words Alive – Writing and Illustrating Short Stories for budding authors, ages 9 and up; Art

Explorers – one session for ages 8-12, one session for ages 5-7. Hip Hop Camp - a dance camp for ages 8 and up; and Photography for Kids! We will also be offering Pottery for kids!

ing software and imagination. Each of these camps will take place at Athens State University’s Center for Lifelong Learning, on the Courthouse Square in Athens.

SCIENCE and STEM CAMPS have always been very popular at the Center for Lifelong Learning. This summer will include Dr. Seuss Stem Camp, for ages 8-12 which features books by Dr. Seuss used to create STEM projects. Great Brick Adventure, for ages 8-12, for the Lego lover at your house. Stop Motion Animation, for ages 8-12, features movie mak-

SKILLS FOR LIFE CAMPS will include two sessions of the very popular Super Sitter Camp for ages 10-17. We will also be offering Hands Up! American Sign Language, for ages 8-12, (Center for Lifelong Learning); Let’s Have a Food Fite! Cooking Camp, for ages 8-14 (Athens State Sandridge Hall Cafeteria). Please join us this summer for more fun with friends and lifelong learning! To learn more or to register, please visit www.athens. edu/CLL or call us at (256) 233-8260. You may also visit us at 121 South Marion Street, Athens, Alabama 35611. Hope to see you soon!

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May 3 - May 16, 2019

Jerry’s Journal

Save our Planet – Be a 13 by Jerry R. Barksdale www.jerrybarksdale.com I have a lot to worry about nowadays. A groundhog has homesteaded in my garden and eaten my cabbage, my chainsaw won’t crank, and I have an enlarged prostrate. And I just learned Earth will perish in 12 years. My kind of luck. That’s according to New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, alias AOC. She’s a smart woman – an intellectual – and wears big owlish glasses to prove it. Since Earth has been my only home since birth, I would like to continue living here. Aside from Bama losing the National Championship, it’s the worst news I’ve heard in a long time. The stock market will tank and real estate prices will fall. There goes my retirement. On the positive side, it will be a good time to buy real estate, and paying alimony and having to file income tax returns will cease. Thank the Lord! As Mama used to say, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” Privileged rich people are already planning to bug out to Mars. Elon Musk, a privileged, old, white guy billionaire is building a spaceship to fly his wealthy friends to Mars – for a hefty fee, of course. I suspect they will live in a gated community behind a wall to keep out the Martian riff-raff and pay them minimum wage to clean their space suits and tend their rock garden. Whoopi Goldberg, Barbara Streisand, and Jon Stewart have been threatening to leave America for years. I’m sure they will be aboard. Cher is waiting for a ride to Jupiter. Bon Voyage to all. I would like to go, but I won’t be able to afford a ticket. Only the rich, privi-

May 3 - May 16, 2019

leged class will go. Anyway, I won’t leave Earth without my good friend, and sometime red-head, Pat. They wouldn’t let her on board with 150 pairs of shoes, 50 purses, and 25 pair of sunglasses. Recently, Miss AOC proposed her Green New Deal to save Earth. Again, thank the Lord. She suggests we need to stop birthing babies. I agree. They are nothing but trouble. The little burping, defecating, diaper soiling snots just grow up to smoke pot, drink beer, get arrested, wreck cars, and flunk out of college. Then they cart us off to a nursing home. Zero babies can be achieved in one generation. But we may have to outlaw Viagra to accomplish it. Miss AOC says that methane gas eliminated by cow flatulence is a major cause of climate change, which according to her, will contribute to destroying the earth in 12 years. She suggests that we should give up eating meat and become vegetarians. She’s wrong there. Polite society doesn’t use the street term for flatulence. But folks living in Toney and Flat Rock, Alabama, may not know what a flatulence is, so I will translate. It’s a ten letter word to describe a four letter word - fart. For religious folks and English teachers, I assure you that it’s not a swear word. It’s one of the oldest words in the English language and can be used as a noun or a verb. If you feel more comfortable calling it a “poot,” “toot,” or “passing gas,” I understand. For the purpose of this white paper, and to accommodate sensitivities, I’ll call it “cut’n cheese.” There are 1.5 billion cows on Earth cut’n cheese,

fb.com/jerry.barksdale.7 every day, all day long. They produce 150 billion gallons of methane a day. Holy cow! All animals cut cheese and produce methane gas: deer, bison, elk, horses, elephants, sheep, goats, all wild life - and yes, dogs. Termites are the worst offenders; even cockroaches pass gas. I’m for killing all termites and cockroaches. All cockroaches are good for is to make exterminators rich and scare women. Citizens, we have a real emergency on our hands. Humans also produce vast amounts of methane gas. The average person cuts cheese 14 times a day. Believe it or not, women cut cheese just as much as men! It’s hard to believe, but Queen Elizabeth cuts cheese. They say that Nancy Reagan did too. I doubt that Miss AOC does, even knowing the danger that methane gas poses to our survival. Methane gas is also highly flammable. Several years ago, an Athens man cut an extralarge slice of cheese while sitting on the commode. He lit a Marlboro and blew himself up! There are over 7 ½ billion people on Earth cut’n cheese 14 times a day and producing billions of gallons of methane gas daily. Add that to billions produced by cows, animals, insects, and termites, and you can see the danger. If a critical mass is reached and someone lights up a joint – Boom! The Earth will erupt in a fiery conflagration. I’ve laid out the problem, now what can we do to save our planet? Miss AOC says vegetarianism is the solution. Wrong. Many years ago I decided to go vegetarian and ate a diet of broccoli, beans, cabbage, etc. My stomach rebelled. I cut cheese all day and all night. My wife threatened

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to divorce me. I returned to eating fried chicken. Eating vegetables produces methane gas. Cows are vegetarians. They eat grass almost exclusively, and they expel enormous amounts of methane. Solution: Feed them meat – preferably armadillos, groundhogs, dogs, and house cats. There are far too many of them. I’m especially jealous of dogs. They don’t work and don’t pay taxes or alimony. Dogs chase bikers, joggers, and mailmen, and act like they own the planet. We’re all in this crisis together. We must unite as a nation, and Congress should enact a methane tax similar to the carbon tax. The more you cut cheese, the more you pay. Similarly, if you don’t use all 14 of your daily poots, you could sell them to a rich vegetarian who lives miserably surviving on bean sprouts, pintos, and broccoli. A simple app on your phone would measure your flatulence. The tax proceeds would be used to find a solution to passing gas and help us save the planet. We must all sacrifice. As for me, I intend to give up my favorite dinner – pork-n-beans on crackers – and cut back on poots. A national ad campaign should be immediately launched by the Trump administration informing citizens of the danger of cut’n cheese and encourage us to cut back at least one flatulence a day – just one. We can do it. T-shirts, lapel pins, and bumper stickers would proclaim, “I’m a 13.” A National Day of Prayer and reflection should be declared. Ministers should mount their pulpit and encourage their flock to be a 13. Another plank in Miss AOC’s

Green New Deal is to guarantee an income to every American, whether they work or not. Many people will sign up for no work. “Hey Joe, where you not working nowadays?” “Oh, shoot I’m just lying on the couch drinking beer, watching reruns of the Three Stooges and sleeping. What about you?” “I got an offer to not work as a taster in a pie factory. It just makes me tired thinking about it.” “I know what ‘ye mean. I feel sorry for them fools who get up at 4 a.m. and go to a real job. Suckers.” “Yeah buddy, I’ll drink to that.” Some will say they should be forced to work before being paid. No way! It would be discriminatory and violate the “pursuit of happiness” clause in the Declaration of Independence. They have rights too! Miss AOC also proposes that a rail system replace airplanes. Fine with me. I’m afraid to fly. The Air Force hasn’t weighed in on the proposal. They will probably whine that they can’t fight a war from a train. Whatever. Constructing a bridge to Hawaii will employ a lot of people, assuming that anyone will work. It has been estimated the Green New Deal will cost each household a mere $600,000. (Sounds like a green new steal). So what? It’s just paper. Print more money. Come on folks let’s get behind Miss AOC and save our planet. It’s the only one we have. I’m a 13, will you be one too? Just some thoughts from an old fart.

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Dog Barker

Those Hot Days Are Back! by Joel Allen

A few years ago when I was visiting the Athens, Alabama, Pet Depot, I and some other customers heard barking. It was about this time of year, and the barking was coming from a parked van in front of Pet Depot. We looked at the van and found that dogs were inside with the windows up; and it was getting hot outside. After waiting to see if the owner would show up soon and when they did not, we called Athens Police. The police responded within a few minutes. As the officer was looking at the van, a woman walked out of the nail salon next door and informed the officer that she was the owner. Now, I did not hear the

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conversation between the officer and the woman in question, but after the conversation was over, the woman left and the officer just shook his head and went on his way. I can say this though, that was stupidity at its finest because dogs wear fur and get hot quickly. Those poor dogs did not have any way to get cool air in the situation they were in. Another thing everyone needs to remember is that a dog’s normal body temperature is 102 degrees, and dogs sweat through their tongues. So, why am I harping on this? Well, in this hot season we are all going to see dogs in cars with windows up and

the temperature high. Some people will think it is okay to leave their dog in a running car with the windows up and the air conditioner on. That idea is not the best because the a/c could stop running. Remember if anyone sees this happen, call your local police and have it investigated because you could be saving a life. If it is my vehicle, and I see the police investigating my car, I won’t be offended. I do this but I leave a window open, not cracked, just in case the a/c stops working. I have said this before and will again -- if someone leaves their dogs in a hot car with the windows up, a broken window will be their own fault

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because we, the many, will chance going to jail to save a life. Another problem I see a lot are trucks with dogs in the back on hot metal. That metal gets hot enough to cook on, so we all know it can cook paw pads. I know I tend to say this every year, but if this applies to anyone reading this, put some protection down for your dogs! Now, let’s talk about the dogs outside. In the shade, it is 20 degrees cooler most of the time. On a real hot and humid day, the breeze is almost unbearable in itself, so don’t assume your outside dog is all right. Go and look at them. Check and ensure their water

is fresh and they have shade. Water and shade are keys to making it through the hot days to come. Dogs can suffer heat stroke too! Lastly, if someone has to be reminded of this constantly, then they should not have a dog…and in my opinion, I would also worry if they have children. “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

May 3 - May 16, 2019

Mental Health Minute

Anger Reduction by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor

“Explain your anger instead of expressing it, and you will find solutions instead of arguments.” - Dr. Steve Maraboli This is the final article in a three-part series on anger. The first article addressed the etiology of anger. The second explained how anger affects your health. Today we will look at methods of understanding and hopefully decreasing your anger response. If we were in a counseling session, these articles represent the path we would take… moving from what anger is, to what anger does, to “now what do I do about it?”

you. My favorite counseling phrase, “Awareness is the first step,” would apply here. If you have acknowledged that anger is a problem for you, then let’s start by monitoring your “ire.” Keep an anger log over a three-week period, documenting every anger episode. Write down the facts of what happened; the intensity of the anger 0-10, with 10 being maximum rage; any thoughts, images or memories that were

stirred up by the incident; and what you actually did to express your anger. This habit can, at a minimum, help you to gain some insight and perspective into what happens to you in those moments of outburst. Taking this a step further, you could even have someone record some of the incidents. Have you ever watched or listened to yourself get angry, while you’re not angry? When you are able to rationally examine the

Probably the most important key to understanding and modifying your anger is to first acknowledge that you might have a problem. As we have explored, anger is unhelpful and unhealthy in many ways, mainly because it is an ineffective way of operating in the (social) world. Anger can occasionally backfire, and often ruins relationships. In my opinion, anger is essentially an intimidation strategy. Surveys tell us that about 80% of our day-to-day anger occurs with family and those who are important to us. I think most of us realize, though, that being assertive, calm, and caring is much more effective in getting people to “behave” correctly. So, our first step is understanding that anger might be an issue for

May 3 - May 16, 2019

facts and take a few moments to look at exactly what happened, you may be able to ask appropriate questions of interpretation: Are you sure you understood his position? Is it fair to say that she is always late, or never does anything nice for you? Are you positive that he passed by and snubbed you, or did he just not see you? Why not suspend judgment pending further evidence? The most important take-

away from this article is in understanding the ultimate source of your anger. In my opinion, that source is “shoulding.” Most people think that other people’s behaviors and words are what makes them angry. But there is no single event that always angers everyone all the time, nor is there any single event that never angers anyone any of the time. You don’t get angry from the external events alone; your anger comes from how you appraise the events. I believe that anger always involves viewing behavior as wrong, or not as it should be. For example, your daughter chooses to text at the dinner table, which is irritating to you, causing you to become angry. Maybe your other family members aren’t irritated and don’t even care. If your daughter’s phone use at the table annoys you, it’s because you believe that family members should interact at the dinner table. I will add one other piece of advice: When you feel anger, you can choose to not do anything in the moment. Ambrose Bierce, an American satirist, stated, “Speak when you are angry, and you will make the best speech you will ever regret.”

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

Want To Change Your Life? by Roy Williams

With over 30 years in the studies of nutrition, I am often asked if there was only one supplement I could take, what would it be? My response is always the same, MSM+C. This one supplement has helped change more peopleâ€™s lives than any other supplement in our history. It is an inexpensive, easyto-use, truly safe supplement that has the ability to support the health of every cell in your body. MSM is basically organic sulfur with the right amount of vitamin C to help your body manufacture collagen. The combination of nutrients in this patented blend is often referred to as the youth supplement. As we age, our bodies lose the ability to manufacture collagen and it shows -- dryer skin, wrinkles, crowâ€™s feet around our eyes, stretch marks, and even sagging skin, especially under the arms. Our joints lose their lubrication and their ability to manufacture cartilage. Over time, as the cartilage deteriorates, our joints hurt and grind when we squat. Our shoulders hurt when we raise our hands

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above our heads, and we lose range of motion. Running may become a thing of the past, and even walking can cause pain. Many people develop heartburn or acid reflux, indigestion, or even hiatal hernia with age. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar is often associated with aging. Fingernails become brittle, hair thins, we bruise easier, and energy levels wane. Over the years, with thousands of hours of studies, I began to realize that every one of those aging disorders can be caused by a decline of collagen production. With that knowledge, I set out to develop a simple and inexpensive supplement that everyone could take, no matter how young or old or what medications they may be on, that could help the human body manufacture more collagen. Twenty years ago, my formulator and I developed a product with a special blend of MSM and vitamin C that we believed would help the

young maintain collagen production and for the aged, return production to those of a twentyyear-old. In a few months we had the formula that is now patented, and the success stories keep coming in. MSM+C has the same toxicity levels as water, is water soluble, can be taken with or without food, is safe for all age groups, and seems to work miracles in the body, especially for those who are over the age of forty. Thousands report that after just three weeks, taken as suggested, they no longer depend on over the counter medications or prescriptions for most of their digestive issues, including acid reflux, heartburn, indigestion, or hiatal hernia. It helps balance the pH in the entire digestive system, which decreases the likelihood of polyps in the colon, reduces the occurrence of hemorrhoids, and removes caked-on fecal matter from the small intestine and colon. Some research indicates that it makes the lining of the colon as slick as Tef-

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lon, which may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. When your body can manufacture collagen, the material that binds all soft-cell tissue together, the veins, arteries, and capillaries become more flexible, which may decrease risk of heart attack or stroke. For that same reason, almost everyone taking MSM+C reports softer, smoother, prettier skin in just three weeks. They also talk about stronger fingernails and thicker prettier hair. MSM is the beauty mineral. Because of MSM+Câ€™s ability to lubricate the joints, thousands report reduced inflammation and pain, full range of motion in their shoulders, the ability to squat and stand up without help, lowered back pain, and sleeping better. It is such a powerful antiinflammatory, that many report lower CRP levels after just two months on the supplement. Another down side of aging is that our energy levels seem to drop, which makes MSM+C

even more appealing. Thousands, and when I say thousands I am not kidding, report so much more energy and stamina that their friends are having trouble keeping up with them. We believe that this is due to its detoxifying abilities. MSM+C makes all soft cells more permeable, which means your cells can absorb more water, oxygen, nutrition, and hormones while expelling more toxins. Now you understand why I believe that everyone, from birth to death, should be taking MSM+C. It is so safe that if a child ate the whole bottle you would not even have to take them to the doctor. Let me encourage you to go by Herbs & More in Athens or NHC Herb Shop in Killen and ask for the free CD called MSM+C and Healing. It is free and so interesting that many tell us they have listened to it ten or twelve times. Your friend in health, Roy P. Williams

May 3 - May 16, 2019

Mondays at 10am 1080 AM WKAC May 3 - May 16, 2019

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May 3 - May 16, 2019