Issue November 1, 2018

November 2nd - November 15th, 2018

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

See Our Listings Inside this edition...

Pages 25 - 32

Special Feature Home Sweet Home Pet Sitting: Specialized, Tender, Loving Care For All Kinds Of Pets...

It was just about a year ago that I was sitting in Sweetest Things Tea Room across from...

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Tourism

Local Quilt Guilds Come Together To Celebrate Quilting And The Athens Bicentennial

By Ali Elizabeth Turner Saturday, November 17, 2018 is going to be a big day in Athens-Limestone County.

We are turning 200, we are throwing a citywide party, and our three quilt guilds have Continued on page 15

The 2018 Christmas Open House A Bicentennial Christmas

Music, Community, And Birthday Bashes – Just Part Of The Fun Of November In AthensLimestone...

The calendars of AthensLimestone County Tourism Association at VisitAthensAL.com are bursting with events...

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Clean And Green

By Ali Elizabeth Turner

Decorated Ducks Are Ready For Your Votes!...

On behalf of our KALB Commission members and staff, we offer our sincere appreciation for all of the support given during our...

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November 2 - November 15, 2018

For more than three decades, the Limestone County Courthouse Square has been the site of the annual Christmas Open House, and this year is no exception. On the weekend of November 16-18, our fair city of Athens Continued on pages 17

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www.JuicePlus.com

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November 2 - November 15, 2018

Publisher’s Point

On Being “Nutrient Dense”

Publisher / Editor Ali Turner

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 Janet Hunt Wanda Campbell

Publisher’s Point . . . . . . . . 3

I don’t often struggle with coming up with a topic for each edition’s Publisher’s Point. Most of the time, many folks in my life will say that I have more than enough to say on most subjects. However, there was something so personally grieving to me about the L’Simcha Synagogue slaughter that it stopped me from saying anything that could on any level be helpful. On the radio Monday, Rex Davis, my co-host and all-around tough guy with a tender heart, sat behind the microphone and with slumped shoulders said to listeners in the Tennessee Valley, “This makes me feel like crying.” “Me, too,” I replied. Enough said.

I thought about being part of the solution and not the problem, and I realized that the only way besides prayer that I could make

All Things Soldier . . . . . . . 4

a difference about any of it is if I purpose by grace to be what I call “nutrient dense.” The term was coined years ago by a former Air Force Captain who had served bravely until his daughter died unexpectedly, and he consequently chose to enter civilian life. The emotional and spiritual level of “nutrition” in his being was understandably severely depleted, and he and his wife went through some dark times. However, it was their journey toward wholeness that has gone on to inspire literally thousands, including me, and I find that I am leaning hard on their story while I get through this.

So, what does it mean to be “nutrient dense”? In the area of food, it means selecting foods that aren’t empty, altered, jacked around, weak, unrecognizable to your body, un-

sustainably produced, and harmful to your health.

Eating foods that are nutrient dense strengthens everything from your bones to your brain, and will empower you to be of help in what is often referred to as “the most difficult of circumstances.”

In the area of your soul and spirit, it means roughly the same thing. Consuming multiple sources of “nutrition” in the form of that which inspires, motivates, comforts, confronts, encourages, stretches, brings laughter, love, grace and redemption, has the same result.

It makes it possible for you to be of help in what is once again being described as “the most difficult of circumstances,” but the results are far more intangible.

Either way, what I am finding, is that the more I choose to be “nutrient

Special Feature . . . . . . . . . . 5 Calendar of Events . . . . . . . 6 What Makes Ronnie Roll . . . 8 Slinkard on Success . . . . . . 9 Tourism . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Clean and Green . . . . . . . 12

dense” in every regard, the more that I can be of true help. And the more I can be of true help as I serve up the feasts that are uniquely my own, the more I can complete the cycle and become full again.

Recently I watched an interview with a man who had had a “NDE,” or Near Death Experience.

Prior to his documented death, which occurred after suffering from a split aneurysm, he said he had not been particularly “religious.” However, as a result of this encounter, he experienced the love of God, something that all these years later still brings him to tears, and while he was in the presence of God, he was made aware that really, the only purpose of life is to love, even when it’s difficult and unfair.

Bringing love when there is no reason is just another way of being “nutrient dense,” and to me it’s the only way that life and the things that are truly senseless can make any sense. Will you join me in making and serving a feast, now that we are in the season of feasting?

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 Pet Points . . . . . . . 20 Mental Health Minute . . . 21 Alternative Approcah . . . 22

November 2 - November 15, 2018

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All Things Soldier

Voting, Vets, And Veterans’ Day 2018

by Ali Elizabeth Turner November is here, and in a few days two very important events are going to take place all across America: elections and Veterans’ Day. The two are inextricably linked, and the purpose of this Soldier is threefold: to remind everyone to vote, to remind everyone to thank a vet for protecting their right to vote, and to remind vets of the special discounts and freebies that have been made available locally and nationally to vets and/or their families as a part of our culture’s celebration of Armistice Day which began 99 years ago.

Let’s talk about voting first.

May I say in the strongest possible terms that you have no business NOT voting in the upcoming mid-term elections on November 6? I don’t care what your political affiliation is, whether you have ever voted in a mid-term, or whether

you have never voted. If you are registered to vote, please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the candidates and proposed legislation, get yourself to your poll place, and take the approximately 15 minutes required to cast your ballot. It is the very least you can do to honor and remember those who have put themselves in harm’s way to protect you from tyranny, ignorance, and despotism. I have often said that one of the most valuable takeaways from my three years in Iraq was being around people, young and old, men and women, who were willing to die in order to be able to vote for the first time in their lives. They did things like purchase their coffins in the event that Al-Zarqawi made good on his threat to make a bloodbath if anyone defied him. They proved it with their purple index finger, the mark of liberty and perhaps death that they

earned by plunging their finger into a well of purple ink after they voted, and before they hit the street again.

After you have voted, please take the time to communicate with at least one vet and thank them for their service. While you are at it, if it’s appropri-

Results of the Henry Golden Boy raffle conducted by Vietnam Veterans of America, Gary Elmore Chapter 511 were announced October 16, 2018.

The lucky ticket belonged to Jerry Crabtree!

Pictured are (L-R): Col (Ret) Mel McLemore - Treasurer VVA Chapter 511 , Ron Webster - President VVA Chapter 511, Jerry Crabtree - President Alabama Veterans Museum, Mike Davis - Secretary VVA Chapter 511 and Bobby Reasonover - owner of Bradford Pawn and Gun, 314 South Marion St, Athens, Alabama.

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ate, please consider thanking their families as well. Those who have been in uniform know full well that they could not do what they do to protect us without the support of those on what was called in my parents’ day “the home front.” Wives sacrifice when their husbands are deployed.

Husbands sacrifice when their wives are deployed, and in certain ways, they can have it tougher because there is not as much room in our culture for a wife serving on foreign shores and the husband at home with the kids. And kids sacrifice when either or both of their parents are deployed.

I have often said that I wish there could be specific medals for spouses and children who have experienced being “deployed at home.” They are most deserving, in my view.

If you are a vet, please take the time to thank a fellow vet for his or her service. You are the only one who can begin to understand from a personal level what they have given that we may be free, and you may be the only one on that day who bothers to express gratitude. For everyone, vets who struggle with suicide

have been shown to be far less willing to end their lives if someone thanks them, even if the thankful one has never served, so “go with your gut.”

If you are feeling the nudge to say “Thank you,” do it.

Finally, if you are a vet, please avail yourself of the myriad discounts and “freebies” that have been made available locally and nationally as a way of our country saying, “Thank you for your service.” For example, the Birmingham Zoo offers free admission. Applebee’s, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Cracker Barrel have discounts on meals. Logan’s Roadhouse will offer a free meal to a vet on November 11 between 3 and 6 pm. Ruby Tuesday will give a vet a free appetizer.

Great Clips will give a free haircut, Dollar General will knock 11% off a purchase on November 11, and thankfully the list is extensive. ID requirements vary, so be sure to do your due diligence before you go. For a complete list of “givebacks,” go to www.military.com, and from all of us, from the bottom of our hearts, we honor you.

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Special Feature

Home Sweet Home Pet Sitting: Specialized, Tender, Loving Care For All Kinds Of Pets

by Ali Elizabeth Turner It was just about a year ago that I was sitting in Sweetest Things Tea Room across from Jennifer Lord Hicks, owner of Home Sweet Home Pet Sitting, and it was a lunch that I would have been just as content to see last on till suppertime. Jennifer is a talented, intelligent, compassionate “pet person” who has developed a business that is a “pet parent’s” dream. Home Sweet Home Pet Sitting is now a year old, and is gearing up for a bountiful second year.

For those of you who are meeting Jennifer for the first time, you are in for a treat. She is originally from New Jersey, and got her undergrad degree in social work from Georgia State University. She went on to get her MSW from the University of Alabama, and has used her degree in a number of ways to give back to our community. She has been a local caseworker for DHR and has worked for Hospice. She faced the unusual challenge of working with inmates at the Limestone County Men’s Correctional Facility who were battling HIV/AIDS. She is also a breast cancer survivor, having been diagnosed in October of 2015, only a year after she married. Today she is

with a human that loves them.

The “mid-day walk” feature is one of the mainstays of Jennifer’s business, and something for which her clients have expressed great gratitude.

cancer free. The great changes in her life led her to start Home Sweet Home Pet Sitting so she could be a stay-at-home mom for her 13-year-old stepson.

I am all about what I call transferable skills, the idea that something you learn in what is often an uncomfortable set of circumstances can be rolled over into a seemingly unrelated area of life with relish, and the result is something tangible that benefits everyone. That clearly is the case with the way that Jennifer has taken difficulty and transformed it into a delightful, very specific market niche. Not surprisingly, her experience with people facing end-of-life issues has given her a deep heart for elderly, sick, or frail pets. She has a “crotchety canine” in her own home, so every day she deals with the specific needs of geriatric pooches.

Jennifer’s experience with DHR and working with needy clients of all types shows up in her passion to volunteer at animal shelters. Specifically, Jennifer volunteers for the Madison Animal Rescue Foundation, as well as Pet Peace of Mind program, a service that cares for pets while their human family members are in hospice.

Jennifer actually began her business informally back in 2005, where she would care for the pets of friends and neighbors while

November 2 - November 15, 2018

Recently, Jennifer “increased her coasts” to include caring for rabbits, goats, and even a gecko. She is a vegetarian, so it was a personal challenge to feed the gecko the live worms that one purchases at the exotic pet store and keeps in the fridge until feeding time.

“They don’t wriggle around when they are cold, and that makes it easier,” she said.

She also practices the Native American custom of giving thanks for the circle of life; those who die so that others can live need to be acknowledged for their sacrifice. they were away on vacation, visiting friends and family, or they simply needed extra help with their pets. “When pets are able to stay in their own home, they are much less stressed,” she said. She will feed, water and walk all the pets in the house, and will change kitty litter boxes. She will also water plants, dispense meds, and tend to human needs such as picking up the mail and sweeping the porch so it doesn’t appear that the homeowners are gone.

Most importantly, Jennifer will spend at least 25-30 minutes each visit with the dog or cat so they have that crucial human

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contact.

With the advent of social media and cell phone cameras, one of Jennifer’s newest services is to send a quick video or set of pictures of her in-home visit to the “pet parent” while they are at work. This ends up being a boon to on-the-job production because the parent isn’t distracted by the inevitable “Ohno-what-if/did-I-rememberto…” scenario that can cause undue stress. The pet is more relaxed too, having been socialized and experiencing affectionate interaction

If you are looking for someone to help you make your own life easier by doing inhome care for your pet, please give Jennifer Lord Hicks a call. She will design a “care package” that will fit well with you and your pet(s), and it will be “home sweet home” for everyone. To contact Jennifer Lord Hicks of Home Sweet Home Pet Sitting, you can call her at 256-651-8977, or email her at jenniferlovespetsitting@gmail.com

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Calendar of Events 1st Annual Song Writer Night & Silent Auction Nov 13

Convoy Of Hope Limestome County Community Event Nov 3

Swan Creek Park, 101 Hwy 31 South, Athens, AL. 10am. Rain or shine. Providing free groceries, hot lunch, health services, kids’ zone, nutrition education, family portraits, community services, veterans services, haircuts and more! While supplies last. All are welcome. No ID required.

Play Outside Day Nov 3

Families everywhere are encouraged to get outside the first Saturday of every month and play in public parks, enjoy trails, hit the waterways, explore greenspaces and just play! Limestone County offers over 20 trails to explore including walking, cycling, horseback riding and kayaking – perfect for all ages. For more information: 256-232-5411.

Coffee Call Nov 3

Veterans of all wars and their families are invited for breakfast and fellowship from 8:00AM-9:30AM at the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archive, 100 West Pryor Street in Athens. 256-7717578.

40th Annual Toy Run Nov 4

With Saints Motorcycle Club starting at Redstone Harley Davidson. 15100 AL-20 or I-565 Exit 3 at Greenbrier. 11:00AM and ending at Shagnasty's with free lunch, raffle, music and brotherhood.

2018 Celebration of Remembrance and Hope Service Nov 4

Sponsored by Hospice of Limestone County and MADD. Held at Emmanuel Baptist Church, 1917 U.S. Highway 72W in Athens.

Starting at 2:00PM. Attendees are welcome to bring a picture in stand-up frame to be placed on the remembrance table during the ceremony. Refreshments to follow.

Autumn Cruises Nov 4

Wheeler Lake Scenic Cruises at Joe Wheeler State Park Marina.

4405 McLean Drive in Rogersville. Choice of 1:00PM or 3:00PM. Enjoy the scenery and wildlife on an 1.5+ hour cruise.

Adults: $15.00/12&Under $10.00. Call or text: 256-335-2187 to reserve your seats or more information.

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With Athens High School Baseball and Softball at the Limestone County Event Center. 114 West Pryor Street in Athens. Featuring Gary Baker, George Barnhill, and Lenny LeBlanc. Doors: 5:30PM, Dinner: 6:30PM, Show 7:30PM. Tickets include barbecue chicken dinner for $38 per person. Ticket at ryzer.com

Donnell House Festival of Trees Preview Party Nov 15

Donnell House, 601 South Clinton Street in Athens. Celebrating Christmas and Alabama Bicentennial with amazing decorated scapes and trees. Donnell House Members: $25.00; NonMembers: $30.00 - includes canapes and punch from 6:00PM8:00PM. For more info or tickets: 256-509-2172.

Athens Bicentennial Bash Nov 17

Downtown Athens from 10:00AM-5:00PM with shopping, cupcakes, bicentennial exhibit, commemorative shopping totes

by WOW!, a recreation of the historic Trade Days including vehicle giveaway sponsored by Dealers Auto Auction and more.

Made By My Hand: A Day of Making, Shopping and Fun Nov 17

Featuring a variety of workshops to try your creative hand at with Mooresville Mercantile. 5081 Mooresville Road in Mooresville.

8:00AM-5:00PM. Limited space. For more info or to register: mooresvillemercantile.com or Joann 256-309-9085.

Holiday Bazaar Craft Fair Nov 17

Cedar Hill Elementary, 27905 Cedar Hill Road in Ardmore, AL. 10:00AM-2:00PM with crafts for the kids, raffles, drawings and concessions. For more info or vendor form: chespto@mail.com

Festival of Trees Nov 17 - 18

Donnell House, 601 South Clinton Street in Athens. Amazing scapes and decorated Christmas trees celebrating Christmas and the Alabama Bicentennial. Open 1:00PM-5:00PM. Admission $5.00; Ages 12&under: Free For more info: 256-509-2172.

Friends Bake and Craft Sale Nov 17

With the Friends of the Library at Ardmore Public Library.

25836 Main Street in Ardmore, TN. Variety of fresh baked goods and crafted items from 9:00AM-12:00PM.

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What Makes Ronnie Roll

The Traveler’s Gift And The “Listening Heart”

by Ali Elizabeth Turner As I pulled up to City Hall, my heart felt quenched in the sense of sadly having been smothered at the sight of the flags at halfmast. They had been ordered to that position by President Trump in the aftermath of the gunning down of 11 worshippers at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life (L’Simcha) Synagogue.

Once Mayor Ronnie arrived, we cast about, trying to make sense of it.

The current irony is that a Jewish doctor treated the wounds of the shooter who was wounded in the process of murdering Jews in cold blood. It took awhile for any thoughts to form, but seeing as we are doing a series from The Traveler’s Gift, it seemed appropriate to draw from the chapter in the book

that personified Israel’s King Solomon, still considered to be the wisest man on earth. The second of the decisions that David Ponder, the time traveler in the book, is encouraged to make is to seek wisdom.

One of Solomon’s prayers was, “Give to your servant a listening heart to judge your people, to discern between good and bad.”

The mayor thought for a moment and said, “We need to cultivate a listening heart in this country.” I nodded in agreement. The mayor also agreed that we in Athens had been given an uncommon opportunity to do just that, and hopefully sow Solomon’s “wise seeds” into our kids, specifically those who signed up for this year’s Mayor’s

Youth Commission. The MYC is in its sixth year, and Athens-Limestone has been blessed by the efforts of other local entities who are also involved in

similar projects, specifically the Sheriff’s Department’s program for at-risk kids, and the Chamber of Commerce’s Youth Leadership Program. The need to invest in our kids has resulted in five other Alabama mayors coming to Mayor Ronnie and asking for help in starting a MYC in their respective towns.

“A listening heart, a wise heart, is also a servant’s heart,” said the mayor before we moved on to happier topics.

“Storytelling was a huge success,” said the mayor, and noted that we had more attendees than ever.

He was also touched by the fact that several churches had come together to sponsor a Fall Fun Fest right on the heels of the Storytelling Festival. He painted a picture for me of the kids playing in a safe place; but one of the things that struck him was that so many people volunteered to help the professionals take the tent

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down to quickly “turn the space,” and that that it was finished in a fraction of the time. The festival went off without a hitch. “It was the servant’s heart in action,” he said.

Another wonderful example of the listening heart, the servant’s heart, and wisdom in action is going to be on Saturday, November 3 in the form of Convoy of Hope. Several churches have again come together to serve people in our community, and as Mayor Ronnie said, “This is the type of thing we want to accomplish often.” He went on to talk about the 200th Birthday parties for the city, and the fact that First United Methodist Church had just celebrated theirs.

In spite of sadness, there was much to look forward to and celebrate. So we prayed, both of us asking for wisdom, a servant’s heart, and a listening heart. Then it was time for Ronnie to roll.

November 2 - November 15, 2018

Slinkard On Success

Filling Buckets

by D. A. Slinkard

D.A. Slinkard is the manager of the Athens Staples store Not too long ago I was driving an unfamiliar road and came to a crossroad at which I had to make a decision. The path in the road stopped and I had two choices to make. I needed to quickly decide if I would go left or go right. I made my choice and proceeded in a new direction on the road. This is a perfect example of how life goes. The roads we travel rarely stay straight and more times than not we are faced with the crossroads of life at which we must make a decision.

Which path are we going to journey? Will the way I choose be the most direct route in getting to the desired destination? We must be ready to adapt to the changes in the road whether it be crooked roads with no shoulder to rely upon or an open highway. Each day we must be prepared.

a follower. These are the crossroads each one of us faces every day of our lives.

from us. There are more dippers because in life it is much easier to be negative than it is to be positive.

You can choose to be the “bucket filler” in the life of someone else which means that as a bucket filler you are someone who helps others out without being asked.

These people are also able to generally spread their attitude and caring joy to others. Any person can do this whether it be at school, in the workplace, at home, or even in the community.

The opposite of this person is what I would consider the “bucket dipper,” and there are too many of these people in our society.

These are the people who dip into our own buckets and rob our good attitudes

Due to the nature of so many people being negative, it is important that each day you choose to be a leader. We all have different definitions of what or who a leader is; but at the end of the day if someone is a leader, I do not believe they are going to be swayed by the negativity of someone else. People who are followers, though, tend to be swayed by others and too often fail to be able to take control of their lives. Each day you must be equipped and ready to bounce back when you face the negativity of someone else. You cannot let some-

one else take control over your joy that you find in your life.

people but you can control your action and behavior every day.

Sometimes you have to be able to stop and just laugh at situations because you will find the world is full of a bunch of crazies.

However, no matter what kind of day you are having, you must be prepared to change your mindset. I believe wholeheartedly that what we focus the most upon begins to manifest in our lives. If you focus on negativity, then you are going to receive more negative events in your life. If you focus on the positive, eventually the pendulum is going to swing to the positive spectrum in your life.

You cannot control the action and behavior of other

What are you going to do? How are you going to make a positive difference in your life? Are you going to be a “bucket filler” or a “bucket dipper”? A leader or a follower? The decision for your life rests solely upon the road you choose, but know there will be twists and turns you will not see coming. You do not have to see the entire road ahead of you but you do need to keep moving forward.

That is the only way you will make a difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. Time to fill some buckets!

The attitude we take on a daily basis is an important part of how we handle each day. It is a true saying that perception is reality because what is reality for you may be a fairy tale for someone else. Likewise, how you or I handle a situation may be easier than how someone else handles it; but ultimately I believe everything in life comes down to the decisions we make and the roads we choose to travel.

For the life of me I will always remember teaching our girls they have a choice each day to make.

You are either a “bucket filler” or a “bucket dipper.” You are a leader or

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Tourism

Music, Community, And Birthday Bashes – Just Part Of The Fun Of November In Athens-Limestone

by Cayce Lee Social Media Specialist, Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association The calendars of Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association at VisitAthensAL.com are bursting with events for November and December with more added daily. From familyfriendly festivals to live music and more, you’ll find quite a few options for entertainment. Here are just the highlights, so be sure to head over to VisitAthensAL.com for all the details for November and beyond.

Looking for a little music, maybe these events will hit the right note with you. Athens Bible School Chorus Reunion and Singing is November 3. The 1st Annual Songwriter Night and Silent Auction will happen at the Limestone County Event Center November 13. Groups from all over North Alabama and Southern Tennessee will descend on Yesterday’s Event Center for Senior Lunch Matinee on November 15 and 16, with some seating still available for shows. A variety of music can be found around the county throughout the week but especially FridaySunday, so be sure to check our calendar for updates on who is playing where.

Coming together as a community is always on the calendar and November isn’t any different, with Convoy of Hope coming to Swan Creek Park and Elkmont Fire Department

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Chicken Stew fundraiser at the station in downtown Elkmont happening on November 3. Grab a toy and your motorcycle for a Toy Run with Saints Motorcycle Club kicking off at Redstone HarleyDavidson on November 4. Also on that day will be the 2018 Celebration of Remembrance of Hope Service sponsored

by MADD and Hospice of Limestone County for those who have lost friends and loved ones.

Shine your rides for the November 10 Cruise-In for St. Jude’s Marathon Team Natalee in Ardmore.

Looking for a little cultural exploration? That’s on the calendar with the Livingston Lecture Series presenting Exploring the Myths and Legends of the Ten Lost Tribes of Israel on November 5 and Science vs. the Bible on November 26. Perhaps you’d enjoy a mischievous girl finding her way in and out of trouble when Footlight Theatre Presents “Anne of Green Gables” November 29 and 30 as well as December 1 and 2.

November 15 and followed with public viewing of the decorated trees and holiday scapes on November 17, 18, 22, 24, and 25. During November, 1818 Farms and Mooresville Mercantile have craft workshops lined up to boost your creativity. November 30 will be the Light of the Ardmore Tinsel Trail with loads of activities.

November holds a salute to our veterans on November 12 with Veterans Day. You can support our veterans at Coffee Call at the Alabama Veterans Museum on November 3. As area schools announce their Veterans

Beginning to feel the Christmas Spirit?

-Don’t miss these events.

Ardmore Christmas Open House will be November 10. Athens Christmas Open House will be November 16– 18. Cedar Hill Elementary in Ardmore will hold a Holiday Bazaar Craft Fair on November 17.

The Festival of Trees at the Donnell House kicks with its preview party on

Day programs, they’ll be added to our calendar at VisitAthensAL.com – so be sure to check for details.

Bicentennial Happenings November holds several markings of the Alabama’s 200 years as well as the City of Athens and Town of Mooresville.

November 4 is the Athens Cemetery Stroll, a Bicentennial event when the spirits come alive.

November 5-17 will bring the Making Alabama exhibit to the Athens-Limestone County Public Library. “Fiddlers, Banjo Players, and Straw Beaters: Alabama’s First Pop Musicians” will be

presented on November 8 by Joyce Cauthens at the Athens-Limestone County Public Library.

November 15 will see Alabama history return to the Athens-Limestone County Public Library when James Pate speaks on Albert Pickett and his History of Alabama. November 16 is the Mooresville Bicentennial Garden Dedication. Downtown will be filled with a variety of Bicentennial events during the Christmas Open House from November 16-18 including a quilt show, Trade Days, and more.

New Wedding Venue: Southern Charm Event and Wedding Venue, locally owned and operated, will showcase their facility in West Limestone County during an open house November 3. This location features a red-roofed barn decked with chandeliers and a stone fireplace and sweeping views from the veranda which serves as the backdrop for any wedding, corporate gathering, or other event.

You can always find these and more events on the Athens-Limestone County Tourism Association’s website at VisitAthensAL.com.

Or you can drop in for a visit to the AthensLimestone Visitors Center 100 North Beaty Street in Athens from 8:00 A.M.-5:00 P.M. Monday-Friday (except holidays).

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November 2 - November 15, 2018

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Clean and Green

Decorated Ducks Are Ready For Your Votes!

by Lynne Hart Executive Coordinator - Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful On behalf of our KALB Commission members and staff, we offer our sincere appreciation for all of the support given during our Duck and Run 5K and Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby.

Fundraising is a crucial part of our job – definitely not our favorite, but critical to our continued existence as a non-profit organization. We have done our best to come up with fun events that allow people to enjoy themselves while supporting KALB with their donations.

Our final fall fundraiser, the second annual Duck Decorating Contest, is in full swing. There are several businesses, organizations, and individuals who have decorated ducks in hopes of receiving the Best Decorated Duck – People’s Choice ribbon or the Best Decorated Duck – Judges’ Choice ribbon.

They can’t do that without votes. $1 equals 1 vote; however, this year your vote also earns you an entry to win the duck you vote for and all that comes with it.

Several of the ducks have special attachments that make the duck even more valuable. Photos of all decorated ducks can be found on the KALB website, which also includes information on all that may come with each duck.

$1 or 6 tickets for $5.

There is even an online special of 14 tickets for $10. You can designate your “votes” to go to one special duck, or you can split your “votes” between two or more ducks. Each ticket gives you the opportunity to win the duck and all that may be attached to it.

This 1819 Duck by Clem Tire is on his way to Alabama or BUST! Notice the $50 Clem Tire gift card to help buy new wheels!

Yoshi Duck, decorated by American Leakless Co., comes with $250 in Game Stop gift cards!

Raffle tickets (votes) may be purchased online, at the KALB office, or through the business, organization, or individual who decorated the duck.

The photos included with this article are just a sampling. There are many more to be seen, so check out the web page at http://kalbcares.com/ duck-decorating-contest/.

This duck was decorated by stained glass artist Denise Maurer at High Cotton Arts.

Duck Soup is a play on the title of a Groucho Marx film, and comes with a handcrafted bicentennial bowl as a reminder

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For more information, call 256-233-8000 or send an email to KALBCares@gmail.com

Become a Fan

How To Vote To vote for your favorite duck, you can purchase a raffle ticket for

To make it simple, we have posted photos of all completed ducks to our website. There you can browse through to see the creativity of the ducks and learn about what might come with the duck for the lucky winner.

The Civitan Duck is a reminder of the importance of service, and comes with gift certificates to Catfish Cabin and Class Act Salon along with other goodies.

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(256) 233-8728 KALBCares@gmail.com www.KALBCares.com November 2 - November 15, 2018

Cooking with Anna

Brussels Sprouts: No, Really, They’re Good!

by Anna Hamilton If I were to interview a group of people about which vegetable they hated, I’m betting a large percentage would say that vegetable is Brussels sprouts. If you are in that group of haters, I’m here to tell you that you are missing out! Brussels sprouts can be delicious.

The Brussels sprouts most of us grew up with were boiled to death in water. They were soggy, lacked flavor, and frankly didn’t smell very good while they cooked on the stove. We would roll them around on our plates, hoping our mothers wouldn’t notice that

they were still on our plates. Some of us would try and sneak them to the dog under the table, without much luck.

I’m here to tell you to give the humble Brussels sprout another try. This time let’s roast them in the oven and get them crisp, brown, and delicious.

The combination of Brussels sprouts and butternut squash makes for the perfect side dish for fall. Once roasted, feel free to add the optional toppings to customize this dish for your family’s taste. Embrace the humble Brussels sprout! Happy fall y’all!

Maple Dijon Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Butternut Squash What You Need:

1 lb. butternut squash, peeled, chopped into 1 inch cubes 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, sliced in half 2 Tbsp olive oil Maple Dijon Butter Sauce: 1 Tbsp Butter, melted 1 tsp pure maple syrup 2 tsp Dijon mustard Optional Garnish: 2 tsp balsamic vinegar ¼ cup pecans, finely chopped ¼ tsp salt ¼ cup dried cranberries ¼ tsp garlic powder ¼ cup feta cheese crumbled 1/8 tsp pepper 6 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

In a small bowl, mix together the Dijon Maple Butter Sauce, set aside.

Line a large baking sheet with foil, add Brussel sprouts and squash, drizzle with olive oil, and toss evenly to coat.

Evenly spread out vegetables to roast at 400 degrees for 25 minutes.

Toss vegetables with sauce and roast another 10 to 20 minutes or until squash is fork tender.

Toss vegetables with optional ingredients if desired. Serve warm.

November 2 - November 15, 2018

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Page 13

The Millennial Mind

Coming Clean

by Rosemary Dewar Sometimes the fear of messing up will hold you back the most.

Having others discover a flaw can feel like a personal disaster, even if it is an audience of one. Hiding imperfections has the potential to harm. At some point, hiding is no longer an option, and intent becomes everything. Being vulnerable in order to trick your audience into overlooking your unrepentant misdeeds can be just as detrimental. Everyone has junk.

Even the purest among us have neuroses and morose-ies: that thing that makes one tick and makes another twitch.

Sin is an inescapable reality. That tyrant you have entertained since you were twenty months old has not ceased to exist. You will be contending with it for the rest your life in order to be

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a decent human being.

Just when you think you have a handle on it, it will dig hard at an unsuspecting opponent. The words of Jane Austen’s George Knightly in Emma ring hard in the ear: “Badly done..! Badly done, indeed!” You can either correct your own mischief, or fall into its imminent humiliation. Life experiences have a habit of being a mixture of organization and messiness, with the people you invite into your life tipping the scale just like you do. Experience is not about accepting the good with the bad, it is discerning the good from the bad, and that takes time.

Even in paradise there is still a snake. It wasn’t evil that made the tree of good and evil tempting; it was the good.

How you intend to conduct your life matters, and the things you want to achieve will be affected by that conduct.

Challenges always come at the least convenient time, but how you conquer them will determine the outcome of the next tragic episode. Those who retreat from trials never really grow much.

It is kind of like creating a sterile environment.

As much as bacteria may gross people out, they cannot live without it. Try eating your next favorite meal with a deficiency of good bacterium in your gut.

It is a far from desirable experience. Take your immune system for example. If your immune system stops fighting off threats, your body will experience a spectrum of symptoms ranging from a runny nose to possibly more dreadful things

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like cancer. Your life is worth fighting for, and you have to be the first one in line to defend it.

Honesty has never been a virtue of no consequence. It can be wielded improperly, but it has a distinct ability to neutralize that which tries to ruin you. That’s why politicians use honesty in order to minimize any accusation that may reveal a fault in one’s character through books and interviews. Hiding such a thing has the potential to devastate a campaign, but if one utilizes it first, they are socially absolved. If, however, honesty is presented with zero incentive to the audience to believe or forgive, the honesty has revealed strength of character that has the potential to override the mischief.

Those that find solace in pointing out other

peoples’ flaws have an aptitude for overlooking their own failings.

The feelings of righteous indignation are overshadowed by bitter anger. People like that don’t seem to like or appreciate humans all that much. On the other side of the spectrum, there are those who interpret flaws as perfect mutations. Clichés like “perfect imperfections” and “you’re perfect to me” are just as damaging.

Some of our mistakes make us who we are, but thank God all of them don’t. Expecting to find someone untarnished by the mess life expectedly makes is unrealistic. Even plants need dirt. In order to grow, you may need to recognize that you’re already a little dirty.

That way, real growth can begin.

November 2 - November 15, 2018

Cover Story

Local Quilt Guilds Come Together To Celebrate Quilting And The Athens Bicentennial

by Ali Elizabeth Turner wealthy, and the fabric that was collected and used to make quilts was of the finest quality, and reflected their family’s story. Teddy’s other grandmother was quite poor, and the fabric for her quilts often came in very small pieces, which were then made into intricate patterns that became the basis for the “treasured family quilts.”

The quilters have a desire beyond this grand quilt celebration, and that is to reacquaint all of us with what

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come together to celebrate the glorious artisan craft of quilt making! Quilting in Alabama is legendary, has been the subject of awardwinning documentaries and books, and is one of the most effective ways there is to preserve history while creating stunning pieces of domestic practical art. I spoke with Teddy Wolcott, who is with the Athens Dixie Stitchers, and learned of her own long and loving history with quilting. “I started with making doll clothes,” she said. That moved on to dress making and then quilting. “There is something about being able to touch and smooth fabric,” she said. Teddy went on to tell me how, especially in less affluent times, quilters collected little bits of fabric to make what was known as “family treasure quilts.”

This essentially showed the history of the now worn out clothes of the family while repurposing them into something that looked pretty and gave comfort.

There is a saying amongst long-time quilters, which is, “He who dies with the most fabric wins.”

The three Athens guilds that have come together for the bicentennial celebration are the Athens Dixie Stitchers, the Athens Friendship Quilters, and the North Alabama Modern Quilt Guild. A little bit of history regarding each guild follows below: • Athens Friendship Quilters meets during the day, is headed up by Bettinna Carter, and uses traditional quilting patterns such as a wedding ring, log cabin, or just plain scrappy.

• Athens Dixie Stitchers also uses traditional patterns, and they meet at night. Teddy

Wolcott and Sharon Griffis serve as the co-presidents. The Dixie Stitchers are members of the Chamber of Commerce • North Alabama Modern Quilt Guild is a quilt guild that uses modern patterns, and their president is Debbie Yff, (pronounced “ īfe” as in “life”) All three of the guilds meet

once a month, and are busy on their own in between times working on a number of projects. They make pillows for Camp Hope, a local summer camp that helps children who have suffered bereavement.

They also make quilts for babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, and for babies whose parents don’t have

November 2 - November 15, 2018

enough money for a blanket.

You can learn more about each on their Facebook pages. You can also learn more by going to their websites at www.athensdixie stitchers.com www.Athensfriendship quilters.com www.NorthAlabama MQG.com

The guilds kick off the weekend Friday night the 16th by displaying raffle quilts at the Merry Market in the Center for Lifelong Learning. They will be on display from 4-8 p.m., and you can buy raffle tickets for the chance to own one of these lovingly made quilts. Fifteen percent of the proceeds from the raffle go

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to the building project at the Alabama Veterans Museum. On Saturday, the guilds are going to be displaying their table runners and wall art inside the Rogers Center and the quilts will be draped over the pews inside the sanctuary. Some of the quilts will be for sale, and there will be “white-gloved docents” on duty to show you the quilts without you having to touch them.

In the Rogers Center Fellowship Hall, there will be a bake sale and something called a “quilt bed turning.” A “bed turning” is a special unfolding of a quilt that is part of a stack with the history of the quilt explained. For example, in Teddy’s family, quilting was done by everyone, including both of her grandmothers.

One grandmother was very

has become nearly a lost art.

There is something about the quiet contentment of needlework and quilting, the anticipation of the finished project, and the camaraderie that comes with creating something together that is just unmatched. Some of the plans of the guilds for strengthening the community include teaching local Girl Scout troops how to quilt, and participating in the Mother’s Day Tea to be held at Isom’s Orchard.

Admission for the event is FREE and all areas are open Friday 4-7:30 p.m. and Sat. 10 a.m. - 7:30 p.m. So come out and enjoy some history, food, a birthday party that will never happen again in our lifetime, and discover the beauty of quilting. You’ll be so glad you did.

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Health and Fitness

Benefits Of Fiber

by Janet Hunt

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

Eating healthy may improve your health and lower your need for prescription drugs. Dietary fiber is a component in plant based foods that is linked to a wide range of improved health outcomes, including lower cholesterol, better blood sugar regulation, improved intestinal health, greater satiety (feeling of fullness), and lower rates of certain types of cancer.

Fiber is found naturally in plant foods that should comprise the greater part of a healthy diet.

The typical American diet includes only about half of the daily recommended amount of fiber, primarily due to the amount of processed foods we eat. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 30 grams of fiber per day in your diet; and here are five great fiber sources.

Legumes Legumes are a class of vegetables that include beans, peas, and lentils. They are some of the most versatile and nutritious foods available. Legumes are typically low in fat, contain no cholesterol, and are high in folate, potassium, iron and magnesium. They also contain soluble and insoluble fiber. Because they are a good source of protein,

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legumes can be a healthy substitute for meat, which has more fat and cholesterol.

Canned beans are affordable and a convenient way to get your legumes. Try subbing pinto beans for meat in your next batch of chili (or add less meat and more beans), add black beans to your burritos or canned beans to your salads, or whip up a batch of lentil soup. If you’re concerned about sodium, rinse the beans under running water first. This will eliminate about 30 percent of the sodium. The fiber in legumes ranges from 5 to 8 grams per half-cup serving.

Berries While fruits and vegetables both contain fiber, fruit generally has more fiber per serving than do vegetables. One cup of berries, for example, contains 4 to 10 grams of fiber (about twice that of an apple).

Blackberries and raspberries have 8 grams fiber per cup, while elderberries top the chart with 10 grams per 1-cup serving.

Bran There are many different types of grains that contain bran. Oat bran, for example, contains soluble

fiber, which helps lower bad cholesterol levels. The bran found in corn, wheat and rice is largely insoluble fiber, which can help fight constipation. Highfiber cereals often include bran in their ingredients.

Or if you don’t eat cereal, sprinkle bran on fruit and yogurt or add into casseroles or baked goods. One ounce of wheat bran and oat bran yields 12 grams of fiber, whereas raw corn bran packs 22 grams of fiber per ounce.

Peas

½-tablespoon serving.

Peas are one of the few members of the legume family that are commonly sold and cooked as fresh vegetables.

Black-eyed peas pack 6 grams of fiber per half-cup, and even green-pea powder is popping up with 4 grams fiber and 4 grams protein per 1

To check out the fiber content of some of your favorite foods, visit the USDA Nutrient Database website at http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ ndb/search. For more help with a healthy nutritious diet, talk to a registered dietician or a certified Health Coach.

Pears Many fruits contain 2 to 3 grams of fiber per serving, but pears contain two to three times that much. A large pear has 7 grams of fiber, while a large Asian pear contains 10 grams.

Stick with fresh pears because canned pears usually have added sugars and less fiber (because fiber degrades over time and is generally lost during the canning process).

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November 2 - November 15, 2018

Cover Story

The 2018 Christmas Open House A Bicentennial Christmas

by Ali Elizabeth Turner tumed characters while strolling through downtown. And, don’t forget to bring the kids by for a ride on the Lions Club Christmas Train.

continued from page 1

will be hosting both the Christmas Open House as well as celebrating our 200th birthday, and you are invited to both!

As always, each of the participating downtown businesses will be offering their own holiday store specials and discounts during the weekend celebration.

For merchants not located in downtown, be sure to look for the “Elf on the Store Shelf.” Visit the Athens, Alabama Christmas Open House Facebook page for a list of

The festivities begin on Friday afternoon and go through Sunday afternoon. For the third year in a row, we will have the chance to skate on the skating rink, an activity that has become a true favorite. I hadn’t skated since I was a kid, and ever since the rink has become a part of the Open House, I have felt like a kid again as I lamely make my way around the edge of the rink. The skating rink will be open on Friday from 4-8 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Sunday from A 1-4 p.m. On Friday and Saturday evening at 8 p.m., there will be a Light Show on the Courthouse to the accompaniment of Christmas music that you will not want to miss.

The Merry Market will be held in the Center for Lifelong Learning from 4-7 p.m., Saturday from 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. The Merry Market will feature home-based businesses or vendors with art and craft items.

Vendors selling commemorative Bicentennial wares will also be available at the Merry Market. There is still space available at the Merry Market, so contact the Greater Limestone County Chamber

of Commerce at (256) 232-2600 for more information.

The Center for Lifelong Learning is planning on sponsoring activities and classes in conjunction with the Merry Market and Christmas Open House. Activities include personalized pottery painting (putting children’s names, handprints, etc,) on Christmas

November 2 - November 15, 2018

participating businesses in Christmas Open House. ornaments, face painting, cookie decorating, and burlap wreath making.

Santa is going to make his appearance as well, arriving once again in the classic fire truck, and photos with him will be on Saturday from 1-3 p.m. and Sunday from 1-3 p.m. You may also catch a glimpse of other cos-

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Because the Christmas Open House is occurring simultaneously with our Athens Bicentennial

birthday celebration, here’s a reminder of some of those activities.

Visit the new mural on the corner of Market and Marion St. which was painted by local Athens High School students commemorating the Bicentennial. There will also be a Bicentennial scavenger hunt beginning at the mural at 10 a.m. on Saturday. Rebecca Davis of the Limestone County Historical Archives has put together a best hat and beard contest. (That’s a real beard, by the way.) Winners in each category get a $100 prize.

At noon, there will be a musical medley and 200th Birthday celebration on the courthouse steps.

From 3-5 p.m., High Cotton Arts will be hosting their reception that is open to all. The artists have created themed art, and refreshments will be served. Some of the art media include quilts, stained-glass pieces, photography, paintings, and more student creations.

As you can see, this is a once-in-a-lifetime set of celebrations, so we hope you’ll come and partake of all the joy therein!

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Learning As A Lifestyle

Learning Through Experience

by Wanda Campbell Center for Lifelong Learning - 121 South Marion Street, Athens, AL 35611 - 256-233-8262 Learning through experience is defined as "learning through reflection on doing."

Like hands-on learning which is all about trial and error, experiential learning is informal learning that uses direct experiences as a means to explore, make sense of, and come to under-

stand a topic. It encourages learners to interact with their environment and to become involved by exploring concepts and content through experiences that bring a subject to life.

I have always enjoyed biographies. I recently read a fictional account

of Viking explorers and became interested in Iceland. After reading a couple of books about Iceland, I decided to travel there.

I have just returned from Iceland, and I am really excited to share what I have

learned with you. Athens State’s Center for Lifelong Learning will host an Armchair Travel: Journey to Iceland on Tuesday, November 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Bring your sack lunch and enjoy a tour complete with pictures taken while traveling through Iceland. We will talk about volcanoes and glaciers, Vikings, trolls, elves, and more.

The fee is $10/person and includes punch and cookies.

November is a busy month. Not only is Thanksgiving just around the corner, but Christmas Open House is scheduled for November 16, 17, and 18. This will be an especially exciting event. In addition to the traditional activities of Christmas Open House, Athens will be celebrating its Bicentennial Anniversary. Watch for more information about that as we get closer to the weekend.

The theme for this year’s Christmas Open House is “A Bicentennial Christmas.” There will be ice skating on the Square; Santa will be taking photos with children at the Center; and Mother

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Christmas, Frosty, Rudolph, and the Christmas Elf will be walking the Square. At the Center for Lifelong Learning, we will be hosting Merry Market. You will want to stop by and see who is new in the building. More information will come in the next article.

Also coming up is a concert by Committed. On December 7, the Center for Lifelong Learning will host the Committed Holiday Concert in the McCandless Theater on the Athens State Campus. Committed is an a cappella group of male vocalists. They were originally students at Oakwood University who won the second season of the musical competition The SingOff. The singing group released their self-titled album Committed on Epic Records, and they have been nominated for a Grammy Award.

Tickets will be on sale soon.

Watch for information about all of our programs and events on our website – www.athens.edu/CLL - or call us at 256-233-8260.

November 2 - November 15, 2018

Jerry’s Journal

New England Halloween Tour

by Jerry R. Barksdale

www.jerrybarksdale.com

Ever since I retired five years ago, Lilly Belle has asked me to take her on a fall tour of New England. “I want to see the leaves,” she said. Being a sensitive husband, I always try to accommodate her. “Darling, look out the back door. A leaf is a leaf no matter where it’s located.”

After she burned my cornbread three days in a row, I decided that I, too, wanted to tour New England. It was just before Halloween when I went online looking for a cheap tour and found Forever Tours in Birmingham. It was a new company offering reduced prices. I had lucked out. Lilly Belle was painting her toenails and watching QVC. “Sweetheart,” I said.

“I’ve found a great deal on a fall tour. And I love their motto – Tours worth dying for.” “That’s clever,” she said and chuckled. “Let’s go – please.”

The tour bus picked us up at Cracker Barrel in Athens and we headed north on I-65, picking up other travelers as we went. Everyone was happy and excited, taking pictures out the window with their cell phone.

Bruno, our tour guide wore dark glasses and a threeday stubble and wasn’t very friendly, but he kept us occupied with rest stops where pastries, ice cream, and deserts were plentiful. The driver, hidden behind dark glasses, never said a word to us. He and Bruno often whispered while outside the bus. We overnighted in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley in Amish country; visited Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence was signed, and

saw the Liberty Bell. I ate a Philly cheese steak which is my opinion, wasn’t as tasty as a Dub’s burger. In Boston, I stood in front of former Secretary of State John Kerry’s expensive home on Beacon Hill and saw the fire plug that he paid $125,000 to move a few yards so he could park his car. On Harvard Campus, I saw “Snowflakes” hurrying to their “safe space,” or maybe it was to Starbucks for a $5.00 cup of Joe. I’ve never figured out why a sane person would pay 79¢ for a senior coffee at McDonalds when he can get a cup of Starbucks for $5.00.

We finally crossed into Vermont where maple trees had exploded in red, yellow, and orange. “Look left!” someone exclaimed. Everyone rushed over to the left side of the bus nearly turning it over. We laughed. Oh, what fun! Everyone was as excited as school children. Lilly Belle squeezed my hand and smiled at me. I loved her happiness. She purchased a pint of maple syrup which was more expensive than a good single malt scotch whiskey.

What the heck, it was vacation. She snapped pictures of covered bridges and colorful foliage and posted them on Facebook.

I was beginning to think that Bruno had no sense of humor when he cracked a real funny.

“Three men were in a pickup truck, one driving and two riding in back,” he said.

“They ran off the road into a river. The driver rolled down the window and got out.”

He paused. “The two men in back drowned. They couldn’t get the tail gate open.”

Everyone laughed. Oh, what a fun trip. I was glad Lilly

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fb.com/jerry.barksdale.7 Belle and I came along. I did notice something unusual.

Each time we stopped for a break, a black Cadillac with tinted windows appeared behind us. I didn’t mention it to Lilly Belle. A mere coincidence, I told myself.

On Halloween morning, we crossed into New Hampshire and drove through the White Mountain National Forest. It was so beautiful that I won’t attempt to describe it. I can’t.

It was also very isolated. A two-lane asphalt road snaked through dense forest. Fog enveloped us. We didn’t meet the first car. However, when we went around a hairpin curve, I did see the black Cadillac trailing behind us. The bus began a steep climb up a long hill, slowed to a crawl then stopped. Dense forest of hemlock, spruce, beech, and maple trees surrounded us.

The driver exited, went to the back of the bus, and I heard him raise the door where the diesel engine was located.

“What’s wrong?” Lilly Belle asked.

“Must be engine trouble,” I replied.

She returned to her cell phone.

No service. Bruno said the engine had thrown a belt and assured us that a replacement was on the way. “Everyone remain on the bus,” he said.

The black Cadillac pulled around to the front of the bus and stopped. My instinct kicked in. I didn’t like what I saw and what I felt. Several men wearing dark glasses exited the Cadillac and set up orange traffic cones to stop any traffic that might appear.

Several hundred feet in front of us, I saw an oncoming car stop and turn around. Then, a refrigerator truck with “Ice

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Cream” painted on the side drove up. It looked like an average ice cream truck, but yet it didn’t. Strange. Something was wrong. Fear kicked in. My instinct was telling me to flee. Lilly Belle sensed it also. She squeezed my hand.

“What’s happening?” she whispered.

“I don’t know, but I don’t like it.”

No sooner had I spoke when an ambulance with a Red Cross emblem on the side pulled up and stopped. Two men, wearing clown masks exited, snapping on surgical gloves. One was carrying a bundle of black plastic garbage bags. Bruno came on board and said sternly, “Everyone out of the bus. Now!” Passengers were getting nervous and began asking questions. “Out,” said Bruno. He marched all 50 of us into the edge of a stand of hemlock trees and lined us up. Women began sobbing and praying aloud. My eyes darted in every direction. Behind us was a thicket of pines. I heard a chainsaw crank. I knew what was coming. And it was then I understood the corporate motto - “Trips worth dying for.” The ice cream truck wasn’t carrying ice cream.

It was for preserving human organs. We were about to be slaughtered and our organs harvested.

I grabbed Lilly Belle’s hand and whispered, “Run and don’t look back!” We bolted and fled into the thick forest. I heard the chainsaw doing its evil work, ripping through flesh and bone, but the screams nearly drowned out its awful sound. We ran, never looking back, until we emerged on a paved road and flagged down an old Plymouth. I was frothing at the mouth, trying to tell the driver what happened, but I don’t think he believed a word I said.

I never heard about the terrible slaughter on the news.

And I never reported it. I did hear that 50 tourists had mysteriously disappeared, but no trace could be found of them. Lilly Belle and I were the only living witnesses. We have since moved to another state and changed our names. Every knock on our door freezes me with fear. Every stranger I meet could be an assassin coming for us. The sound of chainsaw and screams fills my nightmares.

Halloween will never be the same. I lock my doors and turn off the lights and cower in my safe room. My advice to would-be travelers is stay home and watch the Travel Channel. Don’t trade your liver for maple syrup and seeing New England foliage.

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Pet Points

Tips To Give Your Pet A Happy, Healthy Fall courtesy Brandpoint content (BPT) - The dog days of summer are over and your furry family member is up and ready to play! It's the time of year when even pets can get excited about the season and all the autumn outdoor activities families may enjoy. It's also a time of year that can come with some hazards and vulnerabilities for our four-legged friends. Here are a few reminders to keep your pet happy and healthy, as the crisp applespiced air makes its fall appearance.

Fall is a great time to take advantage of healthy, active play with your pet to encourage and strengthen the human-animal bond.

In addition, active play develops healthy movement and cardiovascular endurance for you and your dog, especially when exercise can tend to decline during the colder months and holiday party season.

A simple game of fetch offers both! It's a great way to make fetch happen with your dog's favorite Chuckit! launcher and ball. The essence of fetch play satisfies their natural instincts to chase, while encouraging healthy and happy movement.

can go a long way to prevent any painful issues down the road. After an active day of play with your pet, a good place to relax and recuperate will help ease stress on their joints.

The orthopedic foam beds

by SnooZZy provide excellent support, as opposed to a harder floor surface, enabling your pet to bounce back up much quicker and happier, no matter how old they are.

As the sun sets lower on the windowsill, many cats will try to bask in as much warmth and light as the day will allow. Don't be fooled by the declining strength of the sun's rays. No matter what time of year it is, lighter-pigmented cats can

be more prone to sunburn and darker coated cats can run the increased risk of heat stress. Prevent sun damage issues by applying a small amount of pet-safe sunscreen on areas like the nose, ears and underbelly that are susceptible to sunburn, and monitor all sunbathing, particularly when the sun is at its strongest - early afternoon until evening. Providing your cat with another comfortable place to lounge, like the Jackson Galaxy Convertible Scratcher, is an excellent way to coax them out of the hot sun. Your cat will enjoy lounging on the scratcher and its various configurations, while enabling them to tap into their

natural instincts to scratch when they want to be more engaged and active.

Another hazard to consider is an increase in pet anxiety due to the new noises that may come with the fall season. For pets prone to anxiety caused by noise (leaf blowers, school bus engines, doorbells and trick-or-treaters), consider keeping them occupied with a solo play toy, like the JW Robobone, for engagement and fun. Interactive puzzle toys from JW can help keep dogs occupied and focused, preventing any new seasonal stress they may experience.

Lastly, despite the declining temperatures, fleas and ticks are still present and

a threat. Whether you're partaking in a camping trip or just a quick walk to enjoy the fall foliage, make sure your pets are properly guarded from these pesky insects to avoid serious problems like Lyme disease, or any other issues that accompany these unwanted pests.

All in all, the fall season can be an exciting time for you and your pet.

Keep your veterinarian's phone number handy, but be sure to enjoy every moment with your furry family member. After all, they are the sweetest part of the holiday season.

Speaking of cooler weather and active play, this time of year can certainly put a little more stress on your pet's joints. It's important to make sure your pets stay well hydrated, and are provided with the right nutrition and supplements to ensure their active bodies are performing at their very best. In addition to a healthy diet, a good bed

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November 2 - November 15, 2018

Mental Health Minute

Stepping Away From Domestic Violence

by Lisa Philippart, Licensed Professional Counselor “Do not look for healing at the feet of those who broke you.”

- Rupi Kaur

In my last article, we took a look at the four truths of domestic violence: the abuse, the abuser, the cycle, and the dependency. But these truths do not have to be or become a part of your world. You can take control to recognize and free yourself from dangerous situations.

We are going to discuss the steps to avoid getting involved with an abuser, and the steps to take if you are already in

an abusive environment.

I cannot stress enough for either scenario that it is essential to build outside resources, and to talk with those you trust about what’s going on in your relationship.

A professional therapist is one of those resources because that person can help you build your self-esteem and learn how to help yourself, without feeling judged or rushed into taking action. If you can’t afford individual therapy, learn all you can from books and online resources, join online forums, and find a support group at a local women’s shelter.

Do these things even if

it means keeping them a secret. Your life and your children’s lives may depend on it.

The easiest way to avoid getting involved in an abusive relationship is to avoid getting involved with an abuser. I acknowledge that it can be difficult to identify someone who could be abusive. So, I recommend that you beware of someone who: 1. Criticizes family.

you

or

2. Is rude to you and others.

3. Displays anger outbursts.

4. Insists on having his or her way and will not

compromise.

5. Presents with paranoia.

6. Is overly jealous or possessive.

7. Threatens you or your family.

Please pay attention to these signs! I know it can be difficult when someone is pursuing you and expressing love and affection. But remember this: An abuser won’t risk becoming abusive until he or she knows that you won’t leave. The abuser’s first step is to win you over and then isolate you from your family and friends. Many times the violence doesn’t begin until after the mar-

riage or after the birth of a child, when you are less likely to leave. (But it can also escalate if you try to leave.) This is why it is so important to have a plan and support.

If you are already in an abusive situation, please don’t wait for the next attack. Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE. To prepare for an emergency, you can:

1. Have a safe place to go, like a friend or family’s home.

2. Open a bank account or credit card in your own name.

3. Let neighbors know to call the police if they hear loud noises or suspect a dangerous situation.

4. Make extra car and house keys. Hide a car key outside, so you and your children can get away.

5. Have a bag packed with important legal papers and cash. Pack a separate bag with clothes and comfort items for your children.

Remember, you have value and your life matters. Change takes courage.

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

Why Are Americans Sick?

by Roy Williams To explain the answer to that question, we must begin with what sickness is. Homeostasis is a function of an organism that regulates its internal conditions and stabilizes its health. For instance, when your blood sugar remains too high, you will be diagnosed as diabetic, you are out of balance. If your blood pressure stays too high, you will be diagnosed with heart disease, which means you are out of balance.

Sickness occurs when a system of your body remains out of balance for too long. Sickness can be caused by a virus, germ, or bacteria, which will result in a fever, vomiting, weakness, or many other symptoms. Your body has been thrown out of balance by a pathogen.

But this article is not about disease caused by pathogens, it is about the most common form of disease, which should be called deficiency disorders. Deficiency disorders occur when the body goes out of balance due to a lack of nutrients.

Nutrients are the building blocks of cellular reproduction. All the cells

of your body have a life span. They age, become weak or damaged, and then they die. On any given day you will lose over 2 billion cells that must be replaced.

When you are not getting enough of the right nutrients from your diet, you will become deficient and your body will eventually lose its balance. In other words, you will age at a much faster rate, your joints and bones will become weak, you may begin to produce mutated cells, blood sugar may deregulate, hormones may become imbalanced, and your overall health will deteriorate.

All of that happens because your body simply can’t keep up with cellular reproduction, which can include mental degradation, hormonal imbalance, and immune weakness or overreaction.

Autoimmune disorders are almost epidemic in America, which means you could be diagnosed with lupus, Crohn’s, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriasis.

My point is that these and most other disorders are happening at a much greater rate than ever before because our nutri-

tional intake has been in deterioration for years.

Stay in deficiency long enough and you will develop an associated disease.

Our food is over 80% deficient of nutrients. The medical profession does nothing about the real problem, they just treat the symptoms.

If you are not getting enough vitamin D, you will develop bone loss, weak teeth, and thin skin.

A lack of vitamin C will cause scurvy, to one degree or another. A lack of glucosamine and calcium in your diet will cause osteo-arthritis. A lack of 34 specific vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients and you will develop blockages. Poor nutrition can also result in mutated cells called cancer.

Americans take more prescriptions than all other nations combined, and we continue to develop more degenerative diseases than all the other nations combined. This will never stop unless we, as individuals, decide to provide our bodies with the nutrients that support cellular reproduction.

My next point is that you can go to your doctor for the diagnosis, but all he or she can do is prescribe medicine that only treats the symptoms but cannot cause your body to heal.

The reason is that synthetic drugs cannot cause cellular reproduction. Only nutrients have the power to do that.

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Because most of us are not willing to change the way we eat, to reverse this trend, we must make a personal decision to supplement our diet. It is either that or go back to our old farming practices and grow our own food in mineral rich soils.

As for me and my family, we decided years ago to supplement. It is so easy to take a few vitamins with our meals. My wife

is 61 and I am 63. We haven’t been to a medical doctor in years. We almost never get sick.

Our joints don’t hurt.

We take no prescription drugs and our vitals are always in normal ranges.

We run four businesses, are involved in church, play with our grandchildren, and have energy left over. Neither of us look our age because our skin is nourished with the nutrients that keep us youthful, and we drink almost a gallon of water each day.

Would you like to be drug free and full of life? Then let me encourage you to come by Herbs & More and ask for the FREE CD’s about MSM+C, heart health, Cell Power and vitamin D. And of course, we are always excited to answer your questions.

Your friend in health, Roy P. Williams

November 2 - November 15, 2018

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