GIN HOUSE BBQ GRAND OPENING - JANUARY 2

The Ole Gin House has been missed since it closed its doors last year.  However, Elkmont has been blessed that the landmark restaurant is being reopened under a slightly different name by the Boger family.  Ann (Davis) has Elkmont roots and she and her husband Shannon have moved here from Hartselle.  Their children are Shane and Brylee and attend Elkmont School.  The family's goal is be to active in the Elkmont community and make it their home, not just where they live.


The Gin House is all spruced up and will be redecorated in "nostalgic Elkmont" when the owners are finished bringing the past to life.  However, they have been so busy getting ready for the grand opening that the complete atmosphere will be a work in progress for a few months.  If you have some wonderful things from Elkmont's past that you would like to be showcased, please stop by and visit with the owners.  True to its BBQ past,  most of the menu developed by Kenny Carter, the original owner, will remain with some tasty new additions such as wings and smoked meatloaf.  The lunch buffet will also return.


The GRAND OPENING will January 2 @ 10:30 am. - come by; meet the owners, eat some great food and see old friends.


Location: 18060 Upper Fort Hampton Rd, Elkmont, AL 35620
Phone: (256) 732-4579
Hours:  Monday - Saturday 10 am - 8 pm; closed Sunday

JOHNNY NASH - OBITUARY

The funeral for Johnny Nash, 73, of Athens will be at 2 p.m. today at Spry Funeral Home with Pat Lawrence, Alton Downs and James Turner officiating. Burial will follow at Dement Cemetery.

Mr. Nash died Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2011, at Athens-Limestone Hospital.

He was born Jan. 16, 1938, in Limestone County to Jim Nash and Lila Goode Nash.

He was a long-time member of Poplar Creek Baptist Church, where he served as a deacon.

Mr. Nash worked many years as an industrial sewing machine mechanic, traveling across the country as well as to Scotland, Jamaica and Canada to conduct repairs in garment factories in those locales. After a brief retirement, he began a second career in apartment maintenance and until just a few weeks before his death, he oversaw repairs for the residents of Montclair Apartments in Athens, many of whom had become very dear to him.

Mr. Nash was a devoted husband and loving father who doted on his two grandsons, Jonathon Clark and Nash Schrimsher. He was a true “cut-up” who never failed to have a lighthearted joke at the ready. With a twinkle in his eyes he was quick to deliver a dose of gentle ribbing to strangers and kin alike.

Mr. Nash was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Lila Nash; two brothers, R.C. Nash and Bill Nash; and one sister, Ethel Motter.

He is survived by his wife of 51 years, Ann Turner Nash; two daughters, Pamela Clark and husband Steve, and Tanjie Schrimsher and husband Brian, all of Athens; two grandsons, Jonathon Clark and Nash Schrimsher, both of Athens; two brothers, Orvil Nash of Killen and Tommy Nash of Athens; five sisters, Christine Biggs, Jewel Johnson and Ruth Butler, all of Athens, Geneva Pack of Elkmont, and Edna Downs of Decatur; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws and friends.

Pallbearers will be Jonathon Clark, Brian Schrimsher, Micah Nash, Rickey Motter, Tim Turner and Eric Turner.

Honorary pallbearers are Nash Schrimsher, Steve Clark, Baba Turner, Matthew Nash and Don Turner.

LLOYD POGUE - OBITUARY

The funeral for Lloyd Pogue, 69, of Elkmont will be at 11 a.m. Friday at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home. Burial will be in Gatlin Cemetery with Dr. Rick Craft officiating.

Mr. Pogue died Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at Huntsville Hospital.

Visitation will be from 6 to 9 tonight at the funeral home.

Community leaders who died in 2011 left mark on Limestone County

The Athens News Courier has an article today about 6 community leaders that passed away in 2011.  Elkmont's Boss Hill is first on the list.


"Boss Hill

Boss Neil Hill, an Elkmont icon known locally for hosting goat and chicken stews, died Saturday, Feb. 19, 2011, at the age of 88.


Hill was born Nov. 30, 1922, in Limestone County to George W. Hill and Flora Quinn Hill. He helped Elkmont by organizing a number of fundraisers where he would sell thousands of gallons of both chicken and goat stew each year. Hundreds, and sometimes thousands, would attend. Limestone County Sheriff Mike Blakely said Hill was a friend of Elkmont, but more than that, he was a friend to everyone in Limestone County — a county he loved.


Hill was also a supporter of Elkmont High School."


Source:  Athens News Courier, Dec. 29, 2011

MEMPHIS TEAM BEATS ELKMONT RED DEVILS BY 2

The Elkmont Red Devils played the George Washington Carver Cobras (803 students) in their second game in the Seymour, Tennesse Christmas Tournament, Dec. 28.  The Cobras sported a roster of talented run, jump athletes, much like the Tanner Rattlers.  The Cobra point guard, Clarence Wilson, is the quickest and best point guard the Red Devils have played this year.  After a mostly half court game for three quarters, Elkmont turned up the intensity in the fourth quarter.  Starting at 2:29 left in the game, the Devils made a run and closed a ten point lead (50 - 50) on a Hayden Huseth three point shot at 9.6 seconds left on the clock.  Elkmont was whistled for a foul and the Cobras went to the line with three seconds left, sinking 2 for 2 freethrows.  Skyler Gant flew up the court and threw up a last second shot that banged off the backboard but didn't score as the Red Devils lost 52 - 50.  Skyler Gant turned in his best game of the season with 19 points, 3 assists and 7 rebounds.  Cole Glass had 12 points and 9 rebounds and Daniel Logan, 10 points and 6 rebounds.

box score and larger article on theElkmont Basketball Blog

MARVELYN MAE HOWARD - OBITUARY

Marvelyn Mae Howard, 80, of Athens, passed away Monday, Dec. 26, 2011. Mrs. Howard was born May 7, 1931 in Limestone County.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home. Visitation will be from noon until 1:45 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Athens City Cemetery with Bill Irby officiating.

Mrs. Howard was a member of West Hobbs Street Church of Christ and was retired from the Eaton Corporation.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Mable Davis; a great-granddaughter, Katie Lynn Taylor; and several aunts, uncles and cousins.

She is survived by her husband, Bobby Howard of Athens; a daughter, Vickie Hill and husband Freddy of Athens; three grandchildren, Clay Stroud and wife Ivy of Madison, Jenni Hosner and husband Josh of Athens, Whitney Taylor and husband Randall of Elkmont; six great-grandchildren, Bo Brown, Riley Stroud, Layla Brown, Cody Stroud, Brandon Taylor and Lola Stroud; two aunts, Eva Freeman and Irene McCormick; and several cousins.

Pallbearers will be, Dalton Scott, Peter Schwitegerath, Billy Vinson, Bill Vinson, Jimmy Miller and J.H. Bullington.

Please make memorials to Hospice of North Alabama, 3311 Bob Wallace Ave. Suite 101 Huntsville, AL, 35805.

Please sign our online guest book at limestonechapel.com

YOUNG PAINTERS IN ELKMONT

Paige Cooper and some of her fellow classmates at Elkmont High School are painting landscapes like they were born to it.

With $4,000 worth of grants and donations from the Dekko Foundation, Walmart and state Rep. Dan Williams, R-Athens, Elkmont Bookeeper Rhonda Hall was able to hire an expert painting instructor to teach landscape techniques to about 60 students in grades seventh through 12th.  William McDonald of Tupelo. Miss. taught about 30 students on two different days at the school using the Bob Ross method. Ross, who died in 1995, was a painter, art instructor and creator and host of “The Joy of Painting,” a television program that ran 12 years on PBS stations.

Like most of the students who attended the workshop, Cooper enjoyed the process and was amazed at the skills she learned.

“I liked that it was so easy and you did not have to have an art background to do it. He showed us how to do it and then helped us.”

Sparking interest was one of the goals of the project.

Cooper had painted some small projects before but nothing like what the class tackled.

“I did a forest scene with a waterfall into river,” she said. “I’m going to give it to my grandparents.”

This is the third year Hall has organized and secured the money and organized the painting workshops at the school.

“Last year one boy who liked to draw but had never painted before and he just took it and ran,” she said. “He has painted 40 or 50 paintings now, and his parents were able to send him to art classes. He thinks he may want to pursue a career in teaching.”

The project may not produce a future Van Gogh or Mary Cassatt, but it does teach students to try the unknown and to exercise their creativity, qualities that will be valuable throughout their lives.
source: Jean Cole, Athens News Courier

ALYSSA GREEN INVITED TO NATIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP FORUM

Elkmont High School junior Alyssa Green has been invited to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security in Washington, D.C., in February 2012.

From 300 to 400 students nationwide were selected to attend the forum, based on their GPA and academic excellence.

The forum offers an intense exploration of the field of government service for high school students. It introduces students to careers in defense, intelligence, the diplomatic corps and more.

“I am very honored to be invited to such a prestigious event,” Green said. “The forum will be a great hands-on experience for the career field that I will pursue after high school. I expect to gain important leadership skills and make new friendships. I am very excited. I would like to give thanks to all my sponsors for believing in me and assisting me with my tuition. I would not have been able to enjoy this exciting opportunity without you.”

During the forum, Green and the other students will participate in question-and-answer sessions with internationally recognized civilian policymakers and senior military officers, who provide insight into current issues and discuss the strategies that helped them succeed. Green, who has worked at Chick-fil-A in Athens since August, is ranked second in her class academically, earning a 4.17 grade-point average. She is pursuing an advanced academic diploma and is a member of the National Society of High School Scholars, Science Club, Together Renewing and Improving Limestone or TRAIL, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Senior Beta Club, Mu Alpha Theta mathematics club and Skills USA design drafting.

She is considering joining the Air Force and studying engineering at Auburn University.

Although Green is still trying to raise about $700 more to cover the $1,580 tuition plus travel expenses, she said the following sponsors have already donated generously to her cause:

ELKMONT RED DEVILS WIN FIRST GAME IN CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT

Great win!! The Red Devils beat McMinn Central 68-65 in the closing seconds of the game.  Elkmont got off to a slow start and made 10 turnovers in the first half.  Played well in the second half; cut turnovers down to 3 and switched to a man defense that shut down a hot 3 point shooting McMinn Central team.  Need to improve free throw shooting percentage ( 52% isn't good) and rebounding (got out rebounded).  Look for game box score on the Elkmont Basketball Blog. 

ELKMONT HIGH SCHOOL SPELLING BEE WINNERS - DECEMBER 13

Winner: Malena Butler

1st Runner Up: Rachel Hammond	2nd Runner Up: Riley Cook

Judges: Christy Higgins, Cindy Witt, Shana Watson, and LuAnn Adams 

ALLISON COLLINS TURNED FOUR, DECEMBER 16

Allison Paige Collins, daughter of Nick Collins and Nicole Collins of Elkmont, celebrated her fourth birthday Dec. 16 at a Dora the Explorer party. Her birthday is today.

She is the granddaughter of Ken and June Collins of Athens, and Keith and Linda Allison of Elkmont. Her great-grandparents are Lola Allison, Irene Collins and Elizabeth Carter, all of Athens. Allison has one sister, Lindsay Elizabeth Collins, 9 months.

ELKMONT PLAYERS MAKE DECATUR DAILY 1A-3A FOOTBALL TEAM

The Decatur Daily released its Class 1A-3A football team.  Five Elkmont players made the all- star list.

The Decatur Daily Class 1A-3A football team

Offense:  

WR: Cole Glass, 

Elkmont, Sr., 6-4, 190:               

Caught 39 passes for 447 yards and six TDs.

Defense:

LB: Daniel Logan, 
Elkmont, Sr., 6-0, 215: Finished with 165 tackles, four sacks, four forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. Was his third season in a row with more than 100 tackles.

LB: Cody Martin, 
Elkmont, Sr., 5-11, 205: Had 166 stops, four INTs (one returned for a TD), two sacks, three forced fumbles and two blocked kicks. Also his third season in a row with more than 100 tackles.

P: Logan Murphy, 
Elkmont, Sr., 5-11, 175: Punted 35 times for an average of 39.0 yards per attempt.

Honorable mention:

QB:  Hayden Huseth, 
Elkmont, Sr., 5-9", 150
Rushed for 1103 on 132 carries;  12 touchdowns; 81 of 127 with 1069 passing yards and 8 touchdowns










Source:  Decatur Daily 

RED DEVILS DROP 2 - DUST DEVIL IN THE GYM

Elkmont lost to Tanner 52-49 on Monday and 62-55 to East Limestone on Tuesday.  In the Tanner game, Elkmont led by 4 with less than four minutes in the game but could not make free throws and key shots late in the game.  Against Tanner, Skyler Gant had 11 points and 7 rebounds, Cole Glass had 10 points and 10 rebounds, and Daniel Logan had 10 points and 7 rebounds.  In the East Limestone game, the Indians pulled ahead in a close game in the early part of the fourth quarter to take the win.  The Red Devils were led by Daniel Logan with 16 points and 8 rebounds.  Skyler Gant contributed 13 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

OBSERVATIONS:
Elkmont played pretty well in both games, but should won the Tanner game and could have won the East Limestone game.  Against Tanner, the Red Devils failed to hold the lead in the last four minutes and against East played poorly in the fourth quarter.  These losses will not hurt Elkmont if they learn from them and continue to improve.  It is important that Elkmont play well and build closer bonds as a team during their Christmas tournament trip.

PREDICTION:
The Dust Devil has been scouting the Red Devils' opponents in the Christmas tournament in Tennessee and predicts that Elkmont will win two and lose one on the the trip.  

CECIL W. EAVES - OBITUARY

Cecil W. Eaves died Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, at his home in Elkmont.

He was a lifelong resident of Elkmont and was a member of the Elkmont Church of Christ.  He is survived by his wife, Edna Usery Eaves of Elkmont; sons, Jimmy Eaves of Elkmont, Chris Eaves of Elkmont, Stacey Eaves of Toney, Tracy Eaves of Elkmont, David Eaves of Fayetteville, Tenn., Bradley Eaves of Athens, Brian Eaves of Ardmore and Kent Eaves of Athens; daughter, Denise Duhl of Ardmore; brother, Coy Eaves of Elkmont; five grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation for Mr.  Eaves will be held from 5 to 9 p.m. today at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home.  Funeral services  will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home with Steve Ferguson officiating. Burial will be in Gatlin Cemetery in Ardmore.

ELKMONT HIGH SCHOOL ANNOUNCEMENTS - DECEMBER 19-21

MONDAY:

• Basketball here tonight vs. Tanner
• Semester Exams tomorrow.  Class periods tested are 2,4,6.  Report to first period tomorrow morning and remain until completion of AM announcements.
• Wed. exams- 1,3,5,7
• There will bE no enrichment period this week,
• Also basketball home Tuesday vs. East.  All Elkmont students will be admitted FREE to the game.  Wear red or white
• Boxtop winners are Brianna Newton, Jon Mikel Owens, and Lauren Simpson.

WEDNESDAY:

Juniors and Seniors are reminded that all Athens-Limestone Chamber of Commerce Job Shadowing Program packets must be turned in to Mr. Rogers by tomorrow. Approximately 30 packets have been picked up, but only three have been returned, so please turn those in as soon as possible.

ELKMONT DROPS TO 8-3

The Elkmont Red Devils took the court against East Limestone last night less than 24 hours after a hard fought game vs the top ranked 2A Tanner Rattlers.  In a close back and forth game that wasn't decided until the final 50 seconds, the East Limestone Indians won 62 - 55.

The game started out with Cole Glass tipping the ball to Skyler Gant who made a quick pass to Hayden Huseth that led to an easy layup.  The first play was a textbook easy score. Elkmont went into its aggressive 2-3 defense that has been very effective against most teams this year.  East had a difficult time scoring and Daniel Logan knocked down 2 three pointers, making the score 9-2 with 4:01 left  in the quarter.  East Limestone pushed back and the first quarter ended 13-13.

The second quarter was a back and forth battle with both teams playing tough defense, every rebound fought for.  The Red Devils played a good first half with only 4 turnovers.  Daniel Logan had 8 points, Skyler Gant, 6 and Cole Glass, 5 at the half and trailed the Indians by one, 25-26.

Elkmont continued to play good interior defense in the third quarter.  However, East shot a higher percentage and switched to what looked to be a modified 1-2-2 (quirky defense) that the Red Devils had trouble adjusting offensively to counter.  It effectively cut down the Elkmont post play and the offense stalled.  Daniel Logan tossed in another 3 pointer to make it 30-31 at 4:36.   It took another 2 minutes for the score to reach 36 - 33, Indians.  At the end of quarter, East Limestone still led the Red Devils 42-38.

Defense was still the name of the game with almost every play being challenged in the fourth.  Skyler Gant went to the bench at 6:44 and the Devil offense got out of sync and started to have problems moving the ball.   It took Elkmont more than three minutes to score 3 points but they managed to keep it close with 4:55 left in the game; score 45 - 41.  East then went on a run and pushed the score to 50-41 at 3:37.  Elkmont's starting five were back on the court and started to regroup when a Red Devil was fouled on a shot.  The players got nose to nose and stared at each other and a double technical was called (neither player was really sure why - preemptive whistle?).  Logan sank two free throws in the exchange but East Limestone got the ball.   As the time ticked down, Elkmont found themselves playing catch up with two minutes left.  The Devils stretched the defense out, took chances and made a run.  Logan sank a three at 1:20 pulling the score to 54-48.   Cutting the lead to five at .59 and then by 4 at .58, it looks like Elkmont might be able to overtake the Indians but some crucial mistakes were made.  The team missed opportunities to foul  Adam Saylor (struggled making free throws), often enough as the East player to be sent to the line.  Unfortunately, the Devils fouled #11, Chris Harris, who had no problem making free throws, sinking 5 of 6 in the last minute.  This led to a misleading score of 62-52 for a very close game.  Matthew Barnes sank a three pointer at the buzzer to end the game with 62 - 55.

The leading scorers for Elkmont were Daniel Logan with 16 points and 8 rebounds, Skyler Gant with 13 points and 5 assists and Hayden Huseth rounded out the top 3 scorers with 9.  East Limestone's top two players in double digits were Chris Harris with 28 and Adam Saylor with 16 points.  The Elkmont Red Devils will be traveling to Seymour, Tennessee to play next week, Dec. 27-29.  The Hill Spirit will be traveling to the tournament so look for game updates.

Staff Reporter:  Hill Spirit

Photos: Down Home Portraits/ Casey Newport

Look for the Dust Devil at the Gym's weekly article later this week

ELKMONT VS EAST LIMESTONE – DEC 20, 2011

	PTS	FOUL	REB	AST		STL	BLK	2FG	2FGA	3FG	3FGA	FT	FTA	OFF REB	DEF REB
GUEST	62	23										14	27
HOME	55	18	26	8		3	2	7	17	7	22	20	29	6	20
HOME	PTS		REB	AST		STL	BLK	2FG	2FGA	3FG	3FGA	FT	FTA	OFF REB	DEF REB
GLASS	6	5	6	0		0	2	2	4	0	0	2	4	0	6
LOGAN	16	5	8	1		2	0	1	3	4	9	2	3	3	5
GANT	13	1	5	5		0	0	3	8	0	0	7	9	1	4
HUSETH	9	3	1	1		0	0	1	1	1	8	4	6	0	1
LaBATHE	5	2	2	1		1	0	0	1	0	1	5	7	1	1
WALES	3	1	4	0		0	0	0	0	1	3	0	0	1	3
BARNES	3	1	0	0		0	0	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	0
THOMAS	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
WEAVER	0	0	0	0		0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0

3FG =      7/22         32%

2FG =      7/17         41%

FT   =    20/29         70%

TURNOVERS:  15