Tuesday, May 31, 2011

OBITUARY - JAMES HARGROVE


James Hargrove

— The funeral service for James M. (Big) Hargrove, 95, of Ardmore, Tenn., will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home with Joe Greer and Jimmy Butler officiating.

Burial will follow in Pettusville Cemetery in Elkmont.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. today at the funeral home. He died Saturday, May 28, 2011, at Ardmore on Main Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. Hargrove was born on Monday, Feb. 28, 1916, in Veto, Ala. He was the son of the late George Hargrove and Sally Daley Hargrove.

He lived in the Ardmore area most of his life and was a member of Elkton Church of Christ. He graduated from Elkmont High School in 1936. He served in the U.S. Army in World War II. He loved talking, collecting knives and playing dominos.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Thomas Hargrove and Richard (Hap) Hargrove; and sister, Ruby Wallace.

He is survived by his wife, Mary Lucille Gates Hargrove of Ardmore, Tenn.; sons, Michael D. Hargrove and wife Beverly of Cleveland, Ohio and Jeffery A. Hargrove of Swartz Creek, Mich.; sisters, Louise Locke of Oxford, Ala., and Christine Gates of Fayetteville, Tenn.; grandchildren, Kimberly Hargrove Brooks, Patrick Hargrove, Whitney Hargrove, Jennifer St. Pierre; and great-grandson, Andrew M. Brooks.

OBITUARY - LELA HARGROVE


The funeral for Lela Elizabeth Hargrove, 90, of Elkmont will be at 11 a.m. today at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Steve Williams officiating. Burial will follow at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Elkton, Tenn.

Visitation was held Monday. She died Sunday, May 29, 2011, at Ardmore on Main Care and Rehabilitation Center.

Monday, May 30, 2011

FIRE UP THE GRILL - IT'S MEMORIAL DAY

Great Grilling
Before you fire up the grill, lightly coat the racks with vegetable oil or a nonstick spray. Meats and vegetables will slide off easily.
And, toss some fresh herbs on the coals—rosemary, basil, sage or a few bay leaves work well. As the coals get hotter, the scent of the herbs will subtly flavor the food. The herbs will also permeate the air with the promise of good eats.
When you’re finished barbecuing and the grill is still warm, sprinkle baking soda on it. Let it stay that way overnight. The next morning, wipe it clean, then rinse and dry.
Grilling safety: Keep antibacterial wipes close by to clean your hands after handling raw meat.
 
Grill

Sunday, May 29, 2011

2011 All County High School Baseball Team


Elkmont had 3 players selected for the 2011 Athens News Courier first team all county baseball team:  
Skyler Gant 








Joel Swanner


Jared Bailey
The Red Devils also had 2 players selected to the Honorable Mention team:
Daniel Logan
Ben Ferguson






2011 Limestone County Baseball All-County team
Coach of the Year: Lee Walker, Ardmore

County MVP: Austin Casteel, West Limestone

First team:

Cody Reed, Ardmore; Michael Fogg, Ardmore; Caleb Lindsey, Ardmore; Cason Marks, Clements; Scott Chapman, Clements; Nick Barbre, Clements; Jack Cruse, East Limestone; Brett Mansfield, East Limestone; Skyler Gant, Elkmont; Jared Bailey, Elkmont; Joel Swanner, Elkmont; Landon Stephens, Tanner; Josh McCaig, Tanner; Kyle Casteel, West Limestone; Cody Little, West Limestone;

Second team:

Landon Boggs, Ardmore; Matt Teeples, Ardmore; Marshall Durrett, Ardmore; Cody Dempsey, Ardmore; Austin Motes, Clements; Cole White, Clements; Seth Honea, East Limestone; Drake Lewter, East Limestone; Blake Roberson, Tanner; Ryan Ledford, Tanner; Logan Laxson, West Limestone; Brady Phillips, West Limestone

Honorable Mention:

Joel Evans, Clements; Ben Ferguson, Elkmont; Dan Logan, Elkmont; Austin Harris, Tanner; Dexter Douglas, Tanner; Jake Abernathy, West Limestone; Hunter Jones, West Limestone; Will Britton, West Limestone, Grant Baugher, West Limestone

Saturday, May 28, 2011

SAVING MONEY - PART ONE

It's often times easier to save 10% than it is to increase your monthly income by the same amount.

And you don't necessarily have to make drastic changes to free up extra money each month -- these changes can be as simple as switching to low-octane gasoline or cooking more meals at home. Over the course of a month, these small changes can add up to big savings.
Here are 10 ways to save that can add hundreds of dollars. 


1. Plan a budget and stick to it. Nothing's worse for your monthly finances than not planning ahead. If you know an obstacle is on the horizon, such as a car payment or other bills, prepare for it by setting the money aside. Additionally, make a list of your monthly income and expenses and budget the money required to make ends meet.



2. Track your expenses. Keeping track of how much you spend not only prevents you from bouncing checks, it also helps keep you on top of your budget. With either your checkbook or online bank account - tally your spending at the end of each month and find areas where you could stand to tighten the belt.

3. Cut out the cable. It's hard to get a cable package nowadays for less than $100 a month. One alternative is to do away with it altogether. While this may seem drastic at first, you'd be surprised at how quickly you can adapt to life without cable. And it doesn't mean
 you have to get rid of your TV -- a cheap antenna still gives you access to local channels, and there's always your DVD player when you're in the mood for a movie. Just think about how much you can get done around the house when the TV isn't calling your name.   


4. Eat less meat. It's almost expected in the U.S. to have meat with every meal, but in most parts of the world, meat is a luxury. Limiting your meat intake to just two or three meals a week can make a huge dent in your grocery bill.

5. End your gym membership. With all of the free alternatives, why pay the bloated fee for a gym membership? Jog in your neighborhood, lift weights in your garage, swim at your local public pool -- there are plenty of options here.

6. Sign up for Netflix. There's a reason why Netflix (NYSE: NFLX) is one of the hottest stocks in the market right now. For around $20 a month, you can rent as many movies as you can watch, delivered direct to your mailbox. Or stream them online for added convenience. More and more companies are getting into this business, so you can bet the added competition will benefit the consumer with cheaper prices and increased availability.

7. Never go to the mall. It takes a strong-willed person to make it out of the mall without making a purchase. If you do need to go, have an objective in mind -- like a particular store for an item you know is on sale -- and avoid browsing, which can quickly turn into buying.



8. Become a one-car family. If you can manage one set of wheels, this can amount to big savings every month -- from loan payments, to upkeep, to fuel and insurance. Instead, take the bus or public transportation or ride share with your spouse or co-worker. Better yet, buy a bike and enjoy the health benefits.

9. Brown bag your lunch. $7 a day for a quick lunch quickly adds up over the course of a month -- that's easily around $150 bucks a month you could be using to pay off debt or create a savings.

10. Be your own hair stylist. While you might not want to cut your own hair or give yourself a perm, there's still money to be saved by coloring it yourself or going to the salon less frequently for a style. And for simple cuts for kids, a $10 investment in scissors and a 20-minute lesson on YouTube can save you a trip to Super Cuts every two weeks.

Friday, May 27, 2011

ELKMONT HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Class Day Awards 2010-2011 / Elkmont High School


Paulus Randolph Agee
            United States Marine Corps, Montgomery Bill Scholarship
                       
Marissa Lashon Bake
 Smith Foundation Scholarship
 University of Alabama, First in Family Scholarship                 

William Andrew Bates
Calhoun Community College, High Tech Symposium Applied Technology Scholarship
            Elkmont Water Department Scholarship
                       
Sydni Danielle Boone
            Calhoun Community College, Chorale Scholarship
                       
Kelsey Marie Brown
            Alabama Correctional Employee Support Fund Scholarship
            University of North Alabama, Provost Leadership Scholarship
            University of North Alabama, Band Majorette Scholarship
           
LeAnna Grace Brown
            Calhoun Community College, Principal’s Choice Scholarship
                       
Christopher Michael Carter
Calhoun Community College, High Tech Symposium/Applied Technology Scholarship
                        Two-Credit Hour ScholarshipCalhoun Community College, 
             Principal’s Choice Scholarship
                       
Shane Brooke Coats
First Place, Alabama State Skills USA Competition, Related Technical Mathematics

Tony Anthony Coleman
            Limestone Area Community Scholarship
             MTM Unsung Heroes Scholarship                   

John Michael Compton
            Calhoun Community College, Fine Arts Scholarship
            Elkmont United Methodist Church Scholarship
                       
Brandi Michelle Gooch
            Northwest Shoals Community College, Athletic Leadership Scholarship
                       
Stephanie Nicole Hogan
            Athens-Limestone Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship
                       
Megan LeighAnn Honea
            Snead State Community College, Athletic Scholarship
                       
Latisha Meshae Jeffreys
            Alabama Southern Community College, Athletic Scholarship
             2010-2011 Nominee, Who’s Who Among All-American Scholars

Dakota Wade Kennedy
Calhoun Community College, High Tech Symposium/Applied Technology Scholarship
            Calhoun Community College, First Place, Skills Extravaganza / Technologies Division
            Education Foundation, Gene Haas Machining Technology Scholarship
            Wallace State Community College, Future Foundation Legacy Scholarship
                       
Alisha Mae Langley
Tusculum College, Tusculum Merit Grant
                       
Harril David Locke
            Limestone County Farmers Federation Scholarship

William Elliott Maples
            Alabama Cattlemen’s Association Tagged for Greatness Scholarship
            Alabama Grocer’s Association Scholarship
            Alabama State Future Farmers of America Scholarship
            Clemson University, Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
            Elkmont Water Department Scholarship
            Limestone County Cattlemen’s Association Scholarship
            Mississippi State University, Academic Scholarship
Mississippi State University, Academic Scholarship
National Beta Club Scholarship
Tennessee Grocer’s Association Scholarship
University of Arkansas, Chancellor’s Scholarship
University of Arkansas, Departmental Scholarship
University of Arkansas, Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
           
Joshua Gage Miller
            Birmingham Southern College, Foundation Scholarship
            Calhoun Community College, High Tech Symposium/Applied Technology Scholarship
             Joe H. Jacobs Memorial Scholarship
                       
Royce Jackson Miller
            Calhoun Community College, James T. Morgan Memorial Scholarship
             Jacksonville State University, Gamecock Scholarship
             Mississippi State University, Freshman Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
             University of North Alabama, Academic Scholarship
             University of South Alabama, Presidential Scholarship
             2010-2011 Member, First National Bank Student Advisory Board
             2010-2011 Elkmont High School Nominee, Wendy’s High School Heisman Award

 Courtney Lynn Phillips
            Southern Union Community College, Athletic Scholarship
            Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete Regional Achievement Award Winner
            Northwest Shoals Community College, Athletic Leadership Scholarship
            2010-2011 Elkmont High School Nominee, Wendy’s High School Heisman Award

Ryan Cody Ritchie
Calhoun Community College, High Tech Symposium/Applied Technology Scholarship
            United States Marine Corps, Montgomery Bill Scholarship
                       
Joel Christopher Swanner
            PTO Scholarship
            University of Alabama, Early College Scholarship

Avery Nicole Tunstill          
            Athens-Limestone Hospital Auxiliary Scholarship
            Athens-Limestone Retired Teachers Scholarship
            Aviagen Corporation, Poultry Science Scholarship
            Limestone County Farmers Federation Scholarship
            Mississippi State University, Freshman Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
            Mississippi State University, Lucile Gullege Endowed Scholarship
            University of West Florida, Freshman Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
            Elkmont High School 2010-2011 DAR Good Citiz
            2010-2011 Member, First National Bank Student Advisory Board

Anna Grace Usery
            Bryant-Jordan Scholar-Athlete Regional Academic Award Winner
             Elkmont United Methodist Church Scholarship
             Huntingdon College, Academic Scholarship
             National Beta Club Scholarship
 University of Mississippi, Academic Scholarship
 University of Mississippi, Non-Resident Tuition Scholarship
 University of North Alabama, Academic Tuition Scholarship
             University of North Alabama, Bryant-Jordan Leadership Scholarship
            American Legion Auxiliary Certificate of Appreciation, Girls State 
 Elkmont High School Representative, 2010 Delta Kappa Gamma Outstanding Senior Girl

Josie Kaitlyn Williams
            American Legion Post 49 Scholarship
            MTM Unsung Heroes Scholarship
            PTO Scholarship
                       
Zackary Thomas Woodford
            University of Alabama-Birmingham, Collegiate Honors Scholarship
            University of Alabama-Birmingham, Freshman Housing Scholarship
                       



AVERY TUNSTILL WINS ALERA SCHOLARSHIP

 D30_2000The Athens-Limestone Education Retirees Association recently presented a $1,000 scholarship to Elkmont High School student Avery Tunstill, center. Pictured, from left, are Allison Jones, ALERA member, Avery Tunstill, Martha Morrow, ALERA scholarship chairperson; standing, April Hamlin, guidance counselor and Mickey Glass, principal at Elkmont High.




    

OBITUARY - JANET WALKER

The graveside service for Janet Phillips Tucker, 48, of Elkmont will be at 1 p.m. Friday at Butler Cemetery. No visitation is scheduled.

Mrs. Tucker died Monday, May 23, 2011, at home.

JOHN WALKER - OBITUARY

The funeral for John Houston Walker, 60, of Elkmont will be at 11 a.m. today at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Greg Patrick officiating. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.

Visitation was from 6-9 p.m. Wednesday.

He died Tuesday, May 24, 2011, at Huntsville Hospital.

Mr. Walker was born Feb. 3, 1951, in Colbert County to Roy Houston Walker and Beulah Taylor Walker.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his daughter, Melissa Walker; and brothers, Roy Walker and Claude Walker.

He is survived by his wife, Wanda Walker of Elkmont; daughter, Brandi Curry and husband Brian of Elkmont; son, Roy “Tommy” Walker and fiancé Cindy Rochelle of Ardmore; sisters, Mae Walker of Decatur, and Vivian Davis and husband Clyde of Athens; brothers, Paul Walker and wife Sandra of Elkmont, and David Walker and wife Gatha of Athens; grandchildren, Brian “BJ” Curry and Jessie Curry.

Pallbearers are Ryan Walker, Amos Harrison, Chris Davis, Robert Harrison, Jimmy Jetton and Joe Hammond. Honorary pallbearers are BJ Curry, Brian Curry, Dylan Crafts and Derrick Crafts.

Kj Boley Speed Camp: Pre- Register June 4,9,10,13

Boys and Girls ages 6-18 Limited to 200 Students
The Camp will be held here at Elkmont on June 17-18, 8:30-2:30 each day.
KJ will be here in the front lobby of the school to pre-register on June 4, 9, 10, and 13, from 9:00-2:00 each of these days. It is open to boys and girls ages 6-18. Drinks, snacks, and lunch are provided both days. The cost is $50 per child or $85 for two. The camp is limited to 200 students.

If you need more information, KJ's contact numbers are 256-438-7017, 256-390-9353, and 601-415-5362. As of right now, no money has been committed for our football program. It is fine to give the numbers out if/when people have questions about the camp.


Thursday, May 26, 2011

MAKING MUSIC AT THE RED CABOOSE

WONDERFUL COUNTRY MUSIC

WinkTommy Conners, Neal Coty, and Jon Henderson.....2 Shows 6:00pm -7:30pm & 8:00pm to 9:30pm
This will be a Special 2 Shows in that all proceeds will go to help storm victims!
Our HEART goes out to all that have lost loved ones!  May God give you comfort.

EARLY MORNING BOARD MEETING LAYS OFF SCHOOL STAFF


 Limestone County school board members voted early (7 AM) today to layoff 70 employees in order to meet its budget for the upcoming school year.
The board approved a list of other cost-cutting measures today, all aimed at slashing $4 to $5 million from the 2011-2012 school budget. That is the amount the state will likely prorate the school systems budget due to lower than expected tax collections.  Limestone had to cut $1.3 million midway through this school year due to proration.
The employees cut included 46 certified employees — most of them teachers and 24 non-certified employees such as custodians, bus drivers and aides.
Superintendent Dr. Barry Carroll recommended an across-the-board cut of all first-year and one-year certified and non-certified employees and one-year substitutes.


Some of the employees could be rehired before August.
“We will do all we can, but we make no promise to hire people back, ” Carroll said. 

Elkmont High School

• Certified employees, effective May 28:
Lori Beth Elliott, language arts teacher;
Garth Garris (head varsity boys basketball coach, asst football coach), physical and social science teacher;
Kathryn Pankey, mathematics teacher;
Mary Prater, collaborative teacher;
Ethan Whiteside (asst. football coach), social science teacher;
David Wilson (head football coach), physical education teacher; 
• Certified employees hired for one year or rest of year, effective May 28:
Melissa Christ, elementary teacher;
• Non-certified employees, effective June 30:
Tara Curnutt, special education inclusion assistant;
• Non-certified employees hired for one year or rest of year, effective June 30: 
Lovena Spencer, special education inclusion assistant;
• Substitutes hired for one year or rest of year, effective May 28:
elementary teachers Emily Rutherford and Morgan White;

GRADUATION TONIGHT



 
 6:00 PM-7:00 PM
 Elkmont Graduation

If you want a good seat, you may want to get to the gym by 5:15.  

ELKMONT FOOTBALL PLAYER SIGNS WITH BIRMINGHAM SOUTHERN

Josh Miller will be joining the Birmingham Southern University Panthers this fall.

ELKMONT HIGH SOFTBALL PLAYERS SIGN COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS

Megan Honea signs softball scholarship with Snead State





Courtney Phillips signs softball scholarship with Southern Union




Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Obituary - Bernice Clem

Bernice Gertrude Clem, 84, of Elkmont died Monday, May 23, 2011, at Athens-Limestone Hospital.

The funeral for Bernice Gertrude (Smith) Clem, 84, of Elkmont will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints with Larry Brown, James Harris and Bishop Eddie Falconbery officiating. Burial will be in Gatlin Cemetery.

Visitation is from 6-9 tonight at Spry Funeral Home in Athens.

Obituary - Billy J. Vickers


The funeral for Billy J. Vickers, 71, of Elkmont will be at 11 a.m. today at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home with Joel Logan officiating. Burial will follow at Sylone Cemetery in Elkmont.

Pallbearers will be Jimmy Ray Mitchell, Marty Montgomery, Cameron Puckett, Bradley Puckett, Jamie Cook and James Ford.

Visitation was from 5-8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

He passed away Saturday, May 21, 2011, at Huntsville Hospital.

Billy J. Vickers was born May 18, 1940, in Elkmont. He was the son of the late Johnie Vickers and Mary Evelyn Carpenter Vickers. He was an avid cattle farmer and worked at stock barns for more than 30 years. He was a member of Sweet Springs Baptist Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his stepdaughter, Veronica Riddle.

Survivors include his wife, Janice Rozell Vickers of Elkmont; sons, Johnny Vickers and wife Cheryl, and Stacy Vickers and wife Karen, all of Pulaski, Tenn.; daughters, Tammy Smith of Lawrenceburg, Tenn., Daphyne Mize and husband Todd, and Gina Ament and husband Kelly, all of Pulaski; brother, Morris Vickers of Elkmont; sisters, Patsy Lewter and husband Dale, and Nancy Cook and husband Berry, all of Elkmont; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; special niece and nephew, Chelsea Hobbs and Brandon Taylor.

The family requests donations be made to: National Parkinson Foundations, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018.

May 24 - Elkmont School Announcements


Out of 1224 participates at the State Summer Games, Elkmont participate Kyle Redding got 7th place ribbon for 100m dash, and a bronze medal for his softball throw. Chasity Haggard came back with 2 gold medals for her softball throw and 100m dash.

Dont forget to be taking care of business this week, just a few dont forgets.... 1.Clean locker, 2. turn in exemption forms, and 3. bring in self-addressed,  stamped envelope (1st period teacher).

Correction on Principles Award yesterday. Mrs. Woods nominated Hugo Hernandez. Congradulations Hugo. Please come to the office to receive your award pin.

Cross Country teams are posted on the door beside the office door. Please see Coach Pugh today for information.

Students, summer school registration packets are avaliable in the counseling department. The cost is $275, and this is for credit recovery. Summer school wil be held at Tanner from June 6-July 1. Only cash or money orders will be accepted....no checks. After Friday of this week, registration will be held the morning of June 6 at Tanner High School.

Juniors, if you do not yet have the summer graduation exam schedule for the week of July 11-15, please see Mrs. Thomas; she has a copy for each of you. You may also take ACCESS skills lab remediation for the exams at Tanner this summer for only $10.

5-6 Year Old T-Ball Tournament : Saturday June 11t


5-6 year old t-ball Tournament in honor of Rhett Bailey. Saturday, June 11th, starting time is at 9:00 AM at the Elkmont High School ball fields. There will be $3.00 charge for adults and $2.00 charge for children 5 and up. All proceeds will be given to the Bailey family. Any volunteers that would like to help work the concession stand, the gates, or umpires, please contact Robby Grams at 256-777-2233.  There will also be a donation box for those of you that would like to donate money. Thank you in advance for those of you who are willing to particpate. This is going for a great cause.

SAVING MONEY TIP - HOMEMADE MOUTHWASH

Make Your Own Mouthwash  
Cinnamic aldehyde—the naturally occurring chemical compound in cinnamon that’s responsible for its wonderful smell—helps eliminate odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
Boil 2 cups of water, then add 5 or 6 pieces of cinnamon stick (available at supermarkets) and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
Once it’s cool, strain out the sticks and pour the liquid into an empty bottle. Use it as you would use any commercial mouthwash.

Cinnamon sticks with other mixed spices on a white card Stock Photo - 402731Cinnamon is supposed to be good for lowering cholesterol as well - I believe it is 1/4 teaspoon dosage.  I like to sprinkle cinnamon on the whipped cream topping of my hot chocolate