FINAL WINTER FORECAST FROM WEATHER BELL

It is looking colder and snowier than last year - we will have to see if this pans out.  Lots of happy kids this winter if it does. 

No early spring - Sadness, I like only six weeks of winter.

Winter Temps Forecast


Snow Forecast

YOU KNOW CHRISTMAS IS COMING..

Saturday, December 8, 2012
Start Time: 2:00 pm

"Down Home Christmas"

Entry form available to download and print here: 
2012 Christmas Parade Entry Form

or pick up at one of the following locations:

Elkmont Town Hall

Cadence Banks

or from Elkmont Lions Club members:

Dickey Hobbs 256-732-4300

Bill Bryant     256-732-3206

Larry Pylant     256-732-4493

Charles Christenson        256-732-2266

Entry Fee: $20
(Entries Other Than Non-Profit Groups Or Horses)

Float Grand Prize: $225

Float 1st Prize: $175 Best Antique Car, 1st: $100 Best Antique Tractor, 1st: $100

Float 2nd Prize: $150 Best Antique Car, 2nd: $50 Best Antique Tractor, 2nd: $25

Float 3rd Prize: $100 Best Antique Car, 3rd: $50 Best Antique Tractor, 3rd: $25

JOHN R. PHILLIPS - OBITUARY

Sign Guestbook View Guestbook Photo Album

Name: John R. Phillips Dates: Birth date: October 6, 1944 Death date: November 28, 2012 Obituary: John R. Phillips, 68 of Elkmont, Alabama died on Wednesday, November 28, 2012, at Athens-Limestone Hospital in Athens, Alabama. Born Friday, October 6, 1944 in Leetonia, Ohio, he was the son of the late Paul Jones Phillips and the late Elsie Ingledue Phillips. He had lived in this area for the past 28 years and enjoyed watching wildlife and being outdoors. Surviving are his wife: Linda K. Phillips of Elkmont, AL; daughters, Brenda & Lee Mason of Elkmont, AL, Janie & Darren Boyce of Shelbyville, TN and Kim & Jacob Dunnavant of Ardmore, AL, brothers, Paul Phillips of Salem, OH, Henry Phillips of Salem, OH, Richard Phillips of Leetonia, OH, Benny Phillips of Hanoverton, OH, Tom Phillips of Salem, OH and Gary Phillips of Hanoverton, OH, sister, Elsie Stevenson of Rogers, OH; five grandchildren: Candace and Shelby Williams, Heather and husband Jordan Nowlin, Kristin Boyce, and Nora Dunnavant; four greatgrandchildren: Riley Boyce, Rayndall Williams, Julia Newsom and Bailey Nowlin, and several nieces and nephews. There are no public services planned at this time.

MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS WIN BIG OVER CLEMENTS

The Elkmont Middle School Red Devils Basketball team beat Clements 44 - 4 in their first meeting this season.  Wow, talk about defense.   Brady Garris led Elkmont with 12 points and Taylor Thomas was next highest leading scorer.  

1^st  Elkmont 13, Clements 1

2^nd  Elkmont 27, Clements 1

3^rd  Elkmont 34, Clements 2

4^th  Elkmont 44, Clements 3

     Brady Garris – 12 points

Taylor Thomas – 8 points

 Chance Bailey – 6 points

  Braxton Hand – 4 points

    Tiyler Walts – 4 points

 Hunter Pitman – 3 points

      Noah Sharp – 3 points

    Jackson Cook – 2 points

Jaquavius Cosby – 2 points

The Middle School Lady Devils lost in a hard fought game in two overtimes.  

1^st  Elkmont  08, Clements 06

2^nd  Elkmont  17, Clements 10

3^rd  Elkmont  26, Clements 11

2OT  Elkmont 36, Clements 41

Bre Jefferies – 12 points

Tori Pressnell – 13 points

Gracen Clinard – 4 points

Leigha Smith – 3 points

Carlee Menefee – 2 points

Autumn Davis – 2 points

The middle school teams travel to Ardmore tonight. Games start at 6 pm




Both of the Clements varsity teams took wins over the Elkmont.  


The Red Devils' high school teams travel to West Limestone.  The JV boys game starts at 4:30 pm followed by the girls varsity game and then the boys varsity game.



Pictures provided by the Elkmont Sports Photographers,
Down Home Portraits - click HERE for more game photos.

PICTURE WITH SANTA?

                          








The school is offering Santa pictures, Wednesday - Nov 28.  I'm fairly sure that anyone can have their picture taken, no matter how young or old, student or not.  You will just have to pick them up at school.  One package is $20 or two for $36.  Call Miss Gina at 256-732-4292 - remember she knows everything.

FREDERICK BEIGUE III - OBITUARY

Frederick Beique III, 78, of Elkmont, died Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012, at his home. A memorial service is planned for a later date.

Limestone Chapel Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

NELLIE MAE MONTGOMERY - OBITUARY

The funeral for Nellie Mae Montgomery, 86, of Athens will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday at Spry Funeral Home with Alton Downs officiating.

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

Mrs. Montgomery died Monday, Nov. 26, 2012, at Athens-Limestone Hospital.

She was born Sept. 15, 1926, in Lauderdale County. She was a member of the Church of the Living God in Elkmont.

Survivors include one daughter, Angie Clemons of Athens; three sons, Danny White of Athens, Bobby White of Elkmont, and Jerry White of Ardmore, Tenn.; grandchildren, Bradley Austiell, Jennifer Chambers, Jason White, Melissa White, Andrea White, Lorrie White and Bobby White Jr.; 14 great-grandchildren; a sister, Francis Simpson of Florence and several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Larry Clemons, Jason White, Bradley Austiell, Devin White, Travis Austiell and Bobby White Jr.

LOOKING FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT FOR CHRISTMAS?

The Internal Revenue Service will auction off 11 Harley Davidson motorcycles - including a 1946 Flathead and a 1950 Hummer 125 - on Dec. 1 in Elkmont.

The bikes are being sold to settle the debt of a taxpayer, the IRS said. Further details about the delinquent taxpayer were not immediately available.

The bikes will be available for viewing at Asset Auctions LLC, 25885 Upper Elkton Road in Elkmont on Nov. 30 from noon to 4 p.m. and on Dec. 1 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. The auction is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Dec. 1.

The bikes:

-1946 Flathead, VIN# 46U1816, white in color, Body Type-MC

-1993 EVO, VIN# TNVIN933808049264, black in color, Body Type-MC. Black leather on tank with metal studs

The 1946 Flathead Harley that the IRS will auction off on Dec. 1

-1973 Sportster Ironhead, VIN# 4A45027H3, Black with orange/red flames, metal bars on rear panel

-1972 Sportster Ironhead, VIN# 3A21595H2, Orange in color

-2009 Rebel 250 VIN #JH2MC130X9K500086, black with black saddlebags, odometer 1188.4

-2003 Sportster 1200 VIN #1HD1BKL1XNY036574, Red/purple metallic, Chrome pipes covered

- 1992 EVO VIN #1HD1BKL1XNY036574, orange/dark brown chrome ´Live to Ride´

-2005 EVO VIN#0000000BKLX948087, Front/back panel red,black, turquoise with some white

- 1950 Hummer 125 VIN #50S4464, black in color, all original

-2005 Dyna Superglide VIN#1HD1GHV145K330816, solid black, spike pedals and handlebars

-1983 Shovelhead SHR VIN# 1HD1ALK16DY012779. black with gold pin stripes, saddlebags

For more information and photos of the bikes, visit the IRS website.

WHAT DID YOUR BOX TOPS DO?

Approximately 600 elementary students at Elkmont High School saved enough box tops through the “Box Tops for Education” program to book children’s author Michael Shoulders, who visited grades K-6 Monday and Tuesday.

The school, which has 1,026 students in K-12, receives 10 cents for each box top, which are collected from cereal boxes, paper supplies and other products, according to first-grade grade teacher Barbara McCollum.

EHS students raised more than $2,000 last year and have raised $1,400 during the fall semester this year.

McCollum said Shoulders was selected partially through a roundabout connection with the school, founded as Limestone County High School in 1912. It was the same year the subject of one of his books, the HMS Titanic, sank in the north Atlantic Ocean after crashing into an iceberg during its maiden voyage.

“Learning Tree gave us several authors to choose from, and one of the reasons we picked him is because the Titanic sank the same year when this school was started, and this is Elkmont High School’s 100th birthday,” McCollum said. “We took that as a little omen we should pick him, and to top it off he was writing a book about the Sulphur Creek Trestle (in Elkmont).”

Shoulders has penned more than a dozen children’s books, including “T is for Titanic: A Titanic Alphabet,” “G is for Gladiators: An Ancient Rome Alphabet” and “The ABC Book of American Homes.”

A retired educator and graduate of Austin Peay University, Shoulders, who prefers to write at his local Starbucks or from home on his Mac laptop, began writing in 1995, and is a 2012 Eureka Silver Medalist and the recipient of an NAPPA Honor Award for “Titanic.”

He resides in Clarksville, Tenn., with his wife of 38 years, Debbie, who co-wrote “Titanic,” and Maggie, a standard poodle, their kitten Audrey and a hedgehog named Dezi. They also have three children, Jason, Ryan and Meghann.

During his six-hour visit Monday, Shoulders shared a specially-made cake with 30 students who saved the most box tops during a question-and-answer session as the children took turns reading their prepared questions, including this query from 8-year-old Samuel Compton: “How do you name your books?”

Shoulders replied he would prefer to title his Sulphur Creek book “River of Fire,” but ultimately that will be decided by his publisher.

He met with grades K-4 and the sixth grade in the school’s media center for a PowerPoint presentation about his background and the writing process, a boisterous performance of an “A to Z” educational rap song about everything from Olympian Wilma Rudolph and former U.S. President Andrew Jackson to possums, cavefish and raccoons.

He returned to the school on Tuesday to visit the fifth-graders, who spent Monday in Nashville on a school field trip.

During his visit, students learned about the publishing process and the construction of an illustrated book.

Shoulders also discussed overcoming obstacles in trying to get a book published and said inspiration for his books comes from observing typical objects from a different perspective.

Students were able to purchase his hardcover books for $18 and have them autographed during his visit. Most of the books are also available on amazon.com and range from $7.95 to $17.95 in paperback and hardcover. For more information about Shoulders, visit www.michaelshoulders.com.

article link: News Courier

LOTS OF NEAT STUFF TO BE FOUND IN ELKMONT

COLD WEATHER IS COMING

Here is another forecast that indicates a very good chance we will see snow and ice this year.  A little preparation goes a long way to save money as you try to stay warm.  A back up heat source for your home or a good friend with gas heat in his house might be a wise thing to have in case we lose electricity.

Here are five ways to prep your house for winter:

1. Insulate your hot water heater. For a lot of homes, the hot water heater is one of the biggest energy users in the house. This is especially true if your heater is located in a non-insulated room like the garage. Just think how much harder your heater has to work to deliver those piping hot showers if it’s sitting in a 30 degree room! Consider adding an insulating blanket over your heater to maximize its efficiency this winter. For more ways to save energy and money, read: Inspect and Maintain Your Water Heater.

2. Bundle up your attic and crawlspaces. Gaps and holes in your insulation are similar to having gaps and holes in your coat. They kind of defeat the purpose. By repairing your insulation, you can save more than 20 percent on your utility bills this winter. To learn how, read: Inspect and Repair Your Insulation.

3. Protect your pipes. When water freezes, it expands. If it’s inside a pipe when it expands, the water breaks the pipe and leaves you with a gargantuan repair bill. To prevent this, shut down your sprinkler system, unscrew the hose from the faucet and cover your outdoor faucets with insulation covers. To protect your indoor pipes, be sure to never set your thermostat below 55 degrees F (even if you’re going out of town for an extended period of time).  Leaving the sink cabinet doors open and a slow dripping faucet when it gets below freezing might be a smart idea.

4. Schedule a checkup for your furnace. We’re entering the prime furnace-usage season, so if there’s a problem, you want to take care of it now, not when it’s 10 degrees outside. Schedule a routine checkup for your furnace to make sure everything is working well.

FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

Past Elkmont football players, Levi and Skyler Gant are the 2012 University of Alabama  flag football champions.

Their team at UA won the championship game...out of 68 teams. We listened to it on WVUA, the campus radio station. It was as exciting a game as any other we have ever experienced....they won 13 to 9.

Skyler and Levi are third and fourth from the left.  
Congrads on being flag football champions.

ELKMONT YOUTH BASKETBALL SEASON STARTS

Elkmont has a large youth basketball program.  Teams that represent various ages have started their seasons.  The 12 and under Elkmont 3 played Johnson last week.  This team is coached by Kenny Smith.  We would love to hear about your team as well.  If you would like your team's news to be on the blog, please send pictures, schedules and write-ups to elkmont1@charter.net.



The Down Home Portraits' photographer, Robby Newport has supplied some great action shots of the Elkmont 3 and Johnson teams.  Please contact Robby about ordering photos.  Click here for Facebook page link.

ELKMONT LADY DEVILS BEAT NEW HOPE IN OPENER

As the 2012 -2013 basketball season starts here in Elkmont, the varsity and junior varsity programs hosted New Hope.  The Lady Devils began their year by taking a win, 50 - 45.  Both boys programs took a loss in what looks to be a rebuilding year.

JV Boys - Quarter Team Scoring

1st  Elkmont  09,       New Hope 14

2nd Elkmont 20,        New Hope 28

3rd  Elkmont 22,        New Hope 37

4th  Elkmont 29,        New Hope 52

Caleb Wallace        8 points

Preston Rouse        5 points

Colby Holt             4 points

Josh Carter             4 points

Aron Moss             2 points

Jared Smallwood    2 points

Hunter Brazeal       2 points

Travis Riggs           2 points

Quarter Team Scoring - Varsity Girls

1st Elkmont 16                New Hope 16

2nd Elkmont 27               New Hope 30

3rd Elkmont 30                New Hope 38

4th Elkmont 50                New Hope 45

Brittney Carter       13 points

Bailee Gooch         10 points

Cally Glass             8 points

Brandi Bentley       6 points

Ameia Davis           5 points

Dakota McCurley   3 points

Ruth Ann Bates     3 points

 

Quarter Team ScoringVarsity Boys

1st Elkmont 7           New Hope 18

2nd Elkmont 19        New Hope 31

3rd Elkmont 30         New Hope 56

4th Elkmont 37         New Hope 66

 

Trevor Patterson            10 points

Andew Labathe                7 points

Jared Bailey                     6 points

Tyler Thomas                  6 points

Zach Boyd                       5 points

Matthew Barnes               3 points

Pictures provided by the Elkmont Sports Photographers, 

Down Home Portraits - click HERE for more game photos.

The Red Devils and Lady Devils will be playing in the Decatur Heritage Thanksgiving Tournament, Nov. 19 - 21

WEST LIMESTONE SWEEPS ELKMONT MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAMS

West Limestone rolled into Elkmont Thursday night and took both games.  The Elkmont Middle School Lady Devils beat West Limestone in their previous meeting 28 - 26 but the Lady Wildcats returned the favor by winning 29 -25 in their second meeting.  The Lady Devils led until half time in a very close game but as the third quarter ended West tied the score at 20 - 20.  The two teams continued to play hard during the fourth quarter but the Lady Wildcats were able to pull ahead as the horn signaled the end of the game.

Quarter Team Scoring

1  Elkmont   05              West   03

2  Elkmont   11              West   10

3  Elkmont   20              West   20

4  Elkmont   25              West   29

Individual Scoring - Elkmont

Smith       7 points

Pressnell  9 points

Clinard    3 points

Jefferies   4 points

Green       2 points

The Elkmont Red Devils took another loss from a very talented West Limestone middle school boys team.  Hopefully, they will pick up their first win Nov 27 when Elkmont hosts Clements.

Quarter Team Scoring

1   Elkmont  02         West 14

 2   Elkmont  06         West 32

  3  Elkmont   10         West 44

  4  Elkmont    16        West 46

Individual Elkmont Scoring

Cameron Davis                   2 points

Jackson Cook                     6 points

Tiyler Walts                        2 points

Brady Garris                       2 points

Taylor Thomas                   2 points

Braxton Hand                     2 points

Pictures provided by the Elkmont Sports Photographers, 
Down Home Portraits - click HERE for more game photos.  These photos are available for sale.  There are great action shots of the West Limestone teams as well as Elkmont teams

FREIDA RENEE KOCH - OBITUARY

The funeral for Freida Renee Koch, 49, of Athens will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Spry Funeral Home with Terry Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Sandlin Cemetery.

Visitation is from 6-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Koch died Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, at Huntsville Hospital.

Freida Koch was born Jan. 25, 1963, in Limestone County.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Danny Green Sr. and Shirley Ann Tucker Green; and brother, Dewayne Eubanks.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Koch of Athens; daughter, Cassie Murphy of Ayden, N.C.; grandson, Landon Matias of Ayden; brothers, Danny Green Jr. and wife Elizabeth, and Richard Green and wife Lisa, all of Elkmont; stepbrothers, Allen Hill and Billy Hill, both of Elkmont.

ORDER YOUR BASKETBALL SHIRT TODAY

Elkmont Basketball Fans:

We are currently taking orders for basketball shirts. Deadline is Friday, November 16. Shirts/Sweatshirts are Black with the logo pictured above. Order forms can be given to Coach Hobbs  at school or to Allison Garris tonight at the gym.  Remember Elkmont plays New Hope at home tonight. Payment due with order. Make checks payable to EHS Basketball. There will be no "extras" ordered.  Shirts should be in week of Dec 3 - 7.

Prices are:
Short Sleeve: $12
Long Sleeve: $18
Crew Sweatshirt: $25
Hooded Sweatshirt: $30
Hooded Fleece Sweatshirt: $40

IT'S GOING TO GET COLD OUTSIDE

Joe Bastardi, my favorite weather guy, and Weatherbell Forecasting Center has its winter forecast out.  It is predicting temperatures two degrees below normal.  Thought this would go well with the New Courier article below on preparing for this winter.

If the current model holds true, the lower three-fourths of the state could have a wetter-than-normal winter. The Tennessee Valley’s outlook, however, remains uncertain.

Despite having a mild winter last year, North Alabama has experienced significant winter weather over the past few years and was provided a rare white Christmas in 2010. Other significant events included the winter storm of March 2009 and a historic snowfall event in January 2011.

Officials with the National Weather Service and the Limestone County Emergency Management Agency want residents to be ready as the winter season approaches. Temperatures have already dipped below freezing this week, meaning water pipes can be vulnerable.

“People need to be prepared and pay attention to weather bulletins,” said Daphne Ellison, communications officer with the Limestone EMA. “It’s hard for the weather service to predict snow because those conditions have to be right, but you need to take precautions if it does happen.”

Some of those precautions include keeping emergency supplies not only at home, but also in a personal vehicle. The NWS recommends preparing a travel safety kit containing batteries, blankets, a first-aid kit, pocket knife, tow rope, shovel, sand/cat litter, ice scraper, water, nonperishable food, road maps/GPS equipment, a mobile phone charger and an AM/FM battery-operated radio.

Ellison said residents should keep those same items on hand in the home. She also recommended maintaining emergency heat sources, including kerosene heaters. She added that residents should also keep a close check on elderly relatives and neighbors during winter months.

Click on Be Prepared for complete article

ELKMONT VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS RECOGNIZED

The 2012 high school volleyball season is over and the Lady Devils have switched to basketball.  However, now is the time when volleyball players are recognized for their individual success.  Congrads to our Lady Devils.

ALL COUNTY TOURNAMENT TEAM

* BAILEE GOOCH

ALL AREA TOURNAMENT TEAM
*CADIE COFFMAN                                         *SARAH WILLIAMS
     


LIMESTONE ALL COUNTY VOLLEYBALL - 1ST TEAM  
   *BAILEE GOOCH #1      *CADIE COFFMAN #4                           


HONORABLE MENTION:
*CALLY GLASS #20                    *SARAH WILLIAMS #12
          

special thanks to Robby and Casey Newport of Down Home Portraits for providing photos.  They are the Elkmont Sports Photographers.  Visit their facebook page for more of their work.  Click HERE  for great action shots

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP - RUNNING GRETTA

2012 AHSAA Cross Country Championship

Well, here we are.  The end of the season. 

Saturday was a day filled with mixed emotions – from the excitement of being at the State Meet to the anxiety of the runners and coaches; from the sad realization that this was the last meet of the season and Chloe and Matthew’s final cross country meet of their high school days to the joy of seeing these kids put forth their hearts every day during practice and it show week after week in their improved times.  And lastly, the PRIDE of being a Red Devil – whether it be runner, coach, parent, sibling, family member, teacher or staff – there is pride in all that was accomplished this season!

Let’s begin this recap by reminding you that only 12 teams from each class (1A/2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A) across the entire state of Alabama earn a spot to compete at the state meet.  Elkmont boys secured their entry when they WON the sectional meet at Cold Springs and the girls secured theirs with a 2^nd place finish at sectionals.  The day started clear and cool but by the time the boys and girls ran, the temps were moderate and great for running.  The Oakville course was (as always) well maintained and DRY!  The starting line at this venue is marked by a string a balloons and stretches across a large flat clearing.  The girls gathered at the starting line for the 10:30 start.  They finished 10^th  in the state and individual times were:

Sammi Jo Pressnell – 22:28

Hannah Hanback – 22:58

Jensen Pugh – 22:58

Stephanie Clem – 24:58

Nikki Ristau – 26:35

Alex Green – 27:18

Maddie Hobbs – 27:28

Marianna Cooper – 27:32

The boys team was led by Tyler Helms – earning All-State honors for finishing in 10^th place.  

The boys team finished 8^th in the state and individual times were:

Tyler Helms – 17:31

Adam McMahan – 18:27

Chance Bailey – 18:39

Tiyler Walts – 19:43

Jacob Ezell – 20:43

Ethan Shores – 21:26

Chandler Johnson – 22:40

Alex Armstrong – 23:54

Chase Prater – 25:07

Matthew Clem – time not reported

Congratulations EHS XC  for an amazing season!  I look forward to next season and sharing the trail with you!

COACH PUGH'S THOUGHTS:

Sad to see XC season come to an end. We had a great season this year with many trophies won..many PR's set...lots of great practices and great meets. I love that these kids love to run and continue to improve! Tyler Helms received All State honors today! Easy to coach kids who have such great supportive parents and such good work habits! Thanks to everyone and to Dale Miller for all of the hard work!