LOTTIE LEE GRIFFIN - OBITUARY

Mrs. Lottie Lee Griffin Kotowski, 88 of Athens died Tuesday at Limestone Health Facility.
Services will be 1PM Friday at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Ray Pettit officiating, burial in Roselawn Cemetery, visitation is from 12noon until service Friday at Spry Funeral Home.

Mrs. Kotowski was born February 19, 1927 in Limestone County, she was a member of Madison Street Baptist Church and a retired Dietitian.

Survivors: Son: Al Griffin and wife Susan, Elkmont, Grandchildren: Patrick Allynn Griffin, Matthew Ashley Griffin and wife Denise, Great Grandchildren: Madeleine, Sawyer & Deacon Griffin, Special Niece: Shirley Wilkinson and husband Glen, Several other Nieces and Nephews.

Men of Madison Street Baptist Church will be Pallbearers. Preceded in death by: Husband: William Kotowski, Sisters: Vechie Clark, Jean Rouse, Jewell Rouse.

MARGARET E. CHITTAM - OBITUARY

Margaret E. Chittam age 66 of Athens, passed away Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at her residence. Mrs. Chittam was born February 28, 1949 in Limestone County, AL to William Darby Pollitz and Rosie Lee Harper Pollitz.

Visitation will be Saturday, August 15, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home. There will be a private graveside service.

Preceded in death by her parents, William Rooster and Rosie Pollitz.

Survived by three sons, Heath Chittam and wife, Ressa of Athens, Butch Self and wife, Teresa of Ardmore, AL and Joe Chittam and wife, Kristi of Athens; one daughter, Dawn Self Filyaw and husband, Mike of Murfreesboro, TN; 6 grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Mims of Athens and Judy Lewter of Ardmore; two brothers, Henry Pollitz and wife, Carol of Elkmont and Larry Pollitz of Athens.

BOE AND ELKMONT

The Limestone County Board of Education (BOE) meet this week.  The items they voted on that affects Elkmont are:
 
Approved overnight trips for Elkmont FFA members and two Limestone County School students to Scottsville, Kentucky, on Sept. 9-10 for the CPC Livestock Nutrition field day and livestock judging contest; and Elkmont FFA members to Louisville, Kentucky, Oct. 28-31 to attend the National FFA Convention.

Hired Shea Balash, English teacher, Elkmont High, replacing Emily Reeves.

HOW DID YOUR SENATORS VOTE ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD FUNDING?

August 10, 2015 In this MegaVote for Alabama's 5th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Prohibit Federal Funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America Editor's Note: Both chambers are in recess until September 8, 2015.

Recent Senate Votes

Prohibit Federal Funding for Planned Parenthood Federation of America - Vote Rejected (53-46, 1 Not Voting) The Senate rejected a motion to invoke cloture on the motion to proceed to legislation that would prohibit Federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America or any of the organization's affiliates, subsidiaries, successors or clinics. The bill would state that it shall not be interpreted to reduce overall federal funding available for women's health or to affect abortion-related limitations in appropriations laws. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES

WILLIAM FLETCHER CHALMERS - OBITUARY

William Fletcher Chalmers, 76, of Elkmont, Alabama passed away on Friday, August 7, 2015, at Ardmore Health & Rehabilitation Center in Ardmore, Tennessee.

Born Monday, July 17, 1939 in Long Island City, New York he was the son of the late Fletcher Chalmers and the late Lillian Riset Chalmers.
He moved to this area thirteen years ago coming from Chicago. He was a truck driver, worked as a police officer and firefighter in Northport, FL, and worked as a jailer for five years for the Ardmore Police Department. He was of the Catholic faith and he enjoyed camping and fishing.

Surviving are wife, Nicky Chalmers, Elkmont, AL; daughters, Dorothy Mills, Northport, FL, Debra Jo Biaer, Elkmont, AL, Mary Beth Chalmers, Northport, FL,; brothers, Fredrick Chalmers, Fletcher Chalmers, Exmore, VA; sisters, Jane Hickey, Maryland, Lillian Schneider, Palm City, FL. and nine grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, AL with Bro. Steve Hargrove officiating.

THE HOT DOG DAYS OF SUMMER

A Heat Advisory has been issued for the entire area from 1 pm Sunday 8/09 through 7 PM Monday 8/10. Heat Index values on Monday will be around and above 105 degrees. High temperatures will be in the upper 90s both days. Stay cool and beat the heat! On Wednesday the weather will break into the 80s.

These conditions will be quite uncomfortable for most people but for some it could be dangerous. If you are outdoors, take the health dangers of heat very seriously. 
 Some important safety tips include:
 *Wear light colored, lightweight clothing
*Drink plenty of water
*Avoid alcohol
*Get to a cool place if you feel signs of heat stress.
*Do not leave children or pets in a parked vehicle.
*Beat the heat...Check the back seat.

ARTHUR WAYNE LEWIS - OBITUARY

Mr. Arthur Wayne Lewis passed away Wednesday August 5, 2015 at Huntsville Hospital. He was born September 23, 1938 in Greenbrier County, AL to The late Rosevelt Lewis and surviving Elizabeth Smith Lewis.Wayne studied electronics in Atlanta following graduation from Tanner High School. Upon his return to Athens, AL began working with Mr. Fred Raney who owned an amusement company. He became a very close friend of the Raney family and bought the business upon Mr. Raney's retirement. He made many friends while servicing jukeboxes and other coin operated machines. He loved being on the road every day with an opportunity to see his many customers. He and his wife also operated Hatfield Lake for 14 years. 

Wayne owned several restaurants in the area including the Brass Lantern in Sheffield and Quick and Tasty in Ardmore. After retirement he became a bee keeper and joined the Limestone County Bee Association. He was also a long time member of the Decatur Elks Lodge.

He is survived by his loving wife of 52 years Beverly Jane Heidt Lewis; one daughter Michelle Lewis Davis of Elkmont, mother Elizabeth Smith Lewis, one brother Kenneth R. Lewis and two sisters Joan L. Burgreen, Lisa L. Dobbs, one granddaughter, Chloe Nicole Davis of Elkmont. 

The Funeral Service for Arthur Wayne Lewis age 76, of Athens, AL; will be Saturday, August 8, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at McConnell Memorial Chapel with Brother Timothy McDowell officiating. Visitation will be Saturday, August 8, 2015: 9-11 a.m. at McConnell Funeral Home.

START THAT FALL GARDEN

We just got a great soaking rain on some really dry ground. It may be a good time to start that  fall garden.  Plants need to be well established to do well when the chilly weather and shorter days arrive.  Wood pallets are all the rage right now to make furniture but they are also great to garden with.  You might consider trying it this fall so start collecting those pallets.

LINK TO GARDENING WITH PALLETS

HOW DID SESSIONS, SHELBY AND BROOKS VOTE LAST WEEK?

August 3, 2015 In this MegaVote for Alabama's 5th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Surface Transportation Reauthorization Passage Senate: Three-Month Surface Transportation Extension and Veterans Health Care Passage House: Congressional Approval of Major Rules House: Veterans Affairs Accountability and Highway Transportation Funding Passage House: Veterans Affairs Accountability Passage Upcoming Congressional Bills Senate: A bill to prohibit Federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America Recent Senate Votes Surface Transportation Reauthorization Passage - Vote Passed (65-34, 1 Not Voting) That Senate passed a bill as amended, that would provide a six-year authorization of highway and transit programs, with a roughly $45 billion package of offsets, enough to cover three years of shortfalls in the Highway Trust Fund. The measure would authorize for the federal-aid highway program from the Highway Trust Fund $39.6 billion in fiscal 2016, with levels annually increasing to $45.7 billion in fiscal 2021. Sen. Richard Shelby voted NO Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES Three-Month Surface Transportation Extension and Veterans Health Care Passage - Vote Passed (91-4, 5 Not Voting) The Senate passed a bill that would extend the authorization for federal-aid highway and transit programs through Oct. 29, 2015. Authority to spend money from the Highway Trust Fund would also be extended through that date. The bill would transfer $8.1 billion from the Treasury to replenish the Highway Trust Fund and cover projected shortfalls so that construction projects could continue to be fully funded during that time (the amount transferred would cover projected trust fund shortfalls through the end of the year). The measure also would allow the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) to use $3.4 billion from the Veterans Choice Fund to pay for care provided - from May 1 to Oct. 1, 2015 - to veteran patients by non-VA providers under VA Care in the Community programs. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted NO Recent House Votes Congressional Approval of Major Rules - Vote Passed (243-165, 25 Not Voting) The House passed a bill that would amend the Congressional Review Act to require Congress to approve all executive agency regulatory proposals categorized as "major rules" before their implementation and would also create an expedited consideration process for joint congressional resolutions of approval. The bill defines "major rules" as regulations with an annual economic impact greater than $100 million, and would not require congressional approval of regulations that are not categorized as "major rules" or of rule proposals issued by the Federal Reserve or the Federal Open Market Committee. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Veterans Affairs Accountability and Highway Transportation Funding Passage - Vote Passed (385-34, 1 Present, 13 Not Voting) The House passed a bill that would reauthorize federal-aid highway and transit programs for three months, through October 2015, and would transfer $8.1 billion from the Treasury to the Highway Trust Fund to cover shortfalls during that time. The bill also would authorize the Veterans Affairs Department (VA) to use $3.4 billion to pay for veteran care through non-VA providers and instruct the VA to consolidate all non-VA programs into a single program. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Veterans Affairs Accountability Passage - Vote Passed (256-170, 7 Not Voting) The House passed a bill that would expand the ability of the Veterans Affairs (VA) Department to remove or demote VA employees based on performance or misconduct. The bill would also protect VA whistleblowers that report misconduct, modify the Senior Executive Service performance appraisal process, establish an 18-month probationary period for new VA employees, and place limits on administrative leave and bonuses within the VA. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES

TODAY'S WEATHER...RAIN!!!!

Looking forward to a good, long day of rain. The grass was getting crunchy to walk on.