WHAT YOU SEE AT THE GAS PUMP

ELKMONT HIGH SCHOOL PROM IS MARCH 17

The Elkmont Junior Class is hosting the Junior-Senior Prom on March 17, 2012. All prom registration fees and T-shirt money is due THIS Friday, March 2, 2012. Registration fees for seniors are ONLY $5.00 each, non Elkmont guest fees are $10.00. Junior fees are from $15.00 to $50.00 based on the number of magazines sold.

T-shirts look terrific: black shirts with silver and lime green logo for $10.00 each!!! Remember, all registration fees and t-shirt money is due this Friday, March 2nd. See you at the prom!

ELKMONT SCHOOL CLOSING ONE HOUR EARLY

ELKMONT SCHOOL IS CLOSING ONE HOUR EARLY DUE TO THE CHANCE OF SEVERE WEATHER LATER THIS AFTERNOON. 


The National Weather Service in Huntsville has issued a Hazardous Weather Outlook for Limestone County and other North Alabama regions, as well as portions of southern middle Tennessee. The alert warns of severe storms and the potential for isolated tornadoes.

Widespread thunderstorms are expected across the Tennessee Valley today and this evening ahead of a slow-moving cold front.

Areas targeted by violent storms into this evening will stretch from the Tennessee Valley and to the Ohio Valley and includes the cities of Nashville, Tenn., London, Ky., Charleston, W.V., Tupelo, Miss. and Huntsville, Ala.

The alert on the NWS website states: “There is a slight risk of severe thunderstorm development with the primary threat expected to come from damaging winds in excess of 60 mph and locally heavy rainfall. However, the threat for an isolated tornado will also exist, especially with any storms that develop ahead of the primary cold front.”

By evening, the front is expected to move south with slight chances for thunderstorms after midnight.

Also, strong southwesterly winds are expected, with sustained wind speeds of 15 to 25 mph and gusts to 30 mph expected.

On Thursday, a slight chance of thunderstorms remains as the cold front drifts southward and stalls across Central Alabama.

Storm potential is expected to increase early Friday morning as the stalled boundary lifts northward as a warm front.

The alert states: “A stronger cold front will sweep across the region on Friday evening, bringing another round of potentially severe thunderstorms.”

ELKMONT BASEBALL BLOG

Be sure to check out the Elkmont Baseball Blog for news about The Elkmont Red Devils.  Coverage of the games has already started.


The youth leagues will also be able to post about their teams (dependent on youth league parents and coaches).  Please send information and photos to HILLSPIRIT. (click on Hillspirit)


Don't forget to check the basketball and football blogs occasionally.  There is still news throughout the year.

NEED A BROOM?

And although the term “flying off the handle” was born from the use of handmade brooms, which had – and still do have – a tendency to lose their heads when they’re used too forcefully, it doesn’t mean you yourself will fly off the handle when you attempt to make your own broom.

You’ll just need a little bit of patience, along with the necessary materials, and you’ll soon have your own straw broom, birch-branch broom, or broom-corn broom, the last being the sturdiest of these rustic, hand-crafted tools.

Straw should be easy to find if you live on or near a farm, and you can easily gather twigs and branches from the woods to tackle a birch broom. If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can grow your own broom corn, paying tribute as you do to early broom designer Levi Dickenson, a Massachusetts farmer who crafted a broom for his wife using tassels from a variety of sorghum. Dickenson’s resulting broom was so successful (his wife told all her friends, and word around town quickly spread) that the sorghum variety he used is now called broom corn.  The stalks grow like sweet corn and look the same, although it has no cobs, just the tassels on top, and that is the material you’ll use to make your broom. (And remember, if you master the art of broom making and grow enough broom corn, you will have gifts friends and family will love or that you can sell at craft shows, farmer’s markets, or fairs, where people are sure to fall for a hand-crafted broom’s old-time appeal.)

You can also order broom corn online from broom-making suppliers, where other supplies for crafting your own brooms can also be found, along with plans for more challenging broom designs.

The following projects, though, will get you started and can take on even pioneer-level quantities of dirt and debris.

Making a Straw Broom

A straw broom is easy to make, and the project is one that would be fun to do with the kids or a as a great back-to-nature project that would be ideal for a group activity at a craft fair or other special event.

Things you will need:

• Straw
• A stick to be used as a broom handle
• Twine or wire for binding
• A knife and scissors for finishing touches

Handles can be ordered from a supplies store for a more commercial look, but if you are going for rustic or are taking advantage of the items you have available to you, you can make your own using branches that you have collected. It is a good idea to strip the branches of their bark and allow them to dry for a few months before using them to ensure that no cracking or splitting will occur when you put them to use.

Clean your straw so it is free from dust and debris, shaking bits loose without using water, which can cause your broom to mold.

Divide straw into ten separate, equal bunches.

Gather one bundle of straw together, making sure that ends on one side are even. Hold the bundle together tightly and wrap it securely with twine. The tighter the bundle, the stronger your broom will be, so squeeze it tightly. Repeat the steps with the remaining nine bunches of straw.

Tie together the gathered bundles one at a time using wire or twine, ensuring that the bundles are secured as tightly as possible.  If you want a flat broom for use on floors or hearths, place straw bundles side by side. If you want to use your broom as a whisk broom, connect the bundles in a circular design, still making sure bunches are as tightly linked as possible.

Sharpen the end of your handle so it can be pushed into the center of your bundle of straw, and secure it tightly to prevent your broom head from “flying off the handle.”

Cut the ends of straw so they’re even, and your broom is ready to use.

Making a Birch Broom

Birch brooms have a more botanical-inspired look than the farm-infused straw or broom-corn brooms.

Things you will need:

• Birch branches
• A stick
• Twine or willow branches
• Sharp knives

Soak birch branches and willow overnight so they’re more pliable and flexible, a must for the final steps of this project.

Place your stick or broom handle on your work surface and surround it with branches on both sides, making sure that the bottoms of the branches are pointed toward the top of your handle.

Tie the branches securely in place around your broom handle using twine or soaked willow branches.

After branches are secured, fold them down over the twine so tips are pointed downward. Secure them with additional lengths of twine, wrapping the branches either once or twice near the top of the handle.

Let your broom dry a few days before using it.

Making a Broom-Corn Broom

Things you will need:

• Broom corn tassels
• Twine or wire
• A wooden handle or stick
• Scissors

Shake any dust and debris from your broom corn, then divide it into ten separate, even bunches, layering stalks until they are about one inch thick in each bundle. Use longer stalks for a large, full-length broom; reserve smaller ones for use as a whisk broom or small hearth broom.

Secure bundles together tightly with twine, remembering that the tighter the bundle, the stronger and more secure your broom will be. Repeat the steps with the remaining nine bunches of broom corn.

Tie together two gathered bunches of broom corn using wire or twine, ensuring that the bundles are as tight as possible for a sturdy, durable broom. Add the next bundle of broom corn, placing it flat against the first two bundles for a broom you’ll use on floors or hearths or in a circular design for a smaller whisk broom. Continue the process, attaching new bundles one by one, until all of the broom corn is attached securely.

Sharpen the end of your handle so it can be pushed into the center of your bundle of broom corn, and secure it tightly at the base.

Cut the ends of your broom corn so the base is even and as smooth as possible to capture debris, and trim the top if desired.

For an added decorative element with any of the brooms you make, drill a hole at the top of the handle and knot a loop of twine through it. Your broom can then be hung on a hook near your fireplace hearth or on the wall in your kitchen. Cast iron hooks crafted by a blacksmith would also be a nice, rustic touch.

HOW TO STORE GUNS IN OFF SEASON

Storing Your Handguns

If you are a shooting enthusiast and you have a bunch of handguns that you regularly use, then you will want to make sure that they are stored properly when you place them back into the safe.

One of the largest enemies of guns is rust.  Rust will destroy bluing and will begin to corrode the inner workings of your revolver or pistol, even while it is inside your safe.  Now, there are many safes that will be able to house both rifles and pistols, but if you have a few expensive Kimbers and maybe a Colt or two, you should probably get yourself a small safe just for them.  Here are the reasons:

• A smaller safe will be easier to keep dry.  Remember, rust is the enemy of your guns, and if you have any moisture source in your larger safe, over time that could hurt your handguns.  The best way to keep things dry is to keep them compartmentalized.
• Sapping away moisture is much easier to accomplish in a smaller safe.  There are many who use devices (both electronic and chemical) that take away moisture, and it is harder to eliminate moisture in a larger safe.
• If you use a lot of oil on your handguns before storing them, often times that oil will drip down onto the wooden stocks of your rifles.  This is a problem (we’ll explain why later).

Read the rest of the article at - HOW TO STORE GUNS

Here's How a Thief Can Steal Your Wallet without Even Touching You!

Imagine a thief stealing your wallet simply by waving his hand over your pocket or purse... it's possible in today's world, here's how (and how to stop it)...

Let me explain.

Thieves have found one more way to bypass supposedly "secure" technology to steal your money, your identity, and invade your privacy. In this case, they don't even need to touch you – just get close to you.

What's worse, this technology is rolling out into wider use by government agencies, both state and federal, adding one more area of risk for you and your family.

To read the rest of the article: PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

JUST UP THE ROAD - HISTORY OF ELKMONT, PART 11

Submitted by Gary Compton

Over the next few days Levi helped his brothers finish the cabin. They built a fireplace, built three beds, built a table and benches. The brothers were ready to move in.  Wendell and Harland got busy setting snares and had a pretty good collection of furs.  They built a side shed on each end of the cabin to house their horses and the preacher's buggy.  Things were looking up once again.

Christmas time was here and everyone gathered at Preacher Hardiman’s cabin to celebrate Jesus birth.  The weather was miserable and there was a big snow on the ground. The preacher told the Christmas story.  Herman, Andrew and the other kids begin to understand what Christianity was all about. The preacher let them know it was time for all to starting thinking about their soul and for them to repent and be baptized or they would go to an eternal Hell. This scared them all and every child along with Wendell and Harland made the decision to accept the Lord. "When the weather warms in the spring, we will have a baptizing", said Preacher Hardiman.   Without hesitation, Levi told them about a deep pool of water just up the branch from his cabin. This would be a perfect place.

Levi was harboring a secret. Gretchen had told him she was expecting. He was all excited. At least he knew why she was having them sick spells. He wouldn’t tell anyone until she begin to show. You just didn’t talk to your kids about those things.

DO YOU HAVE AN GOOGLE ACCOUNT?

TECHNOLOGYDELETE YOUR GOOGLE BROWSER HISTORY BEFORE NEXT WEEK?

As of March 1, Google’s new, “shorter and easier to read” privacy policy will go into effect. At that time, the search giant that also includes products such as YouTube, Gmail and Calendar will begin “[treating] you as a single user across all [of its] products.” An example provided by the company is letting you know you’re late for a meeting based on your location and calendar schedule.

So, what is there to do if you want Google to hold a little less personal information about you? The Daily Mail suggests a good starting step is to delete your browser history. It even offers the steps on how to do so:

1. Go to the Google homepage and sign into your account. Use the dropdown menu under your name in the upper right-hand corner to access your settings. Click on “account settings”, like below.

For Rest of Article, click HERE 

IT'S PICKIN' & GRINNING' TIME

Elkmont Pickin' & Grinnin' Mondays     

6:30 pm - Downtown Elkmont Depot   

Live Music and Dancing

Bring your own chair

Players and Dancers Welcome   

For info:  931-427-6296  

 

ELECTRICFIL EXPANDING

Electricfil has added new customers over its eight year history in Limestone County, and sales are expected to continue to grow rapidly.  The expansion will support increased demand expected from the automotive industry in the coming years.

Tom Hill, president of the Limestone County Economic Development Association, said he’s thrilled by the size of the expansion and the prospect of additional jobs for Limestone Countians.

“They’ve been here since 2004 and have done a really good job of meeting the needs of the automotive industry, and they’ve been rewarded with a lot of new business that will allow them to expand the facility,” he said. “It’s a real positive step for Limestone County and Elkmont. We’re happy they’re expanding and we look forward to assisting them in the future.”

Elkmont Mayor Tracy Compton was equally excited about the size of the expansion. He said if the company hires 200 new workers by 2017, there would be almost as many employees working at Electricfil as there are residents of Elkmont.

“This is a huge deal for the town,” he said. “(Electricfil officials) have praised the surrounding area for the level of expertise. They’ve been pleased with the workforce, and we can’t say enough good about them.”

Electricfil’s expansion was aided in part by a decision made to correct water-pressure problems at the Elkmont Industrial Park. Local leaders decided the best way to correct the issue would be to install a 150,000-gallon water tank and pump.

In December, Bentley announced the project would receive a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant, administered by the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs.

Gov. Robert Bentley along with the Alabama Development Office and the Alabama Department of Economic and Community Affairs in conjunction with the Limestone County Commission and the town of Elkmont assisted with grant money and matching funds for the necessary water expansion project.

“Helping Alabama communities to grow and develop the services and amenities that attract new business and encourage existing businesses to expand is vital to our state’s economic future,” Bentley said in a press release. “I am pleased to provide investment in the future of Elkmont and Alabama.”


Electricfil spokesperson Lynn Lane said about 120 jobs will be added from now through 2015 and up to 80 more will come in 2016-17.  Most of the first wave will be in manufacturing, although some engineering jobs could be added.  "We could do some hiring this year, but the majority of hiring will start in 2012." she said.  "I'm excited about the expansion." Lane said. "I've been here since day one.  It's a small facility, and we're finally at the point where we can grow."

RED DEVILS SEASON ENDS WITH LOSS TO CARBON HILL

Not much to say, too many factors stacked against the Red Devils. 

• Elkmont's goal in the  first half was at least 6 inches too low - corrected at halftime so Carbon Hill didn't have to deal with that disadvantage. 
• 
  
• Protective whistle for Carbon Hill's #25
• 
  
• Unfavorable whistle for Elkmont
• Didn't shoot well from the 3 point line
• Didn't shoot well from the free throw line
• 3 of 5 starters fouled out

Had a great season, 22 - 10 record, won the Area, won the Substate, and Elkmont's first ever trip to the Elite Eight.  Congrads to a wonderful class of Seniors who never quit.  We will miss you next year.


News Courier Article:  Link 
Game Video Link:  http://www.theahsaanetwork.com/events/27845


Reporter:  Hill Spirit
Photographer:  Down Home Portraits

ELKMONT PLAYS FOR NORTHWEST CHAMPIONSHIP AT 2 PM

RADIO COVERAGE: link for online listening below
*pregame coverage starts about 1:30 pm; game @ 2:00 pm
WSLV 1110 AM ARDMORE
Announcer:  
Johnny Mansell

COUNTY MUSIC AT THE RED CABOOSE THIS SATURDAY

It's Show time!!!!

 THE RED CABOOSE

Saturday 25th Feb.

Our Guest Songwriters are: Tommy Conners, Don Rollins and Friends.

Doors open 6:00/Showtime 7:00

Tickets $20.00 at the door including Snacks and drinks.

No reservations necessary

First come first serve.

If you Have questions call 256-306-6201

Go to: www.theredcaboose.net  for more details.

Take the time to leave us feedback.

Thanks and hope to see you there.

UM students named to honor roll

Several local students were named to the University of Montevallo honor roll for the fall semester.

James P. Hall of Elkmont was named to the president’s list.

Maribel Lagunas of Athens and Kimberly K. Land of Elkmont were named to the dean’s list.

A MESSAGE FROM MO BROOKS - WHY I VOTED NO

Last week, I spoke on the House Floor about why I had to vote against the so-called Payroll Tax Holiday bill (H.R. 3630), and for America’s solvency. In voting no, I joined with 90 other Republican budget hawks, and the entirety of the Alabama Republican delegation, who share my concern for the financial stability of our nation and the risk of a federal government insolvency and bankruptcy.  

Rep. Brooks Addresses the U.S. House on February 17, 2012.

I voted against H.R. 3630 for the following reasons:

First, H.R. 3630 disproportionately targets and burdens America’s federal workers, takes their hard-earned money, and diverts it to those who don’t work for it. That’s not fair. That’s not good policy.

Second, America’s seniors have asked me to protect Social Security and Medicare benefits because they paid for and earned them during their working lifetimes.

Americans support Social Security because everyone contributes their fair share to their own Social Security retirement benefits. Social Security is not welfare. Social security is an earned entitlement. H.R. 3630 undermines Social Security’s foundation by threatening 10% funding cuts totaling $120 billion per year, which will, if continued beyond fiscal year 2012, breach America’s commitment to our elderly and force significant Social Security and Medicare benefit cuts.

Third, and most importantly, the name “Middle Class Tax Relief” is deceptive and false. There is no tax cut. It is a loan. In the private sector, Washington’s conduct would constitute flagrant violations of truth in advertising, truth in lending, and deceptive practices statutes. But, as we all know, Washington is all too often immune from such constraints.

H.R. 3630 is false advertising and deceptive because it is not a tax cut. H.R. 3630 is a loan that risks America’s solvency and which the American people must pay back with interest.

In this regard, the Congressional Budget Office and Joint Committee on Taxation evaluation reveal two very troubling aspects of H.R. 3630. 

First, H.R. 3630 increases the deficit by $101.1 billion during the remainder of fiscal year 2012. Second, H.R. 3630 directs the Office of Management and Budget to exclude the budgetary effects of H.R. 3630 from its scorecard of balances under the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

The Congressional Budget Office report confirms that every penny of this so-called “tax cut” must be paid back, with interest. Now where I come from, if you are given money that you have to pay back with interest, that is called a loan. And that is exactly what the American people will have to do.

My parents taught me about debt. Debt never rests. Debt works against you 24 hours a day. 7 days a week. 52 weeks a year. Too much debt enslaves you. Your creditors and your debt become your masters. You become their servant. This is what debt does to every American family and is doing slowly but surely to America.

According to the CBO report, H.R. 3630 racks up debt at the rate of over $12 billion per month in FY 2012. H.R. 3630 should be printed on sheets of gold because it costs American taxpayers roughly $500 million per page in additional debt burden and payments!

Why would Washington do this to America? What is Washington’s motive for this deception? The answer is simple:  poll data, pandering to voters, and the 2012 elections.

Why does Washington use the phrase “Payroll Tax” rather than what so-called Payroll Taxes are:  Social Security and Medicare funding taxes? Because polls show many voters don’t know the connection between Payroll Taxes and Social Security benefits! Yet 100 percent of the so-called tax cuts in H.R. 3630 are cuts to Social Security and Medicare funding taxes.

In other words, Washington politicians use the phrase “Payroll Tax” because they know using the more accurate phrase “Social Security Tax” would cause America’s voters to rise up to protect our Social Security and Medicare system!

Worse yet, H.R. 3630 deceives America’s working families into believing they are reaping a windfall when, in fact, they are being saddled with a burden that will hamstring our children, grandchildren, and America’s future with another layer of heavy, taxing, and onerous debt.

What Washington won’t tell the American people is that H.R. 3630 is another debt busting bill that further empowers China and other American creditors to become our masters while enslaving America and the American people with generations of oppressive debt burdens and payments.

America yearns for leadership that involves mature adult conversations with American voters about the financial condition we are in, and what H.R. 3630 is really about. There are simply too many in Washington who pander to voters in an election year for political gain. H.R. 3630 represents the worst of Washington. 

I cannot speak for other Congressmen, but, myself and other budget hawks are standing strong for America’s future. We voted to kill H.R. 3630, stop the deception, stop the pandering, and save America from yet another mountain of oppressive debt. 

Sincerely,

Member of Congress
Alabama’s Fifth District