HOW DID YOUR SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE VOTE LAST WEEK?

March 30, 2015 In this MegaVote for Alabama's 5th Congressional District: Recent Congressional Votes Senate: Fiscal 2016 Budget Resolution - Adoption House: Ukraine Military Assistance – Passage House: Veterans Affairs Future Budget Planning – Passage Editor's Note: Both chambers are in recess until Monday, April 13.

Recent Senate Votes

Fiscal 2016 Budget Resolution - Adoption - Vote Agreed to (52-46, 2 Not Voting) The Senate passed adopted the concurrent resolution that would set broad spending and revenue targets over the next 10 years. It would allow $523 billion for defense discretionary spending and $493.5 billion for non-defense spending in fiscal 2016, the statutory level set by the 2011 budget law. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Jeff Sessions voted YES

Recent House Votes

Ukraine Military Assistance – Passage - Vote Passed (348-48, 36 Not Voting) The House agreed to a motion to suspend the rules and adopt the resolution stating that the House of Representatives "strongly urges" the president to fully and immediately exercise authorities provided by Congress to provide Ukraine with lethal defensive weapons systems in order to enhance the ability of the Ukrainian people to defend their sovereign territory from the "unprovoked and continuing aggression of the Russian Federation." Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Veterans Affairs Future Budget Planning – Passage - Vote Passed (420-0, 12 Not Voting) The House agreed to a motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended, that would direct the Veterans Affairs Department to annually submit to Congress a future-years veterans program with its budget request. The program would reflect estimated expenditures and proposed appropriations for that fiscal year and succeeding four fiscal years, and would include a five-year plan for the department to meet its commitment to veterans, including the resources needed to do so. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES

SOCCER AT BOSS HILL STADIUM

The Elkmont Kicking Red Devils started the second part of their season with a win over the Ardmore Tigers, 8-1. They will be playing Muscle Shoals today at Boss Hill Stadium.  Match time is 6:30 pm

 

Our Kicking Lady Devils were busy yesterday as well on the Hilltop.  They played the Lady Tigers in the first match of the evening. Our young Elkmont team lost 1-0 but played their best match of the season and are improving by leaps and bounds. You have another opportunity to see them play today as they host Tanner @ 4:30 pm.

Fantastic pictures of the match by Down Home Portraits - ALBUM LINK

GOOD NEWS FOR RAEGAN

SUNDAY:
Updated Reagan is closed up and doing well!!! We are hoping to get the breathing tube out tomorrow.  She was trying to wake up earlier (((( when she wakes up she moves her arms, legs, and arches her back, eyes open, lips moving. She is trying her best to get up and kick everything off her))) The plan is to let her rest the remainder part of the day. Then to start winging meds and hopfully take her off the vent tomorrow or Tuesday. This is going to be a slow process. A process that hopefully leads home! A BIG THANKS to everyone!! We couldn't have made it halfway through this without everyone encouragement thoughts and prayers!!

SATURDAY:
The doctors are going to wait till tomorrow to close her up but other then that she is doing good!!

FRIDAY:

This sweet baby got a new heart today. She is out of surgery and doing well. We have been so blessed to have everyone thoughts and prayers with us on lifetime journey!! Raegan was left open till they are planning to close her up tomorrow! ! Thanks to Everyone!!  Keep praying everyone! And don't forget to pray for the family who gave the heart!

A gift of life has been found for Raegan.  She is in the Operating Room and awaiting for her NEW heart to get here!!

IRENE WALES MITCHELL - OBITUARY

Name:
Irene Wales Mitchell

Dates:
Birth date: October 18, 1936
Death date: March 27, 2015

Obituary:
Irene Wales Mitchell, 78 of Priceville, Alabama died on Friday, March 27, 2015.
Born Sunday, October 18, 1936 in Elkmont, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Henry Wales and the late Dorothie Davis Wales. She was a member of the Church of Christ and enjoyed her family and music.

Surviving are her husband: James Marion Mitchell of Priceville, AL, daughter, Jamie Melinda Cornett of Priceville, AL, brother, J.C. Wales of Ardmore, AL, sisters, Pauline Jones of Elkmont, AL, Margaret Benefield of Priceville, AL, Daisy Roper of Elkmont, AL and Ann Biggerstaff of Elkmont, AL, grandchildren: Justin Fagan, Skyler Keeton, Carly Fagan, Andrew Fagan, Caleb Cornett, and Dylan Johnson.
 
The family will receive friends from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 29, 2015, at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama.
Funeral services will be at 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 29, 2015, at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama with Harold Fanning and Warren Glass officiating. Burial will be in Hasting Cemetery, Ardmore, AL.

NEWS COURIER ALL COUNTY BASKETBALL TEAM

The Athens News Courier released its 2015 All County Boys Basketball Team earlier this week.  This team was voted on by the Limestone County’s six boys basketball coaches.  Elkmont didn't have any players on the first team or second team but Jared Bailey received honorable mention. If you want a scrapbook copy, you can get one at the newspaper office in Athens until next Tuesday.

J.T JOHNSON - OBITUARY

J. T. Johnson age 88 of Athens, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at Athens Limestone Hospital. Mr. Johnson was born August 28, 1926 in Limestone County, AL to Tommy Hill Johnson and Angeline Chasteen Johnson.

Services will be Saturday, March 28, 2015 1:00 p.m., at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Greg Lauderback officiating. Visitation will be Friday, from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.

Mr. Johnson was a member of Southside Baptist Church. He was retired from Sunbeam Bakery and was a United States Navy Veteran.

Survived by his wife, Sylvia Johnson of Athens; one daughter, Beverly Gaston and husband, Jack of Elkmont; two sons, Kenneth Johnson and wife, Freida of Trinity, AL and Jeff Johnson of Frankenmuth, MI; six grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Roy Johnson and wife Hazel of Clinton, TN; several nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Josh Hall, William Johnson, Cody Beasley, Timmy Martin and Don Moss.

ELKMONT COWS WOW AT JUNIOR BEEF EXPO

Elkmont had several of our young cattlemen and ladies participate in the Alabama Junior Beef Expo 2015 in Montgomery, Alabama.  Some of us are athletic families, some are musical families but some Elkmont folk are cattle families.  One of these families is Lovell Farms.

HOW DID THEY DO?
Jacob Lovell took first place in his commercial beef class. His Angus heifer is about a year old and weighs 700 pounds. One of the judges told Jacob that 

this young cow, Della Rose, has very promising potential as when she reaches maturity. She was purchased from John Bryan. Jacob is in fifth grade at Elkmont. He is the son of Steve and Emily Lovell.

Jacob's registered Angus heifer, Katie placed second in her class. This was her last show and motherhood is in her future.

Natalie Lovell placed third in her Angus class. This was her heifer's, MJ, last show as well. Hopefully, calves are in her future too. Natalie is the daughter of Derrick and Wendi Lovell. Nick Lovell served as the mentor/coach for these three junior beef expo participants.

Abby Lovell was a rookie this year. Showing for the first time in the commercial class, her heifer, Fancy, placed sixth in her class, coming in was a show weight of eight hundred pounds.
Abby is in seventh grade at Elkmont. She is the daughter of Steve and Emily Lovell.

COVER THE BABIES

Some of us were too excited about the warm weather and planted those tender summer garden plants like tomatoes.  Cover those babies Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.  The National Weather Service has issued a SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT.

Severe Weather Alerts - Elkmont, AL

• Special Weather Statement in effect until Friday, 7:00 AM CDT. Source: U.S. National Weather Service

...FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE EXPECTED ACROSS THE TENNESSEE VALLEY THIS WEEKEND...

A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL BRING MUCH COLDER TEMPERATURES ACROSS THE
AREA LATE TONIGHT AND THROUGH THE WEEKEND. FREEZING TEMPERATURES ARE
EXPECTED BOTH SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNINGS. THE BEST CHANCE FOR FREEZING TEMPERATURES WILL BE OVER NORTHEAST ALABAMA AND SOUTHERN MIDDLE TENNESSEE. MORNING LOWS ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY MORNING WILL RANGE FROM 27 DEGREES TO 32 DEGREES FOR 2 TO 3 HOURS.

...freeze warning in effect from 1 am to 10 am Saturday...
...freeze warning in effect from 11 pm saturday to 9 am Sunday... 

LIVING VEGETATION AND CROPS THAT ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FREEZING TEMPERATURES MAY BE DAMAGED OR KILLED. 

BEVERLY ANN MCCOWN - OBITUARY

Beverly Ann McCown, age 75, of Elkmont, passed away Monday, March 23, 2015 at her residence. Ms. McCown was born April 29, 1939 in Ohio to Robert Gore and Juanita Heller Gore.

No services are planned. Limestone Chapel Funeral Home assisting the family.

Survived by one daughter, Deborah McCown Benefield of Elkmont; two grandchildren.

DID YOU GO TO THE MARKET?

The Decatur Daily wrote a nice article

about our Elkmont Saturday Market Grand Opening  in last Sunday's paper.


Highlights:
Customers buzzed around the Elkmont Market on Saturday, browsing booths filled with art, baked goods, pottery, antiques and vintage goods.  Saturday was the market’s opening day. Chris Paysinger created the market, where he and 17 other artists can sell their creations. 

Paysinger said he arrived at 6:30 a.m. to start setting up his booth, and one man already was there to shop. Paysinger said it was a successful first day. “We’ve had tons of people, and there are great vendors,” Paysinger said Saturday. “Everyone is having a great time, and the weather is perfect.”

It will be open Saturday mornings through Christmas on Railroad Street, across from the caboose and the Martin Trail.  Opening day lasted until 4 p.m., but times for the remainder of the year are 8 a.m. until noon.

To read complete Decatur Daily article, click on the link:  ELKMONT OPENS NEW MARKET

MIDDLE SCHOOL SOFTBALL CHAMPIONS

Our middle school Lady Devils recently played in the Ardmore Middle School Tiger Classic. Thirteen teams from Tennessee, north Alabama and Kentucky participated. The local teams were Elkmont, Ardmore and East Limestone.  The tournament consisted of pool play and then the teams were seeded into two brackets, Gold and Silver.

TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS:

In pool play Elkmont MS tied 5-5 with Moore County from Tennessee and lost 5-0 against the gold bracket champion, Meridianville. 

In tournament play, the Lady Devils won against Moore Co. 5-2 and moved to the championship game of the Silver Bracket Championship  to play East Limestone.

In the Championship game. Elkmont jumped out with a 2-0 lead against East and then fell behind 7-2.  With good strong hitting and solid defense, they edged past the Lady Indians, 11-10.

RED DEVILS SOCCER UPDATE

Well, after all the ice and rain, we were able to play West Limestone in our first area game of the season and our first home game also.  It had been a month since we played our only two games of the season during the first week of the season.  We lost to West Limestone 3-0 on Tuesday of last week, but played well and hard.  We were able to play again last week against East Limestone and lost 9-0.  East Limestone had a very good team.  

We are off during Spring Break, but open up on Monday against Ardmore at home, which will be our second area game.  Then girls play Tanner on Tuesday and boys play Muscle Shoals after the girls' game at Elkmont.  We should and hope to have a busy three weeks following spring break and we will see what happens along the way.

Coach Hinton

BERTHA MAE MOORE - OBITUARY

Mrs. Bertha Mae Moore, 93 of Athens, died Sunday at Limestone Health Facility.

Services will be 11AM Wednesday at Spry Funeral Home, Chapel with Tom Lewis officiating, burial in Roselawn Cemetery, visitation is from 6pm – 8pm Tuesday at Spry Funeral Home.

Mrs. Moore was born May 8, 1921 in Limestone County, she was a member of Copeland Presbyterian Church and a homemaker.

Survivors: 
Sons:
Wendell Moore of Toney and Randel Moore of Elkmont 
Daughter: Peggy Brown of Huntsville 
Seven Grandchildren; Thirteen Great Grandchildren.

Preceded in death by husband: Ralph Millard Moore.

2015 ALL COUNTY GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM

The Athens News Courier released its 2015 All County Girls Basketball Team, March 22.  This team was voted on by the Limestone County’s six girls basketball coaches.  Elkmont didn't have any players on the first team but Bailee Gooch made the second team.  Ruth Ann Bates received honorable mention. If you want a scrapbook copy, you can get the March 22, Sunday News Courier until Saturday.

Bailee Gooch

Ruth Ann Bates

 Source: Athens News Courier

ANOTHER VOTING CONTEST

Cast your vote below for the 
Applebee's Neighborhood Athlete of the Week! The winner will be announced on Saturday's Tailgate Talk and picks up a gift card from Applebee's! Last day to vote is March 27. 



Link for voting:

BAILEE GOOCH

SOMETHING NEW IS COMING

You may have seen the  Birds Nest at the Elkmont Saturday Market last Saturday.  If you haven't met Josh and Ciera Carter, be sure to say hi this Saturday.  They are a lovely young couple with some sweet kiddos who will be opening the Birds Nest in the Kindred Spirits building, sometime between a month and two weeks. 

A FEW WORDS FROM CIERA:
Alrighty... 🙊 *NEWS * NEWS * NEWS* Josh and I have found a building and will be opening up our own store, THE BIRDS NEST,  with all of our vintage furniture, home decor, man cave items, and other local hand crafted items! I have prayed, dreamt, thought, prayed, thought, prayed, debated, worried, prayed some more, ect. about having my/our own business... And we have finally found the perfect building, perfect location (to us), perfect support group, perfect everything through our eyes to make everything happen. 
 

It is truly unbelievable and we are both so happy. We just had and still have to be patient, I know there will be trial and error, I know there will be slow days, I know it will be hard starting from the ground up but I know we have people watching over us and everything will just be fine! Thanks to everyone for believing in us, guiding us, and encouraging us to chase what we want. Nothing in life is given to you, if you want something then you have to go after it because it won't come to you on it's own!

JAMES LARRY EVANS - OBITUARY

James Larry Evans, better known as Larry or Ebb age 66 of Athens, passed away Sunday, March 22, 2015 at Huntsville Hospital. Mr. Evans was born March 3, 1949 to Homer Evans and Edith Smith Evans. Mr. Evans was a United States Army Veteran, and was retired from Solutia. He was a 1967 graduate of East Limestone High School. 
 
Services will be Wednesday, March 25, 2015 2:00 p.m., at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Bro Bruce Johnson and Bro. Tim Keenum officiating. Visitation will be Tuesday, March 24, 2015 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Copeland Cemetery.

Preceded in death by his parents, Homer and Edith Evans; sister, Cathy Evans.

Survived by three brothers, Donnie Evans and wife, Kathy, Roger Evans both of Athens and Danny Evans and wife, Donna of Ardmore; four sisters, Brenda Walter and husband, Donald of Harvest, Janice Rucker and husband, Jimmy, Faye McElyea and Diane Powers all of Athens; a special loving friend and companion, Peggy Austin of Athens; extended family, Kenneth and Ann Willard of Athens, Barbara and Jimmie Groce of Athens; lots of nieces and nephews from Elkmont.

Pallbearers will be Donnie Evans, Roger Evans, Danny Evans, Kenny Willard, Brian Groce and Jesse Crouch.

CULLMAN CLASSIC - ELKMONT TRACK RESULTS

The Red Devil Track and Field teams participated in the Cullman Classic on Friday evening, March 20.  Although the day started with rain, it quit in time for the runners, throwers and jumpers to compete!! 

There were 13 schools participating and the Elkmont women’s team placed 10^th and the men’s team placed 8^th. Our team has added some new events. We have kids trying shot put, discus and hurdles this year; plus a few more giving long jump and javelin a try!

Elkmont Women’s Performances:

100M Dash (G)

Ameia Davis – 15.0

Lindsay Gandy – 17.96

200M Dash (G)

Ameia Davis – 31.77

Mia Farris – 34.84

Taeleur Walts – 37.79

400M Dash (G)

Mia Farris - 1:19.81

Kaylee Varnie - 1:21.40

Stephanie Clem – 1:21.68

800M Run (G)

Hannah Hanback – 3:03.39

Stephanie Clem - 3:23.43

Brianna Barnett – 3:42.05

1600M Run (1 mile)

Hannah Hanback – 6:37

4x400 Relay (G)

Stephanie Clem/Lindsay Gandy/Hannah Hanback/Kaylee Varnie – 5:39.21 (4^th place)

4X800 Relay (G)

Brianna Barnett/Stephanie Clem/Hannah Hanback/Kaylee Varnie – 13:16 (7th place)

Shot Put (G)

Brianna Barnett - 23'5"

Discus (G)

Brianna Barnett - 44'8"

Elkmont Men’s Performances:

100M Dash (B)

Noah Sharp – 12.54

Jake Armstrong – 12.77

Luke Little – 14.20

200M Dash (B)

Noah Sharp – 25.78 (7th place)

Jacob Armstrong – 26.48

Lane Roberts – 30.61

Jacob Wall – 33.21

400M Dash (B)

Ethan Shores – 1:01.43 (PR)

Alex Armstrong – 1:11.59 (PR)

Jacob Wall – 1:12.02

Lane Roberts – 1:14.96

800M Run (B)

Chase Prater - 2:19.84 (PR)

Tiyler Walts – 2:30.24

James Walts – 2:57.54 (PR)

1600M Run (1 mile)

Chase Prater – 5:02.77 (PR)

Chance Bailey – 5:13.38

James Walts – 6:40.42 (PR)

3200M Run (2 miles)

Chase Prater – 10:43.82 (PR) (4^th place)

110M Hurdles

Noah Sharp – 20.24 (PR)

4x100 Relay (B)

Tiyler Walts/Ethan Shores/Jake Armstrong/Noah Sharp – 50.85 (5^th place)

4x400 Relay (B)

Chance Bailey/Noah Sharp/Tiyler Walts/Ethan Shores – 4:32.85 (4^th place)

4X800 Relay (B)

Chance Bailey/Luke Little/Chase Prater/Ethan Shores – 10:01.62

Long Jump (B)

Tiyler Walts – 14’9”

Alex Armstrong – 13’4”

Jacob Wall - 11'1"

Javelin (B)

Luke Little - 68'11"

Alex Armstrong - 62'7" (PR)

Jake Armstrong - 53'10"

ALL COUNTY VOLLEYBALL TEAM

The Athens News Courier released its 2014 All County Volleyball team.  This team was voted on by the Limestone county high school volleyball coaches.

Baylee Young, Dakota McCurley and Anna Sandlin made the All County team. Bailee Gooch made the list as a honorable mention.  These Lady Devils had successful individual seasons and the volleyball coaches of the county took notice.

Baylee Young

Dakota McCurley

Anna Sandlin

Bailee Gooch

GIVE A LITTLE LOVE

One of our Elkmont families, Jessica and Brian Morell, have been going through one of life's trials as they deal with the heart defect of their youngest daughter,  Raegan.  Recovering from her heart transplant surgery, Raegan and her family are still in Birmingham where they have been since October of last year. Our little community and Limestone County have been very supportive of this dear family in so many ways. 

In honor of little Raegan, there will be a Lifesouth Blood Drive at Elkmont High School, April 4.  It will start at 10 am.  We would like to have free t-shirts made but we need at least 60 people to sign up first to order them!  Please click you are going on the drive's facebook page, so they can order those t-shirts. 

Link: Raegan Morell Lifesouth Blood Drive

 

Baby Raegan suffers from a rare heart defect, she is currently at the Children's Hospital in Birmingham and has a new heart after her open heart surgery late last week. Her family needs our prayers and also our financial support. 

If you want to help: GO FUND ME LINK

MORE ABOUT RAEGAN LINKS:
A MATTER OF THE HEART
WAITING ON A HEART