BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Saw the sun going down a little while ago. It was shooting rays up in the sky and was beautiful. So much hate in the world today. So much frustration with politics. So many senseless killings and just plain cruelness right here in our own back yard. Makes you wonder how in a world where beauty is just one look away people can disregard it and look for and create so much ugliness. So many self serving egotistical people in this world! Attention seekers who use power in ways I will never understand. 


I know a second grader whose mom got a new truck this week. I know a first grader whose daddy said they could have pizza on Friday. I know a fourth grader who got some shoes from his cousin who out grew them. I know a third grader whose grandmother is well enough to go to rehab now. But my favorite is the kindergartner (who happened to call me short last week) who can't go in the door until he comes and waves at me every morning. If only.....if only we all could remember what really matters.... Have a good one!

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ELKMONT THIS WEEK?

ELEMENTARY ANNOUNCEMENTS

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ELKMONT SCHOOL
FOOTBALL @ WEST LIMSESTONE
*Varsity;  7 pm
 
SENIOR CENTER
*Dominoes, TV, billiards, other games
*Lunch @ 11 am 

SPOOK SEASON OPENING
*The Haunted Lester Hospital  (30338 Lester Road in Lester) with tours from 7:00PM-11:00PM. Strange things happen in the old Lester Hospital -- blood curdling screams, sightings of the undead,  and other unworldly apparitions -- and they're saving a bed for you.   Admission: $10.00.  WEBSITE

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SPOOK SEASON OPENING
*The Haunted Lester Hospital  (30338 Lester Road in Lester) with tours from 7:00PM-11:00PM. Strange things happen in the old Lester Hospital -- blood curdling screams, sightings of the undead,  and other unworldly apparitions -- and they're saving a bed for you.   Admission: $10.00.  WEBSITE

Elkmont Church of Christ @ 6 pm  

Benefit 
*chicken stew, bake sale and auction for Chris and Jenny Sams. Church of the Living God, 22870 Sandlin Rd. Elkmont. 12:00-3 pm

MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL ADDS TO RECORD

Our middle school volleyball team beat West Limestone, 25-15 and 25-22. Tanner tried their luck as well but the Lady Devils sent them home with a loss as well, winning 25-17 and 25-16. Proud of our girls!!! Next up is the tournament Saturday at East.

ELKMONT VOLLEYBALL BEATS ARDMORE

In a during school match, the varsity Lady Devils beat the Ardmore Lady Tigers in 2 out 3 sets. 

  
Elkmont also hosted the ABS Lady Trojans. ABS won the match in straight sets.

WHAT'S THIS ONLINE SCHOOL I'M HEARING ABOUT -WEEK 6

This week has been a little stressful. We have had technical difficulties within the system plus being out on Monday for the holiday. This created double work to make up for Monday. Dawson is doing really well so far. 

Learning how much things weigh using a spring scale

We are excited because next Friday will be our first outing to meet some of his class mates and his teachers!

Learning about physics and what force is.

SENATE GENERAL ELECTION SET

The Republican Primary Runoff election was yesterday.  Roy Moore and Luther Strange were the candidates.  The people of Alabama selected Roy Moore to represent the Republican party as it matches up with Doug Jones of Democrat party. 

The people of Elkmont had a surprisingly big turnout for the runoff election with 376 votes cast.  Roy Moore won with 243 ballots. Luther Strange collected 133.

CHARLES EWING FERGUS - OBITUARY

Charles Ewing Fergus, age 90 of Elkmont, passed away Tuesday, September 26, 2017 at his residence. Mr. Fergus was born June 22, 1927 in LaVergne, TN to John Gray Fergus and Laura Elizabeth Griggs Fergus. Mr. Fergus graduated from Smyrna High School in 1945. He retired from western Electric Company in 1980 after 35 years of service. He became a member of Bethel, TN Masonic Lodge #194 in 1992, and a member of Athens Masonic Lodge #16 in 2013. He was also a member of Athens Chapter #214 Order of the Eastern Star.

Preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Grace Sherrill and Margaret Harmon; three brothers, George Gray Fergus, Jim Fergus and Frank Fergus; son, Curtis Duane Fergus; wife, Paula Fergus.

Survived by his wife, Gloria Dollar Fergus, one daughter, Bonnie Brooks and husband, David of San Antonio, TX; one step-daughter, Brandi Dollar Holladay and husband, Jesse of Sumter, SC; one step-grandson, Will Brooks and wife, Andrea of San Antonio, TX; two step-granddaughter, Audrey and Evie Holladay of Sumter, SC; one step-great-granddaughter, Leigh Carroll Brooks of San Antonia, TX; father-in-law, Hobert Dollar of Athens; sister-in-law, Sharon dollar of Athens; four brothers-in-laws, Danny Dollar and wife, Patsy and Steve Dollar all of Athens, Randy Dollar and wife, Debi of Cullman, AL and Jerry Owens and wife, Larue of Madison, AL; several nieces and nephews.
Services will be Saturday, September 30, 2017 11:00 a.m., at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with James Turner and Mike Davis officiating. Visitation will be Friday, September 29, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers will be members of the Athens and Bethel Masonic Lodge.
 
Donations can be made to Hospice of Limestone County or Athens Chapter 214 OES Scholarship fund in care of Reannon Wilkerson, 28848 Red Birdlane, Harvest, AL 35749.

SHARON KYLE AMERSON - OBITUARY

Sharon Kyle Amerson, age 64 of Athens, passed away Thursday, September 21, 2017 at her residence. Sharon was born October 14, 1952 in Limestone County to Coleman Emberton and Reba Jones Emberton. She was a member of New Oakland Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her parents, two sisters, Carol Jean Emberton and Patricia Stanford, and one brother, Danny Ray Emberton.

Survivors include: one son, Festes Gene Kyle, her daughter-in-law, Tracy Lynn Kyle of Athens, AL; two daughters, Sabrina Sue Bailey and husband Steve of Athens, AL; Kittey Michelle Mendez and husband Carlos Ortiz of Athens, AL; one brother, Harold Emberton, four sisters, Connie Kellum of Decatur, AL; Annie Higgs of Elkmont, AL; Katie Walker of Vancleave, MS; Birdie Kay Burroughs of Athens, AL; 10 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
Pallbearers will be: Alberto Vega, Edger Vega, Steven Weaver, Billy Kyle, Darrell Jackson, Harold Emberton, and Larry Copeland. 

The funeral service was Saturday, September 23, 2017 at 3 p.m. at McConnell Memorial Chapel Visitation was Saturday from 1 to 2:45 p.m. Dwight Raburn officiated.

VERGIE INEZ ADAMS - OBITUARY

Vergie Inez Adams, age 82 of Athens, died Thursday at her residence. Mrs. Adams was born August 28, 1935 in Limestone County, she attended First Baptist Church Tanner and she was retired from Limestone Health Facility.

Services were 11AM Saturday, September 23, 2017 at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Clark Theriot and Roger Bowden officiating. Burial was at Bottom Cemetery; visitation was from 6-8PM Friday at Spry Funeral Home.

Survivors: 
Son: Michael Adams of Athens, 
Daughters: 
Dianne Long of Elkmont, Pam Adams of Athens
Brothers: 
Roger Bowden of Athens, Gene Bowden of Ardmore, AL
Sister: Loudean Blakely of Athens
Thirteen Grandchildren, several Great-Grandchildren and Great-Great-Grandchildren.

RUNNING IN THE TWILIGHT

The Elkmont High School Cross Country teams were at the Twilight Panther meet at Huntsville's John Hunt Park  on Saturday.  It was a big field with a lot of solid competition! 

The Lady Devils finished 4th in the girls B 1A-4A race with Claudia Allen crossing the line in overall 8th place in a time of 22:52.92. Melanie Hernandez, Jazmin Ristau, Kaylee Varnie and Britney Clem also scored for the Red Devils. 

The Red Devils team came in 5th in the 1A-4A B race.  Christian Smith, Brantley Hammock, Masin Morris and Alex Armstrong also scored points for the Red Devils. They all finished under 21 minutes this week! Proud of all of them. Chase Prater placing fifth overall in a time of 17:33.03 to lead all local  high school finishers. It was a big field with a lot of solid competition! Great job and our season is shaping up to be a good one.

THE TIME TO CHOSE IS TUESDAY

Voters in Limestone County will head to the polls Tuesday for the  special election to select our Federal Senator.  Jeff Sessions represented Alabama for many years and did so with honor.  He now serves in the Trump administration as the Attorney General, in the Department of Justice.

Luther Strange was appointed to fill the Senate seat by ex-governor Robert Bentley.  During the ethics investigation led by Strange into the actions of Governor Bentley, Luther was selected for the empty Senate position by Bentley.  This removed Strange as Attorney General of Alabama and from the investigation of Robert Bentley.  Hill Spirit will let you draw your own conclusions on this selection.

The Republican primary election is set for September 26 at Elkmont Town Hall (if you are in district) or your local voting place.  It is an open primary but if you voted in the Democrat Primary earlier this year, you can't vote.  You can vote between 7 am - 7 pm.  Don't forget to bring ID, your driver's license works.  Turnout in Alabama will be low so your vote carries much more weight. The primaries are always more important since they allow us to select the person (party's candidate for the general election) we want to represent us

Hill Spirit is voting for Roy Moore. He was my second choice after Mo Brooks. Moore is a man governed by his principles.  You may not agree with them but he can be relied on to vote that way.

Strange is too much in the pocket of Mitch McConnell and the establishment. Hill Spirit wants someone who is more of an independent thinker rather than a rubber stamp for anyone. President Trump can make mistakes (he is mortal) and there needs to be someone to say no if he does.

REPUBLICAN PRIMARY
Roy Moore (name is link) has served as an Alabama Supreme Court Judge.

Luther Strange (name is link) has served as the Alabama Attorney General. 

If you want to see who will have the most influence on these candidates, follow the money. To learn more about them and the groups backing them, a good site Hill Spirit always goes to for researching candidates is Ballotpedia.

RED DEVILS WIN BIG

Elkmont used a strong running game and stingy defense to overcome a huge number of penalties and defeat East Lawrence 40-12.  The Red Devils were penalized 21 times for 205 yards in the game, but overcame that thanks its running game and defense that intercepted three passes. 

Complete game article links:

*can get hard copies today for those scrapbooks at various paper boxes

*Athens office will have theirs until Thursday

Athens News Courier

Highlights:

Cameron Davis: Rushed 178 yards with two touchdowns on 12 carries; Nine tackles on defense.

Ben Hobbs: Three interceptions

Christian Green: One interception; 11 tackles.

First Quarter

Luke Claunch:  5-yard touchdown, 7-0

Second Quarter 

Ben Besherse: 20-yard touchdown, 14-0 

Third Quarter 

Cameron Davis: 5-yard touchdown, 21-6

Davis Hobbs: 10 yard touchdown, 28-6

Fourth Quarter 

Peyton Lovell: 18 yard touchdown; 34-6

Cameron Davis: 53-yard touchdown; 40-12

Elkmont rushed for 357 yards total in the game, while holding East Lawrence to just 86 rushing yards.

A QUEEN IS CROWNED

Breanna McMunn, a senior at Elkmont High School, dazzled the audience at the Power of Pink pageant. Her grace and beauty was selected for the queen's crown for this year's event.

*Anna Grace Wales - 1st Alternate  
*Breanna McMunn -Queen, Most Photogenic

The Power of Pink pageant is held each year to raise awareness and funds to help find a cure for Breast Cancer! This year it was held on September 16 at Cedar Hill Elementary and organized by Ginger Dunn. Liz Hurley was in attendance and over $3,000 was raised for the Liz Hurley Breast Cancer Fund! 

Anna Grace Wales, Breanna McMunn, Kayla Smith

DON'T FORGET IT'S BE READY DAY

“Be Ready Day” will be from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Lunch will be served from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. Door Prizes will be given away. Come out and see what our community has to offer in the event of a disaster in Limestone and surrounding Counties. “Be Ready” is an awareness campaign to encourage citizens to be prepared for disasters and learn what to do in the event of a disaster. 

NOT WHAT BEING READY MEANS

All “First Responders” have been invited to set up their equipment and introduce themselves to the general public. Efforts to organize the Limestone County Voluntary Organization Active in Disaster (LCVOAD) began the early part of 2009. The mission of LCVOAD is to create an affiliated volunteer workforce to respond to emergencies. In this regard, LCVOAD and its member organizations play a critical role in both responses and recovery. LCVOAD is a humanitarian organization comprised of independent voluntary organizations active in all phases of disaster. The mission of LCVOAD is to foster efficient streamlined service delivery to people affected by disaster, while eliminating unnecessary duplication of effort through cooperation in the four phases of disaster: preparation, response, recovery and mitigation.




 
A great event to meet and greet the “First Responders’” say thank you and learn more about their operations. Limestone County Event Center is located at 114 W. Pryor St. Athens, AL 35611

JV LADY DEVILS BEAT CLEMENTS

In a closely contested matchup. the Elkmont JV Volleyball team won their match against Clements last night. Breaking from the gate first, Clements won the first set of the match, 25-21. The Lady Devils caught up in the back straight away, taking the second set, 25-23 and the final set,15-5. The JV will be traveling with the varsity team tomorrow to West Morgan. Matches start at 4:30 pm.

RUTH C. ELMORE - OBITUARY

Graveside for Ruth C. Elmore, 95, of Decatur, will be Thursday at noon at Roselawn Cemetery in Athens with Alan Watkins officiating and Ridout’s Brown-Service directing. The visitation will be from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

Mrs. Elmore died on Sunday Sept. 17, 2017, at her residence. She was born on July 28, 1922, in Elkmont to Ellis Clem and Ovie Thomas Johnson. She was a member of Grant Street Church of Christ. She was preceded in death by three sons, Gary Elmore, Gerald Elmore, Larry Elmore and her husband of 49 years, Leslie Ernest Elmore.

She is survived by son, Gregory L. Elmore; daughter, Donna R. Bagar and husband, Walter; son, Bradley W. Elmore and wife, Linda; five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CORRALS LADY COLTS

Our middle school volleyball team has a good season in the making.  They beat Clements yesterday in three sets for the match; 25-15 16-25 and 15-9. 

WAY TO GO GIRLS!!!!!!

VARSITY VOLLEYBALL INVITATIONAL TOURNEY

 

The Elkmont Invitational Tournament was held Saturday.   Starting out with a bang, the Lady Devils posted pool play wins against Ardmore (25-15, 25-21), West Limestone (25-15, 25-23) and New Hope (25-22, 25-18).

Unfortunately, Elkmont wasn't able to stay on the winning train.  Loretto, TN won the tourney with Priceville taking second.  They will be traveling to Lincoln County today to see which team makes the best Lady Red Devils.

Photo Link: Down Home Portraits

MIDDLE SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL BEAT EAST LAWRENCE

Elkmont's middle school Lady Devils played East Lawrence and Athens Bible School on September 14.  We beat East Lawrence after 3 sets; 24-26, 25-11, 15-11. 

We came up short to Athens Bible after three sets; we won 25-16, lost 23-25 and lost 10-15. The girls played tough!!  
  

The next middle school match will be September 19 @ Clements.

HOW DID YOUR FEDERAL SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVE VOTE LAST WEEK?

Recent Senate Votes

Fiscal 2017 Disaster Supplemental Appropriations, Debt Limit, Continuing Appropriations - Vote Passed (80-17, 3 Not Voting) McConnell, R-Ky., motion to concur in the House amendment to the bill with a Senate amendment that would make available $15.25 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2017 to partially cover the costs of responding to multiple natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey. The amendment would suspend the public debt limit from the bill's date of enactment until Dec. 8, 2017, and would provide for government operations to be funded at fiscal 2017 levels until Dec. 8. Sen. Richard Shelby voted YES Sen. Luther Strange voted YES

Recent House Votes

Emergency Hurricane Harvey Supplemental Appropriations - Vote Passed (419-3, 11 Not Voting) Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., motion to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution that would provide for the House to concur in the Senate amendments to a bill (HR 601) that would codify practices and programs at the United States Agency for International Development related to U.S. education assistance abroad, with further amendment that would appropriate $7.9 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2017 as an initial payment to cover the costs of responding to Hurricane Harvey. The total would include $7.4 billion for the Homeland Security Department's Disaster Relief Fund, which will be used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support ongoing hurricane response efforts. It would also include $450 million for the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program to assist small businesses and homeowners. Rep. Mo Brooks voted YES Fiscal 2017 Disaster Supplemental Appropriations, Debt Limit, Continuing Appropriations - Vote Passed (316-90, 27 Not Voting) Frelinghuysen, R-N.J., motion to concur in the Senate amendment to the House amendment to the Senate amendment to the bill that would make available $15.25 billion in emergency supplemental funding for fiscal 2017 to partially cover the costs of responding to multiple natural disasters, including Hurricane Harvey. The measure would suspend the public debt limit from the bill's date of enactment until Dec. 8, 2017, and would provide for government operations to be funded at fiscal 2017 levels until Dec. 8, 2017. Rep. Mo Brooks voted NO

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

I remember sitting in a "chick flick" with a girl I was dating in Florence and hearing a line from Julia Roberts which went something like "I'd rather have thirty minutes of special than a life time of nothing special". That resonated with me then and still does nearly 30 years later. 

Coaching is filled with those "special" times. If you don't realize them and enjoy them then you need to find something else to do. Special minutes today as my team set PR's and finished with great times. Also got to run with them in the race. 

Every year, every team, every kid gives me something special to put on my shelf and take out and smile about through the years. I love them....all of them. Thanks to Haley James for coming and running and supporting today. The kids were thrilled! Have a good one!

Saturday's run in Athens was one of 50,000 runs like it held across the nation in memory of those who died during the 9/11 attacks and those who have died in wars and conflicts since that date. Proceeds from the run go to the Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives and the Travis Manion Foundation, which works to empower veterans and families of those killed in combat.

LADY DEVILS DROP FIRST MATCH OF SEASON

                                                                           Jeff Edwards

The Elkmont varsity program opened their volleyball season at East Limestone earlier this week.   The Lady Indians won the match in 3-1 sets. The match began at 2 p.m. with school still in session, and students were allowed to watch the game until the final bell rang, making for a mostly full gym. Elkmont dropped the first two sets 25-17 and 25-21.  East Limestone had the lead early in the third set but made numerous errors as Elkmont regrouped and came back to take the set 25-23.The momentum shifted back to the Lady Indians as they took a 9-3 lead in the fourth set, winning the set (25-9) and match. The Athens News Courier has an article about the match. You can pick up a hard copy at their office until next Tuesday.
 

Elkmont will be traveling to Lauderdale County today.  Play begins at 4:30 with matches against Lauderdale County and Central.

MEET THE RUNNING RED DEVILS

The cross country team has been training all summer for the 2017 fall season. The Running Red Devils have become a power in the state cross country scene. Our teams aren't large but what Elkmont doesn't have in numbers, it makes up in talent.  

The men's team will be anchored by Chase Prater.  Chase has already signed with the Red Hawks of Martin Methodist for next year.  Selected as a Cross County All-Stater last year, he is expected to make a large impact on the 2017 race scene.
 

 

September 

04 Brooks Invitational @ McFarland Park 
11  9/11 Heroes Run @ Athens; 7 am
12  Clements Invitational @ Blue Springs; 4pm  
16 Trojan Run @ Hazel Green; 8 am  
28  Warrior Invitational @ Wilson High School; 4 pm
30 Kudzu Classic @ Cold Springs; 8 am
 
October  
06 Disney Run
14 Dew It on the Trails; 8 am  
19 ABS Invitational @ Athens Sportsplex; 4 pm
24 Elkmont Invitational; 4 pm
26 Northwest Championships @ Oakville Indian Mounds; 4 pm

November 
02 Sectionals; all day
11 State Meet