BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Running at practice in these GREAT temps I was doing some thinking. It has always been my rule that in practice anyone you meet when running an out and back you tell them "good job!" Anyone you happen to pass on your run in practice you tell them "Good job!" 

photo by Down Home Portraits

I was watching them run, meeting one another with "good jobs" and I began to notice their confidence. A great, quiet confidence in the way they carried themselves and the way they looked one another in the eyes. It hit me that the confidence with which they run has come from within these runners. The work they have put in since May has brought them to a point of believing and knowing they are strong enough to finish and not only that but finish strong. 

photo by Down Home Portraits

We can give our children a lot of things. We can give them cars, clothes, money.....things. We can never "give" them the confidence that comes from earning a belief in oneself. That comes from letting kids fail, letting kids get hurt sometimes, and letting kids know that not everyone gets the prize for just showing up. 

Learning to cope in this race we call life...where to "speed up" and where to "slow down." Learning that self esteem is cultivated and built rather than given through gifts and unearned trophies. Telling them "good job" and expecting them to tell others and encourage friends. 

photo by Down Home Portraits

Confidence is not bragging or pride. It is an intriguing attribute that draws others in and motivates them to do what you do. Very attractive and very evident in those that possess it. Quiet confidence is a must to becoming successful. Hard work can produce it! Have a good one!

ALVIN WAYNE BLAND - OBITUARY

Alvin Wayne Bland, age 81 of Ardmore, AL died Tuesday, September 18, 2018 at his daughter's home. Born Saturday, September 18, 1937 in Ardmore, TN, he was the son of the late Linzie Bland and Audean Puckett Bland. He lived in the Ardmore area most all his life and was a member of First Baptist Church of Ardmore where he was previously Chairman of the Deacons, he was a Veteran of the U.S. Army, and served in local Law Enforcement as Chief of Police of Elkmont and Deputy Sheriff of Limestone County.

He was also preceded in death by his wife, Carol Sue Bland.

He is survived by his Daughters, Megan (Jeremy) Wooldridge, Athens, AL, and Jana (Scott) Smith, Huntsville, AL, Brother, Bobby Bland, Pulaski, TN; Grandchildren, Erin Smith, Hannah Smith and Hudson Wooldridge.

A Memorial Service was held on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at Ardmore First Baptist Church, Ardmore, AL, at 4:00 PM with Bro. Alan Hughes officiating.

Burial was at 5:00 PM in Gatlin Cemetery, Ardmore, AL.

MICHAEL WAYNE HART - OBITUARY

Mr. Michael Wayne Hart, age 71 of Elkmont, AL passed away on Sunday, September 23, 2018 at Athens Limestone Hospital. Mr. Hart was born on June 11, 1947 in Baytown, TX to Hershel Hart and Wanda Creel Hart.

Mr. Hart is survived by his wife, Darilyn Hart; sons, Wayne Hart (Jin) and Paul Hart (Tammy); grandchildren, Sarah, Daniel, Deborah, Jonathan, Savannah and Michael; brother, William Hart; nieces, nephews and numerous other family and friends.

Mr. Hart was a member of the North Alabama Messianic Group.

Services for Mr. Hart will be 10:00AM on Friday, September 28, 2018 at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Sal and Jennifer Fuentes officiating. The family will receive friends on Thursday, September 27, 2018 from 5:00-7:00PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in the VA Cemetery in Montevallo, AL.

ANN GRISHAM JOHNSON MORELL - OBITUARY

Mrs. Ann Grisham Johnson Morell, age 84 of Elkmont, died Thursday, September 20, 2018 at her residence. Mrs. Morell was born November 10, 1933 in Limestone County, she was a member of First Baptist Church Athens and she was a retired Hairdresser and Restaurant owner.

Services were at 3PM Sunday at Spry Funeral Chapel with Joe Teal and Joel Carwile officiating. Burial was in Roselawn Cemetery and visitation was from 1 to 3PM Sunday at Spry Funeral Home. 

Pallbearers will be Will Sherill, Nathan Webb, Matt Morell, Shane Morell, Josh Chandler and Brian Barnett. The family would like to thanks Amedisys Hospice of Florence. 

Survivors: Daughter, Beth Morell Chandler of Tuscaloosa, Sons, Dave Morell of Mechanicsburg, PA and Joe Morell of Elkmont, Ten Grandchildren, Eight Great Grandchildren, Sister, Verona Walton of Athens, Several Nieces and Nephews. 

Preceded in death by: Husband, Christy Morell and Daughter, Cathy Joe Webb.

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - DAY 22

This is another "do it yourself" project. Do you need something to burn? Before you start hacking up your furniture for fuel, you should consider making paper logs.   First you drill some holes in the bucket. Then you basically just mix paper and water in a big bucket to make a paper pulp. Put something heavy on the pulp to drain the water out. When it dries, you will have a big briquette made out of paper. It will burn for hours.

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Ok, so as the elementary assistant Principal, I take over when our Principal is away. I was dismissing classes in the gym after breakfast when a young man in kindergarten said, "wait!" "The Principal does that!" His teacher said, "Today Coach Pugh is the Principal". He looked a little confused...Held up his hands horizontal to each other and said "ummm...He's a little short to be in charge".......humility again....humility....

NATIONAL EMERGENCY MONTH - DAY 18

Don't Be Like This....Prepare Now, Not When You Need It

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - DAY 17

FOR THOSE INTERESTED IN BEING PREPARED TO FACE LIFE'S TRIALS

Time to take a real hard look at where you are, where you are going and whether or not progress is being made in your quest to be more self reliant and more self sufficient. 

LINK: Episode-1127- Risk Assessments and Readiness Audits

• What is disaster probability
• What is disaster impact scale
• Why do impact and probability have inverse relationships
• What does that even matter
• Why focusing on the mega disasters gets you hurt by the “little” ones

• Considering your 6 primary needs for survival
  • Food
  • Water
  • Shelter
  • Energy
  • Security
  • Health and Sanitation

• Questions to Ask
  • How would we and how long could we feed ourselves
  • How would this affect our shelter (house)
  • What would we do for clean and safe water
  • What health risks would this cause if any
  • How long would “recovery” likely take
  • What specific regional issues exist
  • How would existing health issues effect this disaster
  • Would help be available, how long would it take to come
  • What security risks might pop up beyond the normal
  • How would we care for pets
  • What would the impact be on our children (mental and phyical)
  • How do we think we would respond mentally
  • What phyical injuries might be incurred during the onset
  • How would we get out if we were forced to leave
  • How would we get along if forced to stay

• Disasters You Might Worry About
  • Loss of employment
  • Local storms
  • A house fire
  • Death of a family member or serious illness of the same
  • Economic recession (more severe then 2008)
  • Economic collapse and shift
  • Flu or other pandemic
  • Nuclear power accidents
  • Any true global disaster with long term total system failure

RICHARD ALLEN BATESON - OBITUARY

Richard Allen Bateson, age 74 of Elkmont , AL died Sunday, September 9, 2018 at his home. Born Wednesday, November 3, 1943 in Atlanta, GA, he was the son of Allen Richard Bateson and Martha Adeline Bateson. He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Gary Bateson.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra Kaye Bateson, Elkmont, AL; daughter, Sally Taylor, Ardmore, AL; stepsons, Jason (Chanel) Taylor, Elkmont, AL and Joshua (Mandy) Taylor, Elkmont, AL; brothers, Robert Bateson, FL, Doug (Betsy) Bateson, GA, and John (Sharon) Bateson, TX; grandchildren, Samantha Taylor; Ali Hawkins, Jocelyn Taylor, and Corbin Taylor; step-grandchildren, Wesley and Laken Brown; step-great grandson, Owen Sneed; and several nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to University of Tennessee Athletic Department.

A Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 13, 2018 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, AL from 2:00 P.M . - 4:00 P.M.

A Memorial Service will be held Thursday, September 13, 2018 at 4:00 P.M. at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home with Pastor John Sloan and Pastor Barry Faulk officiating.

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - DAY 15

Have you thought about this aspect of your preparedness plan? Almost all of us haven't. 
While this is a topic most people don’t want to think about, it’s very important to do at least some basic estate planning as soon as you have any assets and/or dependents.

LINK TO ARTICLE

NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH - DAY 14

The government has declared that this month is national preparedness month, a month where anyone without a survival plan should do everything they can to get prepared.

Obviously, that’s a great idea.The simple fact is in a matter of seconds life can go from completely normal to absolute chaos.You may want to take a look at what FEMA recommends in terms of preparation. The following information is directly from their website for you to look over.

2018 NATIONAL PREPAREDNESS MONTH  Theme: Don’t Wait. Communicate. Make Your Emergency Plan Today.

September is National Preparedness Month.  This year you can take action now – make a plan with your community, your family, and for your pets.  Plan how to stay safe and communicate during the disasters that can affect your community.  Everyone can participate in America’s PrepareAthon! and the national day of action, National PrepareAthon! Day, which wraps up the National Preparedness Month on September 30.

Video Player

View in FEMA Multimedia Library

• Watch: Don’t Wait 60 second public service announcement on YouTube
• Watch: Don’t Wait 30 second public service announcement on YouTube
• Watch: Don’t Wait 15 second public service announcement on YouTube

Social Media

• NPM Official Hashtag:  #NatlPrep
• America’s PreapreAthon! hashtag:  #PrepareAthon
• Social media accounts to follow:
  • @Readygov
  • @PrepareAthon

BARRY TRIBBLE - OBITUARY

Mr. Barry Tribble, age 54 of Elkmont, AL passed away on Tuesday, September 11, 2018 at Athens Limestone Hospital. Mr. Tribble was born on September 23, 1963 in Limestone County to Steve Matthew Tribble, Jr. and Corene Evelyn Taylor Tribble. Barry was a hardworking man and a wonderful provider. He enjoyed the outdoors and spending time with his children and family. He will be remembered as a devoted and very family oriented man whether it was his role as husband, father, son, brother, uncle, grandfather or friend. His smile and laugh were contagious, and he was a blessing to all that knew him.
 
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Dyrle York, Von York, Rickey Tribble and Dudley Tribble; one sister, Carol Royster.

Mr. Tribble is survived by his wife of 9 years, Shanna Tribble of Elkmont, AL; daughter, Summer Poole and husband David of Athens, AL; sons, Travis Tribble and Joyce of Athens, AL , Junior Tribble and Memphis Tribble both of Elkmont, AL; stepchildren, Amber Willoughby and husband Chris of Athens, AL, Dillon Miller of Michigan and Kaylee Varney of Elkmont, AL; grandchildren, Jaxon Weigart and Olivia Poole; four step-grandchildren; sisters, Lynda Buchanan and husband Wright of Gulf Shores, AL and Dimple Newell and husband Harold of Killen, AL; brothers, Don York and wife Kathryn of Athens, AL and Steven Tribble and wife Trenna of Athens, AL , along with several nieces and nephews.

Services for Mr. Tribble will be at 2:00PM Saturday, September 15, 2018 at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home with Mike Webster officiating. The family will receive friends from 12:00-1:45 prior to the service. Burial will be in Roselawn Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Steven Tribble, Travis Tribble, Josh Tribble, Matt Tribble, Don York and John Berzett. Honorary pallbearers are Junior Tribble, Memphis Tribble and Jaxon Weigart.

WHAT ABOUT THE HOMECOMING PARADE?

 PEP RALLY @ 2 PM
* New Gym

GATES OPEN AT 6 PM
*Be there early if you want a seat

PRESENTATION OF HOMECOMING COURT
*Halftime 

HOMECOMING DANCE - CANCELLED


PARADE:
• The parade will start at 1:30 from the youth field parking lot also ending there. Floats should be lined up by 1 pm; students are being released to floats at that time. 

• The parade route will start going left out of the youth field parking lot, going around the youth fields, high school softball field, playground, old gym, front of school, ag building, and football field ending back at the youth field parking lot.

• Middle School and High School parade participants may leave class at 12:30 pm. If this interferes with your lunch time, please ask your teacher to go early.

• Elkmont Elementary: ALL students will be able to attend the parade. Elementary Students that are in the homecoming floats MUST BE CHECKED OUT by 12:30 by someone on their contact list to ride on a parade float. No elementary student can ride on a parade float without following these procedures. This will be an excused check out starting at 12:30. Contact Mrs. James for questions.

• Parade participants will stay with their respective adults and come to the pep rally with them. (For example, cheerleaders will stay with Mrs. Holt, band members will stay with Mr. McChristian, float participants will stay with their float coordinator, Homecoming representatives will stay with Ms. Hobbs, etc.)

• Students not in the parade will stay with their teachers to come to the pep rally starting at 2 pm.

• Community members wishing to view the parade are welcome to come to the high school softball parking lot to watch.

• Pep rally starts at 2 pm in the new gym. We will have homecoming recognition.

Please remember these rules for parade:
1. ALL entries must have an adult driver and an adult walking or riding with each entry.

2. No students will be allowed on or off floats once parade starts. Everyone must stay seated.

3. ALL students participating in the parade must have a permission form signed by a parent or guardian.

IMPORTANT INFO IF YOU ARE GOING TO ATHENS THIS SATURDAY

The Trail of Tears Motorcycle ride is this Saturday. The motorcycle riders plan to come from Mooresville Road onto U.S. 72 and head west. The state will block access from Interstate 65 at the U.S. 72 exit ramp. Motorists cannot exit at 351.  


 


Be sure to take a different way into Athens if you have to be there. Athens Police are shutting down U.S. 72 east and west bound while motorcycle riders are going through the city limits. Police will be at signalized intersections only to stop traffic. Motorists should use U.S. 31 to get north and south in Athens. 

In the past the event has taken from 15 minutes to an hour to get through Athens, depending on the number of riders. 

NOON:  
Riders finish lunch at Rocket City Harley-Davidson (15100 Highway 20 W, Madison). From there, they will proceed as follows: 
*Old Highway 20 westbound to Mooresville Road
*Mooresville Road northbound to Highway 72
*Highway 72 westbound to the Lauderdale County line

Drivers are advised to expect long delays at intersections along this route between noon and possibly 2:00 PM and find alternate routes if possible. Be aware of traffic irregularities and courteous to all motorcycles and other drivers.

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

It is not unusual for us to 
have some "leftovers" in car line. Most of the time the parents are running a little late or big brother or sister forgot to stop by and pick them up. No big deal. It becomes a little suspect when a new face is there who is not a usual customer in the car line. 

We had two first graders today who fell in this category. I asked Suspect 1 what he was doing at the car line. He just shrugged his shoulders and said I think my dad is picking me up. They had a sub today so there was a little mix up. 

I decided he needed to be on the bus and asked what bus he rode, to which he replied nonchalantly " I have no idea". I asked what his bus driver's name was and he said "nope...no idea". I finally asked him what his address was....yep...didn't know that either. He then thought long and hard, tapped his forehead and yelled "TRAILER PARK!" "That is it!" "Trailer Park, Alabama!" 

While all of this is going on, Suspect number 2 is listening intently. I know he has a brother who usually picks him up in the hallway! I turn to him and say "Where is your brother?" He screamed "ALABAMA...I LIVE IN ALABAMA". 

Meanwhile I get on the radio and ask the assistant principal to hold all of the buses. Suspect no.1 proceeded to run down the hall to the bus. 

 

Suspect no.2 is still looking at me and trying to decide if he should break and go with Suspect no. 1. 

About that time his mom pulls up and saves his day. You wonder why my hair is white!! 

Take Aways:
*Addresses at any age are very important to know.
*Notes to teachers when you are not a usual customer at the car line. 
*A little sympathy for teachers in the car line! 

Tough job! Have a good one!

CATCH THE SPIRIT WITH ICE CREAM

Hey y’all, it’s that time of year again!  Citizens Bank and Trust, our local bank located near the Pig, is having a two for one deal. We'll be continuing our tailgate season this Friday. Come see us at your local Elkmont Bank for some great giveaways,  great food and pick up some swag with your team colors. Yes, we just said "swag". See y'all this Friday at 2-5 pm.

But wait....there is an extra treat.  Their terrific ice cream social will be the same day.  There will be  FREE homemade ice cream. Vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and Sundrop flavors with a toppings bar!! You can register to win a YETI cooler, Coleman stadium seats and more!! Come treat your sweet tooth and enjoy!!🍦🍦🍨 The fantastic staff are always lots of fun and a joy to visit with.

HOMECOMING PARADE INFORMATION

The floats are being built, the homecoming candidates are arranging their carriages, the band is practicing and the excitement grows, the Elkmont Homecoming Parade is this Thursday at 6 pm . If you don't want to be part of the parade, you may want to detour around downtown Elkmont between 5:55 - 6:45 pm.  

HOMECOMING COURT CANDIDATES:
6th...Meleah Crutcher 
7th...Lexie McNatt 
8th...Dilyn Barron 
9th...Morgan Morris 
10th...Anna Grace Cook 
11th...Emily Norman 
Senior Representatives:
Stephanie Bates Claire Bowling Aubrie Harwell Madison Pepper Magan Smith
 

PARADE INFORMATION
There are a few things you should know. The Homecoming Parade will begin at the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center on HWY 127 at 6 pm and will end at the softball field parking lot. (The Christmas Parade route in reverse). Be sure to pick out your spot before 5 pm, the best ones go fast. 

 

First, Second, and Third Place Prizes will be awarded to the top entries. You are invited to the  community Pep Rally at the stadium immediately following the parade.

If you have any questions, please contact Emily Boldin

FLOAT INFORMATION:
All entries must have an adult driver an adult walking with each entry.

No students will be allowed or off floats once the parade starts.  Everyone must stay seated.

Entries must be in line at 5 pm for judging. Participants must be on the float by 5:30 pm

All entries will be given a number and upon arrival to the shopping center directed to the proper staging area. 


Of course, tractors.  Every Elkmont parade has a tractor.  We love tractors.

DID YOU KNOW THAT PUMPKINS COME IN PINK?

When bring  fall color to their homes, people traditionally use pumpkins for centerpieces at the dining table or for outside decorations. In Elkmont, Collin Daly is harvesting pumpkins of six different colors, enough variety to go with any color fall color scheme you can think of. The growing popularity of colored pumpkins has even developed a need for pink and blue pumpkins.  The Daly pumpkin patch has these but they often take about an extra 10 to 15 days to mature. 

Collin Daly, a 1995 graduate of Elkmont High, describes the pink ones as usually “squattier, off-textured and odd-sized. The jack-o’-lantern pumpkins are kind of going away,” he said. “It seems now, the uglier the pumpkin, the more popular it is.”

If you want to visit:
The Daly Pumpkin Patch is located at Ft. Hampton Road, Elkmont  (toward the rocket).  They have mums for $12.  Pumpkins are $5 each or $20 for 5. You might even be able to buy bales of straw.

MIDDLE SCHOOL LADY DEVILS STILL UNDEFEATED

ELKMONT INVITATIONAL MIDDLE SCHOOL TOURNAMENT CHAMPS
The Elkmont Invitational Middle School Tournament was held on the hilltop yesterday. These girls played 5 matchesand won every one, only giving up 2 games and fought back for the win! They won against a great Ardmore team in a nail biter. These Lady Devils are fun to watch! They left everything on the floor tonight and pulled through with the win to be tournament champs! Still undefeated!

The Middle School Lady Red Devils have smashed their schedule and have an undefeated record.  They have wins against many of the area middle school teams.  Athens, Huntsville, Tanner, Lindsay Lane, Highland Rim, and East Limestone have all fallen to the ladies from the hill.  They will take on Oak Park, Huntsville Catholic and Holly Pond this week.  Look for them in the Homecoming Parade on the team float.

Photo provided by Down Home Portraits, Elkmont's sports photograher

I WANT TO BE IN THE HOMECOMING PARADE

Homecoming week starts September 10 and will end with the Red Devils lining up against the West Limestone Wildcats on September 14.  There will be spirit activities each day but one that everyone looks forward to is the Homecoming Parade.  
 

This will be at 6 pm, September 13 through downtown Elkmont. We are asking all classes, clubs, organizations, teams, etc to participate in the parade.

*HOMECOMING PARADE FORMS

Please attach all signed permission forms to the entry form and turn in to the office by September 7. We encourage everyone to participate to make this parade a huge success!!

 
The Homecoming Parade will begin at the Piggly Wiggly Shopping Center on HWY 127 and will end at the softball field parking lot. (The Christmas Parade route in reverse) First, Second, and Third Place Prizes will be awarded to the top entries.

  If you have any  questions, please contact Emily Roberts-Boldin for parade entry information.

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Mom fell today. Ambulance ride to the hospital. Fractured rib and sore but back at the lodge. She’s extremely weak and has been for weeks. Doctors aren’t sure of the cause. Still trying to find some answers. Hard to watch her being so fragile. I’ve watched her withstand storms that would knock a giant of a man down. I’ve seen her work tirelessly through the week and give her weekends to taking kids skating and swimming. I’ve seen her do with out so Dexter and I could have. I’ve seen her laugh, worry , cry, mad, funny.. always funny... but never weak. Hard to watch! Keep her in your thoughts please! Have a good one!

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT..... ITS ALWAYS GOOD TO READ DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES

We have the left media, we have the right media but there are other points of views still ... what do you think?

Modern politics and the political process is a perpetual psychic system for creating an ongoing hallucinatory mentality for the mass mind. It is psychic persuasion that coerces the people individually and collectively to imagine political and economic freedom.
On the national level, politics is the art of pacifying the workers and producers of wealth while creating a false dichotomy of political conflict. The political process capitalizes on our degree of mental specialization, which has caused our thinking processes to be narrowly prescribed.
We are trained from early on to focus on our occupation and specialty. From the beginning we are unconsciously channeled into a mental straightjacket. Few men and women engage their mental processes in introspection. They have no contemplation of their own thoughts, feelings and sensations. They do not engage their minds in self-examination. They do not question external influences upon their minds because they are unaware that they exist. They do not question the sources and reasons for their political persuasion because they are unaware that they exist. The majority is systematized into a learned process that has killed all imperative to inquire into the nature of things.
The baffling thing is that discriminating people seem to come from various levels of mental abilities and initiatives. We cannot seem to index people according to I.Q. Some people have introspection, logic and reason. They inquire into relationships. Education does not promote these mental attributes. They seem to be innate or expressed as biochemical individuality. It seems to be a sixth-sense syndrome.
Human nature responds to authority. Human nature does not question authority. In other words, it is more natural to the human species to respond to authority than not to respond to authority. Authority can be political, medical, economic or social. We are intellectually lazy. It is easier to follow the crowd with conditioned responses. It is far easier to be dependent than to be independent. Everything in our culture is created for us, even our mental processes.
In his book, The Crowd, Gustave LeBon writes:

"The majority of men, especially among the masses, do not possess clear and reasoned ideas on any subject whatever outside their specialty… We are overwhelmingly supplied by the mainstream media electronic media and "by the periodical publications which manufacture opinions for their readers and supply them with ready-made phrases which dispense them of the trouble of reasoning.
"As soon as a new dogma is implanted in the minds of crowds, it becomes the source of inspiration whence are involved in its institutions, arts and mode of existence... The only real tyrants that humanity has known have always been... the illusions it has forged for itself. The philosophic absurdity that often marks general beliefs has never been an obstacle to their triumph."

I would take issue with Monsieur LeBon on the fact about the source of the illusions of the crowd. They are not forged by the crowd but by the dogma implanted in the minds of crowds. Our thought processes are not our own. They are supplied to us. We are only the "hard drive." We respond exactly according to our programming, except those few of our readers who still have the mental capacity for introspection and discrimination. Congratulate yourself for not being a part of the automatic response society. An inquiring mind is symptomatic of intellectual freedom. Few have it.
Now, shouldn’t we give these words practical application as to our current political situation? Separate your thinking for a moment from the mass mind.
Look at the last week’s lionization of Senator John McCain. All of the former presidents and most of the political establishment were on hand for the political theater. One would think McCain was George Washington or Thomas Jefferson rather than a lifetime political hack, member of the Keating Five, godfather of the Muslim Brotherhood, ally to al-Qaida terrorists, supporter of the slaughter of innocent women and children in the Middle East and puppet of the globalists who work behind the scenes to destroy our liberty and steal our wealth.
Politicians and media who previously accused McCain of fathering an illegitimate child with a black woman, spreading rumors that his second wife, Cindy, was addicted to pain-killers, that McCain was unstable due to his time as prisoner of war and visited prostitutes (George W. Bush campaign); that claimed he was having an affair with a lobbyist (The New York Times); that cast him as the kin of the evil ruler in Star Wars (The Atlantic); and who likened him Hitler and Stalin (Hollyweird and DailyKos); and a racist (Democrat politicians); sang his praises as if he were a great statesman and patriot.
Here’s an experiment for you. Draw a line down the middle of a piece of paper. On one side put Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. On the other put George W. Bush and John McCain. Forget, if you can, personalities and physical appearances. List the differences of each. Have you discovered that their differences have become their similarities? Are they not politically the same? Whence came these manufactured politicos?
For public consumption on the campaign trail they appear to be mortal enemies. Then all gather together outside of "politics" and they’re all in the same club, glad-handing and hugging one another like family.
During his eulogy of McCain, Obama opined that "when all was said and done, we were on the same team. We never doubted we were on the same team."
There is their team: the elites. Then there is our team: the exploited. Their goals and values are far different from ours, and never the twain shall meet.
The definition of a cult is "great devotion to a person, idea, object, movement, or work," and "a usually small group of people characterized by such devotion." Politics is a cult.

Yours for the truth,

Bob Livingston
Editor, The Bob Livingston Letter™

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Ok...a few Sundays ago Jensen and I went to Zaxby’s after church to pick up lunch. The dining room was full and no parking so...yep...you guessed it ...DRIVE THRU!! I have documented my fear of drive thru’s on here in the past. The anxiety started. I pull up to the dreaded speaker from the bowels of the earth and the guy speaks. He sounds almost “unearthly”...like Charlie Brown’s teacher and Homer Simpson had a baby. I immediately break into a sweat. I “assume” He says “ may I take your order?” or something like that. So Jensen and I are pretty good at ordering straight off the menu. Leigh on the other hand likes those “special requests .” She wanted a Zac Snack buffalo style. I’ve yet to see this on the menu and every time she requests that I follow with “are you sure they’ll make it?” It’s some kind of irrational fear because she and I have ordered it many, many times. It’s a struggle sometime for Mr. or Mrs “teeenager just order from the menu”person who takes the order but we usually can get er’ done as they say. 

Anyway I order. The alien voice in a blurred , tinny, Wayne Newton-isk asks a question. I panic! WHAT? I don’t know what he said. I’m struggling trying to figure out context clues as to what would logically be the next question. Jensen has been un- interested and quite amused at my panic attack. I look to her for help and she says in an excited voice “JUST SAY SWEET TEA” “SAY SWEET TEA!” So I get my wits about me and turn to the box from the depths and scream...yes I screamed...SWEET TEA!!!”.....Silence....dead silence ....then a “normal” voice comes on and says “Ma’am”..(got to work on deepening my voice...probably the scream). “You want your chicken dipped in sweet tea ?” All the color leaves my face. No, no mild...I want mild buffalo sauce ! You can hear the chuckling in the background from the speaker. Always happens to me...Always. I hate drive thru’s....never gonna change. Have a good one!

ELIZABETH SMITH LEWIS - OBITUARY

The funeral Service for Elizabeth Smith Lewis, age 97of Decatur, was Saturday, September 1, 2018 at 1 P.M. at McConnell Memorial Chapel as Judy and Keith Letson officiated. Visitation was Saturday September 1, 2018 from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at McConnell Funeral Home. Burial was in Athens City Cemetery. She passed away on Wednesday August 29, 2018 at River City Rehab and Nursing home. Elizabeth was born December 11, 1920 in Elkmont, AL; to James and Ida Smith. As a young girl, she grew up splashing in the creeks and listening to train whistles as the big engines passed by Elkmont Depot. Mrs. Lewis retired from Behr’s. She was a member of Somerville Rd Church of Christ. 

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband Roosevelt A. Lewis; one son Arthur Wayne Lewis; one brother Bonnie Lee Smith; and one sister Florene Smith Brooks. She is survived by one son Kenny Lewis; two daughters Joan Lewis Burgreen and husband Bobby; Lisa Lewis Dobbs; eight grandchildren Pam Burgreen Barlow; Greg Burgreen; Susan Burgreen Fogg (Tim); Michelle Lewis Davis; Todd Lewis (Dena); Amanda Lewis (Marcus); Justin Dobbs (Amy), Lindsay Dobbs; ten great-grandchildren Kennedy Burgreen, Mary Burgreen, Lily Burgreen, Annabelle Dobbs, Samuel Lewis, Naudia Horton, Heath Fogg (Heather), Leigh Ann Fogg Brooks (Sam), Jessica Cook (Aaron) and Preston Lewis; five great-great grandchildren Ruby Brooks, Lewis Brooks, Natalie Fogg, Ansley Cook and Evelyn Fogg. Pallbearers were Mike Dobbs, Tim Fogg, Gil White, Justin Dobbs, Preston Lewis and Heath Fogg.  Her granddaughter, Michelle Lewis Davis and Great-granddaughter, Chloe Davis both currently live in Elkmont.
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HILL SPIRIT INVITES YOU ......

Since Elkmont is a small town much of what goes on revolves around the school. Those of us that appreciate how special that makes life in Elkmont look forward to the beginning of each new school year.  Life gets busier and we love to see how our children, our kin and neighbors' children are doing.  

There will be school related events, games, and lots of other fun. Many of you are involved with the various events.  Having heard that occasionally it is asked why this and that haven't been on the blog there is an easy answer - no one has sent anything to the Hill Spirit. If you send it, it will be posted that day or soon after.  Don't think your writing or pictures aren't good enough, it will be polished up if needed, so don't worry.  

The empty nester, Hill Spirit, doesn't know many of you who have children in the system at this point so please don't wait to be asked to share the good news and events your family is involved in.  If you want the team or group you are interested in to be something the Elkmont community follows and reads about, please send your articles and pictures to elkmont1@charter.net  or Hill Spirit's facebook page.   

The papers don't cover Elkmont very much since there are many schools and communities in the area but the Elkmont Alabama Blog is just about Elkmont.

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• Class Reporters
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• Historians
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LIONS CLUB DOVE HUNT

You know September is almost here when thoughts turn to dove hunting.  The Elkmont Lions Club is having its annual dove hunt, September 8-9.  Clean those guns and mark your calendars, dove season is around the corner.

HOBBS FARMS  @ 26229 VETO ROAD ELKMONT AL
*Permits will go on sale @ noon, September 7th
*Fee will be $30.00 per individual to pick a spot *$100.00 for a round bale for 4 huntersAND AT *Noon of shooting day, fee will be$20.00 for remaining spots. 
FOR INFORMATION: 
JOHNNY JENKINS 256-732-4304 
DICKIE HOBBS 256-509-5121
WEB SITE www.elkmontlionsclub.com

The Elkmont Lions Club uses money from their fundraisers to fund:

• Lions Club Scholarships Children's eyeglasses
• Community Projects
• Disaster Relief
• Ala Sight
• Leader Dog for the Blind 
• Southeastern Guide Dog