JOAN ELAINE WALES HANEY - OBITUARY

Joan Elaine Wales Haney,  age 70 of Elkmont, AL, died Wednesday, December 26, 2018 at Huntsville Hospital, Huntsville, Alabama.

Born Monday, August 30, 1948 in Athens, AL, she was the daughter of the late Linzie Wales and Joyce Wales.

Mrs. Haney loved her church family and was a very active member of her Sunday school and Bible classes at Wooley Springs Baptist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Cloyd F Haney, Elkmont, AL; sons, Kevin Haney, Elkmont, AL, and Jamie and Tonya Haney, Huntsville, AL, brother, Ray Wales, Elkmont, AL; and granddaughter, Malorie Haney, Elkmont, AL.

A Public Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama from 4:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

Funeral Services will be held on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, AL, at 2:00 PM with Bro. Tony Boyles officiating. Burial will be in Gatlin Cemetery, Ardmore, AL. Burial will follow at Gatlin Cemetery, Ardmore, AL.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Ardmore Veterans Museum. Donations may be mailed to Kenneth Crosson, 22045 Austin Whitt Rd., Ardmore, TN 38449.

RANDY LEON MCCURRY - OBITUARY

 

Mr. Randy Leon McCurry, age 59 of Elkmont, AL, passed away on Friday, December 28, 2018 at his home. Mr. McCurry was born on February 20, 1959 in Limestone County to Elmer McCurry and Mable Long McCurry.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Stevie McCurry and sister, Diana Curry.

Mr. McCurry is survived by his daughter, Amanda Hutto (Rocky) of Athens, AL; son, Adam McCurry (Monica) of Anderson, AL; sister, Tina Harrison of Elkmont, AL and grandchildren, Dylan Carter, Andrea McCurry and Levi McCurry.

A memorial service for Mr. McCurry will be held at 3:00PM on Sunday, December 30, 2018 at Union Hill Cumberland Church in Anderson, AL with Chuck Hood officiating.

ALL AREA VOLLEYBALL TEAM - ELKMONT

The Decatur Daily has released its 2018 All Area 1A - 3A volleyball team.  The Elkmont Lady Red Devils had several players make the honorable mention team.  Congrads to our volleyball players who were recognized for their 2018 accomplishments. Decatur Daily Article Link

Kayla Menefee

Shelby Norman

 

Paige Robinson

Photos provided by Down Home Portraits, our local sports photographer

DECATUR DAILY 1-A-4A ALL AREA FOOTBALL TEAM

The Decatur Daily has released it's 2018 All Area 1A - 4A football team.  The Elkmont Red Devils had several players make the honorable mention team.  Congrads to our football players who were recognized for their 2018 accomplishments. 

For complete All Area Team: Decatur Daily
 
#14 Davis Hobbs, Sr.

#5 Ben Hobbs, Sr.


#2 Nick Gibson, Soph.

#75 Benji Hanback, Jr.

TIME TO VOTE ELKMONT

Cast your vote below for the Applebee's Neighborhood Athlete of the Week! Elkmont has a nominee for this 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 DECEMBER 28 by 5 pm.

LINK TO VOTE
*Scroll down to the bottom of Applebee's Page
HAVEN KIRBY

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Start of Christmas break from school, I slept longer last night than I have in a while! I don’t know if every teacher/coach does this but almost every night for years I have had the same type of dreams where I have my team at some location and we are trying got get to a meet. Locations change...faces change ...(one night Jimmy Fallon was my star runner) but I am always responsible for getting kids somewhere they are supposed to be.

I’ve often woke up and told Leigh we are always in a hotel/condo and I am panicking trying to get them all together. As teachers and coaches I think that’s where our minds are. Trying to keep our kids focused and get them to their destination is the main priority. Getting them to where they need to be so that they can become the best possible; seems to be ingrained. 

Had the last faculty Christmas party with the absolute best people in the world yesterday. I looked around and realized how much love and respect I had for each person sitting in that room. They care more than any group of people I have ever been associated with. The children at Elkmont Elementary are lucky indeed! I’m really gonna miss all of my co-workers. We have the best laughs daily! Good, good people! Been a great run with a lot of fun, some success, and a lot of great life- long friends made!! Time to see what dreams will hold for me for a few more years! Have a good one!

AWARD WINNING SIXTH GRADE PATRIOTS

Congratulations to Corder Hobbs and Mallory Monroe, both 6th graders at Elkmont High School for winning Patriots Pen Essay Contest for the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The ceremony and  dinner was December 18.  Corder received first place; Mallory received third. Hopefully, we'll be reading their essays soon.  It would be great to read something uplifting considering the national news.

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Christmas is close. School is about to be out for a while. People are buying gifts, preparing food, and making plans. Today as the small kids watched the Polar Express and the bigger ones went to the Monaco to watch the Grinch, I was given some free time. I sat and reflected on the years and the students who I’ve been associated with. Many over the years, many Christmases in those years. I’ve seen the generosity of people who have given presents to those less fortunate. I’ve also seen people give of themselves. 

 

Heard stories today that many of our kids had their first visit to Bridge Street to see the fountain, to see the decorations. Many sat in their first movie theater ever. Bikes, clothes, toys serve their purpose; experiences move souls. Never forget a kid I coached who had never stayed in a hotel until he was with me at the Alabama State Track Championships. His eyes lit up at 16 years old and he asked , “Is it like on TV?” when he found out we were going to Disney the next year. 

Love to watch their faces when the wonder of seeing something new comes over them. Just a simple “you look nice” can give a kid a boost he or she may need. As we think about “giving” this Christmas, we need to remember experiences are a gift. Making someone feel good is a gift. We may forget what someone gave us, but rarely forget how someone made us feel. Good day for a lot of kids at Elkmont Elementary today! Don’t need a lot of money to give someone something! We can all make someone feel good. One person at a time !!! Have a good one.

A GIFT FROM HOPE

An Elkmont waitress is honoring her late son with an open invitation for anyone without family to join hers for a home-cooked Christmas meal.
Hope Gibson, who works at Ole Gin House Barbecue in Elkmont, and her family know firsthand what it's like to enter the holidays missing a key member. Her son, Landon, died at age 12, four years ago, and this will mark their fifth Christmas without him.

For the first three of those Christmases, they donated to other families with sick children. Last year, about two weeks before Christmas, Gibson said she saw a segment on TV about meals for homeless individuals in Huntsville, and it sparked an idea for Elkmont.

"I was like, 'We need to do something,'" she said. "So, I called my mom and said, 'Do you think we could plan a dinner in two weeks?'"

She said her mom laughed off the idea, saying she couldn't do it but Gibson was welcome to. Two weeks later, Ole Gin House Barbecue opened its doors to anyone in the area who was without family on Christmas Day."We had about 50 people who came in to eat," Gibson said.

They had a good time, but Gibson's crew had prepared for many more than 50 — around 200. So, they packed the food in to-go plates, loaded it up in her mom's van and set off. "We went door-to-door with to-go plates and handed them out to people who wanted food," she said. Members of Elkmont Volunteer Fire Department helped deliver the meals to people the firefighters knew were homebound.

This year, Gibson and her family are gearing up to do it again, and she hopes even more people will turn out for the meal, which starts at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 25. Gibson said Ole Gin House's owner has donated two hams and kitchen space for smoking meats, while Gibson has purchased 11 turkeys and four hams.Her mom makes dressing from scratch. Her husband and daughters also help with preparations. Gibson said the menu will also include green beans, corn, gravy, cranberry sauce, desserts, rolls, tea and water.

"I'm not going to turn anyone away," she said. "If they're home by themselves on Christmas Day, they can come by and eat." She said her friends also volunteer to help, and customers have donated money to a jar she puts up during her shifts at the restaurant. For those who wish to donate online, a Facebook fundraiser is also set up at https://bit.ly/ElkmontChristmas. The meal will last until the food is gone — even if that means hopping back in her mom's van and going door-to-door for another year.

Athens News Courier Link

ANOTHER CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR YOU

Things are starting to wind down in Elkmont and we can start enjoying the best time of the year.  Friends and family are on each of our calendars this week.  Hill Spirit will be sharing lovely music videos as a gift to you during this wonderful week.

 

*be sure to make it full screen
* change video quality to HD - beautiful visuals
*ENJOY


Look for your next gift tomorrow

ALL COUNTY VOLLEYBALL TEAM - ELKMONT

The Athens News Courier released its 2018 All County Volleyball team.  This team was voted on by the Limestone County high school volleyball coaches.

Kayla Menefee, Shelby Norman, Paige Robinson, Maggie Gant and Alli Griffis made the All County team. These Lady Devils had successful individual seasons and the volleyball coaches of the county took notice.

FIRST TEAM

Kayla Menefee: Elkmont

Shelby Norman: Elkmont

Paige Robinson: Elkmont

SECOND TEAM

Maggie Gant: Elkmont

 Alli Griffis: Elkmont

Photos provided by Down Home Portraits, our local sports photographer

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

OK....you know how I feel about the "elves" that show up this time of year. Today a little girl got out of her car and couldn't wait to tell me what her spry little um..friend had done. 

She looked up at me and said " you know my elf on the shelf?" "She froze my underpants". She said she left a note that said "I see London, I see France, you've got frozen underpants!" Then she said "And you know what?" "I had to wear them because mama realized they were my only clean pair!" Those elves leave a lot to be desired! Have a good one!

WORDS TO LIVE BY

Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so was the work condition. For those reasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best.

His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work.The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees.“Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way!”

Very motivated by the boss words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring 10 trees. Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.

“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on.

“When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked.
“Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”

Reflection:
Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don’t take time to sharpen the “axe”. In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy that ever.
Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay “sharp”? There’s nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like our personal life, taking time to get close to our Creator, giving more time for our family, taking time to read etc.
We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and grow. If we don’t take the time to sharpen the “axe”, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness.
Author: Stephen Covey

BRENDA CAROL INMAN BLACK - OBITUARY

Brenda Carol Inman Black, age 69, of Athens, Alabama, passed away Sunday, December 9, 2019 at the Decatur Hospital. Brenda was born Dec. 19, 1948 in Limestone County to James W. “Red” Inman and Thetus Howard Inman. She graduated Clements High School in 1967 and later from Florence State University, “now University of North Alabama” with a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education. She taught school at Reid Elementary and later Elkmont Elementary where she retired after 30 years of teaching. She was a member of Hobbs Street Church of Christ.
She loved her grandchildren and she will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 11 from 6-9pm. Services will be held December 12 at 2pm, at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Bill Irby officiating and burial following in the Limestone Memorial Gardens.

She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Danny Black of Athens; son, Heath and wife Kellie Black of Athens, mother, Thetus Inman of Athens, sister, Jane Stanford of Athens, aunt, Irene Inman, two grandchildren, Ryland and Hudson Black, all of Athens; many nieces and nephews. 


Pallbearers will be Stan Bates, Steve Bates, Joe Bates, Marcus Hobbs, Randy Blacklidge and Jim Hudson.

LINDA FAYE MITCHELL - OBITUARY

Linda Faye Mitchell,  age 70 of Ardmore, AL died Sunday, December 9, 2018 at Athens-Limestone Hospital, Athens, Alabama. She was born Saturday, October 30, 1948 in Athens, AL, and she was the daughter of the late Alex Louie Turner and Pearlie Ann Nalley Turner.

She was preceded in death by one daughter, Donna Jo Mitchell of Ardmore, Al, brothers, David Turner, and Buddy Turner.

She was survived by one daughter, Wendy Thornton, Ardmore, Al. brother, Howard Turner, Fayetteville, NC, sisters, Elizabeth Smith, Elkton, TN, Susie Haggard, Toney, AL, Nancy Haggard, Toney, AL, grand children, Anthony Hicks, Elkmont, AL, Kabrina Key, Elkmont, AL.

A visitation will be held on Wednesday, December 12, 2018 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.

A service will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2018 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, at 11:00 AM with Bro. Daniel Smith officiating. Burial will be in Gatlin Cemetery, Ardmore, AL.

ROBERT LEE KING - OBITUARY

Robert Lee King, Jr., 70, of Ardmore, AL died Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at his residence. Born Monday, December 15, 1947 in Elkmont, AL, he was the son of Robert Lee King, Sr. and Mable Davis King. Mr. King was the owner and operator of King's Hardware for over 33 years. He served over 7 years in the Air Force and had one tour in Vietnam. He was a member of First National Bank Community Board, Trustee for Pettusville Cemetery and past president of American Legion/Ardmore Post. He also enjoyed collecting toy trains.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Lonnie King, David King and Ricky King.

He is survived by his wife, Joan King, Ardmore, AL, son, Andrew (Serra Thomas) King, Elkmont, AL; daughter, Kim (Devin) Claunch, Ardmore, AL; brothers, James Calvin (Pattsy) King, Elkmont, AL; Bill King, Toney, AL and Roger King, Ardmore, TN; sisters, Martha (Vernon) Thomas, Elkmont, AL; Kathy (Deverl) Nave, Toney, AL and Renee Wales, Ardmore, AL; grandaughters, Carly Elizabeth King and Anika Ellise McKinley; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews.

Public Visitation will be held on Saturday, December 8, 2018 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, Alabama from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM.

A Funeral Service will be held on Sunday, December 9, 2018 at Ardmore Chapel Funeral Home, Ardmore, AL, at 2:00 PM with Mike Davis and Bro. Steve Hargrove officiating. Burial will be in Pettusville Cemetery, Elkmont, AL.

In lieu of flowers the family request donations be made to Ardmore Veterans Museum, %Kenneth Crosson, 22045 Austin Whitt Road, Ardmore, Tn 38449.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT....IT'S 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?

Since the beginning of this year, I have been warning that trade tariffs initiated by Donald Trump would develop into a full-blown trade war with China, and perhaps other nations, and that the timing of this trade war is rather suspicious. Suspicious how? Almost every instance of further escalation was made by Trump around the exact time that the Federal Reserve was also making a large cut to its balance sheet or raising interest rates. Instead of focusing on the fact that extreme volatility has returned to markets because central banks are pulling the plug on life support, the mainstream media is holding up the trade war as the ultimate culprit behind the accelerating crash.

In other words, Trump's trade war is acting as a perfect distraction from the crisis which the banking establishment has now deliberately triggered.
The initial response to my suggestion by a minority of liberty movement activists and skeptics was outright denial. Some people argued that the trade war would be over before it even began and that China would immediately capitulate in fear of losing the U.S. consumer market. Others argued that the trade war "had been started by the Chinese years ago" and Trump was simply "fighting back."

Clearly, the trade war is not fading away as many wrongly assumed. As I predicted, it is only continuing to grow. And the notion that a trade war is necessary at this time in defense of the U.S. economy ignores certain realities. For example, the trade deficit itself was never "theft" by the Chinese, but a trade between the Chinese and the U.S. government and U.S. corporations. In exchange for the Chinese and other trade partners using the dollar as the world reserve currency (and petro-currency), U.S. elites have arranged a deficit advantage for China. One could also add China's cheap labor and low cost manufactured goods as part of that trade as well.
While the American working class got the short end of the stick in this deal, the government and the corporate cabal certainly benefited.

Now, if Trump had pressured corporations to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. in order to reap the rewards of his tax cuts, tariffs after the fact might make a little more sense. With production back on U.S. soil we would have more economic stability to weather future crisis events. Instead, Trump gave corporations a tax cut for nothing. And instead of using that extra capital to innovate or add value to the real economy, companies used the money to continue artificially propping up their own stock prices through stock buybacks.

It should be obvious to most people at this point that Trump has no intention of "winning" the trade war. As I noted just after the G-20 conference and the dinner negotiations with China:
"Of course, the outcome is being touted by both sides as a "win," but it is clear that the goal was to head fake the public rather than actually resolve trade disputes. Will the 90-day delay be seen as "good for markets?" Possibly. Though, the housing market, auto market, and credit markets will continue to crash as they have been for the past few months. I expect this development might buy stocks another week of rest, but little else. As the next Fed meeting approaches this month and it becomes clear that they intend to continue hiking rates into 2019, the false optimism will fade. I also expect that negotiations with China will fall apart yet again well before the 90-day delay is over..."

This is exactly what has happened, though the G-20 honeymoon ended even faster than I imagined.
The arrest of Chinese CFO of Huawei Technologies, Meng Wanzhou, has immediately destroyed any possibility of diplomatic negotiations going forward. The 90 day "truce" set apparently by verbal agreement during G-20 is likely over mere days after it started. National Security adviser and CFR ghoul John Bolton admitted in an interview with NPR that he was aware that Canada was preparing to arrest Meng at the request of the U.S. while he was eating grilled sirloin with the Chinese. The claim that Trump was not aware of the situation, to me, sounds absurd.

The detainment of Meng comes with a host of significant potential consequences. First, as noted the trade truce is likely dead on arrival. Second, the possibility of further escalation of tariffs is much higher (U.S. farmers should not expect a reprieve anytime soon). Third, there is a chance that China will retaliate by snatching up U.S. corporate representatives. This is a development I realize the average liberty activist could not care less about, but the average American will see such actions as a slight by the Chinese against the U.S. as a whole. Thus, the false East/West paradigm is further entrenched in the American mindset.

If this trend continues, the trade war will eventually expand into a war on the U.S. dollar itself, and when it does, the U.S. will suffer the worst fiscal crisis in its history. Without the world reserve status of the dollar as well as continued foreign investment in U.S. debt, what's left of our economy will disintegrate, and I believe this is part of the plan.

Meng's arrest is a deliberately engineered "linchpin." I have written extensively in past articles on DARPA's "linchpin theory," which is a kind of propaganda exercise more than a theory. According to DARPA, overly complex systems invite growing instability, and like a chain of dominoes, the smallest part of that system could be knocked over by a minor event causing a chain reaction that ends in total collapse.
Of course, this is a misrepresentation of reality. Complex systems do not invite instability, they create redundancy, making the system stronger and more resistant to disasters. Instability is actually caused by oversimplification of a system; that is to say, centralization is the true cause of large-scale crisis. As we have seen time and time again with globalism, the more economically interdependent and centralized the world becomes, the more vulnerable each nation is to the calamities of other nations.
DARPA loves centralization and is certainly not going to point a finger at it as the cause of global distress. And so they have created a scapegoat of decentralization through linchpin theory.
Linchpin theory also asserts another lie — the lie that most disasters are a product of "random chance." The problem is that the only way that linchpin theory works is if disasters are created through conspiracy, not coincidence.

A system must be purposely weakened over time to the point that any crisis will translate into a collapse of the entire edifice. Central banks have done this quite expertly through the use of debt-based bubbles, followed by fiscal tightening into economic weakness. When you build up an economy like a great Jenga tower and begin pulling the most vital pieces in a calculated manner, eventually it's going to come crashing down.

So which piece represents the supposed "linchpin" in our system today? Well, any piece might do the trick, but the arrest of a Chinese corporate executive (which the Chinese will consider hostage taking) at the very onset of a fragile trade truce is an excellent catalyst and also an excellent distraction.
In my article 'The Everything Bubble: When Will It Finally Crash?' published in September, I predicted that:
"The Fed’s neutral rate efforts suggest a turning point in late 2018 to early 2019. Balance sheet cuts are expected to increase at this time, which would also expedite a crash in existing market assets. The only question is how long can corporations sustain stock buybacks until their own debt burdens crush their efforts? With such companies highly leveraged, interest rates will determine the length of their resolve. I believe two more hikes will be their limit.
If the Fed continues on its current path the next stock crash would begin around December 2018 into the first quarter of 2019."

The timing of the arrest of Meng coincided perfectly with the Fed's expanded balance sheet cuts. The fed has now shifted from $30 billion per month to $50 billion per month in dumped assets. The Fed is also set to raise interest rates to meet the neutral rate of inflation this month. This is something that has not happened in decades. And corporate stock buybacks are dying in the last quarter of 2018, as the cost of borrowing to prop up equities is now too high. In response, stock markets are beginning to plunge, and this time there will be no significant bounce back because without Fed stimulus or buybacks, there is nothing left to keep things afloat.

To reiterate, the trade war is hitting a nexus, a point of extreme escalation just as the central bankers are about to kill the U.S. economy by tightening into economic weakness. The Meng snafu will be used by the mainstream media to draw the public's attention away from central bank activities and toward the trade war. Everything Trump is doing is helping the banks to hide their culpability for the crash.
Why do the banking elites want a crash in the U.S.? There are numerous reasons and gains to be had. For an in-depth explanation, I recommend my article 'The Economic End Game Explained.' To summarize, globalists are setting the stage for what they often refer to as the "global economic reset." This reset is essentially a major crisis event which will be exploited by globalists to centralize the system even further, into a one world currency and one world economy, governed by the banking elites through institutions like the IMF and the BIS.

The U.S. economy and the U.S. dollar must be diminished in order for this to happen. And with conservatives supposedly "in control" of the U.S. government and the U.S. economy at the time of the crash, guess who is slated to get the blame? I'll give you a hint: Not the central bankers...
In the meantime, the globalists hope that the majority of the world will buy into the fallacy of linchpin theory. They hope everyone will blame decentralization and "complexity" instead of centralization and over-simplicity in the system. And it is certainly possible that the hijacking of a Chinese corporate official will be held up as the domino that started the collapse.

To truth and knowledge,

Brandon Smith

LOOK WHO HEAVEN SENT

On this day at 1:22 pm, Joseph and Eryn Mitchell welcomed their beautiful angel, Joanna Elizabeth Mitchell. She weighed 8 pounds 4 ounces and is 20 inches.  She will charm everyone who sees her, including big brother Jayson. The very happy grandparents are Joey and Christie Swanner of Elkmont and Tim Mitchell and Marcy Nash of Elkmont.

 

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT....IT'S 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? 

"The immune system." Boy, how often do we hear this term? Contrary to what is commonly believed, our immune system becomes stronger the more we are exposed to sickness. American Indians died like flies when they were first exposed to common European diseases. They had no resistance or immunity.
If we are healthy, it matters not how many sick people we go around. If it did, all doctors would be dead in the first "flu season." If there were any such thing as a truly contagious disease, everyone on earth would have been dead centuries ago. Theoretically, a so-called contagious disease should kill everyone, but we know that this does not happen. People get sick and die with the flu and pneumonia not because they "caught the germ" but because they "develop" sickness due to the buildup or accumulation of toxins over time. Lack of movement, lack of deep breathing, and lack of sunshine aggravates this. "Flu shots" help toxemia as much as witchcraft does. Protection of life can never come from injecting death.

Yet every year as the sneezy-wheezy-sniffle season approaches, the media suffuses the airwaves with advice to "get a flu shot" and synthetic drugs that purport to relieve the "common cold." Yet viruses won't be able to invade your system if it's supercharged by the right diet and plenty of exercise. If you do get a cold, stay far away from those over-the-counter cold remedies. None of them can cure a cold, and they can have side effects that just add to your misery. Go natural — better for your body and no side effects.
A general principle to follow when ailing with a cold or flu is drink up. Fluids help thin mucus and break up congestion. They also fight dehydration that causes headaches and fatigue. Sip a hot beverage like non-caffeinated tea, lemon water or warm broth. Not only is it comforting to your spirits, it soothes a sore throat, loosens congestion and fights fatigue.
However, not all fluids are good for you when you're sick with a cold or flu. Here are some drinks to avoid:

• Alcohol — Causes dehydration and worsens symptoms like headache and nausea... also lowers resistance to infection.
• Coffee or other caffeinated drinks — Coffee, sodas, and caffeinated tea contribute to dehydration.
• Ginger ale — Natural ginger has some benefits, but the sugary carbonated version doesn't help... put some ginger in a mug of hot tea instead.
• Sports/energy drinks — Stay away from the sugar-filled ones, and avoid caffeinated ones. If you can find one with taurine and vitamin B-12, then you're in the clear.

While you may not have much appetite when sick, your body needs fuel for strength to fight off the ailment and recover. Foods that go easy on the stomach and are easy to swallow provide needed nourishment and can help relieve some of the discomfort. Here are some comfort foods that help:

• Chicken soup — Grandma was right. Evidence shows that chicken soup actually does work wonders on a cold. It speeds loosening mucus, helps prevent dehydration, and provides protein to restore and strengthen your immune system. Store-bought chicken broth is not as effective as homemade chicken soup.
• Honey — Add it to your tea to suppress coughing and soothe a sore throat.
• Ginger — Helps fight inflammation, curb nausea and relieve stomach aches.
• Garlic — Loosens congestion.
• Oatmeal — Easy on the tummy and strengthens your body's immune system.
• Bananas — Go down easy even with an upset stomach.
• Applesauce — Easy-to-swallow treat rich with flavonoids and anti-inflammatory agents, especially if the skin is left in.
• Oranges — Full of vitamin C and flavonoids (rich in antioxidants)
• Sweet potatoes — Microwaved or roasted, sweet potatoes are a great source of beta carotene, which the body converts into vitamin A to strengthen your immune system.

Food is indeed going to be your best medicine. Patent "medicines" from the drugstore are one of the greatest deceptions of our time. They are products of advertising — very sophisticated and expensive advertising. What do patent medicines do for their buyers? They are palliatives that suppress symptoms. They do nothing to "cure" or in any way enhance the immune system. Nor do they make any claims as such, but the public misses this vital point.

Foods and plants can enhance your immune power, and there are some foods that are better than others for putting muscle in your immunity and help shield you from colds and flu. Try these herbs and foods to boost immunity:

• Cat's claw: It grows in Asia and the Peruvian rain forests. It contains alkaloids with anti-cancer activity, and it helps keep your DNA young, but more importantly, the alkaloids also stimulate the immune system.
• Fish — Rich in omega-3 fatty acids that help reduce harmful inflammation in the body.
• Oysters — Contain more zinc per serving than any other food. Zinc has a proven record of fighting the common cold. Zinc in a pill can cause side effects like headaches and nausea. Get zinc naturally from oysters.
• Garlic — Packs the biggest antioxidant punch when eaten raw, but works well when used to flavor foods.
• Anise seeds — Anti-bacterial properties of these licorice-flavored seeds ease coughing, help clear congestion from the upper respiratory tract.
• Citrus fruits — Packed with vitamin C to ward off colds.
• Yogurt — Contain good bacteria your body needs for digestive health and to prevent stomach ailments and upper respiratory inflammation.
• Golden Oil — The oil of the black cumin seed has more benefits to the immune system and total body health than you may have realized. Throughout history, Golden Oil has been an immunity life saver — and an effective remedy for many health problems.
• Red peppers — Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and high in vitamin C. One red pepper has twice as much vitamin C as an orange.
• Mushrooms — Contain immune-boosting antioxidants, along with potassium, B vitamins and fiber. And mushrooms are the only vegetable with vitamin D.
• Carrots and sweet potatoes — Rich in beta carotene, a source of vitamin A to build strong immunity.
• Dark chocolate — Not the sugary-sweet candy kind, but 70 percent or higher cocoa content. Pure cocoa contains more disease-fighting polyphenols per ounce than most berries, and it's loaded with zinc.

Further, raising pH — increasing alkalinity — in the body tissues increases the immune system's ability to kill pathogens (this was concluded by a study conducted at The Royal Free Hospital and School of Medicine in London). Viruses that cause flu and colds thrive in an acidic environment. To fight a respiratory infection and dampen symptoms such as a runny nose and sore throat, take an alkalizing drink. I write about this in the upcoming January issue of my Bob Livingston Letter. The benefits to immunity by keeping your body in an alkaline state are many, and you can subscribe at the bottom of this page and read more about it here.

Yours for the truth,

Bob Livingston
Editor, The Bob Livingston Letter^™

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

As I enter my last...blessed last 2 weeks before Christmas break I want to reflect on some things for parents ... Elf on the Shelf...wrong just wrong. Listen to 2,444,867 stories a day. When the conversation starts with “Coach Pugh”...”Guess what my elf did last night” I want to say “what”...”Move to Mexico?”

Wrong. Letting your kid wear something with bells on it. Do you know the incessant sound these “adorable” bells make in a gym while the child is running...Wrong..

 Parents please start everyday with “wake up!” “Christmas is ——days away!” All day I hear, "how many days till Christmas ?" Over and over and over ! Started saying it’s canceled due to weather. Do not tell them I can not get in touch with Santa, please. Only play in the defense play book this time of year. 

 
But the last thing...love every minute of it. Parents they will grow up fast! Have fun and embrace them. Don’t neglect them. Read every Christmas book you can to them. Bake every cookie, decorate every post. Time will come when they are grown. Gonna miss all “my” kids! Have a good one !

BARRY'S CORNER - LIFE IN ELKMONT

Good, cold 5 mile run today. I was coming around the corner out of the trail and out of the woods and looked up to one of the best sunsets I have seen in a while. Didn’t want to go. Talked myself out of it at least 5 times. Guilt and “need to” won out and the run felt great after the very cold start. Man, what I would have missed around mile 4 if the head voices would have won out. Took my breath away....the colors, the swirl of the clouds and the sheer beauty of it against the gray sky. Got me thinking about all of the times I’ve talked myself out of doing something. What have I missed by letting anxiety, fear or just laziness whisper in my ear and tell me to stay. Get up! Move toward whatever it is you need to do. If you choose not to you may never experience the beauty that waits around the corner. There is so much of it out there ! Have a good one!

ALLEN RAY SMITH - OBITUARY

Allen Ray Smith, age 58 of Elkmont, passed away on Wednesday, December 5, 2018 at Athens-Limestone Hospital. Mr. Smith was born September 5, 1960 in Bakersfield, CA to Allen Harrison Smith and Catherine Ann McElyea Smith.

Services for Mr. Smith are Friday, December 7, 2018 at Limestone Chapel Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will be Thursday, December 6, 2018 from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in Hester’s Chapel Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Barbara Smith; daughters, Amanda Wise Frazier (Niles), Lindsey Smith Robertson (James), Kimberly Smith (Justin), Robin Smith and Stacy Smith; 12 grandchildren, Braxton Wise, Briley Wise, Bralynn Wise, Alex Robertson, M.J. Robertson, Savana Moore and Harley Johnson; brothers, Donald Smith, Ronnie Smith and David Odom; sisters, Brenda Smith and Sherry Chambers.

Preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Smith; brother, Sidney Odom.
 
Pallbearers are Charlie Russell, Dale Wise, Justin Johnson, Nick Smith, Thomas Russell, Jimmy Smith and Bradley Gatlin.

LUCILLE V. CRAIG - OBITUARY

Lucille V. Craig, age 93, of Athens died Wednesday at her residence. Mrs. Craig was born September 2, 1925 in Limestone County. She was retired from Sunbeam Bakery, and a member of Market Street Church of Christ. She was a member of the Red Hat Society, the American Legion, and an avid Rook player.

Services will be 2 p.m. Saturday at Spry Funeral Home Chapel with Guy McDaniel and David Cox officiating, burial in Limestone Memorial Gardens. Visitation Friday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Spry Funeral Home. Serving as pallbearers will be Joey Hobbs, Craig Hamilton, Mika Hamilton, Jimmy Cox, Steven Cox, Mickey Terry, Matt Taylor and Lawrence Hardaway.

Survivors include daughters, Kay (Terry) Hobbs of Athens, Linda McCurry of Athens; grandchildren, Joey Hobbs, Mika Hamilton, Katrina Brown, Craig Hamilton; several great-grandchildren and several great-great-grandchildren; sister, Genell Terry of Elkmont; several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by husband, Lester (Buddy) Craig; daughter, Robbie; brothers, Lawrence Freeman and Junior Freeman; sister, Evenlyn Cox.

THINKING OF CHRISTMAS - DAY 6

BARRY'S CORNER- LIVING IN ELKMONT

Turned the papers in today. As of February 1st, I will be retired. I was at Reid Elementary in the late 80’s as a PE aide and worked 1/2 day at Reid and 1/2 day at Elkmont my first year of teaching. I spent the rest of my career at Elkmont High and now Elkmont Elementary School. So much has happened since that first day. I’ve seen the whole campus change, the administration change many times, and many improvements and demolitions over the years. I’ve seen many teachers and staff come and go and many stay who have become sisters and brothers to me. We’ve had our kids, watch them grow up and graduate and many of us have said good bye to parents during my time at EHS. 

“Life “ has happened while I have been a part of EHS. I’ve had the pleasure of teaching and coaching many of you reading this and watching you grow into adults and marry and have children of your own. Many of those children I have not only met but get to interact with daily. It’s not many times I am in town or any where and I don’t hear a “Hey,  Coach Pugh!” Playground, gym and car line have been a part of my life for a long time. Not going to act like moving on is easy. It can be scary. But it’s time. Been told over and over a teacher knows when it’s time to pass the gavel and this is my time.

I truly appreciate all the words of encouragement over the years. I have laughed my hardest and cried my hardest while I have been teaching. Young lives can be a joy to work with. The satisfaction of knowing we have been even a little part of the growth process is a teacher’s best reward. I’m gonna miss it; I know I will. New things await. This is a whole new beginning. It’s great to leave with so many great memories!! I’ll still be around and will always love and support both Elkmont Schools. It’s family!!! Have a good one!

GOING TO THE ATHENS PARADE TOMORROW?

Lots of us Elkmont folk go to the Athens Christmas Parade.  Elkmont is always well represented in the parade.  This year our Miss Merry Christmas representative is Stephanie Leigh Bates.  Look for her and give her a big Elkmont shout when she passes by in her carriage.  

IF YOU GO TOMORROW...
The Athens Christmas Parade is Thursday, Dec. 6, at 6 p.m. There are over 140 entries. This year’s theme for the Trustmark Bank Christmas Parade is “Floats of Christmas Past”. Trustmark Bank is the primary sponsor and the headquarters for all of the Christmas Parade information.  Please be advised of the following traffic information provided by Athens Police Chief Floyd Johnson:

The entrances to Athens High School will be closed to all but parade entrants after school lets out for the day (around 3 p.m.). The turn lanes used by school traffic for access to and from Hobbs Street will be closed at this time. The parade starts at 6 p.m. at Athens High, goes west on Hobbs Street, goes south on Jefferson Street and around The Square, and goes south on Jefferson Street to Hometown Grocery. However, some of the larger float entries will not be able to use Hometown because of school buses and marching bands. Athens Police will direct these south on Jefferson to U.S. 72 or east on Forrest Street (if the float can make it under the railroad overpass). 

Athens Police will close Forrest Street at Marion Street intersection and the Forrest Street at Clinton Street intersection to accommodate parade entrants.

An average of 10,000 people come for the parade, so motorists should use caution and watch for pedestrians. If you are going, be sure to get there early by 4:30 or even pick out your viewing spot tomorrow morning.  The weather forecast for tomorrow night is going to in the low 40s and cloudy so bundle up and bring some hot chocolate with some Christmas cheer.

MEET OUR 2018 MISS MERRY CHRISTMAS

Each year a young lady is selected from the senior class of each high school in the county to be the Miss Merry Christmas Representative. This year's Elkmont Miss Merry Christmas is the lovely Stephanie Leigh Bates.

Our Miss Merry Christmas makes her first appearance in the Athens Christmas Parade tomorrow night, December 6 @ 6 pm. She will of course be in the Elkmont Christmas Parade, December 8 @ 1 pm. Be sure to wave when she passes by.

Stephanie is the daughter of Steve and Beth Bates.  Her grandparents are Wade Bates & late Ann Bates (such a dear lady), and Butch Allfrey. She is President of the Senior Beta Club, and the Mu Alpha Theta Math Honor Society. She also serves as the Vice-President of the 2019 Senior Class. Her other accomplishments include being a member of the Limestone County Gifted Program and a member of Cool to Be Kind organization.

Stephanie was also chosen as the 2018 Girls State Representative for Elkmont High School.  Off campus, she is President of Athens-Limestone Junior Civitan Club. She takes an active part in many church activities at Elkmont Church of Christ youth group.  Stephanie truly embodies the Christmas Spirit through her numerous service projects such as the Christmas Angel Tree, LCCI Canned Food Drive and as a volunteer with Athens Animal Shelter. Her future plans are to attend the University of North Alabama to pursue a degree in accounting.