IT'S BEEN 10 YEARS FOR THE CLASS OF 2009

It’s crazy to realize that it has already been 10 whole years since we bid Elkmont High School adieu. Over the years, we’ve collectively grown, been married, had children, re-located, re-invented ourselves, and become the adults we are today. Let us take the time to reconnect over food, drink, music, and games.

The Elkmont High School 2009 Class will be having its 10 year reunion in the Biergarten at Straight to Ale on Saturday August 3rd 2019 from 5:00 – 9:00 pm. Straight to Ale’s address is 2610 Clinton Avenue West, Huntsville, AL 35805. It is a part of the Campus 805 facility.

To attend, please purchase a ticket through our event page on Eventbrite and on Facebook. Tickets will go on sale Friday, February 21th at 12:00pm CT. Tickets will be available for purchase through end of day Wednesday, July 17th. The venue has requested a finalized guest list be made weeks in advance, so no tickets will be available for purchase at the door. Tickets will be sold exclusively through Eventbrite and Facebook.

Each ticket is $25.00 and covers your meal, along with 2 drink tickets, as well as a commemorative koozie. Food will be catered by Ale’s Kitchen, and drink tickets can be used towards draft beer and basic mixed drinks. A cash bar will also be set up in the Biergarten for those who wish to partake.

Each member of the Elkmont Class of 2009 is welcome to bring 1 guest for the evening. Each guest must also have a ticket to gain admission. Guests must be at least 21 years old. Please don’t bring children to this event. Upon arrival there will be a check-in station for members and guests to pick up their name tags and koozies. Your name must be on the list to be granted admission.

If you have any questions, please refer to the FAQs on the Eventbrite page. If the FAQs do not address your question, please message the Elkmont High School 2009 Class Reunion Facebook page, or email your question to ehsreunion09@gmail.com, and someone will address your question in a timely manner. It has been quite a while since many of us have connected, and I look forward to seeing each of you there on August 3rd.

Best,

Lee Patterson

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

There is always a teacher or teachers that we always look back on and smile. This teacher wrote me this note on the 1st essay we wrote in senior English. I remember reading it and starting to believe in my abilities. I may not have done or ever do great things with my writings but that day I fell in love with it. She gave me a love for writing with just a few comments. Writing and running are my outlets. Sorry but Facebook has given me a captive audience!! Teachers make a difference in our lives! Also educators take note ....personal messages inspire!! Thank you Martha Eubanks aka Mrs. Morrow!!! Always be one of my favorites!!! 

ARE YOU A BIKE RIDER?

The Elkmont area is a beautiful place to ride your bike. . One event that takes advantage of our Elkmont roads is the Spring Krusher Bike Ride on May 4.  It starts at Elkmont High School @ 8 am. This is a fundraiser ride for family services.

SPRING KRUSHER: 
Join us for the 5^th annual Spring Krusher, a cycling tour featuring scenic rolling hills around Limestone County!  The 31 mile Krusher route is perfect for anyone wanting to sample what Limestone County has to offer in road cycling. 
Come join us for this tour of Limestone County and the surrounding areas, with some of the best cycling in the Southeast, featuring a brand new route for 2019, taking all riders right past the Kreme Delite, where it all got started. Make plans to join us now! from 3 different distances: 31, ~64 and ~100 miles. Each course will be challenging but manageable! Low traffic. Post ride food and the now famous build your own ice cream sundae bar!

Proceeds from this ride benefit the counseling program at Family Services Center, Inc.  The counseling program provides affordable, professional mental health counseling to residents of Madison County and the surrounding areas.  For more information regarding counseling and other services offered by Family Services Center, please visit our website at www.fsc-hsv.org

 HEADQUARTERS:

Elkmont High School  –  25630 Evans Ave, Elkmont, AL 3562

Here are the links to the routes. Please note, that the routes may change slightly prior to ride date as road conditions or rest stop placement dictates.  These links will have the most up-to-date information; however, if you preview it in March, please know that it may have slight variations by May!

30 mile short course - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29163951

Metric Century - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29164320

Full Century - https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29164308


REGISTRATION LINK 1
REGISTRATION LINK 2

May 3 Registration:   Bicycle Cove, 181 Hughes Rd suite 5, Madison, AL 35758   –   12:00 – 7:00 pm

May 4 – Ride Day  Elkmont HighSchool  25630 Evans Ave, Elkmont, Alabama 35620

• Ride Start: 8:00
• ***Please note, if you are planning on doing the 34 mile route, the start time will be 9:00! This is due to a conflict with the city of Athens – some of their roads will be closed until 10:00 for a 5K. The start of the Century will still be at 8:00 with the Metric rolling out as soon as the Century riders have left the school.
• Showers available after the ride
• Lunch – pasta, green salad, fresh fruit, and of course the sundae bar! Unlimited ice cream from Blue Bell! All kinds of dry toppings like Oreo Cookies and Butterfinger by Steak and Shake and Cold Stone Creamery, plus plenty of flavored syrups from Zen Beri!  Going to be one heck of a sundae bar!!

 

DO YOU SEE A BIKE?

The Spring Krusher Bike Race route goes through the Elkmont community and Hill Spirit has seen many bike riders out training.  If you see them, please be patient and show that Elkmont Hospitality when you meet these dedicated riders.  Remember to share the road and be careful when you pass them.

JUST WANTED TO SHARE

One of the things that really gets Hill Spirit hot under the collar is when a non- Southerner who has moved into the state starts cutting down how we do things or our beliefs.  With that said, you can understand why the Hill Spirit wanted to share this with you...  Thought you might get a chuckle as well.

How would you respond if some liberal wrote a letter to you claiming that there would be a mass exodus from your state unless massive gun restrictions were enacted? This Wyoming state representative wrote back one of the best replies ever


Read the complaint and the epic response below:

Fulbright’s email:

Dear Representative,

I hope you are taking care of yourself during this busy session. I know it is a challenging, compressed time.  I am writing to express my grave concern about House Bill 105. Ample evidence has shown that schools and guns do not mix, and in particular, guns in the hands of amateurs/non-professionals is extremely dangerous, especially in any highly-charged situation, exposing our children to greater risk in their schools by encouraging more guns on campuses is something that we cannot allow.

My husband and I moved to Wyoming not too long ago. We believed it was a good place to raise children. With the recent and reactive expansion of gun laws and the profoundly serious dangers of fracking, we find we are seriously reconsidering our decision, which is wrenching to all of us. However, the safety of our family must come first. We are waiting to see what the legislature does this session. I know of other new-to-Wyoming families in similar contemplation. Your choices matter. It would be sad to see an exodus of educated, childrearing age adults from Wyoming as a result of poor lawmaking.

sincerely,

Rev. Audette Fulbright

Hunt’s response:

Rev. Fulbright,

I’ll be blunt. If you don’t like the political atmosphere of Wyoming, then by all means, leave. We, who have been here a very long time (I am proudly 4th generation) are quite proud of our independent heritage. I don’t expect a “mass exodus” from our state just because we’re standing up for our rights. As to your comments on fracking, I would point out that you’re basing your statement on “dangers” that have not been scientifically founded or proved as of yet.

It offends me to no end when liberal out-of-staters such as yourself move into Wyoming, trying to get away from where they came from, and then pompously demand that Wyoming conform to their way of thinking. We are, and will continue to be, a state which stands a head above the rest in terms of economic security. Our ability to do that is, in large part, to our “live and let live” mentality when it comes to allowing economic development, and limiting government oversight. So, to conclude, if you’re so worried about what our legislature is working on, then go back home.

Sincerely,

Hans Hunt

Representative Hans Hunt

House District 02

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Easter Sunday! Every year brings back memories of a time gone by. A time when we would all get together at my great Aunt’s home and eat and hunt eggs. In a world where kids can play games on their watches and interact with one another on social media, I don’t believe those family get togethers are as meaningful. We couldn’t wait to see our cousins and aunts and uncles. Is it just me or were the days slower back then? Yeah I know...Nostalgia comes with age. The world is changing. 

It’s foreign to me in a lot ways. Even if I try to keep up, the pace is so fast I fall behind. We are all in a hurry. Rarely is there a day (even in retirement) that I don’t lay down at night and think “I didn’t get to that!” When we lay down in that field of stones what we got done in a day will not matter. How we treat each other, how we help each other, and how we love each other will. One died and was raised for us many years ago that taught this. Gotta quit counting the hours and make the hours count! Have a great Easter Sunday! Give your kids some memories. Give yourself a break! Laugh and love!! Have a good one

COUNTY SOFTBALL TOURNEY CANCELLED

The Limestone Co. Varsity Softball tournament has been canceled for this year. Due to conflicts with county teams trying to make up area games there is not a date available that all teams can play on.

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Cup of coffee on the porch listening to the rain. Sweet, peaceful sound of it dripping from the new maple leaves. The sound of rain has always soothed me. I remember the big sky lights in the elementary classrooms at Clements. The rain would drum on those things and I would listen for rhythms. The natural drumming would somehow make me feel safe. I remember riding in the car when I was young and watching the rain drops “race” across the car windows. Always wondered where it went when it made it to the finish. The summer rain on a hot run is always a welcome refreshment. Somehow always brings out the “kid” in me. 

Rain is soothing. Knowing as it falls that somehow it has already been here. It’s already ran down these streams and rivers and been taken back up into the sky and made useful again. Ready to fall and cleanse again. Can almost hear it’s purpose in it’s falling. Reminds me that renewal is a good thing. Renewal of mind, body and soul. Yeah I’m retired....can drink a cup of coffee at 10 pm, lol. Looking out at the green grass...the new growth as the drops fall....reminds me life is good and can start again! That makes me smile. Have a good one!!

ELKMONT WEATHER TODAY - WALK THE TRAIL

It's going to be a beautiful Easter on the Hilltop. Tomorrow starts off with cloudy skies but will warm up to the upper 70s, maybe even low 80s. Take a walk and enjoy our Richard Martin Trail. Invite the family to come and enjoy what the Lord has created.

* please remember that all land along the trail is private property.  You can look but don't wander off the trail.

DID YOU KNOW ABOUT THE ELKMONT WALKING TOUR?

They are back this year.... mark your calendars. Elkmont will host Bicentennial Historical Walking Tours 10 a.m. each Saturday in April. Tour groups will meet at the train depot at 9:45. Tours last about one hour. Wear comfortable shoes. Tours will not continue during heavy rain or thunderstorms. More information or to volunteer as tour guide: 256-232-5411; teresa@visitathensal.com.

From the Delmore Brothers to a goat cheese factory to the bloodiest battle site in Alabama, tours of Elkmont will educate and entertain. The walks will begin at the depot, pass by historical markers and stop at Belle Chevre. These are being offered each Saturday in April, weather permitting.

“This is our first time having a walking tour and we are excited,” Richard Martin said. “You will hear about how Elkmont got its name and how it’s the highest point on the railroad between Birmingham and Evansville, Indiana. Once you start walking up that hill, you’ll feel it. You’ll also get the chance to see the site of a Civil War battle.”

Fought in September 1864, the Battle of Sulphur Creek resulted in 200 troops killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in Alabama.

Raised in Athens, Martin moved to Elkmont after “traffic got so bad.” He hopes visitors appreciate the town’s quaintness and friendly atmosphere.

“We don’t have any red lights here. That’s the way I like it. It’s a quaint little place right next to the railroad. It’s like a little Mayberry,” Martin said.

To read more about other walking tours, click on link to Athens News Courier

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

I find as I get older the words
“I miss” seem to roll off my tongue more and more. I drive down roads of my youth and I miss the way the houses use to look. I see young daughters with their dads and I miss that with Jensen. I remember mama’s home cooking and that cornbread crust that I can’t master and I miss it. I go by and leave some flowers for daddy and I miss the “hey Bub” that always came when I saw him. I was running in Florence today after work. 

Thoughts of college and friends and places I used to go were going through my mind. I started to smile. Missing is a big part of life. To miss something is to know what that “something” is worth. How sad it would be if we lived and never had the chance to miss! Missing means we have lived, loved, laughed and learned! There is a sweet release when we allow ourselves to grieve over times gone, people we’ve lost and safety we had in youth. Just another part of life. Looking forward can be pretty good too! Just some thinking I did on today’s run!! Get deep with myself 😉. Have a good one!

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

RESPECT...if it’s not taught at home it will never be exemplified. If it’s not allowed to be demanded and consequences given if it is lacking chaos will ensue. Sadly parenting, media, and attitudes of kids are lacking in this. Giving attention to a CHILD who is bent on creating chaos is ridiculous. Giving attention to adults who want to cause this chaos is just as ridiculous. 

Sadly the masses run over themselves to perpetuate this “victim” persona these individuals proclaim to anyone who will listen. Follow the rules guys! Express concerns while following protocol but most of all don’t incite behaviors that are detrimental to all involved! God bless our schools, teachers/administrators and our students !! Have a good one!

2019 ELKMONT BEAUTY WALK DATE SET

Registration has started for the Elkmont Beauty Walk.  Looking forward to a great pageant this year. Elkmont Band Boosters will sponsor the 14th Annual Red Carpet Affair Beauty Walk on April 19th and 20th. Kindergarten through 5th grade (Elkmont High School District) will be on Friday night starting at 7:00pm in the new gym. Babies through pre-school age will be on Saturday afternoon (open to anyone) starting at 2:00pm and our 6th through 12th grade (Elkmont High School District) will start on Saturday night at 7:00 pm. 

This year, once again, we will have "The Special Edition Senior Guys" division following the crowning of our Senior girls division. We have also are bringing back the "Ugly Walk".  Door admission will be $5.00 and we will have a concessions available. Entry fees will be $35.00 and if interested in photogenic category, it will be $5.00 per photo to enter. 

LINK TO 2012 SENIOR GUYS DANCE

Registration forms will be available at the front office of the school and at the band room. Forms can be picked up at Keila's Hair Salon in Ardmore and from any of the band booster officers. All entry fees must be turned in to the bandroom, any band booster officer, Keila's Hair Salon or mailed to Keila Berzett 29200 Ragsdale Creek Rd, Elkmont Al. 35620. 

Registration will continue through April 2nd. Everyone, not just the Elkmont school district, is invited to enter the babies through preschool division on Saturday afternoon. We are looking forward to another successful year with this fundraiser for our band program. We appreciate all support from our community.

 
Feel free to post any pics of dresses that you may want to re-sale, rent or donate to other contestants interested in finding the perfect dress. 

BEAUTY WALK FACEBOOK PAGE LINK

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Took some flowers by my grandparents grave today. When I was small we would go weekly out to Pleasant Point cemetery and grandaddy would rake and mow the family graves and grandmama would wash the headstones and put flowers on them. She would use Mrs. Butterworth’s syrup jars filled with he fresh cut flowers. She told me it reminded her of Aunt Lou who worked for her daddy and helped raise them. Her mom died of the flu not long after my great aunt Cora was born. She left five kids, grandmama being one of them. 

I would sit beside my great grandmama’s grave while grandmama told me about her. She was also named Cora. I’d listen to grandmama tell stories of her brothers and sisters (two had also died not long after her mom) and soak up those stories. I can still go grave to grave out there and remember what I was told about them. One was called Cousin Carrie who never married and was a health nut way before her time. She would run up and down the stairs for exercise and grandmama said she would order “tonics” out of catalogs. 

She would tell me stories of her mama, her daddy...of her aunts and uncles. I loved it. I may not know where I’m going but thanks to her I sure know where I came from. I didn’t know it then but she was guiding me on a path of loving stories and the emotions and joy that they give me. I didn’t have a Mrs. Butterworth’s jar today. Bought some artificial flowers from the store. I guess they were more for me than for them. Memories are gifts. Those stories are gold. Good grandparents are sent from God. Have a good one!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT.....

The North Alabama Mule Train made their annual visit on Monday, April 1 as they traveled north to Columbia, Tennessee for Mule Day.  You may have missed seeing them this year but Susan Pylant has some terrific pictures for us all to enjoy. LOOK for them again next year on the first Monday of April.

NEED A RIDE?

Limestone County Council on Aging’s transportation coordinator, Sabrina Bates wants you to know that the organization is adding medical appointment transportation to its rural routes in order to give seniors in more remote parts of the county the opportunity to safely travel to and from grocery stores and medical appointments.  Elkmont's day is Tuesday.

Come hitch a ride to one of our senior centers for a day of fellowship, fun activities, morning exercise and a great meal with great friends. Instead of sitting at home, come join us for a fun day on the town with one of our rural or city shopping routes.”Anyone looking for transportation assistance, should call Sabrina Bates. Her number is 256/216-3907.

DID YOU KNOW THAT OUR BANK HAS A SPIRIT CARD?

Our friendly neighborhood bank has the Elkmont Spirit card.  Show your school spirit and earn cash for our school, a percentage is donated to the school, when you use your Citizens Bank & Trust School Spirit Visa Check Card. Stop by Citizens Bank & Trust in Elkmont or call 256-732-4602 to request your Elkmont Red Devils Visa Check Card. 

CHANGING WITH THE SEASONS

               

                                               
 Good Morning to All Hill Spirit Fans

Spring has sprung, the seasons are changing, Hill Spirit will be making it's own small changes too. Our founding Hill Spirit will be "flying the coop" so to say, but will check in from time to time and occasionally contribute a post to the Elkmont Alabama Blog. As for me (Hill Spirit 2), the blog will not change much, maybe a few new things. Ideas, information and good news of anything related to Elkmont are welcomed, after all this is our small little town, our little gem. Thank you to those who do contribute. Looking forward to feedback to make this blog even better. Sad to see Main Spirit go, but like I said "Spirit" is watching over us.    

A FOND ADIEU

House is in the pending stage.
Boxes have been hauled to Kentucky.
Address has been changed.
And we are saying our goodbyes.

Jim and I have loved being a part of the Elkmont community for many years.
  

Our babies have grown into men here  and moved away. We have grown older ... oh, how fleeting time is.

Many wonderful friends have made life's journey sweeter. Being here has been a blessing and will be a warm memory in our hearts. We had planned on staying here until the Lord called but life happens and family ties are strong so we are off to Manitou, Kentucky. 

I hope the Elkmont Alabama Blog continues. I hope it has kept you informed of community events, issues that concern you, Elkmont folks' accomplishments as well as bring a bit of home to those who no longer live here but are still connected to this little community. Yes, it probably is a run-on sentence but it is just right.  As I said before, the Hill Spirit is a title, not a specific person. Anyone who speaks well of our community, who shares the good news and serves others in Elkmont is a hill spirit.

 
Someone has stepped up and will become the new Hill Spirit. The new Hill Spirit will shepherd and serve as editor of the Elkmont blog but will need your help. If you would also like to become a co-Hill Spirit (administrator/editor of the blog) or a submitting author, contact me on my facebook page or email me at rocket@1791.com.  It does take a bit of time but sharing the joys of living in Elkmont touches more hearts than you realize.  Best wishes and may you continue to enjoy living in one of the small hidden treasures in North Alabama.

FOR SENIORS ON FIXED INCOMES - THE FARMERS MARKET NUTRITION PROGRAM

Although the peak season for Alabama produce runs from May to early October, the Farmers Market Authority is already working to assure that Limestone County seniors are able to participate in the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program. These SFMNP vouchers help provide fresh fruit and veggies to those in need.  However, the application for this program can only be submitted online.

To register for the SFMNP coupons and for more information, visit  http://fma.alabama.gov. On the FMA page, click on “SFMNP Application.” Follow the steps to complete the application and click “submit.” Be sure to verify your information and that it states your application has been successfully submitted.

THIS IS A VERY LIMITED PROGRAM SO GETTING THE APPLICATION IN ASAP IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

Completing the application does not guarantee receipt of SFMNP benefits to everyone who is eligible since funds are limited. The Limestone County Council on Aging is offering assistance to Limestone County seniors who need help with the application process. Seniors are encouraged to visit their local senior center for an application.

• Elkmont Nutrition Center (Senior Center) 
*located at 25460 Railroad Street

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Ok...so had a first today. I’m running a short 4 miler in Athens today trying to beat the rain. I cross the covered footbridge going to the soccer fields uneventfully. I go around the sportsplex and start back across the bridge to the middle school track. I see two guys playing frisbee golf under the bridge as I start up it. As a prologue I have been binge watching a lot of shows since I retired. The Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Vikings....you know great literary works come to TV😉. Anyway the supernatural and birds go hand in hand in a few of these. 

I start up the bridge and enter and see this black blob come up from Hades itself and go by my head. I hear this awful shrieking and prepare to be a body with no head....popular mode of execution on these particular shows. I feel something brushing my head and I’m sure it’s some kind of supernatural raven! I lose all semblance of manly hood and bob side to side while screaming in an octave only dogs (and apparently frisbee golfers) can hear “get away!” 

My life is flashing before my eyes and I can picture this bird tearing me apart. Granted it’s as big as my hand but still. I stagger out the other side and the guys have ran up to the opening of the bridge. I hear one chuckle and say “it’s only a bird “. Only a bird....only a bird that’s possessed!! Been thinking how it really liked my hair. Need a warning label put on “Just for Men”.....
product may attract sparrows. Got to laugh! Finished before it rained!! Have a good one!

WILLIAM DOUGLAS HOBBS - OBITUARY

William Douglas Hobbs, MD, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 2, 2019. He was born March 30, 1944. He was the son of the late John Merrion and Gladys Marion Craig.

He is survived by his spouse, Leena Hobbs; daughter, Dr. Nicole Hobbs; son-in-law, Dr. Chris Organ; granddaughter, Freya; brothers, Dr. Jack Hobbs and the late Frank Carpenter; sister-in-law, Radha, Shantie, Ranie and Satty; cousins, Jim and Lawana Hurt, Bill and Billie Bass, Ronnie and Melinda Christ, Dickey and Sue Hobbs and many more.

Dr. Hobbs served in the U.S. Air Force. He practiced as a Medical Doctor in Michigan, Montana, Alabama and Tennessee. He was a Medical Missionary in South and Central America for 8 years.

Memorial Services will be held at Elkmont United Methodist Church on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 3:00 p.m. with Brother Thom Porter officiating. Limestone Chapel is assisting the family.

RURAL VILLAGE SPRING YARD SALE

It's time for the spring yard sale at the Elkmont Rural Village.  The subdivision holds two yard sales a year and all 145 residents have an opportunity to participate. There are always some good things to be found.  Sale starts about 8 am until about 2 pm, Saturday, April 6. Mark your calendar, drive out and see what rare treasure you may find. You will be able to find more yard sales in the surrounding area. Our community will be the place to be to be if you are are looking for something unique, interesting or just plain strange.

BEAUTIFY ELKMONT DURING FREE TRASH DUMP DAY

We all have junk we need to get rid off and for those of us with junk piles, April 6 is the perfect time to get rid of it.  All it costs is a truck and some elbow grease. The first load is free.  

You have until April 6 to work on sorting through that stuff in the back yard so you can take advantage of the Free Landfill Days at the Transfer Station. Limestone County residents can take up to a truck or trailer load free of charge to the Transfer Station at 16100 BFI Lane off U.S. 72 West, just east of Seven-Mile Post Road.
 
Athens-Limestone Beautiful says 
from 7 a.m. until noon, Transfer Station staff will accept trash from residents that can produce a utility bill from their Limestone County residence. No trash will be accepted after the noon deadline. Dropping trash at the gate will be considered illegal dumping and will be handled accordingly. Gates close at noon.

Please Recycle First:
Tires: Can be recycled free of charge by taking them to the County Garage located in your Limestone County commission district.

Electronics: All electronics (operated by battery or electricity) may be recycled at the Athens-Limestone Recycling Center located on Lucas Ferry Rd. one building south of U.S. 72. The Recycling Center charges per pound for all electronics.

Batteries: Not Accepted

Leaving items at the Recycling Center that are not accepted will be considered ILLEGAL DUMPING and will be handled accordingly through surveillance and reporting. LINK to what can be reycled

Transfer Station Restrictions:

No household hazardous waste or medical waste will be accepted.

Any appliance containing Freon must have the compressor removed or be accompanied by a certificate showing the Freon was properly removed.

No contractors will be permitted to dump free of charge.