COLD WEATHER IS COMING

Here is another forecast that indicates a very good chance we will see snow and ice this year.  A little preparation goes a long way to save money as you try to stay warm.  A back up heat source for your home or a good friend with gas heat in his house might be a wise thing to have in case we lose electricity.

Here are five ways to prep your house for winter:

1. Insulate your hot water heater. For a lot of homes, the hot water heater is one of the biggest energy users in the house. This is especially true if your heater is located in a non-insulated room like the garage. Just think how much harder your heater has to work to deliver those piping hot showers if it’s sitting in a 30 degree room! Consider adding an insulating blanket over your heater to maximize its efficiency this winter. For more ways to save energy and money, read: Inspect and Maintain Your Water Heater.

2. Bundle up your attic and crawlspaces. Gaps and holes in your insulation are similar to having gaps and holes in your coat. They kind of defeat the purpose. By repairing your insulation, you can save more than 20 percent on your utility bills this winter. To learn how, read: Inspect and Repair Your Insulation.

3. Protect your pipes. When water freezes, it expands. If it’s inside a pipe when it expands, the water breaks the pipe and leaves you with a gargantuan repair bill. To prevent this, shut down your sprinkler system, unscrew the hose from the faucet and cover your outdoor faucets with insulation covers. To protect your indoor pipes, be sure to never set your thermostat below 55 degrees F (even if you’re going out of town for an extended period of time).  Leaving the sink cabinet doors open and a slow dripping faucet when it gets below freezing might be a smart idea.

4. Schedule a checkup for your furnace. We’re entering the prime furnace-usage season, so if there’s a problem, you want to take care of it now, not when it’s 10 degrees outside. Schedule a routine checkup for your furnace to make sure everything is working well.

FLAG FOOTBALL CHAMPIONS

Past Elkmont football players, Levi and Skyler Gant are the 2012 University of Alabama  flag football champions.

Their team at UA won the championship game...out of 68 teams. We listened to it on WVUA, the campus radio station. It was as exciting a game as any other we have ever experienced....they won 13 to 9.

Skyler and Levi are third and fourth from the left.  
Congrads on being flag football champions.

ELKMONT YOUTH BASKETBALL SEASON STARTS

Elkmont has a large youth basketball program.  Teams that represent various ages have started their seasons.  The 12 and under Elkmont 3 played Johnson last week.  This team is coached by Kenny Smith.  We would love to hear about your team as well.  If you would like your team's news to be on the blog, please send pictures, schedules and write-ups to elkmont1@charter.net.



The Down Home Portraits' photographer, Robby Newport has supplied some great action shots of the Elkmont 3 and Johnson teams.  Please contact Robby about ordering photos.  Click here for Facebook page link.

ELKMONT LADY DEVILS BEAT NEW HOPE IN OPENER

As the 2012 -2013 basketball season starts here in Elkmont, the varsity and junior varsity programs hosted New Hope.  The Lady Devils began their year by taking a win, 50 - 45.  Both boys programs took a loss in what looks to be a rebuilding year.

JV Boys - Quarter Team Scoring

1st  Elkmont  09,       New Hope 14

2nd Elkmont 20,        New Hope 28

3rd  Elkmont 22,        New Hope 37

4th  Elkmont 29,        New Hope 52

Caleb Wallace        8 points

Preston Rouse        5 points

Colby Holt             4 points

Josh Carter             4 points

Aron Moss             2 points

Jared Smallwood    2 points

Hunter Brazeal       2 points

Travis Riggs           2 points

Quarter Team Scoring - Varsity Girls

1st Elkmont 16                New Hope 16

2nd Elkmont 27               New Hope 30

3rd Elkmont 30                New Hope 38

4th Elkmont 50                New Hope 45

Brittney Carter       13 points

Bailee Gooch         10 points

Cally Glass             8 points

Brandi Bentley       6 points

Ameia Davis           5 points

Dakota McCurley   3 points

Ruth Ann Bates     3 points

 

Quarter Team ScoringVarsity Boys

1st Elkmont 7           New Hope 18

2nd Elkmont 19        New Hope 31

3rd Elkmont 30         New Hope 56

4th Elkmont 37         New Hope 66

 

Trevor Patterson            10 points

Andew Labathe                7 points

Jared Bailey                     6 points

Tyler Thomas                  6 points

Zach Boyd                       5 points

Matthew Barnes               3 points

Pictures provided by the Elkmont Sports Photographers, 

Down Home Portraits - click HERE for more game photos.

The Red Devils and Lady Devils will be playing in the Decatur Heritage Thanksgiving Tournament, Nov. 19 - 21

WEST LIMESTONE SWEEPS ELKMONT MIDDLE SCHOOL TEAMS

West Limestone rolled into Elkmont Thursday night and took both games.  The Elkmont Middle School Lady Devils beat West Limestone in their previous meeting 28 - 26 but the Lady Wildcats returned the favor by winning 29 -25 in their second meeting.  The Lady Devils led until half time in a very close game but as the third quarter ended West tied the score at 20 - 20.  The two teams continued to play hard during the fourth quarter but the Lady Wildcats were able to pull ahead as the horn signaled the end of the game.

Quarter Team Scoring

1  Elkmont   05              West   03

2  Elkmont   11              West   10

3  Elkmont   20              West   20

4  Elkmont   25              West   29

Individual Scoring - Elkmont

Smith       7 points

Pressnell  9 points

Clinard    3 points

Jefferies   4 points

Green       2 points

The Elkmont Red Devils took another loss from a very talented West Limestone middle school boys team.  Hopefully, they will pick up their first win Nov 27 when Elkmont hosts Clements.

Quarter Team Scoring

1   Elkmont  02         West 14

 2   Elkmont  06         West 32

  3  Elkmont   10         West 44

  4  Elkmont    16        West 46

Individual Elkmont Scoring

Cameron Davis                   2 points

Jackson Cook                     6 points

Tiyler Walts                        2 points

Brady Garris                       2 points

Taylor Thomas                   2 points

Braxton Hand                     2 points

Pictures provided by the Elkmont Sports Photographers, 
Down Home Portraits - click HERE for more game photos.  These photos are available for sale.  There are great action shots of the West Limestone teams as well as Elkmont teams

FREIDA RENEE KOCH - OBITUARY

The funeral for Freida Renee Koch, 49, of Athens will be at 11 a.m. Monday at Spry Funeral Home with Terry Thomas officiating. Burial will be in Sandlin Cemetery.

Visitation is from 6-9 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Mrs. Koch died Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, at Huntsville Hospital.

Freida Koch was born Jan. 25, 1963, in Limestone County.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Danny Green Sr. and Shirley Ann Tucker Green; and brother, Dewayne Eubanks.

Survivors include her husband, Kenneth Koch of Athens; daughter, Cassie Murphy of Ayden, N.C.; grandson, Landon Matias of Ayden; brothers, Danny Green Jr. and wife Elizabeth, and Richard Green and wife Lisa, all of Elkmont; stepbrothers, Allen Hill and Billy Hill, both of Elkmont.

ORDER YOUR BASKETBALL SHIRT TODAY

Elkmont Basketball Fans:

We are currently taking orders for basketball shirts. Deadline is Friday, November 16. Shirts/Sweatshirts are Black with the logo pictured above. Order forms can be given to Coach Hobbs  at school or to Allison Garris tonight at the gym.  Remember Elkmont plays New Hope at home tonight. Payment due with order. Make checks payable to EHS Basketball. There will be no "extras" ordered.  Shirts should be in week of Dec 3 - 7.

Prices are:
Short Sleeve: $12
Long Sleeve: $18
Crew Sweatshirt: $25
Hooded Sweatshirt: $30
Hooded Fleece Sweatshirt: $40

IT'S GOING TO GET COLD OUTSIDE

Joe Bastardi, my favorite weather guy, and Weatherbell Forecasting Center has its winter forecast out.  It is predicting temperatures two degrees below normal.  Thought this would go well with the New Courier article below on preparing for this winter.

If the current model holds true, the lower three-fourths of the state could have a wetter-than-normal winter. The Tennessee Valley’s outlook, however, remains uncertain.

Despite having a mild winter last year, North Alabama has experienced significant winter weather over the past few years and was provided a rare white Christmas in 2010. Other significant events included the winter storm of March 2009 and a historic snowfall event in January 2011.

Officials with the National Weather Service and the Limestone County Emergency Management Agency want residents to be ready as the winter season approaches. Temperatures have already dipped below freezing this week, meaning water pipes can be vulnerable.

“People need to be prepared and pay attention to weather bulletins,” said Daphne Ellison, communications officer with the Limestone EMA. “It’s hard for the weather service to predict snow because those conditions have to be right, but you need to take precautions if it does happen.”

Some of those precautions include keeping emergency supplies not only at home, but also in a personal vehicle. The NWS recommends preparing a travel safety kit containing batteries, blankets, a first-aid kit, pocket knife, tow rope, shovel, sand/cat litter, ice scraper, water, nonperishable food, road maps/GPS equipment, a mobile phone charger and an AM/FM battery-operated radio.

Ellison said residents should keep those same items on hand in the home. She also recommended maintaining emergency heat sources, including kerosene heaters. She added that residents should also keep a close check on elderly relatives and neighbors during winter months.

Click on Be Prepared for complete article

ELKMONT VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS RECOGNIZED

The 2012 high school volleyball season is over and the Lady Devils have switched to basketball.  However, now is the time when volleyball players are recognized for their individual success.  Congrads to our Lady Devils.

ALL COUNTY TOURNAMENT TEAM

* BAILEE GOOCH

ALL AREA TOURNAMENT TEAM
*CADIE COFFMAN                                         *SARAH WILLIAMS
     


LIMESTONE ALL COUNTY VOLLEYBALL - 1ST TEAM  
   *BAILEE GOOCH #1      *CADIE COFFMAN #4                           


HONORABLE MENTION:
*CALLY GLASS #20                    *SARAH WILLIAMS #12
          

special thanks to Robby and Casey Newport of Down Home Portraits for providing photos.  They are the Elkmont Sports Photographers.  Visit their facebook page for more of their work.  Click HERE  for great action shots

CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIP - RUNNING GRETTA

2012 AHSAA Cross Country Championship

Well, here we are.  The end of the season. 

Saturday was a day filled with mixed emotions – from the excitement of being at the State Meet to the anxiety of the runners and coaches; from the sad realization that this was the last meet of the season and Chloe and Matthew’s final cross country meet of their high school days to the joy of seeing these kids put forth their hearts every day during practice and it show week after week in their improved times.  And lastly, the PRIDE of being a Red Devil – whether it be runner, coach, parent, sibling, family member, teacher or staff – there is pride in all that was accomplished this season!

Let’s begin this recap by reminding you that only 12 teams from each class (1A/2A, 3A, 4A, 5A and 6A) across the entire state of Alabama earn a spot to compete at the state meet.  Elkmont boys secured their entry when they WON the sectional meet at Cold Springs and the girls secured theirs with a 2^nd place finish at sectionals.  The day started clear and cool but by the time the boys and girls ran, the temps were moderate and great for running.  The Oakville course was (as always) well maintained and DRY!  The starting line at this venue is marked by a string a balloons and stretches across a large flat clearing.  The girls gathered at the starting line for the 10:30 start.  They finished 10^th  in the state and individual times were:

Sammi Jo Pressnell – 22:28

Hannah Hanback – 22:58

Jensen Pugh – 22:58

Stephanie Clem – 24:58

Nikki Ristau – 26:35

Alex Green – 27:18

Maddie Hobbs – 27:28

Marianna Cooper – 27:32

The boys team was led by Tyler Helms – earning All-State honors for finishing in 10^th place.  

The boys team finished 8^th in the state and individual times were:

Tyler Helms – 17:31

Adam McMahan – 18:27

Chance Bailey – 18:39

Tiyler Walts – 19:43

Jacob Ezell – 20:43

Ethan Shores – 21:26

Chandler Johnson – 22:40

Alex Armstrong – 23:54

Chase Prater – 25:07

Matthew Clem – time not reported

Congratulations EHS XC  for an amazing season!  I look forward to next season and sharing the trail with you!

COACH PUGH'S THOUGHTS:

Sad to see XC season come to an end. We had a great season this year with many trophies won..many PR's set...lots of great practices and great meets. I love that these kids love to run and continue to improve! Tyler Helms received All State honors today! Easy to coach kids who have such great supportive parents and such good work habits! Thanks to everyone and to Dale Miller for all of the hard work!