HANNAH USERY IS A CHARGER

Elkmont High School's Hannah Usery has had an outstanding career on the softball diamond.  Besides being Elkmont's leading pitcher, she also plays first and third base. She recently signed a two-year college full athletic scholarship to continue her softball career at Columbia State Community College.  Columbia State’s Lady Chargers softball program is known for some of the best fast-pitch action in Middle Tennessee. The Lady Chargers have been a familiar presence at the TJCCAA Regional Tournament.

  
Hannah's Thoughts:

"I am extremely thankful and blessed to be continuing my softball career at Columbia State Community College. None of this would’ve been possible without my supportive and amazing parents, the good Lord above, and my best friend Papa Dale."

Parents: Barry & Bridgett Usery 
Sibilings : Haley and Barry D Usery 
Grandparents: 
the late Dale Usery of Elkmont
Debbie Weldon and Norman Weldon of Athens
the late Roger Hill of Moulton
Guy and Betty Sapp of Moulton


College : Columbia State Community College Major : Forensic Science 
Church: Clements Baptist 
Hobbies: Sports and writing 
Organizations: FFA, Student Ambassador at LCCTC, FCA, and JROTC  

COME JOIN YOUR LITTLE ONE FOR A THANKSGIVING LUNCH

Tuesday, November 13
 
Parents,
You are invited to eat lunch with your child on Tuesday, November 13. The class lunch schedule is listed below. We ask that you please sign in and wait at the Lunchroom entrance until it is time for your child's class to go to lunch. Please do not go to the classrooms to wait on your child, and please say your goodbyes when lunch ends so we can continue with our regular instructional day.

Lunch Schedule

9:55-10:25 PreK

10:00-10:25 Nash Kindergarten

10:03-10:28 Hammock Kindergarten

10:06-10:31 Walker Kindergarten

10:08-10:33 Vincent Kindergarten

10:10-10:35 Shores 1st Grade

10:12-10:37 McCollum 1st Grade

10:20-10:45 Bates 1st Grade

10:22-10:47 Compton 2nd Grade

10:24-10:49 Patterson 2nd Grade

10:26-10:51 Spry 2nd Grade

10:28-10:53 English 3rd Grade

10:30-10:55 Cagle 3rd Grade

10:32-10:57 Adams 3rd Grade

10:45-11:10 Bates 4th Grade

10:46-11:11 Wortham 4th Grade

10:48-11:13 Hobbs 4th Grade

10:50-11:15 Holt 5th Grade

10:53-11:18 Bailey 5th Grade

10:55-10:20 Owens 5th Grade

JOSEPHINE DEFOE - OBITUARY

Josephine Defoe, age 59 of Elkmont, died November 5 at ECM Hospital. Mrs. Defoe was born June 19, 1959 in Hohenwald, Tennessee, and she was a homemaker.

NOVEMBER 8
Graveside service will be 2 pm Thursday, with Doug Colwell officiating.
Visitation Thursday from 12 noon until 1:30 at Spry Funeral Home. 

Mrs. Defoe is survived by, Husband, Timothy Defoe of Elkmont. Mother, Virginia Mears of Tanner. Daughters, Ruth Moss of Elkmont. Rebecca Smith of McMinnville, Tennessee. Leslie Defoe of Elkmont. Sons, Adam Kyle, Derrick Defoe, and Shawn Defoe all of Athens.
Fifteen Grandchildren, and One Great Grandson. Sister, Deborah Mears of Elkmont. Brothers, Michael Kyle of Priceville, Alabama. William Kyle of Athens.

GRACIE PULLUM - OBITUARY

Gracie Pullum, age 93 of Athens, died Sunday at her residence. Mrs. Pullum was born April 30, 1925 in Lincoln County, Tennessee, she was a member of New Oakland Baptist Church, Athens.
Visitation will be Tuesday from 6-9 pm at Spry Funeral Home. Services 2 pm Wednesday in the chapel of Spry Funeral Home with Dwight Raburn, Shane Reyer, Frankie Murphy, and Anthony Anderson officiating. Burial in Gatlin Cemetery. 

Pallbearers will be, Deryl Haggard, Tim Reyer, Randal Haggard, Danny Bermea, Brandon Ivey,Michael Ivey, Austin Lopez, and Nick Thompson.
Honorary Pallbearers will be, Jeremy Pope, Brennen Shores, Jacob Shores, Josh Reyer, Colby Murphy, Hunter Reyer, Byron Hodges, Nathan Reyer, and Blake Haggard. 


Survivors, Daughters, Barbara (Sonny) Hodges of Elkmont. Kathleen (J.L.) Haggard of Elkmont. Wanda (Wayne) Haggard of Athens. Marjorie Taylor of Athens. Eighteen Grandchildren, thirty eight Great Grandchildren, and twenty seven Great Great Grandchildren. Sister, Marie Winsett of Hobart, Oklahoma. Several Nieces and Nephews.
She was preceded in death by, Husband, Robert Mason Pullum. Daughter, Nadine Reyer. Grandsons, Ronnie Haggard, and Wesley Lopez.  Granddaughter, Rita Reyer.

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

I have ran in DC, Philly, Boston, Los Angles, NOLA, and many other cities around the country, but nothing can touch the beauty I observed as the sun rose on the horizon against the cotton field on Pettusville Rd one morning.

Saw beautiful horses running in the orange glow. An owl flew low across almost touching our heads. Saw deer, cows and sheep responding to their owners. Elkmont, Pettusville, and Veto held more beauty than all of the above cities today. Have a good one!

TIME TO GET READY FOR THANKSGIVING - REDUCING HOLIDAY STRESS

Here are some more steps to take as part of planning Thanksgiving day to make it a stress free, enjoyable time for you and your family. This week we're still mainly in the mode of planning for Thanksgiving, although we will also deal with a little Christmas preparations too this week.




If you've done your tasks from last week, your Halloween decorations are completely put away, but there is one more thing you need to get out of your house related to Halloween. If you have candy left from Halloween it is time to get the excess out of your house. Your kids (and you) don't need to be eating it daily for too much longer. (This is a reminder I need myself, because I am bad for sneaking a piece of their candy!)
Link for complete article, well worth your time.  

• Week 1: Reducing Holiday Stress Through Planning
• Week 2: Experience Holiday Stress Relief With These Steps
• Week 3 - More Simple Steps To A Stress Free Holiday Season
• Week 4 - Final Preparations And Halloween Planning Tasks
• Week 5 - Thanksgiving Planning For A Fun Thanksgiving Day With Your Family

TOYS FOR TOTS TRAIL RIDE

Sulphur Creek Trails is sponsoring a Toys for Tots donation event this year on November 10 @ 9 am. This ride will be located in the Elkmont Rural Village, Elkmont, AL. Normally, it requires a riding permit unless you are resident but this year you can ride the trails for a donated new toy. There are 1500 acres of scenic land with marked trails. November 11@ 9am.  For more information, contact Glenda Oakley (256) 518-3483 or  kelsey2009@msn.com or Sulphur Creek Trails

Riders will meet at

24212 Easter Ferry Rd
Elkmont, Alabama 35620

NOVEMBER HAS SEVERE WEATHER

Alabama is about to enter its secondary severe weather season, which typically begins in November and lasts into December.

November is one of the busiest months for tornadoes in Alabama.Tornadoes have been recorded in every calendar month in Alabama. But historically, November has proven to be a busy month, according to data from the National Weather Service. 

This is a reminder that our crazy weather season is right around the corne For those that need a place to go, when a tornado watch or warning is posted for the county, the Elkmont Storm Shelter will be available. 

Now, the important part, how do you get in?  The Elkmont Fire Department is the keeper of the keys.  Here is the procedure for when and how the shelter will be used.

OPENING OF THE SAFE ROOM IN BAD WEATHER

                                                                                                    

The safe room will be opened immediately when a Tornado Watch is issued for Limestone County.

*We will establish communications with EMA upon activation.

*We will keep occupants updated with current weather information

*Occupants shall adhere to Safe Room Rules which will be posted in Safe Room

*If the Safe Room is in the vicinity or path of a tornado the doors will be locked ( should residents attempt to enter the Safe Room they will be

allowed and the doors locked back.)        

*The Safe Room will be opened by someone in the Elkmont Volunteer Fire Department. This person will be there until the threat of bad weather is gone or is released by another member of the Fire Dept.

Location: 
19667 Sandlin Rd, behind the new fire station

Additional  Location:*Elkmont United Methodist Church Basement

BARRY'S CORNER - LIVING IN ELKMONT

Saw a quote on a shirt the other day that said “If it doesn’t challenge you it doesn’t change you”....I really like this quote. So much truth in it. If we never rise up to a challenge we will continue on a path of mediocre accomplishments and get accustomed to settling for less. Setting goals...working toward that goal... changes us. Running goals change the way we eat, sleep, and train to make sure we are prepared for the race. Life goals can also do the same. It can shape the way we think, play, and work. Life is a challenge....everyone of us knows that! There will be a change in the tough times. It’s up to us if it’s positive or negative! 

Kids have sectionals today! They have worked hard in practice for their chance to shine today. I’m very proud of their efforts! Always on this day I question “Have we done enough?” Never...The challenge is “Do we believe we have done all we can?” ....letting that guide your training will change you. Leave it all out there today !!! Good luck to all the runners in sectionals today!!!

FALL IN ELKMONT

With maple, sassafras, poplar and
sweet gum trees shedding their summer greens for a fall wardrobe of brilliant reds, lemon yellows, honey golds and vibrant oranges, how can you not love fall?

We are already beginning to see the maple trees start to change color. There are a few leaves that are showing off early, but that makes for a hint of color. How dazzling the colors become depends on the weather. Too much rain, not enough or an early freeze could dull the bright colors of our fall leaves.  The last few weeks of October is normally the best time to see fantastic color in Elkmont.

By Trail
The Richard Martin Trail was ranked by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy as the No. 11 trail in the nation in its July rankings. We are indeed blessed to have this  trail located in Elkmont.  Enjoy the beautiful October weather.  We may all be hibernating this winter if you don't like COLD. 

  More Information About Trail Link

Also referred to as the Limestone Rail-Trail, this route is a total of 10.2 miles. It begins in Elkmont and goes both north and south from there. The trail endpoints include Veto Road at the Tennessee/Alabama border and Delaney Road at County Road 81. 

Trail-goers can either walk, bike, or horseback ride through the trail all while experiencing the sites and sounds of Alabama wildlife. Dogs are also allowed on the trail. Please remember all land along the trail belongs to someone and not for public use.  

By Boat

According to Don Bowling, the best views of a north Alabama autumn appear while relaxing on a kayak and floating down the Elk River.

“It’s not a race. It doesn’t matter how long it takes you to get where you are going, so sit back and enjoy. You are floating downstream so you are eventually going to end up where you need to be.”, said Bowling, owner of Fort Hampton Outfitters in Elkmont.

Bowling, who kayaks, canoes and paddle boards, prefers the Elk River, from Veto to Easter Ferry Road, for its  uninterrupted views of the tree line. Depending on the water level, the trip can take up to three hours.

 Source: Decatur Daily