Weekly letter Friday May 30 to Friday June 6, 2008
Friday night Kay and I had dinner at LuVici’s with Mark and Phyllis Whitt. Our daughter Dinah, and their daughter Joy ate with us. Our dinners were very good, and we had a fried tomato and french fried sweet potatoes for appetizers. We did some riding around after dinner tonight to see what is going on around town.
Saturday morning we had several things to do around the house including trimming several hedges and plants that are putting out a lot of growth. I cut one shrub in the front of our dining room back severely, because it blocks the view of a beautiful Hydrangea. The flowers on this one are a beautiful blue, and it looks good. We are going to have to move several of our larger plants because they are being crowed out by our evergreen trees, or they are crowding smaller plants. I think we are going to move our Crepe Myrtles from our berm, and put them against the fence in the rear side yard. I think I am also going to move all our Tiger and Day Lilies to a common area. We may put more Hofstra in places. Kay has also made arrangements with our yard man to put new mulch around everything. Taking care of yards is hard work for an old man. It pulls and tugs at seldom used muscles, and every time I turn around there is something that needs watering.
I loaded up all my hazardous waste this morning around 8:00 and headed for the old Recycling Center where our KALB and Clean Harbor were taking unwanted items from everyone’s garages and outbuildings. Lynn Harte and Gary Poole had a great volunteer group doing all the work, and I was surprised at the number of people bringing in the waste. I thought I was early, but I was the 85th car to arrive. There were so many lined up that they had to start thirty minutes early to ease the traffic.
We also went to our son Charles house to help Whitney and Dinah work on the pool and yard. We want to have a shrimp boil for mine and Whitney’s birthdays which are June 6 for me and June 8 for her. We plan to have all our kids and family for a big blowout next Saturday.
Kay and I went to Kedrick and Trudy Romine’s place tonight to attend the Home Builders Association outing. Kedrick and Trudy have one of the most beautiful places in Limestone County. The land behind their house slopes down to a beautiful lake. They have a long, covered pavilion at the lake’s edge with restrooms, concrete walks, tables, chairs, and all the conveniences. The lake is crossed by a covered bridge, and there are two cabins on the other side of the lake. There are several acres of land here that is mown very smooth.
A large crowd of folks were there for fried fish, barbecue, boiled shrimp, and all the fixings, including several banana puddings and cakes.
I saw a lot of folks there tonight. The Carden’s and their daughter, Ginny were there. Ginny is a good friend of our daughter Whitney, and our entire family. Frank and Virginia Caufield, were there with her Dad Billy Lovell. Her Mom Polly was not feeling well and could not be there. I saw Lynn Gilbert and his wife, Larry Nelson and his wife, David and Janice Griffin, Wesley and Wynell Reynolds, the Persell family, and many others.
We ate at the table with Jim and Bonnie Lou, whom we have known for many years. Bonnie entertained us with tales of snakes and spiders, and other interesting things from the Sand Mountain area, and we all chipped in and told our favorites. Our other table mates were Dan Williams and his wife and daughter. This is the first time I have ever been able to visit with him. He is a super-nice guy, and he teaches at the Limestone Technical Center. His family lives in the Ardmore area, but his wife said they only sleep there. Work, school, Church and everything else is away.
I received work today that Martha Page of Tanner died today. She is the wife of Mr. Charles Page, Mother of Circuit Court Clerk, Charles Page, and Caroline Page, Director of the Limestone County Department of Human Resources. Her granddaughter, Emily Haney, is the Director of the Limestone Aging Program. Martha’s funeral will be at the Tanner Methodist Church on Monday at 11:00 a.m.
I don’t think I have ever known any finer people than Charlie and Martha. They were a family that farmed and operated a dairy in the Tanner community. They were very involved with our staff when I worked at the Department of Human Resources. They were the hard workers at every event we held for many years. They were just like all of our Mamas and Daddy's. Our office staff loved these two folks very much, and they loved all of us back double.
Kay and I attended Sunday school and Church today. We had a good crowd today, and we commissioned our Exultation Youth Choir as they leave today for the St. Louis, Missouri, area on their summer mission. This is a great group of young people and I hope you will pray for them to be safe. We also commissioned who will be going to Africa for the next two months to work at an orphanage mission.
We went to Charles’ house for lunch today. Our daughters had chicken salad, potato salad, macaroni salad, and ham salad. Everything was lite and very good. We made a freezer of homemade ice cream later in the afternoon. Daniel and his family did not get to come over because they were in Cullman with Luke’s Travel Baseball team. The won one game Friday night, lost two on Saturday, then won first place in the tournament on Sunday with a two-game win. Daniel said that Luke played very well.
We also finished opening the pool today and did some work in Charles’ yard. His friend, Kelly came for lunch, and our friend Jessica Brock also spent the afternoon with us. This was a good afternoon and evening for us. We have really enjoyed socializing around Charles’ pool.
Monday morning I was busy at the office catching up on things that happened over the weekend. There is always a lot going on over the weekend that winds up on my desk on Monday mornings. I usually get several calls from citizens about problems that they have noticed over the weekend while at home and having time to look around.
Kay and I went to Tanner Methodist Church this morning at 11:00 to attend the funeral of Ms. Martha Page. Herby Greenhaw, Bill Latimer, Morris Schrimsher, and I sang for the funeral. We sang,”Buleah Land”, and, " It Is Well With My Soul”. There was a large crowd that turned out for the funeral. Rev. Parker, Keith Tuberville, and Rev. Willie Byrd conducted the service at the Church and the grave site next to the Church. The messages from the ministers today were very positive. I don’t know how they could have been otherwise in speaking about Martha. Everyone I saw at the funeral spoke about how much they actually enjoyed being with all of these people who turned out to honor the “first lady of Tanner.”
Kay and I had a lite lunch at home today before she went to Huntsville to get Luke and Jillian, our grandchildren, to bring them for a visit with us. We will all be going to see Asa play in a tournament tonight at the sportsplex.
I met this afternoon with a Department Head and others about an industrial prospect. These meetings are happening more often these days because of all the growth going on in our area.
Kay and I went to see Asa play tonight. They lost the game 7-6. They will play again on Saturday morning. We later went to Luciano’s new restaurant on the north side of the Courthouse Square for dinner. We had been invited for their pre-opening dinner. We were seated with the Harpers, the Gills, Richard Martin, and Gary Daly and his guest. The food, from the appetizers to dessert was very good.
Jillian and Alex spent the night with us. The boys stayed at Whitney’s house in order to play the electronic games.
On Tuesday I had lunch with Tom Hill from the Industrial Development Association and a local citizen interested in bringing some people who are interested in economic development, into our community to meet with us, and to try to develop a good relationship with them.
Kay cooked dinner tonight and we carried it to Charles’ house. Our grandkids were all there with their parents having a swim party. We enjoyed the evening as Kelly, Joy, and Holly, our friends joined us.
Wednesday morning I was in the office doing administrative work. I met with a Department head about personnel problems, and it took some time and a few phone calls to work out a solution to them.
Wednesday afternoon I met with the City Clerk, Finance Director, and Public Works officials about a sewer project and other business of the city.
Wednesday evening Kay and I purchased several items for Charles’ at the local building supply to repair his fence and to make water to the pool more accessible. We are trying to help him get his place in order because we all hang out there so much of the time enjoying the pool. It is also difficult for him to get a lot done daily because of the amount of time he spends at work and traveling to and from work.
Kay fixed us a great supper of hamburgers and fried mushrooms tonight. After supper, I watched a good bit of the hype that is raging about Obama winning the nomination and whether he will select Hillary as his running mate. I agree with several of the people who say that would be a bad thing for him. He would have to put up with her upstaging him about everything, not to mention what he would do about Bill. It is going to be interesting to see how he handles this situation, then goes up against McCain who will exploit his associations with questionable people. I hear so many folks say each day that they are sick of the national campaigns.
Thursday morning about one o’clock, my doorbell rang, and it was Officer Charles Clem from our Police Department. I knew it could be nothing but bad news at that time of night, and my mind raced with thoughts of which child or grandchild has been in an accident? He reported to me that Officer Trevor Harris had been shot responding to a domestic disturbance in the city. He hastened to say that Trevor’s wound was not life-threatening.
Officer Harris and Parnell responded to the call and found that a man had shot his sister and his girlfriend in their legs, and was in a back room with a hostage. When they kicked in the door the man fired and the bullet went below Officer Harris’ protective vest, entered his side and came out his back.
Officer Harris was flown to Huntsville Hospital and treated for the wound. It was good news in that he did not receive life-threatening wounds, and that no one else was killed. There were several shots fired by the assailant during this event. Officer Floyd Johnson used his skills to talk the man into surrendering to the police without further violence.
I went to the police station after Officer Clem left my house and talked to a couple of officers who had ended their shift and were leaving to go to Huntsville to see about Trevor. I asked them to give our regards to him and his family, and went to my office to send e-mails notifying our City Council members and our Department Heads about this incident. I got back home around 2:30 a.m. It was difficult to get to sleep because I kept thinking about our officers we lost to a gunman four years ago, and about how tonight’s incident could have cost the lives of several people. I really think God was protection us tonight.
Thursday morning I ate breakfast at Shoney’s with Evan Thornton, Bill Matthews, Jarrod Hester, and John McClain. I always enjoy my time with them because they talk about many subjects. These young guys talked a while this morning about aches and pains they now have that they didn’t have a few years ago, and I was able to talk to them as an expert on the subject, especially since my birthday is tomorrow.
I checked on several complaints this morning to see if any progress had been made since I reported them to the proper departments. There was one that I will have to follow up on, because it was suppose to be completed and it was not.
I had lunch today with James Rich, our Public Works Director, Gail Ultz, his Administrative Assistance, Brent Meadows, our Engineer, and our special guests, Clint and Marge Brown. We took them to lunch at the new Logan's because Clint is retiring from his service on our Planning Commission, and our Zoning Board of Adjustments. He served on the Zoning Board for 18 years, and the Planning Commission for 16 years. He served on both boards at the same time because the State Law requires a common member to the board. Clint has been an excellent board member, and was diligent in his duty. It was good to visit with him and Marge, and it would be difficult to find a more positive couple who have done so much for their community. We wish them well in their retirement.
I spent the remainder of the afternoon in the office trying to get things caught up in order to take an off-day for my birthday tomorrow. I did make a couple of trips to look at other concerns called in by citizens.
Kay and I went to the Library tonight to the Foundation Board meeting in order for me to learn what they are going to be doing with fund-raising for our library in the near future. We discussed the fact that the City Council had purchased the Kroger building and intended to use at least a part of it for a new library location. The discussion was interesting, and we all agreed that we need to determine if the Council is going to allow the entire building or a part to be used for the library. The Foundation members will also meet with grant resource persons to find out how possible funding will be affected by the amount of building used for the library. I think it will be fairly soon when we begin to come to some definite conclusions about how the building will be used. I will keep you informed about this.
Kay and I went to LuVici’s for a Cuban sandwich tonight. This is a great sandwich and I recommend that you have one the next time you get downtown. It reminded me of the Cuban sandwiches we ate in Tampa at Ebor City many years ago. The bread is not the real McCoy, but it is a good sandwich. I saw my classmate, Margaret Baugher Rogers, and her husband, Joe at the restaurant. They are living at Elkmont and enjoying life.
Friday morning I slept late for my birthday. We still got our early enough to find a place to buy a pot big enough for our shrimp boil tomorrow night. We later went to Luciano’s at lunch to be treated on my birthday by Mark and Phyllis Whitt. The buffet was great and there was a big crowd out for lunch. I saw Councilwoman Milly Caudle and friends having lunch and enjoying their conversation. Councilman Harold Wales and Gary Scrogging from the Electric Department were having lunch today. Marie Barker and Mary McCoy were at the table next to us.
We later purchased all our goodies for our shrimp boil tomorrow night. We have everything ready and moved over to Charles’ place. I am going to have to make him mow his yard this afternoon when he gets home.
The City Council will meet Monday at 4:00 for a work session, and the Regular Session will begin at 5:30 p.m. The following items of business will be addressed by the Council:
PH.1. Continuation of 1-14-08 Public Hearing concerning property located at the south side of Brownsferry Street near the corner of Hine Street.
PH.2. Express 99 – Sale of Alcohol
PH.3. Diesel & Lola – Sale of Alcohol
REGULAR AGENDA
A. Resolution establishing
the use of electronic vote
counting devices. – John
Hamilton & Johnny Crutcher
B. Resolution to amend the City
of Athens’ Personnel Policy and
Procedures Manual to include a
revised travel and compensation
policy. – Sharon Seay & Johnny
Crutcher
C. Resolution to approve travel expenses for the Electric Department. – Gary Scroggins & Johnny Crutcher
D. Resolution to accept resignation from Clint Brown and appoint Charles Malone as a regular member of the Zoning Board. – Johnny Crutcher
E. Resolution to re-appoint Kenneth Taylor to the Zoning Board of Adjustments. – Johnny Crutcher
F. Resolution to use Pugh, Wright & Associates to oversee rail spur construction at Custom Polymers. – James Rich & Johnny Crutcher
G. Resolution to submit applications for ADECA and ARC grants for rail improvements at Custom Polymers location (agreement of understanding between City and Limestone County Commission attached). – John Hamilton and Johnny Crutcher
Looking for something to do
this weekend? Scroll down and
you’ll find plenty to do right
here at home in Limestone
County. It’s Happening in
Limestone County!
Notice: The Athens Lions Club
Kiddie Carnival, at the corner
of Forrest and Beaty Streets in
Athens will begin June 26 and
run every weekend through August
9th. Hours are 6:30pm - 9:30pm,
with rides, concessions and
bingo. Open Thursday, Friday
and Saturday nights June
26th-July 25th(closed July 3rd &
4th) and Friday and Saturday
Nights August 1st-9th.
This weekend:
June 7, 14, 21 & 28 – Free
Saturday walking tours will be
each Saturday during the month
of June at 10:00 AM. Meet at
the Limestone County Courthouse
Annex Parking Lot at 9:45 AM to
meet up with the guides, Buzz
Estes, Richard Martin, Billy
Ward, Bill Swindell, Tom O’Hara
or William Pepper. Each tour is
approximately one hour long.
There are three different walks
((1) Historical Square Walk, (2)
Washington Street, City Cemetery
& Big Spring Memorial Park, and
(3) Athens State University &
Veterans Museum for which to
choose. If you walk three
Saturdays, you will be able to
experience all three.
256-232-5411
7 Jun at 7:00 PM – The King and
I at Julian Newman Elementary
School. For tickets email
footlightstheater@yahoo.com
<mail to:
footlightstheater@yahoo.com>
or call 256-777-0822
7 Jun at 11 AM – noon – Athens
Limestone Home Builders
Association Scholarship Bike
Ride. Meet at Jiffy Food Center
at the corner of hwy 31 and
Hobbs Street in Athens.
Proceeds go to scholarships to
Athens/Limestone Vo-Tech School.
7 Jun at 10:00 Am – Limestone
County Parks and Recreation
invite you to the “Bell Ringing”
at the Rails-to-Trails in Veto.
The recently restored Veto
Methodist Church, on Veto Road,
is now the headquarters for the
Rails to Trails head. A
reception will follow.
256-728-1262
7 Jun at 10 AM – 5 PM – 2-Day
Camp “The ABC’s of Communicating
with Your Horse” at K-1-N
Stables and Arenas, Athens.
$5.00 admission, bring your lawn
chairs, 256-874-6781,
www.kinstables.com
7 Jun at 1 –5 PM – The Friends
of Ardmore Public Library Flower
Garden Tour. Advance Tickets ($
are on sale at the Ardmore, TN
city hall, The Myrtle Tree,
Ardmore First National Bank and
Main Street Gifts and Boutique,
efhand@ardmore.net
7 Jun – Clements High School
Color Guard and Majorettes Yard
Sale at the school.
256-431-2362
10-Jun at 12:00 PM - Athens
Ladies Civitan 1st Annual Golf
Classic 3-Man Scramble at
Canebrake, Athens, $65 per team,
256-216-1513
12-Jun at 7 PM – Singles of
North Alabama Singles Dance at
the Athens Opry Event Center,
24861 Airport Road, Athens,
256-206-0211 or 216-1151,
gwh228@aol.com
13-Jun at 5 AM – 6:30 PM –
Limestone County Severe Weather
Radio Early Warning Project Kick
Off at Wal-Mart Shopping Center,
Athens, WHNT-TV 19 personnel
will be programming radios,
256-232-2631
13 Jun at 7 PM – Singles Dance
at the Athens Opry Event Center
on Airport Road sponsored by the
Singles of North Alabama,
256-206-0211 or 256-216-1151 or
email
gwh228@aol.com
14 Jun at 6:00 & 8:30 PM – The Red Caboose Writers Night featuring Jason Matthews, Rebecca Lynn Howard & Rory & Joey in downtown Elkmont, AL. For reservations call 256-306-6201. $20 at the door.
15-June at 2:00 PM, the
Sunday Band of the 151st Army
Band (located in Union Springs,
AL) will perform at the Alabama
Veterans Museum and Archive.
The band consists of a concert
band, marching band, jazz band,
combo, show band, woodwind
quintet, brass quintet and other
combinations required to
accomplish the musical mission.
The band performs throughout the
US for military and civilian
functions. 256-771-7578
19 Jun at 5:30 PM – Interview
Skills program at the
Athens-Limestone Public
Library. This program is
designed to give teens an edge
in the job market. 256-232-1233
or
www.athenslimestone.lib.al.us
20-Jun at 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM –
Singing on the Square featuring
Rusty Bay and Barry Kay. Bring
your lawn chair and join us on
the East side of the square.
256-232-5411
21 Jun at 8:00 AM – Ardmore
AL/TN Civitan Club Kids Day in
the Park at the Ardmore, TN John
Barnes Park, 256-423-6850 or
256-777-7246
21-Jun at 1:00 PM - 3rd Annual
Limestone County Red Cross 4-Man
Scramble Safety Scramble at
Southern Gayles Golf Course,
Morresville Road, Athens.
256-216-6307
22-Jun at 8 AM – 3 PM – Indian
Artifact Show at Athens State
University Ballroom, Athens,
256-232-0698 or 256-702-7947
28-Jun – Ardmore Boys and Girls
Club and Ardmore Lions Club
Lawnmower Race at the Ardmore,
TN John Barnes Park,
rainey@pclnet.net
28 Jun at 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM – Anime Fest at the Athens-Limestone Public Library for eight years and older. Admission is an Athens-Limestone Public Library card and one canned good. All canned goods will be donated to the local food bank. 256-232-1233 or www.athenslimestone.lib.al.us
28 Jun at 6 & 8:30 PM – The Red Caboose Writers Night featuring Jimmy Melton, Kerry Kurt Phillips & Phil O’Donnell in downtown Elkmont, AL. For reservations call 256-306-6201. $20 at the door.
I guess this is enough for this time. Take care and I’ll see you next time.