source magazine

A Publication of Athens-Limestone Hospital

The Gift Shop Whistler’s Legacy p. 6Sarasota, a True Island Paradise! p. 36

Read Source onl ine at athensl imestonehospital .com

VOLUME 2 | ISSUE TWO | SPRING 2013

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R e a d S o u r c e o n l i n e a t a t h e n s l i m e s t o n e h o s p i t a l . c o m


SWelcome to Spring!

Spring has sprung my friends! It’s wonderful to see flowers

blooming, lawns turning green and gardens being planted

all across Limestone County.

Changes have been occurring at Athens-Limestone

Hospital as well. Perhaps you’ve been by to visit a friend or

relative in the hospital lately and have had the opportunity

to dine in our newly, renovated cafeteria. Maybe while you

were here, you had the privilege of visiting our fine, newly

renovated gift shop and had the opportunity to meet some of our precious

volunteers. If not, please enjoy your virtual tour in this issue of Source. We hope

that you’ll be encouraged to visit us soon. If you come to us as a patient, you’ll

still enjoy the same delicious food prepared for you by Market Street Cafe’s Food

Service Director Tom Munger and his excellent staff.

In this issue, you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of our continued efforts

to renovate your community hospital as we have provided you with information

about the renovation of 52 of our patient rooms. After almost two decades of

daily use, those units are in need of new beds, mattresses and furniture as well

as new floors, walls, and bathrooms. To that end, the Athens-Limestone Hospital

Foundation is working to raise $780,000 for this much needed project. For your

convenience, we have provided an envelope for mailing your contribution. We

thank you for your generous donation. Each dollar you give is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

KelliKelli S. PowersChief Executive Officer

Athens-Limestone Hospital is an affiliate of the Huntsville Health System.

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published by | TW Publishing, LLC PO Box 1241 Athens, AL 35612 [email protected]

publisher | Teresa Gibbs

editor | Betsy Harris

contributing | Flo Doughty

writers Teresa Gibbs Daniel Greene Shirl Moyers Tanjie Nash Andrea Owensby Callie Patterson Brian Passe Dawn Prince

photography | Becky Christopher Teresa Gibbs Wyman Gibbs Deanna Green Kirk Green Scott Harris Tanjie Nash Austin Pike

advertising | Teresa Gibbs [email protected] 256-431-6112

graphic | Cindy Young design cindyyoungdesign.com

distribution | Wyman Gibbs [email protected] 256-431-6358

Advertising rates are available upon request. Contact Teresa Gibbs @ 256-431-6112. For additional copies, call 256-431-6358. Source: a Publication of Athens-Limestone Hospital, 700 W Market St., Athens, AL is published quarterly by TW Publishing, LLC, PO Box 1241, Athens, AL 35612. © 2013. All rights reserved. No material in this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written permission from the publisher. Source is intended as a reference periodical only, not as a medical manual. It is not intended to replace the care and advice of medical professionals. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and timeliness of this publication. No liability can be attached to or be accepted by the publisher for any errors, omissions, inaccuracies or other statements made by advertisers or writers within. Mention of specific companies or organizations does not imply endorsement by ALH or TW Publishing.


VOLUME 2 | ISSUE TWO | SPRING 2013

6 Heroes Among UsLifford French

9 The Inside StoryThe Gift Shop

10 Discover the DifferenceMarket Street Cafe

12 Physician ProfileBista - Shrestha

15 Calendar of Events

16 Stories Come to Life

18 Fitness

20 Toodlebugs

22 April AwarenessPrevent Child Abuse

24 Extreme Makeover

26 Help and Hope Through Local ResearchNorth Alabama Research Center

32 Nutrition

34 Recipes

36 Travel

IN T

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On the Cover:Lifford Easley French -Limestone County’s most highly decorated WWII veteran.

Photo compliments of Veterans Museum and Archive,100 Pryor Street, Athens, ALInset: Lifford and Dorothy French

(compliments of Dorothy French)

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T h e A u x i l i a r y V o l u n t e e r s , hold several fund-raisers throughout the year, such as jewelry, book and candle sales. Proceeds from these sales are used to purchase much needed equipment for the hospital.

Athens-Limestone Hospital volunteers can be found throughout the hospital performing a variety of duties. Both men and women may join in sharing their time and talents for the betterment of the health community in our area.

Athens-Limestone Hospital greatly appreciates the dedication and hard work of all our volunteers. We provide several opportunities each year for outside social activities and fellowships such as meals together and trips to local attractions.

To become a volunteer, you may go to athenslimestonehospital.com and complete the online volunteer application or contact Felicia Lambert, Volunteer Services Coordinator at 256-233-9290 or [email protected].

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H E R O E S A M O N g U S

Lifford Easley French, a staff sergeant in the 8th Air Force, is Limestone County’s most highly decorated WWII veteran. As a 23-year-old B-17 “Flying Fortress” engineer and top turret gunner, French risked his life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. The Athens gunner was on a mission over Nancy, France when his plane was hit by enemy fire. His actions that followed saved the life of the pilot, earning him the Distinguished Services Cross, the second highest military award that can be given to a member of the United States armed forces.

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Lifford French: The Gift Shop Whistler’s Legacy

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“The heroic actions of Sergeant French, remaining with the plane,” reads the citation, “undoubtedly saved the life of the pilot and made possible the safe return of the airplane. The heroism and devotion to duty displayed on this occasion reflect the highest credit upon Sergeant French and the armed forces of the United States.”

Mr. French is not only special to our country, but to our community, and to our hospital, in particular. He served for many years as one of Athens-Limestone Hospital’s Auxiliary Volunteers. He and his wife, Doris “Dot” French, were loyal ALH Auxiliary Volunteers who spent much time working in the hospital gift shop.

During 15 years of service, Mrs. French has logged 3,000 volunteer hours for ALH, many with Mr. French whistling a merry tune by her side. Former Auxiliary President Carlos Ann Woodard described Mr. French as a “wonderful help to auxiliary members and a true southern gentleman who wore a tie to work every Friday.” Mr. and Mrs. French were proud to provide their services in the gift shop. Even after his health started to decline, Dot would help her husband get to work at the gift shop whenever he would ask to go.

Sadly, Mr. French passed away in June 2011, but Dot continues to be a vital part of our hospital and even though Lifford no longer whistles in our gift shop, he and Dot continue to give back to the hospital. In 2012, a decision was made to renovate the old gift shop. For more than 20 years, Auxiliary Volunteers have held fund-raisers to help purchase much-needed equipment for other departments in the hospital, but when it was time to renovate the gift shop, Auxiliary Volunteers were approached with the idea to reinvest their earnings from fund-raising and gift shop sales back into their own organization.

To honor her husband’s memory, Dot personally donated $10,000 toward the gift shop renovations. When asked about her generous donation, she said, “Lifford would want me to do this.”

To learn more about Lifford French and his service to our hospital and to our country, you can visit the local Veterans Museum where many of his honors, his uniform and vintage photos of him are beautifully displayed. The Alabama Veterans Museum and Archives is located at 100 Pryor Street in Athens.

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T h e g i f t s h o p , located on the second floor of the hospital, was recently closed for several weeks while undergoing renovations. The newly renovated gift shop features beautiful hardwood laminate flooring and modern displays. The store has a beautiful showcase of popular items such as candle warmers, books, purses, fragrances, fresh flowers and jewelry. The gift shop also sells a wide variety of sports affiliated accessories that includes Alabama championship posters, throws, and other collegiate items such as Auburn gifts and apparel. For the many “special deliveries” at the hospital, parents, grandparents and friends have a selection of Mud Pie baby clothing from which to choose. The volunteer-run shop provides convenience while maintaining a visitor-friendly environment, and you never pay tax.

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NOW SERVINg THE V IS ION b y B r i a n P a s s e

It’s 5:30 a.m. and the air is filled with the rich and unmistakable aroma of breakfast as pots and pans bang about merrily in the kitchen at Athens-Limestone Hospital. Food Service Director, Tom Munger, and his staff are hard at work, happily readying the first meal of the day, which will be served in a scant two hours to hospital patients, staff and visitors.

gone are the days of a tired looking dining hall. The cafeteria has been modernized as part of CEO Kelli Powers’ vision for extensive renovations throughout ALH. August of 2012 the hospital closed both the public and private dining rooms to give them a complete makeover. Those dining areas had served visitors and employees of the hospital since the 1970s and the time had come for some streamlining. The hospital’s newly revamped dining area – now dubbed Market Street Cafe – opened in December of 2012.

Previously, the flow of diners entering and exiting the cafeteria was a major issue. The salad bar, checkout counter and a portion of the dining room were bunched together. At times, the wait became so long that staff members had to go back to work before they could even order their food. At Market Street Cafe, however, gone are the days of the bottleneck of hungry employees, visitors and guests. When diners walk into the cafe, they are greeted by a sparkling clean and warm dining room and a wide path to the serving and food lines. Dining choices include a variety of fruits, vegetables and main courses. At the end of the serving line, diners make a turn to choose their drink and one more turn takes them to the cashier. Rather than waiting or dodging other customers, the focus at Market Street Cafe is on enjoying a delicious and healthy meal. The food is as great as it always was, but the flavor of the dining room experience has the sweet taste of ease and relaxation.

The renovation included a private dining room where the Board of Trustees and Hospital Foundation can hold meetings while enjoying a meal. Hospital staff can also have meetings while eating and not feel rushed to get back to their offices.

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“This renovation would not have been possible without the generous contributions of our Athens-Limestone Hospital Auxiliary,” said Tom Munger. “These gracious volunteers donated $125,000 to the hospital to make this vision a reality.”

The next time you visit Market Street Cafe, you should know that you’re being served by some of the best cooks and servers in Athens. The patients always come first. If the dining room service ever slows down a bit, you know it’s because the number of patients to serve is high. Compared to the days prior to the renovation, however, the delays are little bumps in the road. You should also know that not only are they serving you a great meal in a

beautiful dining room, they are also serving you the Athens-Limestone Hospital Vision: To be the first choice for health care in its service area.

Market Street Cafe is open Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. for breakfast; 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. for lunch; 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. for supper; Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for lunch only.

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P H Y S I C I A N P R O F I L E

FROM NEPAL TO THE U.S. PHYSICIAN DUO BRINgS JOY, ExPERTISE TO ATHENS

Both successful and well-known in the community, husband-and-wife physicians Dr. Binod Bista and Dr. Shraddha Shrestha first met as students

at Kathmandu Medical College in their native country of Nepal. After graduation, Dr. Shrestha came to the United States for her residency in Lubbock, Texas, while Dr. Bista remained in Nepal, in order to immediately begin treating patients. While his future wife was settling in and becoming accustomed to the ins and outs of practicing medicine in the United States, Dr. Bista worked for a time as a general physician in Nepal. He experienced a wide range of patient needs, from intensive care to anesthesiology. He made house calls to friends and acquaintances, refusing payment and providing medication through samples he had acquired. “I just want to help people,” said Dr. Bista.

One of Dr. Bista’s early rewarding experiences came when he treated a patient for what would later be found to be tuberculosis, which is quite common in Nepal. Following an initial visit, Dr. Bista had given the patient medication that should have eased the symptoms. When the patient returned to Dr. Bista with more of the same symptoms, Dr. Bista tested the patient for tuberculosis, and prescribed him the proper remedies for his illness.

Much later, during a chance encounter, the patient graciously thanked Dr. Bista for saving his life. In Dr. Bista’s estimation, this was an early sign he had chosen the right profession.

With Dr. Shrestha doing her residency in the United States, Dr. Bista felt something was missing. Eventually, he too decided to make the move to the United States to enter a residency program. He began his residency at UAB in Huntsville, Alabama. On weekends when he was not on call, Dr. Bista would make the 14-hour drive to Lubbock to spend time with Dr. Shrestha. On one occasion, around Thanksgiving, he did this as a surprise visit and waited for her at her apartment. “He nearly scared me to death, but it was a good surprise in retrospect,” Dr. Shrestha said. The two married in Lubbock and later had a traditional wedding in Nepal with friends and family.

Dr. Shrestha finished her residency in Lubbock before Dr. Bista’s was complete in Huntsville, so she moved to the North Alabama area to be closer to her husband.

She began working at Athens-Limestone Hospital and has been a doctor here since 2009. Upon completing his residency, Dr. Bista also interviewed with Athens-Limestone Hospital and took the job without interviewing anywhere else: a perfect fit for ALH and the doctors.

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Dr. Bista and Dr. Shrestha both say they enjoy being a part of the Athens-Limestone community and are excited about where the city and hospital are heading. “I love Athens and the fact people here have respect for their doctors and neighbors,” Dr. Shrestha said. “This is like our home away from home. I have seen a lot of good changes since I became a doctor here in 2009. Binod is in love with Athens even more that I am. It reminds us of Nepal; it’s in the valley where you can see hills and mountains around you and you can see so much life in the green nature.”

Dr. Bista enjoys family medicine because it allows him to see the results of the work he does with his patients. He practices family medicine at the Waddell Center. Dr. Shrestha is a pediatrician and practices at Athens-Limestone Pediatrics. “Communication with our patients is very important to us,” the doctors said in unison.

Dr. Bista and Dr. Shrestha have a 22-month-old son, Samar, who they describe as a wonderful child, who loves to climb and is “quite the little monkey.”

“Uniquely, he will put himself in time-out when he’s sad or in trouble, but will always come out with a smile, ready to play some more,” said Dr. Shrestha with a smile.

The doctors are currently expecting their second child.


In their spare time they enjoy traveling to the beach or city, watching movies,

exercising, and playing with Samar.

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A t h e n s - L i m e s t o n e C o u n t y To u r i s m A s s o c i a t i o n - 2 5 6 - 2 3 2 - 5 4 1 1 ~ 2 5 6 - 8 6 7 - 1 4 3 8 - v i s i t a t h e n s a l . c o m

APRIL27 (10 AM) Athens Historic Walking Tour256-232-5411, 256-867-1438

25, 26 & 27Best Buckin’ BBQ Cook-offbestbuckinbbq.org

27 (8 AM - 3 PM)Athens Cars & Bikes on the Square256-457-9179

27 (6 PM)Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation gala , 256-233-9236 (Shelli) athenslimestonehospital.com

MAY2 (4-6PM)Jessica Elkins Meningitis Color Fun Run - Cowart Elementary School

3 & 4Athens Bible School Homespun Arts & Crafts Show/Plant Sale256-232-3525

3 & 4Ardmore Lions Club Tractor and Truck Pull256-777-7904

6 & 7 (8 AM-4 PM)Athens-Limestone Hospital $5 Jewelry Sale, 256-233-9290 (Felicia) athenslimestonehospital.com

10 (9 AM - 12:30 PM)Athens-Limestone Hospital - Health Fair on the Square, 256-232-9292 athenslimestonehospital.com

10 & 11Limestone County Relay for [email protected]

11 (10 AM - 3 PM)Living History Festival256-232-5411

14 (12 PM)ALH Limestone Ladies256-233-9122 (Becky) athenslimestonehospital.com

17 (6-8 PM)Singing on the Square/Just Down the Road256-232-5411, tourathens.com

17 & 18Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo256-232-0111, limestonesheriff.com

JUNE1 (4-8 PM)A Taste of Rogersville256-233-9236 (Shelli)athenslimestonehospital.com

1National Trail Day256-232-5411 , tourathens.com

9Indian Artifact Show - Athens State University256-232-0698

11 (12 PM) ALH Limestone Ladies256-233-9122 (Becky) athenslimestonehospital.com

15 (9 AM - 12 PM)Ardmore Kids Day in the Park931-427-5523

19 (11 AM)ALH Senior Fellowship/Trudy Butler, Sleep Center/Cardiovascular256-233-9290 (Felicia) athenslimestonehospital.com

21 (6-8 PM)Singing on the Square/Dixie Bluegrass Boys/Tilford Sellers & the Wagon Burners256-232-5411, tourathens.com

JULY4Athens Fireworks Show256-278-6436

9 (12 PM)ALH Limestone Ladies256-233-9122 (Becky)athenslimestonehospital.com

17 (11 AM)ALH Senior Fellowhip/Zac Mucci, Wellness Center/Obesity256-233-9290 (Felicia) athenslimestonehospital.com

20CASA Mud Volleyball Tournament256-232-5751, casalimestonecounty.org

26 & 27AL Championship Tractor & Truck Pull (Tanner)256-497-4309, 431-1292 or 256-233-7077

AUGUST2 & 3Ardmore Police Reserve Rodeo256-423-2146

2 & 3Piney Chapel American Farm Heritage Days256-431-6226, 256-431-0619, 256-431-2316

10Ardmore Quarterback Car Show256-423-7588


16 (6-8 PM)Singing on the Square/Athens State University Community Band256-232-5411, tourathens.com

21 (12 PM)Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Annual Luncheon 256-233-9236 (Shelli) athenslimestonehospital.com

31Ardmore Crape Myrtle Festival256-423-7588ardmorealtnchamber.com

SEPTEMbER10 (12 PM)ALH Limestone Ladies256-233-9122 (Becky) athenslimestonehospital.com

18 (11 AM)ALH Senior Fellowship/Dr. Keith Hill, ENT, Allergy Awareness256-233-9290 (Felicia) athenslimestonehospital.com

19ALHF Crystal Cup golf Tournament - Canebrake 256-233-9236 (Shelli)athenslimestonehospital.com

20 (6-8 PM)Singing on the Square/Nedia Keel/Rocket City Chorus256-232-5411, tourathens.com

21 (8 AM)Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful Duck and Run 5-K256-233-8728

22City Cemetery Walk256-232-2327

28gospel Jubilee256-783-4876

28Athens grease Festival256-232-9040

OcTObER1, 8, 15, 22, 29Haunts Walks 256-232-5411/256-867-1438

4 & 5Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention256-233-8261, athens.edu/fiddlers

5Elkmont Hilltop Arts Festivalwww.facebook.com/hilltoparts

5Wacky Quacky Ducky Derby256-233-8728


15 (11 AM)ALH Senior Fellowship/Stacy Tribble, Radiology Dept/Digital vs. Analog256-233-9290 (Felicia) athenslimestonehospital.com

16 (12 PM)Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Pink Elephant Luncheon256-233-9236 (Shelli) athenslimestonehospital.com

20 (2 PM)Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Fly with Davis256-233-9236 (Shelli) athenslimestonehospital.com

24, 25 & 26Athens Storytelling Festival256-232-0400athensstorytellingfestival.com

NOVEMbER2 (9 AM)Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation Sherri Adams Pink Ribbon Run256-233-9236 (Shelli) athenslimestonehospital.com

9Athens Veterans Day Parade256-771-757a8


20 (11 AM)ALH Senior Fellowship/ALH Education Dept/Diabetes256-233-9290 (Felicia) athenslimestonehospital.com

23 & 24Christmas Open House256-232-2600/256-278-6436

25 & 26 (8 AM-4 PM)Athens-Limestone Hospital $5 Jewelry Sale, 256-233-9290 (Felicia) athenslimestonehospital.com

DEcEMbER5Reliance Bank Christmas Parade (Athens)256-232-1944reliancebanking.com

7Ardmore Christmas Parade256-423-3011, 931-427-2421

14Elkmont Lions Club Christmas Parade256-732-4211

A T H E N S A N D L I M E S T O N E C O U N T Y

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Delicate snowflakes drifted majestically in the gathering darkness on a recent March evening as all manner of pint-sized princesses, knights, wizards, fairies, farmhands, Pooh-Bears and Cats in Hats converged on the Limestone County Event Center for the second-annual Storybook Ball, a fund-raiser for the Athens-Limestone Public Library.

Laughter floated wall to wall as the myriad of characters chased bubbles through the air, waggled Hula Hoops on their hips and danced the Hokey Pokey to the musical stylings of Tangerine Tambourine, a popular North Alabama children’s rock band. A buffet-style dinner was enjoyed at elaborately decorated tables with storybook themes ranging from Charlotte’s Webb to Diary of a Wimpy Kid to Winnie the Pooh, which was the theme chosen for a lovely cluster of tables decorated by Athens-Limestone Hospital (ALH).

ALH served as presenting sponsor for this year’s ball, a fact that Paula Laurita, executive director of the library, said made a world of difference toward insuring a successful fundraising effort. “Their financial contribution more than covered our event expenses, so every ticket and sponsorship sold went directly to the building campaign,” Debbie Joyner of Fundraising Consultation Services said. “The hospital generously shared quite a few resources that helped us generate added publicity for this year’s Storybook Ball. The hospital even provided the paper products for the event, which helped keep expenses to a minimum.”

Joyner was brought on board in 2011 to guide the

Library Foundation’s capital campaign toward renovation of the Kroger building, on Jefferson Street at Forrest, into just the sort of spacious state-of-the-art facility the people of Athens and Limestone County deserve. The current 10,000 square-foot library building on South Street opened in 1970 to serve a countywide population totaling just under 42,000. Since then, Limestone’s population has increased to 65,676, according to census tallies for the year 2000. Joyner said fundraising has gone remarkably well on the project.

“We are in the home stretch of the campaign with a goal to raise the final $500,000 to complete the $6.1 million project,” she said. “We anticipate a new wave of enthusiasm as Phase I of construction becomes visible in May with work along the Jefferson Street edge of the property creating curb appeal.” Joyner said the much-anticipated opening of the new library is tentatively slated for summer of 2014.

“Partnerships such as Athens-Limestone Hospital’s sponsorship of the Storybook Ball can be beneficial to the community,” said Tiffany Seibert, brainchild of the Storybook Ball concept who wanted an opportunity to give young families a chance to support the Library campaign. Tiffany serves on the Library Foundation Board, and spent many hours organizing this event.

“The partnership with the hospital underscores the care that both organizations have for children, their health, and well-being,” Laurita said. “The Library and Hospital both know that children need active fun and strong literacy

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“…partnerships such as the hospital’s sponsorship of the Storybook Ball can be beneficial to the community.”

skills. The Storybook Ball partnership between the library and hospital shows that a healthy and active body goes hand-in-hand with a healthy and active mind.”

Such partnerships aid these organizations in the greater goal of serving the public interest. “By partnering together we can improve access to information, community services and resources, and provide information that helps people make informed decisions,” Laurita said. “The new library will be able to provide a central location for public information and classes. The new technology center and meeting rooms will be available for staff training to keep them updated in patient care and best practices.” Joyner, too, noted the community-wide benefit of the Athens-Limestone Hospital’s dedication to the new library effort.

“It’s especially true in a small community that we all need to work together for the common good,” she said. “The library campaign has been amazing, in that we have received support from every age group and every corner of this community. The library and the hospital are two organizations that provide services that can benefit every family and every age group in Athens and Limestone County. Both organizations are essential to the fabric of our community, and as more of our local citizens use and support each facility they become stronger, and the entire community is a winner.”

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F I T N E S S Savvy Kids FitnessHave you heard? There is an awesome program

for kids available at the Athens-Limestone Hospital Wellness Center. It’s Savvy Kids Fitness and there just may be no other program quite like it in North Alabama. We’re sure you’ll want your kids to get plugged in! Savvy Kids Fitness is a fitness and nutrition education program for ages 6-12. Each class consists of an exercise session and a lesson in nutrition.

Savvy Kids Fitness is led by Flo Doughty, an American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. Flo is also trained in youth fitness, Pilates and kickboxing training with the American Council on Exercise and is certified in yoga, Zumba, aquatic fitness, spinning, and group fitness instruction. All of this training comes together to make for some exciting Savvy Kids exercise sessions!

During each class, members take part in a different type of exercise such as completing an obstacle course, glow-in-the-dark Zumba or yoga, where the kids learn a variety of poses such as dolphin, cobra and crocodile.

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The kids enjoy using stability balls, resistance bands, free weights, agility ladders, jump ropes and weight bars. They are taught proper form and execution in all exercises in order to prevent injury and maximize benefit. A class favorite is kickboxing, during which the kids use wrist-wraps and boxing gloves – just like a real boxer! They hit and kick strike-pads while building strength and cardiovascular fitness.

The goal of Savvy Kids is to expose kids to a wide variety of exercise in hopes they will find areas of fitness they enjoy and will continue to seek out healthy exercise for a lifetime. These kids experience such a variety that they will feel comfortable walking in to a gym to try yoga, Pilates, and more because of what they have experienced with Savvy Kids Fitness.

The nutrition lessons cover a wide range of topics such as: How do I read food labels and what do they mean? What are the different types of fat (saturated, trans fat, etc.) and how do they affect my health? What is vitamin C and how does it help me to be healthy? Restaurant and fast food menus are discussed enabling kids to make better choices when eating out.

Each class includes a healthy snack, such as homemade whole grain bread, muscadines, star fruit, pomegranates, kale chips, veggie-and-fruit-smoothies, and other delicious, healthy treats. Since the class is focused on health, the kids expect the treats to be healthy. As they cautiously taste something new, they frequently find they

like things they may have been hesitant to even try. Some parents sign their children up to expand their

palate for healthy food. They are sometimes surprised to learn that their child not only tried, but actually liked a smoothie made from beets, avocado, spinach, and various fruits. Oftentimes Savvy Kids members even ask for these healthful smoothies at home.

Each week, when the kids share what healthy choices they have made since the last class, they excitedly share such statements as, “I ordered a baked potato instead of fries.” or “I drank water instead of soda this week.” and “I ate a salad for lunch at school.”

Classes are offered at the Wellness Center each Monday at 6:45 pm and each Thursday at 3:30 pm. Kids can attend once a week or twice a week. One class per week is $25/month and twice per week is $40/month. There is a one-time registration fee of $30. Sibling discounts are available.

For more information, find Savvy Kids Fitness on Facebook, visit savvykidsfitness.com or call Flo Doughty at 256-216-1526.


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Family-run shop offers heirloom gifts with a bent on cute factorIt’s a family affair at Toodlebugs.

From day-to-day operations - to inventory selection - to marketing decisions, three generations have a hand in bringing success to this baby and children’s gift shop which specializes in items for the infant and preschool crowd.

gary and Melissa Anderson purchased the business, formerly known as The Myrtle Tree, from Delores Thompson in 2010. In 2011 they made a decision to relocate the store from Ardmore to Athens at Hobbs Centre (802 Hwy 72 West).

The move meant a bit of a downsizing from the gift shop’s previous digs. The process of cutting back on stock eventually resulted in a complete overhaul of offerings and, ultimately, reclassification from general gift shop to a baby and children specialization.

“We loved the gift shop atmosphere,” Melissa said. “We really considered what our customers want and we felt like the market was there for a baby and children’s gift shop.”

Melissa’s mother, Maxine Sides, manages the store while gary and Melissa both work full-time jobs.

As they tossed around ideas for a new store name to match the tot-shop offerings, the Anderson’s 6-year-old son, Will, chimed in.

“Will said, ‘Momma, I know what you should call it. Toodlebugs – you’ve called me that since I was little,’” Melissa recounts. Will also serves as a sort of inventory consultant, being just the right demographic to make wise choices on toys to keep in stock.

“He looks at the catalogues and tells me what he thinks we should order,” Melissa said. “We’re kind of using this as a tool to teach him what it means to run a business.”

“So far, Will’s choices seem spot-on,” Melissa added. The Anderson’s have chosen to focus on offering items

that inspire creativity, learning and development of motor skills. To that end, Toodlebugs offers a large selection of Melissa & Doug toys, including the Sunny Patch outdoor toys and the M&D safety scissors that Melissa said are guaranteed to NOT cut hair or clothing.

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oodlebugs is holding a Book Campaign

for Athens Elementary School from

now until May 9. All books donated will be

presented to Athens Elementary School to

be used in the school library or classroom

libraries. Please help by purchasing NEW

books and taking them to Toodlebugs. The

books should be for ages 4-10. Each time

you donate a new book, Toddlebugs will

give you a 15% discount on the purchase of

one item of your choice at regular price. If

you purchase a book from Toodlebugs, you

will be given a 15% discount on the price of

the book (or pay full price for the book and

receive a 15% discount on one item of your

choice). No other discounts will apply. The

books can be donated in honor or in memory

of a special person and the purchaser may

write a short note on the inside of the book.

“My goal is to provide award-winning items that are educational, safe and fun,” Melissa said. “We’ve chosen items that have top-notch quality of construction but are also reasonably priced.”

Toodlebugs offers so much more than just cool toys. The shop houses a wide selection of gift items for mothers-to-be, infants, toddlers and beyond. There’s specialty clothing for the 0-24 month set including lovely heirloom items suitable for the trip home from the hospital or those all-important first photos. There’s a wide array of Mary Meyer Baby items, OxO infant feeding supplies, Baby Collegiate wear, handmade bibs, burp cloths, pacifier clips and hair bows.

Customers can even bring in their own fabric and place custom orders for these items, Melissa said.

The store also maintains baby and birthday registries and offers an array of special services for both those establishing a gift registry and those shopping for gifts.

“They get a gift when they register and we can even send out invitations to their party or their shower,” Melissa said. “We also offer gift wrapping with all purchases and we do offer gift certificates, as well.”

In addition, Toodlebugs maintains a customer loyalty program in which customers get 50-percent off one item after spending at least $25 per visit on five previous visits.

Toodlebugs is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. For more information find them on Facebook or call the store at 256-262-9044.

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April is sexual assault awareness and child abuse prevention month. Assault and abuse are not topics people like to think about regularly, much less on a daily basis.

Thankfully, Athens-Limestone Hospital is part of a team that works every day to aid patients who have been abused or have been exposed to abusive situations.

The hospital is part of a multi-disciplinary team that includes the Athens-Limestone Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC), the Limestone County District Attorney’s Office, the Limestone County Sheriff’s Office, the Athens City Police Department and the Department of Human Resources. The joint effort of these groups meeting and working together serves to provide more efficient and thorough care to the children of our community.

Children can go to the CAC and only have to tell their story one time in the safety and security of a child-friendly setting. Their recorded story is then viewed by the other involved groups and the child is not re-traumatized by telling what happened to them over and over again.

The hospital’s role is to provide a specially trained nurse, a sexual assault nurse examiner, who works out of the hospital’s emergency department. Each patient’s situation is different and the sexual assault nurse works with each patient and family to determine what type of care is needed.

All patients receive a general medical care assessment to review their overall health and determine if they have any problems, illnesses or injuries related to the abuse. These can be treated by the nurse or, if needed, the emergency department physician is available to help.

Some situations require that a sexual assault examination kit be completed. This is a multi-step evaluation and evidence collection kit. After the kit is completed, it is turned over to the police for investigative purposes. Whether or not the evidence is collected is based, first of all, on the patient’s permission, next, the amount of time elapsed since the event, and finally, the type of abuse.

Patients often do not have any physical injuries, but they may wish to receive medications to help prevent sexually transmitted infections that they may have been exposed to by their abuser. Patients and their families are given instructions on follow-up care, concerning signs, and symptoms to watch for based on the type of assault and numbers to contact for counseling.

No one can erase the hurt felt by an assault patient, but all of the disciplines in Limestone County work together to make the journey of healing as easy as possible.

If you or someone you know is being abused or are concerned that someone you know is being abused, please contact your local law enforcement or the Department of Human Resources. Abuse is a terrible thing to live with, but it can be stopped with knowledge, awareness and caring.

Awareness is Key in Abuse Preventionb y S h i r l M o y e r s , R N , B S N , S A N E - A , C E N

N u r s e E d u c a t o r

S e x u a l A s s a u l t N u r s e E x a m i n e r

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b y D a w n P r i n c e

More than 60 years ago, with the support of this community, Athens-Limestone Hospital (ALH) was built. In 1995, ALH added two additional nursing units. Athens-Limestone Hospital has grown from a small community hospital of just 50 beds to a 101 bed acute care facility catering to the healthcare needs of our community. While keeping pace with technological advancements in healthcare, we are maintaining the “hometown” atmosphere that makes us the hospital we are today! Now, after almost two decades of daily use, those units need to be renovated. To that end, the Athens-Limestone Hospital Foundation is coordinating efforts toward completion of this $780,000 project.

There are a total of 52 rooms in these two units. Each room will be stately appointed to provide and assist the facility in continued compliance with safety guidelines and to modernize the health care infrastructure of the hospital. The transformation will include new beds and mattresses, furniture, fresh paint and wallpaper as well as updating the existing flooring and bathrooms.

The new hospital beds are designed to help keep patients safe by reducing patient falls and weighing the patients as they remain stationary. The new mattresses will improve patient comfort by reducing and healing bed sores with the new gel surface and added patient controls. In addition, the furniture will be imbedded with antimicrobial treatments to help ALH maintain the designation of having the lowest infection rate in North Alabama and the fifth lowest in the country.

Sheriff Mike Blakely is raising $15,000 to renovate a hospital room.

Regions Bank donates $15,000 for hospital room renovation.

MakeoverHospital Edition

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Athens-Limestone Hospital Auxiliary donates $15,000 for hospital room renovation.

First National Bank donates $5,000 to Athens-Limestone Foundation.

BBVA Compass Bank donates $5,000 toward hospital’s admissions area renovation.

Physicians, nurses, and other staff members play a very important role in the hospital setting. However, the most important people are the patients. “The patients are our top priority,” said chief nursing officer Jan Lenz. “Without patients, there would not be a need for a hospital. A patient should be able to have all their needs reasonably met, whether it is staying in the hospital for a day or an extended time period. The renovations should be looked upon as a need not only for the hospital, but for the patients and staff as well. The renovations will allow the staff to work in a more effective manner and provide a more efficient quality of care. As for the patients, they will enjoy a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere for their health care recovery.”

ALH Foundation would like to thank the Athens-LimestoneHospital Board of Directors and the Athens-Limestone Hospital

Foundation Board of Directors for each adopting a hospital room.

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North Alabama Research Center (NARC) has just begun their sixth year of operating across North Alabama in a range of therapeutic areas. NARC has developed a strong reputation for quality medical research, clinical trials, and outstanding patient recruitment performance. NARC’s success can be attributed to exceptional staff, professional management, and effective patient recruitment tactics.

Patient safety and strict adherence to protocols are of paramount importance at NARC. Through pharmaceutical partnerships, volunteer participation and a relentless passion, NARC is able to provide help and hope through high-quality clinical research and care.

Although an independent research center, NARC has a strong working relationship with Athens-Limestone Hospital and enjoys the privilege of working with some of North Alabama’s best physicians.

“We are very fortunate in Limestone County to have North Alabama Research Clinic here and to have the opportunity to be part of clinical trials,” said ALH CEO Kelli Powers. “Through this research we are helping improve patient outcomes in so many ways.”

The doctors involved in research studies will not take the place of a participant’s Primary Care Physician (PCP). They are extremely involved with all patients seen at NARC and will collaborate with your PCP and keep them informed of the care you receive while enrolled in our studies.

Help and Hope through Local ResearchYour assistance is needed in the development of new medications.

b y A n d r e a O w e n s b y

Help and Hope through Local ResearchYour assistance is needed in the development of new medications.

cOLLAbORATING PhYSIcIANS ARE:Primary Care Physicians:Dr. HendrixDr. EdwardsDr. MaplesDr. WoodallDr. Ramesh

Cardiologist:Dr. Ramesh

Pulmonologist:Dr. Jason Smith (Huntsville)

Gastroenterologist:Dr. Michael Brown (Huntsville)

b y A n d r e a O w e n s b y

continued on page 29

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I was so afraid that day – the day I was diagnosed with breast cancer. You never forget that moment.

I wanted a specialist who knew how to treat my kind of cancer. So when this hometown girl met that world-class physician, I knew I was in good hands.

– Tina Elrod, Breast Cancer Survivor with husband John

Huntsville • Decatur • Athens • Scottsboro • Fayetteville 1-888-374-1015 www.clearviewcancer.com

Dr. Brian Mathews sees patients at our Athens office on Wednesdays. To schedule an appointment or for a new patient referral, please call 256-705-4266 or toll-free 1-888-374-1015.

My husband was right by my side, but the best doctor was at Clearview.

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Prior to participation in a research study, participants will be given an Informed Consent Form that describes the study medications, the risks and benefits, and the schedule the particular study will follow. After reading the consent, participants are given an opportunity to ask the study doctor and coordinator questions about the trial.

Every day research uncovers new information about medical conditions and possible therapies. Research study participants, as well as many other people, stand to reap the benefits of each individual’s willingness to become involved.

Some of the benefits of participating in a clinical trial include:

• Aiding in the development of new medicines.• Participants are taking an active role in their own

healthcare.• All study related medications and exams are provided

at no charge.• No health insurance is needed.• Participants may receive compensation for their time

and travel.• Investigational therapies may be available to

participants before they are available to the general public.

“I have enjoyed each study that I have participated in,” said Arthur green, who has participated in previous NARC studies. “I know that being involved in these studies will help other people in the future. The staff at NARC is very well educated on each study and they perform their work at an excellent standard. They are a very loving and caring staff. I will enroll in future studies.”

NARC is currently enrolling participants for the following studies:

• Cardiovascular• gOUT• IBS-D• Diabetes• COPD• Asthma• Ulcerative ColitisFor more information or for questions concerning

these studies, call North Alabama Research Center at 256-771-9919 or email [email protected]. Visit online at northalabamaresearch.com. NARC is located at 721 West Market Street Suite B, Athens (across from the hospital) and is open Monday thru Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

If you have an idea for an article, please email [email protected].

continued from page 26

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FIND OUT HOW CLOSE YOU ARE. VISIT: ATHENS.EDU/ADP

The Adult Degree Program at Athens State University is designed to assist adults in applying what they’ve learned through experience and training as college credit toward a Bachelors degree.

If you have experience,you may be a lot closer toyour degree than you think.

• For over 65 years, Calhoun CommunityCollege has served the community,providing educational and trainingopportunities across north Alabama?

• With over 11,300 students enrolled fall2012, Calhoun remains Alabama’slargest two-year college and the 6thlargest higher education institution(two-year or four-year) in the state?

• Calhoun has the state’s first and onlyassociate’s degree program inBiotechnology, which began Fall 2007 inpartnership with the HudsonAlphaInstitute for Biotechnology?

• Calhoun is home to the AlabamaRobotics Technology Park?

Summer Semester RegistrationBegins April 11

Classes Begin May 28

256/306-2500 (Decatur)

256/890-4700 (Huntsville)

www.calhoun.edu

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Athens (256) 206-7002

When FamilyCan’t Be There

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SECURE PROFESSIONAL

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insuredWe provide service for:TARCOG • SAIL Program

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How Does Your Garden Grow?gROWINg A gARDEN IN CONTAINERSNot only is growing your own fresh herbs and vegetables fun and exciting, it is one of the most gratifying tasks you can take on. Food harvested from your own back yard is the freshest you can get. It gives you more control over exactly what’s in your food, making it healthier and safer to eat. It’s also a great way to save money.

If you don’t have room for a large garden, opt for growing produce in containers. growing vegetables in containers is easy and vegetables actually grow really well in containers. growing a container vegetable garden can be an attractive way to spruce up a deck, patio or balcony while making the space productive. growing vegetables and herbs close to the house will make it convenient to bring straight from the plant into your kitchen. It’s amazing how much food you can grow in just a few pots!

N U T R I T I O N

P L A N T I N g :• Choose varieties that are suitable for growing in

containers. (Check the seed packet.)• Start with purchased seedlings or grow your own from

seeds started indoors. • Water the soil before placing your seeds or seedlings in

your container and allow it to sit a few hours to drain the excess water.

• Plant seeds according to package directions.• Water gently and add mulch to keep the soil from

drying out.

• Insert a wire cage or other type of support into the container to support plants that grow tall or have vines.

• Place your containers in an area that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight a day. (One of the great benefits of planting in pots, is they can be moved if need be.)

• Place peppers and tomatoes in an open spot with plenty of circulation to reduce the chance of diseases.

• Watch the watering closely. These plants will dry out far more quickly than if they are planted in the ground. Water two times a day during hot weather. Water holding gels or crystals help reduce the watering requirements of container plants.

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I F Y O U W A N T T O F I N D S O M E R E A L LY g O O D C O M B I N AT I O N S O F P L A N T S T H AT H E L P E A C H

O T H E R T H R I V E , Y O U C A N D O S O M E R E S E A R C H O N C O M PA N I O N P L A N T I N g . F O R E x A M P L E , T O M AT O E S

A N D B A S I L H E L P E A C H O T H E R g R O W W E L L , B U T B E A N S A N D O N I O N S A R E A N T I PAT H E T I C .

C H O O S I N g T H E C O N TA I N E R :• Containers should be at least twelve inches deep. • Don’t go too small; large containers will hold

more soil, which will help to hold the moisture in longer.

• Most vegetables will require at least a 5 gallon container minimum.

• Half whiskey barrels, wood planters, large black nursery plastic pots and bushel baskets can be used as well as 55 gallon drums cut in half (an ideal size for most).

• Containers should have drainage holes to allow

drainage of excess water. If your container does not have holes, use a 1/4-inch drill bit to create holes in the bottom or near the bottom.

Avoid: ~ Terra-cotta pots – they are porous and don’t

hold moisture well. ~ Dark colored pots – they absorb heat and make

the soil too warm for some vegetables. ~ Containers made of treated wood – they may

contain chemical compounds that could be absorbed by your vegetables.

M I x I N g P O T T I N g S O I L :Use equal parts of peat moss, potting soil, and vermiculite, perlite, or clean sand. For leafy crops like lettuce, spinach or Swiss chard, it helps to add a pinch of lime. Fruits, like strawberries, that prefer a more acid soil, will prefer no lime.

Fill the containers to within an inch or two of the rim.Amounts of soil to use: ~ approximately 3 pints of soil for a 6-inch pot ~ approximately 3 ½ gallons for a 12-inch pot ~ approximately 6 ½ gallons for a 20-inch pot

M A K E Y O U R g A R D E N C O L O R F U L , F U N A N D C R E AT I V E !

• Select containers of varying sizes and bright cheerful colors for a beautiful display.

• Add contrast by placing vegetable plants of different texture, height, shape and color in a large pot together.

• Plant vegetable plants in hanging baskets, wagons, buckets, wire baskets, bushel baskets, wooden boxes, nursery flats, window planters, washtubs, old sinks, old wheel-barrows, bowls from fountains or any other non-toxic object. Just let your imagination run wild!

• For great scents, grow herbs in your window boxes.

• Grow edible flowers for adding color to your containers as well as to your plate.

• Use vegetables with attractive foliage, flowers, or fruits in colorful planters.

• Add a piece of art to your container.

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OVEN-FRIED GREEN TOMATOESHere’s a great alternative to an increasingly popular delicacy! Be sure to choose tomatoes that are very green. (The greener the better. Once they start to ripen, the tomatoes will turn out mushy when cooked.)

Ingredients:1/2 cup cornmeal1/8 cup flour 1/2 teaspoon salt1/4 teaspoon pepper3 medium size green tomatoes,

sliced 1/8” - 1/4” thickOlive oil spray

R E C I P E S

Fresh Vegetable Dishes Eating fresh vegetables raw, sautéed or grilled is the healthiest way to eat vegetables. But sometimes we crave the richness and flavor of traditional southern dishes. What true southerner doesn’t love fried green tomatoes and

vegetable casseroles? But these dishes can be high in fat and calories, making it easy to put on extra pound while enjoying fresh grown veggies. Here are some healthy alternatives to these delicious southern dishes.

MOck APPLE PIE (MADE wITh zUcchINI)Zucchini is so easy to grow, it might leave you wondering what to do with a bumper crop. Zucchini is actually very versatile and can be used in a variety of ways such as zucchini fries, in salad or used as a healthy substitute for noodles. Zucchini makes wonderful breads and muffins. Here is one more one delicious way to use this delicious vegetable!

Directions:• Preheat oven to 450°F. • Sprinkle sliced tomatoes with salt and pepper and let sit 10 minutes. • Combine cornmeal and flour in a large bowl. Add the tomato slices to the

cornmeal mixture and toss; making sure both sides of the tomato slices are coated with the cornmeal mixture.

• Generously spray each side of the tomato slices with olive oil and place them on a preheated baking sheet.

• Bake for 40 minutes or until golden brown, turning once.

Ingredients:6 -8 cups zucchini (peel, cut lengthwise, remove

seeds, slice 1/4-inch thick)1/2 cup unsalted butter3 tablespoons all-purpose flour1/4 cup water1/2 cup white sugar1/2 cup packed brown sugarDouble pie crust

Directions:• Preheat oven to 425°F.• Steam zucchini slices until barely tender.• Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to

form a paste. Add water, sugars, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.

• Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with zucchini, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work crust. gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.

• Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350°F Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until zucchini is soft.


GREEN bEAN cASSEROLEThis healthy revision of green bean casserole omits the canned soup (and all the fat and sodium that come with it). The white sauce with sliced fresh mushrooms, sweet onions and low-fat milk makes a creamy, rich casserole.

Ingredients:3 tablespoons olive oil, divided1 pound fresh green beans (about 4 cups)1 medium sweet onion, half diced, half thinly sliced,

divided1 garlic clove, chopped8 ounces mushrooms, chopped1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided1/2 teaspoon ground pepper2/3 cup flour, divided1 cup low-fat milk1/3 cup reduced-fat sour cream1 teaspoon paprika

Directions:• Preheat oven to 400°F. Coat a 2 1/2-quart baking dish

with olive oil spray.• Trim beans, steam for 4 or 5 minutes until tender-crisp.• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large saucepan over medium

heat. Add diced onion and garlic. Cook, stirring often, until softened and slightly translucent, about 4 minutes.

• Stir in mushrooms, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until the mushroom juices are almost evaporated, 3 to 5 minutes.

• Sprinkle 1/3 cup flour over the vegetables; stir to coat. Add milk and bring to a simmer, stirring often.

• Stir in green beans and return to a simmer. Cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute.

• Stir in sour cream and transfer to the prepared baking dish.

• Whisk the remaining 1/3 cup flour, paprika and the remaining ¼ teaspoon salt in a shallow dish. Add sliced onion; toss to coat.

• Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion along with any remaining flour mixture and cook, turning once or twice, until golden and crispy, 4 to 5 minutes. Spread the onion topping over the casserole.

• Bake the casserole until bubbling, about 15 minutes.

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s the sun began to rise that morning, the sky began to light up with glorious shades of pink, orange and blue. There were no clouds in sight. I sat on the soft, white sand marveling at sparkling waves of turquois as sandpipers playfully darted in and out of the water’s edge -

the ripple of waves and the screeching of gulls the only sounds. It was chilly, so I wore blue jeans and a sweatshirt. Not the perfect beach attire, but it was

early morning and the temperature had only reached sixty-two degrees. The day was forecast sunny and seventy-four, so soon enough I’d be shedding my jeans and sweatshirt in favor of shorts and a t-shirt, if not a swimsuit. Yep - my favorite thing about South Florida in January is the weather. I love warm, sunny days!

T R AV E L

A

Sarasota,a True Island

Paradise!b y T e r e s a G i b b s


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e hadn’t seen the sun for over a week in Athens, Alabama,

when the opportunity came along for my husband, Wyman, and me to go island hopping off the coast of Sarasota, Florida. We didn’t have to think twice before making reservations. When we left home in early January, it was raining, the sky was gray, and the weather man was threatening ice and snow for the next day. We loaded up the car and headed south!

Sarasota is located on the southwestern coast of Florida, south of Tampa Bay and north of Fort Myers. It is one of our favorite

places to visit during the winter months. We always like to spend a few days

visiting Sarasota’s attractions. This trip we visited the big cat habitat and Gulf coast Sanctuary, a non-profit safe haven for big cats, bears, and other animals in need. We got there just in time to watch one of the trainers working with tigers, a lion and a couple of gorgeous ligers (a hybrid cross between a male lion and a tigress). We were entertained by tigers jumping through hoops and a lion kissing the trainer. Just being that close to Brutus, a three-year-old, 900 pound liger was impressive!

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YOU can

Ardmore Center

GO HOME AGAIN

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25385 Main StreetArdmore, TN WWW.GENESISHTC.COM

Going to a skilled nursing center after a serious illness or procedure can be overwhelming. �at’s why at Ardmore Center, our friendly, caring therapists and nurses focus on providing quality healthcare designed to help you get back home as quickly and safely as possible.

Let us bring you home.

e never take a trip to Sarasota without visiting Myakka River State Park, a great place for a family day trip. We love taking

the airboat out on the lake where we always get the chance to see alligators, wild pigs and rare birds. There are a number of trails for hiking and biking. The Myakka Canopy Walkway, a 100-foot bridge suspended 25 feet above the ground, is a must see. It leads to a 74-foot tower which affords a spectacular view of eagles, hawks, vultures as well as the tops of live oaks and palm trees.

Sarasota has so many parks, museums and aquariums we may never run out of places to visit. We learned about some of Sarasota’s cultural history while touring the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. In 1927, The Ringling Brothers Circus moved their winter headquarters to Sarasota where John and his wife, Mable, had been spending winters since 1909. They bought bay-front property and built a thirty-room mansion inspired by the Venetian gothic palaces. The mansion is very impressive and we weren’t surprised to find out that, when completed in 1925, the cost was just over $1.5 million.

Sarasota is known as Florida’s “Cultural Coast.” Yet, take a bridge out to one of her islands and you’re in “old Florida.” There are several islands that separate the mainland of Sarasota from the gulf of Mexico, offering more than thirty-five miles of white sandy, beaches and Intracoastal waterways for fishing, kayaking and boating.

We spent one of our warm, sunny days touring the Sarasota Bay on a boat we rented from cb’s Saltwater Outfitters (cbsoutfitters.com) located on the island of Siesta Key. We trolled along the coast “oohing” and “aahing” over the enormous and elaborate homes built along the shoreline. At one point, we pulled our boat onto a private beach on Casey Key, the island south of Siesta Key. We looked for, but never found, Steven King’s 7,500 square foot mansion. After an adventurous morning, we were ready for lunch and docked at a quaint little riverside restaurant, Casey Key Fish House, for a delicious lunch.

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arasota is home to Siesta Key Beach, rated #1 beach in 2011. Siesta Key is an eight-mile barrier island, and is blessed with the world’s finest,

whitest beaches. It is made up of 99-percent pure quartz crystal, with no fragments of coral or shell which creates a soft, powdery sand much like baby powder. The sand has a magical quality – it never gets hot. Even on the warmest days of summer it won’t burn your feet. The beach is hundreds of yards wide, and even has a picnic area and tennis courts. Most mornings a crowd gathers early for “yoga on the beach.”

We couldn’t have found a better place to stay while visiting Siesta Key. The Sea Spray Resort (theseasprayresort.com) is located just across the street

from the beach. Our unit had a private deck opening off the living room and a balcony in front, which was great for watching the sunrise while sipping coffee. Sea Spray is located just three blocks from the Village of Siesta Key which boasts souvenir shops, cafes and several great restaurants. We took the opportunity to try a few of them and especially enjoyed our “all you can eat” lobster dinner at the Blu Que Island grill!

A couple of mornings we got up early and drove to the south end of the island to Turtle Beach where the shelling is really great. We normally find sand dollars on Siesta Key Beach, but found no “sand money” this year. Siesta Key is a great beach for people-watching as there are always people strolling up and down the beach.

Just steps away from the #1 beach in America!1 and 2 Bedroom Units Available | Honeymoon Suite w/private pool

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Sea Spray Resort574 Canal Road, Sarasota, Florida 34242

941-822-0520 | [email protected] | TheSeaSprayResort.com

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14535 US Hwy 72 • Athens • 256-232-6695HOURS: 9am-5pm Mon-Sat. • CLOSED SUNDAY

We’re only a short five miles out 72 West and county taxes are only 6%!Check us out at facebook.com/jandgvariety

See us for all your memorial needs! We keep hundreds of vase insert,saddles, sprays and palls in stock for you to chose from. You can alsopick out your flowers and we can custom design your arrangement to

your liking (please allow plenty of time for us to do your customs).

Spring flowers are here and we’rebusting at the seams with inventory!

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e also booked a few days on Longboat Key, north of Siesta Key. Angel Puckett of Angel’s Vacation Rentals (angelsvacationrentals.com) suggested we take a look at Turtle crawl Inn Resort

(turtlecrawlinnresort.com). We had friends coming in to join us and needed an extra bedroom. We found the perfect place for our stay with two bedrooms, a large living room, dining room, a fully equipped kitchen and a screened lanai. The house was very roomy and with a nice, homey feel. We particularly enjoyed the heated swimming pool which was about five steps out our back door. Just past the pool was a barbeque area with gas grills and a covered gazebo. The beach was just beyond the pool where we found lounge chairs for relaxing and enjoying beautiful sunsets. We loved the lush, tropical feel of the complex.

Longboat Key, with a twelve-mile stretch of shoreline, is the largest of Sarasota’s islands. It is one of the only barrier islands in the Sarasota area without direct access to the mainland, which makes it the perfect place for a quiet, leisurely getaway. You won’t find spring breakers on this island!

With bicycle lanes running the entire length of the island, Longboat Key is very bicycle friendly. We explored several of the parks with trails for bicycling and hiking. Longboat Key offers world class tennis facilities and is Sarasota’s only island featuring a championship golf course. St. Armands Circle, a popular shopping destination with many shops, boutiques and restaurants, is located on Lido Key, the island that connects Longboat Key to the mainland of Sarasota.

W

For a heavenly vacation and devilish good time!• 1 and 2 bedroom units available

• Honeymoon villa• Fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes

• On-site washers and dryers• Large bbq area w/stainless steel grills• Shuffleboard court • Chaise lounges

• Nearby tennis and golf


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The right rehab is right here in Athens:

After surgery or illness, patients often require a period of rehabil-itation to help them get back to good health and, most importantly, back home again. Senior Rehab & Recovery Center at Limestone Health Facility makes that journey a little easier and a little faster.

- Long and short term care- 24-hour skilled nursing- Physical, Occupational & Speech therapy- Respiratory / Pulmonary care- Cardiac rehabilitation-

Edie Belue, Admissions1600 West Hobbs Street Athens, AL256-232-3461 www.limestonehf.com

- Diabetic care / education- Post-stroke rehabilitation- Pain management- State-of-the-art wound care- Alzheimer’s care- Joint repair/replacement rehab

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he third of Sarasota’s islands that we visited was Anna Maria Island, a narrow seven mile stretch of land off the coast of

Bradenton. It is north of Longboat Key and connected by bridge at the south end, at Bradenton Beach, where there are several restaurants, souvenir shops and a wonderful pier stretching out into Sarasota Bay. At the north end of the island is the city of Anna Maria, a quaint little village with sidewalks and colorful buildings and cottages. The center, and widest part of the island, is Holmes Beach with several restaurants, shops and the only grocery store on the island. This is where we found bungalow beach Resort (bungalowbeach.com) - an oasis within an oasis!

The island itself has a very tropical feel and offers a lively, party vibe. Yet we were in our own little world. Exotic palms and foliage, Hibiscus bushes and trees, Mammy Crotons, Petit Pink Oleanders and seasonal flowers give this resort a Caribbean atmosphere. The view out our back door was breathtaking. We were so close to the water that, from our living room, we could see dolphins playing in the water. I loved walking out the back door of our little white bungalow and stepping onto the trail that led through the beautifully manicured grounds to the private beach.

That’s where I spent most of my time; just relaxing on the cushy, chaise lounges down on the beach. The last day there, while relaxing beachside, feeling the warmth of the sun, and listening to the sounds of the waves, I said to myself, “Now, this is paradise!”

TNow, this is paradise!

bungalow beach Resort2000 Gulf Dr. N, Bradenton Beach, FL 34217800-779-3601 [email protected] ~ bungalowbeach.comCheck out BBR’s sister property at siestakeybungalows.com

- Studio, one and two bedroom historicbungalows directly on the gulf of Mexico

- Tropical courtyard setting- 30 types of exotic palms and tropical flowers

- Private beach w/padded lounge chairs and umbrellas- Courtyard w/grills

- Full size kitchens and kitchenettes

Experience the charm of “Old Florida” in a 1930’s

Island Style Resort!


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