It is going to be another short week of  Purse Posts this week but next week, I will be back on schedule.

I love “small town” living and these are just some of the reasons why…. I hope you will able to attend some of these events in the coming days and know that you are helping and supporting people right here in Scottsboro and Jackson County.

The 12th Annual Catfish Festival will take place tomorrow (May 19th) at the Jackson County Park.  This will be an event for the ENTIRE family.  There will be lots for the kids to do (FREE fishing beginning at 8:00 a.m.) and then the adults can enjoy Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show, numerous Vendors, crafts, entertainment and some great food.  This will be going on from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. 

How I love these brooms…..  The Scottsboro Lions Club has their Annual Broom & Mop  Sale going on right now and will continue to be sold each Friday (1:00 to 4:00 p.m.) and on Saturday (9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) during the month of May.  The locations that you can find the brooms and mops are going to be near Wal-Mart, Food World and Piggly Wiggly.  The Lions Club are raising funds for eyesight programs which include eye exams and glasses for people in Jackson County.

Congratulations to the Scottsboro High School Girls Golf Team.  They finished 4th in the AHSAA Class 1A-5A State Golf Tournament earlier this week.

The Scottsboro High School Softball Team will be playing in the State Tournament this weekend also.  Congratulations and wishing you lots of luck this weekend.

The Scottsboro High School Football Jamboree is scheduled for this coming Tuesday, May 22nd in Cherokee County at 6:00 p.m.  If you cannot make it, you can still be a part of it by listening to WWIC/AM 1050.  Greg Bell will be live beginning  at 5:15 p.m. so you can turn your radio to AM 1050.

A big Thank You to Greg and his crew for always supporting the sporting events in Scottsboro and Jackson County.

Purse Advertisers:

This is not just a cute ‘saying’ but a really fun-looking apron that you can find at Big C Drugs.  This store is stocked full of cute gifts for Teachers, Birthday (adults and kids) and you can pretty much make this a one-stop store for most goods.  If you have not been by here lately, you need to take a few minutes and see all that they have got on the shelves.

Many families will be hitting the road soon, taking vacations and these Jumbo Activity (Coloring and Stickers) Pads could be put to good use.  Big C Drugs is where you can find these and I promise you that they will keep a kid entertained for a long time.  My Lily loves these pads.  They make great Birthday Gifts too.

Mr. Rooter can take care of all of your plumbing needs..  Whether it is Residential, Commercial or Industrial, they can take care of any and all.

If you have any of the following needs, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is who you need to call;

Sewer & Drain Cleaning

New Construction

Septic & Grease Trap Plumbing

Plumbing Repair Service

Mr. Rooter Plumbing is located on West Willow Street in Scottsboro (located across from Unclaimed Baggage Center).  There phone number is 574-4710.

How comfortable does this look?  Akins Furniture (also known as Scottsboro Dogtown) is where you will find this comfy piece and many more.  You cannot go wrong with this color of fabric.  Throw some throw pillows on it and you can have a new look for every season of the year.

I usually do not like ‘sectional’ Sofas but I really like this one that I found at Akins Furniture.  They have came a long way in making this piece of furniture.  If you are looking for furniture for any room in your home, this is the place to come.

FNB works hard to meet the financial needs of businesses and business owners. Let them help you achieve a new level of success with a variety of financing options tailored to meet your company’s specific needs

Business Loans

• Real Estate and Facility Loans
• Commercial Property Acquisition and Development
• Facility Construction Expansion
• Equipment Loans
• Working Capital Loans
• Agriculture Lending
• Lines of Credit
• Credit Cards

Don’t put it off  another day, make some time to talk to an FNB Banker today and tell them about your needs.

You can also go here to learn more about your Neighborhood Lending Center, FNB.

You will find any and all styles of shoes for boys and girls at The Toad Stool.  These are not only cute shoes but of great quality.  There is no reason to go out of town to get shoes for the kids these days because Greta has all you could ever need.

The Toad Stool have the CUTEST summer clothes for the girls (and boys).  These are just a FEW of the ones that you will find hanging on the racks right now.  You know when you see someone wearing something from The Toad Stool because it is cute and unique.

Greenback Pawn has a little bit of everything in their shop right now.  You never know what you are going to ‘stumble’ across when you walk through the doors.

They just got in two computers in very good condition.  These will go fast so if you are in need of one and do not want to have to spend allot of money, you need to head here (located on  Willow Street- Five Points area).

Until next time…

I know most of you who have lived in Scottsboro and Jackson County for several years will remember what I am going to talk about today…. Parking Meters around the downtown square.  I saw some of these meters in a another town this past weekend and it made me remember when we had them at the parking places around the square, here in Scottsboro.

I tried to tell my Mary Margaret how we used to have these and that you would deposit your coins and that would allow you to park there for a certain amount of time.  She ask me what would happen if you did put money in the meters or what happened if you were “parked” longer than you were suppose to be…..  I told her there were police or parking meter men who would go around and make sure everyone was  parking legal.  If not, there were written a parking ticket.

I am sure that there are so many stories that could be shared about the days of parking meters but for now, I will share with you a little history of when the meters were introduced to Scottsboro.  (I got this from Jerry Gists’ book, The Story of Scottsboro, Alabama).

“Scottsboro Mayor W.W. Gross and the city council in February, 1950, contracted with a parking meter company for the installation of parking meters in the business district of the city.

Use of the meters went into effect on March 27, 1950, on a six-month trial basis.   On September 5, 1950, the citizens of Scottsboro surprisingly voted in favor of retaining the meters permanently by a vote of 325 to 79.”

If you have any “parking meter” stories or information, please share with me at pennyg@scottsboro.org.

Purse Advertisers:

If you were to need an MRI but were not sure about whether you should go locally or travel out of town, I will tell you personally that I would not think twice about it.   I would choose to stay right here in Scottsboro.   I am one that will not suggest, support or recommend people, places, events, products, etc. UNLESS I firmly believe in it. (some times, that could be a bad thing BUT most of the time it is a plus!)

Open MRI of Scottsboro is one of those places.  I trust the Doctor(s), staff and I know that they will provide the very best service for me.  The equipment that they use is the best and the fact that you do not have to be “stuffed” in a tunnel for the scan makes it that much better. Ha!

I am pretty sure that all of you know at least one person that could give you a “positive referral” to Open MRI of Scottsboro other than myself.  Then there are many who have already been through the doors of this place and experienced the “visit” that I am telling you about.

The Wimberly House has some great Teacher Gifts for end of school and also lots of Graduation Gifts to choose from…. I love these JUMBO tote bags that are divided into three sections.  They would be great for teachers or graduates.  You can get them in a variety of colors.  When I say JUMBO, I am saying you can get a small child in these.  You could give them as they are or add monogram to them.

I wish the photo of these Metal Flowers were better because these are great.  The Wimberly House just got these in and they are perfect for a wall, front door or even over a fire place.  These are a must see ‘in person’ for you.

At Highlands Medical Center, their primary mission is to provide quality health care right here in Jackson County.   That is why their tag-line is simply, “Quality. Care. Here.”  This tag-line means you will always receive the quality of care you deserve, locally, when you choose Highlands Medical Center.

There are so many services that are offered at Highlands Medical Center, Cumberland Health & Rehab, Highands Home Health and Highlands Health & Rehab.

To learn more about these services or Physician Referral, you need to go to their website here.  You will be amazed at how much is offered right here in Scottsboro and Jackson County.

The Clay Pot also has some great gift ideas for Teacher Gifts and Graduation Gifts.  This is one of my favorite finds there.  It is made out of wood and you can place any plant inside it.  They also have some great “pot creations” (pot and plants) for $10.00.  You cannot pass those great prices up.

You cannot go wrong with KAVU bags and wallets either when it comes to Graduation or Teacher Gifts.  The Clay Pot has a wonderful selection of KAVU goods and these are just a few of the wallets that they have in the shop now.

Until next time…

It is Mother’s Day Weekend and there are LOTS of events going on that you could enjoy with your mom or as a family.

I thought I would share a little history of  Mother’s Day with you that you may not already know…

The United States celebrates Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. Julia Ward Howl first issued her Mother’s Day Proclamation in 1870 as a call for women to join in support of disarmament.

In the 1880s and 1890s there were several further attempts to establish an American Mother’s Day, but these did not succeed beyond the local level.  The current holiday was created by Anna Jarvis in Grafton, West Virginia in 1908 as a day to honor one’s mother.   Jarvis wanted to accomplish her mother’s dream of making a celebration for all mothers, although the idea did not take off until she enlisted the services of wealthy Philadelphia merchant John Wanamaker. 

She kept promoting the holiday until President Woodrow Wilson made it an official national holiday in 1914. 

The holiday eventually became so highly commercialized that many, including its founder, Anna Jarvis, considered it a “Hallmark holiday,” i.e. one with an overwhelming commercial purpose.

Jarvis eventually ended up opposing the holiday she had helped to create.   She died in 1948, regretting what had become of her holiday.  

In the United States, Mother’s Day remains one of the biggest days for sales of flowers, greeting cards, and the like; it is also the biggest holiday for long-distance telephone calls.   Moreover, churchgoing is also popular, yielding the highest church attendance after Christmas Eve and Easter.   Many worshipers celebrate the day with carnations, colored if the mother is living and white if she is deceased.

If you would like to know more about Turning Point Pregnancy Center or this upcoming event, you may click here.

Randall’s Chapel United Methodist Church will be hosting their Annual Pancake Breakfast tomorrow (May 12th) from 6:30 to 10:00 a.m.  The menu includes pancakes, sausage, coffee, and milk.  All donations will go to Missions.

The 11th Annual CASA Follies has been set for tomorrow, Saturday, May 12th at Goose Pond Civic Center. 

There will be an Afternoon Matinee at 12:00 noon where you will be able to enjoy Hot Dog/Chili and the Show.  Adult tickets will be $10 and Children will be $5.

The Evening Dinner Theatre will begin at 6:30 p.m. where you will be able to enjoy a Steak Dinner, Silent Auction and the Show.  This will be $25 per person.

For Ticket information, you may call CASA at (256) 259-3736.

Limrock/Aspel Volunteer Fire Department 21st Annual BBQ

Saturday, May 12, 2012

11:00 a.m. til 2:00 p.m..

BBQ Plates for $7.00 (includes pork or half chicken, beans, slaw, dessert, bread and drink)

BBQ by the pound for $9.00

Hamburgers: $3.00

Hot Dogs: $2.00

Located in Limrock, Alabama (the corner of Jackson County Road 11 and Highway 35)

This Sunday (May 13th) is also the Annual Sidewalk Art Competition.  This event will take place from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m. at the Scottsboro-Jackson Heritage Center.  Children and Adults may enter the competition and registration fee is only $5.00.  You can register that day on the lawn of the Heritage Center.  There will be prizes awarded for different age groups.

This is a fun event and would be a great ‘outing’ to take your mom too.

How I love these brooms…..  The Scottsboro Lions Club has their Annual Broom & Mop  Sale going on right now and will continue to be sold each Friday (1:00 to 4:00 p.m.) and on Saturday (9 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) during the month of May.  The locations that you can find the brooms and mops are going to be near Wal-Mart, Food World and Piggly Wiggly.  The Lions Club are raising funds for eyesight programs which include eye exams and glasses for people in Jackson County.

Purse Advertisers:

I love these different size “Stands” that Akins Furniture has in there Scottsboro store.  You could do so much with these but I think they (sold individually) would make wonderful cake stands.  They look even better in person.  Akins Furniture is open every day except Wednesday and Sunday.

They also have lots of great picture frames that would make perfect Mother’s Day gifts and Graduation Gifts.

There is something about this chair that I found at Akins Furniture that makes me happy.  The colors are bright but not too much and would look great in so many rooms in your home.  Living rooms to even a girl’s room.  If you have not checked out the furniture and goods at Akins (aka Scottsboro Dogtown), you need to see all that they have these days.

Not everyone has City Sewer but rather Septic Tanks which we had with our first house many years ago.  I don’t know allot about Septic Tanks but I do know that when you have problems with them, you want fast service and you want to know the person providing the service knows what they are doing…. Mr. Rooter Plumbing KNOWS all about Septic Tanks too and if you are needing repairs- they are who you need to make your phone call to.

There is more to Septic Tanks than just repairing, there are times when you need them pumped (and you definitely want qualified people for this) and then there are also times when you need a Septic Tank installed.  Installation of Septic Tanks is a big service that Mr. Rooter Plumbing provides and they know all of the “ins and outs” of this project.

Just know, when it comes to these “special” but “much needed” tanks, Mr. Rooter Plumbing is the company for you to take care of you.  Stacy Ledwell and his crew are ready to make all your problems go away….

The Wimberly House Wine Tasting

Friday, May 18, 2012

5:30 p.m.

$15.00 per person

Enjoy delicious food and wine!

Call for reservations: (256) 259-5416

If you have never been to one of these or to one at The Wimberly House, I assure you they are a lot of fun.  Make sure that you call and make reservations if you are interested.

The Wimberly House has some great ideas for Mother’s Day so if you have not got that gift yet, you are definitely going to be able to find a gift here to work with any “price range”.   You could always get a Gift Certificate too from The Wimberly House or the She Cooks Cafe (which she would LOVE!).

I have always been intrigued with the way X Rays, scans, etc. – the way that they look on film.    It seems like lately, that I have heard more people with knee pains, problems, etc. than usual.  I thought I would share with you some actual MRI images that Open MRI of Scottsboro has shared with me.

These are soap/lotion dispenser pump bottles that I found at Big C Drugs.  They have initials on them which makes them personal.  These would make nice Teacher or Mother’s Day gifts.  Big C has lots to choose from when it comes to goods for those special people in your life.

This is another fun (and could be useful) Mother’s Day Gift or even a Teacher’s Gift.  Big C Drugs is where you can find these cute chalk boards signs that could be used for parties and just fun outside.  The kids would love giving something like this to their mom or teacher.

Until next week….

Have you ever thought about what it was like before we had roads?  I am talking about basic roads, not anything fancy like paved roads with lines painted on them.

I thought you might enjoy a little history about how and when roads came about in Scottsboro.  Below is some of the history that Mr. Jerry Gist shared in his book, The Story of Scottsboro, Alabama, that I thought was interesting.

“In July, 1900, a $9,800 contract was awarded to build roads in Scottsboro.  The road that proved to be most serviceable to Scottsboro during this period was the Garland Ferry Road which was contracted in July, 1904.  J.A. Sharp and Louis Webb received the contract to build the three and one-half mile road from Scottsboro to the Tennessee River.

The road provided to the people of Sand Mountain, who would cross the river via ferryboat, a through access into Scottsboro.  Perhaps the condition of  the roads leading into Scottsboro was best exemplified by a young man who drove the first automobile inot town on September 12, 1904.   He was traveling from St. Louis enroute to Florida when he made his stop in Scottsboro.  When asked about the condition of the roads he said, “I found the roads in fair condition until I got to the one between Larkinsville and Scottsboro, and this was the roughest road I have ever traveled.”

I am sure that there are some of you who can still remember when roads were just beginning to ‘pop up’ around town and they were more than trails through the tall grassy fields.  I will share more on this topic in the future because there is much more to tell.

Purse Advertisers:

The Toad Stool has got some of the ‘coolest’ casual (and sporty) clothes for the little boys.  This t-shirt would be loved by any boy and I am sure it would be one that he would want to wear on a regular basis.  Greta has a great selection of clothes for boys (casual and dressy) and these make great gifts because they are fun and just not some “old clothes” as most kids call them.

If you are looking for a cute or pretty (casual and dressy) top for the warm weather, The Toad Stool has got a huge selection and something for everyone’s ‘likes’.  The clothes you find here are unique and you will not see it on ten other people in town.  She buys a few of each style and that always makes people happy.

Highlands Medical Center has events going on all the time.  If you would like to keep up with the numerous classes, events, and informative news that is going on here, you can always go to their informative website by clicking here.

Highlands  is accepting Volunteer Applications, ages 14 and up. There are many opportunities to volunteer at Highlands Medical Center in Scottsboro, Alabama.   For more information or to obtain an application please contact Ena Martin at 218.3815 or emartin@jchca.org.  Volunteer applications may also be picked up from the gift shop!

This would be a great opportunity for you, your children or grandchildren to give back to the community by volunteering a few hours a week.

I love these Humming Bird Paintings that The Clay Pot has in their shop.  These would make great Mother’s Day gifts or Teacher Gifts.  If you are looking for that perfect gift for your mom or teacher, you will find some great ‘outdoor’ goods here.  They have lots of cute and useful things to choose from.

What mom would not like an Herb Garden like this?  This is just one of ”gardens” that you can find at The Clay Pot.  You can choose from some that are already planted in containers or you can have pick your own herbs and containers and they will make it look beautiful.  Make sure to go by The Clay Pot (located across from Piggly Wiggly) this week.

FNB is ready to help you with any of those Consumer Loans that you may be struggling with or considering…. FNB makes it convenient and easy to borrow the money you need to reach your financial goals.

A Home Equity Line of Credit puts borrowing convenience in your hands and provides instant access to your funds.   Use your home equity line of credit to make home improvements, consolidate debt, pay for vacations or use for tuition.   This line of credit works much like a credit card.

You can borrow as much or as little as you want from your approved credit limit.   As you repay the balance, the full amount is available for you to use again and again.   Plus the interest may be tax deductible (please consult your tax advisor).

FNB is ready to help you and all you have to do is give them a contact them at via telephone at;

Local: 256-259-6000
Toll Free: 1-888-574-0900

Or you can contact them via email when you Click Here.

Until next time…

The first weekend of May and I can see that it is going to be a month full of events for the everyone to enjoy.  The weekend will kick-off with Relay for Life tonight.  Next weekend, you will see is FULL of entertainment for the entire family.  I hope that you will make time to support some (or all) of these groups who are all giving back to our community.

Relay for Life  of Jackson County will take place tonight beginning at 6:00 p.m. with Opening Ceremony.

I wanted to tell you about some of my “finds” in the past few weeks that you could be enjoying now and throughout the summer months.   Hope you will want to go see and maybe even purchase one (or more) of these goods for yourself.

I love these small paper lantern lights that I found at the Family Dollar.  These could be used for a party, on back patio or around screen porch.  There are 10 lights for $7.00.

These are not large plastic potsbut more like the size of a cantaloupe…. I found these at the Family Dollar (located on Willow Street) also.  These would make great ‘serving boxes’ for a party or luncheon.  There are so many uses that I could find for these…

You know we love ice cream and this is the new favorite right now.  You can find this Breyers ‘Mrs. Fields’ Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough Ice cream at Walmart.  It is a must try for everyone.

These drink dispensers are not new but what I liked about these were the colors and the different sizes that you can find them in now.  These are perfect to keep in the refrigerator for the kids or they would be great for parties.  Walmart is where to find these.

You probably would not guess what these are…..These are floating globe lights for the pool.  You can find these at Walmart and they are very inexpensive ($2.50 each) and you can also purchase batteries to put in them so you can enjoy them for many summers to come.  There is no doubt that these would not get peoples attention when they see them in your pool.

When I saw these metal drink dispensers, I knew I had to have one.  These are just the right size for a lunch, dinner or party and they are less than $13.00.  I would even give one of these for a gift.    The colors are red and white so you could even get some use out of them during the Christmas holidays.

I all about summer dishes and having something that you can enjoy outside or inside.  I love these dinner and salad/dessert plates that I found at Walmart.  For the price, you can get as many as you need and still spend little to nothing.

Purse Advertisers:

FNB Bank is ready to help you “Make it Happen”…. That is making those ‘dreams’, ‘wants’, and ‘needs’ become a reality.

You will find that FNB can making getting approved for a Loan not only fast but easy too.  The decisions are made locally so there is no red tape you have to go through that can take weeks and even months at times.  They want to make sure that the terms and products are flexible and that ALL of your needs are met with their loan solutions.

If you are wanting to buy a boat, furniture, or appliances, installment loans can help achieve your goal.   These loans can also be used for making home improvements or taking dream vacations and are offered with competitive rates and flexible repayment options.

FNB is ready to help you and all you have to do is give them a contact them at via telephone at;

Local: 256-259-6000
Toll Free: 1-888-574-0900

Or you can contact them via email when you Click Here.

Bruce, owner of  Talk of the Town, is so good to “Welcome” local artists and their ‘creations’ into the shop.  These are some of the creative work of local artist, Redmon Graham.  I have a couple of his pieces and I think I like them more and more each time I look at them.    If you are looking for a unique gift but with a little ‘local flare’, you need to see all that Bruce has in TOTT.  So much to choose from and the photos do not do justice for any of the pieces of art that he has for sale.

Summer brings the need for parties and weddings and even ‘just because’ occasions and with that you need some fresh flower arrangements to make those perfect.  Blooms by TOTT (located inside Talk of the Town)can take care of any occasion that you are in need of when it comes to flowers.  Charlene never runs out of interesting and unique creations and you are always pleased when you leave there with your arrangement.

Highlands Medical Center seems to be growing and offering more and more services every month.  With the very best Doctors, Equipment, etc. being offered at our local hospital, it should make you feel more comfortable when those health issues and concerns to come up.

We all have those times when we experience problems but not sure what to do about it or even if we should  be ‘checked out’.

Do you have these symptoms?

Many of you may already have seen Medicine on the Move in your area or rolling along the highways and byways of Jackson County.

The mobile medical unit is staffed with medical personnel – such as a physician, nurse practitioner, emergency medical technician, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse — who are available to see patients for a variety of non-emergent conditions.   Providers also offer women’s health services and immunizations on the bus.

Click here to view/download our monthly bus schedule.

For more information, or to schedule Medicine on the Move for your on-site event, please call 256-218-3673.

This is just not a pretty chair but it is a comfortable one and you will never want to get up after you sit down in it.  This is another one of Akins Furniturefinds and it is calling some one’s name.    You will not find better pieces of furniture than you will at Scottsboro’s Dogtown (aka Akins Furniture) and they are continuously having news goods in every week.

I always enjoy seeing the new home goods that Akins Furniture.  I love this Tray (with a handle which you do not see often) and could imagine it in a number of places at my home.  I have had several people tell me that they had no idea you could find all the ‘goods’ in Akins Furniture that they have until I shared some.  The prices are wonderful and you will walk out of there with something, I can assure you.  Even if it is a picture frame, which they have some great ones.

Until next time…

Have you ever really thought about what we did before we had large retail stores, numerous gas stations and all the ‘speciality’ stores that we seem to take for granted so often?

I have a feeling that 75 years ago, the majority of the citizens who lived in Scottsboro and Jackson County were very content with what they had and were beyond excited when a new business opened up to the public.

When you think of theBusiness Directory for Scottsboro and Jackson County these days, you would know that there would be hundreds of pages full of names, addresses and phone numbers (not including email, fax and cell numbers).  But in1937,  the Business Directory was not quite so detailed but was still one that was to be proud of…..

Following was from the book, The Story of Scottsboro, Alabama that Mr. Jerry Gist wrote in 1968.  

“The Business Directory for Scottsboro in 1937  included;

Lay and Company

Scottsboro Hardware Company owned by John B. Clopton & Boyd Turner

Palace Dry Cleaners owned by Horace Armstrong

Benson and Childress Hardware Company

Hodges’ Drug Store

White Hardware Company

Hunt’s Five and Ten Cent Store

Harris Cash Store

Bailey Hotel

C.B. Thomas Cafe

W.P. Walsh’s Five Points Service Station

Scottsboro Funeral Home owned by J.F. Henshaw, J.F. Henshaw, Jr. and W.R. Henshaw

Dr. Rayford Hodges, Dr. M.H. Lynch, and Dr. R.R. Bridges were practicing medicine in Scottsboro in 1937.

The Dentists were E.P. Ingrum and T.J. Griffith.

The Lawyers in Scottsboro during this year were Milo Moody, John F. Proctor and Son, John Snodgrass, John K. Thompson, Harold Foster, H.C. Hayes and H.O. Weeks.

When you look at this list and realize that there were only three family doctors, two dentists, less than 10 lawyers, you really have an idea of how much our town has grown in the last 75 years.

Think of the number of hotels that we have these days and to know that there was only one back in 1937.

As for retail stores, there were places to purchase the necessities and then your gifts and home goods but nothing like what we have to choose from these days.

Don’t get me wrong, I am so grateful for all the places of business today but there are those days when I wish we did have limited choices and there were no decisions having to be made on where to go eat, what to do and where to shop…..

There are a couple of these businesses that I am not familiar with so if you know anything about Lay and Company or Harris Cash Store, White Hardware Company and The Bailey Hotel, please share with me at pennyg@scottsboro.org.

I have several topics I will be doing ‘updates’on in the coming weeks from emails that I have received so be on the ‘look out’ for those.

Purse Advertisers:

If you have ever wondered what the difference is between an MRI and a CT/X-rays…This should hopefully make it more understanding.  Open MRI of Scottsboro supplied this information so it is from the “Experts” when it comes to this subject.

There are two big advantages that MRI has over CT and conventional x-rays.  First, we have to remember (which I did not) that “CT”  (Computed Tomography) is just a fancy way of using x-rays.

MRI DOES NOT use x-rays, so there is no IONIZING radiation, which is the stuff that can cause cancer if you get too much of it.  (Another “something” that I was not ware of)

MRI has vastly superior soft tissue contrast, which mean that it can make things look to be different that actually are different.  For example, fat and muscle are obviously very different types  of tissue, but they are similar in appearance on a regular x-ray.  Another example is the gray matter and white matter in the brain… CT can make them look just different enough to perceive, but MRI makes it really stand out, allowing you to also see additional structures such as the basal ganglia and thalami. (basal ganglia are associated with a variety of functions, including motor control and learning)  (thalami functions includes relaying sensation, special sense and motor signal to the cerebral cortex, along with the regulation of consciousness, sleep and alertness)

Another common soft tissue example is a herniated disc, which, being a soft tissue, cannot be seen on regular x-rays, and is somewhat difficult to see even with a CT scan.  These become wonderfully obvious with MRI.

I am loving these white-washed wood Cross Trays that you can find at The Clay Pot.  These could go inside or outside and the ‘ways’ to use them are endless.   I cannot imagine anyone not wanting this as a gift.  They look like a great ‘antique’ find.

The Clay Pot is where you can find ALL the new colors/fabrics of KAVU bags.  We have several Kavu goods at our house and the one thing that I love about them (besides the great fabrics) is how durable they are.  It does not matter what age you are, KAVU bags are for everyone.  They have any size that you could need and these KAVU wallets/purses are perfect for Birthday gifts.

If a problem occurs in one part of your plumbing, it could be indicative of a larger issue affecting your entire plumbing system.  A slow drain could indicate a blocked pipe, a dripping faucet might be a sign of a worn washer, or low amounts of hot water could mean sediment has built up in your water heater.   Mr. Rooter knows these facts, which is why they offer the Mr. Rooter Plumbing Check-Up during any service visit to your home.

Once your Mr. Rooter Plumbing professional finishes their service visit, they will offer to go through our Mr. Rooter Plumbing Check-Up list to confirm that your plumbing system is in good health.  Everything from your faucets to your water heater to your water meter will be checked for proper function.   Once completed, the Mr. Rooter professional plumber will review everything they found with you and give you their recommendations. And they’ll do it absolutely free.

Mr. Rooter provides this service with the intent to expose all possible plumbing problems, and if your service technician does find something that needs to be addressed, they will fix it at a discounted rate. There’s a reason they call us Mr. Rooter….

Until next time…

This is one of those days that I am pretty sure most everyone can remember…  Seems hard to believe that  April 27, 2011 was a year ago today.  This is one of those days that I remember every part of the day just like I do from September 11, 2001.

I can remember watching the weather/news all day, thinking that that I had never seen a more “lit” up weather map.  I remember it being sunny here and thought that was a good ‘sign’ for us.  Not  until that day, did I know that you DID NOT want the sun to come out during weather like that because it only ‘fueled’ the storm(s).

I will forever remember April 11, 2011 and I am pretty confident my children will also.  It was the days that followed that Wednesday storm that taught me more about the ‘way of living’ than any other weather event had before.  I realized that we could ‘make it’ without electricity and we could survive with the food that we had and really live out of coolers rather than refrigerators.  I even hung clothes out to dry on a make-shift line that Jimmy put up for me.

Many of us were lucky that day when there were so many families that were not.  I am grateful for the small inconveniences that we had and in the end, was proud that we realized that we could make it just fine with only limited electricity, food and gasoline.  I ‘grew up’ some this time last year, in knowing that there were things that I could do, that I never thought were possible.

What I remember most that I am so proud of is how Jackson County came together to help those in need.   When I see individuals, places of business, churches, volunteer organizations, neighbors (the list goes on and on) working together to help those in need, it feels my heart.  Just another reason why I love living in Jackson County.

With that said, I would like to invite you to be a part of a very special service today at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church.

Everyone is invited to join with the members of our community to remember those who lost their lives in Jackson County and other parts of Alabama from the historical outbreak of tornadoes on April 27, 2011.

There will be a time of prayer and a ringing of the bell for each person being remembered.  Opening remarks will be made by The Honorable John Graham, Circuit Judge. 

 The Service will begin at 12:30 p.m. today (Friday, April 27th) at St. Luke’s Church (located at the corner of Scott Street and College Avenue) and will last no more than 40 minutes.  It is a casual, come-as-you are service too.

I wanted to share a little history of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church with you. It has always been one of my favorite churches. 

I love the way it looks on the outside and there has never been a time when I walk through those doors, that I did not have a ‘warm’ feeling.  Who would not, when this is what you see as you enter the doors?

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church. Erected in 1949

“In May, 1949, the vestry of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church met and formulated the first definite plans for the erection of a new church building.   Construction began soon afterwards, and in the summer, the Rev.  C.J. Carpenter, structure.  Pontiff  Skelton was instrumental in the coming for occupancy on the first Sunday in  November, 1949.

On Easter Sunday, 1950, Rev. R.R. Claiborne, Suffragan Bishop of Alabama, consecrated the church.   A resident ministry was establish for the church after the congregation acquired a Vicarage in 1961.

A renovation of the building was completed in 1968 at a cost of approximately $8,000.  A  nearby residence was later acquired to be renovated and used as an educational building.”

The above was from the book,The Story of Scottsboro, Alabama that was written by Mr. Jerry Gist.  I have some other interesting information that I plan to share regarding St. Luke’s in the coming weeks.  Such an interesting place with so much history.

If you have any information that you think people would be interested in when it comes to St. Luke’s, please email them to me at pennyg@scottsboro.org.

Purse Advertisers:

Highlands Medical Center has so many exciting ‘happenings’ going on but one of my favorite is the Medicine on the Move Bus.  What a great idea and how beneficial it will be for our area.

Many of you may already have seen Medicine on the Move in your area or rolling along the highways and byways of Jackson County.

The mobile medical unit is staffed with medical personnel – such as a physician, nurse practitioner, emergency medical technician, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse — who are available to see patients for a variety of non-emergent conditions.   Providers also offer women’s health services and immunizations on the bus.

Click here to view/download our monthly bus schedule.

For more information, or to schedule Medicine on the Move for your on-site event, please call 256-218-3673.

Highlands built in 1992, Cumberland Health & Rehab is a 100-bed short-term rehab and long-term care facility nestled in the mountainous foothill region of northeast Alabama.  To learn more about this place, you can go here.  My grandfather was a resident here in 2010 before he passed away and we could not have ask for a better place for him at that time.

There is no better time to take care of giving your “Cooling System” a check-up.  Summer will be here before you know it and you will want to not have a moment without cold air in your home or business.

Jim Nevels, owner of All Season Heating & Cooling , is ready to help you with that task.  He can take care of inspecting the unit, cleaning out those ducts and even give you some helpful tips on how to maintain your heating and cooling system.

Next week, I will be sharing some tips on how you can save some money this summer on those hot days.  All Seasons is not only there to take care of your problems, but give you suggestions on how to prevent some of those problems. 

If you have not had that pedicure to ‘kick off’ the summer, you need to take some time to get one at Kim Nails which is located at Five Points.  Tammy and her staff will take good care of you and you will feel like a new person when you walk out.

Cloverdale Manor Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation provides a wide range of services for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy services.  When an injury, illness or recent surgery impairs your ability to live to your full potential, you want the most highly skilled rehabilitation experts on your side.

Whatever your physical rehabilitation needs may be, Cloverdale Manor’s Rehabilitation team is here with the help you need to get moving again.

“Quality care with a personal touch”……That is what Cloverdale Manor ‘motto’ is……

Until next week… take a few minutes today to remember back to that Wednesday in April last year and the weeks and months that were to follow.  The lives of the families that were forever changed that day.

I going to remind you about some events that are coming up in the next few days today.  I usually do this on Friday but I am going to be focusing on another event tomorrow, the 1 year Anniversary of the 2011 Tornadoes, that we all remember like it was yesterday.

I do want to let you know that St. Luke’s Church (located on Scott Street) will be hosting a Community Service of Remembrance tomorrow (Friday, April 27th) at 12:30 p.m.   This service will be to remember the 235 Alabamians who were killed in the tornadoes a year ago.  I will be sharing more about this service tomorrow but wanted you to know that it was taking place and hoping that you will take a few minutes to be a part of a service.   

Jeans 4 Justice Day will be held TODAY, Thursday, April 27th.  This is an an opportunity for you and I to help fight sexual violence in Jackson County.  By just donating $2 to the Jackson County Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and wear jeans to work.

If you would like more information regarding SART of how you can be a part of this very important topic, you may contact Traci Bynum at the Jackson County Office of Crisis Services of North Alabama at (256) 574-5826.

The 24th Annual Scottsboro Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast will be taking place THIS Saturday, April 28th from 6:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Scottsboro Jr. High School Cafeteria.

Tickets are $5.00 and can be purchase from Kiwanis member or may be purchased at the door.  You can also get your breakfast to go.

All proceeds from the ticket sales will help provide scholarships for local seniors as well as pay for Reading is Fundamental books for Head Start students in the county three times a year.

I will be sharing more about this next week, but know the date for the 11th Annual CASA Follies has been set for Saturday, May 12th at Goose Pond Civic Center.  For Ticket information, you may call CASA at (256) 259-3736.

Purse Advertisers:

If you are wanting something good for lunch but not ‘really heavy’, you need to make your way to She Cooks Cafe today. 

She Cooks Cafe located inside The Wimberly House is just the place for you to have lunch.  They have wonderful soups, sandwiches and salads.  You will not be able to pass up one of their homemade desserts either.

You can enjoy a wonderful lunch (you can do take out too) for a very good price.  They are open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Another pair of my favorite shoes that The Wimberly House has in their Boutique.  You could wear these with everything and even into the fall.  If you are looking for a new pair of shoes or a new piece of clothing (dress, top, pants, jackets, etc.), you need to go see ALL that is in this cute shop.  You will not leave their ‘empty handed’, I assure you. 

Also, remember Teacher Appreciation Day is coming up next month and a Gift Certificate from The Wimberly House would put a smile on any teacher’s face.

The Clay Pot is now carrying Scout Bags and these are too cute.  If you have had a Scout Bag, you know what great goods they are.  If you have not, you need to make yourself happy, and get you one.  They have Large Totes, Wine Bags, Small Insulated Coolers/lunch bags and even Large Insulated Bags.  The fabrics are bright and you will want to grab it every time you go out the door.

This is another one of my great ‘finds’ at The Clay Pot.  This Iron Chandelier (place votive candles on it) would make a back porch or patio even more pleasant to enjoy during the spring and summer nights.  Also, a good idea for a Mother’s Day Gift….. Mark (owner)is doing a wonderful job with stocking the shop full of unique and fun goods.

One of the big questions that everyone has these days when it comes health care is MONEY or what it is going to COST the patient….  That question is no different when it comes to services that Open MRI of Scottsboro provide…

Most insurances will pay 80% of the “allowable” (which is what they say they will pay for a certain scan and they will accept) unless you haven’t met your deductible- then of course, you have to pay the deductible plus the 20%. 

The great thing about Open MRI of Scottsboro is they will not only answer all of your questions but will do it in a very positive manner.  Know, it does not matter what the question is, they will do their best to answer any that you may have when it comes to their services.

 I will be taking a few days off to enjoy some time

FNB serves the residents and businesses of Northeast Alabama with ten locations.   For over a century, they have been dedicated to making the community better by helping people reach their financial goals.

FNB has grown to a team of over 100 full-time employees who offer an exceptional level of customer service and expertise.  Please browse through their website (here) to learn more about the wide array of financial services and products FNB offers.

Through more than a century of changing times, FNB has loyally served the citizens of Jackson and DeKalb Counties. The Bank of Scottsboro was officially organized in 1900.

In 1909, the bank organizers purchased another local bank named The First National Bank and chose to continue doing business under that name.

By 1966, FNB was a solid financial institution. It was time to expand, both at the main office and into the surrounding counties.  Their current main office opened in 1966, along with their first community offices in Section and Woodville.  The Pisgah office opened in 1967, followed by Bridgeport in 1969.   The Skyline and Henagar offices opened their doors in 1986. In 2007, they started to look at expanding again, and decided that the Morgan City area was a good fit for them.   FNB opened that office in January of 2008.

Also in 2007 in order to better serve their market and their local customers they converted their charter from a National Bank to a State Bank.   Converting to a state charter enabled the bank to take advantage of Alabama’s regulatory system, which is reported as being one of the best in the country.  It also allowed FNB to continue honoring it’s 107- year heritage as a true, locally owned, community bank.   The reasons for a community bank to hold a national charter no longer exist.   In fact, only 13 percent of banks in Alabama still hold a national charter.

Their founders established FNB as an independent hometown bank, and they are proud to still be one today.   FNB will continue to use their strength and commitment to meet the needs of their close-knit community.

Today and tomorrow, FNB will always be First for You.

Until next time…

Today’s post is all about a local writer who many of you may know but you may not know that he is a pretty good writer.   Mr. Greg Yarbrough recently named the Short Story Contest winner.   He was awarded First Place Winner of the Scottsboro Writing Group 2011 Contest. 

I hope you enjoy Greg’s work as much as I did and if you do not remember the gentleman that Greg is writing about, that you will remember back to a person who was a part of your life like this man was to Greg.

The Johnson Place

Author: Greg Yarbrough

“ My first view of Jackson County came in January 1974.  I was driving on “old” highway 72 for an interview with the old Hiwassee Land Company for a forestry technician job.  As I looked westward up into Paint Rock Valley, I was hooked.  This was where I needed to be.  Fortunately, I was offered the job that day.  With a U-haul loaded with our worldly possessions in it, my wife and I arrived February 12, 1974 to start a new life in Scottsboro, Alabama.

I met Mr. Cecil Word shortly after arriving in Jackson County.  Mr. Word had a lot of “family” land and shortly after meeting him, I hit him up for a hunting permit.  One of the tracts that was particularly inaccessible was in the Larkin Creek portion of Paint Rock Valley.  A man named M.C. McClure lived in an old house that was across Larkin Creek from the main road.  He lived on and he stayed there rent free to “see after things” for the landowner in Huntsville.  He gave my brother-in-law and me permission to go through that property to hunt the Word property.

The next year, we asked M.C. who owned the tract up behind his house and he said Mr. Ed Johnson.  Thus began my 36 year association with what is “my favorite place” the Johnson place.  My brother-in-law Mark and I drove up to Ed’s sometime in the spring of 1977 to ask for permission to hunt.  He was slow to grant us the permission, so we asked if we could come back after he thought about it some.  He said okay.  Mr. Ed was one of the most interesting people I’ve ever met. Over the years he amazed us with his intelligence, wit, dry humor and his knack for telling stories.

Our second visit was awarded by him by giving us the okay to hunt that year.  Holy cow, we had gained permission to hunt over 550 acres of some of the prettiest land in Jackson County.

Needless to say, we made as many trips as our “then wives” would allow that year.  Almost every trip we stopped by Ed’s house and visited.  Over several years, we gained his trust.  We got to know the land as only time and foot travel can do.

Around 1985, I got concerned that someone would “lease” the property out from under us.  Leasing was rapidly becoming the normal way of attaining and improving hunting land.  We offered Ed a lease for the property.  He actually liked the idea.

One of his few rules was that he did not want over four people hunting at the same time.  The other was that he and his tractor was the only things he wanted on his land besides boots.  We knew and had honored his wishes for over seven years.  He leased us the 550 acres.

So from 1985 until his death in 2004 we leased the property.  Countless hunts, countless visits with Ed and his wife will forever be etched in my memory and the memories of a very few privileged people who got to hunt with us and got to know the man and his property.

Ed had 6 children by 2 wives both of which passed before him.  At his passing I could not imagine what would take place with his farm that he had lived on and scratched out a living for so many years.  Two sons had bought small parcels and built homes during the 1980’s.  The other four children lived in three different states and had been gone for years.

Joe and his wife Pat had lived “up the hill” for several years.  Joe was named executor of the estate.  He began the difficult process of dividing up the property among all six children and decided to have the timber select cut first.  It took over 18 months to finish the logging.

During this time I was hopeful that somehow, someway I would end up buying part or continue to lease hunting rights from the family.  After much discussions with Joe, three of the siblings had revealed a desire to sell me 320 acres of the most remote part of the property.  The others would retain various acreages on the front and adjoining the two sons’ homes.  Joe and the others knew it would have pleased Ed to know that I ended up with the most of the land he had spent his life on.

July 20, 2002, on a Sunday afternoon, Joe and I sat on rockers on his front porch and made a handshake deal that I will never forget.  The 320 acres would be mine and he would lease his 130 acres to me and my “crew” to hunt on.  As I drove home I couldn’t wait to tell Sandy the news.  She was happy for me but still unsure of my plan to pay.  My answer to her was my standard “trust me.”  She rolled her eyes as usual, but I could tell she was thrilled.  It worked out okay.

As of 2012 the Johnson place remains as it has been since 1979, my favorite place.  Thousands of hours of my life have been spent on that property, mostly hunting.  The time will come when I’m no longer able to go there.  I suppose if my life should end there, it would please me.  So long as my family can easily find the tree trunk where I last sat.

We have gradually made improvements, a few roads, a new (the last one I think) bridge, utilities, a cabin, a few food plots, etc. etc.  As I do things there, Ed Johnson’s influence is still felt and I can’t help but think he would approve of most.

Our children and grandchildren may wish to call this place simply “the valley.”  But it my mind it will always be the “Johnson Place” my favorite place.”

I hope you are smiling as I was when I finished reading this (actually, I was smiling and had a lump in my throat while reading it all) wonderful piece of work.   I am  confident that Mr. Ed Johnson was smiling and a very happy man knowing that Greg loved (and loves) that property as much as he did….I have realized as I have got older that most of the time, people who have “property” (land out in the country) is not really interested in the ‘price it is worth’ but more that the who people purchase it, lease it on have it given to them as a a gift, RESPECT it and that it will always have a place in that person(s) heart.

Thank you Greg for sharing your passion of  The Johnson Place with all of us to enjoy.

Purse Advertisers:

With today’s technology, it is amazing what can be discovered, repaired, etc. with a piece of equipment and the service and equipment that Mr. Rooter Plumbing has is no different.  They have Video Camera Plumbing Inspection and it will do just about anything when it comes to plumbing problems…

At Mr. Rooter Plumbing, they want their customers to see the “root” of the problem…no pun intended.   Instead of relying on traditional drain line trouble shooting methods, video camera inspection pinpoints the trouble spot and helps visually confirm the cause of the problem.  There could be several reasons for continually slow draining pipesand repetitive clogs.

Video camera inspection shows the exact “root” of the problem whether it be root intrusion or crushed, cracked or misaligned pipes.   The Mr. Rooter Plumbing video camera inspection service is the most effective method available to locate suspected problem areas within drain lines, so the best solution can be determined.

Video camera inspections have also been used to locate lost jewelry and other items accidentally flushed down the drain or toilet

If you are having any of the above “troubles” or “issues”, you need to give Mr. Rooter Plumbing a call and let them get to the “root” of your problem.

I love all the great home ‘goods’ that Akins Furniture has in there store right now.  These buckets and frames would make great gifts and the rustic  look makes them even more personal and fun.  You will LOVE the prices of these too.  They have goods that I have seen no where else locally.

Another wonderful Chair that I found at Akins Furniture (aka Scottsboro Dogtown)that would look great in some one’s home.  You never know what you are going to find in this store.  Remember, they are open every day except Wednesday and Sundayand are located in the old Roden Baggett building.

Until next time…