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| Magazine Stories • Issue 4, Spring/Summer 2008 |
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COVER STORY:
Dan Williams, Mayor of Athens
For almost 30 years, Dan Williams has been dedicated to serving the city of Athens and its citizens in a variety of public positions. Williams, a native of Athens, is proud to be able to live and work in his hometown. “I remember Perry Como singing this refrain, ‘I love those dear hearts, and gentle people, who live and love in my hometown’,” Williams says. ”My grandchildren are the sixth generation of my family to grow up here. It makes me proud to be recognized as the Mayor of our hometown. There couldn’t be a better and more satisfying job.” Williams was elected to the Mayor’s office in 1992. He focuses on providing citizens with access to himself, his Administration, and knowledge of everything that’s going on in their community. Some of the organizations Mayor Williams has served with or been a part of include being Treasurer, Vice-President, and President of the North Alabama Mayor's Association; a member of the Executive Committee and various other committees of the Alabama League of Municipalities; and President of the Alabama League of Municipalities 2004-2005. Currently he serves on the Alabama League's Workman's Compensation Board of Directors and is on the boards of the Athens/Limestone Chamber of Commerce, The Limestone Economic Development Association, and various others; and is a member of the City of Athens Planning Commission. Over the years Mayor Williams has seen the city flourish from its beginnings as a small, Southern cotton town. “Progress and change finally caught up with us and we found ourselves sitting in the center of north Alabama at the intersection of U.S. Highway 72 and Interstate 65…Athens hasn’t been the same since,” Williams recalls. “The existence of NASA at Redstone Arsenal, TVA in the Shoals, and the influx of high-tech industry in Huntsville, brought prosperity to Athens.” As the area continues to grow, so do the demands for services from the local government. The city has made improvements to roads, water drainage problems, and area park and recreation spots; built new public safety department buildings; established the Spirit of Athens Committee to revitalize the downtown and courthouse square area; and maintained a balanced budget. “We are committed to fiscal responsibility as we use the taxpayers and ratepayers monies to provide services to our citizens,” he states. “Plus, we support excellence in our school system. The City appropriates one-half of every tax dollar from the sales tax and the alcohol tax to the City of Athens School System. No other city in north Alabama funds their schools as well as Athens.” The Mayor and his staff work to protect their community from biased legislation at the state level, team with local legislators on projects, and travel to Montgomery to look out for the well-being of Athens. “I make every effort to ensure our citizens know what is happening in their city government,” Williams comments. “I maintain an open-door policy for my office and the offices of our employees. In addition, I write a bi-weekly column related to the business of the city in the Athens News Courier, hold a question/answer/talk show on WKAC Radio every Tuesday after each regular City Council meeting, write a weekly letter on Athensplus.com site, and appear on WZTV with City Council members on a regular basis.” For the future, Mayor Williams is focusing on preparing for the city’s growth with the BRAC move, establishing more retail and trade areas, recruiting businesses to Athens. “I see great things ahead for our city and I’m proud to be serving it,” he concludes. Contact
Information:
Shirley Haney is a farmer from Jones Cross Roads near Tanner, AL, and has a passion for farming, his family, and tractor pullin’. Shirley works with his family on their farm and truly loves the roar and strength of big tractors, as well as competing! In recognition of his accomplishments as a competitor, Shirley was recently inducted into the Mid-South Pullers Association’s Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held in January in Paris, TN, in front of a crowd of 200 people from at least three states. The Hall of Fame was created two years ago and honors tractor pullers from Alabama, Tennessee, and Kentucky. Not only was Shirley a force to be reckoned with on the track during his competitive days, but he is also passionate about the Tanner Truck and Tractor Pull that he co-founded with friend Johnny Malone 30+ years ago. Deciding to open their own event after attending a pull in Columbia, TN, the two looked at each other and asked if they thought they could pull this off. They approached the Tanner Quarterback Club with the idea, and the rest is history. In time, the club used proceeds to build a permanent tractor-pull track and bleachers at Tanner. In addition, proceeds have been used to install an irrigation system for the Tanner High football field and the building of baseball and softball fields. This could not have been possible, however, without the support of sponsors. Over the years, the Tanner Tractor and Truck Pull has provided Tanner High School with more than $1 million. This year’s event will be July 25-26, 2008, at Tanner. It is the 32nd Annual Alabama Championship Tractor & Truck Pull, part of the Mid-South Pullers Association circuit. The purse has grown to more than $35,000, starting with a purse of $2,500. More than 5,000 people will come out each night. Nowadays, Shirley has turned over the competing to his son, Keith, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Johnny continues to handle the announcing duties but has turned over the chairing responsibilities to his son-in-law Daniel Bates. During the 30 years, Shirley has won many events with his tractor “J.R.” that qualified him for the Hall of Fame. The tractor is named after the shrewd TV character from “Dallas” named J. R. Ewing. Shirley’s other passions are for his family and farming. M. W. Haney began the farming operation in the Jones Cross Roads Community. Shirley and his son Keith, brother Horace and his son Matt, have 2,900 acres of cotton, 2,275 acres of soybeans, and 1,049 acres of corn planted on land leased from 22 farms. Shirley and wife, Charlotte, started dating in seventh grade, graduated from Tanner High School in 1957, and married in 1960. They have two children, Keith and daughter Vicki. Vicki and husband Grover Lawson have three children, Hannah, Julie, and Skyler who live in Mississippi. Keith and wife Sonda have one child Cody who is a fourth-generation farmer and also drives the pull tractor J.R. Lorri Black, REALTOR
When REALTOR Lorri Black decided to enter the real estate business, she looked and found the Keller Williams difference! Lorri joined the Keller Williams Realty team in 2006 and is enjoying the company’s atmosphere, professional career training, and structure. “Keller Williams just does good business—the integrity and compassion is such an uplifting environment to be in!” Lorri explains. Lorri provides residential and investment property services across the Tennessee Valley, including Athens, Decatur, Elkmont, Madison, and Huntsville. When purchasing a home or investment property, Lorri is committed to providing her clients with the highest-quality service through herself and through Keller Williams. “When making the type of investment that buying a home requires, you deserve to have all the latest market information, and the very best advice to save you time and money,” Lorri explains. What sets Keller Williams apart from many real estate companies is its structure for success. “We are different from other firms in many ways, but these areas define Keller Williams: culture, education, profit share, and technology,” she states. The company was co-founded in 1983 by Chairman of the Board Gary Keller and partner Joe Williams. Keller Williams began franchising in 1991, expanded to Canada in 1998, and has become the fourth "largest and fastest" growing residential real estate company in North America with sales and commissions growth topping 700 percent since 1995. Its mission is to build careers worth having, businesses worth owning, and lives worth living. The interdependent business model of Keller Williams supports agents and brokers working as a team to maximize personal productivity and company profits. Profit share is one significant way Keller Williams recognizes associates for growing the company. Participating agents receive financial rewards for bringing other individuals to the company and then share in the profits generated by the entire office. “Our associates are full business partners and the company’s exclusive profit sharing program illustrates this commitment to its agents,” Lorri says. In order for these business partners to achieve success, Keller Williams believes in the philosophy of to know more is to grow more. ”The company offers distance learning to group sessions to one-on-one coaching to fit your schedule and needs,” she explains. “The training is outstanding! Everything from basic training to personal development to advanced business management—all at no cost to agents! Also, everyone is willing to step in and help whether it is professionally or personally!” Lorri continues, “Keller Williams keeps up to date on all the latest technologies and then not only provides us with those tools, but trains us on how to use them effectively.” Lorri is actively involved in the area and is a part of the Business Networking International (BNI) chapter in Athens, is a member of the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce and serves on the Small Business Committee, and is a member of the Athens Ladies Civitan. “I feel so comfortable speaking about my business with other associates—knowing they are going to assist me, not compete with me!” she says. “It truly is a team environment and feels like the support you get from a family!” Contact Information:
In 1973 Athens became home to Railroad Bazaar, a unique store in the downtown area on the railroad tracks. The store was in the old Griffin Hotel where the train would pull up and people could walk straight into the lobby. The store offered a variety of items and soon Railroad Bazaar was known for its specialty items and its owner, Don Chambers. "We have built our business around quality customer service," Chambers says. Chambers has seen success through his willingness to diversify and try new things. His business has evolved from selling gift items to full-service music and cellular stores. The company is now entering the second generation of the family with two sons involved in the business. Chambers decided to expand into the cellular phones in the mid-90s. The cellular division of Railroad Bazaar is known as In2Wireless, and is a Premium Retailer for Verizon Wireless. A little over a decade later, In2Wireless has grown to 25 locations statewide. In2Wireless has twice been awarded the Verizon Wireless Top Agent in Alabama and Georgia. Upon walking into the Athens music store, customers realize that Railroad Bazaar offers a lot more than just music and cellular sales. Other divisions include the Car Audio and Stereo department, run by Stan Smith. Smith has been with the company for 24 years, and installed car stereos outside under a tree when he first started. Athens Sign Company is a full-service sign shop, from graphic design to installation. The company also is a retailer for DirecTV, Dish Network, Charter, HughesNet, and Wild Blue. The company’s 25 locations statewide include five full-service music stores. The Athens location is the headquarters for administration. The Huntsville location on University Drive is the largest in size and also home to the company’s distribution center. From its beginnings 35 years ago, Railroad Bazaar/In2Wireless continues to be proud of serving the North Alabama community. Contact Information:
For almost eight years, Limestone Furniture Mart has been furnishing homes in the Tennessee Valley with quality furniture at bargain prices. Owners Scott and Brandi Connell oversee Limestone Furniture Mart. They take pride in the success that the store has had over the years, alongside the Rogers. Originally, Chuck and Nancy Rogers started Limestone Furniture Mart in 1999 and after a few months Scott came onboard as a manager. "Scott became partners with the Rogers and eventually General Manager before taking over ownership of the store," Brandi states. "The Rogers started the business as a part-time manufacturing effort and later it evolved into a mattress store. Now our focus is on being a home furnishing store…carrying furniture for the interior of your home and accessories to accent your furniture." Limestone Furniture Mart is a family owned and operated business. "We are not part of a big furniture chain or franchise," she explains. "We appreciate new and repeat customers. The sales team truly cares about its customers, always focuses on making them feel at home, and work hard to meet each of their customer’s needs. We want the customers’ furniture shopping experience to be relaxing, comfortable, and helpful." In addition to the sales team, Limestone Furniture Mart continues its focus on top-notch customer service with its warehouse and delivery staff. Limestone Furniture Mart strives to provide the lowest prices, quick turnaround times on special orders, and carries a variety of furniture lines, specifically Ashley Furniture’s line of "Signature Design by Ashley’ home furnishings, as well as lines from Cape Craftsman, CBK, and groupings from Southerland Bedding Company. In addition to these great selections of furniture lines and bedding, the store also offers beautiful accessories to brighten up your home or office. To further support its customers, Limestone Furniture Mart has recently added a "Design Room" planner on its web site. This new feature helps customers with measuring how and what will fit in the space they are looking at furnishing. "We always are making sure we can satisfy the customer to the fullest extent," she says. For quality furniture at bargain prices, contact Limestone Furniture Mart. Limestone Furniture Mart accepts cash, checks, all major credit cards, and short and long term financing is available. Contact Information:
Clements Baptist Church is preparing for "Company Coming!" Located on the west side of Limestone County, Clements Baptist Church staff and congregation believe in a quote from J. Oswald Sanders that states "the light that shines the farthest, shines brightest at home." Pastor Tim Anderson has been at home with the church for 14 years, since its inception. He started out on a part-time basis while working for GM and felt God’s call on his life to pastor full time in 1997. "Our ministry exists to worship our God and to provide a place of hope and belonging to our people," Anderson states. "There is a spirit of expectancy and a great atmosphere of hope and promise that is offered upon this campus." Clements Baptist holds two Sunday morning worship services and Sunday Schools at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. and Sunday Night service at 6:00 p.m. for both adults and children. In addition, the church holds a Wednesday night worship service at 6:30p.m., as well as Bible study, AWANA, choir and orchestra practice, and discipleship classes. Throughout the year, Clements Baptist Church host a variety of events, such as its annual Glory in the Church Bible Conference that’s held in February, Men and Women Conferences, the "Worthy is the Lamb" Easter Drama, as well as several mission opportunities. To prepare for the company that’s coming, Clements Baptist Church is constructing a new 1,100-theatre seat auditorium on its campus that is set for completion by March 2009.The new building will offer additional education space, reception areas, large conference room, and space for the orchestra and choir. The current facility will remain and be renovated to accommodate new space for its preschool and children’s ministries. "We are building with the faith and trust that ‘Company’s Coming’," he explains. "For the past 14 years God has been faithful to bring families to our ministry and we are continuing to prepare for the future." Contact Information:
The Athens Community Archery Park, once just a vision from former Mooresville, AL Mayor Jerry Davis and Stuart Goldsby of the Alabama Department of Conservation and the Division of Wildlife & Freshwater Fisheries, has now become a reality. In January 2006 these men dreamt of a park and then met with the Athens/Limestone County Chamber of Commerce to find a location. Located at ….., this free, public park is for all ages to enjoy archery. It is a joint effort between the state of Alabama, the Archery Trade Association (ATA), and the local government. The park’s grand opening was held on … Some of the attendees included Jay McAninch, Archery Trade Association Chief Executive Officer and President; Corky Pugh, Director of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries; Gary Moody, Chief of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division; Christine Willis and Wayne Waltz, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wildlife Biologists; Brian Jones, Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel Regional Director; Athens Mayor Dan Williams, David Seibert, Limestone County Commission Chairman; Dr. Orman Bridges, Athens City Schools Superintendent; Dr. Barry Carroll, Limestone County Schools Superintendent; Dan Williams, Limestone County Vocational Technical School Construction Instructor; Chris Bolen, Athens High School Principal; Mary Nell Clem, Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce Chairman of the Board and Hugh Ball, Greater Limestone County Chamber of Commerce President. Special recognition went to Ray Metzler and Stuart Goldsby of the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and Ben Wiley, Athens City Parks and Recreation director for their hard work and dedication to this project. Another part of this archery program, along with the park, is for students to learn the sport and participate in the National Archery in the School Program (NASP). The ATA donated state-of-the-art/custom-fitted equipment to shoot at bulls eye targets placed in front of an arrow resistant net in their gymnasium. "We are pleased teachers and students have embraced the NASP," Corky Pugh states. "Archery is a lifetime skill suitable for everyone." Contact Information:
At the two Compass Bank locations in Athens, the approach to banking is to be "just a little better". "What kind of a bank slogan is that?" City President Kurt Leopard asks. "Another slogan, such as ‘You can bank on it’ might be more ‘bankish’. Is ‘bank-ish’ a good thing? To us it means impersonal, frustrating, and disappointing, and here at Compass Bank we pride ourselves on being as ‘un-bankish’ as possible! Therefore, our much understated approach means that we do things to make your banking experience better at every turn." Compass Bank has every aspect of banking available for personal and commercial customers. It offers a variety of services, such as commercial and consumer lending, mortgage services, brokerage for investments, Saturday banking, and more. "Our goal is to be the ‘Super Center’ of banking in Athens and Limestone County," he explains. Compass Bank started out as State National Bank in the early 1900s. From there, Central Bank purchased it and finally became Compass Bank in 1990. Leopard, an Athens native, has been with the bank since 2007, has 15 years of experience in the banking industry, and is a graduate of The University of Alabama. He is proud to be back in Athens and working with great staff members, including Branch Manager Teresa Smith at the main branch, Mortgage Banking Officer Dianne McAlister, Investment Officer Teresa Turner, and the Highway 72 Branch Manager Sandra Davis. Sticking true to its slogan, Compass Bank continues to do things a little better by offering free ATMs and rebates for ATM fees that other banks charge, staying open on holidays when other banks are closed, and giving customers someone to call—a live person to contact when opening a checking account. "These are just a few of the real, tangible differences we offer and we’ll continue focusing on making things a little bit better!" Leopard concludes. Contact Information: Martin & Cobey Construction, Inc.
When Brian Moore, President of Martin & Cobey Construction Company, Inc., is asked what sets Martin & Cobey apart from the rest he simply says, "We just do it right. Doing it by code is the minimum standard in construction and we don’t build to the minimum, we build to the best, we build beyond the ordinary." Martin & Cobey, headquartered in Athens, has been building beyond the ordinary since 1964. The company focuses on providing its clients with top-quality construction services, which include commercial, educational, religious, industrial, institutional, and retail. Moore has worked diligently on building Martin & Cobey into a regional business while still focusing on building projects here in Limestone County and its surrounding areas. Martin & Cobey is licensed in Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi and currently working on obtaining licenses in Georgia, Florida, Kentucky and the Carolinas. Moore adds, "While we want to stay working in our home community of Limestone County, we are also excited about branching out into new areas". Some of the numerous projects Martin & Cobey is currently working on include Guntersville State Park lodge renovations; Lake Point State Park in Eufaula, AL renovations; Butler County jail; Pre-release facility for Limestone County Correctional Facility; FedEx freight and terminal in Limestone County; Clements Baptist Church new sanctuary and education areas; Point Mallard Baptist Church; Alabama A&M University renovations; Athens High School Baseball and Softball facilities; DHR building; and Huntsville International Airport’s waiting area and Four Points Sheraton Hotel renovations." We are excited about the progress of our current projects and eager to get started on our future projects that will soon break ground," he states. Some of those future projects include Waters Hall at Athens State University; Winston County Jail and Detention Facility; City of Decatur Animal Shelter; Alabama A&M Bus Terminal; Luxury Auto Spa of Huntsville; and the TriGreen Corporate Office and Showroom in Athens. Contact Information:
For Alabama Realty Group, experience is its edge! Alabama Realty Group is successful because of its REALTORS that focus on providing clients with nothing but the best in all areas of service. Owners Joe Stovall and Kim Hodges started the company in January 2003 in Athens. With four offices in Athens, Ardmore, Madison, and Decatur, Alabama Realty Group provides top-notch real estate services for buying and selling homes, commercial property, and foreclosures. Joe, a life-long resident of Limestone County, brings many years of invaluable expertise to the company. He is married and has five children, 11 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and three great, great grandchildren. Joe served in both the United States Army and Navy and retired from the Navy after serving 23 years. While in the military, Joe served as an Army Airborne medic and was in the 82nd and 508 units before switching over to the Navy. He is also a member of the National Association of REALTORS, CSP certified and a member of many local business organizations. Joe is a Mason, part of the 32nd degree Scottish Rite, and a Shriner that is devoted to helping support hospitals for children that are crippled and burn victims. Joe graduate from Calhoun Community College and has owned and operated several successful businesses. His experience and knowledge from his days in the business world give him the skills to provide clients with top-notch real estate service. Joe’s focus for the company is to provide clients with nothing but the best and give agents all the knowledge and education to be successful with constant training and continuing education classes in all phases of real estate, as well as foreign language classes to provide for more specialized service to its clients. The offices are warm and inviting to clients and are conveniently located for everyone. While there, clients are invited to look over the listings that are available and agents will also help get clients pre-qualified. "Our goal is to provide the most service in the community and make sure a client’s buying or selling experience is one to remember and love forever," Joe says. The web site provides buyers and sellers with a variety of information, such as community demographics to contacts for lawyers and mortgage lenders to automated emails with listings. Alabama Realty Group’s top-notch web site is available in seven languages, but most importantly, it shows local listings, as well as listings from other companies all over the United States and Canada. As the largest real estate company in Limestone County, Alabama Realty Group continues to stay true to its roots of providing the best real estate service in the area and are licensed in Alabama and Tennessee. Contact Information:
For 38 years, Story & Lee Furniture has been providing customers in southern Middle Tennessee, North Alabama, and Northeast Mississippi with the finest furniture. The company, located in Leoma, TN, first opened its doors in 1970 and offers a wide range of home furnishings and appliances. "We’re confident that you’ll find the largest selection, the best prices, and the most professional service right here at Story & Lee," Roy Story says. Originally, Jimmy Story and Orville Lee founded the store. Today, Story & Lee is managed by the second-generation Story sons who were just toddlers in 1970. Even into the third generation, the store continues to rely on the same philosophy that brought such success in the early days of the business. "Story & Lee is based on the simple, yet profound, idea that the customer will respond to good service, quality products, and friendliness," he says. "Customers are drawn to Story & Lee for our tremendous selection of top-quality furniture and appliances and they return throughout the years because of the effort that all of our employees make to please our customers." The Story & Lee staff makes it their mission for every customer to leave the store absolutely satisfied and knowing that they will be taken care of from order to the delivery. "One of the many things you’ll appreciate about Story & Lee is that you’ll find the same friendly and helpful staff year after year," Story states. "There is very little employee turnover, which makes a close cohesive team that is always available to serve our customers with confidence." Over the years Story & Lee has developed a unique and diverse assortment of the finest furniture for every room in your home, including home office, rugs, clocks, curios, media consoles, and appliances, plus much more. Customers will find all the leading manufactures in the furniture industry, such as Ekornes, Broyhill, Bassett, Universal, Hooker, Lexington, Thomasville, Lane Home Furnishings, Jamison Bedding, and many more. Some of the brand-name manufacturers for appliances that the store carries are Kitchen Aid, Estate by Whirlpool, Holland Grill, Big Green Egg, and Weber, among others. Not only will customers receive a great price, but Story & Lee also provides an in-house technician for the appliances it sells. The Story & Lee location currently has 80,000 square feet of showroom floor and will be expanding to a little more than 100,000 square feet to accommodate its growth. "There are actually more than10,000 pieces in stock ready to choose from and acres of furnishing in our facility," he comments. "We’re just a short drive and we’re confident that you’ll find everything you need right here in one place." In addition to its extensive selection, Story & Lee provide top-quality delivery services. "Receiving your new furniture from Story & Lee to your home is accomplished with the aid of our fleet of delivery trucks that make an average of more than 500 deliveries a week free of charge," Story says. From its early days in 1970 to today, Story & Lee continues to provide the finest in furniture with the largest selection, the best prices, and the most professional service in the area. Contact Information:  Where Courtesy is Common
At the foundation of Courtesy First Home Lenders (CFHL) is the philosophy that courtesy is common! Owner Greg Balch and his staff focus on providing customers with top-notch lending and customer services. Owner Greg Balch says, "We want to treat everyone with the dignity and respect they deserve." CFHL provides a variety of loans and programs to fit any need, such as 100% financing, Stated Income Programs, Jumbo Loans, and Interest Only Loans. CFHL can also help customers with past credit problems, first-time homebuyers are welcome, and there is no application fee. Currently, 100% financing programs are still available at CFHL. The company has several ways to close loans financing 100% of the purchase price. Rural development is a wonderful government guaranteed program designed for household incomes less than $60,000. "We are now seeing the return of piggy back loans where we finance 75-80% on a first mortgage and the remainder on a second," he explains. "This once popular program is making a comeback. We also offer VA financing which has a number of benefits for qualified veterans, not the least of which is no PMI." What sets CFHL apart is not only its experienced staff (70 years of combined experience), but also its connection with numerous lenders. This resource provides customers with multiple options. With the instability of today’s market, CFHL has continued to thrive and has successfully produced a high volume of loans this year. "We plan to be here for the long haul and our relationship with our lenders gives us an advantage," Greg states. "This is a challenging time in our industry, but it is also exciting because Courtesy First Home Lenders is equipped to take care of our clients needs. At Courtesy First Home Lenders, honesty, integrity, and courtesy are all in a day’s work." Contact Info:  Growing with New Executive Pastor
During the last five years, CrossPointe Church in Madison has been blessed with tremendous growth and it continues to do so with its new Executive Pastor Garry Jordan. "The Lord has been gracious to us with our rapid growth and we’re excited to have Garry join our staff," Pastor John Dees states. "Garry is a Godly man with excellent people skills and a terrific heart for spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ." Garry first heard his calling into the ministry while in high school and in college. Over the years, he has served in churches in Louisiana, Kansas, West Virginia, and Alabama. Garry’s role is to oversee the church in several areas, such as in discipleship, small group ministry, staff and budget management, and preaching responsibilities. "I just love CrossPointe, John, and the ministry," Garry explains. "I look forward to supporting this flourishing Church and developing Disciples of Christ. From his many years as a pastor, Garry has built congregations on a servant church model that moves people from believing in Jesus, to belonging to His family with the ultimate goal of each believer becoming a fully devoted follower. The process begins with belief that is much more than mental assent; it is a life transformation that begins with a definite commitment to discipleship and the Lordship of Christ. Garry and his wife, Donna, have three children and are passionate about strengthening marriages and families. He serves on the Board of the Madison County Coalition for Healthy Marriages and seeks to lead CrossPointe to be a Marriage Savers church. CrossPointe, with more than 800 members, is a church that provides simple, biblical preaching with strong daily application to change people’s lives. Contact Information: Charles Morrison, Alfa Insurance®
Charles Morrison is your hometown Alfa Insurance professional that wants to talk about your tomorrow today! Charles, an Athens native, focuses on providing clients with a full line of insurance to cover individuals and their families. "Being from Athens, I am honored to be able to offer people in my community the opportunity to experience a trusting relationship with a local insurance professional," Charles states. "Our focus here is to provide thorough, unsurpassed customer service that far exceeds our clients’ expectations." With his focus on offering top-notch customer service, Charles has been recognized for his hard work within Alfa Insurance. Only seven years into his career and at the age of 29, he became the youngest agent to win Agent of the Year in 2006 and followed that up with the rare feat of winning Agent of the Year again in 2007. In addition, Charles became the youngest member ever inducted into Alfa’s Hall of Fame in 2007. More accolades that Charles has received include the gold Distinguished Service Awards each year, first runner-up for top property producer in 2006 and second runner-up in 2007, and being a member of the President’s Club since 2003. He and his staff strive to make a difference by helping people understand why insurance is so important. "I do everything I can to paint a picture for that family so when those events do occur, I have done my job as an agent to protect the things that mean most to them," he says. "You know every day when you go into work that you have the opportunity to help people in their time of need." Charles is grateful for the love and support he receives from his wife Jennifer and their three children. He enjoys the opportunity to participate in family activities, such as coaching his children’s sports, and is an active member of his church. Contact Information:
Grayson Bailey Landscaping – Design & Lawn Maintenance has been doing it the right way for the last 20 years. Owner Grayson Bailey started the company in 1988 as Green Earth Landscaping with a partner and nowadays primarily focuses on landscaping and lawn maintenance for residential homes in upscale neighborhoods in the Athens and Limestone County communities. "In those early years, we did anything we could do, such as rack leaves, clean gutters, etc…just to make money," Grayson recalls. Then in 1998 Grayson bought out his partner’s share of the landscaping business. "When I started out on my own, I didn’t have much money and was thinking about going to work for another company, but a previous client asked me to do a job for him," he states. "This lead us to where we are today with numerous jobs and a solid customer base." In those early days, Grayson was reluctant to offer lawn maintenance, but a client continued to ask about the company servicing her yard and he agreed. Over the years, the lawn maintenance service has had tremendous growth and it now services 150 lawn maintenance customers, both residential and commercial. The company offers a variety of landscaping services that include designing, building, installing, and maintaining yards. Grayson Bailey Landscaping provides plant installation, arbors, patios, outdoor lighting, custom pavers and rock walls, waterfalls, ponds, outdoor kitchens, flagstone walkways, and just about anything in your back yard. In addition, it also uses lots of colors and flowers, mixes in evergreens, and uses patios and walkways to contrast with the flowers. What sets Grayson Bailey Landscaping apart is its landscaping services. "We do things differently and take our time," Grayson comments. "We focus on doing the basics right, such as ‘bed prep’ because it’s essential for the plants to have good growth and proper drainage. Proper maintenance is important because we can put it in, but if you don’t take care if it, it will not survive." With lawn maintenance, the company offers customized packages, pricing, and services to fit each client’s needs. Services include grass cutting on a weekly, biweekly, or monthly basis; weeding; trimming; pruning; remulching; fertilizing; and seasonal services. "We’ll do whatever the client wants because we want them to be able to sit back and just look at their beautiful yards and landscaping," he says. Grayson’s dedicated staff of 15 employees includes Michael Heery and Richard Martin, Jr. The three work closely together and each have their own special skills. "There really isn’t an official boss here as nobody is better than anybody else," Grayson states. "This company isn’t about me, it’s about the guys that work here. I couldn’t do it without them." With residential yards, it’s imperative to call Grayson Bailey Landscaping months in advance to get the work planned and scheduled. "We want to get to everyone that calls us and to do every job," he says. "You get what you pay for with us and you’ll see that it’s worth the wait because we’ve been doing it right for 20 years." Contact Information:
Leon’s dad was a commercial fisherman so the skills that he needed came easy. As Leon explained the work involved in fishing for a living, I observed several scars on his hands. I asked how they got there. He kind of chuckled and said, "I have had many fish hooks in my hands over the years. Getting finned by the big catfish you harvest is a daily occurrence." Leon said that one day he had a hook that came flying from a fish and lodged in his nose. He laughed and said, "I had to get a doctor to remove that one. Most of the time, I just pull them out myself. Being an avid bass fisherman, I choose the weather I want to fish in. When you commercial fish, you have to go in any type weather condition." Leon recalls back in April 1974, he had just put out his nets near the river channel in the Swan Creek area. "I just got off the water when I started hearing reports of tornadoes in the area." The large tornadoes that pounded Limestone County that warm, balmy afternoon completely destroyed his fishing nets. Leon and his wife, Judy, operate the Bivens Fish Market located near Reid. When he brings in a bounty of fish that exceeds 2,000 pounds, that’s when the work begins. Judy is right by Leon’s side unloading the boat and helping dress out the fish for sale. The majority of his life he said he made a living catfishing, only getting into diving for mussels back in the 90’s when the price was good. The mussel shell can be found on the riverbeds of fresh water lakes. To bring these shells to the surface it requires diving 20 feet or deeper using an oxygen system. This can be a very dangerous task. Leon stated he lost a friend in a diving accident. You can tell by the weathered skin and scars from hooks this is not a job for the faint-hearted. The primary catfish catching method is using trott lines, but at times nets work very well. A lot of work goes into it before you ever get to the river: re-setting your jumper boxes (a devise for storing trott lines) and catching shad minnows with a throw net for bait. Leon ended the interview with these words, "Anything worthwhile takes a lot of hard work." Alabama Watersports
For the entire staff at Alabama Watersports, boating, water skiing, wakeboarding, fishing, and anything that can be done on the water is a lifestyle in which they live. Owners Coogan and Heidi Preston opened the store in 2003 because of a desire to bring the experience of boating and water sports to others. "Our family’s and our staff’s passion for boating and water sports activities is what sets us apart," Coogan states. "We not only believe in the products we offer, we prove it by using the products we sell! It’s a lifestyle for us and we live it." Alabama Watersports’ expansive facility in Athens is convenient to all of Northern Alabama and Southern Tennessee. It boasts two large showrooms, pro shop, and an on-site service department with factory trained, certified mechanics for any service or repair. Alabama Watersports carries Supra Luxury Ski and Wakeboard Boats, Moomba Tournament Wakeboard Boats, Nautiques by Correct Craft, SunChaser Pontoon Boats, Blazer High Performance Bass Boats, and XPRESS Aluminum Boats. In the pro shop, customers will find life jackets to fit every member of the family, Liquid Force wakeboards, Costa Del Mar sunglasses, skis, tubes, Straight Line ropes and handles, and a full line of watersports apparel and lifestyle accessories. In addition, the dealership is an authorized dealer for Mercury, Yamaha, Indmar, and PCM. The mission of Alabama Watersports is to provide superior products and service to our customers. Coogan, Heidi, their two daughters, and the staff at Alabama Watersports, truly believe in living the water experience as a family. "We want our customers to enjoy the water as a family…just as we do," Coogan says. "Where else can you and your family and friends hang out in a 192-square foot space for a full weekend and have a great time?" He concludes, "We are unique because everybody that works here uses the products we sell. We just don’t sell the products, we sell the whole experience." Contact Information:
Experience local outdoor adventures with Danny Johnson of ZTV Outdoors! Danny, an area native, is an outdoors enthusiast that enjoys hunting and fishing. "Since the age of seven, I’ve loved hunting and fishing in North Alabama and it’s a pleasure for me to be able to bring these adventures to the local community for them to enjoy," Danny says. ZTV Outdoors is a segment that airs as part of the Cooper & Company show and runs every Thursday at 6:30am and re-airs at 9:30pm. The main goal of the segment is to highlight local sportsmen enjoying their local outdoor activities. Each segment covers various point of interests. For example, Danny has been in a swamp with an 11-foot alligator right here in Limestone County! "North Alabama is blessed with the Tennessee River chain of lakes, which provides fishing for local anglers," he states. "The Tennessee Valley also has some excellent hunting opportunities." Some of the events ZTV Outdoors covers are the Bass Masters Tournament in Decatur and the FLW fishing competition. Danny also focuses on keeping the public up to date on every new law or law change after meeting with local game officials. He truly enjoys highlighting the local hot spots, supporting the local economy by featuring these areas, and meeting new people. "The greatest reward to me is seeing people enjoying these local adventures," Danny comments. "Our area has such wonderful places and my goal is to help develop a love for the outdoors within us and our children." In addition to the ZTV Outdoors segment, Danny is also a columnist for The Athens News Courier. He writes a weekly article each Thursday that focuses on a variety of outdoor topics. Danny’s future goal is to once again provide a TV show that brings local outdoor enthusiasts more information on local adventures. Contact Information:  At Coleman Dental Group the Possibilities are Wide Open for a
White, Bright Smile
Dr. Alan Coleman, Dr. Geoff Dean, Dr. Michael Corum, and the professional team at Coleman Dental Group focus on delivering the highest quality of dental care to their patients. Lisa Coleman, office manager and dental hygienist, says, "A smile is one of the first things you notice about a person. Everyone deserves a smile for which they can be proud. Our hygienist and doctors have made it our goal to find a way to make that happen for all of our patients." Coleman Dental Group provides fast, safe, and easy ways to whiten your teeth. "Our professional whitening procedures available allow patients to choose which procedure fits their lifestyle," she states. At-home bleaching trays offer a proven method as opposed to over-the-counter options. Custom trays are fabricated and the patient is given bleaching gel with a certain percentage of peroxide based on that patient’s individual needs. At-home bleaching trays are perfect for the busy teenager or mom. Lisa laughs and says, "I know a thing or two about being busy. If you have no time during the day to make your smile whiter, you can wear your bleaching trays while you sleep like I do. This is so easy; there is no excuse for not looking your best." Coleman Dental Group also offers ZOOM bleaching. Bleaching trays are not used during this procedure. Bleaching gel is placed directly on the teeth and the patient sits under the ZOOM lamp. The entire procedure takes one to two hours and will whiten your teeth up to five shades. "This procedure is very relaxing for our patients. Most of our ZOOM patients bring iPODs and take a nap," she explains. Bleaching is not for everyone. For those of us who still dream of that "perfect smile", Drs. Coleman, Dean, and Corum are available and ready to design your heart’s desire. Some of the full-line of dental services provided by Coleman Dental Group includes Veneers, Crowns, Dentures, Implants, Oral Surgery, Root canals, Invisalign, Periodontal Treatment, IV, and Oral Sedation. Coleman Dental Group is a member of the Athens-Limestone County Chamber of commerce and the North Alabama Better Business Bureau. Coleman Dental Group is a provider of Blue Cross-Blue Shield, Delta Dental, and Cigna Dental insurance plans. Contact Information: William G. Matthews, Attorney at Law
William G. Mathews, Attorney at Law has been providing top-quality legal services to his hometown of Athens and its surrounding communities for several years. Bill established his firm focusing primarily on real estate closings, wills and probate of wills, and automobile accidents. What he enjoys most about his profession is meeting new people moving to the Athens area and helping them with their real estate closing needs. With new residents coming in with BRAC, the staff at William G. Mathews, Attorney at Law provides comprehensive assistance in all aspects of the acquisition of their homes. Not only do clients enjoy the attentiveness of Bill and his staff, they further enjoy the "kid-friendly" atmosphere that greets them at the front door. Not only does Bill provide legal services, but he has also been a municipal judge in Ardmore for the last 10 years. "One of the most interesting things I do is preside as the municipal judge of Ardmore," he says. "This is a misdemeanor court and it offers a different perspective of the law when you are the person responsible for making the decision of someone’s guilt or innocence." It is Bill’s goal that his office maintains the utmost level of honesty and a high degree of character. He is a member of Lindsay Lane Baptist Church, and he and his family, wife Heather and children, William Jr., Caroline, and John David, make their home in Athens. A self proclaimed "family man", Bill often coaches the various sports teams in which his three children participate. As a member of the law profession and resident of Athens, Bill is very involved in the community. He has been Past President of United Way, Past Board of Directors of Athens-Limestone County Chamber of Commerce, Past Treasurer of the Rotary Club, and Past President of Limestone County Bar Association. Contact Information:
There is a simple answer to this question - tourists spend money! It is estimated that over 22.4 million people visited Alabama during 2007. Travelers spent over $9.3 billion in Alabama. Tourism spending in Limestone County was $77.1 million, an increase of 17% from the previous year. It is a re-sellable resource and has become the largest industry in Alabama. The "baby boomers" have hit the road and are looking for a place to go. With the rise in gas prices, people are planning long weekend trips close to home and they want to be entertained. Most are looking for a great place to eat, shop, sleep and have a good time. Limestone County has so much to offer visitors. Just to mention a few "must see" attractions: The Antebellum Trail - Features beautiful antebellum homes, churches, college, working cotton plantations, post office and stagecoach inn and tavern. The Alabama Veteran’s Museum & Archives honors veterans with displays of memorabilia from the Revolutionary War to the present. Athens State University – Alabama’s oldest institution of higher learning. Houston Memorial Library – Home of the late Governor George S. Houston and the upstairs also serves as a museum. Festivals – Dogwood Festival, Art on the Square, Delmore Days, Tennessee Valley Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Storytelling Festival, Crape Myrtle Festival, Renaissance Faire and more. Rodeos, Tractor Pulls and Antique Engine shows – Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo in Athens and events in Ardmore, Clements, Piney Chapel, Tanner and more. Restaurants – Limestone County has about any type of food you desire from delicious Southern Fried Chicken to Prime Rib, and of course mouth-watering desserts. Do you have something unique to offer? If so, let’s promote it! Let’s all work to bring travelers to Limestone County. Jeanette Dunnavant, Tourism Director
 Patients Prefer Valley Imaging Center
Patients in North Alabama prefer Valley Imaging Center. "As individuals, we may not be able to control rising healthcare costs, but we can each choose where we receive our healthcare services," Radiologist Dr. Joe Cannon states. "At Valley Imaging, we understand the importance of patient’s choice…your choice! That’s why our team’s mission is oriented to serve you compassionately and professionally." As the only diagnostic imaging facility in Limestone County to be fully accredited by the American College of Radiology (ACR), patients arrive confident that their imaging procedures will be performed by experts in their respective fields. On-site each and every day is owner and Board-certified radiologist Dr. Cannon, working diligently to provide excellent patient care services. It’s his passion to perform exceptional diagnostic studies, deliver detailed reports quickly, while making time to meet with patients with concerns or special needs. In addition to Dr. Cannon, the Valley Imaging team of certified technologists will make imaging procedures a breeze and treat you as part of the family. Physicians express their choice in referring to Valley Imaging, too. Many physicians prefer to use Valley Imaging because Dr. Cannon serves as a knowledgeable consultant who is always available, his diagnostic reports are prompt and accurate, and their patients remark how great they are treated by the caring staff at Valley Imaging. "Everything done at Valley Imaging has the patient’s best interests in mind," he says. "For example, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment and technology. We have friendly staff that treats each person with respect, kindness, and the attention they deserve. Plus, we offer extended hours to better serve patients before work, during lunch, and in the evening." Cannon continues, "When it comes to how technology actually benefits patients, there can be a lot of hype and misinformation for patients and physicians to contend with. Considering MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), all of it should translate to idealized patient comfort, reduced scan time, low patient wait times, and superior image quality for diagnostic analysis. No other imaging center in Limestone County can deliver better MRI. With a massive high-field strength magnet (1.5 Tesla) and larger MRI opening than all other facilities (70cm / 28 inches), no other imaging center within 30 miles even comes close." In order to remain the premier choice for patients and physicians, the Valley Imaging staff study up on technology trends and procedural enhancements. New services include: Cardiac Calcium Scoring (a non-invasive study using CT to test for coronary heart disease), Virtual Colonoscopy (a comfortable approach to a colon exam where no sedation or scope are used), Bone Densitometry (a painless five-minute exam to accurately detect osteoporosis or other bone health concerns), Nuclear Medicine (a powerful tool to understand the health of our bones and physiological function of internal organs like kidneys and gall bladders), and MRI Arthrography (precision detection of joint dysfunction using MRI and contrast injected within the affected joint structure). With its customer-focused services and high-tech equipment and procedures, it’s easy to see why so many patients prefer Valley Imaging Center. Contact Information: Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful, Inc.
The KALB Commission educates students and adults about the dangers of litter and proper handling of solid waste. Volunteers and staff members visit classrooms; organize litter-free events; work with ordinance officers to handle litter, weed, and junk car ordinance violations; manage the Adopt-a-Spot program; and recently held a household hazardous waste collection day. The Athens-Limestone Beautification Board works to add visual appeal to the community. "Welcome to Athens" signs; flowers and benches around the square; colorful intersection triangles; and beautiful cemetery entrances are some of the results of this group of volunteers. Communities with green space and landscaping are much more pleasing to residents and visitors alike. This, in turn, increases a sense of community pride. Limestone County can also boast of having an award-winning recycling center, managed by KALB’s Recycling Board. The recycling center processes all curbside recycling picked up by the City of Athens and there is a 24-hour, drop-off area in front of the center on Lucas Ferry Road. Drop-off trailers are also located throughout Limestone County for residents’ use. The recycling center provides cardboard and office paper recycling programs for area businesses and schools. To learn more or volunteer, contact the Keep Athens-Limestone Beautiful organization today. Contact Information: The aforementioned
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It’s a Lifestyle We Live!!
Local Outdoor
Adventures with ZTV Outdoors
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Why Do We Need Tourists?