Alabama needs to get healthy
Dear Editor:
Since Scale Back Alabama is beginning this month and after reading Janet Hunt's article concerning the lifestyle changes and weight management class she is conducting at the Athens-Limestone Hospital I would like to share my story with you and how it changed my life.
In 1996 I had a heart attack and had to have three stents put in. I didn't follow the doctor's orders concerning my diet and exercise so in 1999 I had another heart attack and had to have triple bypass surgery. After this frightening experience, which nobody thought I would survive, I immediately began a good diet and exercise program with the encouragement of Dr. Gary W. Gross.
I began walking every day but the weather became so bad I had to give it up. I finally got the nerve to go to Athens-Limestone Hospital Wellness Center and talk to them about what exercise and diet I needed. They informed me I could get a free three-day pass and try it out.
After the free three-day pass I joined. It was very embarrassing for me to even go through the door especially when they weighed me and I had gained so much weight (67 pounds). Also my blood pressure was 210 over 198 and my cholesterol was high - stroke or heart attack level.
I started out slow but as time passed I began to have more confidence in myself. After two months following my diet and exercise program I weighed 102 pounds, my blood pressure was perfect, my cholesterol was perfect and I felt perfect. Now nine years later I am still following my exercise and diet program, feeling wonderful and have had no more heart attacks or any kind of sickness.
I thank Dr. Gross for keeping me on the right track and also Jennifer Horton, fitness manager, and Rachael, financial manager, and the rest of the staff at the Athens-Limestone Hospital Wellness Center for all their help and support. Without them I would have given up. They are a great group of people and are there to help you any way possible.
I urge everyone to get on a diet plan, exercise and stay healthy. There is nothing as important as your health. Believe me, I know.
Sincerely,
Helen Duncan
Athens
Thanks for help getting started
Dear Editor:
The Learn-to-Read Council of Athens and Limestone County would like to express gratitude to all businesses, corporations, clubs, members, and friends who supported our organization during 2009. At the first of the year, things looked very bleak, but the end of the year was much brighter thanks to all who gave donations, grants, allocations, in-house showers, and other support.
In 2010, efforts will have to be continued in order for Learn-to-Read to stay afloat. Conversational Spanish Classes are now being offered to interested parties and the fees generated by these classes help us offset operational expenses. We will still have to apply for grants, hold fundraisers, and depend on our supporters for other money to provide what is needed for our students.
Learn-to-Read was honored to be selected by the Limestone County Board of Education to provide tutors for the At-Risk Program for the 2009-2010 school year. The tutors are enjoying working with the students who need one-on-one assistance.
Forty Basic Students have been served by the program since May 2009. These students range in level from beginning readers to Pre-GED. Forty-six English-as-a-Second Language students are striving to learn to read, write, and talk in the English language. There are nine elementary-age students involved in our After-school Tutoring Program. All these students have caring tutors who want them to achieve their goals.
Another continuing need for us is to locate more wonderful volunteers who will become tutors for the students on the waiting list. To become a certified tutor for Learn-to-Read, a volunteer must attend a workshop to be trained. The next workshop planned is Saturday, Jan. 23, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is a wonderful feeling to know you have helped someone else learn how to read. We hope those special people who enjoy reading, like people, and who have patience will come to this workshop.
Thank you, Athens News Courier, for publishing this letter to the public and allowing us to thank all our supporters who have been our heroes this past year.
Sincerely,
Rhonda Andrews, director
Learn-to-Read Council
Remember, people laughed at ark
Dear Editor:
Concerning the “looniness” or “nuttiness” of Pat Robertson's (and Brit Hume's) remarks, we need to remember the world's people laughed themselves to death watching Noah build the ark.
And Jesus told us that just before he would come back, it would be just as it was in the days of Noah, when everybody was going along as usual, doing their thing - like today.
Sincerely,
Virginia Foxworthy
Athens
