dekalbramblings.com

By Jennifer Robinson-Tijsma – Staff Writer

Here is an easy frozen treat that you and your kids may enjoy making and eating!  Most people would like a sweet treat without packing on those extra pounds so here is one.  Pull some grapes off the stem and rinse them off.  While they are still damp put them in a resealable plastic bag. Add to that bag about 3 to 3 1\2 tablespoons of sugar or sugar substitute.  Shake gently (good job for the kids) to coat the grapes and then put them in the freezer for a few hours. This is a light and refreshing treat.  This can also work for sliced and peeled oranges.

Michael, I remember when we used to be all lovey dovey and that was okay.  Then we got married and something happened… you have lost the will to pick your dirty clothes up from the floor and your snoring makes me want to kick you out of the bed.  You get on my nerves, too, with your rants about political things I care nothing about.

sullivan/morguefile

But you’re a great father and a great husband.  You do the strangest romantic things at the oddest times.  Granted, you do them every once in a blue moon but at least you remember me every once in awhile.

I’m glad you’re my pain in the neck.  Happy Valentine’s Day.

Jenny

Fort Payne, Alabama

By Chris Yow – Featured Contributor

Been there, done that.

That is what the Indianapolis Colts are feeling this week as they prepare for their second trip to the Super Bowl in four seasons. Both Super Bowl appearances by the Colts have come in Miami as well.

Colts’ quarterback, Peyton Manning, just picked up his unprecedented fourth league MVP trophy in his illustrious career. This season, he did it with the league’s worst rushing attack and without Marvin Harrison.

Without a doubt, Peyton Manning is the reason the Colts are in the Super Bowl and easily the reason the Colts are favored.

Indianapolis is led by the greatest quarterback and film studier of all-time. The Colts will be more prepared for the Saints than the Saints are in practice every day.

Statistically, New Orleans has the league’s best offense. They scored more points this season than any other team in the NFL.

But the Colts defense has been battle-tested all year long and the post-season has proven to be the biggest beneficiary of all for the defense.
Dwight Freeney may not play for the Colts on Super Sunday, and if he does he will  be nowhere near 100% healthy.

What does that mean for the defense, ranked 11th against the pass  and 14th against the pass? Not much.

Raheem Brock has been a solid contributer to the team’s he has played for, including grabbing 3.5 sacks this season and 31 tackles.

The best defense, however, is a good offense. And despite what some may think, the Colts running game has not gained many yards because they simply do not have to do so.

Manning threw for 4500 yards this season and 33 touchdowns.
That’s not to say the Colts defense is a porous one, however.

The Saints will attack the Colts defense with a passing game that ranks fourth and a rushing game that ranks sixth.  Talk about balance.

But Indianapolis just shut down the league’s best rushing attack in the New York Jets and forced Matt Schaub into one of his worst passing performances of the season.

The Colts’ defense is for real.

The reason that Indianapolis will win the Super Bowl is the “X-factor”. It isn’t a player. It isn’t the new and ready-to-go head coach. It’s experience.  The Colts have been to the show. The Colts have won the big game.

The Saints? They’re perennial losers. On Sunday, that won’t change.

Being favored in the Super Bowl is somewhat a curse. It might sometimes allow your players to be overconfident.  Not this time.

By Ladon Campbell – Staff Writer

The New Orleans Saints at one time were the definition of futility.  Founded in 1967 it took 12 years for them to have a .500 season and another 8 years to have their first winning season. With the popular Archie Manning at quarterback the abuse heaped on him from rival defenses was brutal.  Often beaten mentally before the game, they never had a winning season during his tenure.

The physical abuse he received would pail in comparison to what the franchise itself would endure in its existence.  Fans would attend games with bags over their heads.  Death threats were issued to original team owner Dave Dixon.  Anti-fan clubs would be established for those called “Disgruntled Saints Fans” and the franchise itself was referred to as the New Orleans Aints (as in “ain’t” going to do any good).  When the Saints were good they would often lose in their first round playoff game.

Saints fans, the times have changed.  Your team has the NFC’s best record at 13-3.  Your team won all of their playoff games and your team is ready to summit their personal Mount Everest .  Saints fans get ready to celebrate because you are about to learn why New Orleans will be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy at 9:30 pm Super Bowl Sunday.

Offense

Unlike the Saints of old, this year’s team is an explosion waiting to happen.  Scoring a league leading average of 31.9 points and 403.8 yards per game the Saints will feast on a quickly tiring Indianapolis secondary that allows 212.7 passing yards per game passing.  Indianapolis also boasts and open door defensive line that an average runner can expect to gain 126.5 yards per game, an elite back like Reggie Bush will prove to be too much and move the ball almost at will.

Ball Control

History has shown that “he who controls the ball wins”.  By controlling the ball you control the clock and when you control the clock you win..  The Colts attack is purely based on passing.  If Manning is off a tick, if it comes down to short yardage then the Colts are in trouble.  With a league worst rushing offense of 80.9 yards per game you cannot hold onto the ball long enough to surmount a time consuming short yardage drive that makes a defense crazy.

New Orleans will have a game plan that will allow themselves to keep the ball out of the hands of Peyton Manning.  Look for short yardage rushing plays and draw plays to tire the weak Indianapolis defensive line before they expand into screens and downfield passes.  This will expose Indianapolis ’ greatest weakness and keep them from truly accessing their greatest weapon.

Reggie Bush

The X-factor of the game will be Reggie Bush.  Quick and agile enough to go around the end and have huge gains; yet powerful enough to go head to head with a defensive end Reggie Bush will be focus of the game.

Running the ball on sweeps and short yardage plays while also receiving out of the backfield look for Bush to also be involved on special teams play by fielding kickoffs and punts.  A record for most all-purpose yards in Super Bowl history may be set as Bush will be integral in the Saints victory.

Youth

Peyton Manning is the leagues most recognizable face.  Unfortunately, recognition comes with a price and for Manning the price is age.  At this time Manning is as mobile as a bathtub and his speed can be clocked by a sun dial; but he is effective.  It the pressure gets to Manning he will dump the ball for a short yardage reception.

By playing a disciplined defense and only rushing the ends the Saints can drop back into coverage and prevent long passes.  This coverage will allow the ends to force Manning to run around in the backfield and tire.  As Manning gets tired he will be suspect to coverage sacks.  With a lack of a running game Manning and the Indianapolis offense will be running in slow motion as compared to the more youthful Saints.

A Hungry City

New Orleans is hungry for a championship.  The city’s only professional sports championship is the New Orleans Jazz’s ABA (American Basketball Association) from the 1970’s.  After years of futility, a threat to relocate the franchise and natural disasters the Saints are the glue that held the city together.  Players helped in the rebuilding of the city and the Superdome acted as a shelter to the homeless.  The city loves the Saints and the Saints appear to love the city.  The overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings proved that the Saints are hungry to win.  With rabid fan support and the excitement of going to the Super Bowl behind the Saints, they will have an emotional advantage compared to the businesslike Colts.

My Prediction

Following years of obscurity the New Orleans Saints will have a composed game plan that will allow them to capitalize on their strengths and expose the Colts weaknesses.  With the New Orleans offense controlling the clock, Peyton Manning will force the ball too many times and make a critical mistake.

In the fourth quarter, a tired Manning will turn the ball over on an interception that will allow the Saints to put the game out of reach.  Reggie Bush, the MVP, will score the final touchdown on a screen from Drew Brees making the final score 31-20 New Orleans .  Geaux Saints!

By Nancy Phillips – Staff Writer

Have you ever thought about what you could do with your old prescription glasses you no longer use?  Have you considered donating them to your local Lions Club Chapter?

Lions Clubs are known globally for their commitment to blindness prevention.  Second, only to their devotion to aiding the blind and visually impaired, is their dedication to serving young people.  The Lions Club has served the world since 1917.  They have 1.4 million members serving 47,030 clubs and 745 districts in 193 countries.  The Lions Clubs International is the world’s largest service club organization.

In 1948, Feb. 27^th the Fort Payne Lions Club was charted with the help of the Scottsboro Lions Club.  It has been one of the top 10 contributors in Alabama in the campaign to fight blindness since the charter was started.  You can only become a member of the Lions Club by invitation.  Helen Keller called the Lions Club her “Knights for the blind.”  Membership in the club is a rewarding experience for all those who participate.

The mission of the Lions International is “to create and foster a spirit of understanding among all people for humanitarian needs by providing voluntary services through community involvement and international cooperation. “

The Lions Club has several ways of raising money for their club.  One of those is selling mops and brooms that are made by the deaf and \or blind. They also have chicken dinner sales, pecan sales and other special events.

Their fund raising events in Alabama provide support for the Alabama Lions Site Surgical Program in Birmingham.  It helps to sponsor camps, mobile screenings and helps provide eye care and glasses to local children and it provides leader dogs for area residents.

FORT PAYNE LIONS CLUB

2008-2009 COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

During the last year (2008-2009) the Fort Payne Lions Club has been involved in many events of which we are very proud.  Some of these include:

• $10,000 made available for LCI for Pisgah/Rosalie tornado victims.
• $500 donation to Pisgah/Rosalie tornado victims (10 – $50 gift certificates).
• Helped to organize a branch club at NACC.
• Conducted pecan sales and raised $3000+.
• Donated $700+ to Alabama School for Deaf/Blind track for blind.
• Provided $1,800 for 3 diabetic children to attend Camp Seale Harris.
• Conducted book sale for DeKalb Library and raised $5000+.
• Attended Lions State Convention.
• Participated in Special Olympics with Optimist Club.
• BBQ chicken fundraiser ($4000+).
• Participated in Lions East/West All Star Baseball games.
• Raised $1300+ for Mentone Library.
• Paid $2000+ for eye glasses for 10 children and adults who needed help.
• Referred 2 individuals to Alabama Lions Sight for surgery or other needs.
• $10,000+ made available from LCI for Sylvania/Powell tornado victims.
• Donated $3600 to Alabama Lions Sight.

They take all donated glasses and ship them to their main offices in Chicago where they are sorted and shipped to places all over the world where they are needed. They have drop boxes at certain locations for people to leave their donated eye glasses.  Once we have those locations we will pass the information along to all of you.  I would like to thank, Bob Turner, for all the information and  help he provided.

By Melinda Deering – Staff Writer

Early in December, a local woman became another fatality of the domestic violence epidemic. It brought back too many memories that I wanted to stay hidden. I’ve heard people have been talking about it here and there but one remark I hear whenever domestic violence is mentioned is, “Why doesn’t the victim just leave? If someone hit me I wouldn’t think twice about leaving.” Unless you have been there, you don’t know that for sure. Unfortunately, I have been there and I didn’t “just leave,” I stayed there for 4 years because I thought it was love.

It doesn’t start out full blown; the abuser hitting you all the time. He can be very charming and make you believe you are the world to them. My ex and I had a great relationship in the beginning. If you told me then he had problems with anger or violence I would have told you that you were crazy. In fact he was there for me when I need help with another situation and got me out of there. (Another story all to itself) So in a way he was like my knight in shining armor.

Then one day I said something he didn’t like and he slapped me. I was shocked and started to pack my things. I knew of domestic violence and wasn’t going to be in one of those relationships. As I was packing he came in and was very apologetic. He was crying and saying all the right things so I changed my mind. One slap wasn’t abuse. Then it happened again and again. I blamed myself and wondered what I did wrong. It wasn’t abuse if it was my fault. He was going to stop and change in my mind, but he never did. The slaps turned to punches. The bruises became more and more visible. This continued for years. I couldn’t leave with 2 kids, with no money, or no place to go. I also took my vows of marriage to heart. He made me believe I was this worthless woman with too much baggage for anyone to love or help out. So I stayed.

Then one day he hit our son. That was it. He could do whatever to me but my kids were another story. I left him 13 years ago. He stalked me for a year or so and violated protection orders, but finally he got the picture and left us alone. I bounced around for awhile and was in other bad relationships, but I finally got my head straight and realized love shouldn’t hurt. Now I have the family and husband I wanted all along. It wasn’t an easy road but I have made it.

There are two points of my sharing my story, one to let people know it isn’t as easy as “just leaving”. Victims may think there is no one else out there for them, any kids they may have together need the both parents, they won’t be able to make it on their own financially, they love the abuser too much to leave , or they think the abuser will find them if they leave making matters worse.  There are too many considerations to make it an “easy” choice even though it is the right choice. If you are a friend or relative of a victim, talk to them and help them find an escape route. I admit they may not want to hear it at first; I know I didn’t. But keep talking and don’t abandon them. They may not realize it at first, but when they do, they will need all the help they can get.

The other point is if you are a victim you can get out. It may be difficult but it is worth it. No matter what the abuser has told you, you are worth more than they’ll ever know. Abuse isn’t love and love should never hurt.

Finally, my heart and prayers go out to the families affected by domestic violence whether it is in thier home or that of a loved one. Everyone is affected in this tragic epidemic.

by Ladon Campbell – Staff Writer

Super Traditions

To some people Sunday, February 7 is a sacred day.  In fact, on that 2010 day it will be an unofficial national holiday, just as it has been since the first Super Sunday on January 15, 1967 .  For weeks leading up to the event sports radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and the web are open forums for discussion as to who is the best professional football team in the land.  Unlike NCAA football, the NFL has its playoff system in perfect order and always declares its champion without question.

Behind Thanksgiving, this Sunday will be the largest single day for food consumption among Americans.  On this Sunday the city of Las Vegas will have its largest number of bets placed on the outcome of a single sporting event.  This Sunday will also have the highest number of DUI arrests.  For fans it’s the biggest game of the year and for NFL players it is the culmination of a lifetime of training.  It can only be one thing, it is the Super Bowl.

A Foundation of Success

The first Super Bowl was played on January 15, 1967 between the National Football Leagues’s (NFL) Green Bay Packers and the American Football League’s (AFL) Kansas City Chiefs.  The game was played prior to the two leagues official merger in 1970 were each league would become a conference under the collective banner the National Football League.  In fact, the first two Super Bowl games were called “The AFL-NFL World Championship Game”.   The first official Super Bowl was held following the 1968 regular season (Super Bowl III); the first two Super Bowl games were retroactively referred to as Super Bowl’s I and II.

Originally, NFL Commissioner Peter Rozell wanted to call the game “The Big One”, but the name was openly mocked by those involved.  Former Kansas City Chief’s owner Lamar Hunt suggested a new name for the game after watching his children play with a rubber ball referred to as a “super ball”.  Originally intended as a name for the game until a suitable one could be found, The Super Bowl has a lasting legacy for sports fans world wide.

A Tale of Two Cities

This year’s host city of Miami is currently tied with New Orleans for the most number of Super Bowls held.  Incidentally, the Indianapolis Colts have only appeared in Super Bowl’s held in Miami .  The Colt’s share the distinction of being the only team to win a Super Bowl representing two different cities ( Baltimore in Super Bowl V and Indianapolis in Super Bowl XLI) with the Raiders ( Oakland in Super Bowls XI and XV and Los Angeles in XVIII).

Baltimore has had two franchises win the Super Bowl with the Colts (Super Bowl V) and the Ravens (Super Bowl XXV) while New York has had teams (Jets in Super Bowl III and Giants in Super Bowls XXI, XXV and XLII) win Super Bowls for opposing conferences.  Currently, no rivals from the same city have played against each other in the Super Bowl, but one all-California game occurred when the San Francisco 49ers defeated the San Diego Chargers in Super Bowl XXIX.

We’re back! or Did You Miss Us …again?

The Dallas Cowboys have the most appearances in Super Bowl history with eight.  They are currently tied with the 49ers at five wins, yet they both trail the Pittsburgh Steelers with six wins.  While to the victors go the spoils, the Minnesota Vikings and Denver Broncos are tied with four losses in Super Bowl appearances.  The Buffalo Bills also have four losses but have the dishonor of having all their losses come in a consecutive four-year span.

Of the thirty-two teams that are in the NFL only four have yet to appear in a Super Bowl.  The Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions have yet to make it to the biggest game in football.  The Lions current failure to appear is the longest drought as they were formed in 1920 (they do have one NFL championship).

Points to Pride

While many people feel that professional football players are only in the game for the money, the Super Bowl is about pride.  Who can forget that Scott Norwood missed that last second field goal in Buffalo ’s first appearance in the closest game in Super Bowl history as the Giants won by a single point 20-19?  Many remember that Steve Young got “monkey off his back” in the highest scoring game in Super Bowl history as the 49ers and Chargers collectively scored seventy-five points in Super Bowl XXIX.  Young’s victory punctuated his career after serving as the backup to the only three-time Super Bowl MVP Joe Montana.  Montana led the 49ers to the largest margin of victory only five years early with a 55-10 defeat of the Denver Broncos.  In Super Bowl V, Chuck Howley won the MVP award even though the Cowboys lost 16-13 to the Colts.

Heroes of the Sidelines

Named after Vince Lombardi, the winning coach of Super Bowls I and II, the Lombardi Trophy is presented to the winning team each year.  Don Shula, the coach with the most wins in NFL history, was the second man in Super Bowl history and first in the AFC to hold the trophy consecutively.  Shula (who appeared in a record five games) coached the only perfect Super Bowl season with his 1972 Miami Dolphins, capping off his perfect season with the lowest scoring game in Super Bowl history with a 14-7 victory over legendary Washington Redskins coach George Allen.

Steelers Head Coach Chuck Noll holds the record with most wins at four, yet the Marv Levy of Buffalo and Bud Grant of Minnesota have the opposite record with four losses.

Only the San Francisco 49ers were able to repeat as Super Bowl Champion with different head coaches on the side lines.  In Super Bowl XXIII the ‘niners were lead by Bill Walsh, whom promptly retired and handed to reigns over to next years Super Bowl winning coach George Seifert.

At this time only three men have been able to hold the Lombardi Trophy aloft as both a player and head coach.  “Iron” Mike Ditka won as a Cowboy player and eventually as head coach of the 1985 Chicago Bears.  Tom Flores held the trophy as both player and head coach of the Raiders.  Trailblazing Tony Dungy was a safety for the Steelers of the 1970’s and would be the first minority coach to win a Super Bowl as head coach of the Indianapolis Colts.

Dungy met Chicago ’s Lovie Smith in XLI in a historic game in which both teams were coached by minorities, so technically both men were the first minority coaches in Super Bowl history.  The Steelers Mike Tomlin would follow in Super Bowl XLII as a winner as well.  In fact both of these minority coaches won in their first opportunity.  Coaches are usually so precise with their game plan that no Super Bowl has ever gone to overtime.

“Oh, say can you see” its halftime already

This year in Miami , Carrie Underwood will sing “The National Anthem.”  Only two performers have ever sung it twice, Billy Joel and Aaron Neville.  1993 marked the change from multiple displays of halftime entertainment to a solo performance with Michael Jackson and a few years later his sister Janet performed with Justin Timberlake in the “Infamous Wardrobe Malfunction” show.

A Television Phenomenon

This years Super Bowl will be telecast in 232 countries and territories in thirty-four different languages.  The NFL states that over 1 billion people will have the capacity to witness the game live as well.  While the NFC holds a 22-21 advantage in terms of wins the Super Bowl itself is the clear winner with eleven of the top watched programs in television history.  This year’s game will be huge and the trivia will change, but one thing is constant.  The world will be watching.

credit:sullivan/morguefile

I met Heather almost seven years ago working in a restaurant as a waitress.  She was the cutest little waitress I’ve ever seen.  I felt like if I didn’t do something, I’d never see her again and would miss out on my chance to go out with her.  In a bold move that I never thought I’d do in a million years, I slipped my phone number in with the tip.  She called the next day.  We’ve been married for a little over five years now and have two great little kids.

I love you, Babe.  You have my heart.

Love,

Josh

Trenton, Georgia

By Jennifer Robinson-Tijsma – Staff Writer

February is National Heart Health Month.  Below are some important facts to remember.

Do you know the signs to look for? Some signs may be sudden and severe while others may come on slowly and only show signs of discomfort.

Many people believe that the main sign of a heart attack is severe chest pain.  In some cases that may be true, but there are other signs that a person may have other than severe chest pain.  You may also experience a sudden shortness of breathe, pain in the arm, neck, jaw, and/or the back.  You may experience sweating, feeling anxious or very tired and the color may drain from your face.

Along with signs of a heart attack, you should also be aware of the signs of a stroke.  You may experience a sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg especially on one side of the body.  You may also have trouble speaking or understanding others. Other signs include trouble seeing in one or both eyes, troubling walking, dizziness and/or a loss of balance or coordination.  There is also a possibility of a sudden severe headache with no known cause.

There are things you can do to lessen your chances of having a stroke or heart attack. If you smoke or use other tobacco….STOP! Also make sure that you eat at least 5 servings a day of fruit and vegetables.  Make sure you exercise (walking, jogging, etc) at least 30 minutes a day. Also, cut back your calories, fat, salt and sugar intake.  If you are overweight, losing weight will help take some of the pressure off your heart.  If you have no family related risk of heart disease or stroke it would be a great idea to have your doctor check your blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and sugar level at least once a year.  If you do have a risk then you may want to get it checked at least twice a year.

Cardiovascular disease kills approximately 17.1 million people each year.  Coronary heart disease is the number 1 cause of death in the United States.  A stroke ranks as the number 3 killer.  The worst part is that many of these deaths can be easily prevented.

Source: FDA.gov

By Ladon Campbell – Staff Writer

The latest Ider City Council meeting began with the resignation of Lee Harrison as the Chief of Police.  Harrison, who was appointed the position on January 11, elected to remain with the police department in a part time role.  Harrison was the second man to hold the position and abruptly resign within the past two months (Britt Spurlock held the position from November 23) following the resignation of Tim O’Dell, whom held the post for ten months.

The police department has been in disarray with the continual resignations and was on the verge of being dissolved on January 18 unless a suitable interim Chief could be appointed. If no Chief was appointed, all police matters were to be assigned to the Dekalb County Sheriff’s Office with the Henagar Police Department acting as a detention facility.  Officer Jonathan Phillips worked to resolve paperwork and compliance issues to save the department and worked as acting Chief.  Officer Phillips, along with Officers Neal Sparks and Neely Pack applied for the full-time position of Chief of Police.

Officer Phillips, a native to the Ider community had earned the respect of the citizens with his hard work and vision in instituting community initiatives regarding drug prevention for school age children.  Phillips also instituted initiatives for community policing and awareness.

Following a thirty minute executive session the Council made a controversial vote to award the position of Police Chief to Neal Sparks..  Sparks thanked the Council for the vote and addressed those in attendance regarding rumors of an ongoing investigation regarding a high speed pursuit fatality. Sparks stated that “I am not under investigation”.  It was ruled that the fatality was from the wreck itself and not the actions of the officer.  Sparks stated that he has been cleared as “I was not in camera range at the time of the accident.”

Sparks will hold the office under a one year probationary period at a salary of $32,000; while Officer Neely Pack will begin additional training on March 1.

Other city resignations included two members of the Library Board.  At this time there will be no future meetings of the Library Board until replacements are chosen.  Any interested parties should contact Emory Mann or Jeanie Overdear.

Other business conducted included the city obtaining two bucket trucks free of charge from the city of Trenton prior to the meeting, that $11,000 has been awarded for road repairs, and that all city vehicles be outfitted with locking gas caps due to the rising costs of fuel.

The next scheduled meeting is for February 8 at the Ider City Hall starting at 6 o’clock .  Be sure to come back for more information as to what is going on in your city government.