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Limestone County Archivist, Allynn Griffin, recounts the true story of Dora Jones - how a woman from Athens, AL brought modern day slavery to a national stage in the twentieth century. Shocking and sad, but also a story of hope, courage, and ultimate triumph over injustice. Listen to this compelling podcast. Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay  https://www.alcpl.org/

Limestone County Archivist, Allynn Griffin, has been in his new job for just over a year and has spent that time pouring over records housed in the historic train depot the archives calls home. With a background in the legal field and a strong interest in local history, he helps people find court records, probate records, newspapers, family papers and much more. The archives has been steadily digitizing records and visitors can browse the memorial website for genealogy research. As part of his work, Allynn has researched and written articles about lesser known but significant case histories from Athens, AL and we will feature the story of Dora Jones in a separate podcast....The Limestone County Archives encourages donations of family papers and other documents related to Limestone County for historical preservation. Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay  https://www.alcpl.org/

Dr. Angela Seay, health educator at D3 Health Fitness, talks about the connection between nutrition, exercise, and mental health. Her message: motion is medicine! Her advice is to start small, set realistic goals, and have an accountability partner. She emphasizes the importance of the mind, body, and spirit connection all working together in order to achieve wellness and stresses making one change at a time for 21 days until it becomes a habit. She believes "wonderful incremental changes plus consistency equals grand results!" Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay  https://www.alcpl.org/

ANXIETY is the second topic in our MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS sponsored by A New Leaf Counseling Center. Clinical licensed therapist, Coleman Thompson, explains anxiety may involve physical symptoms like racing heart and persistent negative thoughts, and often co-occurs with depression and stress. He talks about various forms of anxiety, including generalized, social, specific phobias, and panic attacks. Citing different age groups and their specific challenges, Coleman states only about 35 % of those suffering from anxiety seek treatment due to stigma. He talks about various clinical therapies and the importance of family support.   Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay  https://www.alcpl.org/https://www.anewleafcounseling.net/https://nndc.org/resource-links/

Athens-Limestone County Public Library presents our youth librarian, Amanda Coleman, reading the classic scary story from Ray Bradbury: "The Black Ferris." A visit to the carnival will never be the same!  Grab your popcorn and enjoy the ride! https://www.alcpl.org Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay   

A conversation with Lisa Hoffman, Museum Curator, and Monteia Moore, Campus Events Coordinator, from Athens State University. They discuss two exhibits coming to campus in November - The Wall That Heals and Vietnam Then & Now. The Wall That Heals is a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. that travels around the country honoring our Vietnam veterans. Beginning November 6 with an opening ceremony, visitors can view the Wall twenty four hours a day through November 9. A special candlelight ceremony will be held Friday, November 7. The exhibit includes a mobile education center with displays of the Wall of Faces and items left at the original wall. Additionally, a Vietnam Then & Now art exhibit featuring Vietnam veterans and artists, David Wright and Chuck Creasy, will be on display at the Nazaretian Alumni Welcome Center from October 27 to November 30. Both exhibits aim to honor Vietnam veterans and educate the public. https://www.alcpl.org/https://www.athens.edu/the-wall-that-heals-is-coming-to-athens-on-november-6-9-2025/ Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay    

Yulia Weston, a certified yoga instructor, teaches free yoga classes at the Athens-Limestone Public Library on Mondays at 10:45 am and Tuesdays at 7:15 pm. She  explains how yoga is not just a physical practice but also aims to calm the nervous system and reduce stress.Yulia explains her teaching style, which is focused on core stability, strength, and alignment. She addresses yoga etiquette, props, and the importance of listening to one's body. She also touches on the 2021 lifting of the yoga ban in Alabama public schools, highlighting its many benefits as a form of exercise. Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay  https://www.alcpl.org/

MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS is a series of five talks sponsored by A New Leaf Counseling Center. Clinical licensed therapist, Coleman Thompson, talks about depression, its signs and symptoms, and how it differs from sadness. Persistent low mood, low appetite, sleep changes, and negative thoughts for more than 6 months may indicate depression. He notes depression in children and adults may look different and advocates family and cognitive behavioral therapy to learn healthy coping skills. Exercise, positive self-talk, journaling, self awareness and family support are key in overcoming depression. Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay  https://www.alcpl.org/https://www.anewleafcounseling.net/https://nndc.org/resource-links/

A.J. Coleman reads two chapters from the first book in her Happy Hallomentary series titled Welcome to Life (and the fifth grade). Jacket:          Meet Frankie Stine. He's a tall, green, one-month old who wears his heart on his sleeve. Starting the fifth grade at          Happy Hallomentary School...has him pretty nervous. Frankie isn't afraid of the monsters and creatures that he will         be going to school with, he's just afraid that they will not like him! Join him as he starts his first day of school and learns          meeting new people isn't so scary! https://www.alcpl.org/www.alcpl.org./podcasts/ Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay  

Local author A.J. Coleman debuts the first book in her Happy Hallomentary series titled Welcome to Life (and the fifth grade). The book follows Frankie Stein, a one-month-old green robot who is nervous about entering the fifth grade in a school for Halloween creatures. His classmates include witches, spiders, ghosts, and trolls, and their principal is an extra large pumpkin with creeping vines. In the series, aimed at ages 6-10, Coleman explores the range of emotions and relatable themes many kids experience in starting a new school year. She self-published the books  and also drew the illustrations. Coleman draws inspiration from author R.L. Stine and advises aspiring writers to write every day and avoid reliance on AI. She highlights the value of originality in creative writing and art. https://www.alcpl.org/ www.alcpl.org./podcasts/  Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay     

Representatives from mental health support groups talk with library outreach coordinator, Lauren Tubbs, about services available in Limestone County. Alicia Davila from Pearl Behavioral Health Services stresses the need to reduce the stigma associated with mental illness. Neal Vickers from NAMI highlights the importance of peer support and education. Jeff Hastings from ROSS discusses the correlation between substance use disorders and mental health issues. Mark Prescott from Wings Across Alabama talks about their warm line and educational programs. They all stress the need for community awareness and support, and provide contact information for their organizations to help those in need. https://www.alcpl.org/https://ross4u.org/  (ROSS -  Recovery Organization of Support Specialists)https://namihuntsville.org/  (NAMI - National Alliance on Mental Illness)https://wingsacrossal.org/about-us/  (Wings Across Alabama)https://www.pearlbhs.com/  (Pearl Behavioral Health Services)ALABAMA WARM LINE: 1-844-99-WINGS | 1-844-999-4647  (Free, confidential, and non-crisis peer support service available 24/7)Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay    

 Lisa Hoffman, Museum Curator at Athens State University, talks about the traveling quilt exhibit celebrating Black History on display through March 7.  Originating from Monthaven Arts and Cultural Center in Hendersonville, Tennessee, the exhibit features quilts honoring Black Americans who have made important contributions in literature, science, medicine, technology, and patriotism. She talks about the rich history of quilt making and its importance as both an art form and, historically, a life or death means of survival in the Underground Railroad. Monteia Moore, Campus Events Manager, gives a preview of a special exhibit  - The Wall That Heals -  a three-quarter scale replica of the Vietnam Wall coming to the campus November 6-9, 2025. https://www.alcpl.org/https://www.athens.edu/home-heart-heritage-quilt-project-celebrating-black-history-coming-to-athens-state/https://www.athens.edu/the-wall-that-heals-is-coming-to-athens-on-november-6-9-2025/ Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay   

Brian "Fox" Ellis, author and storyteller, previews his role in the 2025 Festival of Cranes. Portraying John James Audubon, Brian depicts the artist and naturalist who traveled over 30 years to wilderness areas painting and documenting over 400 bird species. The Festival of Cranes is an annual event and celebrates the birds, featuring the sandhill and whooping cranes, that winter at the Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge. Brian is an annual performer at the festival and is an active member of the Illinois Audubon Society. His love of nature is eloquently expressed in his books and poetry. https://www.alcpl.org/https://foxtalesint.com/https://www.visitdecatural.org/2025FOChttps://www.fws.gov/refuge/wheeler Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay  

Local author and Calhoun Community College English Instructor, Bradley Sides, talks about his writing journey. He began writing in college and published his first story in 2014. After his first book, Those Fantastic Lives, was released in 2021 critics called him "an exciting new voice in fiction." His second book, Crocodile Tears Didn't Cause The Flood, has been described as "a traveling carnival filled with pond monsters, vampire girls, fire breathing children...also a collection of good-hearted people making their way through unstable worlds." A writer in the magical realism genre, Bradley talks about writing and facing rejection as a way to hone and improve literary works. He also lists some of his favorite authors. https://www.alcpl.org/https://www.bradley-sides.com/ Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay      

Athens-Limestone County Public Library presents our youth librarian, Amanda Coleman, reading scary stories! Classic tales include Alvin Schwartz's "The Green Ribbon" and Roald Dahl's "The Landlady." Grab your popcorn and prepare for a scare! https://www.alcpl.org Have questions about this episode? Email [email protected] Music from Pixabay