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Thursday • October 16, 2014 • Issue #9

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Thanks For ReadingThe Nifty Pickle!Continued on Page 4

“You’ve never seen enough money to buy him,” Ray Cofield once told some-one when asked how much it would cost to buy his best friend, Cody. A definite change of attitude from the first time Cody entered Cofield’s life. Cofield was not immediate-ly fond of Cody. He was not sure he want-ed him around. He thought he might prove to be a nuisance. That was 16 years ago. Now, Cody has been dead for just a few weeks and Cofield is deeply mourning the loss. He shows me a photograph of him-

Remembering His Best Friendself and his best friend, Cody. Cody was a miniature poodle and had been blind for four years, although cataract surgery had staved off the blindness for a while. In the photograph, Cody’s fur is salt-and-pepper, a mottled gray, but when he was young, he’d been fluffy white, a gift from Cofield’s son, Mike, to his now deceased mother, Joyce Cofield. Sitting in a comfortable blue chair in the living room of his immaculate, tree-shaded brick home outside Albertville, the 83 year old Mr. Cofield shares with me his memories of Cody; joining us is his daughter, Faye, who lives nearby and regu-larly checks on her dad. Ray Cofield wears a baseball cap, a striped shirt and suspend-ers with his jeans. He is a lean and lanky man with a friendly, outgoing personality and a face weathered from his years as a brick mason. He’s also still very energetic as he occasionally breaks off our conversa-tion long enough to quickly leave the room and hurry back with more photographs of Cody for me to see. Cofield says it wasn’t long after Mike brought the 11 week old puppy to the house that he realized he liked Cody, after all, and his affection grew stronger and stronger as time went on. Both Mr. and Mrs. Cofield formed a deep bond with the little dog. It was hard not to; Cody was cute, lively and loving to everyone. A bundle of fun. Mr. Cofield says when anyone knocked on the door, Cody got very excited because he thought another person was coming to play with him. “Oh, he loved to play,” Cofield

by Elsa Rutherford

See the Next 2 Issues of The Nifty Pickle for

HalloweenSafety Tips

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Billboard For Rent in Boaz. AL Hwy 168 (Across from

Little Lots)The top and bot-tom of both sides

are available. $250 per Month for each space. No Contract

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New Claim Forms New claim forms are coming, says the Department of Veterans Affairs. It plans to produce a one-size-fits-all disability form for veterans, their families and survivors. The VA says the new form will eliminate guesswork and make it easier for applicants to “clearly state what benefits they are seeking.” At this point, an initial benefits or compensation claim could be written on a sheet of notebook paper and still be a legal claim opening. But doing it that way means information often is missing if actual forms aren’t added soon. What I don’t get is why this haphazard method of applying for benefits was ever allowed to start. Place the call to the VA, say, “I need the right form to apply for (fill in the blank),” and the form is sent. Right? With the new forms, applicants will be told up front what additional information is needed. Theoretically, in-cluding the correct information or evidence the first time will allow the VA to move more quickly to process the claim. The VA also plans to streamline the “Intent to File a Claim” process, giving veterans a whole year to produce the information needed to complete the claim. (If you in-tend to file a claim but don’t yet have all your information or evidence, file now. Your start date will begin when the VA first receives it, not months from now when you have all your information to send in.) You don’t actually need to fill out a form at this point. You can write on a sheet of paper that you intend to file a claim, briefly state what the claim is for, and give your identifying information. You’ll be sent the correct form. Look for the new forms in March 2015. If you want to know more about VA forms, go online to www.va.gov/vaforms or www.ebenefits.va.gov.

Freddy Groves regrets that he cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into his column whenever possible. Send email to [email protected].

(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.


The Rules Are Simple! This contest is for chil-dren 3 - 12 years of age. Please submit your entry no later than October 27, 2014. The winners (one boy and one girl) will be announced on our website, www.nif-typickle.com, and in the next issue of the Nifty Pickle. You can mail your entry to Nifty Pickle, 7032 US Hwy 431 • Albertville, Alabama 35950. Please in-clude your name, phone number or email address so we can contact you if you are the winner. Your phone number or email address will never be shared with anyone. If you are one of the lucky winners, we will let you know where to pick up your prize.

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by Nifty Pickle, Inc.7032 US Hwy 431

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Inc., has no responsibility for claims made by advertisers. No part of this publication

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I was going to buy a copy of The Power of Positive Thinking, and then I thought: What good would that do? Ronnie Shakes

It is difficult to produce a television documentary that is bothincisive and probing when every twelve minutes one is interrupted by dancing rabbits singing about toilet paper. Rod Serling

Somewhere on this globe, every ten seconds, there is a woman giv-ing birth to a child. She must be found and stopped. Sam Levenson

Always remember this: If you don’t attend the funerals of your friends, they will certainly not attend yours. H.L. Mencken

Not So Famous Quotes

says. “I used to get down in the floor to play with him and he loved that.” Sadly, Mrs. Cofield died when Cody was only four years old. Mr. Cofield says the last words his wife spoke before her death, before she retired to her bedroom that final night, were directed to Cody. “Goodnight, Baby,” she told the little dog. After her death, Mr. Cofield lived alone with only Cody as his constant companion. Over a period of time, he began to feel that the little dog was truly his best friend. Cody went everywhere Cofield went, whether in the truck or car. Once when Cody was riding in the backseat of the car, Cofield had to suddenly brake hard and Cody was thrown from the seat to a hard landing in the floor. There-after, Cody refused to ride in the backseat, always seating himself in the front beside his master. Cofield laughs, “Cody never forgot anything.” Sometimes, when they were riding in the truck, Cody would sit in Cofield’s lap with his paws on the steering wheel. To awestruck passersby, it looked as if Cody was driving the truck. Cody often proved his intelligence and loyalty. Co-field uses a breathing machine when needed, and when, asleep, his breathing became labored, Cody, who slept at the foot of the bed, never failed to awaken Cofield and alert him to his need for the breathing machine. Having had his esophagus stretched several times, Cofield still occasionally had problems with swallowing. When he’d become choked, Cody would come running and jump up and down until Co-field was all right again. To say Cody was highly attuned to his master’s well-being is an understatement. Cofield indicates the blue chair in which he is sitting and says, “Cody would climb up on this chair and lie on top of the back, behind me, stretch out and completely relax. He just wanted to be close to me all the time.” It’s clear from the tone of Mr. Cofield’s voice and the melancholy look that sometimes steals across his eyes as he speaks of Cody, that he wanted that closeness as much as Cody did. “When Cody died, we buried him in Faye’s yard,” he says, indicating his daughter. “After I’m gone, this house will be sold, so I wanted Cody’s remains to stay near the family.” Without doubt, Mr. Cofield’s memories of Cody will never leave him. He will go on missing and loving his best friend for the rest of his life.©

Continued from Page 1

Remembering His Best Friend

About the Author:Elsa Rutherford is a native Alabamian and lives in Al-bertville with her attorney husband, Nick Kirst, and they have two very spoiled cats. She attended Snead College and the University of North Alabama. Rutherford is a seasoned writer, beginning her award-winning career almost forty years ago as a

newspaper columnist and features writer. She has written for numerous magazines and newspapers and sold her first book in the 1980’s. Her short stories have been published in anthologies in the U.S. and many other countries.

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ALBERTVILLEAlbertville Baptist Church

302 Buchanan RoadAlbertville, Alabama 35950

(256) 878-3933

Corinth Baptist Church4183 Rose Road

Albertville, Alabama 35951(256) 894-3400

Fairview UnitedMethodist Church

1750 Hustleville RoadAlbertville, Alabama 35950

(256) 891-1719

First Baptist Church Albertville309 East Main Street


Mt. Calvary Baptist Church201 Rose Road


Rose Road Church of God804 Rose Road

Albertville, Alabama 35950256-891-7723

ALBERTVILLESolid Rock Church

2073 Section Line RoadAlbertville, Alabama 35950

256-891-1818

The Potter’s House 210 Sand Mt Dr.

Albertville, AL 35950256-298-2378

BOAZAll Saints’ Anglican Church

706 North Main StreetBoaz, Alabama 35957

Belaire Baptist Church1505 Oak Drive

Boaz, Alabama 35957(256) 593-8773

Beulah Baptist Church1991 Beulah Road

Boaz, Alabama 35957256-878-1516

Boaz Church of God115 McGee Street

Boaz, Alabama 35957(256) 593-3689

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BOAZFirst Baptist Church

225 S. Main StreetBoaz, Alabama 35957

(256) 593-8580

Mt. Zion Baptist Church623 County Road 2

Boaz, Alabama 35957(256) 561-3682

Sardis Baptist Church1501 Church Street

Boaz, Alabama 35957(256) 593-7762

GUNTERSVILLEFirst Baptist Church

1000 Gunter AveGuntersville, Alabama 35976

(256) 582-5141

First United Methodist Church539 Gunter Avenue

Guntersville, Alabama 35976(256) 582-2001

GUNTERSVILLEGuntersville Church of Christ

800 Gunter AvenueGuntersville, Alabama 35976

(256) 582-2494

Mount Zion Missionary Baptist1444 Carlisle Ave


The Churchat Lake Guntersville

4525 Wyeth DriveGuntersville, Alabama 35976

(256) 582-5312

Victory Baptist Church1644 O’ Brig Avenue


In 30 years of ministry I’ve met Christians that cover every end of the holiday spectrum. From celebrating them all to celebrating none, some only celebrate portions of cer-tain holidays. I had a lady leave my church one time because after my sermon I said we were going home to color eggs with the kids. She later told me, after I hunted her down, that she could not attend a church that participated in Pagan rituals. I have studied many origins of these holidays and it’s true, many of them have their roots in paganism. However, we are not a pagan culture. We don’t believe in, much less worship, Zeus. I probably would have never heard of the Egyptian god Ishtar had some well-meaning Christian not tried to set me straight about the evils of Easter. The Apostle Paul however did live in a time and place where pagan worship was very real. They had temples, priests and offerings to countless gods. The apostles got in trouble in the city of Ephesus because so many people con-verted from paganism. Those who made money selling idols were afraid it was going to ruin their businesses. So they ran them out of town.

Paul, however, had the right perspective. He actually went into a pagan temple and sat down at their tables. Then he ate the meat that was sacrificed as an offering to those false gods. In their culture, that action was considered wor-shipping that god. As you can imagine there were a lot of Christians bent out of frame over this. He wasn’t worried. He told them that idol is nothing more than a dumb piece of wood. There is only one true God and Him alone do I wor-ship. Then he finished his hamburger. Sometimes we give the devil way too much credit. We actually empower him with our fears and traditions. Paul later wrote, “he who eats meat does it unto the Lord; he that doesn’t likewise does it unto the Lord.” While those who didn’t eat were of a weaker faith, he didn’t want to allow his freedoms to cause the weaker brother to stum-ble. If you celebrate Halloween, don’t laugh or mock those who don’t. If you don’t participate, then leave the pitchforks and torches at home that night and pray for those who do. Whatever you do, do in love as unto the Lord.


It is not a very long walk from my lit-tle house in the village to the graveyard out here in the countryside. As I draw closer to the graveyard I can see Grand-mother’s house just down the road, the windows aglow with flickering lamp-light. Rather convenient, her living so close to the graveyard. Only a little far-ther for me to walk in the dark. By now her dining room table is piled

high with turkey and all the trimmings, and most of the family is already there. I catch glimpses of their silhouettes as they drift past the windows, milling about, a mite anxious, I expect. Aunts, uncles, cousins. All waiting for me to get on with it and fetch Grandfather home for the holiday. It is my duty, as I am the eldest grand-son. But is a duty that is almost more than I can bear. This is only the eve of the holiday. Thanksgiving will not arrive until tomor-row. But our family observes the holiday the night before, after the sun has set and darkness has fallen and there are many long hours before the light of dawn ushers in the coming day. This is how we keep all major holidays now: Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We begin the festivities, if they may be called that, on the preced-ing night, and by the time the actual day arrives it seems a letdown, the way after a holiday used to seem. But is a relief, too, when what must be done is done .At least until the next time. This was not always our way. Not so long ago, we celebrated holidays on the prescribed day, like any other family. But that was before everything changed. Before Grandmother had her dream. Before we had to bring the dead home for the holidays. I’m coming up to the graveyard gate now, shovel in one hand and lantern in the other, and the unnerving silence of this place washes over me like a cold mist, colder than the November wind that ripples past me. It is dark. Too dark. Even the lantern’s soft glow is swallowed up by the darkness, providing only the most mea-ger, limited pool of hazy light to guide my steps. Certainly the pale swatches of lamplight emanating from Grandmother’s windows are too distant to cast any illu-mination here. It is no exaggeration to say I am in a state of mortal terror. Though my trade as a blacksmith has strengthened my muscles and naturally well-set form, tonight my flesh feels weak as water. My body is soaked in an icy sweat, my legs shake so badly I can hardly walk and my heart is pounding loudly enough to wake the dead. Yes, tomorrow is Thanksgiving and, therefore, the horror has begun. My own slumber was fitful last night, as I knew it would be. I awoke hours before sunrise, the sickening terror that hounded me during sleep leaping into my throat as I opened my eyes. So ill was I that I wanted to hang my head from the bed and retch, but I knew it would not lessen the awful strain afflicting me. I’ve tried to tell myself that I must conquer this ghastly repulsion I feel, and steel myself for what I have to do. Buck up. Just do it. That’s what I tell myself. After all, I have done it before and am unalterably obliged to do it again. But the very thought of the task before me fills me with unholy dread. I cannot help wishing we could have gone on celebrating the holidays just as we used to, in a perfectly regular fashion. It’s long been our custom for everyone to gather at Grandmother’s house for the holidays, and perhaps we make a bit more fuss about it than some might do, but that’s because Grandmother has instilled in us the importance of family unity and she sets immense store on renewing family ties during the holiday gatherings. One might say this is what she lives for---bringing the family together on these occasions. It is a deep-rooted tradition with us; it is how we hold on to who and what we are. From near and far the kinsfolk come. They still do, in spite of what has come to pass. On foot and on horseback. By wagon and by cart. Of course, it isn’t the same anymore.

Author’s note: This story originally appeared in the anthology Fear Itself published by Warner Books, New York in 1995. It is appropriate for the Halloween season, but Be Warned; it is not for the easily frightened or the squeamish. It was nominated for Horror Writers of America’s best short story of the year. Due to the length of this story, we will publish it in 3 parts.

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYSBy Elsa Rutherford

Continued on Page 10



ARIES (March 21 to April 19) You could be caught in a torrent of advice from well-mean-ing friends and colleagues this week. But re-member, Lamb, you are at your best when you are your own inimitable self.

TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Expect strong efforts to get you to accept things as they are and not question them. But ignore all that and continue your inquiries until you’re sure you have all the answers you need.

GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) Heavier than usual family and workplace duties compete for your time this week. Try to strike a bal-ance so that you’re not overwhelmed by ei-ther. Pressures ease by week’s end.

CANCER (June 21 to July 22) It’s a good time for the Moon Child to show off your uniquely inspired approach to the culinary skills -- especially if they’re directed toward impressing someone special.

LEO (July 23 to August 22) You might be happy about the re-emergence of a long-de-ferred deal. But don’t pounce on it quite yet. Time can change things. Be sure the values you looked for before are still there.

VIRGO (August 23 to September 22) Try to rein in your super-critical attitude, even if things aren’t being done quite as you would prefer. Remember: What you say now could create an awkward situation later on.

LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) Al-though you can expect on-the-job coopera-tion from most of your colleagues this week, some people might insist on knowing more about your plans before they can accept them.

SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21) Creating another way to do things is com-mendable. But you could find some resis-tance this week from folks who would rather stick with the tried-and-true than try some-thing new.

SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to Decem-ber 21) You usually can keep your aim fo-cused on your goal. But you might need to make adjustments to cope with unsteadiness factors that could arise over the course of the week.

CAPRICORN (December 22 to January 19) News arrives about a projected move. Be prepared to deal with a series of possible shifts, including starting and finishing times, and how much the budget will actually cov-er.

AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18) A new relationship needs time to develop. Let things flow naturally. It could be a differ-ent story with a workplace situation, which might require faster and more focused atten-tion.

PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Accept a compliment without trying to troll for any hidden reason beyond what was said. After all, don’t you deserve to be praised every now and then? Of course you do.


BORN THIS WEEK: You like to weigh all possibilities before making a decision. You would be a fine judge, or even be a star in a

jury room.(c) 2014 King Features Synd., Inc.



Zucchini Quiche When we think of harvesting the bounty of the season, zucchini comes immediately to mind. Try this delicious quiche and see if you don’t try to plant more hills of zucchini seeds next spring.

Ingredients1 purchased unbaked refrigerated piecrust

4 cups grated unpeeled zucchini1 cup chopped onion

1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes

2 eggs or equivalent in egg substitute1/2 cup fat-free half-and-half

3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese3/4 cup shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese

Directions1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Place piecrust in deep-dish 9-inch pie plate and flute edges.

2. In large skillet sprayed with olive oil-flavored cooking spray, saute zucchini and onion for 5 minutes or just until tender. Stir in Italian seasoning and parsley flakes. Place skillet on wire rack to cool.

3. Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat eggs using wire whisk. Stir in half-and-half. Add mozzarella and Cheddar chees-es. Mix well to combine. Fold in slightly cooled zucchini mixture. Pour mixture into prepared piecrust.

4. Bake 30 minutes or until filling tests done. Place pie plate on wire rack and let set 5 minutes. Cut into 8 serv-ings.

• Each serving equals; 202 calories, 10g fat, 10g protein, 18g carb., 403mg sodium, 2g fiber; Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 1 Meat, 1 Fat, 1 Vegetable.


A man went to an eye specialist to get his eyes tested and asked, “Doctor, will I be able to read after wearing glass-es?” “Yes, of course,” said the doctor, “why not!” “Oh! How nice it would be ,” said the patient with joy, “I have been illit-erate for so long.”

“I have a bad headache. I’ll visit the doctor.” “Non-sense, yesterday I had a headache, I dashed home, gave a big kiss to my wife and the pain disappeared. Why don’t you try it?” “Good idea, call up your wife and tell her I’ll be right over.”

Dad: Son, what do you want for your birthday?Son: Juast a radio, dad, with a sports car around it.

The girl asked her lover, “Darling, if we get engaged will you give me a ring?” “Sure, “ replied her lover “What’s your phone number?”

The pastor’s sermon begins: “Let me tell you about my book...”

When the choir sings, the dogs outside begin to howl, and are closer to being in tune.

New member candidates are re-quired to submit W-2’s for the last 5 years.

The media refers to the church facilities as a “compound”.

You discover the church refers to the 10 commandments as the 10 suggestions or offers to let you “pick any six.”

The New Member’s kit includes a certificate of membership, a Bible, church-by-laws, and an assault rifle.

You’re the only person in the congregation who is carrying a Bible, including the preacher.

The Ushers ask “Smoking or non-smoking?”

The regular pastoral retreats al-most always seem to be in either Las Vegas or Atlantic City.

The Church bus has a gun rack.

There’s an ATM machine in the vestibule.

They have open Communion ...but there is a two-drink mini-mum.

The Pastor preaches an eloquent sermon on ancient heresies and the elders want to make them part of the doctrinal statement.

You Might Be In The Wrong Church If...

Just Flash a SmileA nervous taxpayer was unhappily conversing with the IRS Tax auditor who had come to review his records. At one point the auditor exclaimed, “Mr. Carr, we feel it is a great privilege to be allowed to live and work in the USA. As a citizen you have an obligation to pay taxes, and we expect you to eagerly pay them with a smile.”

“Thank goodness,” returned Mr. Carr, with a giant grin on his face. “I thought you were going to want me to pay with cash.”


I remember what splendid times we once had, laughing and joking and feast-ing on good food and drink. A most gregarious assemblage we were, all of us bound together by lineage and proud of it. That, however, was before Grandmother had her dream. When she first told us of her dream we were sympathetic, quite naturally at-tributing it to her continuing sorrow over Grandfather’s death which had occurred six months earlier. (We all love her dearly and cannot bear to see her down-hearted and desolate; it wounded us deeply to see how she had lost her zest for life, how she languished beside the window day after day, gazing out toward the graveyard with such a melancholy countenance and who-knew-what thoughts preying upon her mind.) At the time of the dream, Thanksgiving was fast approaching, and we knew how keenly she would feel Grandfather’s absence on that day---it would the first time in more than fifty years that she had spent a holiday without him. So we surmised the coming holiday had a great deal to do with the dream. But the dream was only that, a sad, sad dream, we said. Nothing more. Grandmother, however, insisted we were quite wrong. Her prominently-veined hands trembling, her aged, china-blue eyes brim-ming with tears not of sorrow but of resurrected hope, she insisted that Grandfa-ther had called out to her from his grave, communicating a strange yet wondrous message. He had told her, she said in a voice quaking with amazement, that it was possible for him to be with us again at certain times. On holidays, to be exact. Yes, that was definitely what he said, she insisted, the holidays. Wasn’t it wonderful? He could come home for the holidays. Needless to say, upon realizing Grandmother was taking the dream as valid fact, we made every attempt to dissuade her from what was obviously a most pa-thetic misinterpretation. We agreed, of course, that Grandfather’s spirit would al-ways be with us, especially during the holiday gatherings, but certainly his physical body would and must remain in the grave. No! she cried. He would come home! He would come home! It was simply a matter of someone going to fetch him. Of opening the grave and bringing him out. Her eyes feel on me. “You are the eldest grandson, twenty-one years of age, strong and able. So, it is only fitting that you be the one to do it. You must go and fetch him home.” As I stood there, my mouth agape, she proceeded to explain that the disinterment should be undertaken on the night before the holiday and that Grandfather would have to be returned to his coffin before the sun rose the follow-ing morning. For according to Grandfather’s dream-sent message, she said, “the dead do not abide the sun.”

So, on Thanksgiving Eve, a year ago tonight it was, I set out on the short walk from my house to the graveyard. It was only to appease Grandmother, you understand. To prove, once and for all, that her dream had no basis in reality, that Grandfather was as dead to the world on Thanksgiving eve as he had been when we lowered him into the ground six months before.©

Be sure to see our next issue of the Nifty Picklefor Part 2 of “Home For The Holidays.”

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYSContinued from Page 6

About the Author:Elsa Rutherford is a native Alabamian and lives in Al-bertville with her attorney husband, Nick Kirst, and they have two very spoiled cats. She attended Snead College and the University of North Alabama. Rutherford is a seasoned writer, beginning her award-winning career almost forty years ago as a newspaper columnist and features writer. She has written for numerous magazines and newspapers and sold her first book in the 1980’s. Her short stories have been published in anthologies in the U.S. and many other countries.




for SupportingYour Local Merchants!

This is a very old-fashioned recipe. The cornbread is shaped into little cakes and fried, rather than baked. They are served with ma-ple syrup over them.”

Hot Water Cornbread

IngredientsOriginal recipe makes 12 cakes

1 cup cornmeal1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon white sugar1 tablespoon shortening

3/4 cup boiling water

DirectionsIn a medium bowl, combine cornmeal, salt, and sugar. Add

boiling water and shortening; stir until shortening melts.

Pour oil or bacon fat to a depth of 1/2 inch in a large skillet and heat to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Shape cornmeal mixture into flattened balls using a heaping tablespoon as a measuring guide.

Fry each in hot oil, turning once, until crisp and golden brown, about 5 minutes.

Drain on paper towels.Serve at once with maple syrup or honey.

Thanks For ReadingThe Nifty Pickle!

Indiana-based Total Outdoorsman Challenger Dennis Billingsley who likes to hit the local bass ponds in early spring, has shared some of his best bass fishing tips. His preferred rod is a fairly typical bass setup: a heavyweight rod matched to a baitcasting reel. But he uses an unorthodox cast. A right-hander, he casts across his body, sidearm-style. “It gives me more control,” he says. “A regular cast is too powerful for the soft presentations I want with my Carolina-rigged plastic worm.”

Learning the sidearm cast adds a useful skill to your casting toolbox. Moving the rod parallel to the water’s surface helps the line and lure clear obstacles like overhanging tree limbs and bankside brush. This is key when the fish hang tight to the bank. If you can’t cast this way, you’ll pass up truly pro-ductive water. It’s also useful when the wind kicks up.

Sidearm: It’s not hard to master. Consider it the over-hand cast shifted 45 degrees to the side. The tough part is get-ting the timing down, but some practice in the backyard can take care of that. “You may find your line-release timing is a bit off at first, but stick with it,” Billingsley says.

Cross-body: “The cross-body presentation is essentially a lob. You’ll lose speed as well as some accuracy. This is not for when you need to throw a lot of line, but with a slower de-livery you’ll get a much softer presentation. And the bass, at least the ones where I fish, really seem to prefer that.”

Fish Hard-to-Reach Spotswith Side Casts


Avoid Drug Copay Coupons If clipping coupons keeps some money in our pockets, we’re all for it. But there’s one type of coupon you don’t want to use: drug manufac-turers’ coupons to save you money on your drug-plan copays. You see, it’s illegal. It’s part of the anti-kickback laws. And while the drug companies are the ones at fault, there’s recent news that you, the coupon user, could be implicated if you use those coupons in conjunc-tion with your Medicare Part D. Here’s how this works: Drug companies give copay coupons to entice you to buy their brand-name drugs instead of the ge-neric that your drug plan offers. This is illegal, because it encourages peo-ple to purchase drugs that are paid for by a government health-care pro-gram, such as Medicare Part D. And why should you care (be-sides the fact that it’s illegal)? Be-cause in the end it will cost you mon-ey. Here’s how: If you buy a drug that costs $100 with a $20 copay and use a cou-pon for $10, you pay only $10 out of pocket. The Plan D program then pays the balance. However, the Part D plan might have a contract to pur-chase a generic of the drug for only $40. By purchasing the more-ex-pensive drug with your $10 coupon, you’ve just made your Part D plan pay a larger amount. Ultimately your drug-plan costs will go up ... as well as taxes. How could you be implicated in this? Read the tiny print on the cou-pon itself. It might say that the cou-pon can’t be used for drugs covered under a federal health-care program. The information also might be buried on the drug company’s website. If the company is caught, it will point to the small text it provided.

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Send email to [email protected].


Eighty-three percent of U.S. adults be-lieve their eyesight will worsen as they age, no matter what preventive steps they take, according to a recent DSM Nutritional Products survey. While genetics and life-style factors do play a role for some serious eye conditions that cause vision loss such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), years of proper nutrition may protect vision in the long term.

More than 2 million Americans age 50 and older suffer from AMD, and it is espe-cially prevalent among Caucasian women. “You don’t want to reach your 40s and realize that you’re beginning to have vision problems,” says Dr. Kimberly Reed, optometrist and Ocular Nutrition Society board member. “Following a few simple recommendations can help support your vision - and your family’s vision - now and in the future.” Reed offers these tips for maintaining eye health and supporting vision in the long term:

1. See your diet in color Many brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful antioxidants that research shows are beneficial in maintaining macular health. Intake of 12 mg per day of lutein and zeaxanthin offers the best protection, but only 10 percent of Americans are getting enough of these essential nutrients, according to the American Optometric Association. For weekly meal planning this year, choose colorful fruits and vegetables that provide these important antioxidants, like spinach, kale, and other dark leafy greens, as well as corn, peas, broccoli, and orange and red peppers.

2. Omega-3 fatty acids for eye health A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people with higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids may experience a lower incidence of dry eye syndrome (DES). For patients who suffer regularly from dry eyes, omega-3 intake can significantly improve symptoms and increase quality tear production. Adults should get at least 1,500 mg per day of DHA and EPA either by consuming fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, or taking high-quality fish oil and algae supplements. Be sure to check with your physician if you are taking medications that affect blood clotting before increasing your intake of omega-3s to this level. For women who are pregnant or nursing, DHA is an essential nutrient to support infant visual development.

3. Remember your vitamins and minerals An array of vitamins and minerals also play an important role in maintaining eye health. For instance, A and B vitamins perform many complex and critical functions throughout the body, including the eyes. And, according to a study published in Ophthal-mology, vitamins C and E, which function as antioxidants, are also essential to eye health and have been shown to impact the progression of certain forms of AMD. Finally, zinc helps deliver vitamin A from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin, a protec-tive pigment in the eyes. Get your fill of at least five servings of colorful fruits and vegeta-bles, as well as nuts and legumes, per day to obtain these essential vitamins and minerals. Even when striving to follow an optimal diet, it’s difficult to get the recommended amounts of essential vitamins and nutrients from food alone, so nutritional supplements can play an important role in maintaining eye health. Several products specifically formu-lated to support eye health and vision are available, so ask your eye health professional at your next appointment.

For more nutrition information, visit www.vitaminsinmotion.com.

Is Vision Loss Inevitable With Age?The Answer May Surprise You!

Please Support YourLocal Merchants!


Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. Jeremiah 17:7

Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things [are] possible to him that believeth. Mark 9:23

But they that wait upon the LORD shall re-new [their] strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; [and] they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

“I’m Not 50. I’m $49.95Plus Shipping & Handling.”

“I Am the Person Your ParentsWarned You About.”

“The Two Most Common Elements in the Universe Are Hydrogen and Stupidity.”

“It IS As Bad As You Think,and They ARE Out to Get You.”

“I’m on a 30-Day Diet.So Far I’ve Lost 15 Days.”

“Why Is ‘Abbreviation’Such a Long Word?”

*“There Are Three Kinds of People......

Those Who Can Countand Those Who Can’t.”



Wordsearch ContestWin a $50 Gift Card... Find the Advertisers listed below and tell us which page that their ad was found. Mail this entire page to us at 7032 US Hwy 431 • Albert-ville, AL 35950. Deadline is October 27, 2014. (Date of Puzzle: October 16, 2014)

Find these names:alabamacraftshowalanjacksonbottomlinewebdesignbrigittesclothingcustompestcontrolfullcolorprintinghomesmartincarerxjoespawnshopmcclendonauctionhousemcclendonwholesalenickkirstjdniftypicklevarietyqslowsmokedsandmountainpesttradebankwlcaccounting

HOW TO PLAY: On this entry form you will find some of the businesses ad-vertised in this issue. Simply browse the Nifty Pickle, look-ing for these advertisements. When you find them, record the page number on which you found their advertisement in the space provided on this en-try form. Then, find and circle that business name in the word search puzzle. Once you have located all of the advertisers listed, complete the entry form and mail this entire page to the address shown above. Your entry must be re-ceived by October 27, 2014. We will then draw one entry from the group of correct entry forms and announce that win-ner in the October 30th issue. Incorrect or incomplete entry forms will be disqualified. All decisions by Nifty Pickle, Inc. are final. There will be only one winner for this contest each week. GOOD LUCK!

Name:________________________Address:________________________City, State, Zip________________________Telephone:________________________Email Address:________________________

Page Numbers:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The Winner of the October 2, 2014

Wordsearch Puzzle Contest isT. Gibson

of Guntersville.Congratulations!


Would you like to seeyour pet featured in the Nifty Pickle?

Jot down some information about your pet (name, personality, some-thing funny, tricks it can do, etc.) and send it along with a photo to Nif-ty Pickle Pet Pix, PO Box 1161 Guntersville, Alabama 35976, email to [email protected] or bring it by the office at 7032 US Hwy 431 in Albertville (next to Merle Norman).

Read about this

precious Angel,

Cody Cofield, on

the front page of

this issue!


ACCOUNTING, PAYROLL, CONSULTING, BOOKKEEP-ING and Much More. Call James at WLC ACCOUNTING 256-673-8190. 7032 US Hwy 431 in Albert-ville... 3 Doors Down from The Nifty Pickle Variety Store.

ALABAMA CRAFT SHOW Selling Year Around Crafts hand-made by local artists. Custom or-ders welcome. Piper Station, Boaz. 256-996-4945.

BOTTOMLINE WEB DESIGN Web Sites starting at ONLY $29.95 per month. Call 256-673-8190.

BRIGITTE’S CHILDREN’S CLOTHING 403 Martling Road, Albertville. 256-744-8404 or 256-506-5853. Family owned business Specializing in Boys and Girls Clothing Sizes Newborn to 14.

CUSTOM PEST CONTROL Termite and Pest Services. We Guarantee Our Service! No Con-tract, No Commitment... Just Dead Bugs! 256-593-6613

JOE’S PAWN SHOP 11411 US Hwy 431 in Albertville. Buy, Sell, Trade, Pawn. Open 8am - 6pm, 7 days a week. 256-894-9994. See Our Ad In This Issue of the Nifty Pickle.

McCLENDON AUCTION HOUSE Returns and Shelf Pulls from ALL Major Box Stores. Open Monday - Saturday 9am until 5pm. Sale on Saturday and Thursday at 6:30pm. 702 Chastain Blvd West, Glencoe. 256-492-5333.

McCLENDON WHOLESALE Buy It By The Pallet. Returns and Shelf Pulls from All Major Stores. Great for Auctions, Trade Day, Yard Sales, etc. Open Tuesday - Friday 9am until 4pm. Claybrook Road in Albertville. Call Charlie at 256-477-3914 for more informa-tion.

NIFTY PICKLE VARIETY STORE 7020 US Hwy 431 in Al-bertville, 2 doors down from Ace Hardware. Merchandise Added Daily. 256-673-8190

Q SLOW SMOKED BBQ 106 South Main Street in Old Down-town Boaz. If you love BBQ, then you will love REAL Q-slow-smoked with natural hardwoods. 256-281-9699. See our ad and cou-pon in this issue.

SAND MOUNTAIN PEST MANAGEMENT Got Bugs? Call Sand Mountain Pest Management at 256-891-7400 and start protect-ing your house from unwanted pests. Be sure to see our coupons in this issue of The Nifty Pickle.

TRADEBANK The Smarter Way To Barter®.Save Cash on Business and Personal Expenses. See our Ad in this issue or call JW at 256-673-8190.

HEADBOARDS and FOOT-BOARDS. ALL Sizes and Styles. Prices range from $18 to $40 for a set. These can be seen at the Nifty Pickle Variety Store in Albertville. Call JW at 256-673-8190.

BED FRAMES/RAILS. ALL siz-es. Prices start at $10. These can be seen at the Nifty Pickle Variety Store in Albertville. Call JW at 256-673-8190.

DUNE BUGGY. Needs to be completed. Big Boy Frame, Brand New Tires, New Seats, New Gas Tank and much more. $3000 obo. Call James at 256-673-8190.

OUTSIDE SALES Representa-tive, Mail Your Resume and Sal-ary Requirements to Nifty Pickle, 7032 US Hwy 431, Albertville, AL 35950.

HOUSE FOR RENT 3 BR / 2 Bath Brick Home with carport and large yard outside Boaz in Mt. Hebron area. $500/month. Refer-ences and Deposit Required. Call 256-558-4499 after 5pm please.

Dune Buggy For Sale!

$3,000 obo256-673-8190

New Seats, New Gas Tank, New Tires and

Chrome Wheels and much more.

Place Your Yard Sale Ad Here. Only $5 per week for up to 30 Words. Mail your ad and payment to Nifty Pickle, 7032 US Hwy 431, Albertville, AL 35950 or you can come by the office located at that address. The deadline is every Monday at Noon.

CLASSIFIEDS$5 each week for 30 words or less. 10¢ each additional word.

Mail your ad and payment to Nifty Pickle, 7032 US Hwy 431, Albertville, AL 35950 or you can come by the office located at that address.

The deadline is every Monday at Noon.

CLASSIFIEDS

Very Old Safe

For Sale!

$1,000 obo

256-673-8190

30% OFF SALE at The Nifty Pickle Variety Store In Albertville.

See Our Ad In This Issue!

Please SupportYour Local Merchants!


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