Courtesy photo Katie Lin, daughter of Sonya Hodge; Addie Lu, daughter of Alicia Nails; and Grace, daughter of Paige Betterton; give a patriotic welcome to Greg and Mary Louise Ogle and their newly adopted son, Paul William (not pictured), on their way home from China at Huntsville Airport. The families are part of Decatur Families with Chinese Children.

Group celebrates homecoming of newly adopted boy from China

Wendy's word

Life cannot be based on a scoreboard, where expectations run high and points are earned accordingly. A checkmark can't be given for good deeds done and erased when we err.

Stopping by for an unexpected visit to a friend will earn two points, but forgetting to call for a birthday will take away one. Living that kind of life will never fulfill, but always disappoint. When someone doesn't come through as you think they should, feelings may be hurt, but bounce back, and realize humans make mistakes.

Throw the "scorecards" away today and count the blessings instead. Be happy and grateful for all that is and is to come. If scores are kept, the only one to lose in the end will be the scorekeeper.

Let's see what the "chatter" is for today ...

All-American welcome

July is a time of celebrating our independence, but for one Decatur family it was also a time to welcome a newly adopted son to his American home.

Greg and Mary Louise Ogle adopted Paul William from China and were welcomed at Huntsville Airport by family and friends. Among the welcoming committee were Alicia Nails with daughter Addie Lu, Paige Betterton with daughter Grace, and Sonya Hodge with daughter Katie Lin. Waving American flags, the group had a warm reception for the Ogles as they got off the plane.

Now home with their son, the Ogles are doing great and say Paul William loves life here in the U.S.

The Ogles, along with other families in the area, are members of the Decatur Families with Chinese Children.

For more information on the support, programs and fun times available through this organization, contact Sonya Hodge at Sonya
Hodge@aol.com.

A twistin' good time

Looking for something upbeat and fun to do Friday night? Join the Calvin Twisters for the annual gymnastics show. Organizers promise a flipping good time to some rockin' music! The show starts at 7 p.m. in the Hartselle High School gym.

Tickets will be available at the door. Adults are $5, students are $3, and children 4 and younger are free.

The night's excitement will also include door prize drawings.

You could win a 26-inch flat screen television, donated by Wal-Mart; $50 in gas from any Bud's; a photo shoot, compliments of Mark Davis Photography; car maintenance from Pro Align; gift certificates from Logan's Steakhouse; T-shirts; golf supplies, compliments of Deer Valley Homebuilders; or a party for five, compliments of Party Wishes & Homemade Dishes.

Transportation grants

Sometimes getting there is half the challenge. Cancer patients undergoing treatment frequently require assistance traveling to and from facilities, often creating a financial and logistical burden.

That's why the American Cancer Society's Mid-South Division works with qualifying treatment centers to make funds available that can help patients alleviate this problem.

"Transportation issues are a common dilemma for cancer patients, especially those who have daily radiation therapy," said Diane Peeples, health initiatives representative for the American Cancer Society. "Sometimes all that stands between a patient and treatment is a ride to their appointment, and this program is designed to help bridge that gap."

The transportation grants program provides funds in the form of a grant to social service departments of qualifying hospitals or freestanding treatment centers who provide radiation therapy.

For patients undergoing radiation treatment, it is especially crucial to their treatment that they are able to keep their scheduled treatment appointments. The funds are used to assist radiation therapy cancer patients with recurring or chronic transportation needs, when no other assistance is available.

The American Cancer Society's transportation grants program is made possible in part by support from donations to Relay for Life of Morgan County.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society at (800) ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

That’s all for now. It’s been great “chattin” with ya! Let me know what is going on in your little corner of the world. If it’s special to you and features any of the great people who live in our community, then it will make a great Chatterbox item. Just e-mail me at ddchatterbox@yahoo.com, or call me at 350-5730. I look forward to hearing from you.

Ice skating in July

Point Mallard Ice Complex will host the 2007 Wind, Rain and Shine ISI Team Competition this weekend, welcoming 85 skaters from Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Mississippi.

Competitors range in age from 2 to 73. Saturday events run from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon. The event is free to the public.

This event is a non-qualifying competition, originating many years ago at the old ice rink in Decatur.

Park Supervisor Barry Smith said the event was created as an end-of-the-season competition to allow local skaters one last “hoorah” before the ice melted and the rink was closed for the summer.

For more information on this competition or skating lessons, contact figure skating pro Charles Bernhard at 341-4913 or the Ice Complex at 341-4910.

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