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News Headlines
Wednesday, June 8, 2005
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Carroll North Raises $100,000 to Fight Cancer |
"We're going to be number one in the state and number one
in the nation!" a jubilant Kaye Wood predicted Saturday
morning following North Carroll County's Relay for Life
event, held at City Park in McKenzie. The $91,646.17
declared early on June 4--nearly $30,000 more than last
year's total-- did not include several thousand dollars sure
to pour in from Steve McCadam's "Casting For A Cure" fishing
rodeo held at Carroll Lake the same day and other donations,
including $3,000.00 donated by the Squirrel Hunters
Association to the McKenzie High School team. Wood announced
later the total would reach at least $100,000. A goal of
between $70-75,000 was set at the beginning of the 2005
Relay season.
Wood said every single person who volunteered, spent money
on Relay events and activities, or purchased luminaries
helped reach the record-breaking amount.
"This is eight months I'll never forget," she said. "It's
been very rewarding to wake up each morning and know that
what we're doing helps the quality of life for those with
cancer."
She struggled to maintain her composure as she announced the
New Generations sales team had donated $1,000 in memory of
Peter James, who lost his two-year battle with cancer at the
age of 43. Kay is human resources director for the company.
"We're here because cancer touches all of us directly or
indirectly," she said.
Honorary co-chairs Kaye Gilliam and Beverly Ellis spoke
briefly during opening ceremonies after a rousing "How-dy!"
from Kaye who declared, "For cancer survivors every day is a
little more special."
"We're just so glad to be here," said Beverly. "We think
it's a death sentence when you're diagnosed with cancer, but
it's not a death sentence. I've been here ten years and
there's lots of folks here that's been here longer than that
and we just thank God."
Rev. Joe Stewart, pastor of Greater Enon Baptist Church in
McKenzie, prayed for healing, noting, "Truly healing comes
from You."
Much of the entertainment at the main stage was spiritual in
nature, including 14-year-old Jessica Neisler who signed to
the song, "Shout to the Lord" and the Calvary Impact Team,
which performed to "Arise My Love", while others, such as
Bubba's comedy routine and a dance routine by the Napoleon's
Dynamite Wanna-be's were simply hilarious. There was truly
something for everyone at Relay 2005.
Attendance at the always popular event was greater than ever
before, and was well accommodated with ample parking at City
Park. Paved walkways and shuttles from parking areas aided
navigation to the quadrangle composed of the main stage,
bleachers, picnic tables, and luminaria-marked walking track
surrounded by team campsites offering food, fun and
activities.
After a full evening of fun and games that lasted until
morning--in keeping with the truth that cancer never
sleeps--Long Heights Pastor Kenny Carr closed the event with
a morning devotionals that compared Relay volunteers with
the friends of the paralytic who, after they tore away the
roof, lowered him into the room where he might encounter
Jesus.
"Those friends did everything they could--they weren't
deterred--and Jesus saw their faith (not simply that of the
paralyzed man.) Because of those who made the effort, a
miracle happened on that day."
Last year Carroll County raised more money per capita than
any other county in the state through the combined efforts
of the North Carroll Relay for Life event held in McKenzie
and the South Carroll Relay in Huntingdon. The county was
ranked number two nation-wide among all similar-sized
counties, missing the number one ranking by only $900.
There were six new teams in 2005, all of which made an
impressive showing. DHS won the award for "Rookie Team of
the Year" although, Wood said, "They all deserved it." In
addition to DHS, new teams included Calvary Tabernacle,
Carroll Lake Country Club, McKenzie Foam, Oak Manor Health
Care, and Tennessee Quality HomeCare/Lakeside Retirement
Center. Returning teams were Hobson Family and Friends, The
Charlie Harris Family, City Florist/The Vineyard, McKenzie
Banking Company, McKenzie Regional Hospital, McKenzie High
School, New Generations Furniture Company, McKenzie Health
Care Center, Long Heights Baptist Church, and top fundraiser
Profile Metal Forming, Hospice South and Bethel College.
Community members celebrating at the Friday evening event
were reminded of all the reasons why Carroll County relays:
"hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten,
that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one
day, cancer will be eliminated."
Greater awareness was a factor in the increased community
participation, thanks in part to the efforts of Ken
Weatherford, owner of McKenzie Funeral Home, who launched a
great effort to seek out survivors interested in being
honored at the Survivors' Dinner he sponsored.
Also contributing to the new Carroll North total was better
than ever sponsor support, according to Wood. Corporate
sponsors included McKenzie Foam, McKenzie Funeral Home, WHDM
Radio, Tri-County Publishing/The McKenzie Banner, city of
McKenzie, Carroll Lake Country Club, McKenzie Banking
Company, New Generations Furniture Company, Tennessee
Quality HomeCare, First Baptist Student Ministries, McKenzie
Health Care, Oak Manor Health Care, Profile Metal Forming,
The Charlie Harris Family, and McKenzie Regional Hospital.
Relay Winners
Best Cancer Awareness - New Generations
Best Theme - Profile Metal
Most Original Theme - Harris Family
Most Original Campsite - McKenzie High School
Best Overall Campsite - McKenzie Healthcare
Best Food - Long Heights Baptist Church
Best Dessert - The Hobson Family
Rookie Team of the Year - DHS
Most Team Spirit - Profile Metal Forming ($13,954.25)
Above and Beyond Committee Members - Ken Weatherford and
Deborah Turner
Above and Beyond Team Member - Jerry Brawner & Chris Harris
Most Money Raised by an Individual - Lois Brazie ($1800)
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Accident near Huntingdon Claims Life of Woman, Child |
By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
 Inclement
weather was a contributing factor in a two-vehicle collision
Wednesday, June 1, near Huntingdon that claimed the life of
a 25-year-old Cedar Grove woman and her three-year-old
nephew, according to the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
Victims of the crash were Kelly R. Wilkerson of 1053 Leach
Road and her front seat passenger, Damian Lee Gilbert of 166
Old Latham Road, Dresden.
Kelly had been employed for one year as a nurse's assistant
at Huntingdon Health and Rehabilitation Center in
Huntingdon.
"She was a very sweet girl and always had a smile on her
face," said Huntingdon Health and Rehab Administrator
Anthony Mays. "She was not just another employee, she was
family. She will be greatly missed by all the staff and
residents."
The accident occurred on Highway 70, one-half mile from
Huntingdon, at 2:30 p.m., according to Investigating Trooper
Shane Steele.
Wilkerson was traveling westbound on Highway 70 in a 2002
Ford Ranger truck when she encountered an eastbound 2005
International truck pulling an empty flatbed trailer, driven
by Vernon L. Williams, 53, of Pensacola, Florida. As the
Wilkerson truck traveled across a bridge, it hydroplaned and
veered into the eastbound lanes, said Steele. The Williams
truck struck the Wilkerson vehicle in the rear passenger
side of the truck bed. Upon collision with the semi-truck,
the pickup broke into two pieces, the trooper said. All
parties in the wreck were using safety belts, he added.
Investigators noted the child's restraint device was not
properly used, though officials don't believe it would have
made a difference.
Both the woman and child were ejected from the vehicle on
impact, according to Steele. The woman was located
approximately 30 feet from the collision in an adjacent
field. She was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:30 p.m. by
Steve Cantrell, Carroll County medical examiner designate,
as the result of multiple head injuries.
Cantrell stated it was first unknown if a passenger had been
in the woman's vehicle. After finding child's clothing in
the vehicle and unsuccessful attempts to reach family
members, a search of the area was conducted by members of
the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Carroll County Rescue Squad,
Carroll County Sheriff's Department, Carroll County
Hazardous Materials team, and Huntingdon Fire Department.
Huntingdon Police Department was also on hand to assist with
traffic control.
At one point, authorities received word that the woman and
her nephew had been seen together at 2:00 p.m. The second
victim was located in the wreckage shortly after 5:00 p.m.,
said Cantrell, who ruled death the result of multiple head
and neck injuries. Both woman and child were believed to
have died instantly in the crash, Cantrell said.
Williams, who was driving a truck owned by McElroy Truck
Lines of Cuba, Alabama, did not sustain injuries.
Kelly is survived by her mother and step-father, Brenda L.
Johnson and Joe Johnson of Lobelville and her father, Joseph
Jones Wilkerson. She was also the sister of Charles William
Gilbert, father of Damien Gilbert. Bodkin Funeral Home of
Milan was in charge of funeral services for Kelly, which
were held Sunday.
Young Damien is survived by his father and step-mother,
Charles and Jerica Gilbert of Dresden and his mother, Renee
Butler of Milan. Taylor Funeral Home of Dickson was in
charge of funeral services, which were held Saturday.
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Small Town Dreams Big
Henry Breaks Ground for New Sewer System |
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Local and national dignitaries
join Henry Mayor Faye Lowery, Rural Development officials, and
project engineering personnel in breaking ground for Henry's
new wastewater collection and treatment system. Pictured are,
left to right (front row): Mayor Faye Lowery; aldermen George
McFadden and Bo Walker; Vice-mayor Cindy Rainey; city recorder
Cheri Townes; (back row) engineer Mark Guess; Bobby Claunch of
Claunch Construction; Joe Hill, district director for U.S.
Congressman John Tanner; Alderman Bobby Freeman; utility
supervisor Edward Bush; Henry County Mayor Brent Greer; Matt
Varino, U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander field representative;
community planner Bob Thornton; and Rural Development area
director James Sanders and area specialist Brenda Horner.
Henry's $3.5 million sewer project, 100-acre land purchase;
7-acre ballpark donation; and handicap accessible, state
donated city park top the town's latest efforts at spurring
growth in the community that two years ago was cut off from
main highway access when US Highway 79 was rerouted during its
four-lane expansion.
"This sewer has been a long time in the making and we're
finally turning dirt," Mayor Faye Lowery said last week. Her
comments came during the Friday, June 3, groundbreaking
ceremony celebrating the onset of construction of the
wastewater collection and treatment system that was attended
by Joe Hill, a Henry native and representative of U.S.
Congressman John Tanner and Matt Varino, field representative
for U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander, as well as local dignitaries
and personnel related to the project.
Others present included Mark Guess, engineering manager with
L.I. Smith and Associates, Inc. of Paris (who Lowery says has
been "the light at the end of the tunnel on this job"), Bobby
Claunch of Claunch Construction Company of Dyersburg, and USDA
Rural Development area director James Sanders and area
specialist Brenda Horner. Oversight for the project is
provided by Martin Consultants of Memphis.
Henry County Mayor Brent Greer said, "This is a wonderful
thing for Henry: it gives them the opportunity to develop
their property in a different way and hopefully (increased)
population will follow. We do appreciate everything Rural
Development has done in Henry County and West Tennessee."
The loans and grants will be used to construct a decentralized
sewer system that will be a septic tank effluent pumping
(STEP) system to take the place of septic systems currently in
use. According to Rural Development, a 2001 study estimated 71
percent of septic tanks and disposal fields were
malfunctioning, constituting a possible health hazard. A
wetland treatment facility is also being constructed along
with 11 miles of piping.
Lowery and engineer Mark Guess said the sewer system will be a
first for 255 customers representing Henry's population of 580
men, women and children. Workers began laying lines last week
before being interrupted by several days of rain.
Initial funding for the project was provided on March 4, 2003,
with an initial loan/grant of $1,109,200, however, engineering
of the project and construction bids resulted in the need to
request additional funding. New awards announced Friday
include Rural Development funds in the amount of $1,805,000
(combining a loan of $1,065,800 and a grant of $739,200) and a
state Dept. of Economic and Community Development CDBG
(Community Development Block Grant) in the amount of $500,000,
bringing the total cost of the project to $3,414,200.
Lowery said being cut off from the main thoroughfare has not
hurt Henry in the long run. As former owner of the Henry
Station Diner, she says, "I could tell the difference in the
customer base." But, she adds, business in the town has picked
up substantially since then.
She credited the Henry Industrial Board (chairman, Tom Myers)
with the purchase of 100 acres of farmland eight months ago
that the town hopes to subdivide for the construction of
affordable housing, with a portion set aside for industrial
expansion.
"We're trying to make our vision happen, but it's slow go,"
said Lowery, now in her second term as mayor. She succeeded
Mayor Joe Qualls in the position he held for 23 years. He is
the owner of Joe's Grocery
"Some years ago (as mayor) he purchased (for the town) 400
acres of farmland. That kept us from being totally cut off by
the bypass. That was ingenious or luck on Joe Quall's part."
She said she would never have run for the office against
Qualls because he did such a good job of running the town,
however, she adds, "If he ran now, I'd probably run against
him; I've got too much going on not to."
Alderman George McFadden lists among businesses in Henry his
own McFadden's Auto Parts plus Joe's Grocery (and gas
station), Champion Homebuilders, Replogle Sawmill, Owen's Auto
Repair, Cast Iron Welding, Beecham's Auction House, and the
Henry Station Cafe. He noted two vacant factory facilities
were available for new business to move into the area. Henry
is also home to several churches and Henry's K-8 elementary
school.
Dr. Loy Willy, uncle of Henry's Jane Hill (sister-in-law of
Joe Hill, who was in attendance at the groundbreaking)
recently donated over seven acres, located near the school,
for the creation of a softball and baseball park that will be
used by Henry School and the town of Henry.
"We're hoping to have that finished by ball season next year,"
said Lowery, noting the fields will be named Jim Porter Hill
Memorial Park, after Joe's brother, who died recently.
She calls attention to the city park, located beneath the
town's water tower, which includes a playground and has
recently undergone renovation to add a volleyball court and
walkway and handicapped accessibility.
Growth has also taken place at City Hall, said Lowery, with
the addition of a fulltime worker in the Public Works
Department. The new worker will join Public Works Director
Edward Bush and Superintendent David Sands.
Also on Friday in Henry, Lindsey Smith and friends from
Huntingdon were taking advantage of clearing skies at the
Henry County Saddle Club, located adjacent to the wastewater
collection site on Dogwood Avenue, to ride horses. She said
some 50-60 people take advantage of the well-kept facility
every Tuesday evening from 5 to 9 p.m.
"It's a place for adults and kids to come out and have a good
time," said Smith, who said riders vie in halter, showmanship,
barrel racing, flag racing and pole bending events, among
others classes of competition. |
The Dixie Nears Completion
Technology Key in Marketing Strategy |
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Mayor Dale Kelley and WDAP
Radio owner Chris Lash check out the office space to be
allocated to the station in exchange for promotion of the
center. "The Dixie" will be complete by October 1,
predicted construction engineer Buster Barger Monday during
regular session of the Huntingdon Arts and Events Council. In
addition to Barger's updates regarding construction of the
Dixie Carter Performing Arts and Academic Enrichment Center,
presentations were made concerning the facility's Web site,
www.dixiepac.net, designed by The McKenzie Banner, and radio
and marketing strategies by Chris Lash, owner of 1530 WDAP
Radio.
The council also approved a Monday, June 27 called meeting
date in order to interview four applicants for the position of
executive director of the center. The date will replace the
meeting previously scheduled for July 4.
Mayor Dale Kelley recommended and the council approved that a
formal recommendation be made to the Town Council regarding
Lash's proposal to market The Dixie through local radio
exposure as well as Internet streaming of events.
Said Lash, "In exchange for moving our main studio inside of
the Dixie Center, at my cost, WDAP will market all the
building's shows, events, its ticket sales, merchandise, do
interviews with all the artists, the center's director, etc.
and air all the building's shows."
He noted permission would be required in order to broadcast
events and that WDAP would be responsible for securing the
necessary permissions. He placed the value of the station's
service at between $2000 and $3000 per month in free
advertising.
Lash said Sirius Satellite Radio had expressed interest in
"unique and different things offered at The Dixie" including
performances by Dixie Carter and Hal Holbrook.
Likening The Dixie and WDAP to mini versions of The Grand Ole
Opry and legendary radio station WSM, Lash proposed producing
the town's own version of the Opry that he called "Huntingdon
Hayride".
"The Huntingdon Hayride would take place once a month with a
decorated stage, the rising curtain, and local, regional,
statewide and even national talent in country, Southern
gospel, rockabilly and more, live on the air during a live
opry of our own on a Saturday afternoon," he said.
Kelley noted WDAP's office would be located in a small,
two-windowed office at the front of the building next to the
main office.
Deborah Turner, Web designer for The McKenzie Banner,
distributed screen prints of the dixiepac.com Web site and
discussed possible links to be added to the site including
calendar, box office and location aids plus information
regarding onsite galleries, educational offerings and facility
rentals as well as local restaurants and other amenities. She
also addressed the use of online ticket sales and online
advertising that could bring additional revenue to the center.
Barger said seating had been expanded from 454 to 502 seats
plus some 49-50 additional seats by use of a false floor over
the orchestra pit. The majority of the additional seating
would be accomplished by the use of stackable seats or folding
chairs.
He noted David M. Schuermann of Architecture, Incorporated of
Memphis and an interior decorator associated with the form
would be presenting color samples of paint and carpet within
the next few weeks.
He further noted paint trials on the rear wall of the building
were being conducted in order to determine the best color to
use with the multicolored brick that were salvaged from
centuries old buildings formerly on the site. He also
clarified an item of common interest in the apparent
fluctuations of color in the brick on the center, which stems
from repeated pressure washing which includes a sealant. The
final color of the building will be uniform, he said.
Council member Brad Hurley mentioned there were 801 parking
spaces within walking distance of the center and Kelley
corroborated that parking would be allowed in front of the
building, where a handicapped accessible ramp will be
constructed. The ratio of female to male restroom facilities
will be two-to-one.
Council members discussed the importance of hiring a strong
director with an appropriate vision of what The Dixie can
become.
"I'd like to see this be a real tourist attraction for
Huntingdon, Carroll County, and West Tennessee," said Kelley.
"I see us bonding together with our schools and at the same
time producing shows that bring notoriety to Huntingdon. I
think our possibilities are unlimited."
Members of the Arts and Events Council include Brad Hurley,
Angie Bunn, Howell Wayne Todd, Jeanie Newman, Carlotta DeAllen,
Judy Noles, Melissa Powell, Cindy West, Clay Barger, Kim
Easley, Walter Butler, and Mike Cary. |
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