Chamber Honors Residents

Jessica Andrews Youth Achievement Award

Six McKenzie Middle School students were honored with the Jessica Andrews Youth Achievement Award. The Destination Imagination Team consisting of Lee Barham, Drew Hayes, Caleb Owen, Brice Priestley, Bud Rogers, and Marshall Smith advanced to the international competition. The team was managed by Mrs. Mary Owen.

The D.I. program instills creative problem solving techniques, teamwork, and other life-long skills into the minds of students.

The award was named in honor of Jessica Andrews, who grew up in Bruceton and attend Huntingdon Middle School before reaching national acclaim at the age of 12. She is presently nominated for the Country Music Association Horizon Award. Jessica was the first recipient of the Chamber's award and Clint Hoard, who advanced to the National Spelling Bee was the second recipient.

Chamber Chairman of the Board Ruby Allen said the annual gathering commemorated the 20th anniversary of the Chamber. She said that Ronald Reagan was the president, Lamar Alexander was Governor, and Pat Williams was County Judge (now known as executive). Mrs. Allen presented Walter Butler, Bob Rutledge, and Larry Wade who gave a brief history of the Chamber.

Butler said that a group of men gathered at Freda's Restaurant in Huntingdon in January 1981. Leaders of the group were Ben Humble Hall, James Washburn, and Bob Greene. Butler was named interim chairman. The goal was to establish a countywide chamber that represented all communities and towns. W.O. Warren of McKenzie was the first part-time director and the first office was in The McKenzie Banner building. Jesse Pinckley was the second part-time director and the office was located on the third floor of the Carroll County Courthouse. LaRenda Scarbrough was named the first full-time director. Butler said that Mrs. Scarbrough helped lead the Chamber to a new level, which included participation in the State's Three-Star Award and developing a color brochure for the county. Butler said that Bill Haworth served several years and that Brad Hurley is the current director. Butler praised Hurley for his fine performance as president.

Times were hard when the Chamber was formed, according to Butler. Interest rates were high, and Wilker Brothers and Brown Shoe Company had both recently closed. The two McKenzie companies had idled more than 1,000 employees. Unemployment was 16 to 18 percent.

The Chamber was instrumental in promoting the construction of the airport in the mid-1980s. The County Commission approved the expense for the airport. The measure had failed in the 1970s by a single vote in the Commission.

The Chamber "brought out the very best of the best", said Butler. "What was good enough for us will be second best tomorrow."

All Walks of Life (AWOL) provided musical entertainment for the evening.

The question is "What do we do now," said Butler. He encouraged the younger people to accept roles of leadership and to get involved. "We must cultivate a new wave of leadership," said Butler. "Our future is still bright."

Mr. Rutledge said during his tenure the emphasis was "education and leadership development." The Chamber developed the Partners in Education program at the various public schools throughout Carroll County. PIEs emphasis was initially to serve at-risk students, but later developed into a greater arena, serving all students.

In 1988, Leadership Carroll County was begun. Its purpose was to develop a pool of potential leaders. After 13 years, the program has provided instruction for 166 participants.

In 1989, the Chamber hosted the first Teacher Appreciation Banquet. Later, the Chamber participated in the Benton-Carroll Workforce Development, which operates such programs as Faculty in the Factory, and job shadowing.

In 1998, Youth Leadership Carroll County was started. Selected seniors from the county's five high schools are asked to participate.

Rutledge concluded by saying that the county needs the unifying effort of the Chamber in these uncertain times.

Judy Noles provided an insight into the past "five to seven" years. She noted the many changes including the development of the Chamber's web site, developed by Larry Elliott. She also noted the construction of a new Chamber headquarters on Main Street in Huntingdon. A total of 66 donors pledged more than $200,000 to help construct the building. She said the Chamber's theme in 1997 was "Building for the Future." The new headquarters gives the Chamber a more stable presence and provides a great first impression to visitors.

The Business Expo has grown tremendously and has become a signature event. Mrs. Noles said the Chamber's expo continues to grow.

At the end of the program, Mrs. Noles was honored as the outgoing chairman. Ruby Allen presented Mrs. Noles with a plaque for her service.

Graduates of the Leadership Carroll County class were also honored. Graduates of the latest class include: Melissa Barber, Denise Barger, Eddie Birdwell, Chris Blount, Art Cason, Carolyn Holland, Jennifer McMackins, Kendra Mason, Brents Priestley, Pat Rich, Stacy Stokes, and Debbie Wilson.

Bailey Moore Wrinkle stands before the LST he helped sail home to the United States from Greece last year.

LSTs were amphibious ships that had a shallow draft. They were used to transport men and equipment by running up on the beach and dropping the bow to allow the troops to exit onto the beach. LSTs helped the Allied forces to succeed in military campaigns such as Normandy's "D-Day" operation. The LST-325 was among the ships in that fateful campaign.

In its latest oceanic journey, the LST-325 had been partially crippled with a busted engine and gyro, and a hole in its hull. Despite the difficulties, the tenacious crew beat the odds, proving once again why they are known as America's greatest generation.

The ship had been on loan to the Greek government since 1964 and had been placed in a bone yard ready for the scrap heap. Wrinkle and others repaired the vessel by scavenging parts from other abandoned ships in the Crete boneyard. It finally took an act of Congress to grant the needed approval to bring the ship home. Wrinkle, who was a LST crewman during the Korean Conflict, said that one of the crew members has died since the ship's return home. The remaining 27 plan to be in Mobile when the documentary airs on Veterans' Day.

Wrinkle said he has returned four times to Mobile to help restore the ship. It is presently in dry dock but will be moved to the Convention Center for the Veterans' Day salute.

Wrinkle returned to a hero's welcome to West Tennessee. Signs throughout Carroll County welcomed the sailor home.

The History Channel will air "The Return of the LST 325" at 6:00 p.m. CST on November 11.