The new inventory of Huntingdon Star Ford was removed from the deadlership last Thursday by Ford Motor Credit. Transport trucks began hauling the inventory to other area dealers during the early morning hours.

L&R Auto Group, Inc., the owners of Huntingdon Star Ford, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection earlier this year. L&R purchased the business in October 2000 from Stanley Cook. Leanna Smith was the principal of the new business.

The move leaves only one new car dealership in Carroll County. Tri-County Motor Company of McKenzie is a dealer for Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth and Jeep.

Stanley Cook and Lee Marsh are the owners of the buildings where Huntingdon Star Ford was located at 21380 E. Main Street.

Brad Hurley, president of the Carroll County Chamber of Commerce offered the following statement concerning the closing of Huntingdon Star Ford.

"The developments of the last few days on the surface do not appear to be positive. However, I believe the long term goals of the two Ford dealerships in Carroll County will be enhanced by the development of the past few days. Local leadership has been in communication with all appropriate parties at this point in time. We are positive our long term goals will be met."

The fight against cancer had a sweet side last week in McKenzie. More than 500 baked items were auctioned in five days on WHDM 1440 radio as part of the Carroll North Relay for Life event to help the American Cancer Society.

After a suspension of the bake auction for approximately eight years, last week's event was better than estimated. Planners were concerned that the tradition and excitement of the annual bake auction might have subsided with the long absence. They were really pleased when they exceeded their $1000 daily goal on each and every day and ended the week with $9,430, far exceeding the weekly goal of $5,000.

"We were well pleased," said Mary Kee, who co-chaired the event with husband, Harold. The two began their work in earnest approximately one month prior to the event. Working for a list of names dated 1993, the two phoned area culinary artists to prepare items for the auctions. "So many of the people are gone or in nursing homes," said Mary of the list of folk from 1993, supplied by Virginia Claire Edwards. "I'm glad we had lots of new people," said Mary of the number of new folk who prepared items for the auction. More than 100 items were auctioned each of the five days causing the auction to exceed its daily two-hour time slot on the local radio station.

Daily auctioneers were area ministers including Clayton Owen, Harrell Nation, Kenny Carr, Jim Roberts, and Tony Janner assisted by John Kent and Janice Benton of WHDM. Volunteers who manned the phones were from the Kiwanis, Rotary, Lions, Morning Glory Garden Club, and Telephone Pioneers. Ruby Allen provided daily assistance as cashier and John Barham and Thelma Delaney served in any capacity needed. Auctions were held at Alexander Hall, donated for the event by Keith and Sherri Priestley.

Regardless of whether the cooks were new or seasoned or if the item brought $5.00 or $500, every effort to fight cancer was very important. "Everyone's items meant so much," said Mary.

One tradition continued when Mrs. Catherine Crawford's baked turtles fetched top dollar. Terry Blakemore paid $550 for the item.

The 21 teams participating in the May 9 Relay for Life event received credit for baking, bidding or buying during the auction.

Karen McCaleb, chairman of the Carroll North Relay for Life event was well pleased with the bake auction. "Every day just got a little bit better," said Mrs. McCaleb. "We didn't know what to expect. We knew it had been successful in the past."

Mrs. McCaleb and numerous other volunteers are working to have one of the best Relay events. The next event will be a Home Interior event at Alexander Hall on Tuesday, April 15 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.