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TOP STORIES FOR
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2, 2004
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Little Fish and Big Smiles...
Kids Rodeo Returns to Carroll Lake Saturday |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Fish and kids go together on a warm spring morning
like ham goes with eggs. Next Saturday will be a
special time for several hundred young anglers.
The fifth annual "Casting For A Cure" Kids Fishing
Rodeo returns to Carroll Lake on Saturday, June 5th
for a fun filled morning where even little fish bring
on big smiles. It's a free event and thousands of
dollars in prizes will be given away.
The event is open to kids ages 15 and under. Kids are
asked to bring their own bait and tackle but loaner
poles will be available for them just in case someone
shows up with only a desire to participate.
"When the event first got started some five years ago
I wasn't sure just how well the area would support it.
I wanted to offer the future fishermen a memory making
experience and perhaps make a good first impression,"
said Steve McCadams, nationally known sportsman and
native of McKenzie. "Wiser men than me know you seldom
get a second chance to make a good first impression,"
So, with the help of several volunteers and donors,
McCadams and the TWRA staff built the event from the
ground up.
"It has taken a lot of time and effort but what better
way to spend time than helping kids get introduced to
the great outdoors and battle cancer at the same
time?" said Steve.
"After a bout with cancer some six years ago I made a
pledge to the big angler in the sky," he added. "If I
got passed this hurdle in life then I'd do a variety
of things to help battle this uninvited guest. And,
since fishing was a passion of mine the kids rodeo
seemed only fitting."
Every year McCadams said he hits the trail seeking
support for the event, which ranges from speaking to
civic clubs to mailing letters to a wide variety of
folks. Then, getting the word out to the various media
outlets in a timely manner takes a lot of time too.
"There are highs and lows. Sometimes I wonder if the
donations will come in," he said. "There are days when
the mailman lets me down and fails to deliver. I find
myself wondering why anyone wouldn't want to help kids
learn to fish and battle cancer at the same time."
"Then there are the days when someone calls or sends
an email in support. A little white envelope brings
good news from someone you never knew had cancer," he
said. "Maybe it's someone in their family or someone
they knew but one way or the other, cancer affects us
all to some degree."
"A mother calls wanting a registration form for an
enthusiastic kid or a business reaches me wanting to
support the event," he added "These pick-me-ups
stimulate and the thought of a big grin from a kid
with that first fish makes it well worth the effort."
>From purchasing prizes and plaques to stuffing the
bags with goodies so that every youngster gets
something whether they land a fish or not; it takes
donations as that's the lifeblood of the event. After
expenses, which organizers of the event attempt to
watch very closely, a donation is made to the American
Cancer Society.
So, if you've read this far then hopefully the hook
has been set. Mark your calendar and bring out the
kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, or the kids across
the street that don't have anyone to take them.
Registration gets underway from 7-9 a.m. Competition
will run from 9-11 a.m. There's a lot of nice prizes
this year including a boat equipped with a trolling
motor to be given away.
TWRA will be stocking one-thousand pounds of catfish
the day before the rodeo so kids should have a good
chance to tangle with ole' whiskers himself.
A Bassmaster Casting Kids contest will be held during
registration too and kids can win valuable prizes and
advance to state, regional, and national competition
at the Bassmaster Classic.
This year's rodeo will be filmed by the Tennessee
Wildlife television series, seen across the state on
public television stations and nationally on The
Outdoor Channel.
Donations to the event are tax deductible.
Contributors will be helping teach kids to fish and
fighting cancer at same time.
"Kids remember most those things done with them, not
just for them!" said Steve. "I hope you'll attend and
bring some kids."
Plenty of concessions will be on hand ranging from
grilled hamburgers and hotdogs to ice cold soft
drinks.
Some things never go out of style; bobbers
disappearing, little fish, and big grins are some of
them.
Carroll Lake office and bait shop will have a new
manager and reopen this week just in time for the
rodeo.
Carroll Lake is located five miles east of McKenzie on
U.S. Highway 22.
(For additional information on the event log onto
www.stevemccadams.com or call 731-642-0360. Donations
can be mailed to "Casting For A Cure" Kids Fishing
Rodeo, 655 Anderson Dr., Paris, TN 38242.
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John T. Williams, Former Civic Leader, Dies |
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By Linda Bolton
linda@mckenziebanner.com |
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Former distinguished Carroll County civic leader John
Taylor Williams Sr. died early Friday morning at his
home in Germantown. He was known as the father of the
Republican Party in Carroll County or "Mr.
Republican." He was 92.
He is the brother of Rachel Williams McKinney of
McLemoresville and the late James Williams of
McKenzie, Annie Maude Smith of Huntingdon and Billy O.
Williams of McLemoresville.
U.S. Senator Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-TN) said
upon learning of Williams death, "Tennessee today has
lost one of its most dedicated public servants and
outstanding patriots. John T. Williams lived a life
that is an example for all of us to emulate. He loved
his family, his friends, and his country. He will be
sorely missed by all who were fortunate to have known
him."
Born in Bemis, Mr. Williams was named from his
grandfathers John Williamson and Taylor Williams, both
of Carroll County. His father of Oliver M. Williams, a
merchant in McLemoresville and his mother was Annie
Williamson. He moved to the Big Buck community near
McKenzie as a child and was educated at New Zion
School in that community.
Williams started his political career in high school,
having been president of the student body at
McLemoresville Collegiate Institute, which was the
high school. He graduated from there in 1930 and
attended Lambuth University.
He married the former Thelma Argo of Trezevant on
December 25, 1933. She preceded him in death in 1994.
They had two sons, John Taylor Williams Jr., who
preceded him in death, and Richard H. Dicky Williams
of Germantown.
His business career was insurance and he was co-owner
of a general insurance agency in Trezevant, where he
was elected mayor and served from 1950-51. He obtained
the first industrial payroll for Trezevant, Henry I.
Siegel Manufacturing company, in 1947. In Trezevant,
Williams organized the first Boy Scout troop in the
town.
In 1947, Williams moved to Paris, where he owned and
operated the Paris Insurance Agency until 1953. He was
vice president of the Paris Lions Club, member of the
Paris Moose Lodge and the Trezevant Masonic Lodge.
Williams was chairman of the Paris Housing Authority
which built its first unit during his tenure. He was
president of the Paris Young Businessman's Club and
was first president of the Paris and Henry County
Chamber of Commerce. Williams was on the executive
committee of the Red Cross Chapter and fund chairman
of the March of Dimes. He was a member of the official
board of the First United Methodist Church of Paris
and had served in a similar capacity in Trezevant. He
was a district lay leader and was elected to the State
Republican Executive Committee. He moved to Jackson in
1953 and to Memphis in 1959.
He was appointed U.S. Marshal by President Dwight D.
Eisenhower, serving from 1952-1959. It is the highest
U.S. law enforcement office. Williams was in charge of
serving legal papers for the federal court.
He continued as an insurance broker in Memphis and
called on bankers in the tri-states area. He served as
insurance coordinator for Proctor & Gamble Defense
Corp, serving 18,000 employees, from 1941-46.
Williams served as a special field representative for
Robin Beard, Don Sundquist and Ed Bryant until he
retired several years ago.
In June, 1998, Governor Don Sundquist traveled to the
city of Trezevant to honor Williams, who was having a
new fire station dedicated in his honor. Mayor Janice
McClain recognized Williams for his great support in
obtaining the new station.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, June 1 at 1 p.m.
at Christ United Methodist Church in Memphis. A second
funeral service will be held at 12 noon Wednesday,
June 2 at Trezevant United Methodist Church with
burial following in Trezevant Cemetery. |
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County to Build New Health Department |
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By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com |
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Construction of a new county health department might
begin as early as next month, according to Carroll
County Mayor Kenny McBride. Watlington Brothers
Construction of Jackson was the successful bidder on the
project with a total cost of $671,200.
McBride said of the five contractors that bid on the
project, Watlington's bid was $15,000 less than the next
lowest.
The new 6,400 square foot facility will be constructed
between the Carroll County Office Complex and Huntingdon
Health and Rehabilitation Center on High Street,
Huntingdon.
If all goes well, the Health Department can relocate
from its Paris Street location, built in 1957, to the
new facility in February 2004. The county hopes to sell
the current facility to the town of Huntingdon to be
used as a police station.
Funding for the facility will come from a $375,000
special needs grant from the state of Tennessee, a
$300,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and
$57,400 in funds that the State owes the county for
operations of the county health department.
The county will soon start construction on a new
recycling center on State Route 22 north of Huntingdon
at the county's fuel depot. The recycling center is now
located in the former Cannon School building on State
Route 77. The county received a grant to construct the
facility.
A third construction project was re-evaluated after
construction bids exceeded the original cost estimates.
The county first considered a new full general sessions
courtroom but downsized it to an arraignment room once
the construction bids were opened. The project calls for
the expansion of the jail for female prisoners and an
overall upgrade to the jail. McBride said the rising
cost of steel played a major role in the cost
escalations. |
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Relay Inspires Laughter, Tears |
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Mild temperatures and clearing skies offered a respite
from weekend rains just in time for Relay for Life
teams and revelers Friday evening. The community
turned out in good numbers to celebrate the lives of
cancer survivors and to honor the memories of those
whose deaths spur onward the race for a cancer cure.
A year of hard work for the 12 teams paid off with
some $62,000 raised to fight cancer. Saturday morning
awards included the individual earning the most money,
which went to Ramona Reed of McKenzie Healthcare, who
brought in over $1,000. The McKenzie Healthcare theme
was "Let's Send Cancer into Orbit".
McKenzie High School team, whose theme was "Slugging
Cancer Out of This World", won most team spirit as
well as the team making the most money with over
$6,000 earned.
Best Overall Campsite went to the Charlie Harris
Family with a down home theme, "Edge-u-Katin Tennussee
Southern Style". For their Happy Gizzard "Restusront"
was served grilled pork chops, hot dogs, grilled
cabbage, white beans, grilled corn, and fried corn
bread. The team also won the award for best food.
Named for their grandfather, Charlie Harris, who died
of lung cancer in July 1980, the team has since
battled cancer in other members of their family.
Best dessert went to West Carroll High School Beta
Club's "Men in Black" group for their "molten
surprise", a hot chocolate cupcake with a chocolate
and caramel center topped off with a dollop of whipped
cream.
In their first year at Relay, the Beta Club members
wore enthusiastic smiles along with dark sunglasses,
white shirts and ties in keeping with their theme. In
her first year as Beta Club sponsor (and seventh grade
teacher as well as high school girls softball coach)
Pam Bryant said she wanted to do something special
with the kids. A driving force behind the ambition was
the fact that her mother, Fair Mae Cox, died with
cancer in 1996 and, just last week, her half-brother,
Harold Cox of Alabama, was diagnosed with the disease.
The award for Most Original was won by the New
Generations Furniture team with the theme, "Taking
Cancer to Never, Never Land." Winning the award for
Most Education was McKenzie Regional Hospital whose
theme was "World of Hope".
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS
Joe Frank Brush
Keep doing what you do to keep fighting cancer,"
Honorary Co-chair Joe Frank Brush advised the
audience, expressing appreciation for those who have
supported him with prayer.
Working for the railroad in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania,
Joe thought the dusty environment was the cause of his
nagging cough.
But a visit to the doctor in August, after X-rays,
resulted in an immediate referral to the emergency
room in Jackson where Brush was met by an oncologist
who conducted further tests.
"At that point you really don't know what to think,"
Brush falters. "It's a personal thing. I knew deep
down that I had cancer when I was told to go to
Jackson.
Diagnosed with small cell carcinoma of his right lung,
he began the routine familiar to many at the cancer
fighting event, though regimens differ. Every 21 days
he became an inpatient for radiation and chemotherapy.
Cancer in something Joe Frank said he and his wife,
Toni, had never been confronted with in their
immediate family.
"We had our silent moments, moments we would talk to
each other, and we had moments we cried."
By December 15th he was in remission, and remains so
with regard to the lung cancer.
But earlier this year he began having headaches and
difficulty maintaining his balance while walking.
"I'd watch my feet to be sure I was walking right," he
shared.
On March 25 this year he received a new diagnosis of
cancer when two tumors were discovered in his brain.
Following new rounds of treatments, Joe Frank remains
positive he can beat the disease once more.
"They feel real confident they got it all," he said.
An MRI scheduled for June 20 will reveal the success
of the radiation treatments.
Randy McCadams
"The most inspiring thing that happened to me (through
being a victim of cancer) was the support I received,"
Randy McCadams told the audience. "Community churches
I'd never attended, people sent little cards with
special comments. It gave me courage, encouragement,
to know so many people I didn't even know were
praying."
He advised others to reach out to those with cancer
because "they get mileage out of it they badly need."
Randy was a fulltime member of the National Guard
undergoing a routine "over 40" Army physical when he
sought to ease the tension of his prostate exam by
remarking to the doctor that another doctor had told
him he had saved the life of a patient through that
same exam.
"The doctor sat back and said, "Yes, First Sergeant, I
need to talk to you about that."
"It catches you off guard," Brush said, initially
thinking the physician was joking.
Core samples at Walter Reed Army Hospital revealed
cancer, after which decisions had to be made
concerning treatment. Even so, Randy is aware his
experience with the disease doesn't approach what many
survivors have gone through.
Currently, Randy has a PSA test every six months, down
from every three months over a two-year period.
"I was blessed mine was found so early," he said.
"Thank God it was found at a very early stage. With
the grace of God and research we'll get a handle on
this stuff."
The worthiness of the battle brought to the forefront
of attention as friends, neighbors and family members
stepped forward to claim their purple-ribboned gold
medals and balloons and take their places along the
relay trail in celebration of another year of life. It
was all too apparent as survivors took their lap of
triumph that cancer truly affects everyone.
That's a point dear to Rene' Hobson's heart, new this
year to Relay as a member of the Hobson Family and
Friends team.
"We get cancer just like everybody else," she
stressed, regarding members of the black community,
who turned out in greater numbers this year but who
are still represented in fewer numbers among survivors
taking the lap.
Just after the team was formed, she learned aunt,
Hester Perry's, cancer had returned. "She's another
reason we worked so hard, because we know how
important it is. She's a fighter," she continued
regarding her aunt, originally from Trezevant, who now
lives in Toledo, Ohio, "She's the most positive person
I've ever seen who has cancer."
Joan Witkowski of McKenzie, first diagnosed with lung
cancer in 2002, found remission through radiation and
chemotherapy, however, a few weeks ago she discovered
the cancer had returned. "I'm hopeful we'll beat it; I
figure I did it once, I can do it again," said Joan
who says husband Richard is "a doll". "I'm just so
glad to be here with all this support. I mean, who can
go wrong with all this support and love? You have to
get involved and have faith."
Assisting co-chairs Karen McCaleb and Mona Cude, Jamie
Davis, new this year with the American Cancer Society,
was a volunteer with the organization for some 12
years before coming on board fulltime. She became
involved in the society at the age of 19 when her
mother died of cancer 11 months after diagnosis.
"That's the reason I relay," she said, "my mother, my
uncle and all the survivors here. It's exciting to see
all these other people as involved as they are; it's
great!"
The teams tackled the task with plenty of energy and
miles of smiles as the evening wore on, serving up
fare that ran the gamut from pork tenderloin
sandwiches; meat and vegetable kabobs; turkey legs;
country ham and pork chops to tacos, cornbread and
chili; polish sausages, burgers and hot dogs. A few
specialty items were grilled corn and cabbage,
homemade ice cream, and dippin dots ice cream.
Other teams participating in the overall theme of
"Taking Cancer Out of This World" included Sixth Grade
Friends: "Taking Cancer Out of this World by Finding a
Cure", who decided as fifth graders this year they
wanted to honor middle school librarian Beth Wilcoxson;
Bethel College: "To Infinity and Beyond"; West Carroll
Faculty and Students: "Space Jam"; Dana Plumley: "The
Great American Fiesta - Walking the World for Cancer";
and City Florist/The Vineyard: "Cancer Cosmonauts -
Going Where No Man has Gone Before by Sending Cancer
to Planet X. |
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These stories and more exclusively
in the print edition: |
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- Carroll County Inmate Did Not Have Meningitis
- Wilson Clinic Proposal Passes First Reading
- High Winds Down Limbs on McKenzie Home
- Sidewalk, Streets Projects Underway in McKenzie
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Phone (731) 352-3323 or Fax (731)
352-3322
washburn@mckenziebanner.com
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