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Local church group travels to help hurricane-stricken Gautier, Miss.

Twenty-four youth and adults from First Presbyterian Church and First United Methodist Church traveled to Gautier, Miss., over the Christmas holiday to help those who are still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. "We were there four months to the day after the storm struck, and there is still so much carnage and debris everywhere," says Rev. Will Jones, pastor of First Presbyterian Church. "Demolished houses still stand in a heap of rubble on their slab, and washed-out cars still sit where they did when the water put them down." The group worked hard in a variety of ways: cleaning debris out of yards, tearing out damaged insulation, putting up sheetrock, rebuilding fences and more. It was hard work according to Rev. Jones. "Everyone worked to the best of their ability and beyond.  You can be very proud of the youth who went on the trip as they represented the church, and community, very well." Those making the trip were Mary Bailey, Hilarie Dahlhauser, John Dahlhauser, Drew Davis, Martha Jane Jameson, Cap Nunn, William Nunn, Alan Olmedo, Issac Olmedo, Jonathan Pillow, Caroline Prince, Lauren Reames, Hunter Smith, Alaina Smothers, Jordan Turnage, Brittany Williams, Sarabeth Banks, Harry Blackburn, Mark Dyer, David Hooper Sr., Will Jones, Rachel Rooks, Robert Rooks and Jonathan Schwartz. (Click here for group picture.)

Parks & Rec. honored by state association

The Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association recently honored agencies across the state at its annual conference, Nov. 17, 2005. The Four Star Award, the highest honor the association can bestow on an agency, was awarded to the Brownsville-Haywood County Parks and Recreation Department for the Webb F. Banks Passive Park. Nancy Cates, Parks and Recreation director, and Anne Banks, representing the City of Brownsville, were on hand to accept this prestigious award. Also attending the ceremony was Chuck Walker, landscape architect with Carlson Engineers of Memphis. (Click here for picture.) The Tennessee Recreation and Parks Association serves over 1, 200 park, recreation and leisure service professionals and citizen advocates in the state. Congratulations to Parks and Rec., and the City of Brownsville. If you’ve not walked around Webb Banks Passive Park, please do. It’s beautiful park and just driving by does not do it justice.

Coping with Katrina and the holidays

We have a winner …

Actually we have six winners in the Christmas Lighting contests. Business winners are: Merle Norman Cosmetics and Gifts (South Lafayette), 1^st place; Insouth Bank Peachtree Branch (West Main St.), 2^nd place; and All Care Chiropractic, Bill’s Barber and Style and Styles Unlimited (South Wilson Ave.), 3^rd place. Home winners are: David Markowski (1675 Coburn Rd.), 1^st place; Johnny & Cindy Riggs (748 Walnut Hill Circle), 2^nd place; and Michael Meek Sr. (11802 Tibbs Rd.), 3^rd place. Drive by these places while you are out looking at Christmas lights and congratulations to all the winners.

We also have winners in the Christmas Tree contest on the courthouse lawn. First place goes to Morris Jewelers, second place to Parks and Rec., and third place goes to Insouth Bank. Congratulations to you all!

WNWS roars

Did you know that Brownsville, and namely Haywood High School, has the only commercial radio station in a school in the state. Local radio station owner Carlton Veirs and Haywood County schools teamed up last year for this venture. The result is station WNWS, 1520 AM, which airs daily and is produced by HHS students. Sheri Richards and Rita Hathcock teach the broadcast journalism and media class.

Imagination Library

Another interesting fact you may not be aware of is that since inception in August 2004, Anderson Early Childhood Center as part of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library has registered approximately 48% of the county's children who are under five years of age. That's over 540 children in Haywood County who are receiving a free book each month. Just $27 a year insures a child receives this gift. Contact Alan Callery at Insouth Bank or Anderson for more information on how you can help. The ultimate goal is a book a month for every child, under five, in Haywood County.

For more details about WNWS and Imagination Library visit HaywoodSchools.com

You Did It Again

Once again, the citizens of Brownsville and Haywood County reached into their pockets and pulled out a very Merry Christmas for others. Over $27,300 was raised during Brownsville Radio’s Christmas Basket Fundraiser last Friday, Dec. 2, and County Mayor Franklin Smith tells me that more than $26,000 has been collected and deposited so far. He is grateful for every citizen who was able to help. But it’s not over yet. Volunteers are still needed to distribute the 300 baskets that will be delivered this year. If you can help, please come to the Brownsville Utility Department’s Gas Warehouse, on Dupree Street, Saturday, December 17, any time between 8 a.m. and 12 noon. 

We Were Walking in a Winter Wonderland …

and what a Winter Wonderland it was! The Rescue Squad has again presented the community with a Christmas Parade to remember, Saturday, Dec. 3. As the lights and sounds of Christmas passed by us one at a time, we forgot the threat of rain and relished in the wonder of the flashing lights. Transporting children and adults alike to a Winter Wonderland Brownsville style. I know it takes a lot of hard work and planning to put on an event like this and we are grateful to the Rescue Squad for your efforts. It was Winter Wonder‘ful’!

College Hill Christmas

The cold outside was no match for the angelic sounds of children singing, trains whistling and Santa’s familiar HO, HO, HO Monday night, Dec. 5. With both buildings filled to the rim with families and friends, we visited with each other and our past while touring the museum and smiled while the children stood amazed at the trains as they rounded the tracks. We giggled with delight at the Gingerbread houses and patiently waited to tell Santa our Christmas wish. The music coming out of the Ann Marks center is never sweeter than when our children sing the songs of Christmas each year. Thank you to the Arts Council. Your gift to the community has warmed our hearts.

Brownsville Highlighted

The latest issue of Tennessee Women’s Journal hits the street Friday, Dec. 2, with an entire section dedicated to Brownsville’s Hometown for the Holidays celebration. Pick up your free copy at E. W. James, Backyard Barbecue, The Gardner Building and Brownsville Family Restaurant.

Haywood County Schools have New Website

Check out www.haywoodschools.com for the latest happenings in our school system. The Haywood County Board of Education launched the new site Dec. 1, and it is full of interesting facts and news about what’s going on in our school system. Trust me, you’ll find plenty to brag about when you visit this site.

Lynn Donates Bust to State Park

Photographer and sculptor Tommy Lynn has donated many busts of local heroes to the museum at College Hill and recently donated three to the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center depicting our bluesmen; Sleepy John Estes, Yank Rachel and Hammie Nixon. This past Saturday night, Nov. 26, Lynn was honored at the unveiling of another of his works of art, a bust of Nathan Bedford Forrest. The ceremony took place at Pilot Knob inside the Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park on the Tennessee River outside of Camden. I haven’t heard the details yet, but I’m sure the event was a huge success. We are blessed with many talented people in Brownsville and Haywood County and are fortunate that the Lynn family has chosen to make Brownsville their home.

And the winners are …

Congratulations to the following individuals and businesses that were honored by the Brownsville Haywood County Chamber of Commerce at the annual Membership Banquet, Nov. 10. Man of the Year – Greg VanStory; Woman of the Year – Emma Jane Gorman; Educator of the Year – Eddie Keel; Industry of the Year – Insouth Bank; Volunteer of the Year – Daniel Thornton; Ambassador of the Year – Marty Williams and Carol Bruce.

Congratulations to the Exchange Club

The Brownsville Exchange Club has won the Big “E.” By adding at least two more members and earning the National Service Award, the Brownsville Exchange Club qualified for this award. Only four or five clubs in Tennessee earned this honor. Congratulations to all Exchange Club members and thanks for helping to show the state what we all already know — Brownsville is a “GREAT” place to live.

Congratulations to SYS Cheerleaders

Two local SYS Cheerleader squads competed in the Mid-South Cheer and Dance competition in Memphis, Oct. 23, and both finished in first place. The younger girls, grades 1-4, won first place in Cheer and Pom and the older girls, grades 6-7, won first place in the Dance competition. Haywood County joined SYS (Shelby Youth Sports) last year and offers Track & Field, Cheerleading and Football for ages 6-14. You can learn more about SYS by visiting their website at www.shelbyyouthsports.org. Haywood Tomcats of SYS play their final game this weekend in Memphis. Haywood County will then host the second round of league playoffs on Nov. 12.

What a festival!!

Downtown Brownsville was really hoppin’ Saturday, Oct. 15, during the Hatchie Fall Fest. This year’s festival definitely lived up to its name as a family event. I can’t remember when I’ve seen kids, of all ages, having so much fun and what a memory when they think back to the Saturdays spent walking, running, rollerblading and skateboarding on the courtsquare. Did you see Barney and Gomer? They were a hoot, giving out their “tickets” to festival goers. Mickey Utley put on a great show, as was the whole day of entertainment. Thank you to Daniel Thornton and all his committee for an outstanding job. We can’t wait for next year’s event!

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