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In a nation pulled together by a common bond of shock,
grief and concern for the future, the tri-counties
region stands out as distinctly as the red, white and
blue that is displayed on nearly every home, business,
car and lapel in America. Weakley, Carroll and Henry
Counties, with their boundaries coming together along
the western and northern borders of McKenzie, have long
been known for uncommon strength of brotherhood among
the peoples of the community at large. Aged citizens, in
telling the stories of their lives from youth to
adulthood, give testimony after testimony of the good
relationships among the races even in the days when
other parts of the country experienced extreme unrest.
Welcome are the students of Bethel College and the
University of Tennessee at Martin who come from foreign
lands to partake of our southern beauty and heritage
while pursuing their careers. Daily, people reach out to
one another in a common bond of humanity, for
friendship, for support, or to help those in need. Our
towns are not perfect, but they come as near as the
barriers of human error allow. This past weekend, citizens turned out in great numbers
to fun-filled events in McKenzie and Huntingdon in a
show of faith and commitment to our communities and the
United States.
Huntingdon’s 9th Annual Heritage Festival was a great
success as was McKenzie’s 4th Annual Singing in the
Park. Accenting both festivities was a thread of
patriotism, Christian faith, and hope for the future.
As Mayor Dale R. Kelley stated in his address to an
encouraged crowd, “We feel a special closeness to each
other and the need to stand together as Americans. For
almost two weeks now, Americans have clustered in small
groups and large groups. We have gathered to mourn, to
pray, to sing, to worship, to lean on God, to lean on
each other, to ask ’why’, and to ask ‘what next’... We
will never be the same. We may eventually be better, we
may be worse, but we will never be the same. None of us
knows where this diverted path will lead... As we
celebrate the vast richness of our American heritage, we
also look to the opportunities of our American future.
May the tragic jolt to America last week remind us to
remain vigilant, to guard against the subtle invasion of
evil, and to strengthen our faith in God... Freedom is
costly. Our forefathers were willing to pay the price.
We, too, must shoulder our responsibility. As our
president, George Bush, stated last week, ’The
commitment of our fathers is now the call of our
nation’... let us unite our hearts again as ‘one nation
under God’ striving for ‘liberty and justice for all.’”
Huntingdon’s festival featured something for everyone,
from a recipe contest, bicycle tour, 5K run/walk,
antique car show, arts and crafts market, petting zoo,
and more.
The Heritage Day cermony featured the 129th Army Band,
the A.W.O.L. Men’s Ensemble, Country Stompers dance
group, and Perfect Grace. Ten storytellers gathered to
test their wit and story telling skills on a
keenaudience. They included State Representative Mark
Maddox, Clay Barger, John Everett Williams, Tina
Winkler, Gus Radford, Mike Kelley, Joe David McClure,
Linda Dyer and Dawn Clubb.
Mark your calendars for next year’s event on the fourth
Saturday in September. |
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Huntingdon’s famed ISTEA Express
was a sensation as old and young alike climbed
aboard for a historical tour of the town.
Having fun was the order of the day
at Huntingdon's Heritage Festival for friends Erin
McCree, Brittany Lovett, LinseyTodd, and Brinn
Scarbrough. |
Residents of McKenzie and the surrounding region came
together on Saturday to celebrate Singing in the Park,
an event sponsored by Brotherly Community Services of
McKenzie.
Proceeds from the event are used to buy Christmas
presents for economically disadvantaged children in the
area.
“We had wonderful singing,” said Carol Lemonds who was
among the fund raisers at the event.
Bendell Ellis was emcee for the all-day affair which
included gospel singing groups who regaled audiences
with Christian and Americana selections.
Many people donated toys while enjoying the festive
atmosphere, partaking in the goods offered at the
organization’s bake sale, and purchasing items at an
impromptu auction that was hastily and successfully
thrown together by Bendell Ellis and auctioneer J.R.
Hayes of Gleason, who is currently the pastor of all
three churches. Ellis visited local merchants who
donated items for the auction for an enjoyable addition
to the already fun day in the McKenzie’s downtown City
Park.
Filling a scarce need for red, white and blue was Rosa
Brawner who sold all 135 of her handsewn lapel pins
before taking off the ones worn by workers and selling
those as well.
“It was a really good day and everybody enjoyed it,”
said a smiling and satisfied Carol Lemonds.
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