Community Focus | The Mckenzie Banner

(L to R): Jackson Cassidy, Zack Aird, Marquez Taylor (holding the gold champion ball trophy), Coach Wade Comer and Rotary Vice-President Spiros Roditis.

McKENZIE (December 13) — Rotary Club of McKenzie donated $1,000 to the McKenzie Rebels football program in an effort to purchase championship rings for the 2022 Class 1A State Championships. more

12/20/22

Carroll County Library Receives Technology Grants

NASHVILLE — Senator John Stevens, Representative Tandy Darby, Representative Brock Martin and Secretary of State Tre Hargett supported the Carroll County Library with a $4,872 Training Opportunities for the Public (TOP) grant. The grant provides computer literacy instructors and wi-fi hotspots for their patrons and a $1,178 Technology grant for new software and equipment. more

12/13/22

Huntingdon High School Band students march and play a holiday selection.

Town of Huntingdon Holds Christmas Parade

HUNTINGDON (December 11) — The Town of Huntingdon held its annual Christmas parade Sunday afternoon. more

12/13/22

Gibson County Mayor Nelson Cunningham, Brig. Gen. Warner Ross, Tennessee’s Assistant Adjutant General-Army, Milan Mayor B.W. Beasley, State Representative Brock Martin and Carroll County Mayor Joseph Butler cut a ceremonial ribbon at the Milan Volunteer Training Site during a ceremony in Milan on December 6.

Tennessee National Guard Hosts Site Opening Ceremony

MILAN (December 6) — The Tennessee Military Department hosted a ceremonial ribbon cutting at the Tennessee National Guard’s Milan Volunteer Training Site celebrating the beginning of expanded operations on Tuesday, December 6. more

12/13/22

Jeff and April Wilson announce their new business, Pet Wants Jackson, a company providing fresh pet foods.

McKenzie Couple Launches Pet Wants in Northwest Tennessee

McKENZIE — Jeff and April Wilson are excited to be serving their hometown of McKenzie and surrounding area through the launch of their premium, fresh pet food and supplies company, Pet Wants Jackson. more

12/6/22

Bobby and Cindy Gaylord volunteering at a Bethel University freshman event.

Bobby Gee’s Diner Celebrates 10th Anniversary

McKENZIE — Bobby Gee’s Diner is celebrating its tenth anniversary on December 12 and is hosting a celebration. more

12/6/22

Santa greeted the spectators along the parade route.

McKenzie’s Annual Christmas Parade

McKenzie’s Annual Mistletoe Christmas Parade was Saturday, December 3, 4 p.m. in the historic area of McKenzie. The parade began at McKenzie Middle School and ended downtown. more

12/6/22

Bethel University’s Community Engagement Scholarship Program after-school classroom.

Community Engagement Program Benefits Area Residents

The Community Engagement Scholarship Program (CESP) at Bethel University attracts students who possess a strong desire to help others. more

By Karen Forester
features@mckenziebanner.com | 12/6/22

Ethan Travis and Billy Hollowell of the McKenzie Parks Department, Carol Morrissett, Mayor Jill Holland, Judy Davis, Judith Winters and Donna Hodge stand beside a cherry tree planted in honor of Mayor Holland.

Tree Planted, Dedicated to Mayor Holland

McKENZIE (November 22) — Morning Glory Garden Club planted a cherry tree on the campus of McKenzie City Hall in honor of Mayor Jill Holland. more

11/29/22

Turkey Trot runners in the 5K and one-mile fun run gathered Thanksgiving in Huntingdon to support the Never Quit Foundation.

Thanksgiving Turkey Trot in Memory of Brody Townsend

HUNTINGDON (November 24) — It’s a Thanksgiving tradition in Huntingdon with the Never Quit Turkey Trot. Runners gather at the Carroll County Courthouse to honor or memorialize someone. more

11/29/22

Paris-Henry County Healthcare Foundation To Host Cancer Survivors’ Dinner

Paris-Henry County Healthcare Foundation To Host Cancer Survivors’ Dinner PARIS, Tenn. – The Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation announces the annual Ed Roberts Caring Hearts … more

11/29/22

New members include (L to R): Dennis Mack, Dr. Wayne Scott, Valerie McMackin, Andrea McReynolds and Dr. John Adams.

McKenzie Rotary Inducts Five New Members

McKENZIE (November 15) — Rotary Club of McKenzie inducted five new members during the November 15 weekly club meeting at McKenzie Station. more

11/22/22

Trey Boucher, assistant police chief; Ryan White, police chief; and Spiros Roditis, vice-president of McKenzie Rotary Club.

McKenzie Rotary Hears from Police Chief, Assistant

McKenzie Police Chief Ryan White and Assistant Chief Trey Boucher were the featured speakers at the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club of McKenzie on November 1. more

11/15/22

Huntingdon Hosts Veterans Day Program

HUNTINGDON (November 11) — Huntingdon High School held its annual Veterans Day program in the high school library because of audio issues in the gym. more

By Jim Potts
jpotts@mckenziebanner.com | 11/15/22

Petals Azola Now Open

McKENZIE (November 11) — McKenzie’s newest florist, Petals Azola, owned by Angela Diller, held a ribbon cutting Friday. more

11/15/22

Colonel Harding and his wife, Barbara stand under the new sign in honor of the colonel.

Huntingdon Highway Bypass Named in Honor of Colonel James C. Harding

HUNTINGDON (November 11) — Veterans Day, an appropriate day to unveil the sign along a portion of Veterans Drive in Huntingdon named in honor of retired Air Force Colonel James C. Harding of Huntingdon. more

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com | 11/15/22

Pictured (L to R): Judy Winters, Robbie Barker, Donna Hodge, Kay Barker, Judy Davis and Mayor Jill Holland.

Morning Glory Garden Club Memorial Tree Service

The Morning Glory Garden Club has a long-standing tradition of planting trees in memory of deceased club members and for the husbands, parents and children of members. more

11/8/22

A group of alumni is developing the Alumni Association.

McKenzie Alumni Association Holds Organizational Meeting

McKENZIE (November 1) — A small group of alumni from McKenzie High School are developing an alumni association for those who attended McKenzie High School. The third such meeting was held November 1 at the McKenzie High School Library. more

11/8/22

Bethel Renaissance Theatre Performs The Phantom of the Opera

HUNTINGDON — Bethel University’s Renaissance Theatre is offering one more weekend of Phantom of the Opera at The Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center in Huntingdon. It is a tremendous show performed by extremely talented actors and vocalists. more

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com | 11/8/22

Ronnie Cooper Construction razed the Polar Bar building. Tim Sullivan operated the excavator that destroyed the building in just minutes.

Iconic Polar Bar Razed After 65-Year History

McKENZIE (November 2022) — The Polar Bar! Ask anyone who resided in McKenzie in the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, and you will hear a favorite memory of the burger and ice cream shop. It was the hangout for high school students in the late 1950s and 60s before the chain restaurants and fast food restaurants. It was the place to get a whopper burger, fries, and ice cream and shakes. more

By Joel Washburn
washburn@mckenziebanner.com | 11/8/22