HOUSTON COUNTY DIGS DEEP IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CANCER Record-setting Giving…

Photos by MIKE DAVIS
Story by TERESA N. SETTLE
Tennessee Express News Writer

The annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Houston County may be
just a 12-hour event, but it takes days and weeks to gear up for it.
Hats off to the Houston County Chapter, Mid-South Division, because it was
evident that it was diligent and dedicated planning and a lot of hard work that
made this year’s event such a success story. So far, a record-setting
$34,420.99 has been collected for in the fight against cancer. And, according
to Kathy Parchman, treasurer for the Houston County chapter, more money is
still pending.
The event took place Friday, June 4, beginning at 7 p.m., but the Betsy Ligon
Park was bustling with activities long before that. Relay teams were busy
setting up tents and campsites, which would later be judged on theme and
originality. Relay volunteers were welcoming cancer survivors, finishing up
with the luminaries, and other last-minute details that needed to be seen to
before the opening ceremonies. And Houston Countians came out in droves to walk
for a cure for cancer, to mingle, and to just have fun.

THE OPENING CEREMONY…
Brian Crook, Houston County ACS recruiting committee member, opened up the
ceremonies with a prayer, before Debbie Schmidt sang, “One Day at a Time.”
The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Gary Walker, before Schmidt sang, “God
Bless the USA.”
Houston County ACS Chairperson Connie Cross then addressed a crowd who had
gathered to kick of the event.
“Tonight we will remember all of our loved ones that have passed away due to
cancer… We are going to walk and eat; We are going to walk and cry. We are
going to walk and play games. We are going to walk and laugh,” she said.
Cross said she asked herself why her brother died of cancer and why her good
friend died of cancer.
“I don’t know the answer,” she said, “but we’re here to raise money to put a
stop to this.”
Cross, who also works at Mattox Jewelers in Erin, continued, “It’s okay to cry,
but don’t feel sorry for yourself. If God brings you to it, He will bring you
through it.”
She then introduced ACS Representative Jessica Kurtzman. Kurtzman recognized
Julene Clark for eight years of service as chairperson for the cancer survivors.
“She has done an amazing job,” Kurtzman said of Clark.
She also gave a certificate to Kathy Parchman, who has been treasurer of the
event for the past eight years.
Finally, she gave a certificate to Cross, who is a four-year cancer survivor
and had been the Relay chairperson for the past three years.
“She puts her heart and soul into the relay,” Kurtzman said of Cross.
Kurtzman came to Erin with her husband, a soldier who just recently returned
from Iraq.
Other committee members included Beth Breeden, assistant chair, and Debra Page,
luminaries.
Through the night there was entertainment, scavenger hunts, and other fun
activities, while team members walked the old railroad bed walking trail.

A SPECIAL POSTMARK…
Janelle Hughes, Houston County ACS marketing and logistics committee member,
had a very unique role this year. A six-year cancer survivor, who lost five
members of her father’s side of the family to cancer, with three diagnosed in
her mother’s side, Hughes designed a postmark to commemorate the occasion in
Houston County.
Tennessee Ridge Postmaster Tonya Sawyer, who is also filling in at the Erin
Post Office, was on hand during the event to sell ACS Breast Cancer stamps, and
to give away ACS envelopes to anyone who wanted to special postmark. The
postmark has the words, “8th Annual June 04, 2004 Irish Station Erin, Tennessee
37061 RELAY FOR LIFE.” It has the crescent moon, a star, and partial sun rays.
Anyone who requests the postmark or who collects postmarks can send it to the
Erin Post Office within the next 30 days.
After that, Sawyer said the postmark will be retired. She said the Houston
County ACS could request it or the local historical society club could, but to
retire the postmark, the post office would have to delete the date in order for
it not to be used again.

CORPORATE SPONSORS…
The Houston County Chapter, and business sponsor committee member Laurel Crook,
gave special recognition to five local corporate sponsors: Traditions First
Bank, West End Kwik Stop, Mattox Jewelers, Richardson Trucking, and Nagle’s.

LOCAL CANCER SURVIVORS…
Julena Clark read the list of local survivors before they made their
commemorative walk. All survivors also got a “survivor” T-Shirt and a
medallion. They are as follows:
Betty Barnes, Reuben Barnes, Gracie Beal, Betty Beard, Patsy Brooks, Bill
Burnhard,
Dareal Cary, Edna Caughron, Gilda Clark, Evelyn Cook, Pat Courtney, Connie
Cross,
Marilyn Fuller, Shelli Furman,
V.R. Haneline, Janell Hughes,
Wiley Jenkins, Brenda Jones,
Sam Langley,
Mary Frances Mobley, Lisa Murray,
Mary Norfleet, Belinda Nunn,
W. C. Patterson, George Powell,
Kathleen Rushing, Mary Rye, Wilton Rye,
Dorothy Schmidt, Margaret Simpson, D. Anne Sykes, Muriel M. Sykes,
Artie Tanner, Gary Taylor, Lloyd Tomlinson,
Ann Williams, and Jane Wright.
Many survivors took time to reflect about cancer. George Powell, famous for his
prime rib at Southernaire Restaurant in McKinnon, enjoyed the evening, even
though he didn’t get to walk very far. Powell, who was diagnosed Jan. 27 of
this year with colon cancer, said he still has 16 or 17 treatments to go, but
his prognosis is good, according to the folks at the Sarah Cannon Cancer Center
in Nashville.
Powell, who is 45, said his diagnosis earlier this year was a real eye-opener.
The cancer, he said, had been growing in him for five years but had not been
found earlier.
“I’m going to keep going forward,” Powell said. “I’m not going to sit around
and sulk.”
Powell’s maternal grandparents died of cancer. Currently he is on full
disability due to the side-effects of the medical treatments.

A VERY COMMITTED WALKER…>
There may not be a more committed Relay walker in Houston County, or even
Tennessee, than Artie Tanner. Tanner, a Tennessee Ridge resident who is 73
years young, has walked 4,879 miles since August 2000.
Since last year’s Relay, Tanner has walked 1,460 miles.
His goal is 6,000 miles—that would be equivalent to walking from the east coast
to the west coast and back.
With only 1,121 miles to go, Tanner is optimistic that he will do it before
next year’s Relay.
“I’m going to try to get it in a year,” he said. “I hope I’ll have those miles
in.”
Tanner’s wife, who passed away two years ago, really encouraged him to attend
the Houston County Relay for Life back in 1997. Three years later, at the 2000
Relay, Tanner, who is a ten-year cancer survivor, walked eight miles.
“I really got into it,” he said.
Now a walking advocate, Tanner recommends the activity to anyone and everyone,
for your physical and mental health. A daily walker himself, Tanner said once
he got started, he no longer needed medications he had relied on.
“Walking is good for most ailments,” he said. “You can sit down and get on
medications and die from depression, but try walking first.”
He said if you walk 100 yards today, try to walk 200 tomorrow. Tanner logs his
miles on good walking shoes: Red Wings.
Tanner retired from Southern Gage on 1996 after working for over 39 years for
them. He stays active in American Legion, VFW, and Masons.
Last year he was recognized at the Clarksville Relay for Life for the miles he
has walked. He also met Tom Grant, a 20-year cancer survivor, who even later
sent Tanner a cap with the name of Grant’s band… you guessed it, “The
Survivors.”

RELAY TEAMS…
There were 11 teams: Cedar Valley Church, Trinity Hospital, Tennessee Wire,
Southern Gage, Cleghern’s, Curves, Richardson Trucking, Nagle’s, Team Spirit,
Team Courage, and the JFG Club.
Southern Gage
When the night was over, the Southern Gage team had broken another record.
Coming in first, they collected $10,000.
“We’ve never had a team [do that],” said Parchman. “That is just phenomenal.”
With only 12 to 14 walking, Southern Gage’s secret was advance planning. They
had two fishing tournaments, one in April and one in May, both at Lick Creek in
Dover. They also raised over $1,000 at a go-cart race at the Black Hollow
Speedway near Erin at the home of Greg Black.
Paula Brake was the team captain for Southern Gage. She said they also had a
yard sale to raise money for ACS.
Southern Gage, located in the Stewart-Houston Industrial Park near Cumberland
City, employs about 90 workers and manufactures various gages.
Cedar Valley
The Cedar Valley team came in second, bring in over $7,300. Julena Clark was
their team captain. They had a unique theme, “Lighting the way for a cure,”
complete with a tall, lighted lighthouse.
Trinity Hospital
The Trinity Hospital team came in third. They used the theme “Racing for a
Cure,” and their tent was filled with Nascar and car decorations. Trinity’s
team captain was Amanda Bush.
JFG Club
The JFG Club was new to the Relay this year. “Just For Girls” meets once a
month at Erin Church of Christ, according to its founder, Judy Black. They talk
about “girl stuff,” she said, adding that they’ve done their nails, had a
fashion show, done service projects, arts and crafts, and even had a beach
party.
The group serves girls from first through eighth grade.
“We deal with issues that deal with girls,” Black said. “We just get together
and have a good time.”
Lora Adkins and Katie Gray, recent graduates of Houston County Middle School,
dressed for the theme that their team had going of a western/rodeo style. Gray
wore denims and a western shirt, while Adkins was festooned as a cow—complete
with udders!
The girls were excited to participating in this year’s event.
Team Spirit
Team Spirit Captain Gary Walker said the team was full of friends of Connie
Cross. They went with the Titans theme. They also were the only team serving up
fish plates. Captain D’s donated a lot of stuff, too.
“We’ve gt a great bunch of cooks,” Walker said.
Tennessee Wire
The Tennessee Wire team, captained by Lisa Lyle, went with a festive and
colorful luaua theme, “Riding Waves to Cure Cancer.” They had at least 25
members walking and had raised over $2,500.
Nagle’s
The Nagle’s team was “Cruisin’ for a Cure.” Their team captain was Jennifer
Taylor.
Richardson Trucking
The Erin Volunteer Fire Department walked for the Richardson Trucking team.
Team Captain Brian Richardson said their theme was “Fighting the Fires of
Cancer.”
Cleghern’s
Cleghern’s Grocery also had a team walking. Their team captain was Shawn Popp.
Curves
The ladies from Curves got in even more exercise as they walked for a cure.
Their team captain was Lorrie Hargrove.
Team Courage
Brad Averitt was team captain for Team Courage.
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