THIS OLDER NEWS FROM EARLIER IN THE YEAR

LIONS CLUBNEWS

We are starting to get music on the static attic page from this years Lions club Music Fest we just finished a one hour show with Randy Holland and The Jackson gang and should have a version Of Elvis next

BEAUTY PAGEANT

I never thought much about beauty pageants my wife and I might watch Miss USA who this year is Rachel Smith
and is from Clarksville part of the Wells Creek Basin Area and try and figure out who the winner would be. Not lately my middle granddaughter decided she wanted to compete and she has in two so far . I never dreamed of the pageants as a sport or the money that was involved in dresses hair styling pictures dental work make up and more . One thing I have noticed is it is a family sport with the entire family involved in some respect maybe just as support and even that cost $5.00 and up but they enjoy it and thats what counts. This last one at Houston counties middle School this last Saturday I took PicturesWe hope you enjoy them and tell you that their will be a pageant as part of the Lighting up the Cumberland festivities which takes place this year on Saturday June 30th. as to the date of the pageant I am not sure but I am sure that those folks that do this on a regular basis do. See ya on the Cumberland

MORE PARADE PICTURES
I put the people that were at the parade so I thought but this week realized that we had missed the Grand Marshall Steve Hayslip, the Lord High Mayor And the Navy and Scotish band so here are a fewmore parade pictures

Breaking News

Tennessee Ridge First Mayors Election Is Over

Stony Odom Unseats Keneth Dunavant with a vote of 133 for Odom to 69for Dunavant To Become Tennessee Ridges First Elected Mayor

Mayor Dunavant will retain his seat on the city council for two more yearsIn the past the city council has elected the city Mayor

ERIN'S FIRST ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECT NABBED QUICKLY
HeadlinesStory by
TERESA N. SETTLE Tennessee Express News Writer

What may very well have been Erin's first-ever armed robbery happened in seconds, but the good news is that within five hours, the suspect was apprehended without too much incidence here.
According to Erin's Acting Police Chief Chad Smith, the reason this crime was solved so quickly can be attributed to at least three factors:
Good police work;
Good cooperation between city and county law enforcement officers; and
Good eyewitness statements and calls throughout the day. * When it was all over, Erin resident Alan F. Watson, 12251 Hwy. 13 North, age 38, was arrested and charged with aggravated robbery, simple possession, and drug paraphernalia. THE ROBBERY
It all started Monday, March 19, shortly after 4 p.m. at Crystal's Fashion / Community Cash Advance, located at 3453 West Main Street across from Houston County Middle School.
Crystal Dew had the door to her business propped open and was sitting at her desk when a man entered the store wearing a blue and gray flannel shirt, a ball cap pulled down just above his eyes, and a blue-and-white bandana around his face.
Dew said he brandished a small black handgun and demanded money, threatening to kill her if she didn't cooperateTHE REST OF THE STORY

We now have a fewIrish Event photos for you to look at here

LEPRECHAUNS, SHAMROCKS, THE PARADE, AND MORE...
Story by TERESA N. SETTLE Tennessee Express News Writer
videoby MIKE DAVIS * The town of Erin, Tennessee, located in HoustonCounty, waits all year long for their big day--the third Saturday in March--the Irish Celebration. * This year's 45th annual event dawned bright and clear, even though it was a little chilly, but the crowds proved larger than ever, and the weather warmed up to about 50 so that everyone could enjoy the parade, the carnival, the craft booths, and all of the food. * This year's theme may have been longer than ever, but was definitely appropriate: * "Leprechauns, Shamrocks, and all we adore;

FOR THE REST OF IRISH CELEBRATION NEWS

GO HERE

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WE THE PEOPLE

clipped from www.clarksvilleonline.com Do you have what it takes to become a citizen? By Bill Larson | July 4, 2007 When immigrants want to become Americans, they must take a civics test as part of their naturalization interview before a Citizenship and Immigration Services (INS) officer. The questions are usually selected from a list of 100 sample questions that prospective citizens can look at ahead of the interview (though the examiner is not limited to those questions). Some are easy, some are not. We have picked some of the more difficult ones. NOTES: The INS plans to revise its list of questions in 2008 (a pilot program is using these new questions at selected INS s

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MOTORCYCLE, CAR ENTHUSIASTS
BRAVE HEAT TO FIND’07 WINNERS

LIGHTING UP THE CUMBERLAND 2007, Part Three


By TERESA N. SETTLE
Tennessee Express News Writer
* The annual Cumberland City Lighting Up the Cumberland just wouldn’t be
complete without the motorcycle show and the car show.
* In its fourth year, the motorcycle show was headed up, as usual, by K.
Hudson. He does a terrific job as chairman of the event, and this year his
wife Mary enjoyed the new location near the W.T. Thomas School because she
could sit in the shade of a tree and get a breeze every now and then.
* “I enjoy riding because you can see so much more [than when you’re in a
car],” Mary said, adding that “even the smells” are better—like that of
fresh mown grass.
* The owners of 19 spiffed-up bikes hung around talking motorcycle-talk as
the three judges—Brenda Bryant, Richard Garza, and Ron Daly—took their time
looking over every square inch of the American- and foreign-made hogs.
* Artie Tanner, Houston County’s resident walker, was proud of his ’06
Softtail Deluxe, all chromed out. His grandson Ty Tuberville rode it in the
parade prior to the motorcycle show.
* Tanner said this was the second Harley he’s ever owned, the first being
bought back in the 50’s!
* It was a 1949 74-Harley Panhead with a “suicide shifter.”
* There was also a most-unusual looking three-wheeler entered this year. It
was a 1971 Cushman Truckster with a beautifully restored wood bed.
* Brandon L. Hutchinson, the owner, lives in the Elk Harbor area of
Cumberland City.
* His business, called C-City Customs, is all about Cushman repair,
restoration, and painting.
* Of the ’71 Truckster, Brandon said, “It was in bad shape,” and it took
about a year to restore.
* For anyone interested, C-City Customs has a website: www.ccitycustoms.com.
* After the judges conferred, here’s how it all panned out:
* Best Foreign-Made motorcycle went to Brett Parker;
* In the American division, from 1983 and prior:
* First place went to Jack Jordan of Erin;
* Second place went to Brandon Hutchinson of Cumberland City; and
* Third place went to Tom Sawyer.
* In the American-made 1984 to present:
* First place went to Matthew Mullins of Erin;
* Second place went to Matt Hylemon; and
* Third place went to Rick Keel.
* The coveted “Best of Show” trophy, handmade as usual by Rick Boyd, was
taken home this year by Matthew Mullins.
* Mullins, who is 69, had a beautiful red-and-black 2007 Harley-Davidson
Dinah Screaming Eagle bike. He bought it last November from Appleton’s in
Clarksville.
* Sporting 110 cubic inches, Mullins swears this is his last bike. Retired
from Magnum, he rides two or three times a week.
* He and his wife Patsy, who works for Houston County Board of Education,
reside in Erin.
* Meanwhile, over at the car show, car-enthusiasts rallied to see who would
take home the best of show there. Newt Wallace always does a great job
organizing the cars.
* He said the 19 participants this year would each get to go home with a
plaque, since they had one for the top 25 entrants.
* Newt was also excited about the new location near the W.T. Thomas school.
“I think it’s a lot better,” he said, “not on that hot asphalt.”
* This year’s judges were Ray Elliott and Gary Beckner.
* Best of Show ended up going to Doug Howard; and Best Interior went to Rick
Cook of Stewart.
* Every year there are also three other awards given out as picks from the
Cumberland City Mayor, Police Department, and Fire Department.
* The mayor’s award went this year to Junior and Betty Miller of Dover. The
mayor had obviously struggled before making that choice. “I’m torn,” he
said, describing the struggle after looking at so many beautifully restored
antique and sports cars.
* The Millers had a red-and-white 1955 Ford Crown Victoria.
* Cumberland City’s Chief-of-Police Jason Gillespie handed over his award to
Ernie Hambley, who had a beautiful 1959 Cadillac Series 62.
* The fire department’s award went to Ray James, who had just finished
restoring a 1965 red convertible Ford Mustang with a white top.
* After the car show judging, some attendees took the opportunity to find
somewhere cool to rest and rejuvenate, while others went back to the
downtown area for the various local entertainers, booths, or food.

* Stay tuned for more coverage of “Lighting Up the Cumberland - 2007” with
the following stories brought to you by erintennessee.com:
MORE PHOTOS Read more!

CANNON FIRES IN CUMBERLAND CITY
FOR FIRST TIME IN 140 YEARS

By TERESA N. SETTLE
Tennessee Express News Writer
* The loud “boom” was over in a split second, but it echoed along the banks
of the Cumberland River for much longer, as Cumberland City Mayor Whitey
Vaughn proudly declared, “That’s the first cannon shot heard in Cumberland
City since 1865.”
* The time was 10:07 a.m. last Saturday, June 30. It was heard during the
opening ceremonies for the “Lighting Up the Cumberland – 2007.”
* The cannon fire was orchestrated off the banks of the Cumberland River by
the Porters / Baxter Battery, a company of Civil War re-enactors with local
(Tennessee Ridge) ties.
* According to Mayor Vaughn, the story goes that there’s a tree in the
Methodist Church yard that had the top of it blown out during the Civil War.
* He described the tree as 22 feet, 8 inches around. Not only that, but
Cumberland City has more Civil War stories.
* “There’s a gun boat that sunk about in line with Bradley Street,” the
mayor said. “It’s still there. Nobody’s ever dug it up.”
* Tennessee Ridge resident Jimmy Steppee said his battery set up camp on
Friday night on the banks of the Cumberland, and they brought along a cannon
to be fired at various times throughout the day.
* The morning firing was timed to go off during the opening ceremonies,
Steppee said.
* Prior to the cannon fire, Richard Garza, the minister of Cumberland City
Church of Christ, opened the event with a prayer of invocation, and Don
Williams sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
* After the cannon fire, Stewart County Mayor Rick Joiner welcomed everyone.
* “On behalf of Stewart County, we want to thank Cumberland City for putting
on this special event,” Mayor Joiner said, adding that Cumberland City
officials work very hard leading up to that day.
* “They sell a lot of schnitzel and catfish to make this happen,” he said.
* Next, the mini-parade made its way down Main Street, complete with
children riding bicycles, scooters, or battery-powered kiddie cars,
including a mini John Deere gator. Parents also pulled their young toddlers
in decorated wagons.
* The Cumberland City Police Chief Jason Gillespie led off the regular
parade, which seemed smaller this year than several years past. Of course,
last year’s parade seemed exceptionally long because it was a political
year, and lots of politicians came bearing gifts then.
* This year if it weren’t for local fire trucks, motorcycles, and tractors,
there wouldn’t have been much to look at.
* The American Red Cross Disaster Services, serving Fort Campbell,
Montgomery, Stewart and Houston Counties, participated in the parade,
followed by a float carrying the Lighting Up the Cumberland Royalty.
* Various motorcycle riders participated, including Erin’s own Ray Elliott.
Seeing him on a bike pretty much let everyone know that the Houston County
Rec Club’s large locomotive float would not be seen this year.
* Old and sporty cars participated, including Mustangs and Chevys, before
the parade of tractors made its way downtown.
* There were McCormick Farmalls and lots of John Deeres.
* Cumberland City Church of Christ had a wagon full of members waving
patriotic flags, and a couple of Confederate couples walked down the hill as
well.
* Cumberland City’s own mail carrier brought up the rear of the parade.

* Stay tuned for more coverage of “Lighting Up the Cumberland - 2007” with
the following stories brought to you by erintennessee.com:
MORE PHOTOS

Part One: Another Great Event
Part Two: Opening Ceremony, Cannon-fire & Parade
Part Three: Motorcycle & Car Shows
Part Four: Vendors
Part Five: Civil War Re-enactors & FireworksMORE PHOTOS Read more!

CUMBERLAND CITY HOLDS
ANOTHER GREAT EVENT
By TERESA N. SETTLE
Tennessee Express News Writer
* The fifth annual Cumberland City celebration of the Independence Day
holiday was another success story. Even though the event had its setbacks --
threat of rain, daytime heat, and a small parade – the event was enjoyed by
all in attendance, from start to finish. The opening ceremonies began at 10 a.m., with Cumberland City Mayor Whitey
Vaughn welcoming those in attendance who lined up as usual along Main
Street, but vendors had been arriving and setting up since the crack of
dawn.
* A mini-parade, the regular parade, a civil war re-enactment camp,
amusement park & games, arts, crafts, and vendors, along with musical
entertainment throughout the day, made the day fly by as everyone looked
forward to the big fireworks display off the banks of the Cumberland River.
* At noon there was the fourth annual motorcycle show judging, followed by
the car show at 1 p.m.
* Many people found it a good time to go home to cool off, but by late
afternoon, Cumberland City was bustling again with people browsing the
booths and eating.
* Shortly after 9 p.m., Pyro Shows presented the fireworks display, which,
by the sound of the crowd, was even better than last year.

* Stay tuned for more coverage of “Lighting Up the Cumberland - 2007” with
the following stories brought to you by erintennessee.com:

Part Two: Opening Ceremony, Cannon-fire & Parade
Part Three: Motorcycle & Car Shows
Part Four: Vendors
Part Five: Civil War Re-enactors & FireworksMORE PHOTOS

Read more!

CHRISTMAS FUNNIES

Santa is watching, please don’t do anything to embarrass him.

Christmas spirit is a mysterious force that causes people to max out their
credit cards.

I’m dreaming of a white Christmas - so wake me up if I start shoveling the
driveway.

I believe in Santa Claus, but Santa believes in Toys R Us.

Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth -- gift horses have terrible breath.

You can’t string more lights outside than your redneck neighbor -- don’t
even try.

The best things come in small packages, so why do large packages look so
much better under the Christmas tree?

There’s no place like home for the holidays -- but I’d still rather go to
Hawaii.

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. For the rest of the year
you are on your own.

There’s nothing as good as an old-fashioned Christmas, except maybe a
new-fangled electronic toy.

Here comes Santa Claus -- tracking soot all over the rug again.

If you forget to leave cookies & milk, Santa also accepts VISA.

The closer we get to Christmas, the longer the kid’s “I want” list becomes.

You will always get the most Christmas cards from the people you forgot.

If you can’t remember where you hid the Christmas presents, ask the kids.

If mother’s way is best, let her assemble the bicycle.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow – in other words - Let it slush, let
it melt, let it freeze!

Regardless of the laws of physics, the living room shrinks when you put up a
Christmas tree.

A perfectly symmetrical tree will always be lopsided when you get it home.

If it weren’t for dry fruitcake, what would we have to complain about?

The Christmas lights always work perfectly until you put them on the tree.

If you find the perfect gift, you can depend on it being half-price after
Christmas.

The more you clean house, the larger the wrapping paper storm on Christmas
morning

It’s easy to wrap a prefect gift, especially if you let the department store
do it.

The harder you are trying to diet, the greater the likelihood you’ll get
candy as a gift.

Of course, I’ve been good -- but don’t quote me on that.

Christmas is for children, but you better get your spouse something anyhow.

Christmas comes but once a year, but the bills come every day but Sunday.

Whoever said Christmas is a time of joy, obviously didn’t have any relatives
visiting..

Remember, it’s the thought that counts-- so why do we look for a price tag?

Famous last words -- I have plenty of time left to shop before Christmas.

By Sheila Moss – Humor Columnist
Read more!

SANTA SHOWS UP IN THE ‘NICK’ OF TIME!!!

By TERESA N. SETTLE
Tennessee Express News Writer

* Some area residents may have been a wee bit disappointed that Santa Claus
didn’t make it into the Erin Christmas parade, but those who stuck around
afterward for the annual Christmas tree lighting in the Betsy Ligon Park got to
see him.
* The Chamber-sponsored event was kicked off with great holiday music by the
Houston County High School / Middle School Band.
* “I am so proud we got Mr. Whitt,” said Chuck Blakely during the band’s
opening Christmas melody. “He is sincerely interested in all the kids.”
* The band did sound great, with a variety of woodwind, horn, and percussion
instruments. There were clarinets, a piccolo, saxophones, baritones, trumpets,
French horns, snare drums, bass drums, bongos, and even lyre bells.
* Band members looked festive in Santa hats as they were introduced by Houston
County Area Chamber of Commerce President Becky Averitt.
* Averitt said the band had won several awards recently and even participated
in state competitions for the first time in 25 years. For being the sole
marching band in the parade, they also took home a nice trophy to add to their
collection.
* Band Director Matt Whitt said the musicians had been practicing for about a
month in preparation for three Christmas parades–one last week in Dover, the
one this week, and one next week in Clarksville.
* The middle and high school bands also invites everyone to their annual
Christmas concert Thursday, Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in the HCHS forum.
* Crowds seemed enraptured by the band’s version of “The Holiday Chorus” from
Handel’s Messiah.
* After the music, Averitt spoke to an expectant crowd who eagerly held tickets
to win a country ham. The Chamber, along with numerous businesses and
individuals, sponsored the give-away of 26 country hams and other giveaways.
* Averitt said that last year several people in the same family won hams, so
she asked that this year only one country ham be claimed during the giveaway by
a family.
* Little Sarah Clark, age 7, wasn’t at all interested in the ham giveaway. She
had other things on her mind.
* “I’m waiting on Santa Claus, because I like seeing him,” she said.
* She wasn’t alone. Her younger brother Alex, age 5, and her younger sister
Emily, age 3, seemed excited, too.
* When asked what she wanted for Christmas this year, little Sarah, wrapped in
a Christmasy red-and-green blanket and wearing a pink stocking cap complete
with ball, said she wanted a “Wiggly Water Baby.”
* “We haven’t mailed our letters out [to Santa],” she said. When asked if she
had been a good girl this year, the second grader replied, “Uh huh.”
* After Erin Mayor Rhyne Largent officially lit the Christmas tree, Santa Claus
made his appearance, to the delight of wide-eyed children.
* Erin Police Chief Tommy Parchman was instrumental this year in the selection
of the “mystery” Santa, although during the event he was unavailable for
comment. (Ho! Ho! Ho!)
* Mrs. Claus, also known as Mary Jean Reynolds of Mitchum’s Drug Store, helped
organize the line of children waiting to see St. Nick.
* As the ham and other giveaways came to a close and the line to see Santa
dwindled, the crowds braving dropping temperatures headed for home.
* It’s official... the Christmas season has arrived in Houston County.
* Merry Christmas!

* Stay Tuned for More Holiday Stories...
* “Tis the season for Bell Ringers”; and
* “Horse and Carriage Rides in Erin prove romantic, nostalgic, fun for all”

* Tennessee Express News Writer Teresa N. Settle may be reached by e-mailing “redwriter@hctn.net.”

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