Singing Waiter Steals the Show

Story by Teresa N. Settle
Photos by Mike Davis

Erin Rotarian Phil Averitt stole the show Thursday night, Nov. 6 at the annual Rotary Spaghetti Dinner and Auction when he belted out the tunes for “Rocky Top” and “The Lollipop Kids” (from the Wizard of Oz), not to mention giving a spectacular Tarzan yell to the delight of over 100 area residents in attendance. Averitt, an avid Alabama fan, was coerced into singing the chorus of “Rocky Top,” by a special $50 donation taken up among the diners.
The event started out like all regular Rotary meetings: with the recitation of the four-way test (led by Rotarian Ken Douglas) and the Pledge of Allegiance. Rotarian Bruce McMillan then invited dinner attendants to join with the “Rotary A cappella Choir” as they sang “God Bless America.” The Rev. Harriett Bryan said the blessing before Erin Rotary President Linda Bratschi welcomed everyone to the event, one of the club’s top fundraisers for the year.
Ticket-holders enjoyed salad, spaghetti with a choice of sauces, Italian bread, and a wide range of desserts. And best of all was the service…
Rotarians pulled the duty of waiting on tables, decked out in white aprons and tall white chef hats. An added benefit was that they were “singing” waiters… taking requests (for an additional $5.00).
Topping off the evening was an auction of items that netted quite a haul, all for good causes, like scholarships, the Rotary park (next to the middle school), clothing, food, and toy drives.
“It’s just a fun night,” stated President Bratschi, describing the event as waiters hustled from table to table, taking drink orders and delivering the food.

Singing Waiters…
Waiting on tables were Rotarians Dr. Jim Branson, Russ James, Tim Cleghern, Jeff Rye, Phil Averitt, Donnie Simmons, Dana Miller (filling in for Judge Sid Vinson who was delayed in Dover), Mitch Mitchum, and Ray Fussell. Other Rotarians also helped out with food, drinks, desserts, and by taking song requests.
While Rotarians may be known for their “service” to others, their singing is another story…
Still, there were numerous requests throughout the evening. Russ James kicked things off nicely by serenading his table with an old college alma mater (something to the effect of My gal’s a hullaballu).
Tim Cleghern really shook things up when he donned Elvis glasses and sideburns to sing a special request made by Scott Bratschi: “I’m a little teapot.” Cleghern thrilled the audience with body movements to mimic the handle and the spout on the teapot as well.
Bratschi, who spurred other requests, said, “I always heard about Tim’s voice. It was more than I expected.”
Bratschi’s dad added that Tim must have gotten his singing from his momma.
Donnie Simmons was asked (i.e. ordered by another $5.00 request) to sing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.”
A nice duet was performed by Mitch Mitchum and Ray Fussell as they belted out “Sweet Home Alabama.” (You guessed it, they’re really UT Vols fans!)
Then Phil Averitt thrilled the crowd with “Rocky Top,” “The Lollipop Kids,” and the Tarzan yell.
Next, Gina Bell rivaled Tanya Tucker as she sang “Delta Dawn.”
“Mary Had a Little Lamb” was… well, sort of sung… by a trio of Billy Ray Cleghern, Webb Mitchum, and Beck Alsobrooks.
Jeff Rye, who works for MLEC, was asked to sing “I am a lineman for the county,” which he had no trouble doing.
Then Bell and Dana Miller sang “You are my sunshine.”
During the auction, one last request was put to Judge Sid Vinson to sing “I’m a little teapot.” His rendition, though not as demonstrative as that of Cleghern earlier, was, nonetheless, hilarious.

Top bidders…
Bidding was fierce at times, funny at times, and downright breathtaking at other times, but all for a good cause. Top bidders (spending $50 or more) were:
* Sylvia Vinson, who bought a Playtime Wonder Doll Set for her granddaughter Kyran (who was also present);
* Grant Gillespie, who paid $255 for end zone tickets to the Titans vs. Colts game. (He dualed it out with Rotarian M.J. McMillan on the bidding.)
* Randy Baggett, who paid $120 for season basketball tickets for Austin Peay games. He later purchased a full-size quilt handstitched by Houston Countians in green, brown, tan, and yellow, for $160;
* Lori Pendergrass, who purchased a beautiful handstitched framed Erin railroad picture done by Donna Carson, for $55. Pendergrass later grabbed an antique-looking pie safe for $110;
* Barbara Alsobrooks, who got a beautiful full-sized quilt in lovely shades of mint greens, creams, and pinks, for $260;
* Randy Gill (the auctioneer himself) who walked away with an autographed Titans football for $85;
* Ruth Herrington, who pocketed a collection of the first 25 state quarters, for $50;
* Russ James, who salivated over a country ham to the tune of $65;
* Becky Averitt, who got a red berry Christmas tree for $55;
* M.J. McMillan, who gave $130 for two Titans tickets with parking to the Titans vs. Buffalo game in December on the 35-yard-line five rows back;
* Art Sloan, who lugged home a 20-inch color TV for $135;
* Bruce McMillan, who bid on an elaborate Christmas sleigh floral arrangement for $60;

Other bidders…
With so many items to choose from, no one had to go home empty handed, or with empty pockets. Plenty of items were up for grabs, and lots of attendees got exceptional value for their money, spending less than $50. Even Miss Houston County (Nikki Wilburn) bid on and got a fall wreath for just a few bucks.
Young Megan Rye couldn’t resist yelling “I want it! I want it!” as a Celtic Cow Parade Collectible, green with gold accent, was put on the auction block. Needless to say, she got it!
And another neat bidding occurrence happened when several people started bidding competitively on a stenciled poem ready for framing entitled “Frettin.” Jimmy Felts made the top bid on it at $30 for Highers, Koonce and Associates. Then he turned around and donated it back to the Rotary Club to be auctioned off again. Teresa Mitchell took it home the second time for $27.50.
In all, there were pictures, books, trinkets, floral arrangements, wreaths, autographed sports memorabilia, knives, candles, vases, throws, pictures, prints, and more, that were auctioned off for a good cause.

Door Prizes
To break up the evening’s entertainment and auction, Rotarians also kept attendants throughout the evening in the hopes they would win a door prize. Lucky winners were: Linda Smithey, Kristy Hinson, Nikki Wilburn, Rhonda Nolen, Lori Oldham, Faye Mobley, Brad Averitt, and Becky Averitt.

Erin Rotary
The Rotary Club meets every Tuesday at noon at Erin United Methodist Church. Officers, along with Bratschi, are Vice President Russ James, Secretary-Treasurer Anne Baggett, and Sargent at Arms Phil Averitt. On the Board of Directors are Jim Branson (Recorder), Donnie Simmons, Sid Vinson, Drew Taylor, and Yvette Gillespie.

How you can get involved…
Erin Rotary Club is currently collecting food and toys for needy families for the holidays. There is a display and collection bins inside Erin City Hall, or you may contact Beck Alsobrooks to donate food, or Gina Bell to donate toys. According to President Bratschi, this year’s theme is “Lend a Hand,” and the local club is doing their part. Rotary International is celebrated 100 years in 2005, and the local club has been around since 1950
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Houston County is seeing stars…
Story by Teresa N. Settle

After days, weeks, and months of planning by locals here, it all came down to a two-day visit by members of a state committee who seek to certify “three-star” communities.
The result… Houston County made it.
“You’re in,” said State committee member Ronny Gaither, to a packed house at Erin City Hall for the Houston County Chamber of Commerce’s annual membership banquet.
As the crowd waited with bated breath, Gaither read an official letter declaring that Houston County had qualified as the 70th Tennessee community under the Governor’s Three-Star program.
He praised the evident cooperation of city and county government, the Leadership Houston County Alumni, and the Houston County Chamber of Commerce before stating, “You have much to be proud of,” he said. “You’re in.”
Accepting the award proudly were Randall and Kay French, for the Leadership alumni organization, Erin Mayor Rhyne Largent and City Recorder Linda Bratschi, Tennessee Ridge Recorder Nancy Cobb, Houston County Mayor George E. Clark, and Chamber President Kristi Basey.
Gaither added that he has been working with communities for over 37 years, but coming to Houston County was very refreshing.
“There is such a wonderful spirit [of cooperation and good will] here that I have not seen in probably 20 years,” he said. He also commented on some very nice, new facilities, like the Houston County jail and the new high school.

Chamber Banquet
The 2003 annual membership banquet was held Thursday, Oct. 23, at Erin City Hall, beginning at 6:30 p.m. Attendees were greeted by wonderful fall decorations, both on the exterior and the interior of the building. Area organizations had displays in the foyer to boast all that is good in Tennessee Ridge, Erin, and Houston County. Among the displays were Workforce Essentials, Erin Rotary Club, Highland Rim Economic Corporation, Erin Police Department, Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency, Houston County Lions Club, Houston County Health Council, Houston County Public Library and Friends of the Library, and the University of Tennessee’s local Agricultural Extension Service. There was even a display showing how Houston County High School received the 2002 School of the Year Award for excellence in architectural design.
All in all, it was a great night, and Houston County shown like a bright star anyway.

Presidential Remarks
As the banquet got underway, Chamber President Kristi Basey welcomed attendees and cited recent efforts of beautification, including the recent courthouse “bath,” planting of trees, and general sprucing up around town. She recognized State Senator Rosalind Kurita and State Representative John Tidwell, along with the state team here to see if Houston County qualified for the three-star award.
Team members reviewing to see if Houston County qualified included: Bill Shuff, MTIDA; Rural Development’s Tom Mayberry; Tonya Blades of Greater Nashville Regional Council; Angela Fernandez, Local Planning; Bill Edwards, Business Services; Paul LaGrange; John Henry Hedge; Anna Montgomery; Grimm Ramell; Connie Trotter, and Ronnie Gaither, of the Economic Council.
Giving the invocation before dinner was Chamber member Kathy Parchman.
After accepting the three-star award, Basey declared, “Wow, what a way to end a year as president!”

Senator Kurita speaks out
“I love Houston County,” Senator Rosalind Kurita started by saying. “This is a community that works hard together.
Always a favorite with Houston Countians, the senator continued, “Ya’ll always have some great projects going, not to mention some of the best cooks in Tennessee.”
She was referring to the prime rib dinner catered by Houston County’s own George Powell of Southernaire Restaurant.
Sen. Kurita took another moment to ask area residents to keep members of the military—and their families—in prayer. Sen. Kurita had just come from the funeral of a Ft. Campbell soldier who died in Iraq.
Rep. John Tidwell also commented on what an honor it was to attend the chamber event and to share in the news about the three-star award.
“You may not realize now, but this opens the door to you for economic opportunities,” he said.
Rep. Tidwell said he enjoyed the drive up from the south looking at the fall foliage.
“Houston County is one of the prettiest counties I have ever seen,” he added.

Auctioning for a good cause
One of the highlights of the chamber banquet each year is an auction. Houston County’s Randy Gill, assisted by his daughter Morgan, auctioned of some highly coveted items as follows:
• A pound cake made and decorated by Byde Simpson sold for a whopping $45. The high bidder was Wanda Dority.
• Randy Baggett went home with a $75 gift certificate to Southernaire Restaurant.
• Erin’s Dr. Doug Ligon grabbed Predators hockey tickets for $75.00.
• John Law thrilled his wife Adrienne when he purchased a wooden vase handmade by Benny Ferrell and donated by J.V. Averitt Lumber Company for $100.
• Bro. Robert Mitchell was the high bidder of a colorful, handmade quilt, paying $115.
• And finally, the most coveted prize of all each year… Tennessee Ridge resident Gene Parrish’s handmade duck call. After ardent bidding, Sam Fussell waddled away with it for $180. Parrish, who was present with his lovely wife Wanda, even said he would donate ten percent of his duck call proceeds between now and Christmas to the chamber.

The Evening’s Entertainment
Houston Countians were bathed with “culture” Thursday night as the group “Amadeus” performed dinner music. The quartet included three violins and a cello. The musicians hailed from surrounding communities. On the cello was Kristen Johnson of Clarksville; Violinists included Dallas Blackwell and Usha Mani of Dickson, and Lora Brown of McEwen. They played classical music and even circulated through the tables as the meal was enjoyed. Anyone wanting to book Amadeus may call Brown in McEwen at (615) 289-6954. If they mention the chamber event, she will waive the booking fee.

New Chamber Officers Inducted
As Chamber President Basey stepped down in an emotional tribute to her grandfather, and with thanks to many who had helped her this year, John Law presented the new slate of officers for the coming year.
The 2004 President is Dana Miller; Vice President is Becky Averitt; Secretary is Judy Stephan; and Treasurer is Anne Baggett. New directors added to the board include Mary Chappell, Kay French, Meridith Baggett, and Judy Stephan.
They join other board members including: Becky Averitt, Paul Bailey, Gina Bell, Linda Bratschi, Mark Carson, Ray Fussell, Robin Freeman, Russ James, John Law, Robin Lyle, Diane Lynch, Dr. Dan Martin, Bettye McKinnon, Dana Miller, Jane Parchman, Lajuana Parchman, Natalie Short, Drew Taylor, Donna Underwood, and Freda Whitaker.
The event concluded with closing remarks by upcoming Chamber President Dana Miller.
Read more!

Toy Run Triumph
Submitted by Teresa N. Settle


When 170 motorcycles roared through Houston County Saturday, Oct. 18, everybody was smiling: the bikers, the residents enjoying the show, and especially the children.
This year’s Sixth Annual Houston County Toy Run was bigger and better than ever. More bikes, a longer route, beautiful weather, more toys collected, and added events. It made for a sweet success story.
The bikes left Danville shortly after noon and traveled up Hwy. 147 to Gray’s Cross in Tennessee Ridge before turning onto Hwy. 49 to head into Erin. The 17-mile trek made by bikers ended in downtown Erin as they turned down Spring Street for the Betsy Ligon Park Pavilion.
There the cyclers, clad mostly in riding gear and black leather, parked their rides and proceeded to fill the back of a truck knee deep with toys so needy children in Houston County will have a merrier Christmas.

Erin Police Department

Erin Police Chief Tommy Parchman was very pleased with the event’s success. Chief Parchman said the event has grown in the last six years. Originally started by the Erin Police (EPD) and Fire Departments (EFD), Chief Parchman enlisted the help of a Clarksville biker organization called Bikers Who Care (BWC). Then two years later, the family of Betty Wyatt got involved to help the event.

Erin Fire Department

Erin Fire Chief David Hardin said this year’s event was a smooth ride for all involved. Not only was it longer (in previous years bikers have ridden from Tennessee Ridge’s National Guard Armory), but more bikers participated.
“The weather was fantastic,” Hardin said, and no accidents were reported.
EFD member Brian Richardson agreed about the day, reminiscing about the rain last year that caused a low turnout. Richardson said more toys were collected this year as well.
If you missed the event but would still like to contribute to the cause, the EFD will continue its Toys for Tots collection with a roadblock in Houston County on Nov. 1.

Bikers Who Care

The Clarksville BWC has been the “driving” force of this local event, bringing many out-of-town participants to the small town of Erin to help a neighbor in need. The current BWC President, Bill Langford, was on hand, as well as numerous others. BWC member Jim Scott, also of Clarksville, rode one of his two Harleys (he claims there is no other bike)), a 1979, in the run.
When asked about riding in general, Scott said bikers enjoy a better look at nature and just getting out on the road. “It’s just a thrill,” he added.
Also on hand was BWC member Booger Watson. If the name sounds familiar, it’s because the annual Bike Toy Run in Clarksville each year is in memory of Watson’s father, Leslie W. Watson.
Booger’s father was the owner of the first full-time motorcycle shop in Clarksville back in the 40’s. Following in his daddy’s footsteps, Booger builds Harleys himself. During the Erin run, Booger rode a 1946 H-D Knucklehead which he described as “radically customized.”
The bike he built has twin carbs, fat tires, a custom (low) body, and at least 25 handmade pieces. It also has a history—as the paint job will attest. Painted in the traditionally Harley colors of orange and black, it also sports a lot of silver—to represent the color of his father’s first bike—and it has lime green tips to remind Booger of the color of his first bike back in the 70s.
Booger’s wife didn’t ride in style on the back of his back, but instead styled on her own ’39 Knucklehead. A former dirt bike rider before meeting him, Susie Watson said her husband introduced her to the “awesome” world of Harleys.

Betty Wyatt Memorial Fund

The family of the late Betty Wyatt of Houston County was also on hand to participate in this year’s event. Her son, Danny, who now lives in Lavergne, said his mother loved Christmas and kids.
She used to run the local Dollar Store and after she died, her family decided to continue the tradition. It’s their fourth year to be a part of the run.
“We buy $1,000 worth of toys,” Wyatt said, along with helping to select needy families and making up Christmas baskets. Last year the Wyatt family also sponsored 20 residents at the local nursing home for Christmas. Throughout the year, they have yard sales and sponsor a dance as a fundraiser.
“It’s a lot of fun and a lot of work,” he said.

Local Bikers

Nobody seemed to get into the ride more than the local bikers. Erin resident Bruce McMillan, 74, was probably the oldest participant in the ride.
“I am more than pleased with the committee that organized this ride,” he said, “and the number of bikers with gifts and monetary contributions.”
McMillan rode a Yamaha trike, and he wasn’t alone. His young, female companion was his granddaughter, Caitlyn Walker. Walker, a fourth grader at Erin Elementary, said she had fun riding with her “poppy,” adding that he’s a safe driver. Her only complaint: “He needs to go faster!”
Carl and Pam Bland of Cumberland City are among several bikers at their Erin church, First Assembly of God, and the couple enjoys biking in their spare time. However, in Carl’s line of work—the oil field exploration business—he’s only home about a third of the time.
Pam, who works for a real estate closing attorney, said, “I think it’s a good thing for people on motorcycles to bring these toys for the needy kids of Houston County.”

Local Residents and Businesses

Young and old residents alike turned out to enjoy the food, festivities, musical entertainment, and even a first-ever auction, not to mention just walking around in the beautiful weather admiring the variety of old and new bikes—from vintage to sporty to custom.
There were loud bikes, low-down bikes, shiny chrome flashing everywhere, fancy helmets, fringe, and flames. It was a sight to behold, and area residents and business owners look forward to the annual event as well.
Gene Bell of Bell’s Florist and More said, “I think this is a wonderful event… People don’t realize how big the hearts of bikers are. Maybe this event will show it.”

In Loving Memory

The weather was great, the turnout supper, and many firsts were accomplished this year, but for Emerald Acres resident Jack Jordan, it was also a day to remember old friends.
Jordan, who has been riding for 38 years, said this year’s Houston County Toy Run was dedicated to the memory of Bill Short and Ernest Shockley.
“Ernie was the oldest member of BWC,” Jordan stated. And Short, who died last year, was Ernie’s son-in-law.
Short’s widow, Sandy, of Houston County rode this year on the back of a bike belonging to her brother-in-law, Houston Countian Sammy Mathis.

Other Sponsors

Other sponsors, along with EPD, EFD, BWC, and the Wyatt family, included the City of Erin, Coca-Cola, Houston County Printing, Images, B.J.’s Diner, Cleghern’s Piggly Wiggly, Bell’s Florist & More, Magnum Manufacturing, Wright Wrecker Service, Erin Auto Body, Houston County Tire, AmSouth, The Irish Grille, and Tennessee Ridge NAPA and ACE Hardware.

As for next year…

As for next year’s bike run, everyone was in agreement, hoping next year’s run is even bigger and better. What with this year’s success story, that just might be a tall order. But with so many fantastic sponsors, local support, and terrific participants, it will definitely be worth watching again!
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TRADITIONS BANK PHOTO NAMES

Pam Rye (Pam Rye Landscape Design & Consultation), Melinda Mitchell (VP for
Operations, Traditions First Bank), Bob Upton (VP of Marketing, T.W.
Frierson Contractors), Clint Reynolds (Traditions First Bank Board of
Directors), Joe Slate (Project Supervisor, T.W. Frierson Contractors), Tommy
Mitchell (President & CEO, Traditions First Bank), Kyle Miller (Vice
President, Traditions First Bank), Paul Moore (Traditions First Bank Board
of Directors), Jerry Reynolds (Jerry W. Reynolds, Architect), Eldon Schmidt
(Traditions First Bank Board of Directors), Tim Luppe (Sr. Project Manager,
T.W. Frierson Contractors), Phil Averitt (Traditions First Bank Board of
Directors), Drew Taylor (President Houston Co. Area Chamber of Commerce),
Beverly Nolen (Traditions First Bank Board of Directors), Becky Scott
(Consultant, Rowland Business Interiors), and Renee Rowland (President,
Rowland Business Interiors)
Read more!

Beyond the Bale: Forage Field Day Relates to both Producers and Consumers

SPRING HILL, Tenn. -- If you have ever mowed your lawn, enjoyed a steak
dinner, or suffered a fire ant sting, a University of Tennessee field day
in Middle Tennessee is an event you will not want to miss.

"Making Forages Work" is a free public event to be held June 13 at the
Middle Tennessee Experiment Station. Its purpose is to educate producers
and consumers on the importance of forage plants that are grazed or
harvested for use as animal feed. Organizers hope to inform and entertain a
broad audience.

Session topics will cover a variety of issues pertinent to livestock
producers and the forage industry, such as efficient hay equipment and
storage, mineral availability to grazing livestock, and grazing systems for
both warm- and cool-season grasses. In addition, many lectures and
demonstrations will cater to those at the top of the forage food chain.

"We want to show how forages touch all areas of livestock, extending all
the way from the farm to the fork," said Dennis Onks, superintendent of the
Middle Tennessee Experiment Station. "Forages are important to the
homeowner as well as the producer."

Visitors will benefit from session topics such as selection of lawn grass
varieties, management of fire ants at home and in pasture, and weed
identification demonstrations. A diagnostic lab, organized by UT plant
pathologist Dr. Alan Windham, will also be set up on-site, and members of
the public are invited to bring in diseased plants for expert examination.

Demonstrations will promote preparation methods for "Fruits of the Forage"
-- including beef and goat dishes -- and safe handling of meats. Visitors
will be able to taste free samples.

A fishing rodeo on the station's main pond will provide some additional
entertainment for kids of all ages. A prize will be awarded to the person
who brings in the largest bass. A state fishing license is not required for
children under the age of 12.

The event will begin at 8:30 a.m. and will finish around 3:00 p.m.
Researchers, extension agents and local vendors will remain onsite to
answer questions and greet participants.

The Middle Tennessee Experiment Station, one of 11 research facilities in
the statewide UT Agricultural Experiment Station system, is noted as the
home of the performance-tested bull program, which has been in operation
since 1972. The station performs research in forages for both beef and
dairy cattle.

The station is located on Hwy. 31, just minutes south of Nashville. Take
exit 53 from I-65. Follow the signs to Columbia on Hwy 31 with the
experiment station entrance on the east side of the highway. For more
information regarding the event, or to obtain a map, contact the Middle
Tennessee Experiment Station at (931) 486-2129.


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Contacts: Dr. Dennis Onks, (931) 486-2129
Patricia McDaniels or Keli Woodard, (865)-974-7141
Read more!

UT To Host Beef and Forage Field Day in Knoxville

KNOXVILLE, TN (April 9, 2002) -- The University of Tennessee plans to host
a Beef and Forage Field Day on Friday, June 21, at the Knoxville Experiment
Station Blount Unit.

Free to the public, the program will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a trade show.
Formal presentations will begin at 8:30.

The opening session speaker will be Lemmy Wilson of Wilson Livestock
Network, Inc., in Newport. He will discuss current trends in the beef
industry. Sessions hosted by UT experts include discussions of using
electronic identification (EID) in beef cattle management and marketing,
overseeding tall fescue with winter annuals, weed control in pastures,
synchronization of beef cows and heifers followed by fixed-time
insemination, management of the herd bull, and an overview of vaccines used
for beef cattle.

A special afternoon session will feature a live cattle demonstration. David
May, general manager of Golden Belt Feeders, St. John, Kansas, will focus
the seminar and demonstration on factors affecting feedlot cost of gain and
feeder cattle prices.

The field day will adjourn at 2:30 p.m.

The Blount Unit is located approximately 8 miles south of the intersection
of Interstate 40 and U.S. Highway 129. The field day will be held on
Singleton Station Road. A map is available on the Web at
http://web.utk.edu/~taescomm/kes/fieldday/blount.html

For more information about the field day, contact your local county
Agricultural Extension Agent or the Knoxville Experiment Station at
865-974-7201.

The Knoxville Experiment Station is one of eleven branch research
facilities in the Tennessee Agricultural Experiment Station system.

###

Contact: Patricia Clark McDaniels, 865-974-7141
Read more!

Time to Fertilize Your
Warm-Season Lawn Grasses

For Immediate Release


Fertilize Warm Season Lawns in April

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (March 22) -- April is the time to fertilize your
warm-season lawn grasses such as Bermuda grass or Zoysia.
Dr. Hugh Savoy, a University of Tennessee soil fertility specialist,
cautions to be sure and choose the right soil amendments for your specific
soil and apply them only in needed amounts. "The information needed to
correctly choose which soil amendments are needed and "how much" to apply
can only be provided through soil testing," he said. Soil testing
information is available through your county Agricultural Extension office.
Savoy also said displays are located at many garden supply stores in
Jackson, Chattanooga, Lawrenceburg and Knoxville as part of a pilot program
to reach home owners.
Savoy said the public can access the UT Soil Testing Laboratory in
Nashville. "It provides dependable service using the most appropriate
quality control measures, updated equipment, research-based fertilizer
recommendations and timely delivery of results. In fact, soil test reports
can now be received over the internet by simply providing your email
address on the Soil Testing Information sheets available at your local
county Extension office," he said.
According to Savoy, failure to apply the right amount of material is
a common problem. "Concentrated fertilizer materials are very easily and
commonly over used, resulting in increased weed and disease pressures as
well as greater potential for pollution of our surface and ground waters,"
he said. New recommendations from UT suggest exactly the right amount of
specific fertilizer materials to use per unit area of your lawn. The
information is also available through the county Extension offices.
Savoy cautions about relying on visual assessments. "For concentrated
materials it will always appear that you haven't applied enough," he said.
"While for less concentrated materials like agricultural limestone a sight
assessment will usually result in under application."
Savoy also warns that it is important to be aware of the weight of
material being applied per unit area. "Calibrate your spreader properly or
flag off areas of known size when applying lime and fertilizer materials,"
he said.

###

Contacts: Hubert J. Savoy, Jr., (865) 974-7266
Patricia Clark McDaniels, 865-974-7141


More photos Read more!

EDUCATION COST RISING AT ALARMING RATE

In the last decade, Tennessee has moved to a tuition-driven economy
for higher education. During this period, tuition revenues have risen at a
rate three and one-half times the rate of inflation, as estimated by the
U.S. Consumer Price Index (CPI). Whereas the CPI increased 45.9% during
this period, tuition revenues at UTK increased by 164%, at UT Martin by
165% and at the College of Veterinary Medicine by 229%. Increases in
tuition revenues were driven primarily by double digit percentage increases
in tuition during several years of the decade, not by significant increases
in enrollment.
"During the same period, state-appropriated funding for several UT
units increased at about 70% of the rate of inflation?increases ranged from
26% to 43%, depending on the budgetary unit. In other words, the state
began to shift the burden for funding higher education from the taxpayers
to the students. This resulted in a drop in the percentage of the state
budget allocated for higher education from about 16% to about 13%.
"The move to a tuition-driven economy in higher education in Tennessee
is having an adverse impact on non-formula units of UT, including the
College of Veterinary Medicine, the Agricultural Experiment Station, the
Agricultural Extension Service, the Institute of Public Service and the
College of Medicine and other health units in Memphis. These units receive
no revenue or a very small percentage of their budget from tuition.
Although a 10% increase in tuition raises the overall UT academic budget by
about 4%, a similar increase in tuition raises the overall budgets of the
medical units, including veterinary medicine, only by about 1%. What is
more, since UT's research and outreach units receive zero funding from
tuition, the long-term impact is that some units of our land grant
university are being severely penalized by the tuition-driven economy.
"Many of our elected officials are not aware of the serious impact
that the tuition-driven economy is having on the units of the Institute of
Agriculture and other non-formula-funded units of UT. They need to
understand that the tuition-driven economy for higher education will rob UT
and Tennessee of certain research and outreach services that have the
greatest potential to impact critical issues in the state. For example, our
statewide research programs to improve water quality, our training programs
in food safety, and our efforts to ensure safe use of pesticides are
jeopardized by lack of funding for non-formula units. UT's statewide land
grant mission cannot be sustained in a tuition-driven economy for higher
education.
from Jack H. Britt, UT Vice President for
Agriculture
University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture Read more!

Subject: This Hasn't Been Broken
Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2002 15:22:00 EST

Subject: this hasn't been broken
This has been kept alive and moving since 9/11. In memory of
all those who perished this morning; the passengers and the pilots
on the United Air and AA flights, the workers in the World Trade Center
and the Pentagon, and all the innocent bystanders. Our prayers go
out to the friends and families of the deceased.

IF I KNEW
If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.
If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.
If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.
If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.
If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.
For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.
There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"
But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.
So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,
That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.
So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear
Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.
Pass this on to others to show your support.
PLEASE DON'T BREAK IT!!!!!!
Read more!

Don't Try To Be My Sugar-Daddy!

by Dr. Bill Nieporte

When you marry a "southern girl" (like I did) you learn a
brand new vocabulary! I heard an interesting phrase
from my "southern born" wife. Commenting on a man who left
his wife for a "younger woman," Jeana said: "That woman
doesn't love him! She's just looking for a 'sugar-daddy' to
pay her credit card bills!"

Isn't that the approach many marketers take when looking to
recruit others into their business venture? How many times
a day do you get junk email from people offering (in
essence) to be your "sugar-daddy?" Here's just a few
examples of these offers in my email box for today:

"Guaranteed $90,246.00 in 60 Days or Less!"

"Let Me Build Your Downline for YOU!"

"I'll do ALL THE WORK--> YOU keep ALL the MONEY!"

"Get 10,000 in Your Downline OverNight With Our 'System!'"

"Massive Advertising About To Begin: Join Now For
Spillover!"

Aren't you sick of it?

Aren't you tired of all that *sham and scam spam* that
promises
unlimited riches, without work, virtually overnight?

It certainly bugs me. Here's why?

1. These offers appeal the lower-self.

The people who want to be your "sugar-daddy" try to entice
you to believe that that only thing that matters is the
acquisition of more wealth. For those who desire to be your
"sugar-daddy" things like ethics, values, morals, and just
plain good manners don't matter. What matters "mo money, mo
money, mo money!"

Don't you wish that somebody would appeal to your
higher-self? Don't you wish that somebody would appeal to
your desire to help, build, and create something of lasting
value? Isn't wealth earned helping others much more
enjoyable that simply getting rich? Aren't you one of those
people who still think that ethics, values, morals, and good
manners really do matter?

2. These offers also assume that you are basically lazy.

Those who want a "sugar-daddy" probably are rather lazy.
You're not, are you? Check out the truly successful
business builders in the world (both online and off) and you
will discover that they are all hard-working and industrious
individuals--and they encourage and expect that same type of
effort in their partners. These men and women realize that
building a successful business requires an honest and
consistent effort.

3. These opportunities don't work!

Here's the final problem with the "sugar-daddy" approach to
marketing. It just plain doesn't work. If you've ever been
caught up in one of these ventures, you'll know that the
only people who are getting any wealthier are the few
scoundrels at the top who thought up the darn thing.

I don't know about you, but I am tired of those
"opportunities" that don't work, aren't ethical, promote
laziness, and appeal to the darker side of human
life.
Give me something that works. Give me something that can
make a
positive difference in somebody's life.

And if you join one of my business ventures, don't sit on
you lazy rear and wait for me to do WHAT ONLY YOU CAN DO to
build your business. I will support you! I will encourage
you! I will train you! I will hold you accountable to your
commitments, goals, and ambitions. But I will definately
NOT be your "Sugar-Daddy."

Don't Try To Be My Sugar-Daddy! I don't need one! You don't
either, do you? You are a hard-working and industrious
individual who is willing to work to succeed, right? Then
here's what I invite you to do! The next time somebody
offers to "build your business for you" and "make you rich,"
tell them that you don't need a "sugar daddy!"

=========================================

You can subscribe to Bill Nieporte's popular bi-weekly
ezine: "The Success In Life Newsletter" at
http://ezinesuccess.com

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title

The Ice Cream 'Comb' Story

She was three. Just released from a far-away hospital after
life threatening brain surgery, ready to take on the world
again. I was happy just to have her back. My little "Mr. Clean"
(shaven head and hoop earrings) and me driving along to our
local mall. Hanging out with dad day. I recall her words as if
it were yesterday.

"Daddy, can I get a treat?"

As she was understandably spoiled (if there is such a thing), I
replied "ok honey, but just ONE".
Her eyes beamed like the Fourth of July in anticipation of that
something only she knew at the time.

We drove around to the new end of the mall on the normal
seek-and-destroy mission of capturing a parking place. After
all, it was Saturday. We landed a fair distance from our
destination, and began walking hand-in-hand towards the
entrance, her pace gaining momentum with each tiny step. A few
feet from the doors she broke loose and ran hands-first into
the thick wall of glass, trying with everything she had to
swing the big doors open. No luck. With a little assistance,
she 'did it' and tried the very same thing at the second set of
doors.

It was then that I asked her what she wanted for her treat.
Without hesitation, she matter-of-factly said "an ice-cream
comb from the ice-cream store". Ok, the goal was set and we
were in the mall!

But hold on! What was this? At the end of what was just an
ordinary looking lane of retail chain outlets she spied
something new- this huge fountain, water shooting who knows how
high into the air. The new goal line!

She ran, and I walked (don't ya just hate it when parents let
their kids run wild in public?), and we arrived at the
spectacle at about the same time. The turbulent noise was
almost deafening.
"Daddy, can I make a wish, can I make a wish?" she screamed as
she jumped with the kind of pure joy we've all long since
forgotten.

"Sure honey, but that will be YOUR TREAT you know" I explained
(gotta be firm with these kind of things).

She agreed.

I fumbled around in my pocket and pulled out what I think was a
dime (big spender) and placed it in her outstretched hand. She
cupped it tightly, closed her eyes and grimaced, formulating
her wish. I stared at that little scrunched-up face and said my
own kind of prayer of thanks, feeling so blessed to still have
this ball of energy in my life. And then like a shooting star,
the coin was flung into the foaming water and with it, her
wish.

We happily continued our stroll into the familiar section of
the mall. An eerie silence ensued, which I was admittedly
uncomfortable with. I couldn't resist breaking it.

"Aren't you gonna tell daddy what you wished for?"

She retorted "I wished I could get an ice-cream comb".

I just about lost it right then and there. Couldn't imagine
what the shoppers thought of this lunatic laughing
uncontrollably in the middle of a crowded mall. And needless to
say, she got her wish, and two treats.

Little did I know then that my beautiful little girl would soon
embark on a long road of seizures, surgeries, special schools,
medications and end up partially paralyzed on her right side.
She never learned to ride a bike.

Today, she is almost seventeen. She cannot use her right hand
and walks with a noticeable limp. But she has overcome what
life seemed to so cruelly inflict on her. She was teased a lot
and always struggled in school, both socially and academically.
But each year she showed improvement. She is planning a career
in early childhood education. With one year still remaining in
high school, her and I, one night not too long ago mapped out
all the courses she would need to take in community college. It
was her idea. She volunteers weekly at a local hospital, on the
children's floor. She baby-sits a neighbors children five days
a week. On her own this year, she stood outside in line for
four hours on a cold Canadian January afternoon and enrolled
herself, with her own babysitting money, into two courses she
felt she would need for college.

You see, to her failure was never an option.

It would almost be redundant for me to explain why I wanted to
share this story with you. She IS my daughter and I carry all
those fatherly biases with me wherever I go. But these aside,
she is a very exceptional person and one that I admire and have
learned a lot from.

It is my sincerest hope that her story will have even a
momentary positive impact on you as a human being, a parent, a
spouse or even, an entrepreneur.

I'd like to leave you with a closing thought. As human beings,
we deserve all the treats, and the multitude of good things
that life can offer us. We all have wishes and dreams, AND the
power to make them reality. Just simple truths of the universe.

We can wish for, and get, that ice-cream comb.

Rick is the author of 3 top-selling marketing books at:
http://www.interniche.net/ebooks.htm
as well as the purveyor of those famous I.D. IT! Plates:
http://www.iditplates.net

FINALLY, you can make great income from giving away Rick's
FREE eBook - The Articles! Every page, and every article
contains links that make money. Now they can make money for
you:
http://www.interniche.net/freebook.htm


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Blame It On the Economy and Watch Your Profits Sink
by Stan Dubin

Recently we've been hearing that our economy is slowing down,
and that we are headed for a recession. Some say we're already
in a recession.

It makes good sense to pay attention to economic indicators.
But a weakening economy should not give you a reason for your
sinking bottom line. If it does, then you may have just found
the real cause for your bottom line: blaming it on the economy.

Too often people believe the "reason" they are having a
particular problem is due to something that is happening
elsewhere (and usually outside of their control). This is
especially true in the business world. Here is an example:

Shoe Store A is doing very well until Shoe Store B opens up
across the street. Revenues decline at Shoe Store A as Shoe
Store B gets up and going. But, and this is a very important
but, to the degree that the owner (and staff) at Shoe Store A
attribute their decline in revenue to the existence of Shoe
Store B, TO THAT DEGREE they will be unable to deal with it.

Shoe Store A simply needs to step back and realize they have
new competition and take concrete steps to retain their current
customers and create new ones. Perhaps they need to streamline
their marketing and advertising effort. Maybe they actually
need to do some marketing for the first time!

The reason sales are down at Shoe Store A is not Shoe Store B.
Sales are down because Shoe Store A did not effectively shift
their own gears to keep their business afloat and prosperous.

That may sound simplistic, but when an executive or business
owner places the blame elsewhere, this very act of "placing
blame elsewhere" reduces his ability to devise effective
solutions. It actually reduces his ability to think straight,
because s/he is so embroiled in what is happening somewhere else.

"Elsewhere" is not a place that you can easily control. But you
do have complete control over what happens internally within
your business. You do have control over how efficient your
staff are. You do have control over how well surveyed your
marketing messages are. And you can control the level of care
shown to your customers.

There are countless aspects of your business that you have
control over. Those are the items that should occupy your time
and focus. Complete focus. To the degree that you assign the
source of a problem to "elsewhere", to that degree you will be
incapable of handling your own scene.

Let's look at one more example of this. A dental practice
considers it has "slow periods of the year." One such period
is the end of the year. Numerous professionals believe the
end of the year simply is not as productive as other parts of
the year. And of course they have statistics to back up this
belief. Every year, December is just very slow.

Then there is the dentist who decided he wasn't going to have a
slow December again. So, back in October and November, this
dentist figured out a few things to do for December. He reminded
his patients that most insurance companies do not allow you to
carry over unused insurance from year to year. He offered his
patients incentives to come in during the holiday season. He
just plain worked on it so that his December was not a "slow
period." The result? He now no longer believes in "slow periods"
and of course he has the statistics to back up this new belief.

You can always find statistics to match a belief. If you believe
you are going to have slow periods, you'll have them. Why
generate the insight, focus and hard work to fix something
that you know and believe is not fixable?

The same is true on a broader scale with "the economy". If you
believe "the economy" is the basis for your declining revenues,
you're in more trouble than you need to be. Anything that is
outside of your immediate control is just that: outside of your
immediate control. Put your total focus on your internal scene
and get yourself busy improving things there.

Leave "elsewhere" alone.

Stan Dubin is the author of The Small Business Success Manual.
For information on this book and a FREE business consultation,
go to: http://www.EffectiveBusinessTools.com
Read more!

Mildred Parker, 86, had no idea what lay in store for her as she answered a knock on her front door. She opened the door and a man asked her if she would like to sell her car. Mrs. Parker answered no and closed and locked the door and went back to lock the other doors in the house. The man took a broom handle and broke the glass out of the back door and entered. A scuffle ensued. Mrs. Parker tried to escape but the man drug her back in the house by the hair of her head. He demanded whatever cash she had. She gave him $500.00. The incident took on a new twist when the attacker apparently decided to make it look like Mrs. Parker had committed suicide. He made Mrs. Parker clean herself up and then, by chocking her with a cable around her neck and beating her head on the floor, he forced her to write him a two hundred dollar check. He then had her write a suicide note on the back of a checkbook. Mrs. Parker later said she held her breath and pretended to be dead. It must have worked because the man left. She lay on the floor for what she said seemed like 20 minutes, afraid he might come back. She then crawled across the entire length of the house to find a working phone. She called 911 twice not realizing that she could not hear the 911dispatcher answer because of damage to her ears. The 911 operator dispatched Officer Greenwell to the scene, as it was not uncommon for people to hang up after placing a 911 call. Officer Greenwell did not get an answer at Mrs. Parker’s front door. He went around to the back where he saw that the back door was broken. He called for back up and then entered the house where he found Mrs. Parker. Police Chief Tommy Parchman, hearing the call over the scanner went to the Parker residence and then called Officer Chad Smith at approx. 9:15. After Officer Smith arrival they decided to call TBI to do the formal investigation. Meanwhile Mrs. Parker had been transported to Trinity Hospital where she received treatment for her wounds. An officer was dispatched to the hospital to question Mrs. Parker and she gave a description of the man. From a group of photos she identified the alleged perpetrator as Rubin Conyers. Conyers was later found at his apartment were he held the Police and Sheriff’s Offices at bay for over a half hour before giving up and claiming innocence. After the police had the man in custody a search of his apartment revealed the clothing Mrs. Parker had described her assailant was wearing. They were covered with blood from where he had cut his hand as Mrs. Parker had described. At the time of this story Mrs. Parker is reported to be in good condition Read more!