I really did not know what was starting when Carolyn Leach's recent announcement to the City Council, "I am Jellico" was reported. In keeping with such an exalted position, I jokingly declared to a media representative that we would need to begin calling her "Miss Jellico" in keeping with her newly self-proclaimed station in life. (I realized that "Miss I Am Jellico" would be more accurate but it just doesn't have the ring to it that such a title deserves.)
But as I wrote in my last article, just the mention of the "Miss Jellico Pageant" that was held here for many years and brought both state and national attention for some of our girls has really sparked interest. I have had folks inquiring as to what it would take to restart the Pageant and some ladies working at one of our banks are definitely interested in doing just that as part of our Fourth of July activities. As I understand it, they would possibly work in association with the Jellico High School Alumni Association to restart the activity. Some appropriate award would be given to the winner to include even the possiblity of a college scholarship. The activity would need to find and utilize some suitable area building.
That sure sounds great and both Tourism Director Jake Bennett and I have committed our assistance and although I cannot speak for the Tourism Commission, I am sure those folks would be in favor. A lot of details would have to be dealt with by the prospective sponsors since the Fourth this year falls on a Monday which could present problems in scheduling. But such problems can always be worked out with everyone working together.
The reigning "Miss Jellico" always crowned the newly selected "Miss Jellico" but that just does not appear suitable in our current situation since the title "Miss I Am Jellico" is just not the same and was not selected by a panel of qualified judges but instead was self appointed. Maybe we can call the last true "Miss Jellico" home who was correctly chosen by such a panel. (The entire thing just once again serves to prove that good can come from someone and something that clearly did not have that in mind when the statement was made.)
On an entirely different note, did you watch the Super Bowl on television this year? Although millions did, reports had the number of viewers down by something like four percent which translates to an awful lot of folks who did not tune in for the game this year that watched last year's contest. And that reduced number was probably becasue so many people indicated that they did not care one way or the other who would come out on top (excepting of course those who had something wagered on the outcome which was an awful lot of folks too - not to mention a massive amount of money.)
One of the national Internet Services did a survey as to how many people most enjoyed the game and how many just watched for the entertainment at halftime - which was far better than last year. But a better choice for a possible response would have been how many enjoyed the pre-game ceremony and the commercial sponsored by Budweiser Beer.
The pre-game had an extremely impressive choral group made up of cadets from all service academies to sing the national anthem. And prior to the singing, veterans of World War II, our "greatest generation", were brought front and center including at least one who was wearing the Congressional Medal of Honor. I have always wanted to meet a Congressional Medal of Honor winner but to the best of my knowledge, I have never had that privilege. ( Our now deceased former librarian at Jellico High School, Dr. Wadie Moore, was a highly decorated veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and he once attended a national convention of similar veterans. He returned with a five dollar bill for me that had been autographed by a CMH recipient. And Jenny and I passed an automobile on the highway in Oklahoma two years ago while on vacation that bore the special license plate designating a CMH. They are very few since it's true that most CMH's are awarded posthumously.)
The entire pre-game was very moving. And the Budweiser commercial was equally moving. It opened in an apparrent airport waiting room filled with people. All at once our troops arriving back home came into the area. The applause was started by someone that quickly spread throughout the building and grew louder and louder as the troops marched by. You could see the pride in their faces and you could equally see the true gratitude in the faces of those applauding them. There was no attempt at all to sell beer or any product and the commercial ended with a big "THANK YOU" and just a quick shot of the Anheuser-Busch logo to designate the sponsor.
And that reminds me of something I have wanted to do for some time now and that is to ask all business places in our downtown and on our main arteries into town to erect and display American flags such as those that are already displayed by several. Flying our country's flag is always very appropriate and it is especially appropriate at this time to honor so many who are giving their lives to insure the continuance of our liberty. Displaying the flag in their honor is one small way to express our appreciation for their sacrifices.
There are few prettier sites than the American flag waving in a good breeze and they will also add to our city's flags placed on utility poles for holidays and special observances.
In the "say it ain't so Joe" department, did you see the announcement that Pontiac is discontinuing its Bonneville line - a car that many of us remember well from our high school and post high school days? And that follows closely on the heels of Oldsmobile's earlier announced intention to end production of that classic car that was as American as apple pie and one that dated all the way back virtually to the beginning of automobiles.
There are some traditions that should never end and that includes both the Oldsmobile and the Pontiac Bonneville. There have been hundreds of automobile makes to leave the scene down through the years and I guess that we can just expect more to do so in the future. But we sure don't have to like it - and especially if they are falling victim to foreign imports. Apparently though, it was the SUV and other currently popular similar models that did in the Bonneville.
The music and entertainment that will be provided by Larry Meadors and Bill Rigney in the Tramell Building Conference Room (central traffic light) on Saturday night, February 19th promises to be BIG doings. There is no admission, free catered food will be available and prizes will be awarded. Folks had better get there early since only about 100 seats are available.
Final note: The flu and other viruses that we have been experiencing have sure caused a lot of misery for an awful lot of folks, closed schools and threaten to even close some businesses. But as written above, there often is good that comes from the bad.
My office at Boston Elementary School is located next to our school nurse's station and during our recent outbreak of flu and flu-like symptoms, we have had an almost steady stream of students to the station. While they are there waiting to see the nurse, our pre-school, kindergarten and first grade students come into my office to inquire about how my fractured ankle is doing. And almost without exception they want to hug me and in their own sweet way, to wish me a speedy recovery.
Do I return the hugs and take the chance on getting a bug from them? You can bet on it! It's not part of what they pay me to do but there are some things that money just cannot compensate. It's worth taking a chance on having days of gosh awful discomfort to experience the wonderful feeling that their hugs and expressions of concern bring to an otherwise dreary day brought on by seeing so many ill children.
I guess the advancing years mellow us all and make us much more sentimental - especially after we have grandchildren of our own. But I am very, very thankful that I have had the opportunity to meet, love and be loved by such a great bunch of kids attending our school.
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