I reported last week on what a great Fall Fest we had in Jellico this year. And I cited several folks from out of town who stated that they had had a great time - although I was not always sure of the correct spelling of their names.
And I received an e-mail from Brenda Dornacher, Cincinnati, Ohio who wrote: "I sure did enjoy myself at this year's Fall Fest. My lips were frozen for four hours after eating all that delicious Mayfield Dairy Farm ice cream. The motorcycle ride, the be-boping to the tunes, and horseback riding were great. I just thoroughly enjoyed the entire event. You are doing a great job of revitalizing Jellico. It was a pleasure to meet you and your wife. I am looking forward to next year's Fall Fest. Thanks for a wonderful time. Thanks and may God Bless you."
Thank you for the nice compliments Brenda. They are very encouraging as to the progress we are making in bringing Jellico back to a vibrant town once again. But I only attempt to offer leadership and the hard work is actually being done by an awful lot of other folks including Jake Bennett who organized and conducts the event. And it is crucial that we have both the citizen involvement and teamwork we currently have if we are going to succeed.
One lady told me that some were considering having a special plaque prepared for Jenny commemorating the fact that she was the first mayor's wife to milk a cow. I assured her that many years ago, every mayor's wife probably milked cows. In fact in those days, they probably churned the milk into butter, fed chickens, slopped hogs, gathered eggs, etc..
She then said that they might yet get one stating that Jenny was the first mayor's wife to publicly milk a cow at the Fall Fest.. That is true but its also equally true that she actually is the only mayor's wife to ever milk a cow at the Fest. I have been in office since Jake first started that activity four years ago.. However in milking with both hands, she even shocked some of the old timers there who said that they had never seen that before. From all reports, she had milk flying in two directions at the same time. Now that's an outstanding achievement - I think!)
In a more serious vein and speaking of out of town correspondence. Jake recently received a letter from Clarence L. Eckstein, Celina, Ohio, now 81 years old, who visited Jellico sometime back and was helped by Jake to locate some folks who remember the horrible troop train wreck of July 6, 1944.. The train that plunged into the Clearfork River killed an badly injured many soldiers on board. Eckstein survived only to later be wounded in action in Europe when he was struck by machine gun fire.
Following Eckstein's visit to Jellico so many years later, Jake did an article in the Christian Journal-Leader that was later picked up by the Celina Daily Standard..
In his letter to Jake, he stated, "It has sure been an exciting time for me since my visit to Jellico. Your article about me in the Journal-Leader was sent by my son to the wesite
www.drwebman.com/trooptrainwreck.
It sure brought a lot of attention to my family……………..Thank you for your hospitality and I hope to be able to visit again some time. I have had several phone calls from some who were on the train and from relatives of some who are no longer alive. Thanks and God Bless."
Clarence L. Eckstein clbex@adelphia.net
I highly recommend everyone pay an immediate visit for breakfast or lunch (or both) to the new coffee shop, "A Common Ground" located at 259 Broad Street.. First of all, the work that has been done to the second floor of that building is going to really surprise you and clearly demonstrates what can be done to restore our old/historic buildings. And a friendly, family type atmosphere is immediately evident upon entering.
Secondly, if you are looking for a light yet delicious meal, you are going to love the food and drinks. Everything is good but let me personally recommend the chicken Caesar wrap. I ate several of their free sample wraps but then purchased one wrap and ate it in the shop because I was too embarrassed to keep putting them away without paying. And then I bought two more to take home - and my grandson and I made short work of them as well.
The shop is especially convenient for those working in the downtown area but there were people from all over during the open house and official opening. And I heard nothing but compliments for what those folks have been able to accomplish. (The shop will be open Tuesday through Saturday. 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Closed on Sunday and Monday.)
And the activities continue in our downtown. I understand that a gigantic "City's Pig Roast" is now planned for Veterans Park on Saturday, November 5th starting at 5:00 PM.. The special activity will be sponsored by the Christian Journal Leader, WJJT Radio, Courier Journal, and City of Jellico Department of Tourism.. There will be free food and local entertainment.
And don't forget the Ceremony at the Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day, November 11th..
That is the date for the name of SSgt Barton Siler who was killed in Iraq, to be added to the monument honor roll plaque of servicemen and women killed in action.
The Veterans Memorial Committee plans a patriotic program and expects to have Congressman Lincoln Davis present as well as several other dignitaries from out of town. It will be a good opportunity for all of us to demonstrate our gratitude to our troops and our veterans.
It's Jellico High School Homecoming weekend. The schedule listed on the website indicates that it is subject to change. But as of Friday, October 7th, the following activities were listed for this weekend:
FRIDAY
Note: I was asked by representatives from the class of 1965 to remind all members of that class's 40th year reunion. SATURDAY, October 15th in the Community Conference Room near the central traffic light (site of the old and new Tramell Buildings) 6:00 PM
While discussing the positive things that we have going on in Jellico, I do not want to fail to mention our local Senior Citizens Center. Annette Daugherty replaced Joyce Hicks as Director after Hicks left the Center in July.. Daugherty writes:
"Although our daily attendance has increased, we would appreciate any news you can help us get out in Jellico and surrounding areas. We serve lunch and have many activities on our monthly calendar. We welcome anyone age 60 and over. We're open from 8:30 AM -12:30 PM.
If anyone is interested they can contact the Center at 784-9041 or stop by and see us. Thank you for your support and we hope to see you at some of the activities including the covered dish suppers that we have".
Thank you for the invitation Annette. And I used to be able to make some of those suppers before I began wearing so many different hats that keep me busy literally most of the time. But I can attest to the fact that they are good - very good. And I can also verify that the Center offers movies, Bible study, exercises, walks in the park, ping pong, dinner carryouts, computer training, bingo as well as offering other services such a flu shots. Senior citizens who do not participate are missing out on some good fellowship, fun and food (something near and dear to my heart).
In answer to a lot of inquiries: Pending Council approval at our monthly meeting on Thursday, October 21st, "Trick or Treating" this year will be conducted on Halloween that falls on Monday, October 31st.. Hours will be 5:00 PM - 7:30 PM..
With recent happenings including the Tsunami, hurricanes, earthquakes, war on terrorism, brutal crimes being committed etc., a lot of Biblical scholars see signs that we are nearing the end of time and the destruction of the world.
Now we are faced with the distinct possibility of the Avian flu that according to doctors and scientists, has not yet mutated to the point that it can pass from human to human. So far it has gone from birds and poultry (hence the name "avian") to humans rather than from humans to humans - although viruses have the ability to "mutate" into different forms that do possess that ability. And should that happen - and it does reach the point of spread by humans - then the world will face a danger far greater than even the possibility of the use of nuclear weapons.
I have been greatly interested in this particular flu virus since I first head about it months and months age because it is said to be very similar to the Spanish flu virus that in 1918-'19 sickened and killed millions of victims in this country and caused possibly up to 100 million deaths worldwide. I have written about that flu outbreak several times previously because my grandmothers and mother who experienced it often talked about it when I was a very young boy.
Towns and cities became virtual "ghost towns" as residents fled for less populated areas.
It was very different in that it usually did not kill those who were already sick when they contacted it or the elderly or young children. In fact there were few who died over the age of 40 years. Apparently young people had very strong, active immunity systems that fought the virus. As the immunity bodies fought, they produced fluid that collected in the lungs until the point where the victim could no longer take oxygen in to the lungs - thereby literally drowning.
I leave you on a somewhat lighter note:
Around schools, the word "ability" is as common as "recess". And to emphasize that
fact, one of our very youngest students at Boston Elementary recently announced that someone she knew had a new baby that was born, "with its ability cord wrapped around its neck"!
But that was topped by one of her fellow students who reportedly shockingly asked, "Do new babies really have extension cords?" (You know she's pretty smart! When you get to thinking about it, they really do have extension cords when they are born! After all there are different kinds of extension cords.)
E-mail me at: mayor@jellico.tn.us
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