Numerous local entities will be closed on Wednesday, July 4 including the Monroe County Courthouse, both Paris and Madison City Offices and the Monroe County Appeal office. 16 PAGES 50 CENTS
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The APPEAL, the oldest continuous newspaper in MONROE COUNTY, since 1867
Don Williams named Paris Lion of the Year Paris MERCURY Page 3
2012 Relay For Life of Monroe County - pictures, pictures, pictures
- - The Paris Mercury - - - - The Madison Times --
Relay For Life Pages 10, 11 THURSDAY, June 28, 2012
Appeal Deadline The Monroe County Appeal deadline for the July 5 issue will be Friday, June 30, at 4:00 p.m. VOLUME 145, NO. 26
Relay For Life raises over $24,000
Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. Those are words that hundreds of Monroe County individuals came together to speak, live and believe as they participated in the 2012 Relay For Life of Monroe County, Saturday and Sunday, June 23 and June 24, to help the American Cancer Society advance its mission to save lives, help those touched by cancer, and empower people to fight back against the disease. This year, a total of 9 county teams and more than approximately 450 plus participants took part in the Relay. The evening’s event so far has raised approximately $24,000 with some additional money still outstanding. This was a significant raise over last year’s amount. This year’s Relay chairman was Ali Rentschler. “This year’s Relay made me cry it was such a fantastic event,” said Rentschler. “I was very, very impressed with the turnout.” In the days leading up to Relay, teams help raise much-needed funds and awareness through donations, activities and fundraisers. Area cancer survivors helped kick off the event by taking part in the first lap – the survivors’ lap followed immediately by a caregivers lap. After these emotional laps accompanied by thunderous applause individuals took over the track to walk away the laps throughout the night. Chairman Ali Rentschler opened the ceremonies welcoming this year’s participants to the Relay For Life of Monroe County and this year’s theme “Colors For a Cure” and thanked everyone for attending the annual event. “I know what cancer is all about and why we are here tonight,” said Chairman Rentschler. “We can’t rest. We can’t ever give up; you guys are never going to give up (she said to the crowd).” As Paris High School Junior Sara Hunt sang the National Anthem, with the colors presented by American Legion Post 221, you could scan the crowd and see what an emotionally charged evening it was going to be. Pastor Donna Scott gave the invocation and Rentschler introduced the steering committee members. “No life is disposable at all,” said Pastor Scott. “We do not have a chairman here in Monroe County – we do this by committee,” said Chairperson Rentschler. In a moving presentation, featured speaker Joyce Penny spoke about how cancer has touched her. “Survivors symbolize the courageous struggle of all cancer patients,” said
Committee Member Donna Morgan. Louise Hollingsworth received the 2012 Hero of Hope Award from Donna Morgan. Rentschler and Committee Member Robin Adams presented the 2012 Man of the Year Award to Monroe County Appeal Publisher David Eales. “Tonight is a celebration of life and of hope,” added Rentschler. “I ask everyone here tonight to join us in the walk of life!” Becky Blackaby and Brian Yelton performed to loud raucous applause prior to the luminaria ceremony while team members walked laps around the courthouse. Each team had its own food and specialty items available for sale during the event. As the daylight faded over the participants, luminarias were lit in honor of those fighting cancer, caregivers and in memory of those who have been lost to this disease. In a moving and emotional moment, as Mary Beth Mitchell and Ellen Smothers read each name – each individual luminaria was lit. Approximately 503 luminarias helped shine through the darkness and represent the hope that one day, cancer will no longer be a major health issue. Food booths are a large part of the event and help raise money on the spot. This year’s food booths included but was not limited to: Team Lifesavers - Pulled pork sandwiches, Cole Slaw, Lee’s famous tea and popsicles. Gang Green - BBQ hamburgers with Paris Exchange Ice Cream. The Paris National Bank - Fried pickles, fried Oreos and funnel cakes. They also featured breakfast with biscuits and gravy and bacon sandwiches served after midnight. Abel’s Quik Stop - Turkey and Noodles, hot dogs, tea, soda and water. Granville Church - Walking tacos, soda and water. Jeanne Nobis had her famous potato bar with fixings Monroe County Cancer Supporters Fish and fried potatoes Paris First Christian Church Pew Crew sold yarn scarves, puppy chow and chex mix. Monroe Manor had stepping stones and fried pickles The Barking Butterfly Bakery girls did extremely well selling their famous bakery items along with a frozen lemonade drink, and offered a craft of “make your own tie-dye t-shirt.” After the ceremony silent auction win-
Paris will hold their yearly fireworks display on Wednesday, July 4, at dusk. In case of a rain out, the makeup day will be Thursday, July 5, also at dusk. Again this year the event will be held at the Paris Fairgrounds. As always, this year’s fireworks will be detonated by members of the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and Gary Tawney. In conjunction with this year fireworks display the Paris First Christian Church will hold their Independence Day Celebration, on Wednesday, July 4, at the Fairgrounds. Food will be served from 5-9 p.m., with a menu consisting of BBQ, brats, hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, pop corn, and desserts along with drinks. Fresh popcorn will be available during the fireworks. Proceeds from the celebration will benefit the First Christian Church. Karaoke will start at 6 p.m. Everyone is invited to come and sing or simply just come and
enjoy yourself at no charge. Karaoke will be near the basketball courts and the food will be located at the shelter near the basketball courts.
2012 Relay For Life of Monroe County...
(Top) Survivors walk the first lap, left to right, Mignon Metzger, Lyle Crow, Maxine Riley, Bob Riley and Shirley Williams. (Bottom) Hero of Hope Award winner Louise Hollingsworth and her family. Left to right, Ashley Morgan, Case Morgan, Lisa Hollingsworth, Michelle Hollingsworth, Kenny Hollingsworth, Lucas Hollingsworth, David Hollingsworth, Louise Hollingsworth, Dennis Hollingsworth, Janet Coffman and Ozzie. APPEAL PHOTOS ners were announced and the Granville fun. The evening’s excellent MC’s were Gang Green – Cory Putnam, Robin AdTeam gave away their grocery basket of Cory Putnam and Steve Adams with mu- ams and group food (won by Putnam Tire, Paris). The sic provided by Larry Cornelius, LLC. Abel’s Quik Shop rest of the evening consisted of games, Hit activities of the night center around Monroe County Cancer Supporters theme laps, street dancing, karaoke and the Relay Jail and the Golden Throne; The Paris National Bank each raising a significant amount of Granville Christian Church money. Paris First Christian Church The event ended with a prayer by RevMonroe Manor erend Fran Schnarre, the closing ceremoParis Patriots (Team Lifesavers) nies, awards presentation and the anThe most spirited team was awarded nouncement of totals. to Team Livesavers. Colby Robb, great Teams for the 2012 Relay For Life of nephew of Rita Boston, won the award tinue to be shot off for three days followMonroe County included: for most laps. ing July 4, from the hours of 10 a.m. until St. Frances Cabrini Catholic Church Continued to page 9 10 p.m.
Local fireworks rules include four days of use in Paris
Karaoke will be provided by Fred Vincent with Rock and Country music selections Everyone is invited! In the city of Paris, fireworks can con-
The Sheriff’s Department personnel warn residents that fireworks should be properly handled and safety precautions used to help prevent injuries. “Also residents this year should remember that the ground is extremely dry and be careful when they shoot off their fireworks,” said Monroe County Sheriff David Hoffman. To be safe this Fourth of July, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and the National Council on Fireworks Safety offer the following safety tips: •Always read and follow label directions. •Have an adult present. •Buy from reliable sellers. •Use outdoors only. •Always have water handy (a garden hose and a bucket). Continued to page 9
County absentee ballots now ready for voting
According to Monroe County Clerk Sandra Francis Absentee Ballots for the Tuesday, August 7 Primary Election are now ready for voting. Anyone wishing to vote an absentee ballot may do so in the County Clerk’s Office during regular office hours, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. until 12 noon and 1 p.m. until 4:30 p.m. or mail in a request for an absentee ballot to be mailed to their place of residence. When mailing in a request, individuals must list the address where the ballot is to be mailed, sign their name and state which party ballot that they
wish to vote. The party ballot choices’ are Democrat, Republican, Libertarian and Constitution. The last day for mailing out absentee ballots will be Wednesday, August 1. The last day for voting absentee in the County Clerk’s Office is Monday, August 6, until 5 p.m.
Monroe County Appeal