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Volume 120, Issue 30
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Wednesday, December 1, 2021
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in McNairy County Jai Templeton Contributor
As the Christmas holiday season begins, Christmas tree farms across the nation are bracing for increased demands. Our local Duncan Christmas Tree Farm and Gift Shop, located on 186 Hester Road, Selmer has had a banner year. “This has been a great season and we are almost sold out. It has been an exciting year as we were able to open more than one field of trees since a devastating tornado several years ago,” said Emily Shackelford. At the tree farm, it is all in the family. The journey started 29 years ago when founders Charles and Elizabeth Duncan planted their first Christmas tree in 1992. The couple opened the farm to the public in 1999 and for the past 21 years the family hosted
many searching for that perfect tree. The Duncans have three children Todd, Timmy and Vicky. Although all three have things they contribute to the farm. Vicky and her husband Chris Goodrum are the primary owners following in her parents footsteps with other family members at their side. The Goodrum’s estimate over 350 trees sold this year with a handful left. In the gift shop they continue to make garland, wreaths and have many handmade ornaments for sale. They also are featuring area artisans crafts in the shop. Christmas trees began to find their way in to American homes in the early 1800’s. By 1850 Christmas trees offered an economic opportunity for those willing to harvest random evergreens from the woods, transport and sale them to townspeople. As the
industry began to expand many saw the need for cultivated production of trees for the Christmas season. The first Christmas tree farm began in 1901 in the state of New Jersey. According to the American Christmas Tree Association an estimated 25-30 million trees are sold in the United States. Almost all of these are produced on Christmas tree plantations. The production represents a $2.5 billion industry. The TN Christmas Tree Grower’s Association actively supports the industry by offering promotions of TN grown trees as well as providing information to consumers for the care of their Christmas tree. Information as well as locations of state wide Christmas Tree farms can be found at
Staff Photo
See CHRISTMAS, 2
Members of the Duncan family, Emily Shackelford, niece and Liza Duncan niece with daughter Ella pose with current owner Chris Goodrum at Duncan Christmas Tree Farm and Gift Shop in Selmer.
Rural Fire Departments struggle to attract volunteers Janet Rail Publisher
Many volunteer fire departments say fewer young recruits often leads to a dwindling number of volunteers. There is a great need for firemen who are trained to be there when you need them which leaves fire chiefs worrying about who will answer the call. Tyler Wilson, Michie fire chief for eight years, says that it takes approximately 100 hours of training before a new fireman can serve. “I am fortunate to have 26 members on my roster. One challenge is the time required to be a volunteer. They work for free without incentives. For example, if they become and EMR first responder, they can take the 80 hour class for free but are often asked to purchase a $400-$500 dollar medical bag for calls. We need some incentives,” said Wilson. Most all county volunteer firemen have full-time jobs. When a call comes in, it is hard
McNairy Co. COVID-19 Cases as of November 30
Total Tested 29,789 Cases 4,798 Active Cases 64 Deaths 73 Recovered 4,661
to know who can show up. For example, Perry Stricklin, fire chief of Guys was the only one who answered a structure fire call last week but thankfully several other fire departments
made the call. “One thing we are doing in Michie is hosting many public relations events. We attend as many community events as possible. We have to lead by exam-
ple and give someone a reason to join. On New Years Day, Michie plans to cook black eyed peas, greens, hog jowl and give it away free,” said Wilson. Michie did fundrais-
ing and is sending five people to EMT school at Northwest Mississippi Junior College for a 12 week course they offer twice a year. The cost is $800 per student and each one signs a two year commitment to the fire department or pays back the tuition fee,” said Wilson. To deal with the shortage of firemen, Michie, Stantonville and Eastview have signed an “Automatic Aid Agreement” so when one department is called, all three respond. Elvis Butler, a veteran firemen of 33 plus years and chief in Eastview has 13 on his roster with all but him and his older brother working
full-time jobs. “There are just some calls we can’t answer because some are working or out of town. Until people start getting involved in their community, we will have issues. When we all band together we do well. It is a giant effort between cities and counties to make firefighting successful,” said Butler. The City of Bethel Springs recently ran an ad for volunteers and secured one new recruit. According to County Fire Chief Steve Stoll, the numbers of recruits are climbing and we are offering additional See FIRE DEPT., 2
Holiday Events to do with the family
December 3 Hometown Christmas “Hometown Christmas on Main” is an event hosted by Downtown Events Alliance of Adamsville. It is in its 5th year and a citizen led event Saturday, December 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at The Square. If you need a little Christmas spirit, enjoy an evening in downtown Adamsville, Tennessee, where citizens ban together to present their Town to friends, neighbors and all who enjoy the small town life at Christmas time. The event will focus in the Town Square, however, most all downtown small businesses and beyond are keeping their doors open to share unique finds for that special person on your list. There will be music, laughter and merriment for all.
Opening the event at 6:05 p.m. is the reading of Luke’s account of the birth of Jesus, read by Robin Lees and performed this year by brother and sister Kacey and Sam Burns. On THE SQUARE, This years “Hometown Christmas on Main” will include trackless train rides, the popular Tennessee River Pirate Cooking Team food truck, the Rage Girls softball team, of Adamsville, will be serving hot cocoa as a fundraiser and Nan’s Flowers & Crafts Christy Robertson will host a “Crafts for the Kids” tent. The folks at Centennial Bank will host a “Country Christmas” backdrop for photo ops and registration for door prizes as well as Todd Rhodes sharing his vintage truck for a second photos ops.
Our Santa is the very popular Drew Wheeler along with the Grinch, played by LuAnn Walker Brewer. Kids can get a picture with Santa and share everything they want on their Christmas lists while all enjoy performances at 6: 20 p.m. by the Adamsville Academy of Dance & Gymnastics. Other entertainment features choirs directed by Trixy Grant, the Adamsville First Baptist Church youth choir performing their Christmas show with Gloryland Sound running lights and sound with videography by Jessica Bearden Paxton. Shops stay open each year and this year is no exception. Adding to the shops this year are “White As Snow” Christian bookstore and Restormi HomeDesign. See HOLIDAY, 2
Bible Verse
Let all your things be done with charity 1 Corinthians 16:14
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