2013 Miss-Lou Relay for Life

RELAYfor LIFE

May 3, 2013 • Vidalia Riverfront

4Map 4Photos

4Stories 4Schedule

A special publication of The Natchez Democrat

2

the natchez democrat

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 |

We would like to take this opportunity to honor

Mr. Kyle Dunaway 7 Year Survivor

and to honor the memory of

Mrs. Marian Stallone To all who have fought the battle and won, congratulations and to those not with us today, your fight is honored and remembered.

Natchez Community Hospital is positively proud to support the American Cancer Society and Relay for Life. Our thanks and appreciation go to all who give of themselves through their donations of time, money and effort to this worthy cause.

We’re proud to be part of this community and to contribute to the fight against cancer one step at a time.

Premo Stallone, Inc. PLUMBING • ELECTRICAL • HEATING •COOLING • ICE MACHINES 86 St. Catherine Street • Natchez, MS • 601-445-4604

Let’s Crush Cancer!

Proud to support the fight!

Locally Owned and Operated

102 Highway 61 South • 601-442-6222

| FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013

READY FOR RELAY

the natchez democrat

File Photo

Teams set up tents and gather along the Vidalia Riverfront for the 2012 Miss-Lou Relay for Life.

S t o ry b y J o s h B e r g e r o n

M

iss-Lou residents will once again strap on their walking shoes tonight to battle cancer in the 17th annual Miss-Lou Relay for Life.

Nationally, Relay for Life traces its roots back to a Tacoma, Wash., doctor who spent 24 hours circling a track to raise money for his local American Cancer Society office. In 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt raised $27,000. Today, Relay for Life is the main volunteer-driven fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

This year, the Miss-Lou Relay is

dedicated to Cliff Merritt.

Merritt was President and CEO of Delta Bank in Vidalia from 1998 to 2012.

He died July 23, 2012, after a battling colon cancer for several years.

“Cliff was always an avid supporter,” said Miss-Lou Relay for Life chair Sherry Kiser. “He was just a wonderful person.”

Approximately 50 teams are signed up for this year’s Miss-Lou Relay; 38 of those teams will have booths at the Relay site tonight.

Accounting chair Janis Holder said the event is on track to break last year’s fundraising total.

3

4

the natchez democrat “We are currently above where we were last year at this point,” Holder said. “I certainly hope we beat last year’s total.”

Despite the event’s large fundraising ability, Holder said the event does not set an annual fundraising goal.

“Our personal goal is always to match what we did the previous year,” Holder said. “We don’t really say ‘Oh, we are going to do $300 thousand.’ We just do what we did last year and pray that we go over what we raised the previous year.”

The Miss-Lou Relay for Life’s lofty fundraising work has garnered several awards for the event. Kiser said the most prestigious accolades include being ranked fifth nationally in fundraising per capita and regularly placing in the top five for total fundraising in the event’s district.

To raise money for the event, teams host fundraisers in various forms.

A new team this year, Team Jesus hosted a Zumbathon in early March at Natchez Total Fitness. The team requested a $5 donation minimum for each class. In total, the team has raised more than $4,700. The Natchez Market’s method of fundraising is

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 |

FILE PHOTO

Misty Graning of team Delta Bank lights a luminary during the 2012 Relay for Life at the Vidalia Riverfront. The luminary service features a song and poem from Jordan Petty. consistently successful.

“The Market has is always very successful,” Kiser said. “We think they are going to do even better than they did last year.”

And they already have.

In 2012, Natchez Markets raised $25,575. The Markets’ total this year eclipsed the previous year’s total one week ago.

Fundraising will continue all night tonight.

“It’s like a little festival,” Kiser said. “There will be music, activities and I’m excited about our speaker, Marshall Ramsey.”

Ramsey is an editorial cartoonist and melanoma survivor. He was named a Pulitzer Prize finalist in 2002 and 2006. Ramsey has also received awards from the Melanoma Research Foundation and the American Cancer Society for promoting skin cancer screenings.

As with all Relay for Life events, the relay begins with a survivor lap — specifically dedicated to survivors of cancer. The second lap is for anyone who provides care for cancer patients. All relay teams begin walking together on the following lap, continuing to walk until just before 4 a.m. Saturday.

“It’s just so inspiring to see those survivors give it everything they’ve got, even with all they have been through,” co-chair Julia Drews said.

“It’s very touching to see them so determined to finish the survivor lap.

That’s why we do what we do.”

A New Generation of Cancer Care!

Frances Beach, Bobbie Freeman, Beth Foster, Kathy Matheny, Dr. David R. Steckler & Jennifer Steckler

Treating you like a neighbor.

Proud to be an event sponsor of the Relay for Life in the fight against cancer.

CELEBRATE

REMEMBER

FIGHT BACK

133 Jefferson Davis Blvd., Natchez, MS 39120

Roderick C. Givens, M.D. Radiation Oncologist 601-442-1285 1-800-493-2901 24 Hour Answering Service

| FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013

the natchez democrat

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

RELAY FOR LIFE 2013 STIHL, HONDA, HUSQVARNA, EXMARK, MARUYAMA

ROGERS LAWN & GARDEN EQUIPMENT 236 HWY 61 SOUTH NATCHEZ, MS 39120

Natchez Monument Co., Inc. 680 Hwy. 61 North Natchez, MS 39120 Cole Brown • 601-445-5912

www.natchezmonument.com

Natchez Salvage and Parts

276 Highland Blvd, Natchez Monday-Friday 8-5 601-442-3626 • 800-759-0631

RENT-A-CAR 601-442-4600 321 Devereaux Dr., Natchez enterprise.com

PECAN ACRES

Mobile Home Subdivision Vidalia, Louisiana 318-336-4999 318-336-5390

Member FDIC

Vidalia 318-336-5454 Ferriday 318-757-1212 Newellton • St. Joseph Tallulah www.tensas.com

(601) 442-9183 (601) 445-0480 PARTS, SALES & SERVICE AFTER THE SALE Ruben and Renee Rogers, owners

D&D Colvin’s Drilling & Pharmacy Exploration 318-757-3274 Ferriday, LA

THE EYE CENTER OF NATCHEZ

318-757-4114 114 Serio Blvd.

Ferriday, LA

318-757-6551 1700 E.E. Wallace Blvd.

Ferriday, LA

THE FLOOR STATION 318-336-9370 107 Front Street Vidalia, Louisiana

Residential • Commercial Laminate • Ceramic • Porcelain Hardwood • VCT • Vinyl • Carpet Natural Stone

318-336-9400

4284 Hwy. 84 West

La Fiesta Grande 288 John R. Junkin Drive, Natchez

601-445-0720

La Fiesta Grande Too 339 D’Evereux Drive, Natchez

601-442-2333

Vidalia

318-757-8253 408 Texas Ave., Ferriday 318-336-9661 1727 Carter St., Vidalia 601-445-5352 187 Sgt. Prentiss, Natchez

QUICK MONEY

381 John R. Junkin Drive Natchez, MS 39120 601-442-3100

5

the natchez democrat

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 |

R E L AY F O R L I F E VIDALIA RIVERFRONT

10

STAGE

9

Silas Si

Hogga City of

To Vidalia

1 2

8

7

6

5

FRONT STREET

The Ma

Radzew

Natche

Tensas

BRIDGE

32 33 34 35

3 4 11

Comfo

Vidalia

To Natchez

30 31

L

TO JOHN DALE DRIVE

29

SURVIVOR RECEPTION TENTS

19 37 36 18 17 16 15 14 13 12

27 28

ACCOUNTING STAGE

22 23 24 25 26 21 20 38 39

Spo

Vidalia

LEVEE

L WA

6

Intensi

Vidalia

Unplug

Unlimi

Isle of C Trinity

Britton RIVER

*Map is not to scale and is subject to change

R e l a y Te a m s

Rel

(and map locations) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16

The Markets Our Lady of Lourdes Relay For Life Committee Britton & Koontz Bank Vidalia Women’s Club Greater Mt. Carmel Baptist Church God’s Angelic Warriors CLTCC High School PCT Natchez Adams School Educators First Church of Natchez Concordia Parish Sheriff’s Office Pilgrim Baptist Church Isle of Capri Casino Red Hot Merchants of Ferriday Glenburney Healthcare and Rehab Team Metro

17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32

WalMart - Natchez Pirates of the CUREibbean Natchez Community Hospital Stine Lumber Delta Bank Walgreens Delta Sigma Sorority - Vidalia Chapter Team Co-Lin Sullivan’s Collision Team Courage First Baptist Church of Vidalia Adams County Correctional Center Concordia Bank & Trust Team Tatas Vidalia Police Department Fruit of the Loom

33 34 35 36 37 38

Team FROG Team Carry On Team Jesus Team Burnout - Natchez Ford Delta Sigma Theta - Natchez “4 Kim Allen” Team Cliff Merritt Family

* United Mississippi Bank * Riverland Medical Center * Team Survivor & Friends * Adams County Sheriff * Alcorn State University School of Nursing * Team Jonathan Anderson * Just Between Friends * Phi Beta Sigma * Xi Epsilon Zeta * Grace United Methodist Church *No Tent Site

Sherry Bridgid Julia D Janis H State L Al Lane Cathy H Angie B Charm Kala M Amand Rosco-P Tim Fu Buddy Tana Fe Ilene G Kathy P

| FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013

ort Suites

W T Drilling Company, Inc.

immons, LLC

Jordan Carriers

att’s Self Storage

Concordia Bank Delta Bank

a Police Department

Callon Petroleum

arkets

Natchez Community Hospital

wicz Exploration & Drilling

Louisiana Hydro-electric Co.

ez Pathology Laboratory

Concordia Sentinel

s State Bank

First Natchez Radio Group

a Apparel

J&N Trophies

a Women’s Club

Miss-Lou Port-A-Johns

gged Communications

Wheeler’s Port-A-Potties

ited Resources

Vidalia Lower Elementary

ive Home Health

Vidalia Upper Elementary

Capri

Concordia Parish Academy

Episcopal School

the natchez democrat

Schedule of Events

onsors

Vidalia

for Science and Technology

n & Koontz Bank

lay Committee

y Kiser-Event Chair, Activities Co-Chair d Martin-LA Publicity Drews-Team Registration, Co-Chair Holder-Accounting Chair, Team Recognition, Leadership Representative ehart-Logistics Hill-Survivorship Chair Bryant-Newsletter man Cupit-Online event manager Miller-Sponsorship Chair, Survivor Committee da Hill-Survivors -Publicity uqua-Mission Delivery y Hill-Logistics errington-T-shirts, Lumiana Chair Gill-Fundraising Chair Prospere-American Cancer Society Staff

4:30 pm Survivor Registration 5:15 pm Survivor’s Reception hosted by: Dr. Jack Rodriguez 6 pm Relay Welcome: Sherry Kiser Judging of tent sights, team batons, & team t-shirts will be done throughout the night.

6:15 pm Opening Song – Andre’ Keys 6:30 pm Opening Prayer – Bro. Bill McCullin National Anthem – Andre’ Keys Pledge of Allegiance – Sheriff Kenneth Hedrick Mayor’s Welcome – Hyram Copeland 6:45 pm Celebrate Speaker – Marshall Ramsey 1st Lap – Survivor Lap 2nd Lap – Caregivers Lap (friends, family, etc.)

Balloon Release Rosco – Introduction of Teams – All team members walk together with banners.

7:30 pm Theme Lap #1 – SPORTS FANATIC LAP 8-9 pm Musical Entertainment by Scratch 9 pm Luminary Service begins with song by Jordan Petty Lighting of Torches Sky Lantern Release with song: What a Wonderful World Silent Lap Scrolling of Memorials & Honors 9:30 pm Hope & Fight Back Service Song: Kelvin Luster Speaker: Kera Fennix 9:45 pm Theme Lap #2 – FAVORITE REALITY SHOW LAP 10 pm-11pm Entertainment continues with Scratch 11:15-12:30 Entertainment by Mojo Mudd Midnight Snack Judging Begins - “Anything that goes with your Relay team’s theme”

12:15 am Theme Lap #3 – CARTOON CHARACTER LAP 12:30 am Team Activities & Games Begin: Whistle Replay - Mummy Wrap Relay - Plunger Relay - Sponge Relay - Ping Pong Relay - Snorkel Relay 4 am Closing Ceremonies and Presentation of Team Awards Please keep in mind this is an approximate time line. We do our best to stay as close to the schedule as possible but sometimes things happen that make it difficult. Thanks for your understanding.

7

8

the natchez democrat

Cathy Hill, survivorship chair for the Miss-Lou Relay for Life, holds up a per capita award won by the relay in 2012.

The M iss-Lou Relay for Life has in the top 10 nationally for per capita donations every year since 2007.

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 |

For a BIGGER cause Hill wins national Relay for Life volunteer award IHHC Celebrates Our Survivors and Remembers Our Loss Era Roberts Survivor In memory of Shane Seyfarth

Arlevia Martin Survivor

IHHC President & CEO She is a vision of hope, inspiration and strength!

We are proud supporters of www.ihhc.us • Medicaid & Medicare Certified Serving 11 parishes in Louisiana • Professional staff available 24/7 1633 Carter St. • Vidalia, LA • 318-336-9030 • 1-800-241-6877

| FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013

the natchez democrat

S t o ry b y J o s h B e r g e r o n | P h o t o s b y J ay S o w e rs

C

athy Hill isn’t helping out with Relay for Life for her own health.

She is doing it for her mother and millions of cancer patients worldwide.

Hill won the American Cancer Society’s Fight Back Community Volunteer Award for her work in the Miss-Lou Relay for Life at an annual awards program in December.

Her involvement with the MissLou Relay for Life dates back to the event’s creation in 1996. She currently serves as the survivorship chair of the Miss-Lou Relay, a position she has filled for nine years.

Hill received the community volunteer award for working with teams, churches and her workplace — Natchez Pathology Laboratory — to get survivors registered.

“I had no idea I was going to receive the award,” she said. “I was invited to go to the meeting, but thought it was to receive an award for the whole relay event, not an individual award.

The MIss-Lou Relay for Life has placed in the top 10 nationally for per capita donations every year since 2007.

I’m humbled to have received it, but that’s not why I am involved.”

Event chair Sherry Kiser said Hill’s selfless dedication played a vital role in increasing survivor registration.

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

JaNel’s Flowers & Gifts

Proud to Support

105 b

The Relay for Life

. lowe

r woodvi

1.44 lle road • Natchez • 60

“Cathy is awesome,” Kiser said.

“She takes care of everything that has to do with the survivors. At one point we had more cancer survivors involved than the whole state.”

But Hill’s story runs deeper than a

dedicated volunteer.

Hill’s mother was diagnosed with cancer in 1995. The following year, Hill began her fight to cure cancer.

“If my mother hadn’t have been diagnosed with cancer, I may have never gotten involved in Relay for Life,” she said. “I want there to just be a pill that people can take and they will be cured. The driving force for my continued involvement is that my mother passed away 10 years ago.”

When Hill isn’t devoting her time to the Miss-Lou Relay for Life she works as at Natchez Pathology Laboratory, where she interacts with other cancer patients on a regular basis.

“I work in a medical lab, and we provide services for a lot of cancer patients.” Hill said. “Dealing with people who are diagnosed keeps the motivation to find a cure right in front of me every day. It reminds me that I’m doing it for a bigger cause.”

The 2013 Relay for Life begins at 6 p.m. on Friday with a brief welcome and continues until 4 a.m. Saturday.

2.024

7

We proudly support the Relay for Life event.

Together we can finish the fight against cancer.

111 S. Broadway • 601-446-9994

Proud to be part of a community that ...

TAKES UP THE FIGHT! Proud host of the American Cancer Society’s Miss-Lou Relay for Life 1995-1999

Sheriff Chuck Mayfield supports the Miss-Lou Relay for Life!

9

10

the natchez democrat

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 |

For

Matt& Shane

Shane Seyfarth, left, and Matt McGivaren were active members of the Relay for Life effort, even while they both battled colon cancer.

Team Jesus has dedicated its work to the two men who died last year.

Team Jesus dedicates work as tribute to two Miss-Lou men

Hope.

One Day at a Time.

We are so proud to pay honor and tribute.

From all of us at your Natchez and Vidalia McDonald’s.

285 John R. Junkin DR. • 601-442-8436

Tensas sTaTe Bank

285 Highland Blvd.

“The Start of 601-446-6104 Something Good!” www.crosspointnatchez.com

Supporting the Search

for a Cure. celebrate • remember • fight back

Vidalia-318-336-5454 • Ferriday-318-757-1212 • St. Joseph-318-766-3256 Newellton-318-467-5401 • Tallulah 318-574-9898 or online at www.tensas.com

| FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013

the natchez democrat

11

S t o ry b y J o s h B e r g e r o n

M

Troxler said her team is simply embers of Team Jesus have a higher carrying out Seyfarth’s wishes.

“We just want to be a part of calling than raising money for the Miss- raising money to find a cure for cancer,” she said.

Lou Relay for Life.

Though McGiveran’s wife, Jen“Everything we do is for Matt (McGiveran) and Shane (Sey- nifer, said she is proud to be a part farth),” said team leader Teri of Team Jesus, she said that fundraising has been bittersweet. On Troxler.

Seyfarth and McGiveran died one hand, McGiveran said she enjoys raising money in the last year after for a worthy cause, battles with colon canbut is often remindcer. Though not blood ed of why she misses related, the two men Seyfarth and her husshare a family bond. band.

McGiveran’s brother “They were both married Shane’s sister. people persons,” she “They were both said. “They were alvery special men to ways full of life. Even me,” said Jennifer when they were sick, McGiveran, Matt’s they wanted to help wife and a member of and bring people toTeam Jesus. “Matt was gether.” a great person, a great Other Miss-Lou husband, a great father residents are taking and a great brother.” note of Team Jesus’ Though this is Team work.

Jesus’ first year parSurvivorship chair ticipating in the MissCathy Hill said Team Lou Relay for Life, the Jesus’ efforts are team has already made Jennifer McGivaren just as much about a sizable fundraising wife of Matt McGivaren the character of the contribution, far outteam members as the pacing the initial funmemory of Seyfarth draising goal of $1,000. and McGiveran.

As of last Friday, the “Team Jesus’ dedicating their team was fourth of 48 teams with team to two great members of the $4,700 raised.

One of Team Jesus’ fundraising community is a great tribute,” Hill methods was a Zumbathon in ear- said. “Shane and Matt were a part ly March at Natchez Total Fitness. of the Miss-Lou Relay for Life and Team Jesus requested a $5 dona- will be dearly missed.” tion minimum for each class.

“They were always full of life. Even

The McGivaren family poses in front of the Britton & Koontz Relay for Life tent during last year’s event.

Standing with Matt McGivaren, second from left, are his sons Drew, Cole and Landry and his wife Jennifer.

when they were sick, they wanted to help and bring people together.”

submitted photo

PROUD SUPPORTERS OF RELAY FOR LIFE

Vidalia

Stop by for Some great food and treatS!

Dr. Raymond L. Brown and Dr. Fred G. Emrick are Proud Supporters of

LSU Tailgate Raffle $1.00

Relay foR life

Chicken • Pork • Sausage Kabobs Snow Cones • Drinks

Includes 2 home game tickets, ice chest, $50.00 gift card to Cajun Speciality Meats, Ladies’ LSU bracelet, sunglasses and wallet, 17” portable BBQ grill, 10 piece BBQ tool set, 8 lb bag of charcoal, two 12 packs of Coke products.

Donations by: Bryant Hammett, Jeff Britt, CPSD

Proud Sponsors of Relay for Life

Fred G. Emrick, M.D.

Raymond L. Brown, M.D.

Radiology associates 307 HigHland Blvd. natcHez • 442-5042

12

the natchez democrat

Developing p g our business and proud p to call Natchez home of forthe overMiss-Lou six decades.

Proud Supporter Relay for Life Callon Petroleum Company

FRIDAY, MAY 3, 2013 |

ife in Relay for L g n ti a ip ic rt a be p lay are honored to have been involved in Re ed The Markets n ts e r. The Mark go. Being a local home-ow e a e y is th in a g a th a y have ties to ption 17 years since its ince members of this communit mily members fa y themselves or have many to business, man s e e y lo p m e e ast Markets as p a part of our team. So, w admiration at each d n n e a e e b v that have ember with lo could do more to raise m re to y n a m felt we s honor and years ago we d our niche in The Ribeye l ra e v e S . y n u Rela e fo e th r w beyes ove rtunately money and fo averaged the number of ri 20,000 Ribeyes for n e for Relay. W d we have sold more tha k our wonderful ze n li a a th re years and ing! We can’t s in to each of these ll ri g f o t lo a relay....That’s r the hard work that goe ear to be able y fo team enough e are especially proud this cord. We are W k our re fundraisers. going to brea onies raised for the re a e w t a th m ll of to tell you $30,000.00 in r e v o o g ke to thank a to li g ld in u o o g w y ll ts a e ark actu ! nued support r Life. The M 2013 Relay fo t community for your conti a you in our gre

Markets The

NYSE: CPE

200 North Canal Street • Natchez • www.callon.com

Angry Bankers Fighting Cancer Tommy Lowry will be cooking up a cure under the Delta Bank Tent.

Help us fight cancer with the purchase of: • Pulled Pork Sandwich & Chips – $5.00 • Sausage Rollover & Chips – $5.00 • Turkey Leg & Chips – $8.00 • Turkey Wing & Chips – $4.00

Take a turn on the Giant Angry Bird Slingshot • One turn on the slingshot – $2.00 • Three turns on the slingshot – $5.00

Friday | May 3 On The Riverfront rd

Get Angry with us, join the fight!

All proceeds donated to Relay for Life.

www.deltabk.com 34154 DB RelayForLifeNatchezDem 10.248 x 4.85.indd 1

4/25/13 9:38 AM