Straight From the Horse's Mouth: It's Time for a Friendly Competition

 I'm a member of the Martin Business Association and serve on the activities committee.  It is easy to be involved when there are such great events in our town.  This one is almost here.  Wait, let my friend, Adonis, tell you all about it:

Howdy. 

The UTM 41st Annual Spring College Rodeo  is slated for April 16-18.  The Martin Business Association is jumping in there to help promote this fun, family event that brings many dollars back into our community. 

 Special thanks to Benton, KY native, Adonis, for being this post's spokesperson and to his family, Bev and Harry Reed, for sharing him.

11:34 AM - Mar. 25, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment
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Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss. Weldon Public Library Hosts a Party!

Join in the celebration today at C.E. Weldon Public Library!  It is Dr. Seuss' birthday--he would be 105 today.

Here are the details:

Come and Go Birthday Party

Monday, March 2

3:30 to 5:00 p.m.  

C. E. Weldon Library, 100 Main St., Downtown,  

And it is for all ages.

According to the Director of Children's Library Services, Sabrina Exum, there will be cake, games, door prizes, Dr. Seuss stories and face painting. The library has been hosting this party for years, and it is presented by the UTM STEA Group.  You can call 587-3148 for more details.  For Facebook users, Sabrina has created a helpful library page.   Not into Facebook yet?  Here's the link to the library website.

 Here is just a tidbit I found interesting about Dr. Seuss from the Wiki:

Dr. Seuss, his real name, Theodor Seuss Geisel, wrote his Beginner Books with a list of 250 words. His publisher created the list because of a 1954 article in Life magazine about a report that claimed children's books were boring and, consequently, children were not learning to read.  The Cat in the Hat became the first book of many created from this list of words.  Read more about Dr. Seuss' life and works. 

Another quick tidbit:  Geisel penned many favorites under a pseudonym, Theo. LeSieg--Geisel spelled backwards.  He wrote this group of books, and others illustrated them.  One book included in this collection is I Wish That I Had Duck Feet.   This treasured story, one my daughter and I have read together countless times, is about a little boy who wishes for all sorts of animal parts so he can wow the neighbors and his friends: antlers to carry books and supplies, a tiger tail to jump rope with, or an elephant snout to help firemen put out fires.  He discovers each addition creates its own set of problems, and he decides, in the end, he's better off just the way he is. 

Want more information on Dr. Seuss' books?  Here is a Biblio.com bibliography with links to many of the 60 wonderful tales Geisel created.

See you at the party!

Photo courtesy of Sabrina Exum, C. E. Weldon Public Library.

5:30 AM - Mar. 2, 2009 - comments {0} - post comment
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A Welded Christmas Tree? MBA Christmas Tree Competition.

Have you ever seen a welded Christmas tree?  It looks straight out of Dr. Suess' The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.  It was one of 14 entries in our recent Martin Business Association's "Christmas Tree Competition."  Held in honor of the inaugural year of our new 20 foot city Christmas tree, the competition sprouted from a small MBA Activities committee members meeting and grew beyond what we all imagined.

The contest was open to all Martin Business Association members.  These participants took hold of the idea, jumped in with both feet not knowing what to expect and outdid themselves!   I can only imagine the fun my friend, Newscoma, had stringing pork rinds for the entry, Redneck Christmas. 

It has been as much fun touring these trees as it was creating the event. There is so much creativity to enjoy.  Well, so much that the Martin Beautiful judges, headed up by Lon May, decided we didn't need just one winner, but one Overall and two Honorable Mentions. Congrats to all.

 Make a time to visit these trees.  Turn it into an event with a few of your friends. You will enjoy the show, and you'll spread a little more Christmas spirit around our wonderful town of Martin.

You can get a complete list of participants and their addresses at this link:  Martin Business Association  

Not a member of MBA?  There is no fee to join.  Consider the benefits and jump in like these participants in the competition.  So much reward for the effort, I promise. 

Did I mention the prizes this year in the contest?  First place was an awesome "Big, Red Bowl" handcrafted and donated by Clint Riley of Six Toe Studio here in Martin.   The fabulous Honorable Mention prizes were "Empty Bowl Project" bowls created by David McBeth and his students.  The proceeds from the sale of these two bowls are donated to the Weakley Co. We Care Food Bank. 

 Big Red Bowl by Clint Riley, Six Toe StudioFirst Place Awarded to: Country Pet Resort & Spa:  Rock Candy Christmas.

Happy Holidays! 

Christmas Tree Slide Show Photos courtesy of:  Sabrina Bates & Tracy Sharp, Weakley County Press, Thank You!

8:28 AM - Dec. 14, 2008 - comments {1} - post comment
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