Taylor and Curtis chosen as 2013 Parade Grand Marshal

Tom Taylor (left) and Jerry Curtis visit with the crowd and wait to perform their official duties as Grand Marshal during this year's Community Christmas Tree Lighting November 30.

Tom Taylor and Jerry Curtis are no strangers to folks in Haywood County. Both have served more than 30 years on the Brownsville-Haywood County Rescue Squad and over 35 years collectively as volunteer firemen. So it's no surprise that they have been chosen to lead this year's community Christmas Parade.

The co-Grand Marshals began their official duties November 30, when they flipped the switch to light the community Christmas tree. Over his lifetime, Taylor has 18 years experience at Haywood Company, 16 years at Wal-Mart and also served more than six years as a volunteer on the Brownsville Police Department during the tenure of Darrell Bull. Curtis has worked at Wal-Mart for the last 15 years and 10 years at MTD.

They invite the public to the festivities on the courthouse lawn this Saturday, December 14, beginning at 3 p.m., when all the children are invited to decorate their bikes, trikes, scooters or just about anything else they can ride, push or pull and join Santa for the Children's Parade. Santa will hang around for picture and to hear all the wishes of our local boys and girls. You're also invited to bring your letters for Santa, too.

Our four-legged friends get in on the fun, when Santa will lead the First Annual Pooch Parade at 4 p.m. He'll also take time to have pictures made with your pets.

The Haywood High School Show Choir will perform at 5, along with other area church choirs and groups helping to ring in the season and entertain the crowds gathering for the big parade which will begin at 6 p.m.

The Carl Perkins Center's Holiday Hustle fun run/walk will also be taking place. You can register at the Carl Perkins Center and enjoy the stroll from Boyd, down East Main and around the courthouse before the parade.

Food will be available on the square and parade watchers are invited to shop with local merchants while waiting for the parade to begin.

Over 35 entries have been confirmed for this year's parade which promises to be bigger and better than ever before. The parade is sponsored annually by the Brownsville-Haywood County Rescue Squad. In the event of  pouring rain or inclement weather, the parade will be rescheduled for Monday, December 16.

Brownsville-Haywood County to host Hatchie BirdFest

The first Hatchie BirdFest will be held at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center on Friday May 31, Saturday June 1, and Sunday June 2, 2013.  The free event will offer a variety of activities for all ages to see and learn about the 200+ species of birds that occur in Brownsville and Haywood County, Tenn.

Bird watching hikes on Saturday  and Sunday will be geared for both beginner and expert birdwatchers and will visit Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge and other areas in Haywood County.

Noted ornithologist Bob Ford will open the Hatchie BirdFest Friday, May 31, with a presentation on Haywood County birds and conduct a questions and answers session with attendees. Ford's talk will be held at College Hill Center in Brownsville beginning at 7 p.m.

The BirdFest will begin Friday evening with a presentation by noted ornithologist and U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service wildlife biologist, Bob Ford.  Saturday’s speakers will include Scott Somershoe  (State Ornithologist, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency), Carol Reese (Ornamental Horticulture Specialist, University of Tennessee Extension Service) and David Haggard (West Tennessee Regional Interpretive Specialist, Tennessee State Parks). Friday evening event will be held at College Hill Center in Brownsville.  All Saturday presentations will be at the Delta Heritage Center.

Horticulturist Carol Reese will share how to use native plants to attract birds, bees and butterflies during her presentation on Saturday, June 1, at the Hatchie BirdFest. 

Photographs by Haywood County native and acclaimed nature photographer Joe B. Guinn will be on display at the Center throughout the weekend.  Winning entries from 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd graders in the HatcheBirdFest Coloring Contest will also be displayed.

Exhibitors will include Tennessee Ornithological Society, Willow Oaks Farm, Memphis WildBird Unlimited, Tennessee Wildlife Federation’s Great Outdoors University, Tennessee Watchable Wildlife and Raisin’ Cain BBQ.

For more information visit www.HatchieBirdFest.com.

Deep-fried barbecue makes debut at Exit 56 Blues Fest

Do you love barbecue? Have you tried it deep-fried? Attendees to this year's Exit 56 Blues Fest will get an opportunity to try the bite-sized, deep-fried barbecue nuggets and even compete to see who can eat the most. The Deep-Fried BBQ Eating Championship will take place at 4 p.m., Saturday, May 25, at the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville.

Contestants must be at least 18 years of age and will have 10 minutes to eat as many deep-fried barbecue bites as possible. Water and sauce will be plentiful to help wash it down. There is a $5 entry fee and the lucky winner will receive a trophy, t-shirt and prize package. Interested parties are asked to pre-register for the competition by May 23. Complete rules and registration can be found at www.westtnheritage.com/exit56.

Along with great barbecue, festival attendees can spend the afternoon and evening listening to the Blues. Concerts will be performed from the porch of the Sleepy John Estes home and features performers such as Sean "Bad" Apple, Bluesberry Jam Band, Little Boys Blue and headliner TeeDee Young.

Car enthusiasts can cruise-in from 1-3 p.m., to compete for titles such as "Cool Chrome" "Most Likely to Get a Ticket" and 12 other fun titles. There is no entry fee and motorcycles are welcome, too.

Arts and crafts vendors will also be on site throughout the afternoon for those wanting to add a little shopping to the Blues mix. Jewelry, woodwork and paintings are just a few of the items you'll find.

Admission to the festival is free and open to the public. A complete schedule is available online, or by calling the Delta Heritage Center at 731-779-9000.

Singing with Soul

The Como Mamas

Singing with Soul might sound a bit cliché to some, but the phrase appropriately describes the down-home gospel sound of The Como Mamas.

The three life-long African-American gospel singers have sauntered in from the small Delta town of Como, Mississippi. Their new, critically acclaimed album “Get an Understanding” features only three instruments — the powerful, raspy voice of Ester Mae Smith, the deep soothing sounds of Angela Taylor and the energetic, spirited vocals of Della Daniels.

Recently featured at SXSW 2013(South By Southwest) music festival in Austin Texas, the group garnered huge audience followings that led to being voted one of the festival’s top 3 acts.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear the spirit and soul of the Delta. The harmonies of the Como Mamas are so powerful, musical accompaniment will not be missed. And neither should this Sunday, May 5 show. Music begins at 3 p.m., at the Ann Marks Performing Arts Center. 

Tickets ($12.50 adults; $7 students) are available at area Brownsville banks, Livingston’s or from the Arts Council office (731.772.4883).

Brownsville to host "Cancer Queens! A Cancer Prevention Musical Revue"

A group of professional health educators will provide a light-hearted approach to a serious subject when they present a cancer prevention musical Saturday, May 4, in Brownsville, Tenn. The performance will begin at 6 p.m., at the Ann Marks Performing Arts Theater. While there is no admission charge for the event, donations will be accepted and will benefit the American Cancer Society.

Known as the Cancer Queens, the group presents ways to improve health and reduce cancer risk through original lyrics and dances to tunes of popular songs. For example, dancing to the tune of Brooks and Dunn's "Boot Scootin' Boogie," they encourage audiences to eat fruit and veggies and to go and get their Pap smears" to a parody of the Little Eva song, "Locomotion."

I'm always amazed at the lack of knowledge and awareness of the impact on health that simple lifestyle choices can have," said Brownsville Relay for Life Chairperson Carolyn Flagg. "The Cancer Queens present that information in a way that is fun and easy to remember. They engage audience members by entertaining them and drawing them into the fun."

Recognized by the Centers for Disease Control, the Cancer Queens have been bringing their health messages to audiences in churches, schools, women's organizations and other venues across the state of Tennessee for the last three years. The group is part of the Office of Community Outreach of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, in Nashville.

For more information about Brownsville's Relay for Life and the Cancer Queen performance, contact Flagg at 731-772-0425.

Walk with Drew & Friends ... Make a commitment to improve your health in 2013

We want Brownsville & Haywood Co. to make a commitment to improve its health in 2013. Join this initiative! First walk is Saturday, April 6. Register at 9:30 a.m. at the football field, L.Z. Hurley Memorial Track. Walk begins at 10 a.m.

• Walks are APRIL 6-JUNE 15
• All walks will be on paved tracks and will range in length from 1-4 MILES
• Learn more about living A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE in Brownsville &
Haywood Co.
• Participants will be invited to the celebration after the final walk on June 15
• Participants who attend 20+ walks will become part of the 20+ Club and
receive a Walk with Drew and Friends T-Shirt.
• HCS students who attend 20+ walks will have their name put in a drawing for
a bike.
• Seethe schedule of walks below, walk what you can or try the daily
challenge, it is optional.
• Rain days report to the Haywood County Branch YMCA to do laps in the gym.


WALK WITH DREW & FRIENDS
WALK SCHEDULE DAILY OPTIONAL CHALLENGE
Sat, Apr 6 L.Z. Hurley Memorial Track 10am 2.0 miles
Tue, Apr 9 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30 p.m. 2.0 miles
Thur, Apr 11 Haywood Park Hospital Track 5:30 p.m. 2.0 miles
Sat, Apr 13 L.Z. Hurley Memorial Track 10am 3.0 miles
Tues, Apr 16 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30 p.m. 3.0 miles
Thu, Apr 18 Haywood Park Hospital Track 5:30 p.m. 2.5 miles
Sat, Apr 20 L.Z Hurley Memorial Track 10 am 3.0 miles
Tue, Apr 23 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30 p.m. 3.0 miles
Thu, Apr 25 Haywood Park Hospital Track 5:30 p.m. 3.0 miles
Sat, Apr 27 LZ Hurley Memorial Track 10am 3.25 miles
Tue, Apr 30 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30 p.m. 3.5 miles
Thu, May 2 Haywood Park Hospital 5:30 p.m. 3.0 miles
Sat, May 4 LZ Hurley Memorial Track 10am 3.0 miles
Tue, May7 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30 p.m. 3.5 miles
Thu, May9 Haywood Park Hospital Track 5:30 p.m. 3.0 miles
Sat, May 11 LZ Hurley Memorial Field 10am 3.0 miles
Tue, May 14 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30 p.m. 3.5 miles
Thu, May 16 Haywood Park Hospital Track 5:30 p.m. 4.0 miles
Sat, May 18 No Walk- HHS Graduation
Tue, May 21 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30 p.m. 3.5 miles
Thu, May23 Haywood Park Hospital Track 5:30 p.m. 2.5 miles
Sat, May 25 LZ Hurley Memorial Track 10 am 3.5 miles
Tue, May 28 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30 p.m. 2.0 miles
Thu, May 30 Haywood Park Hospital 5:30 p.m. 3.0 miles
Sat, June 1 LZ Hurley Memorial Track 10 am 3.38 miles
Tue, June 4 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30p.m. 3.0 miles
Thu, June 6 Haywood Hospital Track 5:30 p.m. 3.5 miles
Sat, June 8 LZ Hurley Memorial Track 10am 3.5 miles
Tue, June 11 Webb Banks Passive Park 5:30 pm 3.25 miles
Thu, June 13 Haywood Park Hospital Track 5:30 p.m. 3.0 miles
Sat, June 15 Final Walk to YMCA 8 am 2.62 miles

Clark elected to TACVB Board of Directors

Sonia Outlaw-Clark

Sonia Outlaw-Clark, Director of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, has been elected to the Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus Board of Directors. Board members were elected by the membership during their annual meeting at the Governor’s Conference on Tourism in September 2012 and officially took office January 1, 2013. Clark will serve a three-year term as the West Tennessee representative. Barry Young, Sumner County CVB Director and Brownsville native, was also elected to a two-year term representing Middle Tennessee.

TACVB’s board members represent a broad and diverse group of tourism professionals from all areas of the state. Newly elected officers of the Association are Chairman Shelda S. Rees, Chattanooga CVB; Vice-Chair, Kim Bumpas, Visit Knoxville; Secretary Lori Nunnery, Jackson CVB; Treasurer Theresa Harrington, Clarksville-Montgomery County CVB; Immediate Past Chair Rhonda Adams, Dickson County Chamber. Other Board members include Laura Canada, Cookeville-Putnam County (East TN rep); Mark Shore, Williamson County CVB (Middle TN rep); Katy Brown, Oak Ridge CVB; Brenda McCroskey, Sevierville CVB; Calvin Taylor, Memphis CVB; Jennifer Wheatley, Paris-Henry County Chamber; and Melissa Woody, Cleveland-Bradley County Chamber. Affiliate members elected to one-year terms are: Tubby Kubik, Chocklett Press; Craig Richards, Collinson Media; and Mary Steadman, Miles.

“TACVB is fortunate to have outstanding community leaders willing to volunteer their time and talent to enhance Tennessee’s reputation for hospitality,” said Sheila Leggett, TACVB Executive Director.  “The importance of tourism in Tennessee cannot be overstated.  It is one of Tennessee’s largest industries, and provides billions of dollars of direct economic impact and sales tax revenues annually.”

The Tennessee Association of Convention and Visitors Bureaus is a non-profit organization representing the state's official destination management and marketing organizations.  It is dedicated to the advancement of issues and activities deemed to be in the best interest of the Tennessee tourism industry and, specifically, the membership of the organization.

JOEL SOUTHERN APPOINTED PERMANENT CEO AT HAYWOOD PARK COMMUNITY HOSPITAL

Joel Southern

Joel Southern has been named permanent Chief Executive Officer of Haywood Park Community Hospital, Brownsville, Tenn., effective immediately. He has served as interim chief executive officer since August 2012.

“Haywood Park is an important resource to this community,” said Southern. “I’ve enjoyed working with the medical staff, board and employees of Haywood Park over the past six months and look forward to building upon the groundwork we’ve laid together.”

In his previous role as Chief Nursing Officer at Henderson County Community Hospital, Southern contributed to the hospital’s designation as a Joint Commission Top Performer on Key Quality Measures two years in a row. The hospital was also recognized for excellence in inpatient and employee satisfaction as well as outstanding performance on Core Measures. Before that, as CNO at Parkway Medical Center in Decatur, Alabama, the hospital received the “Best in Value” award and was accredited by the Society of Chest Pain Centers and as a Bariatric Center of Excellence.

“Joel’s career has been dedicated to achieving the highest standards of quality and providing patients with exceptional service,” said Michael Banks, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Haywood Park Community Hospital. “His expertise will only enhance Haywood Park’s reputation of delivering the finest care to the people we serve.”

Southern received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Master of Science in Nursing with concentrations in Hospital and Healthcare Administration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville.