CROSSVILLE —
As the Olympics draw to a close, the Paralympics are getting ready to gear up. The Paralympics start in London, England, shortly after the conclusion of the Olympic Games. At least one of the athletes in the 2012 Paralympics has ties to Crossville.
Evan Austin of Terre Haute, IN, will be a member of the United States Paralympics Swim Team. Austin is expected to swim in six events including the 100 meter backstroke, 50, 100 and 400 freestyles and the 100 backstroke.
He is the grandson of Del and Pat Ford and the nephew of Pat and Susan Kirby, all of Lake Tansi Village. All four will no doubt be glued to their computers when their family member takes to the pool. I talked with Grandpa Del and Aunt Susan about Evan’s upcoming Paralympics, and both are as excited as possible, particularly since as a high school student, Evan just barely missed competing in Beijing.
Austin is a 2011 graduate of Terre Haute South and has already won four gold medals in Canada in the July Can-AM competitions. As of today, he has broken 11 U.S. Paralympics Records. Austin became an official member of the U.S. Paralympics team on Father’s Day.
He will fly to Germany for team training before the entire team travels to London for the games. The Paralympics open Aug. 29 and last until Sept. 9. Games include swimming, judo, archery, equestrian, sitting volleyball and wheelchair games of basketball, fencing, rugby and tennis, just to name a few. Hundreds of countries participate in the Paralympics Games. The games also include the torch and opening ceremonies.
Evan suffers from familial spastic paraparesis. Also known as Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia or HSP, it refers to a group of degenerative spinal cord disorders characterized by gradual, progressive weakness and stiffness of the legs. The gradual deterioration may also cause problems with balance. Some 10,000 people in the United States have HSP.
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Congratulations to two local beauty queens. Becca Patton was named first runner-up in the National Pure American Girl Contest in Gatlinburg. She was also awarded the title of “Model of the Year.” Becca qualified for the national pageant after winning her age division in the state contest. She is the daughter of Earl and Rachel Patton and Jason and Becky Atkinson and is a freshman cheerleader at Cumberland County High School.
Megan Holtcamp, a student at Tennessee Tech University, was named fourth place winner in the annual Putnam County Fairest of the Fair on Monday evening.
Speaking of pageants, Cumberland County Fair Pageant Director Frances Cunningham Brooks says applications are ready to be picked up at several area locations for the annual contests to be held later this month. The 5-6, 7-9 and 10-12 year old contests are Friday evening, Aug. 24. The 13-15 and 16 and up Fairest of the Fair will be on Saturday, Aug. 25.
Registration forms for ages 5-21 may be found at Dressy Cuts on 664 West Avenue and Deb’s Bridal in VF Factory Outlet Mall.
Lifestyles
AROUND THE TOWN: Paralympics athlete with local ties setting swimming records
- Lifestyles
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Pleasant Hill Ramblings: Pleasant Hill Elementary honors volunteers
Mary Ann Kotus-Huff, principal of Pleasant Hill Elementary School (PHS), recently welcomed volunteers to the annual Volunteer Tea. It was held in the gaily decorated new all-purpose room of the new annex. Volunteers were treated to sandwiches, fruit, cheese and crackers and cupcakes.
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Plateau Gardening: Transplanting tips
My landscape is perennial–based. There are vines, trees, shrubs as well as herbaceous (soft-stemmed) vegetation in assorted categories-ornamentals, herbs and food crops like rhubarb. Annuals in containers are used to add splashes of color. At this time of year, I usually have a few recently purchased plants waiting to be transplanted (see the accompanying photo).
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Fair Park offering help for senior dog owners
A dog is a senior's best friend. Family and friends are not around much, and everyone is so busy. After retirement the free time seems to be longer. Many seniors would be very lonely if it was not for their four-legged friends. Dogs are a big part of the family, so they need to learn to be obedient to make it easier on the relationship.
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The beginnings of Cumberland County Discovery Gardens
It was a great day in 2004 when Walt Hitch looked out his window and studied the three unused acres that accompanied his hundreds of acres of AgResearch lands.
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CCHS Class of 1963 congratulates Class of 2013
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Putt for the Cure miniature golf tournament a success
Kids of all ages enjoyed a fun outing of miniature golf Saturday at the first Putt for the Cure event, presented by Dr. Calley Jo Elsea of Cloudland Dental, to benefit the Upper Cumberland affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Players teams up with sponsors and host Pirates Plateau Golf Adventure to raise funds to help area women get needed screening exams, support patients and survivors, educate the public and support national research initiatives.
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Around the Town: Attendance is the Key to success in Cumberland County!
High school attendance is up and 10 cars have been given away. This is all thanks to some forward thinking educators along with Dave and Connie Kirk and the staff at Dave Kirk Automotive. This year marks the 10th anniversary, or a decade, of what the high school students call "Dave Kirk Drawing Day." Or, in layman's terms, some junior or senior from Cumberland County High School, Stone Memorial High School or Phoenix School wins a brand spanking new vehicle.
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End of another great year for Neighbors and Newcomers
Referred to as the "best little club on the mountain," Neighbors and Newcomers will be holding its last meeting of the year May 23. After a fun-filled, interesting and exciting year, the group will enjoy this end-of-the-year lunch at the Cumberland County Fairgrounds.
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Seniors to visit Sutton General Store May 18
On May 10, the members of the 127 Senior Center had a good time socializing, playing bingo, dominos and billiards. Numbers were called by Arlene Simmons, with the prizes furnished by Bob Folger, with State Farm Insurance.
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Marriage licenses
Published May 15, 2013.
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