There's a new man in charge of the Gleason High School softball program.

Jacob Canaday, a 2007 graduate of GHS, has taken over the reins of the Lady Bulldogs diamond squad. Canaday a first-year teacher and May 2011 graduate of Bethel University has been named the program’s new head coach, replacing Joel Ayers.

Jacob is a Gleason alumnus that we are proud to have back with us teaching and coaching, Gleason athletic director/assistant principal Lee Lawrence said. He was a dedicated baseball player here at Gleason and the softball team will benefit from his knowledge and character. I have no doubt that Jacob will instill sportsmanship and dedication within the young people he works with."

Though excited about the position, Canaday admitted that he didn't foresee becoming a head coach at such a young age. I m nervous about it, the new Gleason softball skipper said. It s a huge step for me. I figured I would help out with one of the spring teams, but I didn't think I'd be a head coach to begin with. I m going to have to learn on the job. I've talked to the previous coach and feel confident that he ll point me in the right direction as to what I need to do.

Canaday did reveal some plans in terms of his coaching philosophy. I want the girls to always try their best and to never give up, Canaday said. I don't want to see any teammates bringing each other down and arguing. We're a team and our attitude is going to have to be that we are both on and off the field.

Canaday, who lettered in baseball at Gleason, told that he needed a bit of coaching in order to throw batting practice. The pitching is one thing I have to learn, Canaday said. It's way different than baseball.

Ayers, who held the position for seven years, resigned the post over the summer to solely focus on his duties as the Gleason girls (high school and junior high) basketball coach.

With doing both basketball and softball, I haven t had much of a break, Ayers told. At the beginning of the school year, I said if they could find someone that was willing to take it over that I'd love for them to have it. I wish Jacob all the best and I'll help him with any questions he might have.

The Lady Bulldog softball team finished last season with a 4-16 worksheet. Source. Dresden Enterprise.

By Kenneth Coker

“I feel like this is where God wants me to be,” Price said. “My father found out about the job online and I applied for it and got hired shortly thereafter. “This seems like the right place for me at this time in my life.”

Price, who graduated from GHS in 2006 and played at the college level at both Bethel College and Missouri Baptist University, was hired during the summer at TMC.

She cited her time at Gleason under heralded prep basketball coach Randy Frazier as her “learning tree” experience in terms of getting a grip on the hoops game.

“I’ll always say that playing for Coach Frazier is the greatest thing  that prepared me to coach and to play college basketball,” Price, 24, said. “Everything we were doing (at Gleason) was they were doing when I went to college and it was easy to make the transition because of what Coach Frazier taught us. “I knew basketball when I graduated high school because of him.”

At Gleason, Price was an All-District selection as a senior, junior and sophomore. She was an All-Region selection as a junior and a senior.

Price - whose father Gene is a local Baptist minister and mother Trish is the principal at Gleason School - began her college career during the 2006-07 season at Bethel.

She saw action in 15 games and averaged two points per game as a freshmen. Price was red-shirted the ’07- 08 season while with the Lady Wildcats. She returned to Bethel for the ’08-09 campaign and as a sophomore averaged just over three points per game in 20 contests during a 19-13 season.

For the ’09-10 season, Price transferred to MBU. She scored in twin figures on eight occasions during a 17-13 campaign. Price tied her career-high at the college level while with Missouri Baptist with a 14-point game against Wiliams Baptist. She had previously scored  14 as a sophomore while at Bethel versus Hannibal-LaGrange College.

Price saw action in all 29 games as a senior with the Lady Spartans – who finished 16-13 – last season. “The toughest thing for me has been to have to sit and watch,” said Price, who graduated from MBU in May with an English degree and writing certificate. “I feel like I knew the ins and outs of what goes on at this level, but it’s been hard to not be a player. “Luckily, we’ve got a pretty young team and that has helped to make the transition from being one of the girls to being a coach easier.”

At Truett-McConnell, Price’s responsibilities range from recruiting to game-day coaching. “I do a little of everything,” Price said.

Though content with her current position, the Gleason native did say she has bigger plays down the line. “I hope someday to be a head coach at a college,” Price said. “I know now isn’t the time and I need to get a few years as an assistant under my belt, but that’s the ultimate plan.”

Truett-McConnell College, which has over 700 students, is a privately-owned Christian college. The Truett-McConnell College skipper is Matt Sanders. “He is beyond a great boss that has not only help me get my feet wet but has let me dive right into the program as if I’ve been here forever,” Price said. Source: Dresden Enterprise.

The City of Gleason was one of 32 Tennessee communities to receive a portion of $23 million in Community Development Block Grants to assist with infrastructure improvements. In the community livability category, Gleason received a total of $189,655 for street improvements to West Street, which includes repaving and other work as needed.

Neighboring Lake County was awarded $227,104 in the same category.

Sewer system grants received by other local communities include: Halls, which was awarded $500; South Fulton with $500,000; and Trenton, which received $500,000.

The funds were allocated under a procedure authorized  by the Tennessee General Assembly.

Allocation of CDBG funds is based on priorities set at local levels where community needs are best known. The CDBG program is administered in Tennessee by the Department of Economic and Community Development. Source. Dresden Enterprise.

The 38th annual Tater Town Special, featuring numerous, fun-filled activities for the whole family to enjoy, got underway Sunday, August 28 and continued through Monday, September 5.

Saturday, known as “Tater Day,” was the main day of the festival and attracted numerous visitors from surrounding areas.

Many came to view or participate in the parade and check out the other activities at the Gazelle  Grounds and at Gleason School.

A large crowd composed of local citizens and visitors from neighboring towns gathered in downtown Gleason Saturday,  September 3, to witness the 38th annual Tater Town Special Parade and other events

The morning’s activities kicked off with a 5K Race at 7:00 a.m. in front of Gleason School.

This was followed by an Antique Tractor/Engine Show on the front lawn of Gleason School starting at 8:00 a.m. Some of these entries were driven in the grand parade, and then parked on the school grounds for the show.

The main event on Saturday was the Tater Town Parade. The Junior Parade started at 10:00 a.m., which was immediately followed by the Grand Parade.

Riding in the parade was 2011 Grand Marshal Jerry Connell, who serves as a city alderman, fire chief and longtime local businessman. The parade featured floats and convertibles carrying local beauty winners and other dignitaries, antique cars, trucks and tractors, horse and riders, horse-drawn wagons, bicycles, tricycles, 4-wheelers, go-carts, and various walking entries.

After the parade, festival goers gathered at the Gazelle Grounds, where they enjoyed live entertainment, arts and crafts booths featuring a wide variety of handmade items and other specialty products, delicious food, and assorted games.

Saturday night’s activities included the “Bull Blow Out” at the Gleason Saddle Club and “The Great Pretenders” at Gleason School. Fan favorites  local talent portraying music legends Ray Stevens, Elvis, and Willie Nelson, and many other old favorites. A second show was held Sunday afternoon.

Other Activities

Calvin Bailey, a 1969 graduate of Gleason High School, will be inducted into the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame on April 14, 2011 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center in Jackson, Tennessee. Calvin is the son of the late Morris and Ann Bailey of Gleason. He is the grandson of the late Dee and Ida Spencer and Jacob and Mary Bailey.

At Gleason High School, he was a member of the 1969 Basketball State Tournament Team. During the 1969 season, Bailey scored 51 points and 30 rebounds in one game. He was named to the All-Region, All District, and All-County teams. He completed his senior year, averaging 20 points and 21 rebounds per game.

After graduation, Calvin signed a basketball scholarship with Jackson State Community College, where he played from 1969-1971. He broke numerous records while at Jackson State, including a rebound record of 27 rebounds in one game. Bailey also set a record for individual rebounds in a season, with 398. During his tenure at Jackson State, he average 22 points and 15 rebounds per game. He was named Top Rebounder in Tennessee Jackson College Athletics and was named t o t h e Re g i o n 7 TJCAA Al l - Conference Team.

In 1972, Calvin continued his basketball career with David Lipscomb University in Nashville, where he averaged 23 points and 16 rebounds per game. He set a rebound record of 27 rebounds in one game and set the record again during the same season with 30 rebounds, 47 points, and 14 blocked shots in a single game.

In 1972, Calvin set a single season scoring record with 618 points. He also tied the record for the most free throws in one game - 17 of 20. Calvin set the record for the most rebounds in a single season with 431 rebounds. He was named David Lipscomb’s MVP and was also selected as a member of the “Nashville All-City College Team.”

While Calvin had an opportunity to play professional basketball, he chose to retur n to Jackson State Community College to teach and serve as an Assistant Men’s Basketball Coach.

For the past thirty-seven years, Calvin has been a coach and mentor for students on the elementary, middle school, high school, and college levels. All have been equally important to him. He is currently employed with the Gibson County Special School District, where he has served as principal of Medina Elementary School for 30 years. During his tenure, he has seen the Medina Public School System become one of the fastest growing school systems in the country, academically ranking among the top in the state of Tennessee.

Calvin Bailey has used sports as a platform to stress that winning is defined by making a difference in the lives of others.

Calvin is married to the former Sandra Mitchell of Jackson. They are the parents of two children, Bryan and Rebecca. Source: McKenzie Banner.