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Mineral Day Showcases Local Ball Clay Mining

By CLAY SMITH

Weakley County Press

IN THE PIT — Arson Potts (left) explains ball clay mining to Weakley County General Sessions Judge Tommy Moore. The Edna Smith Mine, named after the former landowner, is about 10 minutes outside of Gleason. This specific mine likely has another 20 years worth of clay excavation, according to Potts.

Gleason is known as Tater Town, USA, but it could also be called “Ball Clay, USA.” The area surrounding Gleason is home to nearly a dozen ball clay and other mineral mining operations.

To celebrate the area’s industry, Imerys Ceramics (formerly Kentucky-Tennessee Clay Company) hosted its first Mineral Day at their facility outside of Gleason on Tuesday.

Community members were invited to tour the facility, examine products made from minerals collected in the area and tour an active mine.

Uses of the clay vary, depending on elasticity and strength. Some clays are used to make items like dishes and toilets, while others are used in the production of asphalt and fiberglass.

“With all the clay that we still have here, this county will be on the map for a long time,” said Arson Potts, ball clay operations manager for Imerys, during a tour of the Edna Smith mine outside of Gleason. Potts, who has been with the company for 43 years, believes there is between 50 to 100 years worth of clay excavation left in the various Imerys mines.

Most of the mining sites are named after the person who owned the land before Imerys Ceramics leased or bought the land.

“The Edna Smith Mine is about 80 acres, and there’s clay on just about every inch of it,” said Potts.

Ensuring that the environment is protected is crucial to the company’s ability to mine. Before the first shovel of dirt was moved at the Edna Smith Mine, Imerys spent an estimated $700 per acre on prospecting and environmental permit application fees.

Jerry Hailey, who is employed by the company in water management, demonstrated how water from mining sites is treated. He used a mixture of water, vinegar and cocoa powder to illustrate how the company separates contaminants from water at the mining site before disposing of said water.

Brent Eugley, who began working with the company in the mines in 2000, now works as an environmental consultant for the company. He says that in the long run, establishing strict environmental standards contributes to the business’ profitability.

“It’s actually cheaper to do it right than it is let things slip and get fined,” said Eugley. “The state could shut us down today if they found something wrong. So, it’s important that we keep up to code.”

The former Kentucky Tennessee Clay Co., which was established in 1926, was purchased by Imerys Ceramics in 2000. For simplicity, the company often still goes by the name KT Clay Co.

Many of the deposits in Weakley County are 30 to 40 feet deep. Excavators usually have to remove 40 to 50 feet of dirt to get to the clay. About half of the clay excavated by Imery’s is shipped by rail; the other half is shipped through a series of trucks.

“The southeastern United States has one of the largest ball clay deposits in the country,” said Eugley.

Imery’s Ceramics currently staffs 52 employees at their Gleason plant and has nearly 16,000 employees worldwide. They have 11 permitted properties in Weakley and Henry Counties. Nearly every employee has worked with the company since before the acquisition by Imerys Ceramics. The plant has been 1,962 days without a lost time accident.

DIGGING DEEP — Citizens were invited to come to the Edna Smith Mine outside of Gleason as a part of Mineral Day with Imerys Ceramics. The ball clay from this mine is used to make plates, ceramics, toilets, fiberglass and asphalt, among other uses. Source: Weakley County Press.

State Representative Andy Holt Presents Proclamation to Imerys

Front Row: State Representative Andy Holt, Arson Potts (Gleason, Imerys - KT Plant Manager), Chuck Laine (President, Tennessee Mining Association)

Back Row: James Jarrett, Kerry Arnold,   Eric Duke, Donald Cooper, and Brent Eugley (Photo by Charles Anderson).

Rotary Clubs host District Governors in Joint Meeting

District Governor Dr. Bill Jones, an optometrist and Elvis impersonator from Franklin, visited a joint meeting of the Gleason and Greenfield Rotary Clubs Oct. 5th.The event was organized by Assistant District Governor Clark Brown of McKenzie and held at  the First Methodist Church of Greenfield. Also attending was Past District Governor Glen Vanderford of Jackson.  The joint official meeting was held as an opportunity for DG Jones to share Rotary International’s goals and new initiatives with the clubs’ Directors and membership.

President Zach Lunsford of Greenfield and President Jeff Hazlewood of Gleason highlighted community service projects including youth sports programs, funding scholarships, sponsoring Boys’ and Girls’ State, Rotary Youth Leadership Awards, and the Gleason Rotary Senior Center.

DG Jones presented immediate Gleason Rotary Past President April Lieberman with The Paul Harris Fellow recognition, which acknowledges individuals who contribute, or who have contributions made in their name, of $1,000 to The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Source: Dresden Enterprise

Gleason Downtown Revitalization Program

Hosts First Annual Fall Music Fest

Jim Johnson

GleasonOnline.Com

The Gleason Downtown Revitalization Program hosted its First Annual Fall Music Fest on September 26.

With admission being free and free tickets for drawings being being given to all in attendance, an estimated 175 Gleason citizens and visitors from the surrounding areas turned out for this event. They were all treated to some great music provided by local celebrities at  the "new and revitalized" Huggins Park.

Good food, including Hamburgers, Cheeseburgers, Walking Toco's, Popcorn, Candy and Drinks were also provided at the Concession Stand.

This was an evening that offered something for people of all ages. Children's activities started at 4:00 PM and featured Face Painting by Matt Cady and a "Bounce House", which the younger children seemed to really enjoy.

Hosted by MC Charles Anderson, musical entertainment started at 5:00 PM. Opening the show was Anna Eaton who sang the National Anthem. This was followed by musical selections provided by Ronnie Story, Keith Dunning, Wess Whitworth, Larry Morgan, McKenna Cady, Micah Arnold, David Hoppe and Jon and Anna Eaton.

Among the selection of songs that Anna and Jon Eaton sang to round out the evening was one very special song, which they wrote, that featured a friend of theirs - Gleason resident Billie Joe Ward.

It is noteworthy that the citizens of Gleason, once again showed their great generosity in terms of supporting Gleason revitalization efforts by making donations on the order of $800 during this event. These funds will be used to support further downtown revitalization projects.

Click Here for Music Fest Pictures

Fifth Annual Sadie Saves Charity - 5K Run and Fall Fest

Jim Johnson

GleasonOnline.com

The Fifth Annual Sadie Saves Charity 5K Run and Fall Fest was held in Gleason on Saturday, September 19th at the Gleason Gazelle grounds. The weather was perfect, the runners were ready, and the citizens of Gleason turned out in numbers to support this charitable event. This annual event is in memory of  Sadie Cook a graduate of Gleason High School who passed away on November 7, 2010.Her passing resulted from, what the medical examiner determined to be an asthma attack, thought to be brought on by anaphylaxis (an allergic reaction) that struck suddenly and without warning.

Her sister, Savanna, determined to uphold her memory, created the Sadie Saves memorial and fund-raiser to celebrate Sadie's life. The ultimate goal is to help prevent a similar incident from happening to others.

The Sadie Saves charity raises money to purchase Epi pens and Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs), along with providing training in the use of  these devices for Weakley and surrounding counties.

The pens are made available to anyone in need of them. To date, numerous Epi pens have been purchased and distributed to each of the Weakley County Schools. The money raised from this charity has also purchased AEDs for the fire departments in Gleason, Dresden, Greenfield Como/Ore Springs, Latham/Dukedom, McLemoresville, Sharon, and Palmersville.

Strong community support for this years event was highlighted by the 98 runners who participated in the 5K run and the large number of people from  Gleason and the surrounding area that turned out to watch many of the runners turn in excellent times.

The top two male and female finishers were Ryan Delaney of Dresden and Kelly Lassiter of Paris. Delaney's time was 18:58, while Lassiter's was 24:17.

After the 5K event was finished, most of those who came out to support Sadie Saves and the participants stayed around to visit with friends, watch the awards ceremony, and participate in the auction that featured an exceptionally wide range of items.

While the number of items that were available for bidding was too  large to list, they included home baked cakes and pies, canned goods, DVD players, a Fire Pit, more that 20 hand painted chairs including University of Tennessee and Tennessee Titans chairs, a crock pot, a beautiful decorative saddle, and a collectable football in a display case that was  autographed by legendary University of Tennessee coach, Phil Fulmer.

The degree to which Gleason Citizens support the Sadie Saves charity was clearly shown, not only in their supplying many of the items that were put up for bidding, but also by the amount of the bids. Bids on cakes and other bake goods were often in the fifty to sixty dollar range and other bidders opened their pocketbooks wide in bidding on items such as the University of Tennessee and Tennessee Titan chairs, the decorative saddle, and the very sought after football, autographed by coach Fulmer.

This generosity resulted in the Sadie Saves charity raising more than $12,000 to be used to further the important work that this charity does and to honor the memory of Sadie Cook.

CLICK HERE FOR SADIE SAVES 2015 PICTURES

       Anti-Bullying Workshop

The workshop is designed to help individuals recognize bullying. Individuals will also develop an understanding of what is involved in bullying, the consequences, and the effect on those who are bullied. By gaining a better understanding of what bullying is and its effects, the participants will learn ways to prevent the harmful effects of bullying through dance and fitness.

Workshop Objectives:

·        What is the definition of bullying?

·        What are bullying behaviors?

·        Who bullies?

·        What strategies can children  use to deal with bullies?

·        What steps can adults take to address bullies?

 About the Presenter:

Mickey L. Lewis II is the Community Liaison for FamilyCare Counseling Center. He also works for the Family Resource Center as the Program Assistant for the Simpson Elementary Schools. Mr. Lewis graduated from Franklin Simpson High School and attended two years at Union College studying Social Work. Mr. Lewis also served on year as chairman of Community Action of Southern Kentucky, while also rejuvenating the Fatherhood Committee. Mr. Lewis is also trained in Active Parenting, Darkness to Light: Child Sexual Abuse Program, and Anti-bullying programs. He has years of experience working with children and adults of different communities through dance choreography, event coordinating, working in the school systems, and church settings.

Going Back Shows You Can Go Home

By Frank Gibson

GLEASON — Who says you can’t go home? Those words reverberated in my head as I headed down Highway 22 South on the way back to Nashville on Labor Day weekend.

Wife Kathy and I were returning from the annual Tater Town Festival here. We were here for a reunion of the Gleason High School Class of 1965 – my class. Home is a few miles from the late Gov. Ned McWherter’s hometown and is in the middle of what he often reminded me was “God’s country” (as in “when you coming back to God’s country?”)

I had the honor of emceeing the banquet Saturday night at the Simply Southern restaurant out on the 22 bypass. I was excited to see my classmates, but to prepare I probably engaged in a little more introspection than anyone, reflecting on what the town and people had meant to me after being away so long.

There had been 38 of us in the class. We paused at the start of the evening to honor the memory of nine we have lost along with our award winning football coach, Edgar Settlers. The 1963 Bulldogs won the first conference championship in school history and the proud Class of ’65 provided 10 players on that small team.

Some Tennessee Press Association members may wonder what this has to do with my position at TPA. Well, everything actually, because if not for the Class of 1965 and my place in it I probably would not be in journalism and would not have spent 40 years of reporting/editing at The Tennessean.

During my junior year at what is now simply called Gleason School, I covered the championship run of the Bulldogs in The McKenzie Banner and Dresden Enterprise, chronicling the 10-0-1 season under the byline “Frankie Gibson.” Some of my clips were in a photo display at dinner.

Immediate past TPA President Joel Washburn’s parents published the two papers back then, but Joel is publisher of the Banner and Enterprise these days.

My classmates elected me class “reporter” my senior year along with the offices of class president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. That made me the school reporter.

So you see, I started out as the ultimate “community journalist” – a student delivering a weekly school news column to the Banner office. It was always handwritten because we didn’t own a typewriter. A friend remembered at the reunion dinner that I could type 60 words a minute with two fingers and a thumb, much to the chagrin of our typing teacher, Mrs. Bradford. There was never time to type the columns in class.

That activity stirred an interest in journalism. I played on the 1964 team that stretched the Bulldogs winning streak to 18. That brought Tennessean Sports Writer Buddy Murchison down to do a story about our achievement.

After Buddy interviewed the stars and the coach, I interviewed him about being a journalist and whether he knew of any scholarship possibilities. No, but he told me if I ever made it to Nashville to look him up and he would introduce me to the right people. Two weeks after graduation I climbed aboard a brick truck headed east, and within four months I had landed a job at The Tennessean.

But, I digress.

We had a fun evening, remembering and telling tales as well as confessing to youthful indiscretions, including unauthorized visits to the postmaster’s prized watermelon patch and tossing water-filled balloons on Halloween.

There were serious moments. We heard stories of successful careers and businesses, of classmates who taught young people from preK to college math, and 50-year marriages still going strong. There were warm stories of children, grandchildren and a few great-grandchildren, and some shared poignant, heart wrenching stories about losing young children, grandchildren, and parents. There were painful accounts of spouses struggling with health issues but nary a murmur or complaint of personal health issues among the 24 ex-mates.

After a day of visitation and celebration, including seeing Joel Washburn shooting pictures as we rode through town on bales of straw in the annual Tater Town Special parade, I had to give my classmates an honest assessment -- “50 years sure looks good on you people.”

The year we came out of GHS, Cokes, stamps and Hershey bars all cost a nickel, bread was 21 cents a loaf, the mini-skirt emerged as the fashion statement that year, Cool Whip and Diet Pepsi had just come out, you dropped a dime to make a pay telephone call, the first Subway sandwich shop opened, and two of the top songs nationally and the Gleason Dairy Bar jukebox were “Wooly Bully” by Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs and “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” by Herman’s Hermits.

In hindsight, perhaps the most significant development that year was the creation of Medicare.

A kind introduction (or reintroduction) by all around class leader Bonnie Arnold Bullock moved me to share with the 50 or so people in the room what I had realized after years of introspection: that I was blessed to grow up in a small town with the people in that room and those who had passed on. I was blessed with good teachers. I had been blessed to be raised by a loving grandmother, Della Williams McDearman Riles, and to enjoy a career of purpose. “Choose a job you love and you will never work a day in your life.” Confucius said, according to Google.

So as we rolled along by the fields of corn, cotton and soybeans on both sides of the road (evoking memories of farm work as a kid), the lyrics of the Bon Jovi and Jennifer Nettles hit from 2005 seemed apropos for the moment and the whole weekend:

“Who says you can’t go home. “There’s only one place they call me one of their own

Just a hometown boy, born a rolling stone, Who says you can’t go home

Who says you can’t go back,

been all around the world and as a matter of fact

 There’s only one place left I want to go,

who says you can’t go home.”

“I went as far as I could; I tried to find a new face

There isn’t one of these lines that I would erase

I lived a million miles of memories on that road

With every step I take I know that I’m not alone

You take the home from the boy, but not the boy from his home.”

“It doesn’t matter where you are, it doesn’t matter where you go

If it’s a million miles away or just a mile up the road

Take it in, take it with you when you go, who says you can’t go home?”

Some may say you can’t go home, but after 18 years growing up here and a weekend of renewing wonderful friendships and memories, they’ll have a hard time convincing me and the Class of ’65.

Frank Gibson is Tennessee Press Associations public policy director. Reach him at fgibson@tnpress.com or at 615-202-2685. Source: McKenzie Banner / By permission of the Tennessee Press Association.

Remembering & Honoring Private Bobbie Dee Phelps

By Jim Johnson

GleasonOnline.com

On September 5^th, 2015 Phelps Street in Gleason, Tennessee was formally dedicated as "PVT Bobbie Dee Phelps Memorial Way" as part of the 2015 Tater Town Special program. This dedication was to honor the memory of Private Bobbie Dee Phelps, who was attached to the 5^th Cavalry Regiment, 1^st Cavalry Division, of the US Army, who was killed in action in Korea on April 29^th, 1951.

The dedication ceremony of "PVT Bobbie Dee Phelps Memorial Way" began with thoughtful opening comments by Gleason Mayor, Diane Poole and were followed by a heartfelt presentation by Mr. Jim Phelps, who commented on the circumstances surrounding Bobbie Dee Phelps making the ultimate sacrifice for his country - much of which is presented here.

In  his comments Mr. Phelps noted that that Bobbie's Grandfather, Elvis Jackson Phelps, built the very first house on Phelps Street, where Bobby Phelps was born - "the yellow house located just down the street on the left" - (the old Roy Hodges home at 223 Phelps Street).  READ MORE...

UT-Martin’s Hannah Robison Finishes Top Seven in Miss America Pageant

Hannah Robison, a senior chemistry major at the University of Tennessee at Martin, finished in the top seven contestants during the 2016 Miss America Pageant, broadcast Sept. 13. She was selected as the People’s Choice contestant based on social media votes cast on her behalf and will receive a $7,000 scholarship for advancing to the final level.

Robison received several recognitions before Sunday’s competition as well. She is the first Miss Tennessee to win the Miss America STEM Scholarship, which totals $5,000 and is awarded to a contestant enrolled in a declared field of study in science, technology, engineering or mathematics.

She was also named first runner-up for the Jean Bartel Quality of Life Award, given to a contestant who excels in her commitment to enhance the quality of life for others through volunteerism and community service. The first runner-up receives a $4,000 scholarship. This is the highest finish a Miss Tennessee has received for this award. Robison is the first Miss Tennessee to qualify as a finalist for both preliminary scholarships.

She was also recognized as one of three USA gold medalists for the Duke of Edinburgh International Award, introduced to the pageant in 2013. This accolade was first given in the United Kingdom in 1956 and today is the world’s leading youth achievement award, available to qualifying young people 14-24 years old. The award considers a variety of self-improvement areas, including community service, physical recreation, adventurous journey and a residential improvement project. The Misses Alabama and South Carolina were also recognized for this award.

Since claiming the Miss Tennessee title in June, Robison has received more than $37,000 in scholarships from the Miss America Organization, allowing her to fund her dream of earning a doctoral degree in chemistry and teaching at the university level. Robison will return to Tennessee and complete her reign as Miss Tennessee 2015, which includes serving as Gov. Bill Haslam’s ambassador for character education and supporting the state’s Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. Source: Weakley County Press.

Rezoning of Gleason Property for Convenience Store Clears First Hurdle

DAVID FISHER

 Staff Writer

 The rezoning of property adjacent to the Little General Store, located at 204 North Cedar Street in Gleason, was the top item on the agenda during Thursday night’s meeting of the Gleason Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

After three months of working on a solution to the hotly debated issue, Mayor Diane Poole announced that a compromise had been reached between Cox Oil Company, which owns the Little General Store in Gleason, and the local property owners.

To overcome the landowners’ objections that the parking lot would be too close to their homes, Cox Oil agreed to move a proposed six-foot tall privacy fence back five feet from the property line to give the adjoining residents more breathing room.

The Board responded by passing the first reading of a zoning ordinance paving the way for expanding the local convenience store’s parking lot.

The ordinance rezones the property from R-1, Low Density Residential District to B-1, Medium Density Business District.

During last month’s Gleason City Board meeting, local property owners objected to a parking lot being built next to their homes, due to concerns over possible privacy and noise issues.

At that time, Cox Oil representative, Ryan Higginbotham, stated the company wishes to purchase the house next door to the store, tear it down, and construct a parking lot in its place.

According to Higginbotham, the reason for seeking to expand parking at the Gleason Little General is over safety concerns – not increased profits. He said the lot is too congested and there is a real danger of customers getting run over while trying to maneuver in and out of parking spaces with semi trucks and other vehicles partially blocking their paths.

A public hearing and second reading of the ordinance will take place during a called meeting on Thursday, October 1 at 7 p.m.

Another controversial item on the agenda was how much, if anything, to charge for debris and brush pick up.

Regarding brush pickup, Alderwoman Kris Morse said, “I think this is what citizens pay taxes for.” However, she stated there could be guidelines, such as allowing brush pickup only on certain days of the month.

Alderman Mike Morris stated that some cities have pickup on the third Thursday of each month, and suggested Gleason could do something like this.

Alderman Charles Bookout questioned how much debris should be picked up for free before charging a fee.

“I think we need to leave it the way it is,” said Alderman Jerry Connell. In order to keep the City looking nice, he advocated picking up debris and limbs everyday.

Morris said there should be a charge for the City hauling away a huge load, but local citizens should not be charged “every time a limb blows out of a tree.”

After much discussion, the Board passed a motion allowing Public Works Director Dale Stephens to charge residents an extra fee for the City to pick up an excessive amount of debris. However, the City will still pick up brush at no fee.

Alderwoman Kris Morse stated Gleason Library has received a 50/50 tech grant in the amount of $351, and Gleason must match this amount. The funds will be used to cover the cost of a new printer, fax machine and Microsoft software license.

The next regular City Board meeting is 7 p.m., Thursday, October 8. Source: Dresden Enterprise.

Tater Town Festival Wraps up With Parade

By DOUG MARSHALL

 Special to the Press

 The streets were crowded in small town USA, Gleason, TN on Saturday, Sept, 5. The air smelled like barbecue, and the children of the Gleason area eagerly grabbed candy off the ground from the passing floats. The patrons were gathered to watch and participate in the annual Labor Day weekend Tater Town Festival Parade.

“This is the 42nd year for small town USA right here,” said grand marshal Charles Anderson. “Gleason is known for sweet potatoes and has been for years. Every year on Labor Day weekend we put together a little Tater Town special. Today we had a tractor show; it is the 11th year we’ve done that, and we really enjoy this. It’s a community time; it brings that small town pride back to town. People enjoy themselves. It’s a reminiscent time, and we have a lot of class reunions going on this weekend. This festival is a hometown event to bring hometown natives back to town.”

“The Tater Town festival is all about a group of about eight women who pull the community together, just to be together, that’s all that it’s about. Just giving back to the community!” Jennifer Cook said enthusiastically about the festival. Jennifer Cook is one of the Gazelles who helped to put the event together.

“I think it’s a time for the community to come together like it has been doing for 42 years,” said the other grand marshal, Jim Johnson. “The Gazelles do a wonderful job with this; we could not do this without them. I think it’s a place, not even just for the current citizens of Gleason. I grew up here and was away for a long time, and I kept trying to figure out how I could keep in touch. I finally developed a website for current and former Gleason citizens to keep in touch. There are a lot of people here today; some are here for their 55th class reunion, some for their 50th, and some others for their 40th. All of these people have come back for this Tater Town Festival, so I just think it highlights the cohesiveness of the town.”

“It’s been a long time tradition here, of course Gleason is small, but this is one of the major things we do here,” said Dale Stevens, Gleason’s Director of Public Works. “The Gazelle group, the girls have recently lost some membership. They’re down to a bare minimum, and Gleason public works helps them out with this. They are a really great organization, and we cherish this time every year. We spend a lot of time; the public works department does a lot of work for them in an effort to help them out. Everybody, a lot of the classmates from years ago, have come back here every year and have class reunions and it’s just a tradition now. It’s been going on for a long time and people expect it and we enjoy helping put it on.”

The parade proudly displayed police, fire, and EMS vehicles, along with the local National Guard. It was also filled with local businesses, government officials, local cheerleaders and beauty queens, along with other local groups and clubs.

TATER TOWN USA— Gleason High’s cheerleaders march through downtown Gleason during Saturday’s parade (top left photo). From left to right: Amber Watson, April Watson, Hailey Harrison, Gracie Long, Josie Long, Claire O’Connor, Jessica Remillian, Maggie Hampton, Madison Gazelle, Dorcy Bell, Bell Fallard, Allison Rollins. In the top right photo, the winners of the Tater Town beauty pageant ride through town; (from left to right) Queen: Mary Rollins, First Maid: Jamie Shay Bailey, Second Maid: Savannah Scarborough, and Third Maid: Chelsea Beasley. Grand marshals Charles Anderson and Jim Johnson are pictured in the bottom left photo. In the bottom right picture, motorcyclists ride through the parade. Source: Weakley County Press.

This City of Gleason has just become the recipient of a charming old display case, complements of Gary Doster.

Plans are for this display case to reside at City Hall and to be used to display Gleason-related memorabilia that in some way have to do with important events, milestones, people, artifacts or other items that in some way relate to the history of Gleason.

Anyone who might have items of this type that wish to donate them for display, is encouraged to call City Hall at Phone (731) 648-5547 .

Helping Enhance the Gleason Community Through Clay:

Charles Anderson, President of the Gleason Downtown Revitalization Program, receives a check in the amount of $1,500 dollars from Brent Eugley of Imerys North America Ceramics (formerly KT Clay Co.) for the new vinyl fence at Huggins Park.

Left Side: Imerys Ceramics Representatives:

Front Row: Left to Right: Kim Montgomery - Ball Clay Lab Technician; Katy Lucas (dark green shirt/brown pants) - Geologist

Back Row: Left to Right: Stacy Collins - Ball Clay Technician; Cruz Legens - Ball Clay Lab Technician; Eric Duke (white shirt) Production Supervisor; Kerry Arnold -(EHS) - Environmental Health and Safety Manager; Brent Eugley (with check) - Environmental Coordinator; James Jarrett (right side with bright yellow shirt) - Ball Clay Quality Control Manager/Product Development Coordinator.

Right Side:  Revitalization Committee Representatives:

Left to Right:  Mayor Diane Poole (behind fence), Charles Anderson-President (receiving check),  Rose Anderson, Gary Doster, James Jarrett (Imerys Representative), Chief Jeff Hazelwood, Doris Owen-Treasurer, Jim Johnson and Matt Cady.

(Click Here for Full Story)

Pictured are Rotarians Jeff Hazlewood, Charles Bookout and Gary Vandiver. 

Enjoy Potluck Dinners, Traditional Country, Gospel and Bluegrass Music

 Y'all Come !

Gleason Pickers perform Hank Williams Sr.'s "Move it on Over" at the newly renovated Gleason Rotary Senior Center! Come enjoy a potluck dinner and traditional country, gospel and bluegrass music every 2nd and 4th Tuesday, 6:00 PM.

Click Here To View Facebook Video   

Hannah Robison Named Miss Tennessee 2015

Making Gleason Proud

 James H. Johnson

GleasonOnline.com

Miss Scenic City, Hannah Robison,  was crowned  Miss Tennessee for 2015 on Saturday, June 20th in Jackson at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. Hannah, age 21, is currently a senior  at the University of Tennessee at Martin, majoring in Chemistry and pursuing a minor in Psychology.   

 She won her talent preliminary for an outstanding performance on the piano as well as her lifestyle and fitness preliminary in the swimsuit competition. 

 As Miss Tennessee, she will receive an  $18,000 scholarship and will represent Tennessee at the Miss America Pageant in September. Additionally, she will serve  as Governor  Bill Haslam's Official Spokesperson for Character Education where she will be interacting with children across the state.

The selection of Hannah Robison as Miss Tennessee-2015 makes a lot of people in the Gleason community proud.  And none are prouder than her grandmother  Bobbye Lu Robison of Gleason. Hannah is the daughter of  Bobbye Lu and the late Buddy Robison's son Rusty and his wife Pam who live in Buchanan.

Bobbye Lu notes that it takes a while to come down from the high that is experienced when a granddaughter wins something like this. She also highlighted Hannah's ties to Gleason by noting that Hannah was Gleason's "Miss  TaterTown" in 2010.

She went on to say "I was very thrilled that she won this honor because it's not just a beauty pageant. It doesn't just involve how one looks, but also showing composure in what can be a stressful interview, having talent - and lots of hard work !"

It is noteworthy that Hannah's Grandmother, Bobbye Lu, is no stranger to beauty pageants herself, having been named "Miss Gleason" back in 1951. It seems that talent, composure, and beauty run in the family.   

Downtown Revitalization Committee Hosts First Family Movie Night

On Saturday night, September 13, the Gleason Downtown Revitalization Committee hosted its first Family Movie Night at Huggins Park. The featured movie was Facing the Giants, a  PG rated family-friendly drama about a high school football coach who, in several years of coaching, has never had a winning season.  Just as he is finding some reason to believe that the upcoming season might be better his hopes are squelched when the best player on his team transfers to another school. After losing their first three games of the season, the coach discovers a group of fathers are plotting to have him fired. Combined with pressures at home, the coach has lost hope in his battle against fear and failure. However, an unexpected challenge helps him find a purpose bigger than just victories. Daring to trust God to do the impossible, the coach and members of his team discovers how faith plays out on the field… and off.

This first Family Movie Night film sponsored by the Downtown Revitalization Committee, got things off to a good start, despite the unseasonably cool to borderline cold temperatures during the evening. More than 75 people came dressed for the occasion to see the movie, socialize with neighbors, and enjoy some great hamburgers, cold drinks, coffee, hot chocolate, and popcorn as well as cookies and other snacks that could be purchased at the concession stand. The one dollar per-person admission fee automatically entered everyone in drawings for various prizes. CLICK HERE FOR PICTURES!

The next regular monthly board meeting is Thursday, October 9 beginning at 7 p.m.

GHS 50-year Class Reunion - Class of 1964

 

The Gleason High School Class of 1964 celebrated their 50th class reunion during Tater Town festivities on August 30, 2014. The reunion was held at Mallards Restaurant in Huntingdon, with classmates having additional time to catch up on old times friends at the Dixie Carter Performing Arts Center in Huntingdon.

Front L-R: Rosemary Jorge, Suzette Edmonston, Martha Boone, Brenda Pickler, Judy Mansfield, Karen Dellinger, Sonja Godwn;

Back L-R: George Sawyers, Ronnie Dilday, Iva May Lowery, Wanda Maddox, Betty Bradberry, Sandra Tilley, Martha Brewer, Carol Sue Delinger, Mrs. Floyd and Mr. Floyd, John Bradberry (Note - maiden names used for ladies).

Gleason High School Class of 1962:

Second Annual Follow-up to their 50th Reunion

 

The Gleason High School Class of 1962 celebrated their second annual follow up to their  50th class reunion during Tater Town festivities on August 30, 2014.

 

Barbara Clement White, Ronnie Parks, Ferrellin Webb Cassidy, Coy Segraves, Curtis Mayo, Linda Ray Bevis, Sammy Tilley, Joyce Holland Straughn, John Ozment, Joyce Stewart Jones, Bobby Langley, Linda Elinor Boone, Kenneth Doster, Linda Travillian Langford, Terry Bunnell

Bro. Keith Sumner Named 2014 Parade Grand Marshal

The 2014 Grand Marshal for the Tater Town Special is Bro. Keith Sumner, pastor at First Baptist Church. Bro. Keith was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee. He is the son of Earl and Martha Sumner. He has one brother, Scott. eith and his family moved to Gleason in 2003 when he became pastor at First Baptist Church .

Bro. Keith married Tina Flowers Sumner in 1987and they have spent 27 wonderful years together. They have three sons: Josh, Ben, and Chris. Bro. Keith is very family oriented, which is why he feels so at home in Gleason. Keith often says that he couldn’t think of a better place to raise his boys.

Bro. Keith is a Gleason Volunteer Fireman and has been a Gleason First Responder. For years, Keith has assisted the Gazelles with the sound system for the Tater Town Special.

He has served on the Library Board and is the occasional announcer for Gleason sporting events. For many years, he has also been the emcee for Hometown Christmas and for Relay for Life. Bro. Keith also partners with Bank of Gleason and Gleason Clinic to assist them each December by being that special person local children enjoy every Christmas.

First Baptist Church has grown with his leadership, true dedication, and the hard work he puts into all he does. Bro. Keith’s true passion is Missions. His heart follows the Great Commission serving in Kosovo and Honduras outside the USA.

During his career, he’s also served in Arkansas, Cincinnati, and other places surrounding Tennessee, as well as inside Tennessee in Memphis. Bro. Keith is currently instrumental in local missions in Gleason, by the coordination of LG Day, which are times set aside to help people within the town.

Bro. Keith has also organized Annual Prayer Walks for Gleason school, as well as for the National Day of Prayer. Bro. Keith is willing to help whenever the need arises. He’s always willing to assist everyone who asks something of him.

He has made a profound influence throughout the town of Gleason, touching lives of many of its citizens by serving as an outstanding role model and leader. By his selfless service and dedication, Bro. Keith Sumner has truly made the community of Gleason a better place to live.

The Grand Marshall reception honoring Keith Sumner will be held at the First Baptist Church at 6:00 pm. on Thursday, August 28. Source: Dresden Enterprise.

Gleason City Board Discusses Downtown Restoration Projects

By David Fisher

david@dresdenenterprise.com

The subject of improving the appearance and functionality of the downtown area was one of the top issues for discussion, during the regular monthly meeting of the Gleason Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Thursday, August 14. Members also debated the proper procedure for sidewalk repairs and approved installing a glass partition in the front office of Gleason City Hall.

Charles Anderson, who is heading up Gleason’s newly formed Downtown Restoration Committee, addressed the board, saying that the organization, composed of local citizens, plans on hosting several fundraisers to raise money for improving the city’s appearance and making it more livable.

Anderson stated one recent fundraiser generated approximately $4,300, with about 400 people participating. He also said the sale of a citywide birthday and anniversary calendar is being developed, and if all goes according to plan, the calendars should be ready by January. He added CDs of Gleason’s history would be available for sale in the near future.

Anderson stated the organization plans on using a portion of the funds raised in fundraisers to hire a grant writer to help obtain grants, as other area towns have done. It was mentioned that the City of Martin has just received over $1 million for renovating and improving the appearance of their downtown district, and with the right grants, it is very possible for Gleason to obtain similar funding.

He displayed a diagram of a decorative brick wall with a flagpole, flower bed and seating area, which they hope to construct in the downtown area next to the hardware store on Cedar Street. This is to be the first project undertaken by the committee.

Another goal of the organization is to improve Huggins Park, which has seen very little use in recent years, and utilize it for concerts and other activities.

The Gleason Downtown Restoration Committee also proposes moving an old caboose to the site of the town’s old railroad depot. He notes talks are underway to obtain the train car and a section of track to set it on, thanks to an area citizen who has expressed an interest in preserving local railroading history. It is also possible a railroad museum may be constructed sometime in the future near the location of the depot.

The subject of sidewalk repairs and replacement was raised by Public Works Director Dale Stephens, who stated he is unclear concerning the proper protocol to deal with these problems, since the city charter and actual practice do not seem to agree and it leaves room for interpretation.

The board decided to develop a comprehensive policy concerning the installation, repair and replacement of sidewalks that spells out what the city and the property owner are responsible for. The practice has been for the homeowner to pay half of the cost. In the meantime, the board told Stephens to remove the broken sidewalk as requested by one property owner and the other issues would be dealt with as soon as a policy is written in consultation with MTAS.

Alderman Mike Morris mentioned that the sewer lines that were cleaned out are operating much more efficiently now and have receive many compliments from local citizens. Stephens explained the lines were stopped up with tree roots that had to be cut out to restore proper water flow.

The board gave Gleason Police Chief Jeff Hazlewood permission to install a partition in the front office of Gleason City Hall as a security measure. He noted that sometime  people into the office angry about something that has nothing to do with the city, exposing the office staff to potential harm.

The partition provides a measure of safety for the city workers. The partition, containing large glass panels, are to be installed during the evening hours after the office is closed, so it won’t interfere with day-to-day operations.

In departmental reports, Chief Hazlewood mentioned that the recently purchased drug dog “did not work out, because it was too aggressive,” so it was taken back and the city money was refunded to the city. He asked the board’s permission to purchase another drug dog. He stated the new dog would be a Labrador retriever. The new dog can be picked up in early September, after an officer participates in a three-day school, working with the dog.

Local citizen, Jerry Esch, stated repairs have been made at Gleason Senior Center, due to termite damage. Chief Hazlewood explained an outdoor drainage ditch got stopped up with dirt, and when it rained, the water would back up inside of the building, causing water damage, mold and attracting termites. He said there wasn’t much money involved in the repairs, but it did take a lot of labor. Hazlewood stated the walls have been repaired, but to prevent future problems, the drainage ditch needs to be cleaned out. He asked the Public Works Department to help with this project.

Mayor Diane Poole said, “We need to be looking for a new park director for next year.” The next board meeting is 7 p.m., Thursday, September 11. Source: Dresden Enterprise.

    Gleason Downtown Revitalization Fundraiser:

     A Big - Small Town Success

 James H. Johnson

GleasonOnline.com

 

On Saturday, August 2^nd, 2014, a Fundraiser, designed to support  Gleason Downtown Revitalization efforts, was held from  5 until after 8 PM at Huggins Park in Gleason.

The fundraiser was initially organized by the Gleason Downtown Revitalization Committee (Members: Charles Anderson,  Ron Arnold, Mary Margaret Beasley,  Andy Carroll,  Gary Doster, Police Chief Jeff Hazelwood, Doris Owen, and Mayor Diane Poole) and  focused  on raising funds to support initial downtown revitalization projects that can  provide the foundation for grant applications to fund larger projects.

The evening began with an opening prayer, provided by Mr. Jacky Esch and the National Anthem, wonderfully sung by Mr. Wendell Verdell.

The program consisted of gospel music, generously provided by  "Witness Southern Gospel of McKenzie, Tennessee, as well as Gleason's own Mike Snider, widely known for being a regular  on the Grand Ole Opry, as it is commonly known and referred to, and formerly a regular on the old Hee Haw television show as well as having received other honors associated with the country music industry.  Additional musical entertainment was also provided by Ricky Morgan of The Great Pretenders, Wendell Verdell and Charles Ross and family of Gleason. Each of these individuals and groups provided their services freely in support of this initiative.

Those in attendance were provided with plenty of great food, including both BBQ plates  and hot dogs from  Big Daddy's BBQ, Highway 79, McKenzie, Tennessee. Soft drinks, bottled water,  as well as snow cones and desserts were also available at the concession stand.

All in attendance had the opportunity to win more than 20 door prizes, such as gift cards and a variety of other items provided by numerous donors. Numerous attendees purchased chances to win various prizes ranging from gift certificates, to bicycles, to a Winchester Repeating Arms 12 gage shotgun,  along with 5 boxes of shells and electronic noise-suppression ear muffs.

With approximately 400 total in attendance, including lots of people from Gleason and the surrounding areas, others coming from further away, and more than a dozen others who were candidates for local, and state offices, this event has to be judged as having been a huge success.

Not only did the citizens of Gleason come out in numbers to support this important event, but many also made cash donations during the evening. Others supported this initiative by simply coming to enjoy the entertainment and fellowship with friends, while enjoying the excellent food and beverages and buying  tickets for the various prizes that were offered. Numerous other individuals, groups, and businesses made significant financial contributions, or  provided  goods or  services that were significantly discounted or  given freely for this event.

Valued Supporters: Final Flight Outfitters, Union City; Big Daddy's BBQ, McKenzie; Owen Brothers, Gleason; Pepsi Cola, Paris; Jim Johnson, Huntingdon; Coca Cola, Union City; Flowers by Jan, Gleason; Aletha Jones, Gleason; Simply Southern Restaurant, Gleason; Bank of Gleason, Gleason; WCMT Radio, Martin; Salon 104, Gleason; Gleason Superette, Gleason; Jerry Chestnut, General Manager of  Boral Brick, Gleason; J&P Exxon, Gleason; J & J Restaurant, Gleason; Bryant Video, Gleason; Blossom and Blooms, Gleason; Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, Gleason;  Weakly County Electric.

It is heartening to learn that the funds derived from this Gleason Downtown Revitalization Fundraiser were in excess of $4,000. 

This figure seems to highlight both the generosity of the citizens of Gleason, as a group, and the degree to which they care for their community and want it to be all it can be!

 

                                           

CLICK HERE FOR MORE PICTURES

Fundraiser to Benefit Downtown Gleason Revitalization Efforts

Opry member and Gleason native Mike Snider be part of festivities

By BRAD GASKINS

News editor

There’s a vision for downtown Gleason:

• Sidewalks, parking and an awning in front of the school. New benches and flower planters for the park and hand-painted murals on exterior walls of buildings.

• A restored railroad caboose to commemorate the old, forgotten train station. Construction of a fountain and – who knows – maybe even the development of a farmers market.

For the last several months, the Downtown Gleason Revitalization Committee has met to discuss ideas for revamping the area. A vision is there. Funds are needed.

The Downtown Gleason Revitalization fundraiser is Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at Huggins Park on West Main Street. All proceeds – and any donations received – will go towards starting the process of applying for grants.

Barbecue plates will be sold for $6. Soft drinks and desserts are $1. Hot dogs and burgers are also on the menu. And if you can’t stick around to eat at the park, to-go plates are available.

Gleason native and resident Mike Snider, a Grand Ole Opry member since 1990, will be there for a little pickin’ and grinnin’ and will probably tell a joke or two.

Ricky Morgan of The Great Pretenders will perform on stage. There will be games for the whole family to enjoy. A shotgun from Final Flight and boys’ and girls’ bikes are among the prizes up for grabs. Bring your own lawn chairs. Volunteers are welcome to help with various tasks.

The fundraiser has evolved from the initial idea. “We just wanted to meet downtown and play some cards,” Gleason Mayor Diane Poole said. “This thing has just spiraled out of control.” And that’s a good thing for Gleason, which elected Poole as its mayor in November 2012.

The Downtown Gleason Revitalization project can be traced back to a single question several months ago:

“Mrs Dianne, why can’t we fix up Gleason?” Susan Watts asked that question. She travels through Ripley as part of her job and had seen the downtown revitalization taking place in that city. Not long after that conversation, Poole went to Ripley to see what all they hype was about. She liked what she saw.

Back in Gleason, she made some phone calls and organized a small group. They called themselves Downtown Gleason Resvitalization group and have been meeting ever since, sometimes as frequently as once a week with about 10 people attending.

Poole doesn’t have to look far to see the need to revamp downtown. In fact, all she has to do is step outside City Hall and look across at a deteriorating parking lot. “It’s falling apart,” she said. The plan is to build a decorative brick wall at that location.

 From what Poole has seen so far, the Gleason community appears ready to get behind the project and offer help. Such was the case not long ago when Jerry Chestnut, the manager at Boral Bricks, read in the paper that the library needed help moving shelves and pulling up carpet. Chestnut offered manpower for the project.

“I nearly cried,” Poole said. “That lit a fire to move forward with the projects.”

Poole wants to see the revitalization project move forward to improve the community she loves so much.

“My blood runs orange,” she said. “You say Gleason and I start smiling. I can’t help it. That’s just me. I think it’s awesome that people want to do something.” Source: Union City Messenger.

Gleason Rotary Installs Officers

The Gleason Rotary Club recently installed new officers for the 2014-2015 year. Pictured from left Cil Weddington, Secretary; April Lieberman, President; Charles Bookout, Treasurer; Jeff Hazelwood, President-Elect; and Jacky Esch, Sgt. at Arms. Source: McKenzie Banner

Announcing the Gleason Downtown Revitalization Initiative

At the most recent meeting of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen, Gleason resident Charles Anderson spoke on behalf of the newly constituted Gleason Downtown Restoration Committee.

Mr. Anderson noted that we all take great pride in our small town and always want it to look its best. He went on to say that unfortunately, Gleason hasn't kept up with the times when it comes to the downtown area, as compared to other towns. While other city's are making improvements, Gleason's downtown area is moving in the opposite direction.

Mr. Anderson indicated that the focus of this committee will be on sprucing up the City of Gleason in all ways possible in order to make Gleason a more attractive destination for visitors. He stated that the Committee hopes to get all citizens involved in turning the downtown area around and making it a more enjoyable place to visit.

He suggested that the purpose of coming before the Board was not to ask the city for money but simply to get support from the board. He said that the committee hopes to use grants and individual donations to fund specific projects.

Some initial ideas for possible improvements include improving sidewalks/parking/awning in front of the school, a new LCD electronic billboard for the school, Flashing Safety Lights in school zones, restoring a Railroad Caboose to commemorate the old long & forgotten train station, new park benches/flower planters, hand painted murals on walls of buildings (looking for volunteers for artwork), the construction of a fountain, and potentially the development of a farmers market.

The Mayor and Aldermen expressed their excitement regarding the committee's ideas for improving the Gleason community and voted unanimously to support this new initiative.

Log Cabin Decorated with Autumn Theme

                                                                                                Source: DresdenEnterprise.com

 

Gleason High School 50-year Class Reunion - Class of 1963

The class of 1963 had their 50 year class reunion on Saturday, August 31, 2013.  Members of the class participated in the Tater Town Special parade by riding on  a "Class of 1963 ~ 50-year Reunion trailer. A member of the Class of  '63, the former Sandra Taylor who was the 1963 Miss. Gleason rode in a red 1963 Chevrolet Corvette owned and driven by Dale Nunnery, also a member of the Class of 63.

The 50-year reunion was held at the First Baptist Church on Saturday evening. The festivities were also attended by several well wishers from other Gleason High School Classes from the early to mid 1960's. A good time was  had by all!

Below is a picture of those members of the Class who were in attendance.

Class members attending included, pictured from left to right are: Front Row: Carol (Tucker) Dycus, Delois (Boane) Shaw, Kaye (Billington) Owens, Sandra (Taylor) Johnson, Wanda (Hodges) Pritchett, Patricia (Reed) Segraves Back Row: Robert Smyth, Pat Dewberry, Bobbie Lou (Williams) Chandler, Janis (Hodges) Featherstone, Jean (Burrows) Cunningham, Dale Nunnery, LeRoy Segraves.

 

Click on the Above Link for all Reunion Pages

 

Gleason High School Class of 1962:

Follow-up to the 50th Reunion

Members of the Class of 1962 followed up on their last year's 2012 Tater Town 50-year reunion by having a get together on Saturday, August 31st at at Hig's Restaurant in McKenzie. All members of the Class of 1962 and other friends were invited.

As can be seen from the picture below, the turn out for this follow-up was great, with 16 Class of 62 members attending and having a good time interacting with old classmates and other friends from Gleason School. - Click on the link below for more Class of '62 pictures.

Members of the Class of 1962 attending included, FRONT ROW: Joyce (Stewart) Jones, Ferrelin (Webb) Cassidy, Linda (Elinor) Boone, Joyce (Holland) Straughn, Linda (Ray) Bevis, Lynda (Travillian) Lankford, Barbara (Clement) White. BACK ROW: Terry Burnell, Curtis Mayo, Bobby Langly, Ronnie Parks, Coy Segraves, Pert Pritchitt, John Ozment, Jim Lawrence, Sammy Tilley. (Picture compliments of Linda Bevis).

 

Click on the Above Link for More Class of '62 Pictures

Donation to Gleason Football

The Bank of Gleason recently made a generous donation to the Gleason Football Program. The donation was given to go toward a shed to house the lawnmower, material, and equipment for field preparation. The Bank of Gleason is a proud Partner in Education with Gleason School. Pictured (left to right): Gleason Head Football Coach Noah Lampkins, Gleason Principal Trish Price, and Bank of Gleason Representative Mark Hagler.

 

McKenzie Medical Center Purchases Gleason Clinic

McKenzie Medical Center (MMC) is pleased to announce that it has purchased the Gleason Clinic located at 105 North Cedar Street in Gleason from Angie Carey.

MMC has worked closely with the late Physician Assistant Julius Carey “J. C.” since his start in Gleason in 1988. As a result, there is an established relationship between MMC and the Gleason Clinic. Both clinics are dedicated to providing top-of-the-line healthcare and treating their patients in the same way they would like their own family members to be treated.

Dr. Volker Winkler commented, “It was a privilege to have worked with J C for many years and to have been his friend. J C will always be a part of the Gleason Clinic. It is an honor for MMC to be able to continue to provide medical service to the community.”

MMC commits to continue to provide the community of Gleason and surrounding areas with quality, accessible medical care.

The current staff at the Gleason will remain the same with the addition of Tanya Arnold, FNP-BC as the new provider. Tanya is a Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner, who began working at MMC in February 2013. The staff members of the Gleason Clinic is excited to have Tanya as their new provider. Together the Gleason Clinic and MMC look forward to continuing to serve the community.

Tammy Etheridge, the manager of the Gleason Clinic commented, “The staff of Gleason Clinic is honored to have Tanya Arnold FNP-BC join our family. We truly believe God has placed Tanya at Gleason Clinic to provide hometown quality medical care to our patients who are also family to us. As we transition through the many changes since the passing of our beloved J C, we ask for your continued patience and prayers. The staff of Gleason Clinic feels blessed to now be a part of MMC as we partner with them to carry on.”

There will be an open house on Saturday, August 4th at the Gleason Clinic between 1:00 p. m. –3:00 p. m. Stop by and discover how the Gleason Clinic can be your medical home, working with you to provide you with the best possible care.

The Gleason Clinic is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 8:00 a. m. to 5:00 p. m. and Wednesday from 8:00 a. m. to 12:00 p. m. It is located at 105 North Cedar Street. Call 731-648-5634 for more information.

McKenzie Medical Center is located at 205 Hospital Drive, McKenzie. It is open Monday-Friday 7:30a.m.-7:00p.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00a.m.-5:00p.m. It has three satellite clinics: the Dresden Specialty Clinic located at 136 South Wilson Street, Dresden 731-364-4900; the Bruceton Clinic located at 123 Maple Street, Bruceton 731-686-4800 and the Gleason Clinic located at 105 North Cedar Street, Gleason 731-648-5634. For more information on services available at MMC visit www.mckenziemedicalcenter.com. Source: McKenzie Banner.

Family Recalls Life of Gordon Stoker

By Joe Lofaro
Special to the Press

When Gordon Stoker, a Gleason native and a member of The Jordanaires vocal group that backed Elvis Presley, died this past Wednesday, his niece Jenna Wright said Stoker was “the best uncle in the world.” “He knew where he came from and he loved the people. He was a great person,” said Wright, who chairs the department of English at the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Wright’s son, Zac, served as a pallbearer in Saturday’s funeral. “I was 12 years old before I realized Uncle Gordon was famous,” Zac Wright said. “He always wanted butter beans on okra.”

Stoker’s career started at Tumbling Creek Baptist Church, outside of Gleason, when he was 8 years old. In addition to playing the piano at church, he played at singing conventions in West Tennessee. “Mom and dad hung on them (singing conventions),” Stoker was quoted as saying. “I remember singing in Fulton and Martin.”

Better known as Hugh Gordon, he performed with the Clement Trio on WTJS in Jackson. He was recruited, after graduating from Gleason, to be the pianist in Nashville’s John Daniel Quartet. It was here that Stoker played on WSM’s Grand Ole Opry.

After three years in the Air Force, Stoker moved to Oklahoma to be near family, but in 1948 he moved back to Nashville and rejoined the Daniel Quartet, who was now playing on WLAC radio.

He met his wife, the former Jean Wilkerson, in 1949, at a church singing in Nashville. In 1950, he auditioned for and won the piano-playing job for the Jordanaires.

“The Jordanaires drew on both black and white gospel music, as well as many of the hymns Stoker knew by heart from his childhood in rural West Tennessee,” said Joe Rumble in a recent Associated Press article. Rumble is the senior historian at the County Music Hall of Fame in Nashville. Stoker and the Jordanaires became members of the prestigious Hall of Fame in 2001.

Not only did Stoker play the piano for the Jordanaires but he also took on the role as a vocalist, singing tenor. The group performed together for 60 years, singing backup for Presley, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, George Jones, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Red Foley and Kenny Rogers.

“He was so famous,” Wright said. “But to me he was just Uncle Gordon. He was an extremely unassuming person.”

Wright said her uncle attended her high school graduation in Gleason and Stoker, his wife and three children were in the fieldhouse when she graduated from UT Martin.

Wright said her family was extremely close. In fact, Wright’s father, the late Wayne Stoker, and Gordon were together with others for Thanksgiving in 1983 when Mike Snider dropped by the house.

“Wayne knew I won the national banjo playing contest in September of 1983,” Snider said. “It was on Thanksgiving in 1983, when I met Gordon at Wayne’s house. “Gordon asked me, ‘What do you want to do?’ I told him I would like to play on the Grand Ole Opry stage one time.”

“I remember Wayne telling Gordon he had to hear me play because I was something a little different,” Snider said.

Thanks to the Stokers, Wayne and Gordon, Snider was able to play on the stage at the Grand Ole Opry. He also appeared on Nashville Now and starred on Hee Haw. He is now a member of the Grand Ole Opry and he host segments this past weekend at the Opry.

“I didn’t even want to be in the music business,” Snider said. “I was farming. I couldn’t have done it without Wayne and Gordon. They were two really nice men who went out of their way to help somebody they didn’t even know.”

Wright will be the first to echo Snider’s comments about her dad and her uncle. “When my dad got real sick a couple of year’s ago, Uncle Gordon would call him every day, no matter where he was.

Uncle Gordon also called Wright often. “When he would say goodbye he always said, ‘I love you, baby.’”

At Gordon Stoker’s funeral at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Wright was just as unassuming as her uncle.“I am sure there were some big-name celebrities there, but I don’t keep up with all that,” she said.

In case your wondering about the music, Gordon Stoker and the Jordanaires sang backup on Tennessee Ernie Ford’s “No Tears in Heaven,” Presley’s “Known Only to Him” and Foley’s “This World is Not My Home.”

Despite the stellar lineup of music, Wright remembers the last words her uncle Gordon Stoker said to her, “I love you baby.”

Elvis photos on display at UTM: A photography display titled “ELVIS: Grace and Grit” is featured in the University of Tennessee at Martin’s Paul Meek Library Museum.

The display opened Monday and runs through May 31. An opening reception is Thursday from noon to 12:30.

“ELVIS: Grace and Grit” is the latest traveling exhibition from the CBS Television Photo Archive.

Shot by various CBS photographers, the exhibition contains 35 candid and on-air photographs documenting Elvis before the Las Vegas years — during the meteoric rise of this star, according to Victoria Ann Rehberg, exhibition marketing manager.

The exhibition was curated by National Exhibitions & Archives, LLC of Glens Falls, NY and the CBS Photo Archive.

The images, taken by CBS photographers, represent a sampling of over 30 million memorable images contained in the CBS Entertainment Archives, dating back to when CBS first began broadcasting as a radio network in 1928.

Published in The WCP 4.2.13

Gordon Stoker of The Jordanaires Dies at 88

By Sarah Wyland |

Gordon Stoker, tenor singer for vocal group The Jordanaires, passed away March 27 at his home in Brentwood, Tennessee, reports the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. He was 88.

Born August 3, 1924 in Gleason, Tennessee, Gordon grew up in a musical family and by eight was playing piano in church. He was soon playing at singing conventions in Western Tennessee and Kentucky. At one of the conventions, he caught the attention of John Daniel of the professional John Daniel Quartet who invited him to become the quartet’s first pianist when he finished high school.

Before joining John Daniel’s group, Gordon performed on radio in Jackson, Tennessee as a member of the Clement Trio and backed a gospel quartet who performed on a radio station out of Paducah, Kentucky. After graduating high school at age 15, he moved to Nashville to join the Daniel Quartet and began performing on radio station WSM.

Gordon joined the Air Force in 1943. After leaving the service, he enrolled at Oklahoma Baptist University before eventually retuning to Nashville and the Daniel Quartet.

The Jordanaires, organized in the late 1940s, became a top gospel quartet. The group was formed by two evangelists, Bill Matthews and his brother Monty, in Springfield, Missouri. Bass singer Culley Holt and baritone Bob Hubbard completed the quartet with Bob Money acting as pianist early on.

Gordon replaced Bob Money as pianist in 1949 after the group moved to Nashville to back Grand Ole Opry headliner Red Foley. Gordon soon became the lead singer and tenor. After the Matthews brothers returned to Missouri in the early 1950s, the group reorganized with Gordon remaining as tenor with Neal Matthews Jr. as a second tenor, baritone Hoyt Hawkins and bass Hugh Jarrett joining by 1955. Hugh was replaced by Ray Walker in 1958, completing the group that would be the lineup elected into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

By 1950, the Jordanaires were known for their renditions of songs associated with both black and white gospel traditions, a genre they continued to work in after signing with Capitol in 1951. The group also started singing background on country records and their regular spots on the NBC network portion of the Grand Ole Opry and 1955’s Eddy Arnold Time made them a household name.

While the group’s gospel albums helped them be elected into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2001, they are best known for the background harmonies they provided for dozens of other stars, including Elvis Presley on hits such as “Don’t Be Cruel,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight” and “It’s Now or Never,” which led them to work with other rock and roll stars like Ricky Nelson and Gene Vincent.

In the 1960s and beyond, the group often worked as many as four sessions a day. Their recordings with Ferlin Husky (“Gone”), Jim Reeves (“Four Walls”) and Patsy Cline (“Crazy”) showcase the smooth pop-influenced side of Nashville’s recording scene during the time period, while their work with Don Gibson (“Oh Lonesome Me’), Johnny Horton (“The Battle of New Orleans”), Tammy Wynette (“Stand by Your Man”) Conway Twitty (“Hello Darlin’”) and Kenny Rogers (“Lucile”) demonstrated their diversity.

The Jordanaires’ contributions to the Nashville recording industry include the system of studio music notation first popularized by Neal Matthews Jr. and known internationally as the Nashville Number System. They were also instrumental in establishing the Nashville offices of national performers’ unions representing radio and television artists and screen actors. After Hoyt Hawkins died in 1982, Duane West joined the group but left due to illness and was replaced in 2000 by Louis Nunley. Curtis Young joined in 2000 following Neal Matthews’s death.

In 2001 the Jordanaires were elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame. In 2002, the won a GRAMMY with Larry Ford & the Light Crust Doughboys for Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Album, for We Called Him Mr. Gospel Music: The James Blackwood Tribute Album.

The group’s final performance was in August 2012, in Tunica, Mississippi according to the Tennessean. Gordon was the group’s leader and owner, and The Jordanaires will not continue without him. “The group is over,” Alan Stoker, Gordon’s son, said. “It was a wonderful run. My father lived a great life, and left us a great legacy.”

Gordon is survived by Jean Stoker, his wife of 61 years, sons Alan and Brent, daughter Venita and daughter-in-law Jeanne, five grandchildren and one great grandchild.

Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 28, and again on Friday, March 29, at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, 660 Thompson Lane in Nashville. A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 30, at 2 p.m. at Christ Presbyterian Church, 2323 Old Hickory Boulevard in Nashville, with visitation one hour prior to the service.

Photo courtesy of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.

Gleason HS Class of 1962 Celebrates 50th Reunion

GLEASON (September 1) Gleason High School Class of 1962 celebrated their 50th reunion during Tater Town festivities on September 1, 2012. Class members attending included, pictured from left: (front row) Barbara Clement White, Lynda Travillian Lankford, Kitty Wray Oliver, Lynda Elinor Boone, Joyce Stewart James, Linda Ray Bevins, Joyce Holland Straughan, Ferrellin Webb Cassidy and Wanda Dilday; (back row) John Ozment, Pert Pritchett, Curtis Mayo, Jim Lawrence, Coy Segraves, Terry Bunnell, Bobby Langley, Sam Tilley and Ronnie Parks.

Below is an interesting story about Greg Wray's work in Zambia

Greg is Joyce Wray's son

From Cayman to Zambia

Local News
By: Joe Shooman |
26 August, 2012

Julia Watling has fun with local children.

Eight people from the Cayman Islands looked up and found themselves in the middle of a soccer game - in Zambia

“Unbenownst to us,” explained Greg Wray, “A pastor that we work with over there had arranged a football match. A guy of about 70 came up to me, he had quite good English and told us all about it. He said he was playing and we were feeling pretty good about it. We were all in blue jeans and boots but we thought we’d be fine. 

“Then we get down to this field and there were 200 villagers standing around. They’d cleared an area, made these home-made goals on a pitch that appeared to be about 300 yards long. These guys came out of the crowd; young, strong, long-legged. It was brutal! But that village will talk about that football match for years, probably. We had to stop it when it was 5-0 and we awarded them the soccer ball, because their village didn’t have one. But it was so much fun,” he said. 

Wray and a Cayman delegation weren’t there to bend it like Beckham, of course, but to offer assistance on a special trip featuring medicines and assisting with infrastructure in and around three villages including Mutufuli. It is a relationship that the group has developed over the years, helping with financial resources and giving of their time central to provide the African locals with badly-needed assistance. 

“We held medical clinics in each of the villages, treating everything from burns to malaria. People came from everywhere and lined up for treatment. It was the first time our focus had been that strong on the medical side. There was clearly a need for it. Next year I want to encourage and recruit people with medical training - nurses, doctors, dentists even - to come. There is a huge need for it,” he said. 

The trip also featured vacation bible schools for kids and a special showing of a film about Jesus in bush villages for audiences that had never seen a movie of any kind in their lives.

 

Front Row from left, Larry Mitchell, Greg Wray, Afiya Anyabwile and Heather Francis

Back Row: boatman Forbes, Jeff Sisk, Ron Buck and Julia Watling on the Kafue River, Zambia

 Sick kids  

The trip was a real eye-opener on the ground, said Wray. 

“This time we saw probably more sickness, particularly with the children, than ever. So many children are still dying from malaria which is so treatable. We ran out of the medication and we are now trying to find a link to a drug company or someone who can supply us with the malaria medicine that we can take back the next time. 

“There were also a lot of children with AIDS. Malaria is the biggest killer in these remote villages and there are pills; if you take one every day for two weeks you are fine. But without that they get sicker and sicker and eventually die. The witch doctors have treatments but they are not effective. The malaria medicine is readily available but it needs to be purchased and taken to them,” Wray explained. 

One of the ongoing projects is the construction of a schoolhouse, which has been a central part of previous visits. 

“We received funds from a family in Cayman to help enlarge the school. The government then mandated we needed to build four classrooms plus an office for the teachers so we still need about $10,000 additional funding. But that would allow 300 more children to go to school. 

“The biggest issue is the space for children to go to school, even if they had the money to go which is between $8 and $18 a year. But without the education there is a self-perpetuating cycle of illiteracy, joblessness, teenage pregnancy and the cycle repeats all over again,” he explained. 

The trip was vital to get first-hand experience of what is truly needed for the villagers, he continued. 

“The basic needs are enlarging the school, completing the orphanage - the boys’ dormitory is nearly complete but the girls’ dorm has not been started, which will be for 24 girls. 

“And we just found out this week that the government has approved for there to be a medical clinic built in the area of Mufutuli. We have to build it; we don’t have specs or an idea of costs yet but the government said they would staff it with a doctor.” With 1,000 people living within a day’s walk of the planned medical clinic, it will present a huge boost for the area. A team is also travelling from Oklahoma in October to teach the villagers how to drill wells, which will help keep children away from the river where tragically many are eaten by crocodiles each year. 

There are plans to return to Zambia in 2013 and even talk about possibly increasing visits to the region to twice-yearly to offer even more support, concludes Wray. Source: The Observer.

Gleason Home to Another Singing Sensation By Sara Reid, Staff Writer Posted: Tuesday, July 8, 2008 Micah Arnold The City of Gleason has long been known as the home of Grand Old Opry star Mike Snider, but in the near future it may be able to add another name to that list. Last month, Gleason native Micah Arnold, 26, took to the stage in the West Tennessee Idol competition in Jackson and outshined over 200 contestants to take home the grand prize and the chance to move on to state competition. Initially, Arnold, who has been singing since the age of three, was hesitant to enter the competition, but with the encouragement of his parents, Jim and Donna Arnold, he decided to take the plunge. “Over 200 people were at the audition,” Arnold admitted. “First, you had to sing a capella and if you advanced past that, you’d perform to a live round onstage in front of the judges and then a radio round where people called in and voted.” Despite the fact that the competition was very much like the “American Idol” television show, Arnold admitted that the entire process did nothing to wrack his nerves. “I’m used to the stage,” he said. “I’m in a band called Leaving Sunday and we’ve played in Dresden, Paris, Jackson and McKenzie. I’ve sung in Nashville in most every place. I play guitar in the band, but lately, of course, I’ve been focusing on vocals.” Arnold hopes to take his passion much further than the competition stage. He’s hoping to make a career in the music industry. “I’d really like to go further with it,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to work on a career in the music industry for a while now.” Arnold cites his musical influences as being everything from Keith Urban to Merle Haggard to Hank Williams Jr. to Garth Brooks to, of course, his father who played music when Arnold was growing up, but he relates his own style of singing to no one. It’s uniquely his own. “I try not to sound like anyone. I try to be unique. I’ve been told that I sound like George Strait or I sound like Conway Twitty, but I don’t want to be a second-rate version of them,” he admitted. Arnold wasn’t the only Weakley Countian to sing on the West Tennessee Idol stage, however. Two other singers from Palmersville also made the finals and Arnold saw their presence as a comfort. “Emily Rook was there and Paul Jolley was there and it was very comforting,” he remarked. “I knew them even before the competition and it was great that we all had each other to talk to and cope with. It really made the competition easier. We banded together and it really felt good to see people I knew there rooting all of us on.” When Arnold won the competition and received his trophy, he knew all the years of hard work and practice had paid off and he had just taken one step closer to his dream. “It really felt good. It’s something I’ve been doing for a long time and it paid off,” he said. “I still have a long way to go as far as making a career in music, but this was a huge accomplishment. The judges were from the music industry and hearing the positive feedback from them made me feel good about myself.” “Every contestant there deserved to win,” he added. “It was not an easy win because everyone was so talented, but I’m pleased they chose me.” Arnold will now compete in the Tennessee Colgate State Finals in Monteagle on Sept. 6 and with a win, will move on to national competition at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville.

The Life and Times of Mr. Roy Travillian

By Ernie Smothers smothers@mckenziebanner.com

It has been said that effort constitutes the defining line between those who dream and those who achieve. Gleason’s Roy Travillian is an achiever. He has not only dreamed great dreams, but through hard work and diligence, nurtured those dreams into reality. A spiritual and earnest man, he has lived a life that casts shadows on most. Laborer, farmer, salesman, business owner, college graduate at 68, author—-it’s easier to state what he hasn’t done rather than list all that he has accomplished. Quick to smile and even quicker to wit, Roy Travillian is a man with a story to tell.

Gordon Stoker

Gordon Stoker - Part of Half a Century of Music History

The Jordanaires greeted their fans at their induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. They have sung backup for Elvis Presley, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline and other legends. Quartet members are (from left) Curtis Young, Gordon Stoker, Ray Walker and Louis Nunley.  Source: Weakley County Press.  - Click Here For Full Story

Featured Series From the McKenzie Banner

Gordon Stoker - Gleason's Musical Marvel Makes it to Nashville: Part one of a two-part series By Deborah Turner   Source: The McKenzie Banner

Gordon Stoker - "The Amazing Years": Part two By Deborah Turner   Source: The McKenzie Banner

 Mike Snider

Mike Snider-Always Gleason's Hometown Boy

By Deborah Turner ~ dturner@mckenziebanner.com

Mike Snider surged from 1983 national banjo champ to a member of the Grand Ole Opry. After 26 years of perfecting the three-finger style of banjo playing, three years ago he switched to the clawhammer style in keeping with his interest in old-time mountain music.

Some who gain fame take due pride in being able to say they’ve never forgotten their roots. Celebrated banjo player, Mike Snider, on the other hand, dug his roots still deeper in the town of Gleason from which he’d sprung, after being welcomed heart and soul into the close-knit bosom of the Grand Ole Opry and adoring fans everywhere.  Source: MckenzieBanner.com - Click Here for Full Story!

        

 

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