Independent Appeal Newspaper No 03, February 2, 2023

INDEPENDENT APPEAL

Elvis Rocked at Bethel Springs

The Town of Bethel Springs is making plans to commemorate an event that marked a significant launching pad for Elvis Presley’s stratospheric rise to superstardom and you can help.

BETHEL SPRINGS, Tennessee--Once you know The King of Rock ’n’ Roll performed one of the first concerts of his illustrious career in your tiny hometown, what do you do with that? The people at Bethel Springs, Tennessee have an idea or two.

It is a well established fact that Elvis Presley played to a young au-

dience at Bethel Spring School in the days immediately following the release of his first single on Memphis-based Sun Records. Presley recorded his first hit single, That’s Alright (Mama)/Blue Moon of Kentucky, at Sun in July 1954.

See “ELVIS ROCKED” 4

Chamber's Winter Wonderland Annual Banquet award winners announced

MCNAIRY , TN – The McNairy County Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce the successful completion of its Annual Banquet, presented by State Representative Ron Gant on January 28th, 2023.

Over 200 community leaders, business owners, and local residents gathered to celebrate the achievements and growth of the McNairy community.

State Representative Ron Gant served as the naming sponsor for the event, while Paul Fisher Oil Company served as the Crystal Sponsor. The event was also made possible with the support of Diamond Sponsors Monogram Refrigeration, the Bank of McNairy, Gilmore Messaging, Action Realty, C & B Linen, Shackelford Funeral Directors, and Pickwick Electric Cooperative.

The evening was filled with networking opportunities, community updates, and recognition of local businesses and individuals. Attendees were treated to a delicious meal, lively music, and award presentations from local leaders.

"We are thrilled to have had such a successful turnout for our Annual Banquet," said Jessica Huff, the Executive Director of Chamber and Tourism for the McNairy Chamber of Commerce. "The support of our sponsors and the entire McNairy community makes events like this possible. Truly demonstrates the strength of our community, together."

The McNairy Chamber of Commerce would like to extend its gratitude to all those who attended and supported the Annual Banquet and all the nominees and award winners. The organization looks forward to continuing its efforts to support the local business community and enhance the quality of life for McNairy residents.

Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins signing autographs, circa 1956. The two artists met first in Bethel Springs, Tennessee at an early Presley performance, before either rock icon was nationally known.

Citizen of the Year Award - Jack Cheshier for 40 years

JC Shopping Spree presented by Board member Gretchen Stackens Dillard.

Youth Leadership Rising Star Awards - Scarlett Bright and Mark Mathis presented by Joshua Waffird, director of member services.

ZED by Duane M. Abel www.corkeycomics.com

Dare to Live Without Limits — Burning Bridges

BY BRYAN GOLDEN CONTRIBUTOR

YOU have probably heard that you shouldn’t burn your bridges behind you. This is true in some situations, but not all. When you burn your bridges, you limit your options. What situations warrant this action and which ones do not?

In your relationships with others, you don’t want to burn your bridges. Life takes many unexpected and unpredictable twists and turns. You never know whom you will need to interact with in the future.

Although there are some individuals you want nothing to do with, hopefully they are few

and far between. For the others, it’s not in your best interest to permanently sever a relationship. Although you may not like someone or you may have different philosophical beliefs, you can still maintain a cordial relationship that doesn't cause any bitterness.

You can be pleasant, polite, and congenial. You do not have to give someone a piece of your mind.

Your paths could cross again at any time. A person from your past could wind up as a neighbor, coworker, boss, employee, or friend of a friend.

People may forget a lot of events but a distasteful experience tends to be burned into one’s mind.

Since you never know who you will run into in

the future, or in what capacity, it behooves you to leave off with people on good terms. Always be courteous and speak with a smile. A mean and insulting attitude never works in your favor

When should you limit your options by burning your bridges? For an example, consider the story of a general and his army, who some hundreds of years ago, arrived by ship at the coast of the enemy.

Once his men had all come ashore, he had their empty vessels burned. With the fleet engulfed in flames, he told his men that if they wanted to return home, they would have to be victorious because retreat was no longer an option.

SUNRISE - Good Grief

BY DAVID COY CONTRIBUTOR

WE have all experienced something we said or did that we wish we had not said or done. Within the framework of sorrow we experience it more than we realize. Yes, there is a sorrow or regret about loss of fortune, fame, or people we loved which if we are not careful can be all consuming in our spirits and often may break our hearts in the process.

There are different views on this subject if space permitted we could share. Two I offer, first is a quote from Mol in 2014. “That regret which oft you think upon can do no good. It will just

consume you. And if time itself could take you back to make amends, the consequences would likely be utterly devastating. Regret nothing, but instead - Learn from it.” Regret can be all consuming.

I do agree with the ‘learn from it’ principle. Secondly, Regret implies uneasiness of feeling at the past or present. From the greek metamellomai, it means to care afterwards, that is, regret. What we sometimes have to learn the unpleasant or painful way is that a necessary change in direction in our life can only come through painful or unpleasant experiences. An illustration is found in Paul’s second letter to the Corinthian saints. He said to them even if he made them

To attain goals, you have to limit your lines of retreat. People who succeed incorporate a mindset that giving up and turning back is not acceptable. Forward is the only direction offering possibilities. You can change course if something doesn’t work as planned, but always want to move towards your objective.

When someone says they will give something a try, the implication is that they can always turn back. Success requires laser like focus. A goal is reached because the bridges of retreat have been eliminated.

Determination shouldn't be confused with recklessness. People who are reckless will act on a whim without thought or

sorry (Greek Lupeo, to distress; reflexively or passively to be sad: - cause grief) in his letter he did not regret (now) even though he regretted it earlier, because it brought about a needful result.

In our journey with grief we have to walk a painful path to get to the other side of our journey where healing exists. We regret losing what or whom we had wished to hold on to for oh so much longer, but as we reflect it would not have been best for the person or persons we miss so terribly.

Returning to the first principle of regret, it is good to learn from our life journey. The opportunity to share, learn and grow in a support group exists, come join us! ~ David.

planning. They demolish bridges because of carelessness, not as part of an intentional strategy. They will abandon a journey at the first obstacle. They are flippant and quick to blame others for their failures.

Giving something your all is more than an all or nothing attitude. A person, who gambles his or her life savings at a casino, hoping for a big win, is behaving destructively. If all of the money is lost, there isn’t much room to adjust investment strategy and move forward.

When you burn a bridge, it must be for motivation, to help propel you toward a positive goal. It can be destroyed only after a lot of thought and as part of an inten-

tional design. Burn a bridge that is a pathway to defeat. Don’t burn a bridge that will provide you with options going forward.

Identify your bridges carefully. Separate those you want to preserve from those you should burn. Don’t burn any bridges that may be needed in the future. Get rid of bridges that will serve as an excuse to abandon your dreams.

NOW

AVAILABLE: "Dare to Live Without Limits," the book. Visit www.BryanGolden.com or your bookstore. Bryan is a management consultant, motivational speaker, author, and adjunct professor. E-mail Bryan at bryan@columnist.com or write him c/o this paper.

Home Country

BY SLIM RANDLES CONTRIBUTOR

WE all know someone will find Jenkins's cabin. Someday. Oh, it's up there in those hills somewhere. We all know that.

It's become a friendly object of conjecture and speculation. No one living has seen it, as far as we know. Jenkins himself died quietly when he was on one of his infrequent trips to town for supplies. Funny guy, that Jenkins.

He worked in the city for years, mostly as a night watchman in a factory that made diapers. Didn't really enjoy people much, and told us many times how nice it was to just be in the huge factory when it was quiet. Then one day he decided to move to the mountains and make pretty things out of leather. Once in a while he'd have his coffee at the counter at the Mule Barn, but often as not, he'd camp out on the edge of town for the two or three days it took him to sell his crafts and buy supplies. He'd smile and wave from his campsite, then he'd be gone one morning. We wouldn't see him again for months.

Now and then someone would ask him where his cabin was, and he'd just point toward the moun-

tains and say, "Up there." How far up there? "A ways." What was his cabin like? "Not too big."

And so we came to regard the little cabin as an intriguing mystery, an object of local legend. After he died, several of the fellows tried to backtrack him to find the place, but Jenkins evidently didn't take the same trail each time, as though he wanted his quiet times protected from even a friendly visit from one of us.

During his lifetime, we respected his wishes. In this country, a man has a perfect right to be a little strange. And, truth be known, we hold a certain admiration for those of us who hear different instructions.

But there is something in the human spirit, also, that begs to have its mysteries solved. So now, several times each year, one or two of us will use the mystery of the lost cabin as an excuse to poke our noses into the nuances and seclusions of these hills. We play off our curiosity against our wishes to respect a man's privacy, even when he's gone. We have yet to discover Jenkins's lost cabin. Maybe we never will. Maybe that wouldn't be such a bad thing, either.

Brought to you by The Fly Fisherman’s Bucket List by Slim Randles. Now available on Amazon.com

The Chamber Board gave a special award, Everyday Hero, to Jessica Huff, chamber and tourism director who received a standing ovation.

Chamber's Winter Wonderland Annual Banquet award winners announced

Young professional of the Year Hannah Droke presented by Haley Stanfield, board member.

Non-Profit of the Year Award Jesus Care McNairy County presented by Deanna Bradley, board member.

Tourism Visionary Award Monterey Trail to Vic Parker, Laquita Thomson and Paul Estes presented by Justin King, board member.

New Business of the Year Award P. Ray Outfitters presented by Joe Crump, Jr., board member.

Industry of the Year Award K & V Services presented by Mark O'Mell, Exec. Director EDC, Chamber & Tourism.

Outgoing Board Members Dr. Andrea Mitchell and Martha Rankin. Not pictured Brooke Redmon, Nick Inman.

Bill Rail Spirit of Excellence Award Sybil Dancer presented by Chris Howard, board member.

Small Business of the Year Award Mammy's Soap Co. presented by Ashley Hollingsworth, board Vice President.

Maurice Hamm Spirit of Service Award Dr. Andrea Mitchell presented by Alan Youngerman, board member.

Community Enhancement Award Pierce & Company Boutique presented by Dani Morrison, board member.

Senate prioritizes legislation to protect children

BY STATE SENATOR PAGE WALLEY FEBRUARY 3, 2023

NASHVILLE – On Feb. 3, our Senate committees voted on legislation and continued to hear reports from various agencies and organizations. Legislation passed committees to protect children from irreversible medical procedures to change their gender identity and inappropriate sexual performances. To help provide better care to children in state custody, we announced over fifteen bills aimed at improvements to DCS and adoption and foster care services.

This week, Governor Lee made his fifth 2023 State of the State address on Monday, February 6 in a joint session of the General Assembly, where he unveiled his 2023 budget proposal. Next week, I will provide highlights on the governor’s proposals.

The legislation that would prohibit minors from undergoing irreversible and harmful medical procedures to change their gender identity is one step closer to becoming law. Senate Bill 1 was approved in the Health Committee this week. The bill seeks to ban medical interference that alters a child’s hormonal balance and procedures that remove body parts to enable the minor to identify as a gender different from their biological sex.

This legislation is about protecting children from harmful, life-altering and experimental medical procedures with unknown longterm effects. But we know that children who have these procedures are forfeiting healthy reproductive systems and subjecting themselves to lifelong hormone treatment. The weight of these decisions is too heavy for children.

Another bill that seeks to protect children from inappropriate activities was approved in our Senate Judiciary Committee this week. Senate Bill 3 aims to protect children from being exposed to sexually explicit performances. It would restrict adult cabaret performances of a sexual nature from being performed on public or private property if kids could be around to see it.

Under the bill, private establishments, such as bars or restaurants, that host sexually explicit shows must require patrons to show ID upon entry to ensure they are age 18 or older. This is a common-sense protection that provides clarity regarding what performances are not appropriate for children.

Finally, led by our Adoption and Foster Care Caucus meeting we announced multiple bills aimed at improving the adoption and foster care process in the state such as removing red tape in the adoption process, increasing the number of children that someone can watch in their home and reducing the caseload of Department of Children’s Services (DCS) caseworkers.

As pro-life lawmakers, it is imperative we protect life not only of the unborn but also beyond the point of birth. This means we have to strengthen the social welfare system that takes care of children in Tennessee. We need to make adoption and foster care cheaper, easier and quicker sothat we can increase the number of adoptive and foster care families in Tennessee.

Please contact me at sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov or my office at 615-741-2368 if we can be of service to you in any way.

PEC crews work to restore power

PICKWICK Electric Cooperative reported on Feb. 3 that the ice storm has caused many outages for our members throughout our service territory. Approximately 120 members were without power on Friday morning.

All Pickwick Electric crews are on duty as well as help from Gibson EMC. We are making progress as fast and safely as possible. PEC thanks members for their

patience as crews restore power.

Just to remind you, social media is not the way to report your outage. Please remember to not report outages to their Facebook page as it is not constantly monitored. Please report outages to 1-866-260-4025. It is hard to be without power but to assure your power is restored timely report your outage directly to PEC on the number above.

ELVIS ROCKED ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................From page 1

The record was getting good airplay on regional radio, and Presley’s, now famous, performing style was receiving plenty of media attention, both positive and negative. His management felt it was time Presley got out of Memphis to promote the record and connect with his growing fandom. They booked him in places where an up and coming young talent could cut his teeth as a performer, and maybe make a few new converts for his infectious new sound. Bethel Springs was one such place.

Fast forward almost 70 years and you have the rise

and untimely demise of The King of Rock ’n’ Roll in the rearview mirror, and the small town of Bethel Springs making plans to commemorate an event that marked a significant launching pad for Elvis Presley’s stratospheric rise to superstardom. “We just knew this concert was an historic event that happened in our community,” said Patricia Huggins, “but not much has been done to call attention to it.”

Huggins and Judith Olson, two Bethel Springs natives, are numbered among a small group of locals who are trying to change that as part of Mc-

Nairy County’s 2023 bicentennial celebration. The dedicated group quickly found important allies in a team of researchers working with Arts in McNairy. By sheer coincidence, Arts in McNairy has recently undertaken an ambitious program to document various features of the county’s cultural history. The study just happened to coincide with the Bethel Springs group’s desire to memorialize the Presley concert in their town. When Huggins and Olson contacted AiM representatives to inquire about resources, a partnership and plan quickly came together.

The combined group will hold a meeting, 1:00 p.m. February 25th at Bethel Springs City Hall. The team will be interviewing those who were eye witness to the Presley concert and others who may have corroborating information, in a fun and informal setting. Artifacts, personal accounts, and remembrances are being sought to offer ironclad documentation that will assist the Bethel Springs group in planning for a bicentennial commemoration. Initial discussions revolve around installation of an historical marker and perhaps a public ceremony of some

kind. “We’ve always known this was a significant performance in Elvis’s career,” Olson explained, “but we would like his fans, the world over, to know it too.”

Anyone with helpful information is invited to attend the upcoming meeting. Arts in McNairy may be contacted at: artsinmcnairy@gmail.com or (731) 435-3288, for questions about the session, or to provide information and promising leads about the Presley concert at Bethel Springs. Information may also be exchanged by using the comments section below.

Page Walley