People, Places & Events

Relay for Life in 2008 set for kickoff in Athens Oct. 29
Special to The Monitor
ATHENS–It’s time to kickoff the Relay for Life 2008.
The kickoff rally will be held Monday, Oct. 29, in the main parking lot at Trinity Valley Community College in Athens.
This is the sixth season and there will be live music, hot dogs, drinks, prizes and inspirational messages from cancer survivors and volunteers who make the Relay for Life such an inspirational event.
If you have been involved in the past, you will be expected to be there. If you are new and would like to know more, come on down and get involved in this premier fund-raising event for the American Cancer Society.
This year’s theme is “Margarelayville.” In other words, it’s going to be one heck of a party on the night of the Relay which is set for May 2-3, 2008, at the track in Brownsboro beginning at 7:30 p.m. Friday evening and continuing until 7 a.m. Saturday.
To get things rolling, it’s up to the community to get together and form teams to raise funds for the fight against cancer.
The call to arms will be “Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back.” And that’s exactly what we’ll do.
We will “celebrate” survivorship, honoring those who fight the battle daily and continue to beat this dreaded disease.
We will “remember” friends, family and others who fought the valiant fight and fell, but will never be forgotten.
Then, we will “fight back,” making our pledges and commitments to continue the journey, helping others as they deal with their cancers, raising funds to educate, acting as advocates to provide research and patient services through the American Cancer Society.
For more information on this event, please call (903) 675-9271.

Halloween safety tips
Special to The Monitor
CEDAR CREEK LAKE–Halloween is a time of great fun for children, but it can be a little scary for parents and drivers. Children are often out after dark, crossing busy streets and perhaps going to unfamiliar homes.
“This year, Halloween falls on a school day. With excited kids frantically going from neighbor to neighbor, drivers need to be particularly cautious,” Teachers’ Insurance Plan spokesman Ray Palermo said.
“However, by following some simple advice, parents, children, drivers and homeowners can all have a safe, enjoyable time.”
• Drive particularly carefully at dusk and when approaching a hill or curb, where visibility is limited. Make sure your lights are turned on to be seen.
• Trick-or-treaters should always be accompanied by an adult or travel in a group. Children should be told not to eat any unwrapped candy or treats until they return home, where their parents can inspect them carefully for possible tampering. Feed kids before going out.
• Take advantage of localized Halloween events sponsored by respected organizations.
• Incorporate reflective tape on costumes or add bright colors to increase visibility. Make-up rather than masks should be worn to help ensure an unobstructed view of the surroundings.
• Drive slowly through neighborhoods, children may dart out into the street without looking.
• Children should stay on the sidewalk or if none is available, walk facing the lane of traffic and carry a flashlight.
• Clear yards and walking paths to house of anything that can be tripped over and turn the outside light on.

Humane Society of CCL busy with fund-raising
Special to The Monitor
TOOL–The weekend of Oct. 5-6 was the fifth annual garage sale.
It was hosted by Phil and Kathy Jordan at their home on State Highway 274.
Board members Kathy Jordan, Kay Carter, Sue Ann Neumeyer and Cynthia Walters worked for several days prior to the sale organizing and pricing the donated merchandise.
The week before the sale, all board members and many volunteers were on hand to get ready for the weekend sale.
Even with the rain Saturday, the sale was a huge success and netted the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake (HSCCL) more than $3,100. This is almost twice what was raised at the event last year.
This sale would not have been possible without the generosity of the public that donated their unwanted items to sale.
A special thanks to the family of the late Wes Germany, who donated a large part of his estate to benefit the Humane Society.
This success was also made possible by the board members and volunteers that gave their time and energy organizing and operating the sale.
The homeless furry friends would say, “thanks” if they could for all the hard work.
Wish List collection drive begins Saturday, Oct 27.
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake will begin hosting Wish List collection drives.
The first drive will be held at the Dollar General in Seven Points Saturday, Oct. 27.
HSCCL representative will be on hand to collect items from our wish list.
To help in purchasing the “Wish List” item, there will be signs in the store designating items that HSCCL is looking for.
Please plan to stop, buy and for just a few dollars, you can help the animals at HSCCL.
The Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake is always in need of certain disposable items such as the ones listed.
Bleach, kitty litter, dish detergent, laundry detergent, paper towels, towels, canned cat food, canned dog food, Latex gloves, 39 gallon heavy duty trash bags and dry dog food
And there are non-disposable items that the shelter is in need of, metal food bowls leashes and collars, mops, brooms, box fans, buckets, water hoses, nozzles, propane heaters, tarps, weed eater, garden sprayers and blankets’
Art Auction
The second annual Art Auction at Cedar Creek Galleries will be held Saturday, Dec. 1.
It will be hosted by James Andrews.
Cedar Creek Galleries is located on State Highway 334, one block east of State Highway 198 in Gun Barrel City.
Auction preview will be at 5:30 p.m. and the auction will follow at 7 p.m.
All auction items are provided by Cedar Creek Galleries.
Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Cedar Creek Lake. The auction’s focus will be on art and collectibles.
Tickets will go on sale Thursday, Nov. 1, at Cedar Creek Galleries and the HSCCL Shelter.
Seating is limited, so buy your ticket early. If you have questions or need further information, please call Cedar Creek Galleries at (903) 887-7188.