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Mike Moser Council meeting had I was sitting at the media table during Tuesday
night's Crossville City Council meeting when I found myself day
traveling. Through the mist and fog I suddenly had the sensation
that I had died and awakened in Mayberry, NC, between Mt. Pilot
and Syler City. Then I realized it wasn't Mayberry. It was
the Crossville City Council meeting. Before you get riled at
this notion, let me finish. You see, Mayberry is not bad, and
there are many who long for those simpler, kinder days. It was a neat evening, a celebration, if you
will. Mayor Graham, on behalf of the council, presented
a commendation to a 7-year-old whose heroic and quick-thinking
actions saved her mother's life. Next, eight members of a local martial arts
class and their instructor received commendations for achievement
and honors earned in a national Junior Olympics competition. This was followed by accolades being heaped
on 12 members and three coaches of the Dixie Ponytails who recently
won their second consecutive world championship. Proclamations exhorting Women's Economic Opportunity
Day and Cumberland Shrine Month were followed by a presentation
on the Crossville Homecoming 2001 celebration being planned. To kick off this announcement there was a
public unveiling of the Song of Crossville, a Homecoming 2001
song written for that special occasion by Joanne Stone with music
arrangement by Ann Looney. A stirring performance of the song was rendered
by Roy and Joanne Stone's daughter, Julia Stone Burgess, as accompanied
by Mrs. Looney on the accordion. Although most of us cannot sing
the melody with the skill and grace that Burgess demonstrated,
the tune is a pleasant one and the words straight from the heart
and memories of a gracious, dear lady. As Burgess' presentation swelled to a grand
finale, the last note was greeted by Mayor Graham leaping to
his feet and excitedly shouting, "Yeah!" Those in attendance
also rose from their seats for an rousing ovation, equally for
the singer, arranger and the song writer who was also in attendance. It was as if the Crossville City Council meeting
had suddenly become a Friday night stroll at the Cumberland County
Fair, Sunday dinner on the grounds and patriotic rally, all rolled
into one. In short, it was Mayberry, and that is good.
It made the mundane laundry list of business
that remained on the agenda palatable. Congratulations and kudos to all who were recognized and honored. And to paraphrase our hyper-excited mayor, it appears Crossville Homecoming 2001 is "off to a great start." |