Boys and Girls Clubs Cook and Cruise takes off

Published 10:30 pm Saturday, August 29, 2009

CHATSWORTH — Hundreds of children and adults proved that the Boys and Girls Club motto — “The Positive Place to Be” — was appropriate Saturday at the second annual Murray County Cook and Cruise. The car show and family festival fundraiser more than doubled participation from last year.

“I’m just thrilled,” said John Didier, chairman of the corporate board that also includes Whitfield and Gordon counties. “There’s lots of people here today, including lots of kids. The kids are participating in programs here as well. It’s encouraging to see them all out here doing something positive.”

Activities in the free-to-the-public event included dance routines performed by the girls, carnival games, bingo, music, vendors’ booths heralding food as well as community resources, free drawings for prizes and awards for the most popular classic cars — all staged at Appalachian Community Bank on Maddox Parkway.

“I brought the kids because they go to Boys and Girls Clubs,” said Linda Economos of Chatsworth, “and because of the blow-up slides and activities.”

Her son, Michael Economos, 11, played it cool while sitting on the curb and taking in the ambiance before hitting the giant slide.

“It’s a good place to get a tan,” he said in the bright sunshine.

Judy Poag is chair of the Murray County unit.

“I think it’s great to have this big of a turnout to support the club,” she said. “It’s always wonderful for more people to become knowledgeable about what we’re doing to help the kids, whether it’s after school or our summer program.”

Murray unit leader Dianne Whitt said the first Cook and Cruise saw about 450 people attend, but with more than an hour to go in the four-hour event on Saturday, more than 700 had arrived.

“And they’re still coming in,” she noted.

Allen Higdon grew up in Murray County and now owns Higdon Heating and Air in Polk County, Tenn. He brought his souped-up 1971 Chevelle Super Sport to the car show.

“We were headed to another car show but only a couple of trucks showed up there,” he said. “So we were just riding down the road and my cousin said, ‘Hey, you know, there’s another car show at that bank — let’s go by there.’ There’s a lot of kids’ activities here today and they’re having a ball. I called my niece, who lives in Murray County, and told her to come.”

Olivia Mauldin, 7, and Camlyn Humble, 8, are cheerleaders for Upward Basketball who came to do some routines for the audience.

“I like all the games and stuff,” said Olivia. “It’s fun!” Camlyn liked the face painting.

Tyler Baggett, 10, came by from football practice with his dad and got to sit inside the medical transport helicopter from Erlanger Hospital, coaxed to fly in by Murray Medical Center.

“It’s neat,” he said, while looking at the stretcher area and medical equipment. “I learned that there’s a lot more than just a couple of seats in here.”

Asked if he would like to fly one some day, he replied, “Yeah!”

Ryan Davenport came to watch his niece, 8-year-old Paige Thomas, perform with a dance group.

“It’s good for the community to come together and have fun like this,” he said.

As Higdon scanned the crowd, he saw kids “having a good time.”

“These kids are having good, clean fun today,” he said. “That’s what it’s all about.”

Didier saw a flourishing program poised to do even more.

“I’m glad people can see this,” he said, “because Boys and Girls Clubs are always needing help with volunteers — and financially.”

The clubs provide programs in leadership, health and fitness, the arts, educational and career development, life skills and many more youth opportunities.

For information, call (706) 529-5032 or go online to www.bgcgmw.org.