For a moment in time, we forgot and we remembered all in one setting. We forgot all about the politics, the hate, the uncertainty that inundates us on the daily and we remembered, we remembered the sacrifices made by our beloved veterans, the freedom we have as Americans and the love we have for our community.
It looked different, but we quickly realized that sometimes forced change actually works out for the better and that we can form new traditions, value old traditions and move forward. It was awesome and for a moment we were just proud, proud to be Americans and proud to be in a Small Town in the USA.
To kick off the weekend celebration, Cornerstone hosted "Bring Back the Drag - Red, White and Blue" and Main Street was lined with smiles, patriotic decor, burnt rubber and music from our favorite Legends 92.9. It was the perfect way to get the party started.
The 4th Annual Janette Umsted Memorial Scholarship Corn Hole Tournament was a huge success with 24 doubles teams and 14 competing in the Best Throw contest. Congratulations to Randall and Deborah Wynn from Memphis on winning the tournament and the cooler and runner ups Cody and Christy from Elk City.
Mitchell Ford and the Volunteers took the stage and gave us one more reason to be proud of our small town! If you missed them or just can't get enough, be sure to check out their website or follow them on their social media pages! We're proud of you guys and look forward to having you back!
During intermission, we hosted our 1st North vs. South Fireworks POP OFF Competition. We learned a few things and plan to make it bigger and better next year, but it was still fun! The 2020 Winner that will have bragging rights for the next year is the NORTH side....
VS
JW Lane and CR X were ready to play and they sure did bring an energy that was welcomed by all. Wheeler County hometown boys playing in front of hometown crowd, can't beat that!
Although we did not have the 1st Lt. Benjamin Britt Fun Run this year, he still lives on in many of our hearts. In fact, we had a few that still ran in his honor and we couldn't be more moved. The 1st Lt. Benjamin Britt Memorial Scholarship is always open for donations: WAAIC - Ben Britt Scholarship, PO BOX 489, Wheeler TX 79096. All donations are appreciated as they go to local scholarships for high school seniors. We will always remember - HOME of the FREE BECAUSE of the BRAVE. We will never forget. #BrittNeverQuit #KeepTheFaith
Leon and Marianne Smith honored the local veterans with a hot breakfast at the courthouse gazebo. We are forever grateful for those that served and want to continue to honor them.
This year the parade took on a new route and turns out, change can work out for the better because we heard numerous comments on how great it was! It included our Parkview Assisted Living and Wheeler Nursing and Rehab residents, local neighborhoods and ended on the Main Street Square. We appreciate all our participants and look forward to growing our parade! The winners were as follows:
Business: Paleteria y Neveria don jose (ice cream shop)
Club/Organization: Wheeler Bass Club
Classic Car: Bob and Mary Nell Finsterwald
Church: Wheeler Church of Christ
Family: Bradstreet Family
Just for Fun: Roy Gates Family
ATV: Koepke “Wheeler Ink & Threads”
Open: Wheeler Banking Center
