News from June 16, 2005 issue



Wallace state's top cowgirl
Jessie Hodge and Misty Wallace rode, roped and broke away with a combined five state championships at the Kentucky Junior Rodeo state finals last weekend in Sturgis.

Between the two 12- and 13-year-olds, Crittenden County brought home first place in every category, giving both girls bids to all five events at the first-ever Wrangler Division National Finals to be held July 5-9 in Gallup, N.M.

"They really shined," said Wallace's mother Connie. "All our kids are awesome."
Wallace took first in barrel racing, pole bending, goat-tying and ribbon roping and fourth in break-away roping. Hodge took first in break-away roping, second in goat-tying and ribbon roping and third in barrel racing and pole bending.

The wins earned Wallace the title of All Around Cowgirl and Hodge Reserve All Around Cowgirl. It's not a title new to Wallace. She won All Around Cowgirl in 2001 and 2003. Additionally, her American Quarter Horse, Links, won Horse of the Year.

"We have the largest number of kids in our county participating at rodeos," Connie Wallace says. "There are usually just a couple from each county but we have eight, and usually the most champions, too."

While the youths and their families are in New Mexico vying for national championships, Wallace will have another job on her hands ­ campaigning for a national junior rodeo office. If elected, Wallace would be at the forefront of national junior rodeo policy-making including dates and locations of rodeos and potential rule changes. National officers are also representatives at the National Finals Rodeo each year in Las Vegas.

Division II results from this weekend's state finals are:
Misty Wallace-All Around Cowgirl; champion in barrels; champion in pole bending; reserve champion in break-a-way roping; and fourth in goat-tying.
Jessie Hodge-Reserve All-Around Cowgirl; champion in break-away roping; champion in goat-tying; fourth in barrels; and fifth in pole bending.
Maggie Collins-10th in goat-tying; 10th in dummy roping.
Bailey Brown-Most Improved Cowgirl; 4th in goat-tying; 6th in pole bending; sixth in dummy roping.
Stacie Hearell-7th in dummy roping; 8th in pole bending; 5th in goat-tying.
Lane Shelley-Most Improved Cowboy; 3rd in break-away roping; 7th in chute doggin; fourth place heeler in team roping.
Kyle Myatt-champion in dummy roping.
Tiffany Hearell-Hardest Worker Award for raising over $1,000.

School system honors retired teachers
Together, Eric LaRue, Linda Myrick and Paula Porter spent 90 years education Crittenden County youth ­ LaRue as an English teacher, Myrick in several capacities at the elementary grades and Porter in high school business classes.

The three were honored with a reception by the Crittenden County Board of Education Tuesday night, along with seven classified employees whose work experience ranged from five to 18 years as bus drivers, cooks and custodians. Each have recently retired.

Classified employees recognized for their service to the school system were Effie Campbell, Joyce Dinsmore, Golda Riley, Brenda Skoog, Norma Tabor and Marilyn Travis. Retirees chose retirement gifts of either silver trays, crystal bowls or gift certificates for a trees or shrub.

Dr. Gavin back to Middle East
Marion physician Dr. Michael Gavin has been activated to return to the Middle East for a 90-day assignment beginning in late July.

Gavin, who also is a surgeon at Livingston Hospital, made a similar trip for the Kentucky National Guard from late-2003 to early-2004.

Then Gavin served as a general practitioner in Uzbekestan and did one operation in Afghanistan, dispensing medicines and treating U.S. soldiers serving in those areas.

Since his 90 days do not effectively begin until he is in Iraq, Gavin is anticipating being gone from late July through part of October. While he hasn't received official paperwork from the National Gaurd, preliminary notice was that his duty would begin July 28.

Gavin is unsure whether he will be a surgeon, general physician or act in an administrative position. He is a member of the 2nd Batallion, 123rd Armor headquartered in Bowling Green.

In his absence, Dr. Ghassan Yazigi and nurse practitioners Ann Day and Debbie Deguire will see his patients at Marion Physicians Clinic.