News
June 2011
Rodeo Donation to Brooks House
June 30, 2011
Bill Vallett of Lochinvar Corporation joins Mayor Philip Craighead in
presenting a check to Liz Reese, the Executive Director of Brooks
House. “Lochinvar, a Gold Sponsor of the Whip
Crackin’ Rodeo, was excited to play a part in this fundraiser
for our local charities,” said Mayor Craighead.”
Lochinvar water heaters are internationally known for their high
efficiency products and our town is fortunate to have their world
headquarters located here.” “To be able
to call on such an elite corporation to make these donations possible
is a tremendous blessing.” “Brooks House
is a homeless shelter for women and children.”
“Their goal is to help get people back on their
feet.” “Named in honor of the late
reporter Brooks Franklin, Brooks House carries on Franklin’s
philosophy of aiding the homeless and less
fortunate.” “Through his writings, Brooks
Franklin made us aware of a local population of great
need.” “Liz Reese has been a champion in
providing a safe haven, a port in the storm, and a stepping stone to a
better life for so many.” “Bill and I are
honored to make this donation to such a worthy cause.”
To find out how you can get involved, visit:
www.brookshouse.org
www.Lochinvar.com
Rodeo Donation to Hearthside
June 24, 2011
John Greer with State Farm Insurance joins Mayor Philip Craighead in
presenting a check to Hearthside Retirement Center. Robert
Springer, the Administrator of Hearthside, was pleased to accept the
donation. John Greer’s State Farm Insurance is a
Gold Sponsor of our annual Whip Crackin’ Rodeo,”
said Mayor Craighead. “Proceeds from the Whip
Crackin’ Rodeo fund these donations.”
“John understands the importance to our community of
organizations like Hearthside.”
“Hearthside’s mission is to serve seniors who are
in need of assisted living services.”
“Now they have expanded to offer our seniors a wonderful
retirement community for those who can still live
independently.” “I appreciate
John’s support.” “John Greer
State Farm Insurance has been a good friend and neighbor to our
community for over 36 years.”
To find out how you can get involved, visit
www.whipcrackinrodeo.com
www.johngreerjr.com
www.hearthsideliving.com
Empower Me Day Camp receives Whip Crackin' Rodeo benefits
June 23, 2011
Permobil's Barry Steelman and Larry Jackson join Mayor Philip Craighead and wife Darlene Craighead in presenting a donation to Empower Me Day Camp's Director Michelle Hill. Permobil is a Platinum Sponsor of the Whip Crackin' Rodeo," said Mayor Craighead. "Our Rodeo fundraiser ensures worthy organizations like Empower Me Day Camp thrives." Empower Me Day Camp creates opportunities for children with disabilities." "Permobil creates the custom mobility to enhance those opportunities." "We are grateful to Permobil for their generous community support."
To find out how you can get involved, visit
www.whipcrackinrodeo.com
www.permobil.com
www.empowermedaycamp.com
THW receives Whip Crackin' Rodeo benefits
June 14, 2011
The Whip Crackin’ Rodeo’s Gold Sponsor THW
Insurance Services joins Mayor Philip Craighead in donating to Lebanon
Senior Citizens Center. Senior Center Director Patti Watts
was pleasantly surprised to receive this generous donation.
“The Senior Center provides an inviting, social center for
our seniors,” remarked Patti Watts. “Hot
nutritious meals, friendly faces, and positive interaction enhances
their quality of life.”
New Leash on Life receives Whip Crackin' Rodeo benefits
June 10, 2011
New Leash on Life receives donation from Mayor Philip Craighead. The successful 2nd Annual Charity WHIP CRACKIN' RODEO held last April made the donation possible. Bryan Henley holds "Cookie" (the dog) as Michele Lee and Ann Shapiro receive the check.
Find out how you can help New Leash on Life by visiting www.newleashonline.org
Sherry's Run receives Whip Crackin' Rodeo benefits
June 10, 2011
Wilson Bank & Trust's Gary Whitaker joins Tamara Lampsa and Mayor & Mrs. Philip Craighead in donating to Sherry's Run. The donation was made possible through proceeds from the WHIP CRACKIN' RODEO held in April of this year. Gary & Tamara work together each year to raise funds for cancer diagnosis awareness and assistance to cancer patients. Thousands of people gather to ensure the success of Sherry's Run.
Fiddler's Grove receives Whip Crackin' Rodeo benefits
June 10, 2011
Wilson Bank & Trust's President Randall Clemons joins Mayor Philip Craighead in donating to Fiddler's Grove. Proceeds from the successful WHIP CRACKIN' RODEO held in April made the donation possible. Wilson Bank & Trust is a Platinum Sponsor of the Rodeo. Fiddlers Grove Historic Village, located at our fairgrounds, gives visitors a glimpse into life in Wilson County as it was lived two hundred years ago.
May 2011
Whip
Crackin' Rodeo to donate $40K to charity
May 17, 2011
From: The Wilson Post
In its second year and despite horrendous weather on the first night,
Lebanon’s Whip Crackin’ Rodeo managed to raise more
than $40,000 for local charities.
In a letter addressed to supporters of the annual event, Lebanon Mayor
Philip Craighead said “I’m overwhelmed by the
generosity of this community,” adding that the rodeo had
raised over $40,000 this year.
He said the increase in profits over last year was made possible by
additional new sponsors who came on board this year in support of the
event. Last year’s rodeo netted just over $36,000 although
attendance for the two nights last year was greater than this year.
Attendance on Friday night this year was hampered by a severe storm and
rain and on Saturday night by cooler than normal temperatures.
The Whip Crackin’ Rodeo this year added an event for special
needs children which Craighead describes in his letter as “an
unforgettable day filled with fun, games and excitement.”
Craighead noted that one child at this event declared, “This
is the best day of the century!”
“Those words tore straight through my heart. Next year with
your help, I promise we will make ‘that day’ even
bigger and better for those special needs children,” he said.
April 2011
Special needs kids treasure
time at Whip Crackin’ Rodeo
April 20, 2011
From: The Tennessean
Wilson County fourth and fifth-grade students in the gifted program
known as SEEK — Students Exploring and Extending Knowledge
— participated March 8 in the 3rd annual “Invention
Showcase’’ at Stoner Creek Elementary. The
competition was comprisedof 52 teams representing 11 out of 12
elementary schools from Wilson County.
Students have been learning about inventors and inventions. They were
encouraged to create games or inventions that would make life easier.
This year’s winners are:
Most Marketable
1st – Alec Harper- Stoner Creek Elementary
2nd – Corinna Klepser, Tom Hollinger, & Ethan Robert,
W.A.Wright Elementary
3rd – Kennedy Miller, Mara Quinn- Lakeview Elementary
Best Presentation
1st – Madison Campbell, Isabella Houston, & Riley
McCarthey – Mt. Juliet Elementary
2nd – Neel Reeves & Owen Queen – Watertown
Elementary
3rd – Marlee Yow, Gracie Williams, & Laureen Ghee,
Gladeville Elementary
Best of Show
Games Category – Jacob Maxwell & Kalib Graves,
Gladeville Elementary
Inventions Category
(tie) Paige Glasser, Elzie Patton Elementary and Suzanne Johnson,
Southside Elementary
Mayor says Whip Crackin'
Rodeo is 'all worth it'
April 18, 2011
From: The Lebanon Democrat
It has been called the most dangerous eight seconds in sports - for
those who can even hold on that long.
All that stands between one brave cowboy and victory is a bucking 2,000
pound being, responsible for injuring an estimated 50 percent of all
rodeo contestants.
No, bull riding is not for the faint of heart.
Lebanon’s own Tyler Slagle did not worry about the danger as
he mounted a bull and prepared to bust through the chute at the Whip
Crackin’ Rodeo that took place on Saturday night at the James
E. Ward Agricultural Center. After all, the event served a greater
purpose than to just entertain the masses - it benefited local
charities.
Slagle, a fairly new character on the bull riding scene, took up the
sport a mere year and a half ago and is now working with Lone Star
World Championship Rodeo, who presented the second annual
event, along with the Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead.
“One of my buddies rode bulls and he called me up. It just
happened and now it is my disease,” said Slagle.
“The first time I did it, I was scared, but now it is
routine. It is human nature that if someone says a bull is mean - that
thought will be in your head. It isn’t about fear, it is
about respect. The more respect you’ve got for the animal,
the better off you will be.”
Despite cold, rainy weather, a full house watched Slagle and dozens of
other riders bring exciting, family-friendly fun to the city of Lebanon
over the weekend.
Youngsters in the community participated in nightly “Best
Dressed” competitions.
One of the nine Gold Sponsors, Rob Cesternino of Citadel Security
Services, and his wife, Leah, were proud to see their little cowboy,
Luca, 22 months, win “Best Dressed” on Friday night.
“He was dressed in a black hat, black Wranglers, a white
button down shirt and a vest with suede fringe,” said Leah,
showing off a photo of the adorable boy.
While Luca enjoyed dressing up for the event, he was even more excited
to see the animals.
“He likes watching the horses and the cows,” said
Leah.
The children were not the only ones dressing up for the rodeo, said
attendee Pam Black of Lebanon.
Black and her husband, Bob, both wore their best wild west fashions.
She looked chic in a black cowgirl hat, while he sported a
‘Sheriff’ star badge.
Western Look Owner Becky Wilson said that many locals visited her store
earlier this week in search of apparel.
“They look for hats and shirts and the guys that complete
that look for equipment,” she said.
“It is so fn to see people come out all dressed
up,” said Black. This is a wonderful way to give back to the
community. …This was all Philip’s [Mayor
Craighead’s] idea.”
Craighead admitted that the rodeo allowed him to live out his childhood
dream of being a “real cowboy” and included a photo
of himself as a young man, decked-out in country western gear, in the
free rodeo programs.
On a serious note, Craighead said that the event connected the
community and raised funds for worthy causes.
“The best thing is that the whole town has come together to
show support. This is the most giving community around,” he
said.
Craighead was proud to announce the success of the special needs day
that had been added to rodeo festivities.
“I got in touch with Prospect Inc. and Michelle Hill at
Empower Me Day Camp and they [helped] put it all together.
…There were pony rides, face painting, lots of
games,” he said. “One kid said it was the
‘best day of the century’ for him. It made it all
worth it because of that one statement.”
Craighead hopes that in the future more investments will be made in the
covered facility at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center.
“We need to make it better. If we had more seating, we would
have more people looking at it for bigger functions,” he said.
He also is already brainstorming about next year’s Whip
Crackin’ Rodeo.
“We are going to add a mini-rodeo for the special needs
day.”
In 2010, numerous local charities including Books from Birth, Brooks
House, Child Advocacy Center, Joseph’s Storehouse,
Sherry’s Run, New Leash on Life, Pickett Chapel Restoration
and more received a portion of the $37,100 proceeds from the inaugural
Whip Crackin’ Rodeo.
Ag center to host Dumplin Day,
rodeo and music, all on April 16
April 9, 2011
From: The Lebanon Democrat
The Ward Agriculture Center in Lebanon will be the place to
be Saturday, April 16, as the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce
Tourism Division and the Fiddlers Grove Foundation join forces this
year to present the Third Annual Dumplin’ Day Cook-off and
the Fiddlers Grove Spring Fest with All About Horses.
The cook-off starts at 10 a.m. in the Veterans Building at the Wilson
County Fair Grounds with judging at noon and an awards ceremony at 1
p.m.
There are two division (sweet dumplings and savory dumplings), with
prize money awarded for each division, first prize winner will receive
$100, second prize is $75 and third prize is $50. There’s
also a prize for the best dressed work station. The entry fee is $10
per recipe.
For more information or entry forms, contact the Lebanon Chamber of
Commerce at 444-5503. The Cook-off sponsors are US Community Credit
Union and Wes Dugan and the Wilson County Farm Bureau.
Historic Fiddlers Grove Village, located in the James E. Ward
Agriculture Center on Baddour Parkway, will also be brimming with fun
activities from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Everyone is invited to stop by the Black Porch Stage and listen to
bluegrass music provided by Sugar Ridge that will start at noon.
Visitors can then take a turn at horse shoe pitching and checker
playing. There will also be demonstrations by the blacksmiths, wood
carvers, a model train exhibit, a printing press demonstration puppet
shows.
For horse enthusiasts there will be a display of horse breeds and a
ferrier demonstrating horse shoeing. The Master Gardeners will also be
there to demonstrate how to plant a Spring garden.
If that isn’t enough to keep everyone busy, participants are
invited to complete the day by attending the Whip Crackin’
Rodeo starting at 7 p.m.
For information concerning any of these events you can contact the
Lebanon Chamber of Commerce at 444-5503, go to the Fiddlers Grove
website at www.fiddlersgrove.org, or go to Whip Crackin’
Rodeo at www.whipcrackinrodeo.com.
Local
barrel racer to compete in Whip Crackin’ Rodeo
April 8, 2011
From: The Lebanon Democrat
Dacia Horne, 17, a senior at Wilson Central High School, aspends her
weekends a little differently most of her classmates.
That’s when she saddles up one of her eight horses, usually
June Bug, C.J. or Salena, and competes in barrel racing and pole
bending events at rodeos throughout the South.
Spectators at the second annual Whip Crackin’ Rodeo will get
a chance to see Horne in action on Friday and Saturday, April
15 and 16, at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center. The charity event
is sponsored by Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead, the Lebanon/Wilson
County Chamber of Commerce and Lone Star Rodeo.
Horne moved to Wilson County a couple of years ago from Montana where
she started riding “by myself” at age 3.
She’ll be taking part in a high school rodeo in Summerville,
Tennessee, this weekend where she hopes to add to her qualifying points
- she’s currently second in both events - so that she can
earn a trip to a national rodeo competition.
She said there are about two rodeos a month from September through June
and more opportunities for competition in this area than there was in
Montana. She’s raced in Georgia, Kentucky and North Carolina.
Prizes for rodeo performers include money, belt buckles, boots and tack.
- - - - - - - - 2010 News
PRESS RELEASE
Rodeo brings in big bucks
from the Tennessean
author: Lea Ann Overstreet Allen
Bulls, cows and cowgirls helped raise more than $30,000 for local
charities during Lebanon's recent Charity Whip Crackn' Rodeo.
"For our first year, we're extremely excited about how the rodeo went,"
said Mayor Philip Craighead, who spearheaded the event held April 16-17
at the Wilson County Fairgrounds. "The quality of the rodeo, from the
clowns to the announcers, was just tremendous,"
Craighead lassoed the Lone Star World Championship Rodeo organization,
which travels the Southeast, into performing and generating needed
funds for charities that are hurting for donations during this bad
economic climate.
"I think there were 227 participants in the rodeo both nights. That's
above average for a first rodeo," Craighead said.
The mayor credits the rodeo's location — the newly covered
pavilion at the Ward Agricultural Center — for spurring the
turnout.
"It's such a great centralized location. Lone Star draws people from
Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia . . . this really is an enticing area,"
Craighead said.
The rodeo was such a hit that Craighead already has reserved the
pavilion to do it again next year on April 15 and 16.
"We're going to find ways to make it even more enjoyable and exciting,"
he said.
Town's size swells
The weekend rodeo wasn't the only event that brought visitors to the
area. The rodeo coincided with a Wilson County Sports Council
five-kilometer race, Watertown's Mile-Long Yard Sale and the
Lebanon/Wilson County Chamber of Commerce-sponsored Dumplin' Day.
In its 22nd year, Watertown's annual yard sale causes the town of 1,200
to swell to 10,000. Great deals, food and children's activities make
the annual spring event a popular destination.
"Visitors pays taxes and contribute to the economy, which equates to
tax relief for local residents," said Ricky Rodriguez, director of the
Wilson County Convention & Visitors Bureau.
It's estimated that between 1,200 and 1,500 people took part in the
chamber's free Dumplin' Day, up from the 1,000 at last year's inaugural
event. Focused on promoting the county, the family-friendly Dumplin'
Day offers homemade dumplings and a variety of activities including
corn hole and checker tournaments, turtle racing for kids, live music
and a tour of Historic Fiddler's Grove.
Money generated from the event, which is estimated to be about $1,200,
is used to pay for prizes awarded during the day, said chamber
president Sue Vanatta.
The date for next year's Dumplin' Day has been set for April 30.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
PRESS RELEASE
National & International Champions live locally
from the Lebanon Democrat
author: Bonnie Bucy
April 10, 2010
Next weekend will literally be jumping, bucking and alive with a lot of
horsing around as the first Whip Crackin’ Rodeo for Charity
kicks off at the James E. Ward Agriculture Center in Lebanon at 7 p.m.
each evening on April 16 and 17.
Dozens of seasoned and titled rodeo riders will be coming in from all
parts of the country to participate in the eight events featured and
offering $20,000 in prize money. Included in these are at least three
Lebanon residents whose credits hang in there among the best.
Troy Orr
Troy Orr will be showing that prowess on Saturday night of the local
event that made him the International Professional Rodeo World Champion
Steer Wrestler in 2003. Originally from Matthews, N.C., near Charlotte,
Orr and his wife, Misty, have been Lebanon residents the last eight
years.
“I grew up around horses and started doing the rodeo scene in
team roping,” said Orr. “I guess I was 18 or 19
when I started steer wrestling and picked up my first regional
championship in 1996.
“I was fortunate enough to win one or two titles a year up
through 2003 when I won the World Championship. You talk about a
thrill.”
Since he competes in one or two rodeos every weekend, Orr says he does
a lot of driving. He was appearing at a rodeo in Cincinnati, Ohio,
about eight years ago when he met Misty Holly, a barrel racer from Mt.
Juliet, Tenn.
“We both love the western scene that goes along with horses
and rodeo life,” said Orr. “We dated about three
months, got married and that’s how I got transplanted form
North Carolina to Lebanon, Tenn. Mist is pregnant with our second child
at the moment, so she won’t be competing in this event, but
she’ll be back after the baby is born,” said Orr.
Orr admits competing in the rodeo scene is expensive, a lot of work and
takes a lot of practice, and quite a number of people think they are
crazy for doing it.
“But, I love it and plan on doing it until I’m at
least 50,” said the 40-year-old Orr. “Each year, it
gets harder physically and I work out regularly at Sports Village to
stay in shape. Over the years it has gone from being a cowboy game to
an athletic competition.”
Orr was the Southern Rodeo Association’s Steer Wrestling
Champion in 2006; a top-placing finalist in 2007 in the International
Professional and Professional Cowboy Association’s events and
in 2008 he finished in the Top 20 in the Professional
Cowboy’s Association Rodeo. For the past five years,
he’s been augmenting his rodeo appearances with doing a bit
of welding in a shop behind his house.
In the meantime, his 5-year-old son, Teigan, is already following in
his mother and dad’s hoof prints in that he’s
competing in the Junior Rodeo circuit. Want to bet the new baby ends up
following suit?
Watch for Troy Orr aboard his Palomino, Taco, in the steer wrestling
competition on Saturday night at the Whip Crackin’ Rodeo.
“I want to personally thank all the people who have worked so
hard on this event,” said Orr. “It’s for
such a good cause and will mean so much more form many.”
Audrey Joines
Audrey Joines was born 20 years ago in Gladeville, Tenn., to a family
where everybody rode. Her father, Jeff Joines, a county commissioner
who’s deployed to Iraq, and his wife, Debbie, still ride, but
don’t compete while brother, Cole, competes in the High
School Rodeo and will be competing next weekend in Lebanon’s
Charity event.
Audrey began riding her first pony at age 2 and by age 4 was riding
solo. Today, she’s graduated from Wilson Central High School,
going to Volunteer State Community College where she’s
majoring in equine nutrition, living in Lebanon and still competing at
some rodeo or the other every weekend.
“I started in middle school to go to rodeos with the saddle
club, doing barrel riding,” said Joines. “At age
13, I was doing barrel races, pole bending, goat tying and breakaway
roping in the Tennessee Junior Rodeo.
“In that rodeo association, I was Junior Rodeo Queen and won
the all-around Cowgirl Award and got to go compete in the Nationals at
Gallop, N.M.”
She then moved into the Tennessee High School Rodeo Association where
she won the Rookie Cowgirl Award in her freshman year. In her sophomore
year, she won the Rope Tying Championship and went to Illinois to
compete in the Nationals that year.
In her junior year, Joines took the barrel racing, breakaway roping and
goat tying championships plus went on to the nationals again, where she
placed fourth in the nation for barrel racing. Her senior year, she
became Reserve Champion in goat tying and again earned the right to
compete in the nationals.
Since High School, she has done several professional rodeos, generally
running barrels. She’s going to Texas in May to compete. Her
barrel racing horse, Bugger, was trained by her mother and
“has so much personality.” Her boyfriend, Justin
McGriff, is a mechanic and keeps her vecicles running so she and Bugger
make all these rodeo dates.
“I’m going to continue competing as long as I can
because I love it and don’t know what I’d do
without the rodeos,” said Joines. “It’s
my job although I am studying to become a horse nutritionist so I can
help people feed their horses correctly.”
Joines will be competing on Friday evening at the Whip
Crackin’ Rodeo.
Tony Watson
Tony Watson has lived on Old Horn Springs Road all his
life. The son of Betty and the late Mack Watson, he graduated
from Castle Heights Military Academy. The family had horses for many
years and he to into his first competitive riding in the Lebanon Saddle
Club. He learned how to rope at Charlie Daniels ranch and got in t Team
Roping in 1979 or 80.
A member of the organizing committee for the rodeo, Watson will not be
competing, but will be working for the grounds and doing whatever is
needed to make the first, of what will hopefully be an annual event, a
hughe success.
“I had a lot of friends that were in the Rodeo scene and we
went around competing in the local rodeos,” said Watson.
He competed in the Tennessee State Roping Competition in 1989 and won
from the Heeler side. He came back in 1993, and won again on the Header
side.
“In Team racing, two people compete,” explained
Watson. “one catches the head making him the Header. The
other catches the feet, making him the Heeler.”
Watson said he continued roping until 1996 and he still ropes on the
farm, but the height of his competing today at 57 years of age is trail
riding.
“Competing in roes has always s been a sport I enjoyed even
though it’s a dangerous one because you can get
hurt,” said Watson. “However, I’ve met a
lot of good people and made a lot of friends through the years and I
still love it although I build houses for a living these
days.”
Watson’s wife, Tonyia, rides horseback, but doesn’t
compete. Their sons Daniel, 16, and Evan, 14, both have their
own horses and ride with the Tennessee Pony Association of America.
“Tonyia was an original board member on Sherry’s
Run, which is one of the beneficiaries of the Whip Crackin’
Rodeo, so she’s really excited about this event,”
said Watson.
Lebanon Mayor Philip Craighead started the idea for the rodeo over a
year ago with three goals in mind. Those were to raise funds for local
charities; to attract out-of-town visitors to Lebanon to help the
economy and to provide another venue for good family fun.
He entered into a partnership with the Lone Star Championship Rodeo to
bring it about.
Preston Fowlkes, who maintains 61 years of rodeo experience with over
40 events per year, expects close to 300 entries for the eight events
for two nights. It is coordinated with the Lebanon/Wilson County
Chamber of Commerce’s sponsored Dumplin’ Day in
Fiddler’s Grove on Saturday.
Benefiting from the First Annual Whip Crackin’ Rodeo will be
Prospect, Sherry’s Run, Brooks House, CASA, Habitat for
Humanity, Books from Birth, Joseph’s Storehouse, New Leash on
Life, Wilson County Community Help Center, STARRS, the Chamber
Educational Coalition and the Lebanon Senior Citizens Center.
Advance tickets of $10 for adults, $8 for children 12 and
under are available at Wilson Band and Trust locations,
Burchett Ford, Chamber of Commerce, John Greer State Farm Insurance,
and Rose Tire. Tickets will also be sold at the gate on event night for
$15 for adults and $10 for children 12 and under.
“Local businesses and the entire community have stepped up to
insure the rodeo’s success and we can’t thank them
enough,” said Craighead.