Courtesy photo Ali Grace Satterfield receives her trophy for winning the 6 and under division at Point Mallard’s No Fear Extreme Tumble event.

Extreme fun at tumbling event

Wendy’s word

Decisions, decisions — what guides the choices we make? Is it a sincere peace in our hearts, knowing we have made the right selection or a leap of faith in hopes all will work out in the end?

I guess a lot depends on what is at stake. Whether it’s trying to decide what flavor of ice cream or something more life altering, go with your gut instinct. I believe the first impulse is usually the right one.

Check the options and follow your heart today.

Now let’s see what the “chatter” is ...

Extreme tumble

With temperatures well above the 100-degree mark, the first No Fear Extreme Tumble event at Point Mallard’s water park welcomed more than 40 contestants, ages 2 to 34.

Winners were as follows: 6 and under division: first place was Ali Grace Satterfield of Decatur ; second place was Sarah Roe Ethridge of Decatur; third place was Katie Grace Ziak of Decatur ; fourth place was Hannah Royer of Decatur ; fifth place was Amelia Brown of Decatur; and sixth place was Erica Widell of Decatur. In the 7- to 12-year-old division: first place went to Keisha Preston of Joppa; second place was Taylor Maxwell of Somerville; third place was Madeline “Maddie” Stephenson of Decatur; fourth place was Taylor Ridgeway of Arab; and fifth place was Dallas Sharp of Guntersville. In the 13- to 16-year-old divison: first place was Elliot Hollingsworth of Somerville; second place was Carl Sadler of Somerville; and third place was Tiffany Morgan of Killen. In the 17 and older division: first place was Keith Gross of Hanceville; second place was Brian Causey of Arab; third place was Dishon Clark of Hanceville; fourth place was Reggie Tremain of Decatur; fifth place was Anna Wallraven of Decatur; and sixth place was Toni Ballentine.

The event was the brainchild of Julianne Lowman, marketing director for Decatur Parks & Recreation and Point Mallard Park, after watching young teens tumbling last summer on the grass at the water park. She said she thought an outdoor event could draw attention, particularly with the summer Olympics approaching in 2008.

“A good idea is nothing without a support system. It takes the commitment of good people, businesses and organizations to create any quality event,” Lowman said. “I have no doubt in my mind this event can grow to impressive levels, but it couldn’t have happened without that kind of assistance.”

After securing the title sponsorship of No Fear energy drink, the event’s “extreme theme” was born. Lowman said the event was a success due to the support of sponsor Pepsi of Decatur, distributor of No Fear energy drink, and local cheerleading and gymnastics coaches.

“We all had a very good time and think this event was great,” said coach Keith Barksdale of Peak Performance Tumble and Cheer Inc. of Arab.

All contestants received free T-shirts, water bottles and No Fear beverages. Pepsi of Decatur not only provided those items, but added a year supply of the No Fear energy drink to each first-place winner. Other prize packages include 2008 Point Mallard season passes, dinners and movies compliments of Ryan’s of Decatur, Space and Rocket Center tickets, a new Mongoose bicycle, stuffed animals and a hot-air balloon ride for two courtesy of the Decatur/Morgan County Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Rene Stephenson, whose 10-year-old daughter competed, said she enjoyed “the casualness of the event,” saying there was no pressure for her daughter.

The event was videotaped and will be on YouTube.com in the coming weeks.

For more information on this and other Point Mallard events, call Lowman at 341-4903 or go to www.pointmallardmark.com.

Cousins

The Country Cousins, hosted by Hoyt and Dot Maples, met recently with 20 members and guests attending.

Eleanor Garrison brought granddaughter Beth Scott, while Inez Borden brought granddaughter Brandi Favors. Zettie Atkinson’s brother Joe Weston showed up as a surprise with a bucket of chicken right before lunch.

Following fellowship, everyone formed a prayer circle to remember those not feeling well and those unable to attend.

Others joining in the day were Vera Horsley, Idalene Singleton, Billie Hutchison, Mildred Johnson, Lucille Roddam, Evalene Orr, Edna and Bob White, Johnny Self, Donna Weeks, Zettie Wright and Edna Earle James.

The next get-together will be hosted by James and Wright.

Mississippi State pledges

It’s that time again, when sorority rushes have ended and new pledge classes are selected. Going Greek at Mississippi State are Decatur girls Shelly Pensworthy and Lindsey Califf, who both went Chi Omega, and Jordan Villarreal, also of Decatur, who pledged Phi Mu.

Congrats to these new Greek girls.

Toastmasters

Speaking Easy, the Decatur branch of Toastmasters International, earned the highly coveted President’s Distinguished Award, according to District 77 Division A Governor, Bob Purol of Cullman.

To earn the award a club must achieve the highest of standards in meeting excellence through its educational program and member growth both inside and outside the club. It also had to achieve at least nine of 10 goals from the distinguished club program. Less than 3 percent of all Toastmasters Clubs achieve this recognition.Toastmasters International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing individuals the opportunity to develop and improve their public speaking abilities and leadership skills through local club meetings, training seminars and speech contests. Toastmasters International includes more than 199,000 men and women in more than 9,300 clubs in more than 70 countries.

Some of the world’s most accomplished leaders, business entrepreneurs and entertainers attribute much of their success to the skills they developed in Toastmasters. For more information, visit speakingeasy.freetoasthost.us.

DHS reunion

Decatur High School’s Class of ’67 will host a 40th reunion celebration Oct. 5 and 6. Festivities will kick off at Shirley Hammond’s building, 716 Bank St. N.E., at 3 p.m. to watch the DHS homecoming parade, then move to the homecoming game. On Saturday night, Woody Peebles will welcome classmates to his Mooresville home at 7 p.m. Special entertainment will be provided by Steve Wright’s son, lead singer for the popular local group Bishop Black. For more information on reunion details or to take part in the fun-filled weekend, contact Stephen V. Hammond, 353-7031, 642-9013 or svh@chhlawpc.com

That’s all for now. It’s been great “chattin” with ya! Let me know what is going on in your little corner of the world. If it’s special to you and features any of the great people who live in our community, then it will make a great Chatterbox item. Just e-mail me at ddchatterbox@yahoo.com, or call me at 350-5730. I look forward to hearing from you.

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