The rainy weather stopped just in time for the 30^th annual Tennessee Iris Festival Parade held Saturday, May 2 in downtown Dresden. Despite threatening rain clouds, a respectable crowd of festivalgoers turned out for the parade, and other Iris Festival events held throughout the day.

    After the parade, families enjoyed activities offered at the Iris Carnival on Wilson Street just off the court square, including rides, games, and great carnival treats.

    The Iris Festival Luncheon at Dresden Elementary School was also a big success. Speakers at the event included: Gov. Ned Ray McWherter; Weakley County General Sessions Judge Tommy Moore, who served as emcee for the event; Dresden Mayor Danny Forrester; legendary women’s basketball coach Linn Dunn, who was grand marshal of the Iris Festival Parade; Citizen of the Year Bobby Goode; and Iris Festival co-chairpersons – Jake Bynum and Abbey Stoker.

    Dignitaries recognized at the event included: Brad Thomas from U.S. Congressman John Tanner’s office; Jane Jolley, field director from U.S. Senator Bob Corker’s office; State Representative Mark Maddox; Weakley County Mayor Houston Patrick and wife Maxine; District Attorney Tommy Thomas and family; Iris Festival Volunteer of the Year - Mike Parham; Golden Irises – Gertie Sheffield, Ted Kelley and Billy and Wanda Powell; Iris Festival Royalty; and chairpersons and supporters of various Iris Festival events. Gov. McWherter’s son, Mike McWherter, who is running for governor, was also at the luncheon.

(Read the rest of this story in the May 6th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

    The Weakley County Chamber of Commerce celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a Golden Anniversary Banquet, Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at the Boling University Center Ballroom on the campus of the University of Tennessee at Martin.

    The banquet’s master of ceremonies was Misty Menees of Edward Jones, who is an Alumni Leadership Weakley County member.  

    Following the invocation given by Weakley County Mayor Houston Patrick, guests enjoyed an elegant dinner with entertainment by former First State Youth Leadership students - Kelsey Potts, violinist from Greenfield, and Katie Snider, pianist and vocalist from Gleason High School. 

    The highlights of the evening were: recognition of Chamber past presidents; Chamber 50-year Trivia winner Junior Moore of Dresden; past president and Chamber Historian Crawford Gallimore of Hamilton-Ryker; recognition of outgoing Chamber President Mike Wilson of Gleason Lumber Company; and incoming 2009-2010 President Randy Huffstetler Jr. of Greenfield Banking Company in Greenfield; and the ceremonial graduation of the participants in the First State Youth and Leadership Weakley County 2009 Leadership programs.

    Special highlights of the evening included the 50th year recognition of the Chamber by University of Tennessee at Martin Chancellor Tom Rakes, who presented the plaque to Chamber Executive Director Barbara Virgin. Also, UT Martin REED Center Director and Golden Anniversary Chairman Hollie Holt announced table decoration winners for the evening. The table winners were: 1st Place - Reelfoot Bank; 2nd Place - Weakley County Economic Development Board; and 3rd Place- First State. Additionally, Master of Ceremonies Misty Menees announced sponsored door prizes for the evening. The evening’s grand finale’ was the awards presentation of the Youth Achievement Award to Katie Snider, a senior from Gleason High School, daughter of Mike and Sabrina Snider of Gleason; 2009 Business of the Year Award to Akin & Porter Produce, Inc. of Greenfield; and 2009 Weakley Countian of the Year Audrey Roberts of Martin.

    The First State Youth Leadership Class is comprised of 20 qualifying sophomores representing Weakley County high schools. The program is sponsored by First State in Weakley County, supported by Weakley County Schools and Weakley County Chamber of Commerce. Chamber Executive Director Barbara Virgin is program coordinator for both Youth and Leadership Weakley programs. The accredited youth leadership class has completed eight-month sessions on team building, strategic planning, industry, economic development, agriculture, tourism, local and state government, education, financial services and project planning.

(Read the rest of this story in the May 6th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

    The case of a 32-year-old Gibson County woman accused of robbing a local convenience store at knifepoint will be heard by a Weakley County Grand Jury.

    Amy Lynn McElroy of Griers Chapel Road, Trenton is charged with aggravated robbery, a class B felony, and criminal conspiracy to commit aggravated robbery.

    According to an affidavit filed by Dresden Police Investigator James T. Barber, the robbery took place at approximately 2:19 a.m. Monday, April 20. At that time, the suspect allegedly entered Q-Mart, located at 360 East Main Street in Dresden, handed the clerk a note demanding money, and brandished a knife. The suspect then fled the premises on foot with an undetermined amount of money.

    The report states the robbery was carried out with the help of an unnamed accomplice.

    Three days later, Dresden police arrested McElroy for the robbery, and she allegedly confessed to the robbery when questioned by police.

    During McElroy’s Wednesday, April 29 court appearance, the defendant waived her preliminary hearing. The defendant is bound over to the Weakley County Grand Jury, and her bond is set at $50,000.