Robbins park gazebo dedicated in ceremony
ROBBINS — The new gazebo was formally dedicated at the Robbins Community Park here Saturday evening, with State Representative Les Winningham and members of the South Scott County Community Club participating in the ceremony.
Guests of honor — Elmer and Sharon Hughett of Huntsville — were unable to attend the event. The Hughetts contributed the funds for the Barna Log Home structure, which was constructed by inmates from the Morgan County Regional Corrections Facility.
Among the special guests attending the hour long event were Barna Log Home company owners Darlene and Alfred Branim, John Robbins (representing Congressman Lincoln Davis), County Mayor Rick Keeton, County Trustee Jimmy Byrd, County Commissioners Willie Boyatt, Paul Strunk and Leonard Bertram, Scott County School Board members Vivian Smith and Sam Wright, and Scott County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Bobby Ellis.
James Walker, president of the community club, acted as the emcee for the event.
Walker said that the new gazebo was the latest improvement to the park in a series of events which have taken place since the project was first begun in 1999. He pointed out that Willie Boyatt, then an assistant to County Mayor Dwight Murphy, spearheaded the fund-raising effort to establish the park by helping the community club obtain a $52,000 grant to purchase the property and prepare the site.
Others who came to the podium spoke of the volunteer spirt of the South Scott County Community Club members and others who provided their time and labor to make the park what it is today.
Walker thanked several individuals for their assistance in making the gazebo and other park improvements a reality. The list included: Darlene and Alfred Branim, Carley Hughett, Jr., Vernon Raines, Sandra Overton Jones, Dick Smith, Ashley Lowe, Jerry and Jodi Lowe, Odell Brummett, Mary Etta Neely and Den Leader Tiffany Terry and Cub Scout Pack 503 of Robbins.
Representative Winningham was to have presented framed certificates from Gov. Phil Bredesen and the Tennessee General Assembly honoring the generosity and community spirit of Elmer and Sharon Hughett for their monetary contribution to the project.
In their absence, he unveiled the two framed certificates for the audience and said he would personally make the presentation to them at a later date.
Winningham said the Hughetts were “the most caring and free-hearted people” he’s ever known, and added the Hughetts did not make their gift “to seek recognition” but rather to give the entire community something for which they can be proud.
The Rev. Hubert Terry, pastor of the Barton Chapel Congregational Church delivered the opening prayer for the ceremony, while the Rev. Mike Smithers, pastor of the First Baptist Church of Robbins, read scripture.
Jimmy Byrd led the group in the pledge of allegiance, while his daughter, Sarah, sang the National Anthem.
The ceremony was followed by the community club serving cake and punch to all in attendance, and singing by Alfred and Darlene Branim, and Jimmy and Sarah Byrd.