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Tennessee Athletes and Coach to Represent U.S. at Special Olympics Winter Games in Italy

Issue #196

31 Aug

6

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

⛅️ Columbia Weather - Partly cloudy with a high of 93

🏅 Tennessee Athletes and Coach to Represent U.S. at Special Olympics Winter Games in Italy

🚒 Maury County Fire Dept. Warns of Extreme Drought in Some Areas

🏍 Tonight: Motocross at The Maury County Fair 

🛍 Save Big With Amazon’s Labor Day Sale

👻 Sept. 7th: Millers Thrillers Auditions

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

📣 We Want To Spotlight Your Business! Apply Here

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Saturday, August 31st

Sunday, September 1st

Monday, September 2nd

Tuesday, September 3rd

Wednesday, September 4th

Thursday, September 5th

Friday, September 6th

Tennessee Athletes and Coach to Represent U.S. at Special Olympics Winter Games in Italy

Credit: specialolympicstn.org

Special Olympics USA has selected three athletes and one coach from Tennessee to join its 160-member delegation for the Special Olympics World Winter Games Turin 2025, taking place from March 8-16, 2025.

Madisun Rosier of Spring Hill will compete in short-track speedskating. A Special Olympics athlete since 2014, Rosier has also played Unified basketball and is an avid ice hockey player, participating in the women's league at Ford Ice Center in Bellevue.

Miles Duncan of Columbia joins Special Olympics USA as a snowboarding coach. Duncan has been involved in Special Olympics for over 15 years as a Unified partner and coach. Duncan has attended four Special Olympics USA Games as a coach and Unified partner in bocce. In addition to coaching Special Olympics, Duncan volunteers for CASA, an organization that advocates for foster children. He also enjoys spending time with his family and flipping houses in his spare time.

Chris Furches of Jonesborough will compete in snowboarding. A Special Olympics athlete since 2011, Furches has excelled in various sports, including athletics and bowling. He is also a champion ATV Motocross racer, becoming the first person with autism to win an ATVMX National Championship.

Johnny Kelly of Corryton, a Special Olympics athlete for a decade, will also compete in snowboarding. He has participated in sports such as flag football, powerlifting, and volleyball. In 2022, Kelly represented Tennessee at the Special Olympics USA Games, winning four medals in powerlifting.

Special Olympics USA comprises 101 athletes and Unified partners, 32 coaches, and 27 support members. Competitors will participate in eight sports, including Alpine skiing, figure skating, snowboarding, and speedskating.

Held every two years, the Special Olympics World Games unite athletes worldwide, promoting inclusion and equality. The 2025 Games in Turin will feature over 1,500 athletes from 103 countries, competing in eight winter sports.

ESPN will provide extensive coverage of the Games across its TV networks, streaming services, and digital platforms, highlighting the achievements of Special Olympics athletes globally.

Maury County Fire Dept. Warns of Extreme Drought in Some Areas

From Maury County Fire Department’s Facebook post:

Portions of the county are now in the “extreme drought” category. Although chances of rain are predicted, a lot of vegetation is now dead and will not respond to small amounts of rainfall.

Although there is not a burn ban, please refrain from outdoor burning. Also make sure that you have a defensible space around your home and that any tall grasses are cut back.

Tonight: Motocross at The Maury County Fair

Get revved up for an exhilarating night of motocross at the Maury County Fair & Expo! Join us tonight at 6:30 pm in the Big Arena for a lot of action and fun!

Interested in participating? Registration starts at 1 pm and practice will be held at 4:00 pm on the day of. Visit here to take a look at the rules.

Fair gate opens today at 1:00pm (side gates open at 9:00am)
Midway opens 2:00pm

Gate price: $10.00 adult / children FREE (front gates only)
Arm Bands: $35.00

Motocross: 6:30pm in the Back Arena; Practice at 4:00pm; Registration at 1:00pm

Pit Pass: $12.00 / 6 and under free

Chick Chain Show: 10:00am
Sheep Show: 2:00pm (Check-in at 9:00am)

Save Big With Amazon’s Labor Day Sale

Now’s the time to snag some serious savings on Amazon!

Here are some of the awesome deals we found:

Lots of Deals on Gaming Computers 

19% off MacBook Air

40% off Apple iPad 

Sale lasts until September 3rd

*As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Sept. 7th: Millers Thrillers Auditions

Millers Thrillers is ready to blow you away this season!!

We are now ready for the actors, management, and behind the scenes staff to bring the venue to life!

We are a fun energetic group of people who like those that are committed, responsible, personable, & ready to rock the show with us this season!

We seek hard workers that are trustworthy, dependable, energetic, & loyal with a strong work ethic!

We have slots for actors, zombies, makeup, parking attendants, ticket takers, rule givers, entertainers, special talents, photographers, carpenters, tractor drivers, MC hype men, and anything else that you think would be a good fit!

Our auditions and information briefings for these roles will be held on Saturday September 7th at 4:00pm to 7:00pm. It is a must that you bring your calendar for what days you can and can't work for weekends in October. We use your calendars to make the staff schedule for the whole season.

We are open every Friday and Saturday night in October (except Nov 4th) plus Nov. 1st & 2nd & Sept 28th. We have 2 training days (Sept 14th or 21st depending on your roll).

Compensation ranges from minimum range and up depending on experience and skill sets.

IF cast...

You will be given a character or multiple characters/stations to learn. Although there are some specific character demands (tickets, clown town, chainsaw, redneck etc), you will have some responsibility in developing how you interact with our guests. As we develop these interactions we will be guiding you through specific scripts that are appropriate to use. Your zone leader will also be your acting coach!

You are not required to have prior acting experience. If you are open to learn then we are open to teach and guide you into becoming a performer!

You must be willing to arrive at least 1 hour before we open. We typically are able to leave by midnight although some nights later in the season go a bit longer. Please be sure you have very reliable transportation.

There are a limited number of positions and all others are welcome to be volunteers.

The age requirement to try for a paid position is 16 in the woods and 14 for the hayride. If you are 14 or 15 you are welcome to volunteer in the woods. Some 15 year olds with special talents may still be considered for the woods. If you are 13 and want to volunteer then you must have a parent or adult come and be responsible for you at all times and pass our interviews!

Feel free to start spreading the word to your friends about auditions being Sept 7th, and bring those friends with you!

Location: 1354 Gravel Hill Rd., Columbia

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Saturday, August 31st

Gil Gann, Amber Falls Winery, 3-7 PM
TBD, Natchez Hills Vineyard, 4-7  PM 
Bronwen Fair, Buck & Board, 5-8 PM
Labor Day Barn Bash, The Barn at the Phelps Farm, 6:30-9 PM
Johnny Jameson and The Empty Pints, McCreary's Irish Pub, 7-9 PM
Blake O'Connor, Puckett's, 7:30-9 PM
Polly's Pocket, Fozzy's Bar & Grill, 8-11 PM

Sunday, September 1st

Martin Lane, Amber Falls Winery, 1-5 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett's, 6-7:30 PM
Labor Day Barn Bash, The Barn at the Phelps Farm, 6:30-9 PM
The Hammbone Band, The Boondox, 8 PM

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