Well, folks, that time has finally come. I am sad to say that this will be the last "Lucy Memoirs" article. What merely began as a simple blog has somehow developed into a fun little weekly article that has allowed you, the reader, a glimpse into my world. I started "Lucy Memoirs" so that I could record my childhood memories and share about those who have made an impact on my life. I had, and still have, the ambition to share these stories to my children and maybe even to their children. It's strange to think about my three-year-old's children, but I have listened to many of you and your remarks of how "time flies", "it'll be here before you know it", and my favorite, "in a blink of an eye." I, too, will age, my daughter will marry and have children, and this thirty-one-year-old man looking to the future would like to see that his life had meaning and had a grand story to tell. Max Lucado has written a new book with the title, Outlive Your Life. I thought for awhile on that title. There is a lot to be said there. Am I living a life that will affect generations past mine? Am I touching people in a away that changes their lives which then affects others'? These are big questions to ponder, but I hope that these memoirs have at least laid a foundation of who I am and what God can do with me next. I can say this with confidence because He's not finished with me yet.
So in conclusion to my stories of my childhood, I think it's only fair to bring you up to present-day. What has happened in the last twenty years to the boys of Lucy? Well, Stevie now serves in emergency management services and lives in Millington. Of course, he now goes by Steve Sparks Jr., but he will always be Stevie to me. Mike Luhm married a secret service agent who was deployed to Presidential guard in Dallas. She and Mike still live there today where Mike proudly serves on the Dallas Fire Department. Mom and Dad still live in the same home in Lucy with a few changes. Where Will's and my rooms were, they are now rooms for the grandkids. Where the side yard is where we played many of baseball games and held bombfire events, is now a pond and a brand new playhouse. I couldn't be more proud of my little brother, Will. The same kid that I hit in the head with a shovel, wrecked countless motorized vehicles on our property, and made our house look like the Grizwalds at Christmas, finally tied the knot a couple of weeks ago. He married a young lady from the Gentry/Waits family. That is one scary combination when you combine these three families. Will has always had a passion for lighting and illumination. He now designs lighting plans for churches and businesses all over the United States. As for me, I met a gorgeous girl, Shannon, at the same church I have gone to my whole life and have been married for eight wonderful years now. We have a beautiful three-year-old daughter, Emmerson, and by the time most of you read this article, we will have welcomed our son, Cole Franklin Childress, into the world. One of Frank Capra's most famous movies, It's a Wonderful Life, pretty much sums up my own life. God has truly blessed me to no end and I give Him all of the glory for it.
Finally, I would like to thank you, the reader. It has been a great honor to speak to those whom I run into at church or around town who have read and commented on these articles. I especially love hearing your memories of Christmas Tree Larry's, USA Baseball, and many more written topics. I think Millington is one of the greatest towns in this country, enriched with a history of patriotism, family values, community pride, and Christian leadership. I have no doubt that my childhood would've looked a lot different if it were not lived out in Millington, Tennessee.
If you are ever out on a Sunday drive, I encourage you to pull off the highway onto Sykes Rd, take the second right onto Lucy Rd, and drive through the heart of Lucy. Stop off at Down the Road Motors (a.k.a. The Man Store), and pop a top on a cream soda. Drive through the tunnel of shady oak trees and look out over the rolling pasture land of green. Maybe you'll like it so much that you'll decide to start a family of your own there. Your kids can be raised in a town where they can let their imaginations run wild. And maybe, just maybe, they will one day write about their own journeys, childhood memories, and escapades. And just maybe, I will still be around to read their own "Lucy Memoirs."
Thank you & God Bless,
-Steve Childress
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Lucy Elementary
I could not have asked for a better introduction to my first school experience than what Lucy Elementary provided me. When I started kindergarten in 1984 Lucy was this picturesque community, very family involved, school that proved to be inviting to a five year old like me who had never been away from my family for a consistent period of time. Some of my greatest early childhood memories were spawned out of this red bricked, green shingled roof school house.
Dr. Evelyn Jewel was the principle when I attended. I remember her always making sure we kindergarteners had everything we needed to make our time at Lucy a pleasant one. I remember we had "Old Fashion Day" and Dr. Jewel would dress up in an old dress and bonnet, and drive us around the school in a mule drawn buggy. Dr. Jewel also allowed several other events at the school like the annual Halloween carnival, community day and many other events that truly made the school Lucy's own. Many years later, as I was working at my first bank and Dr Jewel came in to conduct some business. I had the opportunity to help her. Before I could even introduce myself she called me by name and gave me the biggest hug. There is something to be said about an educator like Dr. Jewel who has taught so many children to remember a student like myself twenty years later.
I can easily name all of my teachers at Lucy because they all had an impact on my early education in some form or fashion. Ms. Becky was my kindergarten teacher who was so patient with me my first year. Ms. Brown was my first grade teacher who still brags even to this day, about how great a student I was. Ms. Brown has made such an impact on my life that I dedicated an entire article all about her. There is not a Sunday that goes by that she doesn't hug my neck still. Ms. Monroe was my second grade teacher and that was the first year I received principles honor role. Ms. Westmoreland was my third grade teacher and it was there that I honed my skills as the "teacher's pet". I learned quickly that if you make yourself available and offer your assistance to your teacher she will love you to death. At least that’s how it worked out for me. Mr. Lunsford was my P.E. coach and he is now the principle at Millington Elementary where my mom works. Ms. Hair was the Librarian, and Mr. Walker was our music teacher. Mr. Walker had an interesting way of motivating us to sing. During school programs he would sit behind the choir instead of directing from the front. He would scream at the top of his lungs "SING! SING! SING!!!!" You would've thought we were snow dogs in a race and he was the driver. Nevertheless if he didn't do that I most likely wouldn't have remembered him.
Lucy holds so many memories for me outside of the classroom as well. At one time the playground had three big oak trees that made perfect bases for recess kickball games. There was one of those ten foot metal slides that burnt your legs during the summer and an old merry-go-round. The swing sets were those white painted "A" frame structures where I had carved multiple love notes to girls on. Before they removed those swing sets I went back to Lucy and sure enough those same carvings were still there.
I absolutely loved Lucy Elementary. It was an era when practically every mom was a room mother, the pledge of allegiance was said every morning, school pride actually meant something, and the community was just as active as the staff was in regards to the betterment of the establishment. Even today I am still proud to call myself a Lucy Eagle.
-Steve Childress
Dr. Evelyn Jewel was the principle when I attended. I remember her always making sure we kindergarteners had everything we needed to make our time at Lucy a pleasant one. I remember we had "Old Fashion Day" and Dr. Jewel would dress up in an old dress and bonnet, and drive us around the school in a mule drawn buggy. Dr. Jewel also allowed several other events at the school like the annual Halloween carnival, community day and many other events that truly made the school Lucy's own. Many years later, as I was working at my first bank and Dr Jewel came in to conduct some business. I had the opportunity to help her. Before I could even introduce myself she called me by name and gave me the biggest hug. There is something to be said about an educator like Dr. Jewel who has taught so many children to remember a student like myself twenty years later.
I can easily name all of my teachers at Lucy because they all had an impact on my early education in some form or fashion. Ms. Becky was my kindergarten teacher who was so patient with me my first year. Ms. Brown was my first grade teacher who still brags even to this day, about how great a student I was. Ms. Brown has made such an impact on my life that I dedicated an entire article all about her. There is not a Sunday that goes by that she doesn't hug my neck still. Ms. Monroe was my second grade teacher and that was the first year I received principles honor role. Ms. Westmoreland was my third grade teacher and it was there that I honed my skills as the "teacher's pet". I learned quickly that if you make yourself available and offer your assistance to your teacher she will love you to death. At least that’s how it worked out for me. Mr. Lunsford was my P.E. coach and he is now the principle at Millington Elementary where my mom works. Ms. Hair was the Librarian, and Mr. Walker was our music teacher. Mr. Walker had an interesting way of motivating us to sing. During school programs he would sit behind the choir instead of directing from the front. He would scream at the top of his lungs "SING! SING! SING!!!!" You would've thought we were snow dogs in a race and he was the driver. Nevertheless if he didn't do that I most likely wouldn't have remembered him.
Lucy holds so many memories for me outside of the classroom as well. At one time the playground had three big oak trees that made perfect bases for recess kickball games. There was one of those ten foot metal slides that burnt your legs during the summer and an old merry-go-round. The swing sets were those white painted "A" frame structures where I had carved multiple love notes to girls on. Before they removed those swing sets I went back to Lucy and sure enough those same carvings were still there.
I absolutely loved Lucy Elementary. It was an era when practically every mom was a room mother, the pledge of allegiance was said every morning, school pride actually meant something, and the community was just as active as the staff was in regards to the betterment of the establishment. Even today I am still proud to call myself a Lucy Eagle.
-Steve Childress
Rockin Raleigh
Growing up in Millington had its fun, but there was always a place just south of us where we experienced most of our shopping and entertainment. Raleigh was pre-Wolfchase, so it was the closet area to go to for all of our shopping, eating, and theater needs. These are my personal memories of "Rocking Raleigh."
The Raleigh Springs Mall was pretty much the only mall we knew. Every now and then, we would venture out to the Mall of Memphis or the Hickory Ridge Mall, but Raleigh Springs had everything we needed. There we would go to all of the department stores like Dillards, JCPenny and Goldsmiths. I always enjoyed going to Sears because they had these little curtain drawn cartoon booths that you could sit in and watch a little cartoon for a dime. When I wasn’t watching cartoons, I was jumping from one riding lawnmower to the other pretending they were tanks. Outside of Sears, just as you would walk in the main mall fairway, were Shoney’s and Woolworths. Now Shoney’s was a common restaurant that we would often visit, but Woolworths had its own little restaurant as well. It was a small restaurant with a bar and stools for patrons to eat on and various tables scattered around the restaurant floor. What was memorable about the Woolworths restaurant was their Tuna Melt sandwich that I still make today for my family. Another famous eatery in the mall, aside from Hot Dog Sam’s, was Milano’s Pizza. Awhile back, I posted a comment on Facebook about the Raleigh Springs Milano’s. The feedback I got back was 99% female and they were all remembering the “cute” pizza guy there at Milano’s. I do not remember any of the pizza guys, but I guess he made an impression on them. Nevertheless, it was the best pizza in the mall. Another great memory of the Raleigh Springs Mall was the theater. The Childresses have a personal connection to this theater because my dad had a job there working nights during his high school years. He was fired because he got caught riding his motorcycle up and down the aisles of the theater. Every time we saw a movie there, I would picture him doing just that. We have a lot of memories at the Raleigh Springs Mall, especially around the holidays, when I would tell Santa and the Easter Bunny what all I wanted. It was a very family-friendly atmosphere with much to do.
Like the mall, there were several other retail establishments around Raleigh that we visited frequently. One I have mentioned before is Children's Palace, the Mecca of toy stores. Oh the memories of walking in the doors of this place and having to follow the makeshift aisles that just filtered into a world of childhood enchantment. There were so many toys to be seen and play with while there. Children’s Palace would often have characters dressed up, such as Spiderman and the Hulk, walk around to greet you. It was always the biggest treat to make a visit to Children’s Palace. We also had Service Merchandise, which I really didn’t care all that much about, until I got a little older and I could relate more to their product line. Dad’s favorite store was always Central Hardware. I remember the 12-foot giant statue guy in his flannel shirt, blue jeans, and yellow suspenders there to greet you as you walked in. Aside from Children’s Palace, my second favorite spot was Showbiz Pizza, not Chuck-E-Cheese, but Showbiz. We went to Showbiz for birthday parties and also for rewards. You see, Showbiz had a program set up that, if you brought in your school report card, they would award you so many tokens per “A” and “B” you received. Showbiz was set up just like Chuck-E-Cheese, but in my opinion, it had much better animatronic characters. The Showbiz band consisted of the Showbiz bear, of course, the surfer polar bear, the cheerleader bird, and the massive ape that played the keyboard. You would be lying if you said you never peeked behind the curtains after a show to see if the band members were still there. One time I did and I swear to this day, the ape’s eyes moved directly toward me as I opened the curtain.
Raleigh created nothing but great childhood memories for my family and me. There was so much more to do than what I mentioned, but these were the top memories that made an impact on me. I often wish my children could watch a ten cent black and white cartoon, bite into a mouth-watering tuna melt sandwich while sitting on a barstool at Woolworths, see the expression on their faces when they first step into Children’s Palace, or even take a peek behind the curtain at Showbiz. Nevertheless, they are creating their own memories now in other places just as I did in Raleigh.
-Steve Childress
The Raleigh Springs Mall was pretty much the only mall we knew. Every now and then, we would venture out to the Mall of Memphis or the Hickory Ridge Mall, but Raleigh Springs had everything we needed. There we would go to all of the department stores like Dillards, JCPenny and Goldsmiths. I always enjoyed going to Sears because they had these little curtain drawn cartoon booths that you could sit in and watch a little cartoon for a dime. When I wasn’t watching cartoons, I was jumping from one riding lawnmower to the other pretending they were tanks. Outside of Sears, just as you would walk in the main mall fairway, were Shoney’s and Woolworths. Now Shoney’s was a common restaurant that we would often visit, but Woolworths had its own little restaurant as well. It was a small restaurant with a bar and stools for patrons to eat on and various tables scattered around the restaurant floor. What was memorable about the Woolworths restaurant was their Tuna Melt sandwich that I still make today for my family. Another famous eatery in the mall, aside from Hot Dog Sam’s, was Milano’s Pizza. Awhile back, I posted a comment on Facebook about the Raleigh Springs Milano’s. The feedback I got back was 99% female and they were all remembering the “cute” pizza guy there at Milano’s. I do not remember any of the pizza guys, but I guess he made an impression on them. Nevertheless, it was the best pizza in the mall. Another great memory of the Raleigh Springs Mall was the theater. The Childresses have a personal connection to this theater because my dad had a job there working nights during his high school years. He was fired because he got caught riding his motorcycle up and down the aisles of the theater. Every time we saw a movie there, I would picture him doing just that. We have a lot of memories at the Raleigh Springs Mall, especially around the holidays, when I would tell Santa and the Easter Bunny what all I wanted. It was a very family-friendly atmosphere with much to do.
Like the mall, there were several other retail establishments around Raleigh that we visited frequently. One I have mentioned before is Children's Palace, the Mecca of toy stores. Oh the memories of walking in the doors of this place and having to follow the makeshift aisles that just filtered into a world of childhood enchantment. There were so many toys to be seen and play with while there. Children’s Palace would often have characters dressed up, such as Spiderman and the Hulk, walk around to greet you. It was always the biggest treat to make a visit to Children’s Palace. We also had Service Merchandise, which I really didn’t care all that much about, until I got a little older and I could relate more to their product line. Dad’s favorite store was always Central Hardware. I remember the 12-foot giant statue guy in his flannel shirt, blue jeans, and yellow suspenders there to greet you as you walked in. Aside from Children’s Palace, my second favorite spot was Showbiz Pizza, not Chuck-E-Cheese, but Showbiz. We went to Showbiz for birthday parties and also for rewards. You see, Showbiz had a program set up that, if you brought in your school report card, they would award you so many tokens per “A” and “B” you received. Showbiz was set up just like Chuck-E-Cheese, but in my opinion, it had much better animatronic characters. The Showbiz band consisted of the Showbiz bear, of course, the surfer polar bear, the cheerleader bird, and the massive ape that played the keyboard. You would be lying if you said you never peeked behind the curtains after a show to see if the band members were still there. One time I did and I swear to this day, the ape’s eyes moved directly toward me as I opened the curtain.
Raleigh created nothing but great childhood memories for my family and me. There was so much more to do than what I mentioned, but these were the top memories that made an impact on me. I often wish my children could watch a ten cent black and white cartoon, bite into a mouth-watering tuna melt sandwich while sitting on a barstool at Woolworths, see the expression on their faces when they first step into Children’s Palace, or even take a peek behind the curtain at Showbiz. Nevertheless, they are creating their own memories now in other places just as I did in Raleigh.
-Steve Childress
USA Baseball
Aside from the Naval Base, one of Millington’s biggest landmarks was, and still is today, the USA Baseball Stadium. There is probably not a person in Millington who grew up here during the mid-80’s and forward who did not attend at least one game. If they didn't get to see any, then they have missed a piece of history that was literally right on their door step. One of Babe Howard's many visions for this town was baseball, and so the opportunity presented itself.
Millington was fortunate enough to be the training site for the USA Olympic baseball team from 1985-1996. This gave us baseball fanatics the opportunity to watch world renown amateur teams such as Cuba and Japan, as well as multiple countries from across the globe, settle in on our little town for short time. This was a treat that few can say they have seen. It was an ultimate dream for foreign players to play on American turf as well, not only because of our history with the game, but also the freedoms we cherish as Americans. I remember in 1991 one of Cuba’s players actually tried to defect because his dream of playing in the US was becoming a reality.
As a kid, attending these games was more than just a sporting event; it was a major gathering place for all other kids my age. Our little ears would be fixed on the sound of the crack of a bat and our personal gloves stretched high to catch fly balls. As I got older and my passion for the game increased, I spent less time chasing fly-balls and more time watching the future greats of this nation such as Alex Rodriguez and many others.
Today I am proud to say the USA Baseball Stadium is still hosting games and year- round events, thanks to the newly formed Millington Sports Authority. The Sports Authority has kept to Babe Howard’s original vision of not only keeping baseball alive in Millington, but to also make the complex as a whole a family-friendly atmosphere, hosting events like Goat Days and the most recent American Legion Fair.
Every time I hear the following Terrance Mann speech from Field of Dreams, I am reminded of Millington, Babe Howard’s vision, and the impact Millington baseball made on my life.
Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come….
-Steve Childress
Millington was fortunate enough to be the training site for the USA Olympic baseball team from 1985-1996. This gave us baseball fanatics the opportunity to watch world renown amateur teams such as Cuba and Japan, as well as multiple countries from across the globe, settle in on our little town for short time. This was a treat that few can say they have seen. It was an ultimate dream for foreign players to play on American turf as well, not only because of our history with the game, but also the freedoms we cherish as Americans. I remember in 1991 one of Cuba’s players actually tried to defect because his dream of playing in the US was becoming a reality.
As a kid, attending these games was more than just a sporting event; it was a major gathering place for all other kids my age. Our little ears would be fixed on the sound of the crack of a bat and our personal gloves stretched high to catch fly balls. As I got older and my passion for the game increased, I spent less time chasing fly-balls and more time watching the future greats of this nation such as Alex Rodriguez and many others.
Today I am proud to say the USA Baseball Stadium is still hosting games and year- round events, thanks to the newly formed Millington Sports Authority. The Sports Authority has kept to Babe Howard’s original vision of not only keeping baseball alive in Millington, but to also make the complex as a whole a family-friendly atmosphere, hosting events like Goat Days and the most recent American Legion Fair.
Every time I hear the following Terrance Mann speech from Field of Dreams, I am reminded of Millington, Babe Howard’s vision, and the impact Millington baseball made on my life.
Ray, people will come Ray. They'll come to Iowa for reasons they can't even fathom. They'll turn up your driveway not knowing for sure why they're doing it. They'll arrive at your door as innocent as children, longing for the past. Of course, we won't mind if you look around, you'll say. It's only $20 per person. They'll pass over the money without even thinking about it: for it is money they have and peace they lack. And they'll walk out to the bleachers; sit in shirtsleeves on a perfect afternoon. They'll find they have reserved seats somewhere along one of the baselines, where they sat when they were children and cheered their heroes. And they'll watch the game and it'll be as if they dipped themselves in magic waters. The memories will be so thick they'll have to brush them away from their faces. People will come Ray. The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. It has been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt and erased again. But baseball has marked the time. This field, this game: it's a part of our past, Ray. It reminds of us of all that once was good and it could be again. Oh... people will come Ray. People will most definitely come….
-Steve Childress
Lesson Learned
One school year I did not earn the grades I should've earned in school. Needless to say, my dad was not pleased and thought it would be a good idea to teach me a lesson about the value of a good education. You see, aside from being a City of Memphis firefighter, my dad owned his own plumbing business. Working for him during the summers was a cakewalk because, for the most part, I drove around with him and fetched tools whenever he needed them. Dad thought I needed a little more of a wake- up call than riding around in the air-conditioned truck all day, so he put me to work with one of his contractors.
I started on my first day of summer vacation with a local irrigation company. Although this company had a great relationship with my dad, he gave them specific orders to treat me like every other employee and show no favoritism. The owners did just that. Irrigation companies have trenchers that create the ditches to lay the pipe, but they only create the hole. It takes man power to get the dirt out and prepare for the pipe lines. I was placed on said lines digging and digging from 7:30 in the morning straight into the afternoon. I did not have much conversation with the crew I was put on because, well, we didn't speak the same language. By the end of the day, I was beat, burned, and smelled something fierce. Then knowing I had to get up the very next day and do it all over again was not a reassuring feeling.
The worst part about this job, as if it wasn't already horrible enough in the first place, was when my dad stopped by a job site. I'd come over and talk to him and ask how his day was. In my mind I was pleading that he take me with him, but he and I both knew that would defeat the purpose. After he was done, he'd hop in his truck (the same one I used to hop in with him) and drive off into the sunset leaving me in a ditch with my shovel.
I learned a great lesson that summer. It wasn't "Do well in school or dig ditches the rest of your life" because you can make a fine living in the irrigation business if you really wanted. It wasn't a wake-up call to pursue a white collar job. There are many days that I wish I could be outside enjoying nature rather than reviewing reports in an office. It was that simple rule that I had heard all my life in any and every circumstance--"As long as you are under my roof, you will abide by my rules."
Lesson learned.
-Steve Childress
I started on my first day of summer vacation with a local irrigation company. Although this company had a great relationship with my dad, he gave them specific orders to treat me like every other employee and show no favoritism. The owners did just that. Irrigation companies have trenchers that create the ditches to lay the pipe, but they only create the hole. It takes man power to get the dirt out and prepare for the pipe lines. I was placed on said lines digging and digging from 7:30 in the morning straight into the afternoon. I did not have much conversation with the crew I was put on because, well, we didn't speak the same language. By the end of the day, I was beat, burned, and smelled something fierce. Then knowing I had to get up the very next day and do it all over again was not a reassuring feeling.
The worst part about this job, as if it wasn't already horrible enough in the first place, was when my dad stopped by a job site. I'd come over and talk to him and ask how his day was. In my mind I was pleading that he take me with him, but he and I both knew that would defeat the purpose. After he was done, he'd hop in his truck (the same one I used to hop in with him) and drive off into the sunset leaving me in a ditch with my shovel.
I learned a great lesson that summer. It wasn't "Do well in school or dig ditches the rest of your life" because you can make a fine living in the irrigation business if you really wanted. It wasn't a wake-up call to pursue a white collar job. There are many days that I wish I could be outside enjoying nature rather than reviewing reports in an office. It was that simple rule that I had heard all my life in any and every circumstance--"As long as you are under my roof, you will abide by my rules."
Lesson learned.
-Steve Childress
Celebrating July 4th with a BANG!
I purposely saved this article for after the Fourth of July holiday due to its nature in potential exciting ways to use a firecracker. Hopefully you have already shot off your firecrackers for this year and no longer have the opportunity to try what the boys of Lucy tried. We did have fun with the many explosive devices, and the short drive to firework stands on 51 made it so easily accessible to expand on our talent.
We would always spend our July 4th holidays with friends. We boys would divide up into sides and have bottle rocket wars in the cove of Oakhurst. This was not guerrilla warfare; this was more English-style Revolutionary War warfare. Each team would face each other in battle about thirty yards apart, fire off our arsenal of bottle rockets, reload, and repeat the process. It always helped if your dad was a plumber like mine. My team had access to all the PVC pipe we could cut, which gave us incredible accuracy when firing bottle rockets. Although it was singed clothing that was typically the main casualty in these fights, it was still great fun.
Later in life, my friend Joe Henderson introduced me to the bottlerocket bomb. We definitely took advantage of the "buy one, get four free bottle rockets" special. We would wrap about 100 plus bottle rockets in duct tape, combine the fuses, light them, and then run like crazy. The explosion from this contained bomb set off car alarms all around us. Lots of laughter and high fives immediately followed--typical guy humor.
Another favorite firecracker of ours was the infamous M-80. It has been said that an M-80 can destroy a mailbox. We found that was not the case when we tested it out on Stevie's parents' box. Devastated, we turned our attention on a less structural victim. We took model plastic airplanes and shoved the explosives in its center, lit the fuse, and threw the planes in the air. When the planes hit the ground, they exploded on impact, which always put smiles on our faces. Once I even built a Lego car, mounted an M-80 in its center, lit the fuse, and rolled it down the driveway. The many pieces of that car were never seen again.
Probably my favorite July 4th memory was after Shannon and I were married and we celebrated our first Fourth of July at our new church property. My dad, brother, Stevie, and his dad were responsible for shooting the fireworks for the church's firework extravaganza. During the event, somebody (everyone denies who did it) accidentally kicked over one of the big rockets, which then zipped into the church's agriculture building. Everyone hit the deck, knowing about the propane tank and chemicals inside the building. Although none of us saw the commotion from across the field, the look on their faces later told the story. We still laugh about it to this day.
The Fourth of July is the celebration of our country's independence and the birth of the greatest nation in the world. Although we acknowledged this, we saw it as a chance to improve our firecracker warfare. Looking back, most of these holiday activities, in today's standards, would probably land the boys of Lucy on some FBI watch list or something. I'm just glad we were able to experience this fun while we could.
-Steve Childress
We would always spend our July 4th holidays with friends. We boys would divide up into sides and have bottle rocket wars in the cove of Oakhurst. This was not guerrilla warfare; this was more English-style Revolutionary War warfare. Each team would face each other in battle about thirty yards apart, fire off our arsenal of bottle rockets, reload, and repeat the process. It always helped if your dad was a plumber like mine. My team had access to all the PVC pipe we could cut, which gave us incredible accuracy when firing bottle rockets. Although it was singed clothing that was typically the main casualty in these fights, it was still great fun.
Later in life, my friend Joe Henderson introduced me to the bottlerocket bomb. We definitely took advantage of the "buy one, get four free bottle rockets" special. We would wrap about 100 plus bottle rockets in duct tape, combine the fuses, light them, and then run like crazy. The explosion from this contained bomb set off car alarms all around us. Lots of laughter and high fives immediately followed--typical guy humor.
Another favorite firecracker of ours was the infamous M-80. It has been said that an M-80 can destroy a mailbox. We found that was not the case when we tested it out on Stevie's parents' box. Devastated, we turned our attention on a less structural victim. We took model plastic airplanes and shoved the explosives in its center, lit the fuse, and threw the planes in the air. When the planes hit the ground, they exploded on impact, which always put smiles on our faces. Once I even built a Lego car, mounted an M-80 in its center, lit the fuse, and rolled it down the driveway. The many pieces of that car were never seen again.
Probably my favorite July 4th memory was after Shannon and I were married and we celebrated our first Fourth of July at our new church property. My dad, brother, Stevie, and his dad were responsible for shooting the fireworks for the church's firework extravaganza. During the event, somebody (everyone denies who did it) accidentally kicked over one of the big rockets, which then zipped into the church's agriculture building. Everyone hit the deck, knowing about the propane tank and chemicals inside the building. Although none of us saw the commotion from across the field, the look on their faces later told the story. We still laugh about it to this day.
The Fourth of July is the celebration of our country's independence and the birth of the greatest nation in the world. Although we acknowledged this, we saw it as a chance to improve our firecracker warfare. Looking back, most of these holiday activities, in today's standards, would probably land the boys of Lucy on some FBI watch list or something. I'm just glad we were able to experience this fun while we could.
-Steve Childress
Boy's Trip
One of my most memorable summer trips I ever took was with my dad and brother Will. My dad's brother lives in Kingwood, Texas, a suburb outside of Houston, and we had all planned a week long trip to visit them and see as much of the Lonestar State as possible. We piled into the black Ford Areostar mini-van and set our sites west. Now we truly made our van bachelor-proof because we removed the back seat and not only created a place for luggage, but an entire entertainment area as well. While one of us rode in the front seat, the other could sprawl out and play with the game boy, read books, or in my little brother's case, play with the millions of micro machines that I bet are still in the deep crevasses of the van. Obviously we didn't have the child restraint laws we have today. Another bachelor move we initiated was Craig's BBQ sauce. Dad had discovered a little gas station in Arkansas that carried this particular sauce and it was a Childress family favorite. We picked up a couple of bottles and literally drank them all the way to Texas.
Once we had settled in with my Uncle David, Aunt Cindy, and cousins Shane and Kelly, we planned out our week with our first stop being NASA Space Center and then on to Galveston for some beach time. If you remember one of my previous articles regarding our massive video camera we used in Disney World, the very same camera made its journey with us to Texas. Dad walked up and down the Galveston beach with that Action News 5 style camera on his shoulders filming us kids playing in the Gulf.
Our next excursion we took was, by far, my favorite. We loaded up and headed west towards San Antonio. Instead of staying in a hotel, we decided to pitch tents at a camp site along the Guadalupe River. Once we had settled in, we made our way to San Antonio to see as much as we could in the limited time that we had. We first visited the famous River Walk Mall. There we dined at a local hot wing restaurant where we requested the hottest wings that were offered on the menu. Afterward we walked over to the historic Alamo where it was all beautifully lit up in the night sky. We finally made our way back to the campsite, tired, and with a take-home box of hot wings.
I woke up the next morning, peeked out my tent, and saw a deer drinking by the river. I also noticed several paw prints all over the picnic table where we had left the now open box of hot wings. I followed the tracks to the bank of the river where I found a dead raccoon. I'm telling you--those were some deadly hot wings. We rented canoes and set out down the Guadadalupe River. Shane and I were in one canoe and the rest were in a bigger, safer canoe. We stuck together for the most part, except for when the river split and was clearly marked "safe route" and "professional rafter route." The men and kids obviously took the safer route where Shane and I took the professional route. By the way, this was the first time either one of us had set foot in a raft. Needless to say, the dads were a little scared. We held our own, except for one turn that caught us off guard where the canoe went one way and Shane went the other. I grabbed on to his vest and was able to hold him in until we moved past that one rapid.
The next morning after leaving the camp, we made one more stop at a paintball site. This was the first time any of us had played and it was a blast. We joined other players, were divided up in teams, and the game began. Dad wanted to film the battle instead of play, so he was given a bright orange vest so he would "not be shot." Dad was hiding behind fallen trees, filming every move he could, as well as narrating the battle. I'm sure he thought he was Geraldo Rivera filming behind the lines until he was caught in a crossfire and sustained several gunshot wounds to the chest and back.
We had the absolute best trip to Texas. My uncle and aunt were excellent hosts to us, we were able to see parts of this country we had never seen before, and experience things we had never experienced. The best part about this trip was the bonding of father and sons. I'm not saying that if mom had been there we wouldn't have had less fun, but it's always good for men to bond. Besides, we didn't forget about mom--we picked up her very own bottle of Craig's BBQ sauce on the way home, give or take a few sips, of course.
Once we had settled in with my Uncle David, Aunt Cindy, and cousins Shane and Kelly, we planned out our week with our first stop being NASA Space Center and then on to Galveston for some beach time. If you remember one of my previous articles regarding our massive video camera we used in Disney World, the very same camera made its journey with us to Texas. Dad walked up and down the Galveston beach with that Action News 5 style camera on his shoulders filming us kids playing in the Gulf.
Our next excursion we took was, by far, my favorite. We loaded up and headed west towards San Antonio. Instead of staying in a hotel, we decided to pitch tents at a camp site along the Guadalupe River. Once we had settled in, we made our way to San Antonio to see as much as we could in the limited time that we had. We first visited the famous River Walk Mall. There we dined at a local hot wing restaurant where we requested the hottest wings that were offered on the menu. Afterward we walked over to the historic Alamo where it was all beautifully lit up in the night sky. We finally made our way back to the campsite, tired, and with a take-home box of hot wings.
I woke up the next morning, peeked out my tent, and saw a deer drinking by the river. I also noticed several paw prints all over the picnic table where we had left the now open box of hot wings. I followed the tracks to the bank of the river where I found a dead raccoon. I'm telling you--those were some deadly hot wings. We rented canoes and set out down the Guadadalupe River. Shane and I were in one canoe and the rest were in a bigger, safer canoe. We stuck together for the most part, except for when the river split and was clearly marked "safe route" and "professional rafter route." The men and kids obviously took the safer route where Shane and I took the professional route. By the way, this was the first time either one of us had set foot in a raft. Needless to say, the dads were a little scared. We held our own, except for one turn that caught us off guard where the canoe went one way and Shane went the other. I grabbed on to his vest and was able to hold him in until we moved past that one rapid.
The next morning after leaving the camp, we made one more stop at a paintball site. This was the first time any of us had played and it was a blast. We joined other players, were divided up in teams, and the game began. Dad wanted to film the battle instead of play, so he was given a bright orange vest so he would "not be shot." Dad was hiding behind fallen trees, filming every move he could, as well as narrating the battle. I'm sure he thought he was Geraldo Rivera filming behind the lines until he was caught in a crossfire and sustained several gunshot wounds to the chest and back.
We had the absolute best trip to Texas. My uncle and aunt were excellent hosts to us, we were able to see parts of this country we had never seen before, and experience things we had never experienced. The best part about this trip was the bonding of father and sons. I'm not saying that if mom had been there we wouldn't have had less fun, but it's always good for men to bond. Besides, we didn't forget about mom--we picked up her very own bottle of Craig's BBQ sauce on the way home, give or take a few sips, of course.
Every Boy needs a Fort
If you look closely, and in the right places you can find remains of 2x4's and plywood scattered around several trees in Lucy. Like most, the Lucy boys loved to play war and army. We all know that every good soldier needs a fort to scope out the enemy, defend when under attack, and sometimes simply a place to just hang out.
Stevie, Mike, and I built several of these forts all over each others properties. We started this at an early age because I remember the first fort consisted of cinder blocks and a plywood covering. We even found a piece of venting tin to make a chimney. It more so resembled an igloo rather than a fort, but we weren't big enough to climb trees so it had to do.
Once we were able to climb trees, excuse the pun, the sky was the limit. We of course started small with a few boards here and there and places to sit. It was a fort per say, but it more so resembled a deer stand. However, as most contractors do, we went larger and higher. Over the years we constructed multiple tiered forts that in some cases had up to four different levels. There were steps nailed all in the base of the tree to help get around these levels. We could care less about "hurting the trees" but I will tell you we became major "tree huggers" when some of those steps broke while we standing on them.
My proudest fort that I built still stands today. It stands today because no one else can get up there and tear it down. In the back of my parents house is a great oak tree. I climbed that tree as high as I could climb and constructed a little make shift watch tower with an old Memphis State stadium seat anchored to it. Roughly 60ft in the air I could see a good portion of Lucy especially Mike and Stevie's houses on Oakhurst. Most importantly it allowed me to fend off any intruders that were planning attacks or whatever my imagination constructed up at the time.
- Steve Childress
Stevie, Mike, and I built several of these forts all over each others properties. We started this at an early age because I remember the first fort consisted of cinder blocks and a plywood covering. We even found a piece of venting tin to make a chimney. It more so resembled an igloo rather than a fort, but we weren't big enough to climb trees so it had to do.
Once we were able to climb trees, excuse the pun, the sky was the limit. We of course started small with a few boards here and there and places to sit. It was a fort per say, but it more so resembled a deer stand. However, as most contractors do, we went larger and higher. Over the years we constructed multiple tiered forts that in some cases had up to four different levels. There were steps nailed all in the base of the tree to help get around these levels. We could care less about "hurting the trees" but I will tell you we became major "tree huggers" when some of those steps broke while we standing on them.
My proudest fort that I built still stands today. It stands today because no one else can get up there and tear it down. In the back of my parents house is a great oak tree. I climbed that tree as high as I could climb and constructed a little make shift watch tower with an old Memphis State stadium seat anchored to it. Roughly 60ft in the air I could see a good portion of Lucy especially Mike and Stevie's houses on Oakhurst. Most importantly it allowed me to fend off any intruders that were planning attacks or whatever my imagination constructed up at the time.
- Steve Childress
A Summer Soundtrack
Everyone seems to have their own soundtrack to summer. For instance I have my own separate play list on my iTunes that is strictly dedicated to summer style music. It is loaded with great music from Buffet, Chesney, Marley, and several other artists. Growing up, however, the boys of Lucy took a liking to a certain band that we played over and over again. I'm not sure how we were introduced to it, but the band that set the background to every summer, past and present, is the Beach Boys.
Like I said, I do not know how we started listening to the Beach Boys, but we were absolutely crazy about their music. We would play back-to-back cassettes of Kokomo, Surfin USA, and Surfin Safari. Neither of us had ever been to a beach, but these songs had set our imaginations on a rampage of what it would be like to surf the pipeline, or drive your 409 down the strip with your board hanging out the back.
Once we started getting interested in girls, the songs took on a whole new meaning. Songs like Girls on the Beach, Surfer Girl, God Only Knows, and Barbara Ann seemed to set the standard to what girls would be like when we grew up. What was funny was that we didn't have a clue what to look for, but we did know they had to be tan and a surfer from California. This obviously eliminated all of the Mid-South girls we knew and grew up with in our town.
Stevie's dad played drums in a band back in the day and still had his set. Stevie took a liking to the drums and, for a kid, he played quite well. Of course, I couldn't play anything, so Stevie got on his dad's drum set, and Mike and I jammed guitars with tennis rackets. We would set up our stage on Stevie's back deck, crank the stereo as loud as it would go, and perform Beach Boys music in front of thousands (all in our minds of course). It was jamming to the Beach Boys that birthed a life-long passion of music because Stevie is still a very skilled drummer and I, of course, am doing my thing on the guitar.
The Beach Boys were definitely the Lucy boys' summer soundtrack. It took us to a place that we could only imagine and what we thought summer was all about. To this day, when I listen to the Beach Boys, I am immediately taken back to the days of neon sunglasses, tan surfer girls, and strumming tennis rackets.
- Steve Childress
Like I said, I do not know how we started listening to the Beach Boys, but we were absolutely crazy about their music. We would play back-to-back cassettes of Kokomo, Surfin USA, and Surfin Safari. Neither of us had ever been to a beach, but these songs had set our imaginations on a rampage of what it would be like to surf the pipeline, or drive your 409 down the strip with your board hanging out the back.
Once we started getting interested in girls, the songs took on a whole new meaning. Songs like Girls on the Beach, Surfer Girl, God Only Knows, and Barbara Ann seemed to set the standard to what girls would be like when we grew up. What was funny was that we didn't have a clue what to look for, but we did know they had to be tan and a surfer from California. This obviously eliminated all of the Mid-South girls we knew and grew up with in our town.
Stevie's dad played drums in a band back in the day and still had his set. Stevie took a liking to the drums and, for a kid, he played quite well. Of course, I couldn't play anything, so Stevie got on his dad's drum set, and Mike and I jammed guitars with tennis rackets. We would set up our stage on Stevie's back deck, crank the stereo as loud as it would go, and perform Beach Boys music in front of thousands (all in our minds of course). It was jamming to the Beach Boys that birthed a life-long passion of music because Stevie is still a very skilled drummer and I, of course, am doing my thing on the guitar.
The Beach Boys were definitely the Lucy boys' summer soundtrack. It took us to a place that we could only imagine and what we thought summer was all about. To this day, when I listen to the Beach Boys, I am immediately taken back to the days of neon sunglasses, tan surfer girls, and strumming tennis rackets.
- Steve Childress
The Battle of the Theme Parks
I have mentioned before about the spontaneous trips my family and I would take. One summer evening my family and I were discussing the local theme parks and the pros and cons of each. We came to a scientific conclusion to visit two of the parks back to back to test our hypothesis.
The very next day we all loaded up in the van and drove to Memphis’s local attraction--Libertyland. Libertyland opened on July 4, 1976 at the Mid-South Fair Grounds. The park opened with several rides, including the Zippin Pippin and the Grand Carousel. The park remained open during the summer months and was an extra attraction during the annual Mid-South Fair every fall. In its heyday, Libertyland was the place to be. My dad would tell me stories of how he and mom would spend all day as newlyweds riding rides and enjoying the life of the amusement park. Fifteen years later, however, Libertyland had lost its luster and excitement.
Dad paid our way in and we soon realized we needed tickets for every ride. So after my dad was forced to shell out even more cash, my brother and I had enough tickets for a handful of rides. We started in the back of the park and rode the Revolution. The Revolution was a spiral roller coaster with several loops and hills. It wasn't a bad ride, especially when the operator accidentally let the coaster roll past the exit bars...twice. We got lucky and rode that thing three times on one ticket. For the rest of the day, our time was spent on rides like the Tennessee Tilt and the Turnpike Antique Cars. We took a break from rides and decided to play a round of putt-putt there in the park. We walked up to the booth to pay for our putters and balls and the attendant was sound asleep. We literally watched him sleep for a solid minute, waiting to see if he would wake up. He never did though. We then proceeded to the ride that has always made Libertyland famous--Elvis’s favorite, the Zippin Pippin. My brother and I gave up the last of our tickets to sit in the front coaster. The Pippin was truly a thrill ride because, unlike any other ride I’ve ridden, I truly felt my life to be in danger. The wooden roller coaster creaked and moaned the entire time. I can only describe it as termites holding hands.
The very next day we packed our bags and headed toward Nashville to visit Opryland.
We paid our one admission price which allowed us to ride every ride possible. Now Opryland was an absolutely wonderful place to be. The atmosphere was bustling with the excitement of local shops and eateries, upbeat music, and surrounding greenery. We spent the entire day there riding the Wabash Cannonball, Grizzly River Rampage, and many other thrill rides. We were even able to squeeze in a few shows and ate some very good food, overly priced, but good. Now this was a theme park and in a completely different league than Libertyland.
Sadly, my kids will never be able to experience either one of these two parks. Both have been stripped down and sold off. Countless numbers of people were able to leave their mundane lives and step into a world of fantasy and enchantment due to these parks. After all, that is what theme parks are made to do--give us a break from reality and bring us back to a state of childhood. What a theme park that was!
The very next day we all loaded up in the van and drove to Memphis’s local attraction--Libertyland. Libertyland opened on July 4, 1976 at the Mid-South Fair Grounds. The park opened with several rides, including the Zippin Pippin and the Grand Carousel. The park remained open during the summer months and was an extra attraction during the annual Mid-South Fair every fall. In its heyday, Libertyland was the place to be. My dad would tell me stories of how he and mom would spend all day as newlyweds riding rides and enjoying the life of the amusement park. Fifteen years later, however, Libertyland had lost its luster and excitement.
Dad paid our way in and we soon realized we needed tickets for every ride. So after my dad was forced to shell out even more cash, my brother and I had enough tickets for a handful of rides. We started in the back of the park and rode the Revolution. The Revolution was a spiral roller coaster with several loops and hills. It wasn't a bad ride, especially when the operator accidentally let the coaster roll past the exit bars...twice. We got lucky and rode that thing three times on one ticket. For the rest of the day, our time was spent on rides like the Tennessee Tilt and the Turnpike Antique Cars. We took a break from rides and decided to play a round of putt-putt there in the park. We walked up to the booth to pay for our putters and balls and the attendant was sound asleep. We literally watched him sleep for a solid minute, waiting to see if he would wake up. He never did though. We then proceeded to the ride that has always made Libertyland famous--Elvis’s favorite, the Zippin Pippin. My brother and I gave up the last of our tickets to sit in the front coaster. The Pippin was truly a thrill ride because, unlike any other ride I’ve ridden, I truly felt my life to be in danger. The wooden roller coaster creaked and moaned the entire time. I can only describe it as termites holding hands.
The very next day we packed our bags and headed toward Nashville to visit Opryland.
We paid our one admission price which allowed us to ride every ride possible. Now Opryland was an absolutely wonderful place to be. The atmosphere was bustling with the excitement of local shops and eateries, upbeat music, and surrounding greenery. We spent the entire day there riding the Wabash Cannonball, Grizzly River Rampage, and many other thrill rides. We were even able to squeeze in a few shows and ate some very good food, overly priced, but good. Now this was a theme park and in a completely different league than Libertyland.
Sadly, my kids will never be able to experience either one of these two parks. Both have been stripped down and sold off. Countless numbers of people were able to leave their mundane lives and step into a world of fantasy and enchantment due to these parks. After all, that is what theme parks are made to do--give us a break from reality and bring us back to a state of childhood. What a theme park that was!
One True Millington Family
Every now and then there are certain people who I like to write about who have made a profound impact on not only my life,but my family's as well. There are so many of you out there who have played a major role in our lives and each of you deserve appreciation. Unfortunately, there are only so many articles I can write.
I would, however, like to write about a particular family that has always taken my family in among many other families here in Millington. This particular family has befriended several in the community, and it is rare when you cannot find a connection in some form or fashion to this family. I am speaking of my friends, Claude and Norma Freeman.
The Freemans settled in Lucy and had four daughters: Beth, Judy, Robin, and Diane. Claude was retired Navy and started his trade in the construction business where he quickly developed several relationships here in the Millington area. All four girls were married off and three of the four still reside in Lucy today. Beth married Steve Sparks, another native Lucy boy, and later became some of my parents' very best friends. Through that relationship, the Childresses were accepted into the Freeman family with open arms.
Some of my favorite childhood memories happened at the Freemans. Starting every Memorial Day until Labor Day, the Freemans would host a cookout every Sunday afternoon. Families from all around would come over and bring several dishes of food. Picnic tables would be placed together to form a potluck train of goodies. The men would always hang out under the gazebo where the grilling took place. We would eat everything from burgers to catfish. All of us kids would go swimming in the Freemans' pool. On average I would estimate there to be ten or twelve families there every Sunday afternoon, making the kid count to be anywhere between twenty to forty. Needless to say, there were a lot of kids in that pool. Mr. Claude would have the Oldies 98 radio station playing while we all enjoyed our summer afternoons. After lunch the brave would make their way over to the self-made volleyball court on the side of the yard. I say the brave, because to a ten-year old, you had to be brave to play with these guys. Although it was intimidating to be a kid playing all of these grown men, I have to admit it was pretty invigorating when I made a great play and had all of these guys give you props. It was not fun, however, when my chicken leg self had to guard a Jeremy or Larry Bright or someone twice my size. All in all it was great fun and made for an outstanding summer tradition.
The Freemans not only opened their home up to us on Sunday afternoons, but several other instances like Fourth of July, Thanksgiving (when we had no plans), and we’ve even celebrated Christmas with them on occasion. My brother even had a couple of birthday parties and baseball parties there as well. To me, what makes this family so special is this well-established family, a family who could be perfectly happy spending time with just each other, opened up their friendships to families like ours who had no other family around them. The Freemans are the epitome of community, and one that I personally strive for with my own little family. Step outside your comfort zone and make a lifelong impact on others.
-Steve Childress
I would, however, like to write about a particular family that has always taken my family in among many other families here in Millington. This particular family has befriended several in the community, and it is rare when you cannot find a connection in some form or fashion to this family. I am speaking of my friends, Claude and Norma Freeman.
The Freemans settled in Lucy and had four daughters: Beth, Judy, Robin, and Diane. Claude was retired Navy and started his trade in the construction business where he quickly developed several relationships here in the Millington area. All four girls were married off and three of the four still reside in Lucy today. Beth married Steve Sparks, another native Lucy boy, and later became some of my parents' very best friends. Through that relationship, the Childresses were accepted into the Freeman family with open arms.
Some of my favorite childhood memories happened at the Freemans. Starting every Memorial Day until Labor Day, the Freemans would host a cookout every Sunday afternoon. Families from all around would come over and bring several dishes of food. Picnic tables would be placed together to form a potluck train of goodies. The men would always hang out under the gazebo where the grilling took place. We would eat everything from burgers to catfish. All of us kids would go swimming in the Freemans' pool. On average I would estimate there to be ten or twelve families there every Sunday afternoon, making the kid count to be anywhere between twenty to forty. Needless to say, there were a lot of kids in that pool. Mr. Claude would have the Oldies 98 radio station playing while we all enjoyed our summer afternoons. After lunch the brave would make their way over to the self-made volleyball court on the side of the yard. I say the brave, because to a ten-year old, you had to be brave to play with these guys. Although it was intimidating to be a kid playing all of these grown men, I have to admit it was pretty invigorating when I made a great play and had all of these guys give you props. It was not fun, however, when my chicken leg self had to guard a Jeremy or Larry Bright or someone twice my size. All in all it was great fun and made for an outstanding summer tradition.
The Freemans not only opened their home up to us on Sunday afternoons, but several other instances like Fourth of July, Thanksgiving (when we had no plans), and we’ve even celebrated Christmas with them on occasion. My brother even had a couple of birthday parties and baseball parties there as well. To me, what makes this family so special is this well-established family, a family who could be perfectly happy spending time with just each other, opened up their friendships to families like ours who had no other family around them. The Freemans are the epitome of community, and one that I personally strive for with my own little family. Step outside your comfort zone and make a lifelong impact on others.
-Steve Childress
Nana's Treat
For many, this time of year indicates a time of excitement. School is letting out, summer begins, and vacations start. For my brother, cousins, and me, it meant our annual reward trip with our Nana. Every year, as a reward, Nana would take all of us boys on a special trip to the Memphis Zoo. It was all Nana’s treat.
Nana was my dad’s grandmother who practically raised him, his sister Skeeter, and brothers David and Randy. On my dad’s side I considered her to be my grandmother as well. Since the first of us boys arrived in this world, Nana started this tradition. Shawn was the oldest, then Chris and I in the middle, then my little brother Will was the youngest. Nana was a little ol’ frail lady who was quick to discipline but also quick to love. Our parents would drop us all off at her house in Frayser where we would all pile in her car and take off. She somehow always managed all four of us through out the park and practically gave us everything we wanted. Every year we would always get the magic penny that you pay a quarter for and receive a shiny penny that would be squished into an imprint of a gorilla. The Memphis zoo also had annual attractions and, of course, the figurines that came along with them. The back window of Nana’s car became a collection of all the mentioned figurines to remind us of our trips. There would be white tigers, gorillas, and pandas crowding the window. After visiting the animals, we would always ride the rides. Chris and I are the same age, so we rode most of them together while my compassionate cousin Shawn kept up with my little brother Will.
We would leave the zoo around noon and head towards the Wendy’s in Raleigh where we ate lunch before heading to the Mecca of all toy stores--Children’s Palace. It was every child’s dream. As a matter of fact I thought it was the ultimate toy store until I saw F.A.O. Schwartz on “Big”, but never the less, it was always exciting to visit. Nana would let us pick out one toy a piece which typically ended up being a GI Joe toy or something. By this time we were all worn out and ready to head home.
As we got older we realized Nana was getting older too. Shawn started doing all of the driving and we started to accommodate Nana as much as possible. Although it was an exhausting event for her, she always insisted we go. We continued this tradition all the way through high school and college. Chris and I were both freshmen at Memphis, Shawn was in Law School at Ole Miss, and Will was in high school at Millington. No matter how old we were we saw the importance of this tradition.
Nana passed away later my freshman year of college and the tradition ceased. We’ve talked about picking it back up, but everyone’s schedule, including mine, has always made it difficult. Shawn and I now have kids of our own and plan on starting this tradition for them, as well as pick it back up for us. I think Nana would’ve wanted it that way.
-Steve Childress
Nana was my dad’s grandmother who practically raised him, his sister Skeeter, and brothers David and Randy. On my dad’s side I considered her to be my grandmother as well. Since the first of us boys arrived in this world, Nana started this tradition. Shawn was the oldest, then Chris and I in the middle, then my little brother Will was the youngest. Nana was a little ol’ frail lady who was quick to discipline but also quick to love. Our parents would drop us all off at her house in Frayser where we would all pile in her car and take off. She somehow always managed all four of us through out the park and practically gave us everything we wanted. Every year we would always get the magic penny that you pay a quarter for and receive a shiny penny that would be squished into an imprint of a gorilla. The Memphis zoo also had annual attractions and, of course, the figurines that came along with them. The back window of Nana’s car became a collection of all the mentioned figurines to remind us of our trips. There would be white tigers, gorillas, and pandas crowding the window. After visiting the animals, we would always ride the rides. Chris and I are the same age, so we rode most of them together while my compassionate cousin Shawn kept up with my little brother Will.
We would leave the zoo around noon and head towards the Wendy’s in Raleigh where we ate lunch before heading to the Mecca of all toy stores--Children’s Palace. It was every child’s dream. As a matter of fact I thought it was the ultimate toy store until I saw F.A.O. Schwartz on “Big”, but never the less, it was always exciting to visit. Nana would let us pick out one toy a piece which typically ended up being a GI Joe toy or something. By this time we were all worn out and ready to head home.
As we got older we realized Nana was getting older too. Shawn started doing all of the driving and we started to accommodate Nana as much as possible. Although it was an exhausting event for her, she always insisted we go. We continued this tradition all the way through high school and college. Chris and I were both freshmen at Memphis, Shawn was in Law School at Ole Miss, and Will was in high school at Millington. No matter how old we were we saw the importance of this tradition.
Nana passed away later my freshman year of college and the tradition ceased. We’ve talked about picking it back up, but everyone’s schedule, including mine, has always made it difficult. Shawn and I now have kids of our own and plan on starting this tradition for them, as well as pick it back up for us. I think Nana would’ve wanted it that way.
-Steve Childress
A Family to Mirror - The Chapman's
Typically most of my articles are full of optimism and happy family events. I am usually that kind of person, but it just so happens that this article is centered around tragedy with a message of Hope. As a musician, we have many mentors and people we admire. There is one who stands out in my mind that I have always put on a pedestal above all other musicians. When I was 15 my mom and dad gave me my first CD player accompanied by the latest Amy Grant CD and some long haired guy named Steven Curtis Chapman. Amy Grant wasn't really my taste of music so I tried the other guy. This wonderful orchestral music filled the room in CD Quality sound and followed immediately by "The Great Adventure" and I was hooked.
It was Steven Curtis Chapman who inspired me to learn to play the guitar even though I'd never met the guy. Funny how that is, huh? I knew then that his style of Christian Music was identical to my style so like every dreamy eyed teenager with a guitar I would mimic his every song. Once I learned to somewhat fake, I mean play the guitar I started leading praise and worship for my youth group and many other venues. My then church leader (later I would call my father-n-law) always joked and called me Steven Curtis Childress, which might offend some people to be called someone they are not, but I took with immense pride. That $13.99 CD I received that Christmas was one of the greatest physical gifts I had ever received, because it started me down a path I still pursue today.
Steven is married to wife Marybeth Chapman and they have three children of their own, Emily, Caleb, and Will Franklin. Steven and his wife visited China in early 2000, 01' where they fell in love with a little girl, and after much prayer, adopted Shoahannah. This experience touched the Chapman's so much that they felt the need to start Shoahannah's Hope, an adoption foundation to alleviate the financial burden for adopting families. Shoahannah's Hope has helped hundreds of families since with their adoptions. Over the years the Chapman's added two more adoptions to their family, Stevie Joy, and Maria Sue.
May 21st, 2008 was a busy day in the Chapman household. Daughter Emily had just announced her engagement and was preparing for an October wedding, son Caleb was preparing for graduation in a few days, and the family had much to be thankful for. That afternoon son Will Franklin was returning home in Franklin TN. , and had pulled around in the drive. Youngest daughter Maria ran towards Will as he pulled in. Not knowing she was running towards him Maria was struck. Maria Sue Chapman went to be with her heavenly Father that very afternoon.
In moments such as this a family can be divided, loose their faith in an instance, or grow stronger than ever. My heart was crushed as if the Chapman's were some of our very best friends, and still I'd have never met a one of them.
The Chapman's were approached by several people in the media to tell their story. The last thing they wanted was to use Maria's death as publicity. They agreed to a few interviews with the determination to use Maria's death as a testimony of Hope. After watching these interviews my respect for Steven and his family became one to benchmark. Now that I am a dad and have a family of my own I can't help but think if Shannon and I were in that situation. The way the Chapman's have surrounded each other in support and love is how I would like to say the Childeress' would do. What a great example of a Godly family. A family that through tragedy comes questions, pain, healing, but ultimate Hope. The Hope that God is God and we are not, and that ALL things work towards His Glory and Plan. The Chapman's realize this and know that one day they will see their daughter Maria Sue again. The piece of this story that I think touched me the most was the question "see". I don't "see" how God can do this, I can't "see" Will Franklin ever being the same again, "All I could "see" was Maria's broken body on the ground. The day after her death the Chapman's came home to gather a few things for the memorial service. On the kitchen table was a single drawing of a flower with six peddles, one colored in whole, and the word "see". Maria had drawn this picture the morning of her death. The Chapman's had said that they had never seen her write the word "see", but there it was in plain English. The flower had six peddles, the Chapman's had six children, one peddle was colored in whole. The Chapman's took this drawing and showed it at the memorial service. Steven, through his tears, said "See" I am made whole and I will "see" you all soon once your peddles are colored in and you will be whole just like me.
Take a moment and check out the interview: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5524419
It was Steven Curtis Chapman who inspired me to learn to play the guitar even though I'd never met the guy. Funny how that is, huh? I knew then that his style of Christian Music was identical to my style so like every dreamy eyed teenager with a guitar I would mimic his every song. Once I learned to somewhat fake, I mean play the guitar I started leading praise and worship for my youth group and many other venues. My then church leader (later I would call my father-n-law) always joked and called me Steven Curtis Childress, which might offend some people to be called someone they are not, but I took with immense pride. That $13.99 CD I received that Christmas was one of the greatest physical gifts I had ever received, because it started me down a path I still pursue today.
Steven is married to wife Marybeth Chapman and they have three children of their own, Emily, Caleb, and Will Franklin. Steven and his wife visited China in early 2000, 01' where they fell in love with a little girl, and after much prayer, adopted Shoahannah. This experience touched the Chapman's so much that they felt the need to start Shoahannah's Hope, an adoption foundation to alleviate the financial burden for adopting families. Shoahannah's Hope has helped hundreds of families since with their adoptions. Over the years the Chapman's added two more adoptions to their family, Stevie Joy, and Maria Sue.
May 21st, 2008 was a busy day in the Chapman household. Daughter Emily had just announced her engagement and was preparing for an October wedding, son Caleb was preparing for graduation in a few days, and the family had much to be thankful for. That afternoon son Will Franklin was returning home in Franklin TN. , and had pulled around in the drive. Youngest daughter Maria ran towards Will as he pulled in. Not knowing she was running towards him Maria was struck. Maria Sue Chapman went to be with her heavenly Father that very afternoon.
In moments such as this a family can be divided, loose their faith in an instance, or grow stronger than ever. My heart was crushed as if the Chapman's were some of our very best friends, and still I'd have never met a one of them.
The Chapman's were approached by several people in the media to tell their story. The last thing they wanted was to use Maria's death as publicity. They agreed to a few interviews with the determination to use Maria's death as a testimony of Hope. After watching these interviews my respect for Steven and his family became one to benchmark. Now that I am a dad and have a family of my own I can't help but think if Shannon and I were in that situation. The way the Chapman's have surrounded each other in support and love is how I would like to say the Childeress' would do. What a great example of a Godly family. A family that through tragedy comes questions, pain, healing, but ultimate Hope. The Hope that God is God and we are not, and that ALL things work towards His Glory and Plan. The Chapman's realize this and know that one day they will see their daughter Maria Sue again. The piece of this story that I think touched me the most was the question "see". I don't "see" how God can do this, I can't "see" Will Franklin ever being the same again, "All I could "see" was Maria's broken body on the ground. The day after her death the Chapman's came home to gather a few things for the memorial service. On the kitchen table was a single drawing of a flower with six peddles, one colored in whole, and the word "see". Maria had drawn this picture the morning of her death. The Chapman's had said that they had never seen her write the word "see", but there it was in plain English. The flower had six peddles, the Chapman's had six children, one peddle was colored in whole. The Chapman's took this drawing and showed it at the memorial service. Steven, through his tears, said "See" I am made whole and I will "see" you all soon once your peddles are colored in and you will be whole just like me.
Take a moment and check out the interview: http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5524419
Clark Kent
As a kid I dreamed of being many things when I grew up. Living in
Millington, practically every kid wanted to be a fighter pilot. We had
influence from the F-14 jets flying over every 15 minutes.
The Millington skyline was filled with fighter jets from morning to
dark. It was an exciting place live to say the least.
As I got older my taste change, as it often does, and like most
teenagers with a guitar around their neck I wanted to be a singer. At
the time my favorite musician was Garth Brooks. I played everything he
played and started to imitate his style as much as possible. My very first song I
ever sang in front of an audience was "The Dance". Later in life God
convicted me and I started playing music for Him, but of
course Garth's whole Chris Gaines alter-ego turned me off of his music
like it did most anyways.
So my dream was set, and off to Nashville I go playing in every place
that would have me. I worked full time as a bank teller during the day
and at night played at local restaurants, night joints, and other hang
outs. Something unexpected happened to me though. I found myself
moving further up in the bank than I was in my music career. Banking
was never a job I had a desire for, but it fit my schedule so I could purse my dream. Banking, however,
was slowly taking over my dream until it became my full time "career".
Ten years, a wife, daughter, mortgage, and two cars later I found
myself still consumed in a banking career. This past Fall I was
going through a bible study of Tony Dungee's ”UnCommon” book. He posed
the question " what is your true potential?” From a biblical stand
point, "what is it that you love to do that not everyone loves to do
or can do?" At that point it hit me. Music has always and will always
be my passion. Can I make a living doing this passion? Most likely
not but it is a gift God has given me and I am to be obedient with
this gift. For ten years I realized I had tucked my red cape behind my
suit and posed as Clark Kent when I’ve been Superman this entire
time. I immediately prayed that God use me and the gift He's given me
as a ministry for Him. He has not disappointed me since and has
allowed me to lead worship in numerous venues since I made that
commitment to Him.
I am still a banker and play the role of Clark Kent during the day.
Banking provides the necessities to meet my family's needs but also
finances my ministry. On stage I reveal my true identity and continue
to willing fully lead worship. Now this is just me. We all have a
passion, a dream that separates you from your neighbor or co-worker.
When was the last time you shed your Clark Kent disguise and showcased
your true identity? As Christians we are given specific spiritual
gifts. These gifts are our ministry in the church. Our gifts always
fits our personality and who we are, we are perfect for the gift. As
the body of Christ, God has knit you together for the art for what
you're good at. You take this talent to God; lay it at the feet of
Jesus and ask "how can I point people to You with this?” God will honor
you and that art for Him. You may be a shy person, but a mighty prayer
warrior or you may be very creative and volunteer for multiple
productions and events. Regardless you are made special and there is
no one else like you. Take off those glasses, hat, and coat. Let the
world see you for who you are, a superhero.
-Steve Childress
Millington, practically every kid wanted to be a fighter pilot. We had
influence from the F-14 jets flying over every 15 minutes.
The Millington skyline was filled with fighter jets from morning to
dark. It was an exciting place live to say the least.
As I got older my taste change, as it often does, and like most
teenagers with a guitar around their neck I wanted to be a singer. At
the time my favorite musician was Garth Brooks. I played everything he
played and started to imitate his style as much as possible. My very first song I
ever sang in front of an audience was "The Dance". Later in life God
convicted me and I started playing music for Him, but of
course Garth's whole Chris Gaines alter-ego turned me off of his music
like it did most anyways.
So my dream was set, and off to Nashville I go playing in every place
that would have me. I worked full time as a bank teller during the day
and at night played at local restaurants, night joints, and other hang
outs. Something unexpected happened to me though. I found myself
moving further up in the bank than I was in my music career. Banking
was never a job I had a desire for, but it fit my schedule so I could purse my dream. Banking, however,
was slowly taking over my dream until it became my full time "career".
Ten years, a wife, daughter, mortgage, and two cars later I found
myself still consumed in a banking career. This past Fall I was
going through a bible study of Tony Dungee's ”UnCommon” book. He posed
the question " what is your true potential?” From a biblical stand
point, "what is it that you love to do that not everyone loves to do
or can do?" At that point it hit me. Music has always and will always
be my passion. Can I make a living doing this passion? Most likely
not but it is a gift God has given me and I am to be obedient with
this gift. For ten years I realized I had tucked my red cape behind my
suit and posed as Clark Kent when I’ve been Superman this entire
time. I immediately prayed that God use me and the gift He's given me
as a ministry for Him. He has not disappointed me since and has
allowed me to lead worship in numerous venues since I made that
commitment to Him.
I am still a banker and play the role of Clark Kent during the day.
Banking provides the necessities to meet my family's needs but also
finances my ministry. On stage I reveal my true identity and continue
to willing fully lead worship. Now this is just me. We all have a
passion, a dream that separates you from your neighbor or co-worker.
When was the last time you shed your Clark Kent disguise and showcased
your true identity? As Christians we are given specific spiritual
gifts. These gifts are our ministry in the church. Our gifts always
fits our personality and who we are, we are perfect for the gift. As
the body of Christ, God has knit you together for the art for what
you're good at. You take this talent to God; lay it at the feet of
Jesus and ask "how can I point people to You with this?” God will honor
you and that art for Him. You may be a shy person, but a mighty prayer
warrior or you may be very creative and volunteer for multiple
productions and events. Regardless you are made special and there is
no one else like you. Take off those glasses, hat, and coat. Let the
world see you for who you are, a superhero.
-Steve Childress
Stand by Me
Several of the adventures we had as boys were dictated by movies we
had seen. Top Gun came out and we were all about jets and call signs.
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves came out and we laid down out toy guns
and took to the woods for weapons. We would pull bamboo out of the
ground and use them as spears or carve out branches into fighting
sticks. One Friday night we all watched the movie Stand by Me. The
movie is about a bunch of boys set out on an adventure to find a
missing boy or boy's body. Inspired by the movie, we had all agreed
that night to take our own little adventure the following day... minus
the missing boy of course.
We had each packed our backpacks with the necessities for such an
adventure. Sack lunch, canteen of water, camo paint, a knife, bug
spray, and of course our camo clothes bought at the Millington Army
Surplus store. We agreed to meet at Stevies house at 6:00am that next
morning which means I got up at 5:30 to get there on time via bicycle.
Looking back my parents never really questioned us on all of our
bizarre adventures but again it was a different time and they had
nothing to fear. Mike, Stevie, and I set out on our adventure
promptly at 6:00am towards the woods behind Stevie's house.
Geographically speaking these are the woods to the southwest of
Oakhurst rd, goes to the edge of Sykes rd, and backs up to Crenshaw
rd. Big area to cover and uncharted territory to us adventurers. We
had walked for hours covering various fields, crossed many barbwire
fences, and walked upon several little ponds. This might not seem like
much but to us we were living out the movie in every aspect.
We had circled back around to a water tower towards the very back of
Oakhurst and stopped for lunch. We sat there, ate our lunch, and just
laughed and talked forever. We were boys being boys and there is no
other way to describe it. We had finished our lunches and slowly made
our way back to civilization just as the sun was setting on the
horizon. An ordinary Saturday to most but a memory filled with
exploration and adventure for the three boys of Lucy.
Steve Childress
had seen. Top Gun came out and we were all about jets and call signs.
Robin Hood Prince of Thieves came out and we laid down out toy guns
and took to the woods for weapons. We would pull bamboo out of the
ground and use them as spears or carve out branches into fighting
sticks. One Friday night we all watched the movie Stand by Me. The
movie is about a bunch of boys set out on an adventure to find a
missing boy or boy's body. Inspired by the movie, we had all agreed
that night to take our own little adventure the following day... minus
the missing boy of course.
We had each packed our backpacks with the necessities for such an
adventure. Sack lunch, canteen of water, camo paint, a knife, bug
spray, and of course our camo clothes bought at the Millington Army
Surplus store. We agreed to meet at Stevies house at 6:00am that next
morning which means I got up at 5:30 to get there on time via bicycle.
Looking back my parents never really questioned us on all of our
bizarre adventures but again it was a different time and they had
nothing to fear. Mike, Stevie, and I set out on our adventure
promptly at 6:00am towards the woods behind Stevie's house.
Geographically speaking these are the woods to the southwest of
Oakhurst rd, goes to the edge of Sykes rd, and backs up to Crenshaw
rd. Big area to cover and uncharted territory to us adventurers. We
had walked for hours covering various fields, crossed many barbwire
fences, and walked upon several little ponds. This might not seem like
much but to us we were living out the movie in every aspect.
We had circled back around to a water tower towards the very back of
Oakhurst and stopped for lunch. We sat there, ate our lunch, and just
laughed and talked forever. We were boys being boys and there is no
other way to describe it. We had finished our lunches and slowly made
our way back to civilization just as the sun was setting on the
horizon. An ordinary Saturday to most but a memory filled with
exploration and adventure for the three boys of Lucy.
Steve Childress
Great American Pastime
It is that time of year again where kids of all ages are re-oiling
their gloves, buying new cleats, and swinging donut weighted bats. Yes
it's baseball season. After school practices that go into the dusk of
day and then you race home to do homework. The school halls are
bustling with talk of teams, talent, and the smell of competition
is overwhelming.
I am proud to say I am a product of the Millington park and rec.
baseball league. I started my lustrous baseball career with the
coach pitch team the Chiefs. Coach Buck, my dad, as well as Mike and
Stevie's dads, taught this fearless group of five-year-olds the traits
of the game. Although it was underhanded pitch, we thought we were
playing right along with our baseball hero's of the day like Ozzie
Smith or Orel Hershiser.
As we all got older we advanced up in the league to the Bobcats where
we actually had one of our own peers pitch the ball to us. It was
about this time that the sport started to get intimidating and we started to realize who had athletic ability and who, like me, did not. Mike always had the cool position
of catcher. He got to wear "the gear" and played a strategic part in
each game. Stevie was placed in several different positions but all
were in the infield arena, which still considered you a decent
player. As for myself I found a permanent home in either left or right
field, where I alternated with the kid who always sat Indian style
picking flowers instead of picking off grounders and fly balls.
Regardless of my lack of athletic ability, I still played my role with
pride chanting at the batters, and turning my hat inside out to Rally
my teammates.
I didn't know it at the time but it was at Miles fields where we all
as peers began to showcase our talents and standout among the rest.
Hero's were born on these fields that would take this love of the game
to new levels in high school and college ball. Even as an eight-year
old no matter how far down in points we were we knew that when a Ray Fortune or Daniel Hodges got up to bat that the game would be saved. Although I played a
small role in this era I knew I was sharing a role that millions of
kids shared in this great country in my time and decades past.
Baseball was more than a summer activity it was a way of life, a
definition of self character, and a development of pride for one's
self and team. It is truly the great American pastime because we would
play it just as much outside of games and practices as we would at
games and practices. Even writing this story I am immediately taken
back to the sound of cracking bats, the grit taste of dust in my
mouth, the smell of freshly cut grass, and the sight of nine boy's
giving it their all in little league baseball.
Steve Childress
their gloves, buying new cleats, and swinging donut weighted bats. Yes
it's baseball season. After school practices that go into the dusk of
day and then you race home to do homework. The school halls are
bustling with talk of teams, talent, and the smell of competition
is overwhelming.
I am proud to say I am a product of the Millington park and rec.
baseball league. I started my lustrous baseball career with the
coach pitch team the Chiefs. Coach Buck, my dad, as well as Mike and
Stevie's dads, taught this fearless group of five-year-olds the traits
of the game. Although it was underhanded pitch, we thought we were
playing right along with our baseball hero's of the day like Ozzie
Smith or Orel Hershiser.
As we all got older we advanced up in the league to the Bobcats where
we actually had one of our own peers pitch the ball to us. It was
about this time that the sport started to get intimidating and we started to realize who had athletic ability and who, like me, did not. Mike always had the cool position
of catcher. He got to wear "the gear" and played a strategic part in
each game. Stevie was placed in several different positions but all
were in the infield arena, which still considered you a decent
player. As for myself I found a permanent home in either left or right
field, where I alternated with the kid who always sat Indian style
picking flowers instead of picking off grounders and fly balls.
Regardless of my lack of athletic ability, I still played my role with
pride chanting at the batters, and turning my hat inside out to Rally
my teammates.
I didn't know it at the time but it was at Miles fields where we all
as peers began to showcase our talents and standout among the rest.
Hero's were born on these fields that would take this love of the game
to new levels in high school and college ball. Even as an eight-year
old no matter how far down in points we were we knew that when a Ray Fortune or Daniel Hodges got up to bat that the game would be saved. Although I played a
small role in this era I knew I was sharing a role that millions of
kids shared in this great country in my time and decades past.
Baseball was more than a summer activity it was a way of life, a
definition of self character, and a development of pride for one's
self and team. It is truly the great American pastime because we would
play it just as much outside of games and practices as we would at
games and practices. Even writing this story I am immediately taken
back to the sound of cracking bats, the grit taste of dust in my
mouth, the smell of freshly cut grass, and the sight of nine boy's
giving it their all in little league baseball.
Steve Childress
Here Fishy Fishy
The Childresses are many things but one thing we are not are
fisherman. It has always been one of those things that never caught
on or should I say kept our interest. Now that is not to say we did not
try. We have had plenty of opportunities.
My grandfather was a skilled fisherman. He gave me my first rod and reel
and taught me everything he could about the sport. Every summer he and
my grandmother would take me to Natchez Trace Park. We always stayed at
the park inn which was surrounded by a beautiful lake. My granddad took
me out on the pier for my first fishing experience. He baited my hook
and taught me how to cast my rod. He stood behind me, watched as I
found my spot, I pulled back on the rod, and gave a great cast. At
that moment I heard a shrill coming from my granddad. I had released
my line too early. My line let out on my back cast hooked my
granddad in his right eyebrow. He cut the line and tried getting it out
himself. He eventually had to go to the front desk at the inn and have it cut out.
A few years later, my mom had planned a mother son day at Shelby Farms. We went horse
back riding and had brought some cane poles to fish. We were having a
great day fishing and feeding near by ducks. Our hooks were in the
lake when mom's bobber went under. With excitement she sprung up to
pull it in. I was so proud of my mom because she caught the most
beautiful duck I’d ever seen. Our feathered friend had eaten the hotdog on the hook and had
somehow gotten the hook caught in its beak. Of course, the duck would
not let us help it, so we ended up calling the ranger to take care of it.
Our best fishing story happened many years ago when my brother Will
was a toddler. He had his Mickey Mouse fishing pole with a piece of
hotdog for bait. He would cast it out into the muddy water, reel it
back in along the dirt, and repeat the process several more times. I
went to check on him and saw he no longer had his bait. When I asked
where it was he simply replied, "I ate it." Happy fishing y'all
- Steve Childress
fisherman. It has always been one of those things that never caught
on or should I say kept our interest. Now that is not to say we did not
try. We have had plenty of opportunities.
My grandfather was a skilled fisherman. He gave me my first rod and reel
and taught me everything he could about the sport. Every summer he and
my grandmother would take me to Natchez Trace Park. We always stayed at
the park inn which was surrounded by a beautiful lake. My granddad took
me out on the pier for my first fishing experience. He baited my hook
and taught me how to cast my rod. He stood behind me, watched as I
found my spot, I pulled back on the rod, and gave a great cast. At
that moment I heard a shrill coming from my granddad. I had released
my line too early. My line let out on my back cast hooked my
granddad in his right eyebrow. He cut the line and tried getting it out
himself. He eventually had to go to the front desk at the inn and have it cut out.
A few years later, my mom had planned a mother son day at Shelby Farms. We went horse
back riding and had brought some cane poles to fish. We were having a
great day fishing and feeding near by ducks. Our hooks were in the
lake when mom's bobber went under. With excitement she sprung up to
pull it in. I was so proud of my mom because she caught the most
beautiful duck I’d ever seen. Our feathered friend had eaten the hotdog on the hook and had
somehow gotten the hook caught in its beak. Of course, the duck would
not let us help it, so we ended up calling the ranger to take care of it.
Our best fishing story happened many years ago when my brother Will
was a toddler. He had his Mickey Mouse fishing pole with a piece of
hotdog for bait. He would cast it out into the muddy water, reel it
back in along the dirt, and repeat the process several more times. I
went to check on him and saw he no longer had his bait. When I asked
where it was he simply replied, "I ate it." Happy fishing y'all
- Steve Childress
Sping Buzz
Spring is a beautiful time of year here in Millington and the Lucy
area. Just the other day I took time to drive around the old
neighborhood and see all that spring had brought. However, one
unwelcome sight of spring has always been the wasp and bumblebees.
I've had my share of "bee" battles but two in particular are the most
memorable. We always had a problem with bumblebees. Those big hairy thumb sized monsters would always disturb our spring/summer outdoor activities. They would especially hang out by the grill where we
cooked out. One summer my dad invented a game that became a Childress
annual favorite. “Bee Ball” was invented when dad grabbed a little
metal spatula used to move charcoal around and smacked the bees when
they got to close or tried to attack. The sound of the bee being
projected off the metal shovel was indeed a humorous sound. We would
actually argue on whose turn it was to hit the next bee. Call us redneck if you’d like but we all got a kick out of bolting that bee into the oblivion.
My second “bee” story requires a vivid imagination because folks you cannot make this stuff up.
One Spring Stevie and I had a crush on the same girl who
lived down the street from us. We were always seeking out her
attention and trying to get her to notice us. One day Stevie and I invited her over to my house for a
friendly competition, a battle of the wills, on who would get the
girl. We started the competition off by seeing who could do the most
sit-ups on my deck. We lay on the hot wooden deck, flexing our muscles. The girl was counting our sit-ups when not one but two wasp were flying around me. One saw my right nostril as a point of impact,
entered, and proceeded to sting me. The second wasp waited patiently
for the first to make it's run, as if it were a fighter plane waiting for the first to make it’s raid, and once it exited the second made the exact same maneuver. Yes two wasp flew up my right nostril and stung
me. It took everything within me to not cry. There was a girl present, and one I much admired so I had to be tough. I ran inside and mom put bacon soda in my nose. My face immediately began to swell up and my right eye was swollen shut. I walked back outside bruised and battered from
the attack where my lady to be was still waiting. I knew at that
moment that I had won the affection or in this case sympathy of the of
the girl. I really didn't care but I did get the girl and we went steady…for a whole day.
There are many sure signs of spring and insects are not exempt.
Although they can be quite annoying, we all have our stories (good or bad) that make
us reflect on days gone by and appreciate the memories had.
- Steve Childress
area. Just the other day I took time to drive around the old
neighborhood and see all that spring had brought. However, one
unwelcome sight of spring has always been the wasp and bumblebees.
I've had my share of "bee" battles but two in particular are the most
memorable. We always had a problem with bumblebees. Those big hairy thumb sized monsters would always disturb our spring/summer outdoor activities. They would especially hang out by the grill where we
cooked out. One summer my dad invented a game that became a Childress
annual favorite. “Bee Ball” was invented when dad grabbed a little
metal spatula used to move charcoal around and smacked the bees when
they got to close or tried to attack. The sound of the bee being
projected off the metal shovel was indeed a humorous sound. We would
actually argue on whose turn it was to hit the next bee. Call us redneck if you’d like but we all got a kick out of bolting that bee into the oblivion.
My second “bee” story requires a vivid imagination because folks you cannot make this stuff up.
One Spring Stevie and I had a crush on the same girl who
lived down the street from us. We were always seeking out her
attention and trying to get her to notice us. One day Stevie and I invited her over to my house for a
friendly competition, a battle of the wills, on who would get the
girl. We started the competition off by seeing who could do the most
sit-ups on my deck. We lay on the hot wooden deck, flexing our muscles. The girl was counting our sit-ups when not one but two wasp were flying around me. One saw my right nostril as a point of impact,
entered, and proceeded to sting me. The second wasp waited patiently
for the first to make it's run, as if it were a fighter plane waiting for the first to make it’s raid, and once it exited the second made the exact same maneuver. Yes two wasp flew up my right nostril and stung
me. It took everything within me to not cry. There was a girl present, and one I much admired so I had to be tough. I ran inside and mom put bacon soda in my nose. My face immediately began to swell up and my right eye was swollen shut. I walked back outside bruised and battered from
the attack where my lady to be was still waiting. I knew at that
moment that I had won the affection or in this case sympathy of the of
the girl. I really didn't care but I did get the girl and we went steady…for a whole day.
There are many sure signs of spring and insects are not exempt.
Although they can be quite annoying, we all have our stories (good or bad) that make
us reflect on days gone by and appreciate the memories had.
- Steve Childress
Lucy Water Park
No Lucy does not have a water park but after a good long rain we
sure did create one. The geographical layout of Lucy makes for many
areas of water to build up as well as the multiple storm drains or
water ways that lay under Oakhurst rd.
Stevie, Mike, and I carved out many bike trails through out the
community. We made sure in our excavations that they would be low
lying grounds and would be extra muddy when rain is applied. We would
spend hours riding through the mud and water on our bikes covering us from head to toe with mud. After a good bike ride we would run to Mike's house and do a big cannon ball into their swimming pool. You can imagine we only did this once because once Mike's mom saw her pool
covered in mud our rear end’s paid the punishment.
Probably the best place to go after a big rain was Mr. Dale and Ms.
Cathy's house. They had a nice 2 acre lot that sloped downward towards
Oakhurst rd and were also fortunate to have one of the before
mentioned storm drains that ran under the road. Leading to the storm
drain was a ditch that stretched from the back of the property to the
road. If it rained hard and fast enough the ditch would fill up into
raging 3 foot rapids.
We would start from the back and either belly flop into the rapids or
ride some sort of boogie board all the way down to the storm drain. It
was the biggest thrill knowing there was nothing protecting you from
the jagged rocks on the banks of the ditch and the concrete storm
drain awaiting you at the end of your ride. The trick, however, was to
jump off your board or use your feet to stop yourself before plummeting
into the storm drain. If you were not careful, the current could suck
you into the drain and through to the other side of the street. This
of course was out of the questioned being that you would be fully
submerged inside the tunnel and couldn’t get air until you reached the
other side. Was this dangerous and completely a stupid thing to do?
You know it was but we never seemed to care.
To most people ample amounts of rainfall could be depressing and not be a
welcomed site, but to we Lucy boys it was a pattern of weather we
treasured.
- Steve Childress
sure did create one. The geographical layout of Lucy makes for many
areas of water to build up as well as the multiple storm drains or
water ways that lay under Oakhurst rd.
Stevie, Mike, and I carved out many bike trails through out the
community. We made sure in our excavations that they would be low
lying grounds and would be extra muddy when rain is applied. We would
spend hours riding through the mud and water on our bikes covering us from head to toe with mud. After a good bike ride we would run to Mike's house and do a big cannon ball into their swimming pool. You can imagine we only did this once because once Mike's mom saw her pool
covered in mud our rear end’s paid the punishment.
Probably the best place to go after a big rain was Mr. Dale and Ms.
Cathy's house. They had a nice 2 acre lot that sloped downward towards
Oakhurst rd and were also fortunate to have one of the before
mentioned storm drains that ran under the road. Leading to the storm
drain was a ditch that stretched from the back of the property to the
road. If it rained hard and fast enough the ditch would fill up into
raging 3 foot rapids.
We would start from the back and either belly flop into the rapids or
ride some sort of boogie board all the way down to the storm drain. It
was the biggest thrill knowing there was nothing protecting you from
the jagged rocks on the banks of the ditch and the concrete storm
drain awaiting you at the end of your ride. The trick, however, was to
jump off your board or use your feet to stop yourself before plummeting
into the storm drain. If you were not careful, the current could suck
you into the drain and through to the other side of the street. This
of course was out of the questioned being that you would be fully
submerged inside the tunnel and couldn’t get air until you reached the
other side. Was this dangerous and completely a stupid thing to do?
You know it was but we never seemed to care.
To most people ample amounts of rainfall could be depressing and not be a
welcomed site, but to we Lucy boys it was a pattern of weather we
treasured.
- Steve Childress
The Art of TP
One of the many things my mom taught me was how to properly TP a house. When most parents would forbid such an act my mom surprised us one evening. When I was in the sixth grade, I was having some friends over to spend the night. We had just consumed our pizza when mom came into the living room with a bag full of toilet paper rolls. She explained to us how when she was a youth in church, this was the popular thing to do. Holy Rollers is what she called it I think.
We all piled up in the black Ford Aerostar minivan and proceeded to my parent’s friends Dale and Cathy Ray's house. Parked outside mom strategically laid out the assault mission in detail. We executed the mission with ease leaving no evidence behind except the result of a perfectly administered TP yard.
As we got older, we ventured on our own TP adventures. Some successful, others not so much. One night Mike, Stevie, and I crossed through a field which separated Oakhurst Rd and Shane Rd to roll a kid neither of us liked all that much. As we arrived, I agreed to TP the bushes by the front porch. Unknown to us at the time, the kid, and his family had not made it home. When I was about to start the rolling process car lights swept across the yard as they pulled into the drive. Mike and Stevie still on the perimeter of the yard fled in fright across the field and back to the fort on Oakhurst leaving me barricaded between the bushes and porch steps. I watched the family literally walk by inches from me. Once inside I retreated as quickly as I could through the field where I tripped over a miniature tree. That night we failed our mission and I broke my big toe.
My youth was filled with multiple TP adventures. Some involving forks in yards, some with soapy water sprayed by our super soakers, and all demanded the attention of the next morning onlookers. My house was rolled as well due to the retaliation of others, but it was all in good fun.
I owe this gift to my mother and look forward to the day when I pack my daughter and her little friends in the car equipped with the proper ration of TP. I will watch them with pride as these female ninjas give their own assault on Dale and Cathy Ray's house.....It is only fitting.
-Steve Childress
We all piled up in the black Ford Aerostar minivan and proceeded to my parent’s friends Dale and Cathy Ray's house. Parked outside mom strategically laid out the assault mission in detail. We executed the mission with ease leaving no evidence behind except the result of a perfectly administered TP yard.
As we got older, we ventured on our own TP adventures. Some successful, others not so much. One night Mike, Stevie, and I crossed through a field which separated Oakhurst Rd and Shane Rd to roll a kid neither of us liked all that much. As we arrived, I agreed to TP the bushes by the front porch. Unknown to us at the time, the kid, and his family had not made it home. When I was about to start the rolling process car lights swept across the yard as they pulled into the drive. Mike and Stevie still on the perimeter of the yard fled in fright across the field and back to the fort on Oakhurst leaving me barricaded between the bushes and porch steps. I watched the family literally walk by inches from me. Once inside I retreated as quickly as I could through the field where I tripped over a miniature tree. That night we failed our mission and I broke my big toe.
My youth was filled with multiple TP adventures. Some involving forks in yards, some with soapy water sprayed by our super soakers, and all demanded the attention of the next morning onlookers. My house was rolled as well due to the retaliation of others, but it was all in good fun.
I owe this gift to my mother and look forward to the day when I pack my daughter and her little friends in the car equipped with the proper ration of TP. I will watch them with pride as these female ninjas give their own assault on Dale and Cathy Ray's house.....It is only fitting.
-Steve Childress
Disney World
It seems several of our friends are taking their little ones to Disney World for this year’s Spring Break trip. They are all talking about the money savers, meal passes, ride passes, and all of the ways they have found to efficiently and economically get around to all of the Disney parks with their kids. Although I feel my daughter is still too young for such an adventure, I do look forward to taking her and our next child-to-be, on their first magical trip to Disney World.
It was the late 80's when mom and dad made the big announcement that we, as a family, were to make our first grand excursion to the Magical Kingdom ourselves. I was ten, Will was four, and the excitement alone of such a trip was more than we could bear. My parents sacrificed a lot that year to prepare for this trip because trips like these were few and far between, so the plan was to live it up to the fullest. We avoided the Spring Break rush and took our trip in early May to avoid the Spring Break crowd. Rates were cheaper then, as well as the airfare. Now that I've married a teacher she would be the first to tell you that taking a full week off of school in May is a crucial time to miss, especially if one is preparing for year end test. However, I was ten and thought taking an additional week off of school was the coolest thing ever.
Finally, the big day came when we departed to Memphis International and were Orlando bound. We rented a car and stayed outside of the park area in a Ramada Resort there in Kissimmee. It was, by far, the biggest hotel room my brother and I had ever stayed in. Our first day there we were jumping from bed to bed out of excitement and if my memory serves me correctly, that was when we had our first accident. Will and I collided in mid-air during one of the jumps. Matching goose eggs on our foreheads and a bag of ice on each did not stop us for the amazing weeklong adventure that was awaiting us.
My dad had borrowed a friend of his video camcorder for our trip. This was not your little hand-held device that fits so neatly in the palm of your hand—no, this was a massive two or three pound suitcase that balanced neatly on your shoulder and used true size VHS tapes. My poor dad carried that camera everywhere we went on the trip. It was almost like having an Action News 5 crew document our trip for us. The hard shell case alone for this contraption would alert "today’s" airport security to by-pass the wand and go straight to a full-body cavity search, due to its questionable nature and size. Like I said, my dad recorded everything and by weekend, he had completely filled six full length VHS tapes.
The day finally came when we first entered the magic kingdom. It was everything I had dreamed of, seen in books, and on TV. We walked down the grand boulevard with Cinderella’s castle awaiting us on the horizon. It felt like we had stepped into a dream with the horse-drawn carriages, Disney employees all dressed in their attire, and fascinating sights made for this truly magical world. The park was extremely crowded, but it was not hard finding my family because it was the late 80's, so we were all decked out in the bright neon clothes that made us stand out. Not to mention, dad was carrying an entire film studio on his shoulders that made him easy to spot in the crowd. We rode as many rides as we could, including the infamous Space Mountain where my dad had told and retold the story of when he and mom rode the ride on their honeymoon. He recalled feeling his sunglasses slip and fly off his head. In the pitch dark ride dad reached up in thin air and snatched them back to safety. After riding Space Mountain, I could not understand how he did it. We spent the entire day in the Magic Kingdom and were able to watch the famous firework show at night.
Over the next couple of days, we experienced MGM studios where we saw the Indian Jones reenactment, took a tour on the Grauman’s Chinese Theater ride, and many other attractions MGM had to offer. We also experienced my favorite part of Disney World, Epcot. What amazed me the most about this particular park was the tour of countries. I could have spent the entire day in that section alone. We hit every country, visiting every shop and riding every ride. Did I mention dad was still carrying his camera? We did take a day off from the Disney Experience and took a trip to the Kennedy Space center and Cocoa Beach. That was our first ocean/beach experience. It was a sight I would never forget. My mom and dad made our first Disney experience an unforgettable one to say the least.
I later returned to Disney World my junior year of high school for a MCHS choral competition. There we all met up with a former classmate of ours, Justin Timberlake, and were able to spend the day with him on and behind the Disney scenes. Many years later Shannon and I were able to spend our honeymoon there just as my parents spent theirs.
Our first Disney Vacation was hands down the best family vacation we all took together. We experienced so much in that one week, and amazingly, Will and I did not fight one time. What made the vacation even better is that my dad heroically and sacrificially carried around that massive camera to document the unforgettable Disney Vacation. I was filled with a very nostalgic feeling walking through the parks at night as “When you Wish Upon a Star” played over the many speakers throughout the parks. I highly recommend that if you ever get the opportunity, take your family at least once to Disney World. I can guarantee you it would play a major part in your child’s life, as well as rekindle the child in you. I do recommend that you take a smaller camera though.
-Steve Childress
It was the late 80's when mom and dad made the big announcement that we, as a family, were to make our first grand excursion to the Magical Kingdom ourselves. I was ten, Will was four, and the excitement alone of such a trip was more than we could bear. My parents sacrificed a lot that year to prepare for this trip because trips like these were few and far between, so the plan was to live it up to the fullest. We avoided the Spring Break rush and took our trip in early May to avoid the Spring Break crowd. Rates were cheaper then, as well as the airfare. Now that I've married a teacher she would be the first to tell you that taking a full week off of school in May is a crucial time to miss, especially if one is preparing for year end test. However, I was ten and thought taking an additional week off of school was the coolest thing ever.
Finally, the big day came when we departed to Memphis International and were Orlando bound. We rented a car and stayed outside of the park area in a Ramada Resort there in Kissimmee. It was, by far, the biggest hotel room my brother and I had ever stayed in. Our first day there we were jumping from bed to bed out of excitement and if my memory serves me correctly, that was when we had our first accident. Will and I collided in mid-air during one of the jumps. Matching goose eggs on our foreheads and a bag of ice on each did not stop us for the amazing weeklong adventure that was awaiting us.
My dad had borrowed a friend of his video camcorder for our trip. This was not your little hand-held device that fits so neatly in the palm of your hand—no, this was a massive two or three pound suitcase that balanced neatly on your shoulder and used true size VHS tapes. My poor dad carried that camera everywhere we went on the trip. It was almost like having an Action News 5 crew document our trip for us. The hard shell case alone for this contraption would alert "today’s" airport security to by-pass the wand and go straight to a full-body cavity search, due to its questionable nature and size. Like I said, my dad recorded everything and by weekend, he had completely filled six full length VHS tapes.
The day finally came when we first entered the magic kingdom. It was everything I had dreamed of, seen in books, and on TV. We walked down the grand boulevard with Cinderella’s castle awaiting us on the horizon. It felt like we had stepped into a dream with the horse-drawn carriages, Disney employees all dressed in their attire, and fascinating sights made for this truly magical world. The park was extremely crowded, but it was not hard finding my family because it was the late 80's, so we were all decked out in the bright neon clothes that made us stand out. Not to mention, dad was carrying an entire film studio on his shoulders that made him easy to spot in the crowd. We rode as many rides as we could, including the infamous Space Mountain where my dad had told and retold the story of when he and mom rode the ride on their honeymoon. He recalled feeling his sunglasses slip and fly off his head. In the pitch dark ride dad reached up in thin air and snatched them back to safety. After riding Space Mountain, I could not understand how he did it. We spent the entire day in the Magic Kingdom and were able to watch the famous firework show at night.
Over the next couple of days, we experienced MGM studios where we saw the Indian Jones reenactment, took a tour on the Grauman’s Chinese Theater ride, and many other attractions MGM had to offer. We also experienced my favorite part of Disney World, Epcot. What amazed me the most about this particular park was the tour of countries. I could have spent the entire day in that section alone. We hit every country, visiting every shop and riding every ride. Did I mention dad was still carrying his camera? We did take a day off from the Disney Experience and took a trip to the Kennedy Space center and Cocoa Beach. That was our first ocean/beach experience. It was a sight I would never forget. My mom and dad made our first Disney experience an unforgettable one to say the least.
I later returned to Disney World my junior year of high school for a MCHS choral competition. There we all met up with a former classmate of ours, Justin Timberlake, and were able to spend the day with him on and behind the Disney scenes. Many years later Shannon and I were able to spend our honeymoon there just as my parents spent theirs.
Our first Disney Vacation was hands down the best family vacation we all took together. We experienced so much in that one week, and amazingly, Will and I did not fight one time. What made the vacation even better is that my dad heroically and sacrificially carried around that massive camera to document the unforgettable Disney Vacation. I was filled with a very nostalgic feeling walking through the parks at night as “When you Wish Upon a Star” played over the many speakers throughout the parks. I highly recommend that if you ever get the opportunity, take your family at least once to Disney World. I can guarantee you it would play a major part in your child’s life, as well as rekindle the child in you. I do recommend that you take a smaller camera though.
-Steve Childress
Spontaneous Trips
We were never the richest family but my mom and dad always believed in multiple mini trips throughout the year. Growing up we would always take our BIG trip in the summer to ST Louis to see everything that town had to offer. One particular winter's weekend we took an unexpected weekend trip that was most memorable because it was unpronounced unplanned and to say the least spontaneous.
At the time, I was playing varsity soccer and my mom picked me up after my Friday practice. She instructed me that we were going home, packing, and quickly leaving. Caught off guard I assumed we were running from the law but was told that dad was taking us on a weekend Nashville trip. That night we left our mundane lives in Millington to break away from the norm and enjoy a little different change of scenery.
We arrived in Nashville and stayed at he Holiday Inn there by the Nashville airport. It was winter and pre-Oprymills so there was not much to do; however, if you know of this particular hotel you are aware of its amenities. I do not think we left the Holiday Inn facility once since we arrived. We had an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzis, indoor putt-putt course, ping pong table, TV area, and each night there was a live band. This was just in the lobby area. We ate all of our meals in he hotel restaurant and simply enjoyed each other's company.
Looking back one could go to any hotel in Memphis and enjoy a similar getaway, but the reality of that weekend is that it was different and unexpected. Years later, on my wedding day, my dad gave me a solid piece of advice and key to a happy marriage and family. He simply reminded me to take little trips spontaneous or not to keep things alive, to break away from the routine and fall in love with your spouse and family all over again. I was reminded of our little Nashville trip and realized my mom and dad were doing just that.
-Steve Childress
At the time, I was playing varsity soccer and my mom picked me up after my Friday practice. She instructed me that we were going home, packing, and quickly leaving. Caught off guard I assumed we were running from the law but was told that dad was taking us on a weekend Nashville trip. That night we left our mundane lives in Millington to break away from the norm and enjoy a little different change of scenery.
We arrived in Nashville and stayed at he Holiday Inn there by the Nashville airport. It was winter and pre-Oprymills so there was not much to do; however, if you know of this particular hotel you are aware of its amenities. I do not think we left the Holiday Inn facility once since we arrived. We had an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzis, indoor putt-putt course, ping pong table, TV area, and each night there was a live band. This was just in the lobby area. We ate all of our meals in he hotel restaurant and simply enjoyed each other's company.
Looking back one could go to any hotel in Memphis and enjoy a similar getaway, but the reality of that weekend is that it was different and unexpected. Years later, on my wedding day, my dad gave me a solid piece of advice and key to a happy marriage and family. He simply reminded me to take little trips spontaneous or not to keep things alive, to break away from the routine and fall in love with your spouse and family all over again. I was reminded of our little Nashville trip and realized my mom and dad were doing just that.
-Steve Childress
The Proposal
This past week my little brother proposed to his girlfriend. In typical Childress fashion, he pulled out the stops and it made for a grand unforgettable proposal. I was reminded of my proposal to my wife and the events leading up to the event.
Shannon and I had only been dating for 9 months but we had known eachother for several years from church. I had and still today a great relationship with my soon to be in-laws. I wanted to respect them therefore asked for thief permission first. I had rehearsed how I was going to ask them over and over in my head; however, the question came out quite different. In fact, it was not a question at all. I set them both down and meaning to ask them I flat out told them I was proposing to their daughter soon. Although I botched the question, they of course were thrilled.
The big night had arrived, the plans were in place, the key people had been contacted, and of course the ring had been purchased. I picked Shannon up and although I was playing it cool I could tell she was a little nervous more than usual. We had dinner at Gordon Birsch restaurant downtown and them proceeded over to the Peabody Hotel. She was still extremely nervous and I could not figure out why unless she had been tipped off, but who in their right mind would do such a thing.
Despite the nerves, I had convinced her to go up to the roof of the Peabody with me. I know you are thinking I proposed on the roof which everyone seems to do but you are wrong. We took a left out of the elevators and into the great ballroom. It was dark and unoccupied like I had hoped and in the middle of the dance floor was a circle of lit candles. If you know my wife she is a "rule follower" and cringes when rules are broken. She knew that we were not supposed to be in there much less have a bonfire in the middle of the dance floor so getting her to move towards that direction was a challenge. Needless to say, she knew what was coming and we shared a dance in the middle of the circle of candles while a good friend of mine serenaded us with our song "Unforgettable.” That moment I dropped a knee and proposed.
We left downtown and headed towards the Wolfchase area. Shannon was calling all of her family including her sister from Nashville and was frustrated that she could not reach anyone. We went to Barnes N Nobel to "pick up a book.” There in the cafe set all of her family, and mine including her sister from Nashville. It was an unforgettable proposal and one I am quite proud of. When Shannon was finally asked why she was so nervous the entire night, she simply responded "I saw the ring box in your pocket when you picked me up.” Good grief! I love that woman.
-Steve Childress
Shannon and I had only been dating for 9 months but we had known eachother for several years from church. I had and still today a great relationship with my soon to be in-laws. I wanted to respect them therefore asked for thief permission first. I had rehearsed how I was going to ask them over and over in my head; however, the question came out quite different. In fact, it was not a question at all. I set them both down and meaning to ask them I flat out told them I was proposing to their daughter soon. Although I botched the question, they of course were thrilled.
The big night had arrived, the plans were in place, the key people had been contacted, and of course the ring had been purchased. I picked Shannon up and although I was playing it cool I could tell she was a little nervous more than usual. We had dinner at Gordon Birsch restaurant downtown and them proceeded over to the Peabody Hotel. She was still extremely nervous and I could not figure out why unless she had been tipped off, but who in their right mind would do such a thing.
Despite the nerves, I had convinced her to go up to the roof of the Peabody with me. I know you are thinking I proposed on the roof which everyone seems to do but you are wrong. We took a left out of the elevators and into the great ballroom. It was dark and unoccupied like I had hoped and in the middle of the dance floor was a circle of lit candles. If you know my wife she is a "rule follower" and cringes when rules are broken. She knew that we were not supposed to be in there much less have a bonfire in the middle of the dance floor so getting her to move towards that direction was a challenge. Needless to say, she knew what was coming and we shared a dance in the middle of the circle of candles while a good friend of mine serenaded us with our song "Unforgettable.” That moment I dropped a knee and proposed.
We left downtown and headed towards the Wolfchase area. Shannon was calling all of her family including her sister from Nashville and was frustrated that she could not reach anyone. We went to Barnes N Nobel to "pick up a book.” There in the cafe set all of her family, and mine including her sister from Nashville. It was an unforgettable proposal and one I am quite proud of. When Shannon was finally asked why she was so nervous the entire night, she simply responded "I saw the ring box in your pocket when you picked me up.” Good grief! I love that woman.
-Steve Childress
Would you be my Sweetheart?
Oh Valentine's Day. Aside from my mom, my first valentine sweetheart was Nicole Webber. Nicole and I first met in Ms. Becky's kindergarten class at Lucy Elementary. New to the whole "exchange of valentines" I was a little skeptical on how the whole thing worked. I remember giving her the most romantic He-Man Valentine in the box attached to a box of the hard candied hearts. I in return received a Rainbow Bright Valentine from her.
As we all got older, Valentine's Day became another class party that would break up our monotonous week of school. We would all decorate little brown paper lunch bags into mini mailboxes so that on that February 14th day we would have a class exchange of cards. I remember one year in 6th grade I liked this girl named Meredith, so the week of Valentines I wrote her a "Secret Admirer" love letter. I watched her read it and show all of her little girl friends. They all giggled as little girls do and even though she had no idea it was me who wrote the letter I felt 10ft tall and bullet proof, because I saw the excitement in her eyes. This story turned south immediately when Meredith decided to share the love letter with our teacher who immediately recognized the handwriting. I did not get my Valentine that year, but the pursuit was fun while it lasted.
As I got older, I became a little more knowledgeable of this obligated holiday where the man can either come out a hero or a joke. I have learned to shed the He-Man cards in exchange for roses and gifts. As a man I have learned there are certain rules you abide by on this "Day of Love.”
1) Do not under estimate the power of Valentines Day. Imagine your spouse/girlfriend
seeing all of her friends get candy, bears, flowers, whatever and you fail to
get her anything. Not good.
2) Make reservations! I forgot to make Valentine’s reservations once and we ended up
going to Chucky Cheese playing ski ball and watching the rat sing. Although it was
memorable, it definitely was not impressive.
3) If your spouse/girlfriend doesn't typically play with cute little stuffed
animals, she will not on this particular day either.
4) If all else fails..... volunteer to watch the "Notebook.”
Happy Valentine's Day!
-Steve Childress
As we all got older, Valentine's Day became another class party that would break up our monotonous week of school. We would all decorate little brown paper lunch bags into mini mailboxes so that on that February 14th day we would have a class exchange of cards. I remember one year in 6th grade I liked this girl named Meredith, so the week of Valentines I wrote her a "Secret Admirer" love letter. I watched her read it and show all of her little girl friends. They all giggled as little girls do and even though she had no idea it was me who wrote the letter I felt 10ft tall and bullet proof, because I saw the excitement in her eyes. This story turned south immediately when Meredith decided to share the love letter with our teacher who immediately recognized the handwriting. I did not get my Valentine that year, but the pursuit was fun while it lasted.
As I got older, I became a little more knowledgeable of this obligated holiday where the man can either come out a hero or a joke. I have learned to shed the He-Man cards in exchange for roses and gifts. As a man I have learned there are certain rules you abide by on this "Day of Love.”
1) Do not under estimate the power of Valentines Day. Imagine your spouse/girlfriend
seeing all of her friends get candy, bears, flowers, whatever and you fail to
get her anything. Not good.
2) Make reservations! I forgot to make Valentine’s reservations once and we ended up
going to Chucky Cheese playing ski ball and watching the rat sing. Although it was
memorable, it definitely was not impressive.
3) If your spouse/girlfriend doesn't typically play with cute little stuffed
animals, she will not on this particular day either.
4) If all else fails..... volunteer to watch the "Notebook.”
Happy Valentine's Day!
-Steve Childress
Ice Storm 94'
If you've lived here long enough you know that West Tennessee weather is not consistent and can change at the drop of a dime. I will never forget the winter of 1994 when my mom. brother, and I were watching TV in the living room. All of the sudden we heard this massive fall of precipitation. It was like nothing I had ever heard. It wasn't like a gentle rain that crescendoed into a down poor, or a light wind that blew into a tornado. It was an unpronounced dumping of sleet and ice that seemed to last a good half hour to an hour. Once it had let up we all walked outside to see the aftermath. The ground and roads sparkled in glistening white ice. Immediately you could hear branches of trees breaking from the sudden impact. Nevertheless, the forecast of my week changed from school and test to snow days and fun.
All throughout the night I could hear branches snapping. It sounded like a war zone outside my bedroom window. The next morning proved to be a different story. Once dad finally made it home from the fire station we all piled in the truck to see if we could help move branches or clear roads. It was by far the worst ice storm I had ever seen, and proved to be deadly throughout the mid-south. Thousands were without power for days, and some even weeks. Trees were bent over at the trunk from the weight of the ice, branches covered the roads, power lines were down, transformers were blackened from the blowouts, and a few houses in Lucy got it the worse as massive trees fell on them.
Once the Lucy community had regrouped and all was well, we kids took advantage of the wintry conditions. Disney's Mighty Ducks was a popular movie at the time, so we all traded in our baseballs and bats for hockey pucks and sticks. About eight of us boys played hockey on the roads as we tried to perfect our knuckle-pucks and triple deeks. We had a chocolate lab at the time named Hershey. I was able to harness a sled up to Hershey and have him pull my 9 year old brother Will around the yard. Looking back, as a kid I could've spent all day in the snow and never get tired. These days after a good hour of snow play I'm ready to call it a day.
Much fun was had those few days we were out, however that ice storm would go down in Memphis and Mid-South history of being one of the worse Ice Storms this portion of the country had ever seen. Many mid-southerns lost their lives due to hypothermia and fallen trees and power lines. It is times like these though when communities pull together for the greater good. Neighbors helping neighbors, Memphians helping Memphians, and outside municipalities coming to our rescue to get the power turned on faster. Through tragedy comes compassion for your fellow man.
-Steve Childress
All throughout the night I could hear branches snapping. It sounded like a war zone outside my bedroom window. The next morning proved to be a different story. Once dad finally made it home from the fire station we all piled in the truck to see if we could help move branches or clear roads. It was by far the worst ice storm I had ever seen, and proved to be deadly throughout the mid-south. Thousands were without power for days, and some even weeks. Trees were bent over at the trunk from the weight of the ice, branches covered the roads, power lines were down, transformers were blackened from the blowouts, and a few houses in Lucy got it the worse as massive trees fell on them.
Once the Lucy community had regrouped and all was well, we kids took advantage of the wintry conditions. Disney's Mighty Ducks was a popular movie at the time, so we all traded in our baseballs and bats for hockey pucks and sticks. About eight of us boys played hockey on the roads as we tried to perfect our knuckle-pucks and triple deeks. We had a chocolate lab at the time named Hershey. I was able to harness a sled up to Hershey and have him pull my 9 year old brother Will around the yard. Looking back, as a kid I could've spent all day in the snow and never get tired. These days after a good hour of snow play I'm ready to call it a day.
Much fun was had those few days we were out, however that ice storm would go down in Memphis and Mid-South history of being one of the worse Ice Storms this portion of the country had ever seen. Many mid-southerns lost their lives due to hypothermia and fallen trees and power lines. It is times like these though when communities pull together for the greater good. Neighbors helping neighbors, Memphians helping Memphians, and outside municipalities coming to our rescue to get the power turned on faster. Through tragedy comes compassion for your fellow man.
-Steve Childress
Bird!!!
One of my family's favorite movies is Christmas Vacation. In a strange way our family resembled the Grizwalds and we would often found ourselves quoting this movie in any given situation. At prayer time one would say "Grace, she passed away years ago" or the classic "Save the neck for me Clark" at every chicken dinner. One particular scene from Christmas Vacation set the perfect script for what happened one winter's evening.
At one time the Childress manor had an ajoining covered breezeway that joined the garage to the house. It had two screen doors and every now and then birds will fly in and make a nest or simply get caught inside the breezeway. This particular evening a cardinal had done just that. We were eating dinner and heard a rucus come from the breezeway. Sure enough we saw a cardinal fly from one end to the other looking for an escape. The bird purched itself on one of the rafters to get a good lay of the terrain and plan his escape. He saw his opportunity and took it. The cardinal leaped from the rafters swooping down over our heads and right into the open door leading into the living room. At that very moment mom yelled BIRD!!!!! as Clark senior yelled SQUIRRLE!!!!! in Christmas Vacation. All of the sudden our little home was turned into a funhouse for the said bird and his new captures.
I immediately went to the garage and retrieved my fishing net. Mom had a blanket trying to move the bird out the door as done by Chris Farley in Black Sheep. Instead the clevor bird went deeper into the house and ended up in our bathroom. Purched on the window seal the bird was cornored and his persuers were closing in. At that very moment the cardinal charged his persuers as we hit the deck and the bird proceeded its way throughout the house. Knocking over lamps and leaving little bird droppings the bird was getting the best of the Childress clan. Eventually we caught the trapped cardinal with the net and released it outside, but not before my little brother could utter the words "Save the neck for me Clark".
-Steve Childress
At one time the Childress manor had an ajoining covered breezeway that joined the garage to the house. It had two screen doors and every now and then birds will fly in and make a nest or simply get caught inside the breezeway. This particular evening a cardinal had done just that. We were eating dinner and heard a rucus come from the breezeway. Sure enough we saw a cardinal fly from one end to the other looking for an escape. The bird purched itself on one of the rafters to get a good lay of the terrain and plan his escape. He saw his opportunity and took it. The cardinal leaped from the rafters swooping down over our heads and right into the open door leading into the living room. At that very moment mom yelled BIRD!!!!! as Clark senior yelled SQUIRRLE!!!!! in Christmas Vacation. All of the sudden our little home was turned into a funhouse for the said bird and his new captures.
I immediately went to the garage and retrieved my fishing net. Mom had a blanket trying to move the bird out the door as done by Chris Farley in Black Sheep. Instead the clevor bird went deeper into the house and ended up in our bathroom. Purched on the window seal the bird was cornored and his persuers were closing in. At that very moment the cardinal charged his persuers as we hit the deck and the bird proceeded its way throughout the house. Knocking over lamps and leaving little bird droppings the bird was getting the best of the Childress clan. Eventually we caught the trapped cardinal with the net and released it outside, but not before my little brother could utter the words "Save the neck for me Clark".
-Steve Childress
Snow Party
In the early 80's we experienced an economic recession similar to what we are experienceing now. The closing of International Harvestar and Firestone affected our family as well as our closest friends, but to a kid we never knew the difference. What we did know, however, is that it was winter and from January to April we all prayed for the possibilities of snow. The simplest whisper of the word would have every child's eyes glued to Dave Brown's forecast. The very idea of getting out of school to spend a day of play in a winter wonderland was enough to drive a kid mad.
One particular winter the rumors proved to be true. There was a front coming out of the West with a small chance of early morning flurries. The always pesimisic Dave Brown with his "no accumilation" speech lingered in our heads that night as we went to bed. What we woke up to, on the other hand, was that of a blanket of snow. I ran into the living room as the list of school closings were being read off. Mason County schools closed, Memphis City schools closed.....My lesson in alphabetical order was paying off because I knew that are county was coming up, and finally, "Shelby County schools closed." A rush of excitement and adventure filled my mind as I hurried to get dress for my snow day.
Given the layoffs times were tough, but my family, the Sparks, and the Luhms always stuck together and a snow day was no different. We all gathered what little food we had and met at the Luhm's house on Oakhurst. Out of the three represented familes we cooked up a smorgusborg of Chili, hotdogs, soup, sandwiches, and other snack items. We had our very own recession proof Snow Party. After stuffing our faces we managed to dress ourselves in as many layors of clothing as possible and headed outside. There were six of us kids along with my dad, Mr. Otto, and Mr. Steve. We played football, made snow men, and had snow ball fights. The dads would hook up all of our sleds to Mr. Otto's lawn mower and pull us around the yard like a train while trying to shake us off. Oakhurst Rd. is famous for its hills which made for some perfect down hill sledding. All in all we did a pretty good job of unmasking that white powder and revealing the ground below.
Finally we would all make our way back inside, peel off the mounds of wet clothing, endulge in some oh so perfect hot chocolate, and reminence on the fun we'd just had.
Looking back what made that day so special wasn't the fact that it snowed. We could've easily stayed at home and done our own thing. It wasn't just another day off from school. What made this day so special was that regardless of the situation my parents and their friends were in, they wanted us kids to enjoy the magic of a snow day just as they once did. They wanted to celebrate this day of hope in a time of the unknown. I am so thankful that our parents saw hope instead of despair, and as an outcome we experienced another outstanding childhood memory.
-Steve Childress
One particular winter the rumors proved to be true. There was a front coming out of the West with a small chance of early morning flurries. The always pesimisic Dave Brown with his "no accumilation" speech lingered in our heads that night as we went to bed. What we woke up to, on the other hand, was that of a blanket of snow. I ran into the living room as the list of school closings were being read off. Mason County schools closed, Memphis City schools closed.....My lesson in alphabetical order was paying off because I knew that are county was coming up, and finally, "Shelby County schools closed." A rush of excitement and adventure filled my mind as I hurried to get dress for my snow day.
Given the layoffs times were tough, but my family, the Sparks, and the Luhms always stuck together and a snow day was no different. We all gathered what little food we had and met at the Luhm's house on Oakhurst. Out of the three represented familes we cooked up a smorgusborg of Chili, hotdogs, soup, sandwiches, and other snack items. We had our very own recession proof Snow Party. After stuffing our faces we managed to dress ourselves in as many layors of clothing as possible and headed outside. There were six of us kids along with my dad, Mr. Otto, and Mr. Steve. We played football, made snow men, and had snow ball fights. The dads would hook up all of our sleds to Mr. Otto's lawn mower and pull us around the yard like a train while trying to shake us off. Oakhurst Rd. is famous for its hills which made for some perfect down hill sledding. All in all we did a pretty good job of unmasking that white powder and revealing the ground below.
Finally we would all make our way back inside, peel off the mounds of wet clothing, endulge in some oh so perfect hot chocolate, and reminence on the fun we'd just had.
Looking back what made that day so special wasn't the fact that it snowed. We could've easily stayed at home and done our own thing. It wasn't just another day off from school. What made this day so special was that regardless of the situation my parents and their friends were in, they wanted us kids to enjoy the magic of a snow day just as they once did. They wanted to celebrate this day of hope in a time of the unknown. I am so thankful that our parents saw hope instead of despair, and as an outcome we experienced another outstanding childhood memory.
-Steve Childress
FBC Millington
I have been very blessed to be born into a family that took my brother and I to church consistantly. I have been a member of First Baptist Church Millington for 30 years now. I often tell people that I was born on a Thursday and in my momma's arms at FBC that next Sunday. Needless to say FBC has played a major part in my life.
First Baptist Church Millington has always been a pillar in the Millington community. During the Naval days the church openned its doors to the young men, women, and their families and provided a temporary church home for them until their leave was called. I am not sure why my parents chose FBC Millington prior to my birth but I am convinced they made a wise choice.
I accedpted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at age 6 as my mom led me to the Lord. Bro. Paul, children's mininster at that time, helped nourish this new salvation all through out my elementary school days in children's church. My love for Christ really didn't flourish until I first entered into the Youth group at age 12. My 7th grade year was the first year for our new music minister Bro. Rusty Eason. I started singing in the youth choir and immediately took a love for music. Bro. Rusty and I really developed a relationship there because we were both starting in unfamiliar waters at the same time and he and I developed a lasting friendship. Bro. Rusty is extremely talented and can play practically every instrument. He encouraged me to start playing guitar and so I did. Around my freshmen year of high school I started leading praise and worship for the FBC Youth group and really felt God leading more into a music ministry role.
First Baptist Church gave me a great foundation in music by being plugged into the choirs and occasional solos. I was mentored by many great people in the church as well as many great teachers. Through music I was able to land scholarships to the University of Memphis in Vocal Performace as well as continued to stay involved in FBC's College and Career. I led the prasie and worship in College and Career and continued to play anywhere and everywhere that would have me. There in College and Career I met, dated, and married my wife. We were married in June of 2002
at First Baptist.
We continued to be plugged into the music ministry as well as various other leadership ministries at FBC. Five years later we were blessed with our first born. She was dedicated at FBC in the Spring of 2007. Its funny to know that some of the same people who now have my daugter in the nursery cared for me when I was in the nursery many years ago.
Throughout all of these experiences at First Baptist there was my pastor Bro. Ray Newcomb. Brother Ray dedicated me as a baby when I was born, baptized me at age 6, baptized my wife, married my wife and me, and dedicated our daughter not to long ago. Bro. Ray had been my only pastor for 30 years up until his retirement in May of 2009. He is a truly remarkable man of God and this community has been blessed to have him.
Pastor David Leavell was voted in to be the new senior pastor this past fall. I have had several oppertunities to sit down and talk with Pastor David and I am extremely excited to see God work through this man. He has a heart for the Lord, he believes the bible is God's true word, and he has a great plan for First Baptist and the North Shelby, South Tipton communities.
God has truly blessed this church as well as my upbringing in the church. If you are new to the community, or have lived here your entire life and looking for a church home I highly recommend First Baptist Church. I am so thankful that part of God's plan for my life was to be cemented into a church like First Baptist Millington.
-Steve Childress
First Baptist Church Millington has always been a pillar in the Millington community. During the Naval days the church openned its doors to the young men, women, and their families and provided a temporary church home for them until their leave was called. I am not sure why my parents chose FBC Millington prior to my birth but I am convinced they made a wise choice.
I accedpted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at age 6 as my mom led me to the Lord. Bro. Paul, children's mininster at that time, helped nourish this new salvation all through out my elementary school days in children's church. My love for Christ really didn't flourish until I first entered into the Youth group at age 12. My 7th grade year was the first year for our new music minister Bro. Rusty Eason. I started singing in the youth choir and immediately took a love for music. Bro. Rusty and I really developed a relationship there because we were both starting in unfamiliar waters at the same time and he and I developed a lasting friendship. Bro. Rusty is extremely talented and can play practically every instrument. He encouraged me to start playing guitar and so I did. Around my freshmen year of high school I started leading praise and worship for the FBC Youth group and really felt God leading more into a music ministry role.
First Baptist Church gave me a great foundation in music by being plugged into the choirs and occasional solos. I was mentored by many great people in the church as well as many great teachers. Through music I was able to land scholarships to the University of Memphis in Vocal Performace as well as continued to stay involved in FBC's College and Career. I led the prasie and worship in College and Career and continued to play anywhere and everywhere that would have me. There in College and Career I met, dated, and married my wife. We were married in June of 2002
at First Baptist.
We continued to be plugged into the music ministry as well as various other leadership ministries at FBC. Five years later we were blessed with our first born. She was dedicated at FBC in the Spring of 2007. Its funny to know that some of the same people who now have my daugter in the nursery cared for me when I was in the nursery many years ago.
Throughout all of these experiences at First Baptist there was my pastor Bro. Ray Newcomb. Brother Ray dedicated me as a baby when I was born, baptized me at age 6, baptized my wife, married my wife and me, and dedicated our daughter not to long ago. Bro. Ray had been my only pastor for 30 years up until his retirement in May of 2009. He is a truly remarkable man of God and this community has been blessed to have him.
Pastor David Leavell was voted in to be the new senior pastor this past fall. I have had several oppertunities to sit down and talk with Pastor David and I am extremely excited to see God work through this man. He has a heart for the Lord, he believes the bible is God's true word, and he has a great plan for First Baptist and the North Shelby, South Tipton communities.
God has truly blessed this church as well as my upbringing in the church. If you are new to the community, or have lived here your entire life and looking for a church home I highly recommend First Baptist Church. I am so thankful that part of God's plan for my life was to be cemented into a church like First Baptist Millington.
-Steve Childress
Ms. Brown
Throughout my 30 years of life there has been countless number of people who have sculpted me and had an impact on the man I am today. One of these courageous people to take on a project like myself was Ms. Brown. Ms. Brown has been in the education system for quite sometime. She worked at Sky View when my mom was in school there and later taught first grade at Lucy Elementary. Ms. Brown's husband Mr. Bill was a retired railroad man and both lived down the street from us in Lucy.
We became really good friends with the Browns. We would always go over to there house in the summer and play. Mr. Brown had a room in the house that had a pool table and pinball machines. The only other place that had pinball machines then was Mazzio's but we'll save that for a later article. Every Halloween we always made an effort to trick-or-treat at the Browns because we always received candied apples and caramel popcorn. They attended most of the community events we did as well as attended First Baptist with us every Sunday.
Up until my first grade year at Lucy Elementary I only associated Ms. Brown with pinball machines and caramel popcorn. Then I got to know her on a full term basis when she became my first grade teacher. First grade was a memorable year for me and this sweet lady got to experience every step of it with me. This was the year that I started to lose several of my baby teeth. Ms. Brown had a chart that showed what students had lost teeth as a mile marker into our childhood. This was the year when we were all gathered into the cafeteria to watch the space shuttle Challenger make its historic voyage on live TV but sadly exploded upon liftoff. I remember the class being full of questions of what we'd just seen and Ms. Brown calmly explaining to us how God allows things to happen to fulfill a greater plan. Now don't think that just because Ms. Brown and I were friends that she let me off when I acted up. I remember pulling the chair out from underneath my friend Justin and he fell to the floor. I was sent to the principle's office for that one. She was also one of the first to notice my A.D.D. kicking in around April and I would be in la la land until the last day of school. Of course back then we weren't administered medication for this we were administered the concept of "work harder or get left behind".
Six years later my little brother also had Ms. Brown as his first grade teacher. Will would always miss his family during school so mom gave him a picture of all of us to carry around. One day they were on a bathroom break and he was carrying that picture around with him, and Ms. Brown asked him "Will, do you want me to hold your picture for you while you go to the restroom". With typical Childress fashion Will responded "No maim' Ms. Brown I have an extra hand".
Later on when I was in high school and involved in choirs I had the pleasure of singing a duet with Ms. Brown in our churches Christmas play. We walked down the aisle singing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland". My most memorable memory of Ms. Brown wasn't at her house in the summer or any of my first grade experiences, but my senior year at Millington. I received a graduation present from her that made my heart skip a beat when I opened it. She had saved a letter I had written when I was in first grade on the old wide rule paper that read "I luv Ms. Brown. I luv to read and write. I like dogs to." It wasn't a master piece but the fact that she had saved that letter for twelve years and presented it to me at my graduation was one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. I am blessed to have people like Ms. Brown in my life, and I'm sure you have your Ms. Browns to. Let them know how much you love and appreciate everything they've ever done for you.
-Steve Childress
We became really good friends with the Browns. We would always go over to there house in the summer and play. Mr. Brown had a room in the house that had a pool table and pinball machines. The only other place that had pinball machines then was Mazzio's but we'll save that for a later article. Every Halloween we always made an effort to trick-or-treat at the Browns because we always received candied apples and caramel popcorn. They attended most of the community events we did as well as attended First Baptist with us every Sunday.
Up until my first grade year at Lucy Elementary I only associated Ms. Brown with pinball machines and caramel popcorn. Then I got to know her on a full term basis when she became my first grade teacher. First grade was a memorable year for me and this sweet lady got to experience every step of it with me. This was the year that I started to lose several of my baby teeth. Ms. Brown had a chart that showed what students had lost teeth as a mile marker into our childhood. This was the year when we were all gathered into the cafeteria to watch the space shuttle Challenger make its historic voyage on live TV but sadly exploded upon liftoff. I remember the class being full of questions of what we'd just seen and Ms. Brown calmly explaining to us how God allows things to happen to fulfill a greater plan. Now don't think that just because Ms. Brown and I were friends that she let me off when I acted up. I remember pulling the chair out from underneath my friend Justin and he fell to the floor. I was sent to the principle's office for that one. She was also one of the first to notice my A.D.D. kicking in around April and I would be in la la land until the last day of school. Of course back then we weren't administered medication for this we were administered the concept of "work harder or get left behind".
Six years later my little brother also had Ms. Brown as his first grade teacher. Will would always miss his family during school so mom gave him a picture of all of us to carry around. One day they were on a bathroom break and he was carrying that picture around with him, and Ms. Brown asked him "Will, do you want me to hold your picture for you while you go to the restroom". With typical Childress fashion Will responded "No maim' Ms. Brown I have an extra hand".
Later on when I was in high school and involved in choirs I had the pleasure of singing a duet with Ms. Brown in our churches Christmas play. We walked down the aisle singing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland". My most memorable memory of Ms. Brown wasn't at her house in the summer or any of my first grade experiences, but my senior year at Millington. I received a graduation present from her that made my heart skip a beat when I opened it. She had saved a letter I had written when I was in first grade on the old wide rule paper that read "I luv Ms. Brown. I luv to read and write. I like dogs to." It wasn't a master piece but the fact that she had saved that letter for twelve years and presented it to me at my graduation was one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. I am blessed to have people like Ms. Brown in my life, and I'm sure you have your Ms. Browns to. Let them know how much you love and appreciate everything they've ever done for you.
-Steve Childress
A Firefighter's Christmas
Growing up we didn't have a routine Christmas tradition with the immediate family due to my dad's work schedule. My dad has been a City of Memphis Firefighter for nearly 26 years now. Having a firefighter as a dad was pretty much like having a whole other family. There's a sense of camaraderie with firefighters where we all knew each other and kept up with each others families. My dad not only loves his job but has developed a real passion for helping others through the fire department.
If you are unfamiliar with a firefighters schedule I will enlighten you. A typical firefighter will work 24hrs on and 24hrs off for 4 consecutive days then have 4 consecutive days off. So planning holidays around this kind of schedule was never really difficult as long as everyone was flexible to understand the reasons behind it.
There have been many a Christmas mourn when mom and dad would wake my brother and me up at 4:00 in the mourning so we can celebrate Christmas as a family before dad had to leave for the station at 6:00am. My brother and I never had a problem with this because number one, we get to see what Santa brought us, and number two we knew Christmas without dad wouldn't be complete. It was a little painful however when dad was getting off work on Christmas day and we had to wait till he got home at 8:00am to open presents. Still the same principles applied.
As my brother and I got older and moved into different stages of life dad did as well by following a tradition of veteran leadership with in the fire department. Dad started covering morning shifts for the younger firefighters with young kids so they can enjoy their family Christmas. I admire that in a firefighter and I especially know these younger privates appreciate it as well. My dad always made plenty of time for his family given his profession. I can honestly say that my dad has always been there for me. The sacrifices my family made to be together when I was child made such an impact on me that I have adopted the same to spend every moment I can with my young family.
This Christmas I want you to think about your local firefighters and police as they serve and protect so you can enjoy your family Christmas. One of the benefits working on Christmas day at the fire department was the out pouring of the community bringing small gifts and food to their local stations. When family couldn't be present, the community was.
Merry Christmas,
-Steve Childress
If you are unfamiliar with a firefighters schedule I will enlighten you. A typical firefighter will work 24hrs on and 24hrs off for 4 consecutive days then have 4 consecutive days off. So planning holidays around this kind of schedule was never really difficult as long as everyone was flexible to understand the reasons behind it.
There have been many a Christmas mourn when mom and dad would wake my brother and me up at 4:00 in the mourning so we can celebrate Christmas as a family before dad had to leave for the station at 6:00am. My brother and I never had a problem with this because number one, we get to see what Santa brought us, and number two we knew Christmas without dad wouldn't be complete. It was a little painful however when dad was getting off work on Christmas day and we had to wait till he got home at 8:00am to open presents. Still the same principles applied.
As my brother and I got older and moved into different stages of life dad did as well by following a tradition of veteran leadership with in the fire department. Dad started covering morning shifts for the younger firefighters with young kids so they can enjoy their family Christmas. I admire that in a firefighter and I especially know these younger privates appreciate it as well. My dad always made plenty of time for his family given his profession. I can honestly say that my dad has always been there for me. The sacrifices my family made to be together when I was child made such an impact on me that I have adopted the same to spend every moment I can with my young family.
This Christmas I want you to think about your local firefighters and police as they serve and protect so you can enjoy your family Christmas. One of the benefits working on Christmas day at the fire department was the out pouring of the community bringing small gifts and food to their local stations. When family couldn't be present, the community was.
Merry Christmas,
-Steve Childress
Emmanuel, God with Us!
This is a special article for me ,but bare with me as I stray from the norm and discuss what is truly important to me this season. Christmas has a meaning for every person. Christmas can mean a time with family, childhood magic, Santa Clause, and presents. It can also bring grief in the loss of a loved one, stress of providing a Christmas for your kids, debt, and in a lot of cases loneliness. I want to take advantage of this platform I've been given and simply share the "True Meaning" of Christmas. The best way I can tell this story is straight from the book of Luke.
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married him and was expecting a child. While they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest." NIV Luke 2:1-14
Max Lucado directed a movie called "The Christmas Child" that had one of the best meanings of Christmas I had ever heard. Every year at this time we gather as friends and family. We remember who we are, what we have, and what we've lost. Christmas is so much more than a touching story or some nostalgic holiday fairy tale. It is in fact a reminder of the most amazing reality. That God came, and God spoke. Peace on earth God is with us. And the God who spoke still speaks and the God who came still comes. This is the true miracle of Christmas. As we go through this real world and our real lives full of problems and questions, past hurts, and future hopes. God is with us.
God is with you. He is the hope you are looking for. God sent his son Jesus so that we might be forgiven for our sins and by accepting Him and believing that He came, He died, and He rose again you can have a place in heaven for all eternity. I can't imagine heaven without you. Will you accept God's gift today?
In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. And everyone went to his own town to register. So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David. He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married him and was expecting a child. While they were there the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him cloths and placed him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby,keeping watch over their flocks by night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel praising God and saying "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rest." NIV Luke 2:1-14
Max Lucado directed a movie called "The Christmas Child" that had one of the best meanings of Christmas I had ever heard. Every year at this time we gather as friends and family. We remember who we are, what we have, and what we've lost. Christmas is so much more than a touching story or some nostalgic holiday fairy tale. It is in fact a reminder of the most amazing reality. That God came, and God spoke. Peace on earth God is with us. And the God who spoke still speaks and the God who came still comes. This is the true miracle of Christmas. As we go through this real world and our real lives full of problems and questions, past hurts, and future hopes. God is with us.
God is with you. He is the hope you are looking for. God sent his son Jesus so that we might be forgiven for our sins and by accepting Him and believing that He came, He died, and He rose again you can have a place in heaven for all eternity. I can't imagine heaven without you. Will you accept God's gift today?
The Christmas Box
One of my favorite Christmas memories involved my big imagination and the endless possibilities of a particular present. I tell this story so much my wife just rolls her eyes every time I start out with "One Christmas I...." and she always knows whats going to follow.
When you are 8 years old you have a huge imagination, and mine was no different. Mike, Stevie, and I were always playing some kind of war games or reenactment. A piece of PVC pipe would become a semi-automatic rifle, a big piece of PVC would become a rocket launcher. We could find any object and find some kind of military use for it. That Christmas I had my mind set that I needed a big cardboard box. I wasn't talking about a grocery box I wanted a refrigerator size box. A box of this size could be transformed into a variety of military uses such as a tank, command center, jet, or submarine. The possibilities were endless. I wrote my letter to Santa explaining what I wanted, sat on his lap at the Enchanted Forest (because everyone knew that was the real Santa), and after questionable looks from Santa and my parents my point had been made.
Christmas morning arrived and as usual my brother and I ran into the living room to see what Santa had brought. There against the wall stood the tallest box I had ever seen. To an 8 year old it appeared to be as tall as the tree but of course it wasn't. I felt around the sturdy walls of cardboard and even though I couldn't see over the top I could only imagine how much space was inside. The box was perfect! I stood back and my imagination kicked in full gear of all of the adventures I could have in this wonderful gift before me. In my moment of happiness something caught my attention. I noticed my little brother playing with all of the toys Santa had brought him. I'm not sure how Santa brought you gifts but he always left ours unwrapped for us to see when we first got up. Will is having a blast playing with his new firetruck and the rest of the toys he had pulled around him. I started looking around for the toys that I thought Santa had brought me and there were none to be found. I walked around my big box thinking they might been behind it but nothing was there. My heart sank and I felt a lump develop in my throat thinking surely this isn't all I got from Santa? My mind was racing as I thought about what else I had asked for and I was drawing blanks. I was so focused on my big box that it consumed me to the point that I never mentioned any other toys.
By this time mom and had crawled out of bed to begin our family Christmas. My dad saw the disappointment in my already watered eyes. He asked if everything was ok and I explained to him about my giant dilemma. He confirmed that the box is what I had asked for where I sheepishly replied "yes sir". My dad gave me hug, picked me up, and walked me over to the box. There inside the box was a mountain of toys from Santa to me. I learned a valuable lesson that Christmas that still relates to life today. We can be so focused on our plans and goals that we can easily miss the blessings we encounter along the way.
Merry Christmas.
-Steve Childress
When you are 8 years old you have a huge imagination, and mine was no different. Mike, Stevie, and I were always playing some kind of war games or reenactment. A piece of PVC pipe would become a semi-automatic rifle, a big piece of PVC would become a rocket launcher. We could find any object and find some kind of military use for it. That Christmas I had my mind set that I needed a big cardboard box. I wasn't talking about a grocery box I wanted a refrigerator size box. A box of this size could be transformed into a variety of military uses such as a tank, command center, jet, or submarine. The possibilities were endless. I wrote my letter to Santa explaining what I wanted, sat on his lap at the Enchanted Forest (because everyone knew that was the real Santa), and after questionable looks from Santa and my parents my point had been made.
Christmas morning arrived and as usual my brother and I ran into the living room to see what Santa had brought. There against the wall stood the tallest box I had ever seen. To an 8 year old it appeared to be as tall as the tree but of course it wasn't. I felt around the sturdy walls of cardboard and even though I couldn't see over the top I could only imagine how much space was inside. The box was perfect! I stood back and my imagination kicked in full gear of all of the adventures I could have in this wonderful gift before me. In my moment of happiness something caught my attention. I noticed my little brother playing with all of the toys Santa had brought him. I'm not sure how Santa brought you gifts but he always left ours unwrapped for us to see when we first got up. Will is having a blast playing with his new firetruck and the rest of the toys he had pulled around him. I started looking around for the toys that I thought Santa had brought me and there were none to be found. I walked around my big box thinking they might been behind it but nothing was there. My heart sank and I felt a lump develop in my throat thinking surely this isn't all I got from Santa? My mind was racing as I thought about what else I had asked for and I was drawing blanks. I was so focused on my big box that it consumed me to the point that I never mentioned any other toys.
By this time mom and had crawled out of bed to begin our family Christmas. My dad saw the disappointment in my already watered eyes. He asked if everything was ok and I explained to him about my giant dilemma. He confirmed that the box is what I had asked for where I sheepishly replied "yes sir". My dad gave me hug, picked me up, and walked me over to the box. There inside the box was a mountain of toys from Santa to me. I learned a valuable lesson that Christmas that still relates to life today. We can be so focused on our plans and goals that we can easily miss the blessings we encounter along the way.
Merry Christmas.
-Steve Childress
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