“There is nothing so simple that it cannot be made difficult.”
– Merle P. Martin
Heard on the town
CONGRATULATIONS to the Chattanooga Bombers, a basketball team that competes in Senior Olympic games, who were undefeated in the recent championship games held in Franklin, Tenn.
According to team member Don Meyer, it’s the team’s fifth championship title in six years. Team members Clarence Shattuck, Henry Jacks, Charlie Rogers and Meyer range in ages 75 to 77. They play on a three-man team, so with four players, they have only one alternate, Meyer said.
In a shooting contest also held at the event, Shattuck received a gold medal in the 3-point shootout and got a silver medal in the “hot-shot” category where you shoot from six spots getting one minute to shoot per spot.
Shattuck, a Hamilton County Sessions Court judge, also got a black eye, thanks to Meyer.
“My elbow happened to land in his eye,” Meyer said. “I had a rebound and a short fellow tried to steal it from me so I jerked and my elbow went right into the judge’s eye.”
Minutes later, the judge was sporting a seriously swollen black eye.
Shattuck said he has had fun explaining to colleagues and friends that he got the black eye in “court.”
Meyer said the men’s basketball history dates back to childhood.
“We all love basketball,” he said. “I guess I love it as much now as I did in high school, but, obviously, age is a factor nowadays. We’ve all had some health issues. I’ve had knee problems, sore shoulders; Clarence has Achilles’ heel; Jack has had open-heart surgery, and Charlie has a stint in his heart.”
Several years ago, one of their teammates died during practice, Meyer said.
“His name was Bill Chadwick and he was a good player. During practice, he laid right down on the floor and died, but I guarantee you, he loved what he was doing.”
The Bombers will represent Tennessee in the Senior Olympic national championship games to be held in Houston, Texas, in 2011, Meyer said.
Meanwhile, the dedicated athletes will continue playing in local games and practicing on a regular basis.
“I’m afraid to quit now,” Meyer said. “I don’t won’t to quit in my prime.”
Ear to the ground
THE CHATTANOOGA Ronald McDonald House Charities is hosting “It’s a Rockin’ Auction Online” today through Aug. 23. The goal is to raise $80,000 to help support families with critically ill and injured children who rely on the services of Ronald McDonald House Charities, said Chinyere Ubamadu in a news release.
The online auction features more than 300 items including University of Tennessee -University of Florida football game tickets; Tennessee Titans-Pittsburgh Steelers football game tickets and field passes; beach trips to Panama City; golf trips to Arizona; autographed Taylor Swift and Lady Antebellum country music memorabilia; children’s activities, and more.
The items can be viewed at the auction site: rmhchattanooga.com.
“All items have been generously donated by area businesses and individuals,” Ms. Ubamadu said.
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga was established in 1990 to provide a home away from home each year for approximately 600 families of critically injured and seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals in Chattanooga.
E-mail Karen Nazor Hill at khill@timesfreepress.com. Submitted photographs will not be returned.