Nancy Bartley of Hixson stands with her husband, Byron, and her Great Dane service dog, Riley, after enjoying a couple of water-ski runs Saturday at Possum Creek. / Staff photo by Ron Bush
The Sports, Arts and Recreation of Chattanooga organization is ending its longstanding and popular Third Saturday in July tradition, but only the date. The annual watersports day for the disabled at the First Lutheran Church Camp at Possum Creek isn’t going anywhere except on the calendar.
The 28th edition will be on Aug. 10, 2019.
What may be the last time in July was, as usual, a great time for the 210 or so who attended as participants and volunteers. And it was a memorable first time for Nancy Bartley of Hixson, Hixson High graduate Cecil Williams, Army veteran Johnnie Jayroe and others.
“I had more than a good time. I had a great time,” said Williams, 34, who was injured in a car accident in May 2003 and has cerebellar ataxia, which causes coordination issues that eventually cost him his old job. He still drives and takes care of himself, and he works part time, but he was approved for disability benefits in 2010.
Recently he’s made a commitment to be more active. He got involved in SPARC’s adaptive cycling program a few months ago, and through that he learned about the watersports day.