MORE PHOTOS: Children's activities at Turn Off the Violence Day

MORE PHOTOS from the West Marching Band at Turn Off the Violence Day

Here are some photos of the West Marching Band.

MORE PHOTOS from the Turn Off the Violence Day

Various vendors, including Beaumont and Shwedel Dental, manned booths at the Turn Off the Violence Day, which is aimed at giving Taylor families free entertainment, food and health care information.

WEST MUSIC DEPARTMENT heads up Turn Off the Violence Day celebration

If you weren't at Heritage Park September 22, you missed out on some great entertainment, food and plenty of healthy fun during the annual Turn Off the Violence Day celebration. And it was free.

This year's event took on a slightly different twist, as the Rotary Club of Taylor combined with Beaumont's Healthy Taylor program. The combination resulted in a bigger and better event.

"I thought it was very impressive," Mayor Rick Sollars said. "Huge crowd, great weather and tons of activities, entertainment, information and food. This is the type of event that can get nothing but better."

West Middle School's music department again anchored the entertainment, with several different chorus groups and the marching band all performing various songs. The onlookers packed the Sheridan Center Open Air Pavilion.

Later, a puppet show and face painting was available.

The center and sides of the floor plan were dominated by various groups and organizations devoted to health, activity and safety. Included were Identification cards stations and actual health screenings.

The south end was the food line, where Rotary members feed the crowd a great dinner.

Outside of the pavilion, more games were held, as were demonstrations by the Taylor Fire and Police. A walk was held late in the event.

Beaumont's Healthy Taylor Passport program was a huge success with the children and families attending, as they took their "passports" from one station to another. Along the way, they learned plenty about health and nutrition.

TURN OFF THE VIOLENCE DAY takes a different slant

The annual "Turn Off the Violence Day" is taking on a little different twist this year.

Beaumont's Healthy Taylor and The Rotary Club of Taylor will present "Turn Off the Violence: Turn on Health" from 4-7 p.m. Thursday, September 22 at the Sheridan Open Air Pavilion in Heritage Par, 12111 Pardee.

The event is free and includes a picnic lunch. Activities will include a performance by the West Middle School Band, face painting, bouncy houses, demonstrations by the Taylor Police and Taylor Fire departments -- and lots of physical activities like Zumba, soccer, hula hoops, guessing games and more.

Anyone attending should plan to play and dress accordingly.

Prizes will be involved for children who get their "activities passport" stamped. Plan on hearing more about the activities passport program at the event.

Best parking will be available in the Pardee Street lot, west of the Sheridan Center.

TOMMIE SAYLOR: Death in the 'family' touches all

“We few, we happy few, we band of brothers; for he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.”

William Shakespeare, Henry V

By Tommie Saylor

Kennedy High School Principal

On September 8, a member of the greatest generation slipped through our grasp and into eternity. 

Though I did not have the honor of getting to know Clark W. Bennett, I have had the pleaser of getting to know his son, Randy. If the old adage is true, that “the apple does not fall far from the tree”, then Clark Bennett must have been an amazing mad,

In conversations with Randy, I learned that Clark Bennett joined the U.S. Navy at a very young age (17) to serve his country during the World War II.  Randy went on to tell me that his father was the strongest man he had ever know, and seeing the light in his eye and the crooked smile on his face, affirmed the sincerity of his statement. 

Clark Bennett must have indeed been an amazing man to raise such an astonishing person.  Following his father’s lead in a legacy of service, Randy joined and served 20-plus years in the Army, earning the highly elusive rank of First Sergeant (1SG).  After leaving the Army, Randy continued to serve his country by becoming a teacher, endeavoring to pass his father’s strength and wisdom to his students. 

Though I have never had the pleasure of seeing Clark Bennett in action, I have witnessed Randy spin his web of knowledge among his students.  Though he would never say it out loud, he loves his students, as evidenced by the passion in which he teaches and the gleam upon his face when standing before those who hunger to learn.

I have said it over and over again: At Kennedy, we are a family.  When one of us hurts, we all feel the pain.  Though we cannot imagine how Randy must feel, our collective hearts ache for his loss. Our collective shoulders stand at the ready.

Be strong, my brother.

Helping students to find their greatness. Making Kennedy the school of choice. Excellence by design.

HOOVER MIDDLE SCHOOL: Mexican independence a big hit

Ms. Evans World Language class celebrated at Hoover Middle School with a “Mexican Independence Day Fiesta,” on September 16. Eating quesadillas, frijoles, and salsa, dancing the Mexican Hat Dance, playing Lotería  (Mexican bingo) were all part of the celebration.