STOP OSTEOPOROSIS SPECIAL: 7th Annual Train Ride
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Osteoporosis, which affects one of every two women, and one in five men, is a health priority of Georgia Commission on Women, and the primary focus of Georgia Osteoporosis Initiative, co-sponsors of the 7th Annual "Stop Osteoporosis Special" Train in observance of May as National Osteoporosis Month. The event originated in Summerville, which was the destination of the first SOS train in 2001, which ran from Chattanooga to Summerville. The first trip created so much interest that it has been replicated in virtually every region of Georgia, and resulted in osteoporosis screening programs reaching more than 60,000 Georgians. The Initiative also reached across the country with award winning programs for national organizations. |  View Photos >> |
Randall Magnusson, President and CEO of Chattooga and Chickamauga Railway, furnished the train, crew and equipment for the Stop Osteoporosis Special. Local arrangements in Summerville were made by City Manager Grady McCalmon and State Representative Barbara Reece. Richard Barclift, Events Manager for the City of Chickamauga, coordinated logistics and activities for that city. State Senator Jeff Mullis was official host for the Chickamauga event.
The SOS train, with nearly 300 passengers aboard, left Summerville at 9:30 a.m., returning there at 5:00 p.m., after travelling through the Chickamauga Battlefield at Ft. Oglethorpe, then back to Chickamauga where passengers de-trained to visit the museum and downtown shops, have lunch and enjoy entertainment set up outside the depot. Among those entertaining were Gary, Beth and Seth Duke who performed classic railroad songs, including "Life's Railway to Heaven" in honor of their grandfathers, Engineer John Henry Horton and Conductor Ed Duke, both of whom worked on the Central of Georgia Railway in that area. Clark Atlanta University's Dr. Belinda Oliver sang "What the World Needs Now" solo, then accompanied other performers. Cricket Allen, keyboard and soloist, and Dr. Ren Halverson on the guitar, performed jazz, rock and blues numbers. Ms. Allen invited passengers from the Carrie Steele Pitts Children's Home in Atlanta, to join her in a very special rendition of "The Hokey Pokey", which delighted the audience. Mimi Gentry Altree sang Hank Williams' "Your Cheatin Heart", then joined with the other performers as they improvised a varied program.
Paul Purcell, Private Investigator and Preparedness Expert, author of "Disaster Prep 101", presented information relevant to the Safe Georgia theme: Prepare, Prevent, Protect! Dr. Ren Halverson and Jasper Watts of Brunswick, Safe Georgia volunteers and expert trainers in defensive tactics, demonstrated several self defense techniques. On board the train, Paul Puckett, of Rome, recent inductee into Country Music Hall of Fame, visited each passenger car, playing the guitar, singing and engaging guests to "sing along", covering every genre from country, to rock 'n roll, to Elvis and gospel. Puckett, Dr. Oliver, Dr. Halverson and Cricket Allen performed at Dowdy Park upon the return to Summerville.
Upon their return to Summerville, passengers were invited to a Health Fair in Dowdy Park, where there were educational exhibits and screenings for osteoporosis, hypertension, Parkinsons, kidney disease and nutrition. Family Connection, Chattooga Health Department, Red Cross, Chattooga 4-H, Harbin Clinic, Women's Policy Group, Chattooga High School Health Occupations and Chattooga High Jobs for Georgia Graduates, all had activities or exhibits. To complete the event, Nellie Duke, Chair of Georgia Commission on Women and the Georgia Osteoporosis Initiative, had the honor of "turning the train around" on the historic railway turntable.