Osteoporosis Ride

On Saturday May 10th, at 9:30 a.m., the Stop Osteoporosis Special train will leave the Summerville depot on the Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway with 300 passengers aboard. The passenger list will include members of the sponsoring organizations, Georgia Commission on Women and Georgia Osteoporosis Initiative, along with legislators and other elected officials, health advocates, volunteers and invited guests. This trip will be similar to the first, held in 2001, when the train originated in Chattanooga with Summerville as the destination. After traveling north through Chickamauga Battlefield, the train will reverse itself to Chickamauga where there will be entertainment, safety demonstrations and health screenings at the railroad station. After lunch, the train will head south with "whistle stops" in LaFayette and Trion, before arriving in Summerville for more entertainment, health screenings, exhibits and safety demonstrations.

May is National Osteoporosis Month. In addition to SOS, for osteoporosis, the train event's theme will be "Safe Georgia; Prepare, Prevent, Protect! ", addressing and teaching appropriate response to personal attack, preparedness and prevention of natural and manmade disasters. Among the safety experts "on board" are Paul Purcell, Private Investigator, Co-Owner of InfoQuest, Inc and author of the comprehensive preparedness manual Disaster Prep 101, Dr Ren Halverson of Brunswick, Georgia, developer of the Fearless Defense personal safety system, and his associate, Jasper Watts.

Entertainers confirmed so far include Paul Purcell, recent inductee into Atlanta Country Music Hall of Fame who will perform country and rock; Gary and Beth Duke, who will sing railway classics, and Dr Ren Halverson and friends, who perform in several genres. Others are invited, but not yet confirmed. Reservations are required to ride the train, and a few are still available. To make reservations, call 404-657-9260 (the Commission on Women), 770-832-7095 or e-mail either: Jessica Jones at gacommission_women@hotmail.com or duke7095@comcast.net (Nellie Duke) or, in Rome, Sharon Baker, 706-234-8483 ( baker8483@comcast.net) .

Local arrangements are being made by Grady McCalmon, Summerville City Manager and State Representative Barbara Massey Reece, with the train ride coordinated by Randall Magnusson, President of Chattooga & Chickamauga Railway. Commission on Women Chair Nellie Duke will participate in the ceremonial "turnaround" of the engine on the historic turntable celebrating its five year anniversary, when it returns to Summerville.

Volunteer opportunities are available for those in the field of health or safety who would like to ride, exhibit and/or screen

either on the train, or at Chickamauga or Summerville. There is no charge, and the public is welcome. The only requirement is that provided services be free to the recipient. It is a great way to educate the public, create awareness and good public relations.

On Friday, May 9th, Georgia Commission on Women will hold a Public Hearing at Chattooga County Court House in Summerville, from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m., hearing testimony from women in northwest Georgia about those issues which concern them. Since 1993, the Commission has conducted hearings throughout Georgia, to assist in determining program and priorities. Their Mission is " to elevate the health, education,economic, social and legal status of women in Georgia."

Nellie D. Duke, of Carrollton, formerly of Rome and Summerville, serves as Commission Chair, and will preside at the Hearing, which will be recorded by a court reporter. Other commissioners will be present to hear the testimony. Area legislators will be invited to observe the proceedings, which are open to the public.

For more information, see the City of Summerville website or local papers and radio.