The Jackson Sun from Jackson, Tennessee • 8

8A JACKSON, TENN. FRIDAY, JANUARY 17, 1992 9 AlBClDAffiDD West Tennessee Diary By Mary Pat Rowland Sun reporter a mm 1 1 -1 r1 lJ "-T e. 1 I.niiiii 1' t. rr Photos courtesy of Great American Train Show Model trains offer a look at a bygone time in American history smoke-belching steam engines running on a silvery web of steel when countless small towns across the nation were linked by rails. Model railroading draws lots of enthusiasts By Erica Berry Sun reporter r-fyyc Center aids Stanton man If you've got the winter doldrums and need a little inspiration, tune in to WLJT-TV, Channel ll's "Friends" program at 2 p.m.

Sunday. Via the magic of television you'll get to meet Tommy Arendale, a young man from Stanton whose life has been changed by Lambuth University's Special Technology Access Resource (STAR) Center. Diagnosed as mentally retarded years ago, Arendale spent years in special education classes geared for the retarded. But when Lee Goodner met him over a year ago, he realized right away that retardation wasn't Arend ale's problem. "He had severe dyslexia, still does, but he's made tremendous progress," said Goodner, West Tennessee coordinator of high technology training at the STAR Center.

Arendale now has a job and is beginning to learn to read. He is just one of 4,000 clients served by the STAR Center last year. Begun in 1988, the center serves disabled children and adults as a demonstration hub for special computers that will help them communicate or that will aid in rehabilitation. "I've been to many schools and other places that help people, but this place is doing something really special," said Pam Copeland, WLJT's director of educational services and underwriting. She visited the center for the filming of the special segment "The people who work there and the volunteers who help are just wonderful, but what made the biggest impression on me are the clients who are struggling to better themselves," said Copeland.

"This is work for them, and I'm glad the center's there to be able to help them." Goodner, featured in the segment along with Arendale, center director Margaret Doumitt and others, said the center is always in need of more volunteers to do such things as Tiling and getting the word out in the community about the center. If you watch the segment and want to find out more about the STAR Center, you may call 1-800-464-5619 anytime between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. In the process Children take things so literally, sometimes.

Mabel Meriwether of Jackson can attest to that Meriwether tells the story about eating lunch with her 5Vi-year-old granddaughter, Jennifer. Meriwether calls her "Jenna" for short Anyway, they were going to eat on the patio at Meriwether's house. While getting to the patio table, Mrs. Meriwether's German shepherd dog thought he was going to have some lunch, too, and kept jumping up to see what Grandma and granddaughter were going to have. Meriwether told Jennifer to hold up her peanut butter-and-jelly sandwich or the dog "is going to get it and bite you in the process." The next thing Meriwether knew, Jennifer was looking down at her arms and legs.

Finally the little girl looked up and said, "'Grandma, where is my "I just about died laughing," Meriwether said. We were wondering Have you ever coaxed your child to sing, dance, recite a poem or otherwise "perform" in front of house-guests only to regret it later? Many a proud mom or dad has yielded to the impulse to show off their baby genius, only to have the little darling flub the words, throw a tantrum, pick her nose or decide to show the visitors her new underpants. If that's happened to you (or you ever did it to YOUR parents), share it with Sun senior writer Delorcs Ballard. Call 427-3333, Ext 141, or toll-free 1-800-372-3922. You also may write her at 245 W.

Lafayette, Jackson, 38302. Mountainous country terrain is a favorite among many model train enthusiasts. These layouts can be seen at the Great American Train Show in Nashville. road has continued to grow. He estimates that he spends a year on railroad equipment "I like it enough to the point where I don't have any time or money for other hobby pursuits," said Hultman, who spends 10-20 hours a week working on his railroad.

"The fascination of railroading just bit me, and I haven't gotten over it yet" The hobby is growing among women in the club, too, but remains male-dominated, Hultman said. Part of the appeal of building model railroads is that people are fascinated with the mechanical and with trains in general, he said. "For some people, it sparks the memories of yesteryear when they went to see relatives by passenger trains," Hultman said. Carol Prince, store manager at The Games Store in Nashville, said so many people are fascinated with trains because it's interesting to see the train move in different patterns along the tracks. "They can move in the form of a figure eight circular, oval, go through a tunnel or over a bridge," said Prince, whose 6-year-old son Mitchell started collecting train equipment more than a year ago.

Smythe said he knows people who are so engulfed in making model railroads that they have cut out places in their walls, so they can run the railroad from one room to another. "It's not something you can build today and tear down tomorrow," Smythe said. "There are always things you can do to enlarge it or improve it" Jack Smythe says it's the intricacy of the layout, the electrical wiring, the painted cars and the beautiful scenery. Bob Hultman says it's the tracks, the industrial plants, the hills and lakes that create an attractive landscape. "It's the challenge of building something and seeing it work," Smythe said.

"When you build one and get started, it never ends." Smythe and Hultman have been active in building model railroads for more than 30 years and say these are the ingredients that keep the hobby interesting and worthy of their time. One event that's keeping their interest in model railroads at its peak is the Great American Train Show. The show will come to Nashville's Municipal Auditorium for the third straight year Jan. 25-26 and officials say more than 10,000 model trains will be on display and for sale. The show will feature more than five operating model train displays as well as 250 tables of model trains, said Randy Bachman, the show's manager.

Thousands of people have come to the shows in all regions of the United States over the years, Bachman said. He attributes the appeal of trains and model railroads to their changeability and people's fascination with mechanical things. "People can create their own little world in the basement" Bachman said. "It's that fascination with building something in miniature that's ani- SHOW TIMES The Great American Train Show, which bills itself as the nation's largest traveling model train show, will be held Jan. 25-26 at Nashville Municipal Auditorium, 417 Fourth Ave.

North. Times for the show will be 1 to 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets cost $4.50 per adult. Children under age 12 get In free with an adult ing signals or lights and creating their own landscapes, Ehni said. "It allows you to express your creativity in a large variety of ways," said Ehni, who's been collecting parts for his model railroad for the past 30 years. "You get to let your imagination run wild." Some teenagers who come to Ehni's Nashville Depot are avid collectors. For a while, computer games had the attention of teenagers, but now trains are becoming more appealing, Ehni said.

Hultman, 44, a member of the Nashville-based Cumberland Valley Model Railroaders, and several members of his group will assemble a modular model railroad at the show. When the show first came to Nashville in 1990, the group won a $300 prize for a railroad they built. Hultman's fascination with trains began at age 5 when he received a toy train set for Christmas. From that point on, his fascination with the rail mated and not limited." Nashville hobby store owner Brian Ehni says he has between 300-400 regular customers who buy train set basics and accessories. His customers are men and women who range from teenagers to retired persons, Ehni said.

Many model railroad collectors enjoy painting train cars, wiring cross YMCA helps take load off back By Tracy Courage Sun reporter Beginning March 9, The YMCA of Jackson will offer a six-week seminar called "The Y's Way to a Healthy Back." The class will meet twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. Participants may attend either the 11 a.m. or 5 p.m. class. The cost is $30 for members and $60 for non-members.

Other upcoming mini-lectures include a stress management class on Jan. 21 and a Freedom from Smoking Clinic sponsored by the American Lung Association on Jan. 30. The classes will be offered at noon and at 5:30 p.m. At the back seminar Thursday, Rose talked with participants about their back problems and demonstrated back exercises.

For more information about YMCA programs, contact Rose at 424-0912. The human back is a sore spot for the many people suffering from persistent back pain. Fortunately, back pain can be lessened through proper diet exercise and correct posture, according to Maria Rose, senior program director at the Jackson YMCA. Much of what we do in our daily routine either helps us or hurts us how we stand, the way we sit what we eat whether and how we exercise, how we respond to stress, even what shoes we wear, she said. A handful of people attended a free, 30-minute program on "Ways to a Healthy Back" Thursday at the YMCA in Jackson.

Actor faces charges in death of woman ROCKVILLE, Md. (AP) Actor Phill Lewis, who stars in the TV comedy "Teech," has been charged with homicide in an automobile accident that killed a woman last month. Lewis was driving a car Dec. 28 that crossed the center line of a Bethesda road and collided with another vehicle. The other driver, 21-year-old Isabel Duarte, was killed.

The actor was indicted Thursday and will plead innocent, said his lawyer, Barry Hcfland. Lewis, 23, was charged with vehicular manslaughter, homicide with a motor vehicle and driving while intoxicated. The charges carry a maximum 16 years in prison. Hcfland said police told him Lewis' blood-alcohol level at the time of the crash was at least 0.29 percent, nearly triple the state's legal limit of 0.10 percent CBS has suspended production of, but hasn't canceled, the scries in which Lewis plays Teech Gibson, a black music teacher at an exclusive, all-white boarding school for boys. Rocker Crosby continues acting career LOS ANGELES (AP) Rocker David Crosby, who has a small role in the movie "Hook," continues his acting efforts with a guest appearance on Tuesday's episode of "Roseanne." Crosby teams up with another musician, playing the husband of Bonnie Sheridan, who makes a guest appearance as a waitress on the ABC comedy.

Miss Sheridan was with the 1960s group Dclany Bonnie Friends, which also featured Eric Clapton. Crosby, of Crosby, Stills and Nash, was also a member of the 1960s rock group the Byrds. TIPS FOR HEALTHY BACK AMEN CORNER The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights In his way. Psalm 37:23 YMCA literature offers these tips for maintaining a pain-free back: Exercise regularly. This helps strengthen and condition the muscles that support the back.

Develop strong abdominal muscles. These muscles provide support for the lower region of the spine. When standing, keep your back comfortably straight, your legs slightly flexed, and your buttocks tucked under. If you must stand in one spot for long periods of time, put one foot on a stool or large book to relieve back stress. Bend with your knees when you lift anything from the floor.

Hold heavy objects close to your body when lifting and carrying. If you sit a lot on the Job, be sure your chair provides proper support for your lower back. Knees should be slightly higher than the hips. Minimize back strain while driving by adjusting your car seat far enough forward so that you don't have to stretch to reach the wheel and gas pedal. When you carry groceries or luggage, distribute the load evenly between two small or medium-sized bags, Instead of carrying everything In one big posture-distorting bag.

Maintain your Ideal weight to avoid a potbelly, which distorts posture and strains back muscles. Eat a balanced diet Calclum-rlch, low-fat foods decrease your chance of developing osteoporosis, a bone-weakening condition that can affect middle-aged and older people. TO CALL THE EDITOR Family Editor Bob NcM cm rucnad by calling 42 3333, EiL 189. Regional editor Carta Johnson Kimbrough can ba nadwd it 427-3333, int. 187.

Metro Editor Diana Bra-num cm be machod at 427-3333, Ext 171. Reader Servk Editor Michael Mercer at 427-3333, Ent 188. In Wt Tenneue outside Madaon County, ruder can call toll-free.