Friends gather for community center dedication and for return of the Italy Opry

Image: Cutting the ceremonial ribbon to dedicate the new Italy Community Center. (L-R) Greg Richards, Dennis Perkins, Mayor Frank Jackson, Elmerine Bell, Manuella Barton, Joyce Hobbs (Who did the cutting honors), Terri Murdock, Sergeant Tierra Mooney, Sue Lauhoff, Clarice Crocker, Tom Little, Officer Shelbee Landon, James Hobbs and Rhonda Cockerham. Also, taking a peek on the far right are London and Haidyn.

Cutting the ceremonial ribbon to dedicate the new Italy Community Center. (L-R) Greg Richards, Dennis Perkins, Mayor Frank Jackson, Elmerine Bell, Manuella Barton, Joyce Hobbs (Who did the cutting honors), Terri Murdock, Sergeant Tierra Mooney, Sue Lauhoff, Clarice Crocker, Tom Little, Officer Shelbee Landon, James Hobbs and Rhonda Cockerham. Also, taking a peek on the far right are London and Haidyn. (Barry Byers)

Image: Kay Chambers, Jenna Chambers (grandmother and mother) take direction from Jenna’s daughter, Morgan Chambers, who who is temporarily overseeing the chow line.

Kay Chambers, Jenna Chambers (grandmother and mother) take direction from Jenna’s daughter, Morgan Chambers, who who is temporarily overseeing the chow line. (Barry Byers)

Image: Terri Murdock, Mini Mayor Easton and Mayor Frank Jackson.

Terri Murdock, Mini Mayor Easton and Mayor Frank Jackson. (Barry Byers)

Image: Drummer Damien Fira does an excellent job filling in for David Daniels.

Drummer Damien Fira does an excellent job filling in for David Daniels. (Barry Byers)

Image: Robert Stedman on lead guitar and vocals.

Robert Stedman on lead guitar and vocals. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ray Lowry strummin’ the base guitar.

Ray Lowry strummin’ the base guitar. (Barry Byers)

Image: Joe Bradley doing what he does best, and that’s looking handsome. His next best skill is playing lead guitar and vocals for the newly forming Good Timers Band. Joe was one of the original members of the Italy City Limits Band that originally banded together in the 80s.

Joe Bradley doing what he does best, and that’s looking handsome. His next best skill is playing lead guitar and vocals for the newly forming Good Timers Band. Joe was one of the original members of the Italy City Limits Band that originally banded together in the 80s. (Barry Byers)

Image: Ray Lowry is at one with his guitar during a pause between sets.

Ray Lowry is at one with his guitar during a pause between sets. (Barry Byers)

Image: The audience makes their way into the newly dedicated Italy Community Center.

The audience makes their way into the newly dedicated Italy Community Center. (Barry Byers)

Image: Italy Police Chief Diron Hill gets served a hot dog from Italy Firefighter Michael Chambers.

Italy Police Chief Diron Hill gets served a hot dog from Italy Firefighter Michael Chambers. (Barry Byers)

Image: James Hobbs, Ronda Cockerham, Sue Lauhoff and Manuella Barton socialize at the punch and cookies table provided by the City of Italy.

James Hobbs, Ronda Cockerham, Sue Lauhoff and Manuella Barton socialize at the punch and cookies table provided by the City of Italy. (Barry Byers)

Image: Guests are giving the royal treatment during the grand opening of the Italy Community Center.

Guests are giving the royal treatment during the grand opening of the Italy Community Center. (Barry Byers)

Image: Jenna Chambers prepares popcorn for the audience.

Jenna Chambers prepares popcorn for the audience. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sergeant Tierra Mooney and Officer Shelbee Landon are REALLY enjoying the popcorn during the Italy Opry.

Sergeant Tierra Mooney and Officer Shelbee Landon are REALLY enjoying the popcorn during the Italy Opry. (Barry Byers)

Image: Horace Bratcher, self-proclaimed sidewalk diagnostician, is analyzing you right now while he enjoys listening to country music during the Italy Opry.

Horace Bratcher, self-proclaimed sidewalk diagnostician, is analyzing you right now while he enjoys listening to country music during the Italy Opry. (Barry Byers)

Image: Brad Daniels leads the Good Timers Band in a song.

Brad Daniels leads the Good Timers Band in a song. (Barry Byers)

Image: Sam Dyar helps put on an entertaining Opry for all the folks.

Sam Dyar helps put on an entertaining Opry for all the folks. (Barry Byers)

Image: Marilyn McConnell, keyboard and vocals, explained, "The name of their new band will be the “Good Timers” ‘cause we’re all gonna have a good time." The band name will not Alzhiemers….who would remember it?

Marilyn McConnell, keyboard and vocals, explained, "The name of their new band will be the “Good Timers” ‘cause we’re all gonna have a good time." The band name will not Alzhiemers….who would remember it? (Barry Byers)

Image: Brad Daniels…he thinks? When not wowing the Italy Opry crowd with his brilliant guitar skills, Daniels kept folks entertained between sets with his comedic flair, or so we’re telling him he did.

Brad Daniels…he thinks? When not wowing the Italy Opry crowd with his brilliant guitar skills, Daniels kept folks entertained between sets with his comedic flair, or so we’re telling him he did. (Barry Byers)

Image: The bands played, the audience applauded and the Italy Opry lives on….

The bands played, the audience applauded and the Italy Opry lives on…. (Barry Byers)

Image: The Opry featured several different musicians and singers from both near and far, each having a flair all their own.

The Opry featured several different musicians and singers from both near and far, each having a flair all their own. (Barry Byers)

Image: The original members of the Italy City Limits Band. (L-R) John Goodman, Sammy Wolaver, Howard Bright and Joe Bradley.

The original members of the Italy City Limits Band. (L-R) John Goodman, Sammy Wolaver, Howard Bright and Joe Bradley. (Midred Gentry)

Image: Joe Bradley and Sammy Wolaver relax between sets.

Joe Bradley and Sammy Wolaver relax between sets. (Midred Gentry)

Image: The late Sammy Wolaver performing with the Italy City Limits Band back in the 80s. The Italy Opry continues thanks to the efforts of Sammy and his band partners.

The late Sammy Wolaver performing with the Italy City Limits Band back in the 80s. The Italy Opry continues thanks to the efforts of Sammy and his band partners. (Midred Gentry)

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