The Newport Plain Talk

Photos by Duay O'Neil Gloria Pritikin, left, was one of nearly 100 local cancer survivors attending the annual luncheon in their honor on Saturday at First United Methodist Church. Survivors received tee-shirts to wear at this weekend's Cocke County Relay for Life celebration at Cocke County A & I Fairgrounds. Local Relay committee member Julie Mason, right, presented Pritikin with her shirt.

NEWPORT--Nearly 100 cancer survivors and guestsgathered Saturday morning at First United Methodist Church for Cocke CountyRelay for Life's annual luncheon in their honor. Once again Baptist Hospital ofCocke County sponsored the event. Survivors and guests first gathered in thechurch's beautiful chapel for a short ceremony led by hospital chaplain EdLemmon, who used a bouquet of multi-colored flowers as the focal point of hisremarks. Lemmon pointed out that cancer comes in many types, similar to thecountless varieties and colors of flowers. Following the ceremony, the groupenjoyed a luncheon downstairs where Cocke County Relay for Life committeemembers assisted in serving their guests.