Approximately 80 cancer survivors and caregivers attended a banquet held in their honor on Thursday, April 17 at 6:30 p.m. Paula Henderson, Chairman of the Banquet Committee, and the members of her Relay for Life team, the Lincoln Lifers, hosted the banquet at Lincolnton United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. The Fellowship Hall was gaily decorated with a theme of "Cancer is No Vacation." Many of the attendants were dressed as if they were going on vacation.

Entertainment was provided by Jennifer Henderson, Doris Blackwell, Shannon Cox, and Perry Ann Beard. Kenny Adair graciously provided music for the evening.

Danielle Caldwell, of the American Cancer Society District Office, spoke to the group to tell them of the goals of the 2008 Relay for Life. Brenda Danner, local Chairman of the event, spoke to the group regarding local matters.

Reverend Dave Hinson, Pastor of Lincolnton United Methodist Church, provided the blessing for the meal.

Several ladies of the Lincolnton United Methodist Church, under the direction of Mrs. Flo Pursley, provided a delicious meal for the occasion. Members of the Lincoln County High School Beta Club acted as servers for the meal and served approximately 120 survivors, caregivers, and guests.

The speaker for the evening was Sandy Coggins of Elberton, GA, who expressed her love for the survivors and gave them encouragement for the difficult road ahead of them.

Judy Jordan of Koehler Galleries gathered all survivors at the end of the evening to take a group photo. Crawford Asbell attended and took several candid photos of attendants and workers during the evening.

Our special thanks go to the following for their special donations toward the banquet and the Relay for Life on April 25-26: Konfetti, Bi-Lo of Washington, Wal-Mart - Thomson, GA, Lincolnton United Methodist Church, Lincolnton Marine, Papa's Pizza, Farmers State Bank, Dr. Greg Griffin, Midway Forest Products; and also to Mrs. Flo Pursley, Mrs. Ann Goldman, Mrs. Nina Price, Mrs. Lindy Byrd, Ms. Rivers Purdy, and Mrs. Brenda Leopard for their many hours in the kitchen preparing the delicious meal. The Lincoln Lifers Team and other friends are also to be commended for their assistance: Brian Henderson, Sherry McKellar, Curt Jones, Phil Graves, Barbara Gleitsmann, Jennifer and Lee Henderson, Tommie Henderson, Bill Leopard, and Melissa Burgess.

There were many gracious persons and businesses that gave 52 gift certificates which were given away as door prizes totaling $1,500: Rebecca Wright - Avon, Badcock Furniture, China 1, City Pharmacy, Classic Cuts, Cliatt's Crossing, Crawford & Breazeale, Cuttin' Up, El Portal, Trinity Images, Fast Times, Gibson's Tire, Glorious Hair, Glory House Café, Goldman & Wengrow, Goolsby's Restaurant, Melissa Norman and Sandy Miller - Hair Works, Hobby Corner, Home Café, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Jewelers Bench, Koehler Galleries, Lincolnton Animal Hospital, Lincoln County Veterinarian Services, Lincoln Garden Center, Lisa Gaines and Pam Brown - Rick & Company Salon, Peachtree Grooming, R & W Auto Parts, Soap Creek Restaurant, Spratlin Hardware, Standard Auto, Judy Cunningham - Mary Kay, Nancy & David Pund - Stone Crest Steak House, Tami Lewis - Lincolnton Animal Hospital.