Myra Mellencamp, left, and Jan Tatlock organized the raffle gifts for those who had entered the drawing during the annual National Night Out event Tuesday night at the Jamestown Apartments, 745 Miller Lane.
Chey Smith | The Tribune
David Chandler, 11, of Seymour, left, contemplated where to move his black puck on the checkers board for his first game of checkers ever as he played against James Evans, 14, of Seymour during the annual National Night Out event Tuesday night at the Jamestown Apartments, 745 Miller Lane.
Chey Smith | The Tribune
Residents at Jamestown Apartments in Seymour lined up for a meal consisting of hot dogs, cold cuts, homemade potato salad and more during the annual National Night Out event Tuesday night at the Jamestown Apartments, 745 Miller Lane.
Chey Smith | The Tribune
Residents at Jamestown Apartments in Seymour lined up to enter the drawing for prizes during the annual National Night Out event Tuesday night at the Jamestown Apartments, 745 Miller Lane. In the background, the Jackson County Public Library bookmobile sat.
Chey Smith | The Tribune
Jayline Keller of Seymour, left, painted the face of Audrey Rohde, 6, of Seymour during the annual National Night Out event Tuesday night at the Jamestown Apartments, 745 Miller Lane.
Chey Smith | The Tribune
Jamestown Apartments residents gathered outside to eat and enjoy each other’s company during the annual National Night Out event Tuesday night at Jamestown Apartments, 745 Miller Lane.
Chey Smith | The Tribune
It was a sweltering hot Tuesday evening which concerned the property manager of Jamestown Apartments that it might scare away people from attending the annual National Night Out event there. She did not need to worry.
“We are so thrilled to see people attend,” Myra Mellencamp said.
National Night Out occurs on the first Tuesday of August each year. According to their website, the event “enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community.”
Mellencamp has helped run a National Night Out event for more than 20 years now and has been with apartment complex on the city’s southeast side for 45 years.
“We are the only people who have the block party for National Night Out,” Mellencamp said.
Many vendors came together to show their support for the event each year including the Jackson County Learning Center (JCLC), Human Services Inc., JCBank, Thrive Alliance and the Jackson County Public Library.
Firefighters with Seymour Fire Department brought a truck to the event and Seymour Police Department also had officers in attendance. The Fraternal Order of Police Donald M. Winn Lodge 108 members handed out free snow cones.
Games and face painting were available for the kids, which was buzzing with excited little ones.
Audrey Rohde, 6, of Seymour was one of those kids that waited to get her face painted. Her mother, Deonna, was able to bring her two kids to the event, thanks to not being stuck at work.
“They (my kids) really like to do the little stuff around town,” Rohde said.
All of this is made possible by the dedication of those people working behind the scenes.
“This is a community of people who care about each other,” said Wendy Cash, who has volunteered with the event for 12 years.
One volunteer that has shine brighter than the rest is Jan Tatlock, who has worked hard and consistently for National Night Out event and others. One example of her volunteer work was displayed in the dinner provided, which included 20 pounds of homemade ham salad and 20 pounds of homemade potato salad. Tatlock made them both.
“She is our number one volunteer,” Mellencamp said.
Along with the salads, there was hot dogs, bread rolls, turkey, ham, chips and salsa and more. Multiple coolers were packed with sodas and water along with drink dispensers filled with lemonades.
The main organizer behind the event was Cassie Wicker of Columbus, who has only been involved for about four months.
“She’s been our rock,” said Cash.
Wicker’s connections in the community were helpful in the planning process. It took a lot of cold calls and reaching out, but it resulted in a fruitful turnout.
Since their community consists of many low-income families and the elderly, Wicker said she was glad to be able to offer this for them.
For the raffle, there was a picnic table covered in items that could be won, such as toys and games the kids would be drawn to as well as items parents and adults were looking at like a Tupperware set. There were plenty of prizes to go around for everyone to feel included.
“I just want to thank God for all of you,” said Mellencamp.