Cool weather may have kept some participants away for Saturday, but the sun soon brought out those who participated in the Birthday Challenge on the Longleaf Trace and attended the Arts and Crafts Market across the street at Prentiss Farmers Market.

Many cyclists didn’t wait for the 9:00 a.m. mass start and began their challenges earlier. However, 74-year-old Charles Moore from Walnut Grove began his challenge after the sun warmed up the Trace. Moore has been riding for some 45 years as well as participating in triathlons. This slim figured gentleman with a twinkle in his eye and a good sense of humor learned to run “for his health” because he was the smallest of his crew and was happy to participate in the birthday challenge. Moore has frequently cycled the Trace whenever he could come this way, and he loved the area because it had given him the best thing he had—his wife, Ruth (Polk) Moore from Progress.

Chauncey Wells of Clinton and Miller Moseley of Jackson set 50 miles as their goal. The 64-year-old Wells stated the area was special to him because he spent his first year of college at the Prentiss Institute and was glad to hear of the restoration of the Rosenwald Building.

After an early start Prentiss residents June Berry and Barbara Slater came into the Arts and Crafts Market glad they had met their goal but exhausted and sporting their Challenge medals while they browsed the booths.

Birthday Challenge Coordinator Missy Jones stated there were participants from Clinton, Jackson, Walnut Grove, Prentiss, Carson and Wesson. Because so many other events were going on Saturday, Jones noted there were not as many participants as had been in the past. Many fitness enthusiasts were glad the Birthday Challenge was back after having not been held last year.

The Arts & Crafts Market included live plants, hand-made pottery, paracord bracelets, infinity scarves, Christmas decorations and jewelry, paintings from local artists, hand-painted faux stained glass, hand crafted wooden bowls and American Doll clothes to name a few. Many folks in town took advantage of the good state fair type food booth as well.

Jones has coordinated every Birthday Challenge event for the past twelve years. She states it will be back possibly the first Saturday of November 2014 and encourages everyone to put it on his or her extended calendar. Director of the JDC Chamber Partnership Ben Hamby was on hand for the event and stated Jones’ dedication is much appreciated.