By By MARY-ALLISON LANCASTER – Managing editor
Relay for Life chairman Paula Gerety said she is &#8220pumped” about this year's event, which will be held this weekend.
Not only is team member participation up, but the weather is expected to be beautiful, which will allow the event to continue outdoors as scheduled.
Bentley Martin, activities chairman, said she is excited about this year's activities, which will include Relay Idol, a newlywed game and the popular womanless beauty pageant, among others. Gerety said there will also be plenty of games for the children to participate in, lots of food and novelty items for sale.
In preparation for this year's womanless beauty pageant, NDI's Relay for Life team held a preliminary pageant at its office during lunch.
The &#8220ladies” spent the morning going around the office collecting donations.  The winner was determined by the amount of money collected in their purses, as well as their poise and appearance during the pageant.
NDI's Relay team members and some employees also donated their time and ingredients for a bake sale at the plant.   Valentine baked goods, soups, casseroles and candies were sold, and between the two events NDI's Relay team raised $876.65 from just the employees.
Relay for Life is a non-smoking event. Smoking is responsible for 87 percent of all lung cancers and is associated with other cancers.
This year researchers learned that for the first time in 70 years cancer rates have decreased, a statistic welcomed by the American Cancer Society.
Teams for this year's Relay include Southern Pine, Smurfit Stone, Jefferson Davis Community College, Wal-Mart, Escambia County Courthouse, Brewton Elementary School, T. R. Miller High School SGA, W. S. Neal High School NEA, Brewton Sportsmen Club, Comfort Care Hospice, NDI, D.W. McMillan Hospital, First United Methodist Church and St. Stephens Episcopal Church.
This year's sponsors include Bank of Brewton, Bank Trust, Southern Pine, D.W. McMillan Hospital, East Brewton Mini Storage, Bondurant, Ringsdorf Chiropractic, NDI, G &E Machine Works, Gulf Coast Cancer Center, Hines Realty, Jefferson Davis Community College, Presley/Fluker Funeral Directors, Smurfit-Stone, Thompson, Garrett &Hines, Rotary Club, Bill Salter Advertising and Special Touch Restoration.
The event will be held Saturday from noon until at the Brewton YMCA. All events will take place on the front soccer field.
Relay for Life
11 a.m. - Campsites must be completed. Survivors luncheon at the survivors tent
Noon - Opening ceremonies
12:30 p.m. - Survivor's lap
1 p.m. - Team cheers, pictures and campsite judging begins
1:30 p.m. - Relay Idol begins (NDI, DWM, BES, Wal-Mart, WSN)
2 p.m. - Brewton Dance Studio/Twirlstars
2:30 p.m. - Relay Idol continues (Sportsmen, ECC, TRM, St. Stephens, JDCC, Egg Toss with FUMC)
3 pm. - Relay Idol continues (SSC, SP, CCH, FUMC)
3:30 p.m.- Music by Spirit Lifters
4 p.m. - The Newlywed Game hosted by Bentley Martin
4:30 p.m. - Brewton Elementary School Choir
5 p.m. - Tiger Talent - TRM High School students, FUMC Puppet Show (inside the YMCA)
5:30 p.m. - Survivor dinner provided by Faith in Action at the survivors tent
6 p.m. - Karaoke with WSN
6:30 p.m. - Heart of Dixie Cloggers
Events continue on page 9A
Relay for Life events
7 p.m. - Boxing with Saint Stephens
7:30 p.m. - Music by Mudcats from Comfort Care Hospice
8 p.m. - Music by Kelly and Emmy Grenade, Crazy games with Crazy Ladies
8:30 p.m. - Blind golf
9 p.m. - Luminaria Service, music provided by Heath Madison
9:30 p.m. - Womanless Beauty Pageant, last chance to turn in money and Relay Bucks
10:30 p.m. - Nobody's a Loser Auction
11:30 p.m. - Awards Ceremony
Midnight - Everyone take a walk