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Almanac

Uggla Is a Big Hit

There was nothing ugly about the way Dan Uggla played baseball in 2006.

Uggla‚ a 1998 graduate of Columbia Central High School‚ is now playing second base for the Florida Marlins. He finished third in balloting for the 2006 National League Rookie of the Year‚ compiling first-year statistics of 27 home runs‚ 90 runs batted in and a .282 batting average.

His 27 homers are a Major League Baseball record for a rookie second baseman. Uggla wears No. 6‚ and he bats and throws right-handed.

Barn in the USA

Maury County has always been known for its agriculture‚ and a museum in Spring Hill pays homage to that heritage.

The Tennessee Museum of Early Farm Life is housed in a large barn behind the historic Rippavilla Plantation. The barn was salvaged for this particular project‚ and it’s made of American chestnut – a wood that is virtually extinct in this part of the United States.

More than 500 items are on display‚ with many dating to the early 1800s. Visitors will find all kinds of items here‚ from early horseshoe nails to tractors‚ carriages and wagons.

The museum is open to the public from April through October on Thursdays‚ Fridays and Saturdays. It also hosts an annual antique tractor show over a weekend in mid-October.

The World Down Under

Spelunkers‚ rejoice.

The Southport Saltpeter Cave in Culleoka is one of the largest caves in all of Middle Tennessee‚ and it’s been an adventure destination for decades. During the Civil War‚ it was mined for nitrate – used to make gunpowder – and it also housed Confederate troops in hiding.

The cave features unusual formations and large caverns that date back an estimated 300‚000 years. Hundreds of physically fit explorers hike through Southport’s difficult terrain each year. It’s open only by appointment for guided and unguided tours.

Is That a 1940 Cadillac?

The Columbia Public Square turns into a gearhead heaven every fourth Saturday in June.

The sixth annual Cruisin’ the Square classic car fest will motor into Columbia June 16‚ 2007‚ with 350-400 classic cars expected to be on display. The event began in 2002 with about 50 cars and has grown in number ever since. Cars must be at least 25 years old to enter the cruise.

The Saturday event also includes food vendors‚ live musical entertainment and a Kids’ Zone play area.

Stubborn Is a Good Thing

Mule Day has been a springtime tradition in Columbia since 1840.

Originally called Breeder’s Day‚ the early April event once had the distinction of being one of the largest livestock markets in the world.

It’s still a big deal. About 100‚000 people pour into Columbia each season for a four-day weekend that includes working-mule shows‚ arts and crafts‚ a liars’ contest‚ a beauty pageant‚ a pancake breakfast and square dancing. The highlight is a Mule Day Parade on Saturday morning. Folks from all 50 states and different countries attend the weekend festivities‚ and Mule Day pumps an estimated $15 million into the local economy each year.

Ducks on the Duck

What better place for a duck race than the Duck River?

The third annual Great Duck River Duck Race will take place Aug. 4‚ 2007‚ to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Maury County. Participants “adopt” a rubber duck for $5‚ and hundreds of the yellow toys are dumped into the Duck River. They float to the finish line at Riverside Bridge‚ and prizes are awarded to people who adopt the top 25 finishing ducks.

Organized by the Boys and Girls Club of Maury County‚ the popular event raised about $20‚000 in 2006 to fund and expand programs. The day also includes a carnival‚ food and live music.

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