By Maggie Yowler

The Wee Arrows' Party In The Park was held Saturday, July 12 in Raynor Park. The parade began at 11:00 at Quality Food Mart, and proceeded down Weinland, ending at the entrance to the park.

During the party, the football field at Raynor Park was dedicated to longtime Wee Arrows Coach Wendell (Wendy) Hensley, now neing named Hensley Field. Hensley coached Wee Arrows football for nearly 30 years, and affected the lives of many people, according to current Wee Arrows President Jeremy Snyder, who played for Hensley as a boy. Snider spoke about how they never lost a game and how Coach Hensley served as an inspiration for him in life.

Bethel Township Trustee Don Minton was very excited about Saturday's event, saying he appreciated everyone who came out to make it an enjoyable day. Minton, a friend of Hensley's son Wendell (Wendy, Jr.), said it meant a lot to him to see the field dedicated to such a memorable community figure. Minton also volunteered to sit in the party's dunk tank to help raise money for the Wee Arrows programs. Minton said fellow Trustee David Phares tried to dunk him, but missed his target. It ended up being a small child who threw the winning ball that landed Minton in the drink.

Bethel Township Trustee Nancy Brown said Snyder's speech about Hensley during the field dedication was touching. She said Snyder told the crowd that whenever he found himself in a rough situation, he would hear Coach Hensley's voice in his mind, telling him can do it. Brown said Hensley obviously had a very positive influence on his players, and she believed that Snyder is striving to have the same impact upon his own players.

"Coach Hensley not only made great football players, he made great men," said Snyder. "The Wee Arrows could not be more pleased to dedicate this field to Coach Hensley," he added.

Clark County Sheriff Gene Kelly was on-hand to meet party-goers, and the Bethel Township Fire Department brought out some of their fire trucks to share with the kids. Care Flight made a special landing, Chinese Raffles were conducted, and the Boy Scouts were kind enough to allow revelers to participate in archery shooting.

All proceeds from Party In The Park go toward the Park Layne Wee Arrows Youth Football and Cheer programs.