March 28, 2011/CHATTANOOGA, TN – Five outstanding industry leaders have been selected for induction into the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame as the Class of 2011.

Heather A. Llewellyn (Nova Scotia, Canada), John D. “Doug” McLendon (Sanford, FL), Donald J. Mesaros (Loveland, OH), Eilís M. Murray (Wicklow, Ireland), and Timothy J. Vibert (Unionville, CT) were nominated by members of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum for their many contributions to the towing and recovery industry, their families and their communities.
“Each year, the inductees share common strengths which have led to their nomination into this prestigious group,” says Rolfe Johnson, President of the International Towing and Recovery Hall of Fame and Museum.
“This year’s inductees share a dedication to their state and local towing organizations as well as the national towing and recovery community.”
Hall of Fame members will be recognized at an induction ceremony to be held at 6 p.m. on September 17th, 2011 at the DoubleTree Hotel of Chattanooga. A full weekend of activities will be held to celebrate this year’s inductees. For more information on the induction ceremony, or to order tickets, call Cheryl Mish at 423-267-3132.
The International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum is the only one in the world for the Towing Industry.  It was opened September 22, 1995.  There are 18 antique tow trucks on display along with memorabilia from the industry.  Chattanooga, Tennessee was the chosen site for the museum as Ernest Holmes, Co. built the first wreckers there in the early 1900’s.  The museum is currently located at 3315 Broad St., Chattanooga, TN.  37408.

From Footnotes TowBlog: Towing News Around The Web
(www.thetowblog.com)
Posted by Cyndi Kight, Associate Editor of Towing and Recovery Footnotes

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Send your information to bcandler@dominionenterprises.com or to Editor, Towing & Recovery Footnotes, Dominion Enterprises, 150 Granby St., Norfolk VA 23510.

June 2-4
Western States Tow Show
Reno Events Center
Reno, Nevada
www.ctta.com
760-325-5840, ext 115

Jun 3-5
ESTRA Tow Show
Lake George, NY
518-543-6630
www.estranys.com

Jun 10-11
Iowa Tow Show
Iowa Speedway
Newton, Iowa
515-244-5193

Jun 13-18
Colorado Tow Show
Jefferson Cnty Fairgrounds
Golden, CO
303-777-4208
www.coloradotowshow.com
connie@coloradotowshow.com

Jun 17-19
Wisconsin Towing Assoc.
Convention & Truck Show
Chula Vista Resort
Wisconsin Dells, WI
800-338-4782; 608-254-8366
ctuhus@witruk.org

Jul 15-17
Indiana Trade Show
Indiana Towing
& Wrecker Association
Holiday Inn North
Indianapolis, IN
765-288-6041
Sallie235@aol.com

Jun 25
Hookin’ Up
& Hangin’ Out
PA Towing Assoc.
Null’s Towing
1003 Gap Newport Road
Conchranville, PA
ctennisblue@aol.com
814-234-9700

Aug 5-6
PTROI Trade Show
Wyndham Chicago
Lisle, IL
800-286-0519
www.towingillinois.com
www.ptrointslink.net

Aug 19-20
The NW Tow Expo
T&R Assoc. of Washington
Silver Reef Casino
Ferndale, WA
877-600-8729
www.towingandrecovery.org

Sept 10
North Carolina
Tow Truck & Trade Show
Big Boys Truck Stop
Kenly, NC
www.nctowing.org
919-876-0687

Sept 16-18
Tennessee Tow Show
Chattanooga Choo Choo
Convention Center
Chattanooga, TN
423-920-1219
Jerry.riggs@comcast.net

Sept 22-25
Midwest Regional Tow Show
Great Wolf Lodge
Mason, OH
877-341-3400; 513-791-3555
www.trao.org; dbrock@trao.org

Nov 18-20
ATowman Expo
Convention Center
Baltimore, MD
800-732-3869

From Footnotes TowBlog: Towing News Around The Web
(www.thetowblog.com)
Posted by Cyndi Kight, Associate Editor of Towing and Recovery Footnotes

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Here’s his obituary:

William “Frank” Thomas, Jr., 86, went home to be with the Lord on May 4, 2011.

Mr. Thomas is preceded in death by his wife, Mildred Louise Thomas; parents, William Franklin Thomas, Sr, and Sadie Morgan Thomas: sister, Frances Thomas Sontag (Charles); brothers: Wallace M. Thomas, Eugene Samuel Thomas (Wanda), Charles Scott Thomas, Sr. (Elizabeth).

Mr. Thomas served in the Army during WWII where he was commissioned to maintain aircraft in Mobile, Al. He retired from Dover Corporation in 1989 where he was in sales and traveled the world. Upon his retirement he became curator of the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum in Chattanooga, TN. For many years he wrote “Pop’s Corner” for the Museum View Newsletter where he kept his friends and members updated with past and present history of the industry. He appeared in national and international television and radio programming promoting the museum and Chattanooga, Tn. He was honored to be a member in the Hall of Fame at the museum. He will be missed by his loving family and his many friends.

Survivors include four children: Richard E. (Angela) Thomas of Moneta, Va., Mary F. Bunch and Lyndia S. Thomas of Red Bank and Nora (Bobby) Faulkenberry of Ringgold, Ga; five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Memorial contributions may be made to the International Towing & Recovery Hall of Fame & Museum, 3315 Broad St., Chattanooga TN 37408.

Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, May 7th at Lane Funeral Home, Ashland Terrace with Dr. Phil Griffin officiating. Interment will follow in Hamilton Memorial Gardens. Visitation is be 4:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday and Friday, May 5th and May 6th at Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace . Visit www.lanefh.com to view LifeTribute video and share condolences.

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