Members of East La Follette Baptist Church, Scout Troup 310, Pack 108 are part of Slick’s fan club

Left to right: Eric Nappo-Cub Leader, Chris Thacker-Scout Master of Troop 310, Joshua “Slick” Caden Anderson and Cody Phillips-Cub Master Pack 108.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF)- “I think Jim Heatherly is the person who came up with that nickname for Joshua. For whatever reason, it stuck, and he’s been Slick ever since,” said Charlie Hutson. Joshua Carden Anderson says he’s been called Slick for quite a few years now though he still introduces himself as Joshua.

The 2023 graduate of Campbell County High School loves Vacation Bible School at East La Follette Baptist Church. “I haven’t missed a summer at their VBS since I started attending back in middle school,” said Anderson.

“He’s so popular. You should see how he’s greeted when he attends Cougar Football and Basketball games. You can always spot Slick with his signature bag of popcorn. He loves popcorn,” said Clayton Carroll.

The 19-year old Anderson, Slick, loves riding four wheelers at Ivydale. That’s when he’s not hanging drywall and sheetrock, which is most of the time, with his papaw, Burt Phillips.

“One of the features at VBS is the outdoor obstacle course. Chris (Thacker) and the Scouts, Troop 310 and Pack 108, constructed the course, and it’s been a hit,” said Hutson.

Aside from a challenge from one hand and foot, Slick masters this obstacle of two Xs comprised of all rope that create the frame for the monkey bridge.

“The members of Troop 310 and Pack 108 did their part, and Billy Ball of La Follette Mine Supply played a key role in helping us construct all this,” said Thacker.

The obstacle course consists of a monkey bridge, balance beams, a climbing wall and a low crawl culvert. “Slick thrived on the obstacle course until it came to the monkey bridge. It’s an all rope frame, and it wiggles. It was the wiggle that challenged him most,” said Thacker.

Crossing the monkey bridge was a personal challenge for Slick.

“He told me he can’t do that, the monkey bridge, and I told him if he changed his mind to come back, and he did,” said Thacker.

The wiggles got to Slick on his first attempt, and he fell after four or five steps. Thacker and others stepped up and held the rope taut, and Slick conquered the monkey bridge. “He was high on the hog, grinning from ear-to-ear, and said I’m gonna do it again,” said Thacker.

Slick made mastering the monkey bridge a personal challenge, and he walked it four more times. “The scouts and the church are so good to me,” said Anderson.

In the end, Slick made this obstacle look easy.

“Seeing Slick’s big grin was the highlight of VBS that week. That’s the kind of reason we do scouts for,” said Thacker.

A NOTE FROM THE GRAND ON CENTRAL: “There is so much good going on in our community, and I want to share all this good with you every Monday here on WLAF in hopes that you will start your week in a grand way making each week a Grand Week,” said Olivia Lobertini, owner of The Grand on Central.

For bookings, email Olivia Lobertini at ohlobertini03@gmail.com. Check on avails HERE.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-08/04/2025-6AM)

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