Shopper News blog: Brent Waugh takes the reins for Big Brothers Big Sisters
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Brent Waugh takes the reins for Big Brothers Big Sisters
Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News correspondent
It’s easy to feel at home in Brent and Megan Waugh’s 125-year-old home in the Fourth & Gill neighborhood. Bright, warm touches are everywhere – an inspirational saying here, an unusual potted plant there, soft lighting, comfy furniture. This July they’ll celebrate five years of married life.
Native Knoxvillians, they’ve spent time in Colorado and Chicago, but returned to East Tennessee a year and a half ago. “We’ve done the Rockies, and we’ve done the big city. We kept coming back home. Knoxville was becoming more of a place where we fit – where we wanted to be,” says Megan. “And if we ever have children, we’ll have free babysitting!” Both sets of parents also live in town. “I think since we came back to Knoxville, we value it more,” says Brent.
It looks like Knoxville also values Brent Waugh; he was named executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee in January of this year, after coming on board in August of 2017 as chief development officer.
Has it been much of a shock, being the big boss? “We have a phenomenal program. I’m transitioning into a new role – the duties are more holistic. There’s fundraising, and making sure our programs are delivered.” On this last point, he points to three of his valued colleagues – Kara Finger, Jennifer Davis and Vivian Gwinn. “Each brings her own passion and energy. They make it easy to manage!”
Other than that, he says with a laugh, “I sign a lot more papers!”
Megan works from home for the Alzheimer’s Association’s national office, based in Chicago. She’s part of the social media team, advising chapters across the country and working to create national campaigns. And she recently had a big birthday. For which her husband – who, by the way, is a Vols football fanatic – composed some free verse.
“You’re Rocky Top coming on when I’m already dancing. You’re waking up to the smell of coffee. You’re an IPA after a trail run. You’re the red last Skittle I thought was orange. You’re the way our record player makes my favorite Avett song sound. You’re extra leg room on an international flight. You’re a double feature movie. You make everything in the world that much better – that much more empathetic, more beautiful, and more kind.”
“I love that poem,” says Megan.
Isn’t it nice to know that hardworking young professionals, busy as they are, keep the romance alive?
Neumann girls donate tresses for cancer wigs
On Thursday, Feb. 1, St. John Neumann Catholic School held its seventh annual Ponytail Donation drive. Eleven girls donated their hair during the school assembly.
All the hair donated will be sent to Pantene's Beautiful Lengths campaign, which supplies wigs free to cancer patients through the American Cancer Society's wig bank. In the past seven years, over 153 SJNCS students, teachers, parents, and friends have participated in the event, donating around 1,520 inches or 127 feet of hair.
It takes eight to 15 ponytails to make one wig. Stylists from Belleza Salon and Spa volunteered their time and talent to prepare the donors' hair as well as cut and style the hair after the donation. Belleza Salon and Spa celebrated its 25th anniversary on the day of the event.
Barber-designed church adds grace to Northshore
John Shearer, Shopper News correspondent
Passersby along Northshore Drive in Bearden might be so busy noticing the large Sacred Heart Cathedral nearing completion that they miss the smaller, more-subtle Episcopal Church of the Ascension almost directly across the street.
But in terms of architectural quality, many consider it an equal bookend in also anchoring well the man-made landscape in that part of town.
“It’s a beautiful building,” said Beverly Hutto, the church’s senior bookkeeper, who briefly also served as a tour guide of the building last week. “Everybody loves it.”
Parishioner Barbara Chubb, who was helping out the church that day answering the phone, is one of those admirers. “I think it’s pretty. It looks like an Episcopal church,” she said.
From the outside along Northshore Drive, the church almost has the look of some sort of small European monastery or church retreat center on a hill. Only when one drives around back does the large nave come into better view.
While featuring an understated stucco look on the outside – at least on the front, where only an arched breezeway, a circular stained-glass window and a bell tower stand out – detail is more noticeable on the inside.
That includes Louisiana-made beige brick, arched colonnades with capital shields running on both sides of the nave between the pews and the walls, marble flooring on the chancel, stained-glass windows, a large baptismal font and two pipe organs.
“It’s a fantastic organ. It can pump out some tunes,” said Hutto with a laugh of the newer Wilhelm organ.
According to a couple of church history books Hutto provided, noted Knoxville architect Charles Barber in 1954 began to design what was originally called the Chapel of the Ascension. (His firm, now BarberMcMurry, is one of the architects of the new Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus).
The Ascension chapel was erected by the vestry of St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Knoxville as a mission church to meet the residential growth expected to come to the West Knoxville area.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in 1956, and what is now the chapel was completed early the next year, with the first worship services taking place on Feb. 17, 1957. The Rev. David Potts was the first rector.
In 1959, the tower was capped, and the cloister and education wing were completed.
The Willet Stained Glass Studios of Philadelphia (now Willet Hauser Architectural Glass) began installing the first stained-glass windows in the church in 1961.
In 1969, a Walcker organ with 14 stops and 20 ranks was installed in the chapel.
The second major construction phase at the church occurred in the mid-1980s. A bell was installed in the tower to celebrate its 25th anniversary, and a larger nave was constructed due to the fact that the chapel was too small for the growing church, even with three Sunday services. The chapel, however, was kept intact.
The first service in the expanded nave, which now seated 650 people, took place on Sept. 21, 1986.
The new organ installed in 1987 was a Wilhelm Op. 110. It features 43 stops and 63 ranks.
Parishioner Chubb said she joined the church three years ago after moving from Atlanta, and liked the church’s appearance – and people.
“I visited three other churches and didn’t feel they were the ones for me,” she said. “But when I walked in this church, I felt I had come home.”
According to the church’s newsletter, Church of the Ascension is involved in a variety of ministries, from meal preparation for the Volunteer Ministry Center to contemplative prayer groups.
It has five clergy members on staff: the Rev. Canon Patricia Grace, canon to the ordinary; the Rev. Brett Backus, senior associate rector; the Rev. Larry Beach, deacon associate; the Rev. Christopher Hogin, assistant rector; and the Rev. SuZanne Seavey, priest associate.
Tate's students create their own snow day
Seventh- and eighth-grade students at Tate's Middle School decided that Knoxville didn't have enough snow this season, so they designed, tested and built their very own snow machine.
The students set up and started testing their snow machine in the wee hours of the night on Feb. 7 and spent the night on campus. They were ready when the temperature finally fell to 28 degrees, which allowed them to begin making snow.
The snow machine was made from supplies found largely on campus, such as an air compressor, pressure washer, clamps, a ladder, metal poles, and a few specialty items. The machine is able to blow snow up to 20 feet. Students worked to transform the 200-foot hillside slide, used primarily at Tate’s Camp during the summer, into a winter slide for a few fun-filled hours.
“I am so proud of our students and their determination on this project. It took many hours of planning and implementation and develops their problem-solving and analytical skills,“ said principal Kaye Simmons.
Tate’s Middle School science instructor Alex Edwards said, "I wanted to assign them a big, mind-blowing task that solves a problem most adults don’t know how to solve. Designing and building a snow machine tests their understanding of the properties of water by creating a false atmospheric environment. As a snow sports enthusiast, I loved that they wanted to see more snow!”
Sterchi's Teacher of the Year
uses innovation to tell stories
Mike Blackerby, Shopper News correspondent
Sarah Shoesmith looks back fondly on her days as a seventh-grade student at Sequatchie County Middle School in Dunlap, Tenn.
“It was Miss Clemons’ social studies class,” recalled Shoesmith, who was recently honored as Teacher of the Year at Sterchi Elementary School in Knox County. “She was always about us doing projects and telling stories so the kids could learn about history.”
Shoesmith took lessons learned long ago and incorporated them into in her class at Sterchi, where she teaches fifth-graders social studies and reading.
What began as a living-history project for Shoesmith’s class has evolved into the school-wide Sterchi’s Night at the Living Museum event. Each May, students from all grades dress up as their historical characters of choice, research their person and then re-enact that person during an open house.
“It’s a school-wide event where parents can come in and take a look at what students have learned,” said Shoesmith. “Students get to pick a historical person to represent, they get to pick a costume and they come up with a speech.”
Shoesmith said the students wear fake buttons on their customs. When their buttons are pressed, they spring to life as their historical person.
“They might say, ‘Hello, my name is Ulysses S. Grant,’” said Shoesmith.
The students then recite historical factoids about the famous person they are portraying.
“We’ve had students do Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon, a flapper from the 1920s, Rosie the Riveter, Alvin C. York, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King. It’s fun to see. I love it and the kids love it.”
Shoesmith said she hopes the experience will have the same impact on some of her students as it did on her back in her formative years at Sequatchie Middle School.
“For me, it all comes back from that teacher I had in middle school,” said Shoesmith.
She also credits her parents as being important role models growing up.
“Both of my parents were always very encouraging about learning,” she said.
“My dad started his career as an educator and football coach. My mom was not college educated, but she learned from the world around her. Both encouraged me to keep learning.”
The Night at the Living Museum is just one of many occasions that bring the tight-knit school of more than 400 students together, she said.
“Sterchi is like a little family. We’re always saying, we’re the ‘Sterchi Family.’ The staff takes care of each other and we strive to take care of the kids and their needs.”
Principal Lynn White said of Shoesmith, "She goes above and beyond for her students and her colleagues at Sterchi. She works diligently to integrate her ELA and Social Studies instruction to make learning relevant and meaningful for her students. She is always open to new instructional strategies and works with her colleagues to support and enhance learning for all students."
Farragut Middle brings home Science Bowl title
Margie Hagen, Shopper News correspondent
It was a nail-biter during the final half of the National Science Bowl as Farragut Middle School students trailed Maryville by eight points, but they managed a big comeback in the last eight minutes, winning the tournament by 12 points.
In Kingsport on Feb. 3, a field of 22 teams from around the state battled with buzzers to answer questions and solve problems about biology, chemistry, physics, math, space and Earth science. The fast-paced format is similar to the ET PBS Scholar’s Bowl; toss-up and bonus questions can change the score quickly, requiring both knowledge and the ability to withstand the pressure of real-time competition.
The National Science Bowl is an annual event sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Secretary of Energy Rick Perry released this statement on Feb. 5: “I am honored to congratulate Farragut Middle School in advancing to the National Finals where they will continue to showcase their talents as the top minds in math and science.” Since the first Science Bowl in 1991, more than 275,000 students have faced off in the NSB finals.
One of 16 teams in the nation to win their regional tournament, the students have been studying and practicing for months. Coached by seventh-grade math teacher Kathy Browning, a total of 38 students met twice a week, including Saturdays. A team of five was selected from the group, with an alternate “B” team as backup. “I’m so proud of all of them and how hard they worked,” said Browning, adding, “They studied and practiced on their own. I just read the questions and they did all the work.”
The competition began in the morning with round-robin matches, and elimination rounds were held in the afternoon. FMS actually had both teams participating; the second team was added last minute after another school’s cancellation opened up a spot. The “B” team also did well, making it to the Elite Eight matchup before being eliminated.
Team captain Rena Liu credited teamwork for their success, while another member, Ridhima Singh, expressed gratitude to all the students who helped them practice.
Winning the regional title advances teams to the national competition held in Washington, D.C., in April. Along with trophies and prize money for the schools, being No. 1 in the country might just be the ultimate reward.
Ellie Weekley signs to play soccer at Lee University
Halls High senior Ellie Weekley signed a letter of intent on National Signing Day, Feb. 7, to play soccer at Lee University.
She is the daughter of Jay and Jill Weekley and sister to Molly Weekley and Kayla Bruner and sister-in-law to Matt Bruner.
While at Lee, Ellie plans to study biology and pursue a career as an orthopedic surgeon. She has a 4.18 GPA at Halls High, is a member and secretary of the National Honor Society and a member of the Math Honor Society.
Ellie has played soccer at Halls for three years and on the club soccer team, FC Alliance, for 10 years. While at Halls, Ellie was named to the 2nd team All-District her junior year and 1st team All-District her senior year.
A-E Roadrunners sign to play at next level
Seven Austin-East football players signed to play in college on Wednesday.
Kevin Andrews signed his letter of intent to play receiver at University of the Cumberlands. In attendance were his parents, Tyanka Wright and Kevin Andrews.
Kylan Campbell signed his letter of intent to play receiver at University of Pikeville. In attendance were his mother, Pamela Campbell, and his grandmother Sandra Campbell.
Matthew Escobar signed his letter of intent to play defensive lineman at University of the Cumberlands. In attendance were his parents, Carlos and Muna, brother Jacob and sister Emily.
Chris Hunter signed his commission to play linebacker for Army. In attendance were his mom, Sabrina Robertson, dad Jay Robertson, grandmother Louise Fletcher and uncles Marlon and Robert Fletcher.
Jahson Jackson signed his letter of intent to play safety at the University of Pikeville. In attendance were his parents, April and John Jackson, sister Jalan Harper, grandparents Octavia and Baffin Harper, and aunts Tanika and Deidra Harper.
Anthonee Webb signed a letter of intent to play cornerback at Arkansas Baptist College. In attendance was his father, John Webb.
Calvin Wilson signed a letter of intent to play defensive lineman at Union College. In attendance were his mom, Tiffany Flood, grandparents Deborah and Nathaniel Flood, sister Miracle Flood and grandmother Naomi Wilson.
WORDS OF FAITH
It may be the hardest part of the greatest commandment
Matthew Best, Shopper News columnist
What is the calling card of a Christian? Is it generosity? Is it knowledge of the Bible? Or is it a faithful church attendance record and a good name?
I think that all of those things are important, and of course there’s not just one characteristic that people who claim to follow Jesus should have. But one trait that I believe should mark every believer is empathy. And unfortunately that’s a hard one for many of us in the Church.
You may balk at me saying that, but I think part of our issue is that I think we have a misconception of what empathy actually means. It does not mean agreeing with everyone we meet, but it means acknowledging how someone feels and trying to see where they’re coming from. Doing that is incredibly selfless, and that’s what makes it so hard.
Our relationships with other people, and even the larger world around us, cannot be based solely on how we feel. When we do that, we tend to create an isolated bubble that lies firmly within our comfort zone. But is that the life a Christian is called to?
So much of what Jesus did was uncomfortable. He made it a point to relate to people, even when there was a cost to it. There is a cost we pay to be empathetic. We pay for it with our own discomfort, but the people we connect with gain so much more. That’s a huge part of loving our neighbors as ourselves.
Politicians have made entire careers on trying to show potential voters how much they will advocate for one particular group of people or another. Well, I would venture to say that people of faith should lead the charge for advocacy because we follow the ultimate advocate.
Whether it’s attacking poverty, racism, hunger, homelessness or anything else, empathy is the starting point that will launch us in the right direction. Hear someone’s story. Acknowledge their pain. Don’t judge it. And then you will be able to love that person in a real way. It doesn’t mean you have to ascribe to their beliefs or somehow feel less connected to your own, but oftentimes hearing someone else’s perspective will broaden your own.
I don’t intend for this to be a hokey, overly sentimental kind of column. I actually want us to consider it a challenge. I want to challenge us to do the hard work of showing empathy, even though we live in a society that is increasingly selfish and individualistic.
Choose to listen. Choose to connect. Choose to love others well. Choose empathy.
Matthew Best is an ordained elder at Children of God Ministries in Knoxville, and he works for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship at the University of Tennessee. You can find more of Matthew’s work and support his ministry at ministerandmuse.com.
Trey Mullins signs with Eastern Kentucky
Ruth White, Shopper News
Gibbs High School linebacker/running back Trey Mullins signed on National Signing Day, Feb. 7, and will play at Eastern Kentucky University.
The three-year member of the Eagle team selected EKU because of its criminal justice program, the school is built on strong traditions and of course, a great football program.
"I really liked the campus at Eastern Kentucky and the coaching staff," said Trey. "The coaches make up a good staff and are good Christian men."
Trey is thankful for his time playing at Gibbs under coach Brad Conley and said that two important things he learned through playing ball at high school was that there was life after football and to glorify God in all that he does.
While at Gibbs, Trey was captain of the football team, 1st team All-Region, Region 2-5A Player of the Year, two-time All-Prep Xtra team member, three-time Top Performer of the Week, three-time Player of the game, Quarterback Club Player of the Week and WBIR Helmet Sticker recipient.
Joining in the celebration were his parents, Josh and Allison Mullins, siblings Tyler and Jade, grandparents Nitaya and Richard King and Chris and Cheryl Satterfield, friends and teammates.
Hannah Sloas brings 'Beauty' to life
Nancy Anderson, Shopper News correspondent
Grace Christian Academy finished its theater season with a spectacular production of "Beauty and the Beast."
The production featured a full orchestra and large company depicting dancing villagers and dancing table settings including napkins, silver and plates during the iconic tune “Be Our Guest.”
There was no shortage of talent, with solid performances by Justin West as Gaston, Keegan Spurr as Cogsworth, Wyatt Edwards as Lumiere, and Dylan Davidson as The Beast. One talent stood out among the crowd, senior Hannah Sloas as Belle.
The standing-room-only crowd of nearly 2,000 erupted in applause time and again as Sloas sang tunes every “Beauty and the Beast” fan knows well.
“I love the music especially,” said Sloas. “Be Our Guest,” and “Belle” are the most iconic parts of the show. People have heard every melody at least once in their life. It’s wonderful.”
Sloas said playing Belle changed her for the better.
“Belle sees the beauty in everything and is such an optimistic person. When I got cast in the role I was really challenged. I try to really dive into my character in an honest way so I tried to develop that spunky spirit she has. She can see the beauty in every person especially The Beast. Obviously, he’s the hardest to see the best in, but she does and she falls in love with him.”
She said her biggest challenge in the role was the dancing. It took more than a month to nail down the ballroom dance scene to perfection.
The realization that this was her last performance for GCA hit her while on stage.
“When I was singing ‘A Change in Me,’ it made me think about college and leaving the school. I was just sitting there basking in the light, thinking, ‘This is my last show for Grace. I might as well bring it. Go big or go home.”’
Sloas recently won the ACE (Alliance for Creative Excellence) award hosted by Bijou Theatre for single vocalist performance singing “It’s a Man’s World.” She was subsequently featured on "Live at Five at Four."
She has her eye on attending Lipscomb University to major in musical theater.
An unprecedented tribute — Debbie Smith Loftice, #52
Ruth White, Shopper News
Powell High 1967 graduate Debbie Smith Loftice was honored on Friday, Feb. 9, as her jersey was retired at halftime of the boys game.
Loftice played for the All-American Redheads basketball team when she graduated from high school. The team was later inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Her jersey – #52 – is the first one retired for a member of a Powell girls basketball team and left Loftice moved. "This lets women, especially in this community, know that it can happen," she said.
Loftice remembers practicing at 6 a.m. in rollers before classes began because the boys practiced on the courts after school. Playing with the teammates at Powell reminded her that nobody gets to where they are by themselves. "I wouldn't be here today without my teammates and friends from high school." A large group of high school classmates returned to the Panther gym on Friday night to honor her and remember the good times.
"I'm so giddy about this," she said, holding back tears of joy. "Who would have thought?"
Lions Club offers free eye exams and glasses for those in need
Ali James, Shopper News correspondent
Rachael Ashbaugh is legally blind in one eye and had broken her glasses. She and her 18-month-old daughter arrived at the monthly Smoky Mountains Lions Charities Inc. Mobile Vision Clinic.
“My insurance doesn’t cover vision or dental insurance, and out of pocket these glasses would have cost me $400,” she said. Fortunately, with her prescription on file, she was able to pick out a new pair at the free clinic at Fountain City Lions Club.
Each month, 25 volunteers start setting up around 7 a.m. and help 60-80 people receive free eye exams and glasses between 8-11 a.m. Each client must be vetted and referred from one of 12 surrounding area Lions Clubs.
Clubs are charged $20 per person for glasses and $15 per person for exams – a savings of hundreds of dollars. “Our hope is that with more grants we can get that down to zero dollars,” said Jim McFarland, the project manager for Smoky Mountains Lions Charities Inc. Mobile Vision Lab.
“We have two different clients,” explained McFarland, at their 65th mission. “Those that need an exam and those that have had one and can fast forward to station seven to pick out frames.”
In triage they check blood pressure and blood sugar levels. In the past, some clients have been referred directly to the emergency room at this point. McFarland said they also check for cases of tuberculosis, HIV and hepatitis before continuing through to the eye exam.
Exams test visual acuity, and an autorefractor provides an objective measurement of a person's refractive error and prescription for glasses or contact lenses, before an optician refines the prescription.
Clients also undergo high-pressure tests for diseases such as glaucoma.
“It’s like the wild west of vision screening,” said David Crawford, fund coordinator. “The process is the same for each clinic, but there’s a different group of people every month with different problems.”
Over the years, Crawford said they recall fitting a 2-year-old foster child with corrective glasses, who would have been blind within a year without them.
“We detected major cataracts in both eyes of a young Hispanic man,” said Crawford. “A translator worked with him through the complicated medical system to a life of vision.”
At another clinic, said Crawford, 47 out of 158 students at a local school failed to pass a visual acuity test and 35 ended up with glasses.
McFarland said he would have laughed six years ago if someone had told him he would be running free vision clinics. “I was a retired accountant,” said McFarland. “Dave Crawford and I were volunteering with Remote Area Medical (RAM) when we learned that their vision lab trailer was slated for the scrapyard.” It had been damaged in 2009 by a series of monsoon rains in New Orleans, and despite drilling holes into the floor to drain the water, the sensitive equipment inside was irreparable. RAM agreed to donate the trailer to Smoky Mountains Lions Charities Inc.
McFarland oversaw the refurbishment thanks to financial and equipment donations. The van was up and running to make glasses in October 2013. But the ultimate plan was also to provide exams, and finally in August 2014, they started offering those too.
For more information on Smoky Mountains Lions Charities see www.facebook.com/SmokyMountainsLionsCharities.
Esther Roberts heads Horse Haven of Tennessee
Esther L. Roberts, a contributing writer for the Shopper News, has taken the executive director position at Horse Haven of Tennessee, the oldest and largest equine welfare organization in the state.
Roberts will be tasked with ensuring the effective operation of programs such as emergency rescue, the H.O.P.E. initiative, and S.T.E.R.N., as well as ensuring ongoing program excellence, program evaluation, and sound financial practices. Roberts and Horse Haven of Tennessee Inc. look to host the annual Dancing for the Horses event in May and continue to foster relationships with other equine organizations in Tennessee. Roberts will serve as the main public contact and spokesperson for the organization.
An east Tennessee native, Roberts served as chair of the board and operations manager of Starlight Farm Animal Sanctuary 2012-17; she has also served on the board of the Great Smoky Mountain Institute at Tremont. Roberts was previously with Global Intellectual Property Asset Management, PLLC based in Knoxville.
Roberts holds a J.D. from the University of Tennessee College of Law, a master’s of music in piano, and concurrent bachelor degrees in piano, botany, and biology, all from UT. Esther has multiple publications in the areas of animals and animal law. She writes a weekly column for Horse Nation, for which she recently won the 2017 Horse Nation Readers’ Choice Award.
Roberts also serves as the staff musician for St. Mark United Methodist Church in Clinton. Her hobbies include training and riding her BLM mustang, Kaliwohi, as well as hiking, yoga, drumming, and beekeeping.
For more information about Horse Haven of Tennessee, go to http://www.horsehavenoftn.com.
Gibbs wrestlers return home as state champions
Ruth White, Shopper News
The Gibbs High wrestling team returned home after the state tournament with an escort down Tazewell Pike by the Knox County Sheriff's Department.
It was a return worthy of champions and despite the rain, a crowd of Gibbs faithful fans showed up to hold signs and show their pride for the A-AA state championship team.
The wrestling Eagles are the first school in Knox County to win a wrestling championship and something that senior captain Landon Adzima calls an "unforgettable moment."
"This team has worked hard all season and Coach Pittman told us at the beginning of the year that if we worked hard and stayed accountable, we had a good shot of winning. During the state tournament, as the match was nearing the end, we knew that a championship was ours," said Adzima.
Several factors worked for the team this year, including a reclassification in their division, team members working hard and maturing, filling weight classes to avoid forfeits and, according to Adzima, having a great lineup of wrestlers.
This year's team and state championship win were extremely special to him because he was the captain this year. He led his team through the season and kept them focused, saying it was an honor for his coach to have that type of trust in him.
The team wrestled in the regional tournament over the weekend and the top four wrestlers from each weight advanced to the individual state championships to be held in Franklin on Feb. 16 and 17.
"This has been a great year," said Adzima. "We have such an amazing coaching staff here at Gibbs and parents that have believed in our team. We are very thankful for the support we've been given."
If you've got a vision, set it in stone
Mike Blackerby, Shopper News correspondent
Tennessee Stone may be the perfect place to look for those already thinking about that fast-approaching spring landscaping or outdoor-living project.
Tennessee Stone, at 6557 Clinton Highway, is one of the area’s top suppliers of natural stone, natural thin veneer, building stone, boulders, landscape stone, river rock, fireplaces, fire pits and more.
Add in the expertise of general manager John Montgomery and his knowledgeable staff, and Tennessee Stone aims to be a one-stop destination to fulfill all of your outdoor project needs on the masonry side of things.
“We try to offer pretty much everything stone,” said Montgomery.
They like to say “no job is too big or small” at Tennessee Stone, which is owned by Mike and John Rector of Crossville.
“While our bread and butter is made providing (materials) for custom-home building, we provide stone for things like the front of homes, pools and decks,” Montgomery explained.
“We have edging, step and landscape stones. We have a large variety of stones. We work with quarries all over the country and with quarries in foreign countries such as India and China.”
More and more, Montgomery said people are tackling do-it-yourself projects.
“We sell a lot of stone to people who are kind of creating their own thing.”
Natural thin stone veneer – in varieties like Tennessee sandstone, field stone or quarried stone – is the perfect touch to put the wow factor on your home project.
“We sell fireplace kits that give someone without real masonry expertise the ability to build a fully functional fireplace,” said Montgomery.
Of course, fire pits are always a hot seller.
Tennessee Stone has an extensive inventory of the Fireboulder line of fire features.
Fireboulders come in a variety of shapes, sizes, stone and prices. They can be used as an accent piece or focal point to create a relaxing outdoor environment.
A Fireboulder is a natural stone boulder that is hand carved, chiseled and core drilled. The kit includes a natural gas burner, flex line, key valve and lava rock.
“We move a lot of materials for fire pits and fire boulders,” said Montgomery.
Tennessee Stone also offers consultation services, delivery, fabrication, boulder set-up, pickup/loading and installation referrals.
If part of your home project falls outside their area of expertise, Montgomery said his staff can put you in touch with the right people.
Montgomery said Tennessee Stone will soon be moving about a mile up the road, probably in June, to 6257 Clinton Highway, in the five-acre lot across from Master Dry.
For more information about Tennessee Stone, call 865-859-0813 or go to
Grace Christian Academy wins basketball junior varsity championship
Nancy Anderson, Shopper News correspondent
Grace Christian Academy Lower School junior varsity basketball team came away the winners against Sacred Heart Cathedral School and St. Joseph School in the Knoxville Independent School League tournament games held at Apostolic Christian School Tuesday, Jan. 30 and Thursday, Feb. 1.
They beat Sacred Heart 19-12 and St. Joseph 31-14 to end the season 8-3. The three losses came against large public schools. The eight-member team was undefeated within the KISL.
Coach Callie Cox named seventh-grader Taylor Rose as Most Valuable Player.
“Taylor is a real leader. Even though she’s a seventh-grader and therefore the oldest on the team, she lacked a lot of confidence in the beginning, but over the year she’s really blossomed into an incredible player with a bright future. She led the team in rebounds and steals during both tournament games.”
Cox said her team has many valuable attributes that help them win, but the most important is being willing to accept instruction.
“This team has proven themselves to be really coachable. They listen to what I say and try to implement my instructions from practice to game. Being coachable is the No. 1 important aspect of being a good player. The improvements they’ve made since their first practice to now are astounding.”
She said her biggest challenge was instilling the foundation in this young team. All but two members are sixth-graders, the other two seventh-graders.
“This team is really young and they would get frustrated when they missed a shot because they didn’t understand why they missed the shot. I’d have to tell them over and over again that It’s OK, they’re young and learning. We’ll continue working to instill the foundation of a well-rounded basketball team.”
The team plans an end of season party at Main Event and tryouts for next season in the spring.
Akima Club benefit has music, merriment and a bit of outrageousness
Carol Shane, Shopper News correspondent
Wendy Hopper – now in her sixth year as a cast member of the Akima Club Cabaret – says, “I absolutely love doing it! We become very close friends during this time.” First-time cast member Kelli Sexton agrees. “There is a unique sisterhood among the women. It is a very diverse group of ladies. In my small world I would never have had the opportunity to meet most of them!”
Hopper, who has spent her career in corporate healthcare, is the chair for this year’s event. It’s the club’s major fundraiser, done every other year. “Knowing the reason we do this makes it all worthwhile. We distribute the funds raised to area nonprofits over the next two years, averaging about $50,000 each year and fulfilling about 25-30 grants.”
This year’s show – the club’s 39th – is titled “Happily Ever After?” and features the adventures of the Disney princesses, princes and villains in a story about love, betrayal and happiness. It’s produced and written by Chester McCurry, with musical director David Brooks, director Jonathan East and choreographer Brooke Cenicola East.
It’s a lively evening of singing, dancing and theatrical surprises, with many of the members’ husbands joining them onstage. “We have a cast of 70 from our 125-member club. We’re by no means professional, but in the end, when it’s performance time, it is surprisingly good.” The show features lots of songs, from Beatles tunes to Bruno Mars to Justin Timberlake.
The performers don’t mind a bit of outrageousness in the service of a good cause. “Last Cabaret the men dressed up as Shirley Temple and sang ‘Good Ship Lollipop,’ complete with dress and blond curly wig,” says Hopper. This year’s production will have plenty of glitz and is even – shhhh – “a bit more risque. It is after, all, a cabaret.” Details? Hopper won’t spill the beans. “I don’t want to give it away,” she says. “It’s a must-see!”
Akima Club, which originated as a Junior Women's Club in February 1947, adopted the name “Akima,” which Hopper says is a Native American word meaning “women” – in May of 1951. The club seeks to identify needs in the community and determine appropriate assistance for them, furnishing volunteer support and financial assistance. During its life, it has distributed more than $1 million to area nonprofits.
Performances of the Akima Club Cabaret “Happily Ever After?” will be at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 23, and Saturday, Feb. 24, followed by dinner and dancing at the Knoxville Marriott. A matinee performance will be held on Saturday, Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. All performances take place at the Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St. Info/tickets: akimaclub.org or call the Bijou box office at 865-656-4444.
BOMA keeps it short; Meyer running for alderman
Margie Hagen, Shopper News correspondent
In perhaps the fastest meeting ever held, Farragut Board of Mayor and Aldermen dispatched with the one business item on the agenda and adjourned within 20 minutes. Approving the design services contract submitted by the firm Brewer, Ingram and Fuller allows for phase III of the Campbell Station Inn to move forward.
The approval was a formality, as the scope of work and the firm’s qualifications had been thoroughly vetted in previous meetings. The concept diagram projected work planned for perimeter roads, the small park on the east end of the property and the restrooms. The design services come at a cost of $161,000.
A couple of dozen Boy Scouts, leaders and parents came out; Scouts attend civic meetings to fulfill a requirement for earning their Citizenship in the Community badges. Although the meeting was brief, they got to observe local government in action.
On the subject of local government, Scott Meyer has announced his bid for North Ward alderman. Many know him from his service on the Farragut Board of Zoning Appeals. He’s also on the board of Fox Run subdivision and has represented his neighborhood on issues of development and road safety. He was instrumental in getting the developer of the Swan property to include a nine-acre park, buffering Saddle Ridge and Fox Run from the commercial space.
In a recent interview, Meyer spoke about why he is running, saying, “I got involved as a citizen, and through grassroots efforts I was able to make a difference. I want to continue to serve and build on the success we’ve had in Farragut.”
His vision includes road improvement that will “make roads safer, not faster.” Preserving the rural character of Union Road and other neighborhoods is a priority, as is continuing to connect the greenway system.
Meyer says he wants to work with the other aldermen “to promote relevant commercial development that will fill vacant buildings.” That’s a tall order and will continue to be; in the recent town survey, vacancies were ranked as one of the top issues residents want resolved.
Kicking his campaign into high gear, Meyer plans on going door-to-door to meet constituents. “I’ll be out there shaking hands and kissing babies,” he said.
Meyer has an extensive background in management; currently employed as an executive director with Summit Medical Group, he holds a Master of Accountancy from UT and is a CPA. He and his wife, Melissa, live in Fox Run with their two daughters.
Right now it’s unclear whether Alderman Bob Markli will pursue a second term, and no other candidates have surfaced to vie for the seat. The deadline to qualify is April 5, so there may be others joining the race. Mark your calendar for Aug. 2, Election Day.
South-Doyle's Chester heads to Emory & Henry
Four West High athletes sign college letters
Wednesday, Feb. 7, marked the beginning of the NCAA signing period for football, soccer and water polo. These four West High School athletes signed letters of intent to play their respective sports at the next level. Among them, Zion McCray and Jason Eskridge will be teammates at Union College in Barbourville, Ky.
Family business puts stamp on Knoxville
Ali James, Shopper News correspondent
Set in Stone Sisters was a concrete garden décor business started by two sisters, Lucinda Price and Marianne Wilson. “My daughters, started it as a hobby in 2011,” said Laverne Wilson. “I had retired for the second or third time and decided to help them at their market booth.”
Laverne Wilson had a passion for rubber stamping and making cards and began stamping images of flowers and birds onto travertine tiles to sell at the market.
“People were walking out with the coasters and not the garden décor,” said Chelsea Price, Wilson’s granddaughter. “They were a better price point and cheaper, and you always need a coaster and you don’t always need a piece of concrete.”
Laverne Wilson’s daughters had full-time jobs, so she decided to keep up with the demand for the coasters and take over Set in Stone Sisters. She produces the collectible coasters from her Corryton home, with Chelsea working right alongside her. Marianne and Lucinda help when they can.
The coaster designs expanded to feature landmarks, iconic buildings, schools, theaters and churches as well as vintage advertisements in and around Knoxville, Maryville, the Great Smoky Mountains, Oak Ridge, Clinton and Norris.
Over the years, Laverne Wilson has designed around 150 stamps, which are produced locally. And she estimates she has a library of over 350 photo prints that can be applied to the coasters.
“Most of them are from postcards, and our customers sometimes send us their old pictures,” said Wilson.
Chelsea Price helps with production as well as handling marketing, event merchandising and social media for Set in Stone Sisters. “If you can get us a picture we can put it on a coaster,” she said. “Custom orders are not really our bread and butter anymore. But we still love to do custom images for wedding favors, Valentine’s and birthday gifts – we even made 150 for a family reunion.”
The duo even created coasters for a client using his photos from a trip to Germany.
Recently, Laverne and Chelsea decided to launch their neighborhood collection. “South Knoxville is the first neighborhood we did,” said Price. “People from South Knoxville have a lot of pride, and we also had a lot of requests from Halls.” There are 24 neighborhood designs in the collection.
They have also produced large corporate orders for the Pat Summitt Foundation and keep busy post-Christmas fulfilling wholesale orders.
Coasters retail for $6 each, or four can be purchased for $22, and magnets retail for $3.50 each.
Set in Stone Sisters coasters and magnets are currently available at Knoxville Visitors Center, Ijams Nature Center, Nostalgia, The Shoppes and Fountain City Station, Bradley’s, Knoxville Chocolate Co., Tea and Treasures.
As Set in Stone Sisters has grown, it’s taken over two rooms in Wilson’s house and part of her garage – where they sand and clean the tiles. Once the market season starts again this spring, the duo will be hard at work six days a week as the company continues to grow.
More: Set in Stone Sisters 865-660-3057
Some days, nachos are the healthy choice
Leslie Snow, Shopper News columnist
In 1854, there was a cholera outbreak in the Soho district in London. Nearly everyone got sick except a small group of brewery workers who drank beer exclusively, never touching the contaminated water. Not a good time for teetotalers. That bit of trivia has been bouncing through my head ever since last week’s unfortunate Super Bowl party.
I know it’s not normal, but I don’t like Super Bowl parties. They’re awkward gatherings that start at an odd time of day, on a strange day of the week. On any other Sunday, when 6:30 rolls around, I’m in my comfy clothes, relaxing. But on Super Bowl Sunday, I’m expected to socialize around a television set and eat adorable appetizers shaped like footballs until 11 o’clock. On a school night.
A few years ago, I started a new tradition, the Leslie-Snow-Exclusive-Super-Bowl-Party. I send an invitation to my husband, and any offspring that happen to be home, and we make mostly healthy snacks to eat in front of the TV. What separates my party from the traditional Super Bowl parties is that 1) you get to wear your favorite sweat pants, 2) you can watch the game without making small talk, 3) you can go to bed when you’re tired.
This year’s private party looked to be a good one. My husband accepted my invitation and agreed to root for any team that wasn’t the New England Patriots. We decided on the menu, and I wore a new pair of lounging pajamas that were both attractive and comfortable. It was a promising beginning.
While we were getting ready, I teased my husband about his protein-centric appetizers. He decided to bake chicken tenders with buffalo sauce and make Italian beef sandwiches. He also wanted clam dip and potato chips. I wanted to eat healthier, so I made low-fat stuffed jalapeno poppers and served fresh fruit and celery with yogurt dressing for dipping. Clearly one of us was taking the healthy eating more seriously than the other. Lucky for my husband, I was there to point out my healthier food choices. And he loved that.
Everything went as planned. The food was delicious, the game ended just the way I hoped, and I was in bed by the time the winning coach was doused with Gatorade. It seemed another private Super Bowl party was successfully in the books.
Until it wasn’t. In the middle of the night my stomach woke me up and I was faced with a horrible realization; I was going to be sick. And I was. All through the night.
The next morning my husband tried to comfort me. “Poor you! You had such a rough night.” I agreed. “I can’t figure out why I’m the only one who got sick,” I cried, pitifully. "We went to the same Super Bowl party. We ate the same food. Why did I get sick?”
That’s when I saw the imaginary lightbulb go off above his head. “I didn’t have any fruit. Or vegetables. I focused on the chicken tenders and the Italian beef like a normal person.” He looked quite pleased with himself. “You might want to lay off the vegetables in the future. They can really knock you for a loop if you’re not careful.”
Then he brought me a glass of water and I rolled over and went to sleep. But I learned my lesson. Next year, when the next Super Bowl rolls around, I’m eating nothing but nachos and wings. And I’m going to drink a lot of beer. I hear it cures cholera.
Leslie Snow may be reached at email@example.com.
Pysanky egg decorating finds new popularity in West Knox
Margie Hagen, Shopper News correspondent
Think decorating eggs is only for Easter? Artist and teacher Jordan Byrd will change your mind with her exquisitely designed display eggs and jewelry. Using a 5,000-year-old process called Pysanky or Batik, Byrd uses the traditional method to craft her art.
Pysanky is a Ukrainian word and literally means “to write.” Prayers for good health and success were written on eggs and given as gifts. Each design and color signified a different meaning. Today, Byrd translates that into a variety of designs.
What started as a two-hour 4-H class when Byrd was 12 has turned into a thriving business for the West Knox artist. She fell in love with egg decorating as a hobby, so when her parents encouraged her to start selling her creations, Byrd found her calling; now she works from her home studio and sells in galleries, art shows and online at her website, insidethebyrdsnest.com.
It might seem like eggs are too delicate for everyday jewelry, but Byrd uses a certified green plant-based sealer called ecopoxy. “Each piece is coated until it is practically indestructible,” says Byrd, adding, “The chains will break before the eggs do.” She used her then 2-year-old daughter to test for durability, noting, “If she couldn’t break it, I knew I had the right formula.”
Where does one get a rhea or emu egg? “I try to get goose and other eggs locally at farmers markets,” Byrd says. “But I get the exotic eggs from a bird breeding farm in California.” She checked them out beforehand to make sure the birds were raised humanely and uses only infertile eggs.
Byrd uses the wax resist process to produce the desired effect. A fine-point tool called a kista is filled with heated wax and used to draw the design. The egg is then dyed, with the wax “resisting” the color. More designs and colors are applied in stages; an egg can take anywhere from six to 40 hours to complete. Custom pieces can be made for special occasions or businesses.
Teaching others about the art is a big part of keeping the tradition alive; Byrd holds classes at Pellissippi State Community College and the Appalachian Arts Crafts Center. Go to their websites for details.
Byrd will be participating in the Dogwood Arts Show this year for the first time. “I’m very excited to be included in that show,” she said. She’ll also be branching out on a national level as a guest teacher at a weeklong artists' retreat in the Adirondacks in April.
Being talented at what she does and truly loving it makes all the hard work worthwhile for Byrd. “I feel very lucky to be living my dream,” she says. “I count my blessings every day.” You can see informational videos and more of her work on Facebook: insidethebyrdsnest and on YouTube, or call 615-293-7695.
Five Fulton seniors sign with Ky. college
Ruth White, Shopper News
Five of Fulton High School's finest football players signed letters of intent to play at The University of the Cumberlands next year.
The players – Jaquez Booker, Coryean Davis, James Davis, Joey Smith and Robquez Thomas – have earned two region championships, four playoff appearances, one state championship – and a four-year record of 42-10.
Head coach Rob Black spoke briefly before the signing celebration, stating that he and his staff were "super proud of the five quality individuals" heading to The University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Ky. Black called them "some of the best kids in the school, academically and athletically."
Jaquez Booker was a three-year contributor and two-year starter. He had 81 career tackles, six tackles for loss, 14 receptions, 178 yards and two touchdowns. Jaquez was named to the Region 3-5A team.
Coryean Davis was a two-year starter on defense and leading receiver his senior year with 60 receptions (a school record) with 865 yards and seven touchdowns. Coryean played in the Toyota East/West All-Star Classic and was named to the All-Region 3-5A team and was on the 3rd Team All-PrepXtra.
James Davis overcame injuries to become a major contributor his junior and senior years. He had 114 career tackles and represented Fulton at the Border Bowl, on the All-Region 3-5A team and 2nd Team All-PrepXtra.
Joey Smith had 44 catches, 669 yards and five touchdowns for his career. He had 51 career tackles and three career fumble recoveries. He was named to the All-Region 3-5A team.
Robquez Thomas was a big part of the receiving corps his senior year with 12 catches, 158 yards and one touchdown.
The Fulton auditorium was filled with family, friends, staff members and teammates all joining in the celebration.