South Knox Shopper-News 020316

SOUTH KNOX VOL. 42 NO. 51

BUZZ Candidate forum The League of Women Voters will host a candidate forum 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, Lincoln Memorial University Duncan School of Law, 601 W. Summit Hill Drive. Features candidates for law director and property assessor. Moderator: Matt Shafer Powell, WUOT radio director of news content.

Info: lwvknoxville.org.

Leland keeps on Peggy Kretchmar Leland hasn’t quite figured out the retirement thing.

That probably makes sense, considering the complex evolution of her working life. But since ending her 20year career as an art teacher at Central High School in 2014, the Island Home Park resident hasn’t slowed down.

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Read Betsy Pickle on page 3

Kerbyson leaves hole at left tackle Tennessee’s Kyler Kerbyson, a splendid success story, is causing a problem.

After just five years, he is going away, maybe to the NFL. His departure creates a glaring hole at a critical position, offensive left tackle. It is unsettling.

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Sacred Heart Cathedral is expanding into the world. As part of “Give Haiti Hope,� the Cathedral maintains a regular educational, spiritual, water quality and medical presence in the Caribbean country, which shares an island with the Dominican Republic.

Read Carol Shane on page 6

Butler pushes OCR investigation The Rev. John Butler can’t understand why some county officials say they can’t understand why he’s mad. “Did you not read anything we wrote?� he asked. “I’m not mad. I’m past the point of superficial emotions. What I’m asking for is a fair and equitable system, and we just don’t have it.�

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Read Betty Bean on page 5

(865) 922-4136 NEWS news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Betsy Pickle ADVERTISING SALES ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Patty Fecco | Tony Cranmore Beverly Holland | Amy Lutheran

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S-D student

February July 29, 3, 2013 2016

finds direction at KCT

By Betsy Pickle

Caroline Dyer has stepped behind the scenes, and she’s more than fine with that.

The South-Doyle High School junior has acted in productions with the Knoxville Children’s Theatre for eight years, but she moved into the role of assistant director with December’s “Cinderella and Ebenezer� and is reprising the position with the troupe’s current production. “Sara Crewe: A Little Princess� runs through Sunday at Knoxville Children’s Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Ave. Dyer thinks she’s been in 20 KCT productions. “I quit counting,� she says. Her first was “The Wind in the Willows,� and her most recent was July’s “Bambi: Life in the Woods.�

Switching from acting to assistant directing wasn’t something she’d planned. “I don’t think I intentionally thought about directing,� she says. “I started wanting to work behind the scenes when I helped design costumes for ‘Shrek.’ It was cool to be involved with the show and not be on stage.�

Dyer, a product of New Hopewell Elementary and SouthDoyle Middle, loves sports and played volleyball and ran track when she started high school. “I gave them up for theater,� she says.

Giving assistant director Caroline Dyer a hug are Isabella Silvan, Autumn Harbison and Ella Williams.

She likes the respect that children receive as actors at Knoxville Children’s Theatre and that they’re deemed “just as important as adults.�

Even the youngest cast mem-

bers have the opportunity to shine. “A little girl of 8 in ‘A Little Princess’ has just as much chance for a role as I do,� says Dyer. She sees herself more as an equal than a role model, but she tries “to help

them grow.�

While she doesn’t know if she will aim to make a career in theater, “It has taught me so much.

It’s an important part of my life.�

For one thing, she’s made lasting friendships. “I grew up with these people,� she says. “They’re my best friends, and I love them with all my heart.�

She agrees with KCT executive director Zack Allen, who says, “Actors are some of the kindest people you’ll ever meet. It’s their job to put themselves in other people’s shoes.�

Theatre also fits with Dyer’s love of words. Her favorite classes at South-Doyle are journalism, taught

by Cammie Lawton, and Shakespeare, taught by Chad Hensley.

She’s considering journalism, cultural anthropology, archaeology and the medical field as possible career choices, but she plans to take a gap year and travel after graduation before she chooses a path. She says parents Amie and Scott Dyer “just want me to be happy.�

Her older brother, Riley, recently joined the U.S. Navy.

Even though she’s tried her hand at both performing and directing, she doesn’t have a preference. “I like to think I try my best at both,� she says.

The Knoxville Children’s Theatre’s next production will be “To Kill a Mockingbird,� Feb. 26-March 13. Info: knoxville childrenstheatre.com

Hitting the links at the First Tee

Read Marvin West on page 4

Sacred Heart boosts Haiti

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| pp www.ShopperNewsNow.com

By Tom King At the First Tee of Greater Knoxville, it’s about golf and kids. But what it’s really all about involves education, learning life skills and building character.

That’s what is really being taught at the Williams Creek Golf Course.

The passion Jackson of the mission is heard and felt in the words from Diondre Jackson, the First Tee’s executive director since 2005, who

spoke last Wednesday to the Rotary Club of Farragut: “We’re impacting the lives of kids and using golf to teach them the core values of life and the skills they will need to be successful at school and at home.

We teach them about STAR – Stop, Think, Anticipate and Respond.�

The 18-hole Par 3 course, at 2351 Dandridge Ave., was designed by renowned golf course architect Tom Fazio and is rated as one of the best Par 3 courses in the United States. Golfers of all ages play the course.

The focus, though, is on the children, ages 7 to 18, and Jackson

says they serve the children from Walter P. Taylor Homes, Austin Homes, the Green Hill Apartments and four schools -- Sarah Moore Green Elementary, Dogwood Elementary, Vine Middle and South-Doyle School.

He estimates that since The First Tee began, more than 10,000 kids – boys and girls – have been to the course and through its curriculum.

Over the next three years, the plan is to extend the program into nine counties.

The First Tee is one of the best deals in town. An eight-week Golf

and Life Skills Experience Clinic is only $40. “If a family can’t afford that, we’ll find a way to scholarship the kid and get the fee paid,�

Jackson said.

The After School Program – five days a week from 3-6 p.m. – costs $25 per semester. The program continues into the summer months as well. Again, Jackson says scholarships are available if the family can’t afford the fee. The First Tee also picks up the kids at their schools.

If you are interested in having a child sign up, call the First Tee’s main number, 865-673-8584. Info: thefirstteegreaterknoxville.org

Bid process not driven by low price

By Sandra Clark To believe the fix was in on awarding the contracts to build new middle schools at Gibbs and Hardin Valley, one must believe at least some evaluators conspired to tilt the outcome.

Analysis The five evaluators were: Katherine Ambroziah, UT professor and licensed architect, with degrees from Princeton and the University of Virginia. Since 2009, she has served as the primary designer and coordinator of the Odd Fellows Cemetery and Potters Field Rehabilitation Project in East Knoxville.

Doug Dillingham, supervisor of facility management for Knox County Schools since 2001, has been the school system’s point of

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As one bidder said, “I don’t get why they didn’t open the prices and score everyone and then interview the top three scores? They still could have emphasized value over amount but they would have treated everyone the same.�

Hugh Holt, the county’s director of purchasing, said bidders who are weak on qualifications can low-ball Ambroziah Dillingham Foraker Pionke cost to win on points. He said the contact for building projects across licenses to protect. While history – price proposed by the design-build good and bad – with bidders might team is simply a confirmation that Knox County.

Zane Foraker, P.E., employed have come into play, there’s no way the requirements of the RFP are met within budget.

by Knox County Schools since to claim a broad conspiracy. “The county’s primary objective 2007 as energy manager; does not But the county’s decision to use report to Dillingham; design-build rather than the tra- is to bring the best available design Matt Myers, deputy director ditional design-bid-build process and construction experience and of purchasing; employed by Knox brought subjectivity to the selec- expertise together to work with the County since 1998. tion. The decision to count cost as county, as a team, to successfully Cindy Pionke, P.E., heads only 20 percent and to open the meet the challenges presented by planning for Knox County Engi- cost bids only of those who made this project within the established neering and Public Works. the evaluators’ short list increased budget and time.�

These folks are career profes- suspicion among bidders about More on page 3 sionals with jobs, pensions and fairness.

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2 • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 • Shopper news

health & lifestyles

Net results

Hip replacement gets tennis player back into the game He discovered tennis in its golden years, back when Ilie Nastase, Vitas Gerulaitis and Bjorn Borg ruled the men’s courts. But almost four decades later, Kevin Simpson’s game was suffering. “For the longest time I thought that I must have a groin pull because every time I would go out and play tennis it would hurt,� he said. “I went a whole year with it, and then during the second year I thought, ‘I need to have this checked. Something’s not right.’ �

Indeed, something was NOT right. A chiropractor’s x-ray showed his right hip was bone-on-bone, and Dr. Paul Yau, an orthopedic surgeon at Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center conďŹ rmed it. “Kevin had end stage, bone-on-bone arthritis, a signiďŹ cant limp, pain when he stood and was particularly in pain getting up from a chair, in and out of bed, and in and out of his car,â€? said Dr. Yau. “His hip was also very stiff. He could not cross his legs, and even had problems tying the laces on his shoes. He wanted to be active again.

Play tennis. He wasn’t ready to call it quits just yet. Life was too short to sit it out.�

That is exactly why Simpson sought out Dr. Yau in the ďŹ rst place. Knowing other tennis friends who had undergone traditional hip replacement surgery with its lengthy recovery period, Simpson had heard there was a better way, a method that Dr. Yau uses for almost every hip replacement.

Called “Direct Anterior Hip Replacement,� it’s a procedure in which the surgeon goes through the front (anterior) portion of the hip instead of the side or the back. This allows the surgeon to push aside important muscles and tendons rather than cutting through them to position a new hip joint implant. “My patients who have had one hip done

with the surgery, he made an appointment and was quickly impressed by the affable surgeon. “He stayed there and answered every question I had,� said Simpson. “He gave me all the time I needed. One of the nurses told me that he would stay with you all day if you needed him too. I told him what my goals were – I’ve been a runner all my life and wanted to get back to running and I want to get back on the tennis court.

And he said, ‘I don’t see any problem with that.’ �

On Sept. 28, 2015, two days before Simpson’s 59th birthday, he was being prepped for his surgery at FSRMC. “Right before the surgery, Dr. Yau came in and I told him, ‘I want to be the ‘Six Million Dollar Man.’ He said, ‘Well, how about a Million Dollar man?’ He had such a wonderful personality.�

A short time later, Simpson emerged from the recovery room a new man with a new hip and “feeling great.� That same day Dr. Yau sent him home to begin his recovery.

Kevin Simpson was able to return to the ten“The next day, the pain medicine was nis court not long after hip replacement surwearing off and I could feel some soreness gery by Dr. Paul Yau at Fort Sanders Regional and tightness there but nothing major,� said Medical Center. “The guy that was beating me Simpson, who was off his crutches by his like a drum when my hip was messed up, it second follow-up appointment. wasn’t even close. I destroyed him in all three

By Thanksgiving, Simpson was back on sets,� Simpson said with a laugh. the tennis court. “The guy that was beating me like a drum when my hip was messed up, it wasn’t even close. I destroyed him in all three sets,� Simpson said with a laugh. the traditional approach and the other done p r e v i o u s When he was told he needed a hip reby me report the latter is approximately 60- surgery.� placement, Simpson says, “I was devastat80 percent easier,� said Dr. Yau. “By 2-3 “ T h e ed. I thought, ‘My life’s over. I’ll never be weeks into the recovery, they are already more I able to do anything, activity-wise. I’ll never doing what took them 2-3 months after the looked into be the same.’ But that wasn’t the case. I love traditional approach. Some even say be- this anteDr. Yau to death. I highly recommend him. cause this approach never cut any muscles rior approach, the more I decided that’s the He was so nice! It was like I had known him or tendons they can do things they never way I wanted to go,� said Simpson. for years he’s so easy to talk to. I think I have been able to do even 2-3 years after the After hearing about Dr. Yau’s experience made a wise choice.�

‘Giant leap’ in hip replacement surgery Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center is among only 15 percent of U.S. hospitals with the staff and facilities available to perform the latest approach in hip replacement surgery, called “Direct Anterior Hip Replacement.�

In this procedure, the surgeon goes through the front (anterior) portion of the hip, instead of the side or back.

This allows the surgery to be performed in between muscles and tendons instead of cutting through them to position a new hip joint implant. “When I ďŹ rst started doing hip replacement surgery this way, I thought it was just another option to access the joint, but people have done amazingly well with this approach,â€? said Dr. Paul Yau, an orthopedic surgeon with Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. “With traditional hip replacements, we have to cut muscles or tendons, which prolongs the recovery process and may require limitations on hip motion,â€? said Yau. “It is common to hear patients being told not to bend at the hip more than 90 Dr. Paul Yau degrees, squat, reach to the oor or cross your legs after hip replacement because it would risk a dislocation. “With the anterior approach, none of these typical ligaments are cut, which means all of these common activities are safe, immediately after surgery,â€? Yau explained.

The anterior approach does utilize a specialized surgical table and intraoperative X-rays.

“The specialized table allows for safe leg placement not possible with a traditional surgical table,� said Yau. “Better implant placement improves implant longevity.

I no longer say you have to be a certain age to get a hip replacement. “Traditionally, leg length discrepancies are a wellknown complication after total hip replacement. The use of live, real-time imaging during surgery improves the surgeon’s ability to make both legs balanced and symmetric in length,� he said.

With the anterior approach, the patient should usually expect just one night in the hospital. “Some people even go home the same day,� said Yau. “People recover so much faster it’s unbelievable.�

Yau said he began doing the anterior surgery routinely about two years ago, and uses it today for about 95 percent of his hip replacement and repair surgeries. “It does require special facilities and a speciďŹ cally trained staff, which we have at Fort Sanders. There are a lot of moving parts to the surgery and they all need to be coordinated or you’ll have issues,â€? he said.

Studies have backed up Yau’s opinion of anterior hip replacement. “You know how progress tends to happen in increments?� he asked. “I want to say this is a giant leap instead of an incremental one in orthopedic surgery. I haven’t seen anything this dramatically improve people’s outcome from surgery, ever.�

For more information on direct anterior hip replacement, call 673-FORT or visit our website at www.fsregional.com/orthopaedics.

Anterior Hip Replacement:

What’s all the fuss?

What is driving same-day hip replacements? Easier recovery? Technological advancements?

Dr. Paul Yau says all those elements may factor into the equation, but he prefers to look beyond those and to the patient. That’s why, he says, the biggest reasons he hears from patients are these:

Patient Demand

■“I like my home, my bed, my food, my pet. Can’t you just let me go home?� ■“I like my work. I’m the only one who can do that job.� ■“My partner depends on me to return quickly.� ■“I can’t miss church.� ■“I have to preach on Sunday.�

Life Demands

■“I have a wedding / vacation – I have to work until ‌ and need to be ready by this day ‌â€?

Patient Realization

â– The less invasive anterior approach exceeds their ex-

â–

â– â–

â–

pectations and they just head home.

Their first PT session after surgery and we literally run out of things to challenge them.

They set new records for distance walked.

Patients rarely need anything from the nurses because they don’t NEED anything!

Anesthesia techniques have gotten better. There is just less to recover from.

Economy

■“I can’t take that much time off work. I don’t have that many sick days.�

Family Issues

■“My parents, spouse, dependents are sick. I need get back quick so I can care for them.�

TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS - THANK YOU! For more than 50 years, members of the Fort Sanders Regional Volunteer Auxiliary have helped support the mission of Fort Sanders Regional Medical Center. :H UHFRJQL]H HDFK RI RXU YROXQWHHUV IRU WKHLU VHOÀ HVV FRPPLWPHQW WR RXU SDWLHQWV VWD̆ DQG GRFWRUV

0094-0094

Want to know more about volunteering at Fort Sanders Regional? Call (865) 541-1249 or go to fsregional.com.

community

SOUTH KNOX Shopper news • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 • 3

Evaluation Totals for RFP #2307 Design Build Services Schedule 1 Ranking (Both)

Schedule 2 Ranking (Gibbs)

Joseph

5

Merit

4

Rentenbach

3

Blaine

2

Denark

1

Construction Plus

7

Joseph

6

Merit

5

Johnson & Galyon

4

Blaine

3

Rouse

2

Denark

1

Joseph

4

Merit

3

Blaine

2

Denark

1

Schedule 3 Ranking (Hardin Valley)

Evaluator 1

71

75

71

61

76

66

74

63

71

61

71

67

75

71

71

61

Evaluator 2

78

73

71

69

78

78

71

70

71

69

61

78

73

74

71

69

Evaluator 3

77

67

50

51

77

77

67

77

50

51

66

77

67

56

50

51

Evaluator 4

77

54

66

67

77

75

54

56

66

67

46

76

54

77

66

67

Evaluator 5

79.5

80

74.5

75

80

77

80

76

74

75

65

79

80

78

75

75

TOTAL SCORE

382.5

349

332.5

323

388

373

346

342

332

323

309

377

349

356

333

323

100

(maximum 400 points)

PRICE (100 points)

76.15 100.00

?

?

67.45

99.08 100.00

?

?

?

?

72.38

83.81

?

?

OVERALL SCORE (Total 500 points)

458.65 449.00

?

?

455.45 472.08 446.00

?

?

?

?

449.38 449.00 439.81

?

?

Analyzing the bid process for Knox middle schools The architectural firm is McCarty Holsaple McCarty.

Denark Construc- Rouse most recently built tion will build Hardin Val- Northshore Elementary. The ley Middle School for 1,200 firm did additions at Halls Elstudents at a cost not to ementary and built Paulette exceed $34.8 million. The Elementary in Union County. architectural firm is Bar- Phil Keith, former KPD chief, berMcMurry. The plan calls is its security consultant. for a two-story building with access from Steele Road and connection to Hardin Valley “There not a firm in Academy. The design incorhere that could not build porates daylight into classa school,” said Matt Myrooms through light reflecers, an evaluator. Yet six of tors and a lightwell. eight submitters fell short.

Rouse Construction It’s easy for them to fault a will build Gibbs Middle process so subjective, one School for 900 kids at a cost that left some cost bids in a not to exceed $23.6 million. sealed envelope. (Purchas-

Winners

Losers

ing Director Hugh Holt says he won’t open those bids unless the county’s lawyer instructs him to do so.)

The process worked against Construction Plus for sure. Owner Sandy Loy has touted design-build and CM Agency for 20-plus years. He’s successfully built projects all over East Tennessee, but has never landed a contract with Knox County government or schools.

Some say Sandy is political poison, he’s too intense.

But this proposal suffered from his lack of staff and overall glitz. He gave evaluators three choices for Gibbs,

showing his creativity, but his price was unopened.

Merit Construction was strong on team but weak on specifics, even including hand-drawn site plans for both Gibbs and Hardin Valley. Merit teamed with Studio Four Design, a lesser-known architectural firm. Yet Merit has built numerous projects including Hardin Valley and Gibbs elementary schools and Alcoa High School. Evaluator No. 3 doomed Merit’s proposals with three 50 ratings, the lowest scores given. Merit’s price lies unopened.

Joseph Construction

teamed with Johnson Architects, Daryl R. Johnson.

Joseph built Carter Elementary, Knox Catholic and several schools in Blount County. Johnson Architects designed Carter Elementary, under the construction manager, Partners.

Blaine Construction teamed with Cope Architecture, Lanis Cope, who designed Gibbs Elementary, renovations at Powell Middle and the new Northshore Elementary. The proposal included lots of specifics, but no bells and whistles. Blaine made the short-list for both Gibbs and Hardin Valley, but neither proposal was accepted, despite the best efforts of evaluator No. 5.

Retenbach Constructors teamed with frequent school architect, the Lewis Group, Jerry Lewis, to bid on Hardin Valley only. Retenbach just built the new Jefferson County High School and is currently constructing a new high school and dining hall at Tennessee School for the Deaf, also designed by the Lewis Group. The proposal was strong on specifics and team. Retenbach lost by just 10 points (449.38 to 449.00 to 439.81). Evaluator No. 3 was responsible for 20 lost points (Retenbach’s scores were 71-74-56-77-78).

This evaluator should appreciate anonymity.

Johnson & Galyon teamed with Michael Brady Inc., architects, to produce a futuristic design with lots of Gibbs powder blue and screaming eagles. The team emphasized its experience

with construction at First Baptist Concord and the Concord Christian School, which contains 42 classrooms for K-12 students.

Their proposal was strong on team and graphics, failing to make the short-list by just four points. Opening their cost bid could have pushed them to the front. They certainly won on “Wow!”

Random thoughts ■ Evaluator 5 gave Blaine Construction all 80s – the highest score. Blaine’s architect, Lanis Cope, has designed and overseen construction of numerous local schools. Two former school employees are on staff, according to Cope’s website: Dr. Charles Q. Lindsey, former superintendent, and George Whedbee, who formerly held Dillingham’s job. Here’s betting Dillingham was No. 5, ranking Blaine high because of his comfort with Cope and Cope’s familiarity with the school system’s standards.

■ Evaluator No. 4, however, rated Blaine 54 across the boards. I’m guessing that was the UT architect, Ambroziah, who marked down the institutional look of Cope’s drawings.

■ Price saved Rouse on the Gibbs project. At the end of the first round, Denark led with 388 points, followed by Rouse with 373 and Blaine with 346. Blaine, however, had the lowest price (worth 100 points), followed closely by Rouse (99.08 points) and Denark (67.45 points).

– S. Clark

Staying busy suits Leland Peggy Kretchmar Leland hasn’t quite figured out the retirement thing.

Betsy Pickle

That probably makes sense, considering the complex evolution of her working life. But since ending her 20-year career as an art teacher at Central High School in 2014, the Island Home Park resident hasn’t slowed down.

Leland is always busy painting – she has two pieces in the current Arts in the Airport exhibit at McGhee Tyson Airport. She volunteered last fall with other retired and current art teachers to help paint doors in the Barber Street placemaking project.

Right now, she is also getting ready for the UT High School Arts Academy, which she and co-director Marcia Goldenstein started

Peggy Leland’s “Infrared” (encaustic, mixed media) is on display in the Arts in the Airport exhibit.

Peggy Leland in her studio in Island Home Park. Photo by Betsy

Pickle

15 years ago.

Students from across the area will attend the academy on Saturday, March 5, for a one-day workshop offering intensive study in ceramics, drawing, painting, photography, printmaking, bookmaking, mixed-media drawing and sculpture. The workshops are taught by UT art professors and graduate students.

Leland grew up in Oak Ridge and decided to major in art at the University of Tennessee. Coming of age during the late 1960s and

Peggy Leland’s “Past and Present” (encaustic, mixed media) is a position with the agency’s on display in the Arts in the Airport exhibit. regional arts program.

Along the way, she earned early 1970s was exciting.

Supply Store and ran the two master’s degrees: one in “I feel very fortunate to special-orders department, educational administration have grown up in that era be- which had “a lot of detailed and one in art education. cause it was so important,” kinds of duties.” She inter- She did her student teachshe says. “There were so viewed for and got another ing at Central in 1990, and many really serious things position at UT, at the School when a teaching job finally going on. I love the way Planning Lab. She was there opened up in 1995, it was at young people got involved.” in 1978, when a UT plane Central, and she landed it.

The attitude about art She loved art, but she had crash killed five people, ineducation in schools has no idea what she would do cluding her boss. for a career.

She had been planning changed significantly over “Fortunately, because of to take another job, but she the years, Leland says.

“I think it’s much more timing and I would say my stayed on to help as the lab respected and desired. Art own ambition, I was able to went through a transition. capitalize on all the places Eventually, she did land is all about problem solving, that I worked.” a job with TVA in economic and you can apply that to evAfter graduation, she and community develop- ery subject area. That’s one worked at the UT Book & ment, and later she took on thing I would stress with my

students.”

Leland has been married to UT art professor Whitney Leland since 1973, and they have lived in Island Home Park for more than 35 years.

Their daughter, Erin, lives in New York City and is a photographer.

The Arts in the Airport exhibit is behind the security checkpoint and can be viewed by those flying in and out of McGhee Tyson Airport. It is also available by appointment with the Metropolitan Knoxville Airport Authority. Contact Becky Huckaby, director of public relations, at 865-3423014.

Rising frosh tapped for mentoring program

By Betsy Pickle Some eighth-graders from South-Doyle Middle School will have an extra link in their support system when they start ninth grade at South-Doyle High School this August.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Tennessee is partnering with South-Doyle High and South-Doyle Middle to launch Mentor 2.0, a mentoring program that emphasizes the goal of going to and graduating from college.

Administrators and counselors at the middle school selected students they thought would succeed in and benefit from the program. Representatives from BBBS and the two schools talked with parents of students who have been invited to participate in the program

at the SDMS library last week.

Kara Finger, BBBS vice president of programs, and Whitney Baker, Mentor 2.0 program director, explained that South-Doyle was chosen because it was the only high school in the Knox County system with only one feeder middle school. For the first year, they are aiming for 6065 freshmen. The minimum they need to run the program is 50, and the maximum they can accept is 75.

Mentors and mentees will be matched according to their interests before the end of the current school year but will not meet until August. Both are asked to make a four-year commitment, through high school graduation. Baker and Finger said that similar programs

in other cities had very few dropouts.

“Students love the program and want to stay in it,” said Finger.

Mentor 2.0 is unlike other BBBS site-based and community-based mentoring programs. Volunteer mentors and their mentees meet once a week via Mentor 2.0’s secure online platform.

Meeting time will be part of English class, and the online discussions will have guided topics to align with the curriculum.

Baker will work with participating English teachers on the topics and on skills the students need to develop during their online conversations. Parent Christina Salazar said she is hopeful that the program can help curb son Caleb’s use of slang.

Mentor 2.0 program director Whitney Baker, SDHS ninth-grade principal Bill Baldwin, SDHS climate counselor Carmen Long and parents Gina and Sam Lawhorn discuss the mentoring pilot program that will begin at the high school in August. Photo by Betsy Pickle The upside for volunteers is that they can take part from anywhere they have Internet service – at home in their pajamas or from an airport during a business trip.

The pairs will meet in person once a month at an evening event held at the school.

Mentors must have a college degree and will be rigorously screened.

Bill Baldwin, SDHS ninthgrade principal, said he was excited about the program and working with BBBS. “The transition from eighth grade to high school is the toughest,” said Baldwin. “They’re over there with the big kids.”

He said the program was a great way to get students to think about their future and

follow a college-bound path.

Baker assured parents that they would always be in the loop.

“We always want the parent engaged,” she said.

Another parent meeting will be held before spring break. Adults interested in becoming mentors should contact Baker at Big Brothers Big Sisters.

4 • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 • Shopper news

Kerbyson is causing a problem Tennessee’s Kyler Kerbyson, a splendid success story, is causing a problem.

After just five years, he is going away, maybe to the NFL. His departure creates a glaring hole at a critical position, offensive left tackle. It is unsettling.

Terrific talent is returning at many positions. What started out as merely high hopes for 2016 has taken flight. Some seem sure the Vols will win the SEC championship. A few are having day dreams about the national title.

It’s right out there, in plain sight, can’t you see it? If you reach far enough, you can almost touch it with your fingertips.

Sorry to tell you that is a mirage.

Here it is February and

Marvin West

we don’t know who will be Kyler Kerbyson’s replacement. Or even partial replacement.

Could be Brett Kendrick.

He has some experience.

Could be Drew Richmond.

He survived a redshirt season and is said to have great potential.

Kerbyson was not an AllAmerican but he was a very valuable Volunteer, protector of Joshua Dobbs’ backside, often the key to Jalen Hurd gains. Kyler was a

natural guard, 6-4 and 312, deployed at tackle because the team had a shortage.

Two years ago, he was praised for versatility. In reality, he was just out front in a fire drill.

Kerbyson started 26 consecutive games. Some thought that was a fluke.

Strangely enough, fans pegged him as an overachiever. They kept expecting someone to take his job.

A coach or two eventually admitted that he exceeded expectations. They had miscalculated.

Kyler worked through assorted staff changes and waited three long years.

When he got a genuine opportunity, he played very well and emerged as a team leader because he knew what he was doing, would listen when

Kyler Kerbyson stragglers were confused and could provide guidance without condemnation.

Think about that rare combination of natural grace and acquired skill.

Kyler Kerbyson was destined to be a success. He was a strong student and a two-way monster at Catho-

The death of great aunt Cordelia Recent weather reminded me of hearing the story of the death and funeral of my husband’s great aunt, Fannie Cordelia Peters Parker.

her guest book.

Sam reminded me of the blizzard of 1936.

Ordinarily, I would have thought, “Well no one must have liked this woman;� but with the circumstances two weeks ago (Union County Schools closed for five days) and with all the fine cars and good road equipment, many of us were still stranded by the snow and ice.

Thankfully, it was no worse than it was. Now, let me tell you about Aunt Cordie: Cordelia Peters Parker.

Fannie Cordelia “Aunt Cordie� Peters Parker was born Jan. 24, 1856, and lived all her life in the two-story log home that now rests at the Museum of Appalachia. She would be delighted that her home has been preserved.

My husband, Sam Peters, remembers his great

Bonnie Peters

I had heard this story several times, but after my in-laws passed away and we were cleaning out the house, we ran across the funeral guest register for Aunt Cordie. To my amazement, I saw only about 20 people had signed. I knew it was a big family, and I had heard all kinds of good things about Aunt Cordie, so I asked, how can this be that so few people signed Cordelia Peters Parker

Aunt Cordie as do many of her grandchildren still living. Cordelia married Elvin Parker, a Civil War veteran, Dec. 22, 1878. Elvin simply moved in at the Peters home at their marriage.

Cordelia cared for her parents in their last years as well as her sister, Louisa, until her death. Those who knew her remember her as industrious, loving and generous. Since the home was close to the railroad between Knoxville and Luttrell, it was not unusual for her to take in hobos who wandered by.

She would welcome whomever needed a place to sleep or a meal. She fed them well and was gracious to all who came her way. She cooked many large meals and was always inviting guests for dinner. When her children and grandchildren

lic High. Forty-eight colleges sent scouts. Former UT assistant Dan Brooks represented Clemson. David Cutcliffe got involved on behalf of Duke. Kyler visited Durham three times.

He ended up with many scholarship offers, including Alabama, Florida, Southern Cal, Illinois, Maryland, UCLA, Stanford, Kansas, Virginia, even Vanderbilt. You do see the pattern. He could read and write and play.

He chose Tennessee more because of geography and loyalty than anything Derek Dooley said.

Kyler grew up rooting for the Vols. A grandfather, Jim Grubb, was a wingback in the 1950s.

Going orange was easy compared to the long hike uphill. He couldn’t win a job on three bad teams. Junior college all-world Dontavius Blair was brought in to be the tackle of the future.

In 2014, Kerbyson started every game but at three different positions. He was part of the group that could have gotten Justin Worley killed. That line led the SEC in sacks allowed.

In 2015, he was leader of the line that led the Vols to the second most rushing yards in school history.

There is satisfaction in such progress. Cheers.

Butch Jones likes Kyler Kerbyson. “He’s a rock of stability. I love everything about him and everything he stands for.�

As is the coach’s custom, he attached some big words -- resiliency, perseverance, consistency. “Always upbeat. I’ve been very, very proud of him.�

So have I. It’s good to see good guys go out a winner – even when they leave large shoes to fill.

came, she usually would send a gallon of sweet milk or buttermilk home with them, floating a pound of butter in the milk to keep it cool along the way.

Great nephew Sam Peters was 11 years old then Cordelia died Oct. 27, 1943. Her funeral arrangements were

by Sallings Funeral Home of Knoxville. Elvin Parker had died by the time Sam can remember, but he enjoyed going to visit his Aunt Cordie and remembers the house this way.

When entering the room on the right and looking ahead to the back door, there was a pistol hanging over the back door. Cordie’s loom was in the right corner of that room near the window. A bed was in the left back corner, and there were chairs around the fireplace. Even though it was late October when she died, it was terribly cold, and Sam recalls that their 1936

Chevrolet would not start to go to the funeral. His father, James Clarence Peters, pulled the car to the crest of the hill with his team and let the car roll down the hill to start.

The Parkers lived well.

When Chet Atkins stopped by the Museum after the house was reconstructed there he told John Rice Irwin that when he was growing up the house was in view of his home. He would look that way and long to live in a house like that, since it was the only two-story house around.

Granddaughter Varnell Donahue Schaeffner remembers that her grandmother loved to select “dress patterns� (lengths of material) at the local dry goods/ general merchandise establishments and frequently passed the material out to family and friends for a new dress.

To next page

Marvin West invites reader reaction. His address is westwest6@netzero.com

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Shopper news • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 • 5

Civil rights investigation proceeds The Rev. John Butler can’t understand why some county officials say they can’t understand why he’s mad.

Betty Bean “Did you not read anything we wrote?” he asked.

“I’m not mad. I’m past the point of superficial emotions. What I’m asking for is a fair and equitable system, and we just don’t have it.

When you have people making decisions not on what’s a fair and equitable process, but on whom you’re going to please at this particular time, that tells you that you do not have a fair and equitable system.”

Butler was talking about County Commission’s 9-2 vote to proceed with construction of a new Gibbs Middle School despite his request for a delay while the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights investigates possible violations surrounding the decision to build the new school.

In 2015, Knox County Schools received some $30 million from the federal government. Butler warned that a finding that KCS is violating federal law will jeopardize future funding.

“They promised a prompt investigation, and that’s what we expect. And since compliance is tied to receiving federal dollars, if Knox County is out of compliance with Title VI, they could be at risk of losing money.

“So the question becomes, what’s the hurry? You’re putting the county in a vulnerable condition. If you’ve done nothing wrong, the investigation will be over quickly.

You could have waited two or three months, if there’s smoke and no fire. Why do you want to build a building that would put you at risk?”

The answer to that question probably lies in the sustained lobbying effort

by Gibbs boosters to re-

The Rev. John Butler heads the NAACP in Knoxville. store their middle school, which was housed in a wing of Gibbs High School until 1991 when the school board voted to close it, along with five other middle schools, three high schools and eight elementary schools as part of a comprehensive downsizing and desegregation effort.

Holston High was also shuttered, and its students zoned to Gibbs and Carter.

Holston became Holston Middle School, serving students from the Gibbs, Carter and Austin-East zones.

Gibbs and Corryton residents never stopped pushing to have their middle school restored.

Butler, who is president of the Knoxville Branch NAACP, wrote to OCR on Nov. 6, asking for an investigation into whether building a new Gibbs Middle School will trigger the re-segregation of Holston Middle School. He said the county, in recent years, has built new schools only in communities that are more than 90 percent white.

“Conversely, minimal dollars or no new construction in schools with an AfricanAmerican population of more than five percent. We feel that this practice will ‘re-segregate’ Knox County Schools through the use of new capital construction,” he said.

His letter included a link to a June 16 WBIR-TV story about last year’s memo-

randum of understanding between the school board, the county mayor and the county commission, which authorized building new middle schools at Gibbs and Hardin Valley (both newcomers to the capital plan), a two percent raise for teachers and the sale of the Andrew Johnson building.

Titled “Segregation concerns stem from budget compromise,” the story included quotes from Mayor Tim Burchett, who said that building a new Gibbs Middle School will right a wrong forced on the Gibbs community by “an intrusive court system.”

“They closed Gibbs in ’91 due to a desegregation plan,” Burchett said. “Then the Supreme Court makes some rulings and now those kids (from the Gibbs community) are riding school buses over an hour a day… And we’re having to pick up the pieces…

Anytime the government gets involved in that kind of thing, it causes problems …”

City accepting grant apps

The city of Knoxville is accepting applications from non-profit organizations interested in obtaining a city community agency grant for the fiscal year which begins July 1. The deadline is 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 26.

To apply, the non-profit must operate within the city of Knoxville and must have been in operation for at least five years. There is a grant in the “arts and culture” category and another for “community and social services” category.

Info: Indya Kincannon at ikincannon@ knoxvilletn.gov or 865-215-2267

Great aunt Cordelia Cordelia had a little dog trained to go get her cows.

Every day about 4:30 in the afternoon she would call the dog and tell it to go get the cows, which it obediently did. The milk, butter, and other foods that needed to be kept cool were kept in the spring house.

Kraut was kept in a large crock and taken out as needed for meals. The youngest daughter, Bessie, lived at home and cared for her parents as needed.

At times, grandson Tom Donahue, stayed there during the week to help Bessie with the chores and to help

Butler said Gibbs kids aren’t the only ones riding buses, citing Mechanicsville students who are being bused to Bearden Middle School and children who live within blocks of Vine Middle School being bused across the river to South-Doyle.

He predicted that the investigation will move quickly.

The initial OCR response was swift. On Dec. 18, compliance team leader Virgil Hollis notified Butler and Knox County Schools Superintendent James McIntyre that OCR has opened an investigation: “OCR will investigate the following legal issue: whether the district’s plan for constructing of Gibbs Middle School would result in re-segregation in noncompliance with Title VI (of the Civil Rights Act of 1964)” Hollis presented a 16-point list requesting evidence, starting with the 2015 Brailsford & Dunlavey study of Knox County’s middle school needs (which cost $75,000 and found that no new middle school is needed in east Knox County) and including maps of attendance zones, records of current and projected enrollments, breakdown of enrollments by race, records of communications between county officials, including the mayor and his staff, notes and DVDs of meetings where school construction was discussed and copies of media coverage, and criteria and software used for drawing district lines.

To view the documents involved in this case, go to: knoxv illenaacp.blogspot. com

From page 4

with his grandmother. After they died, Bessie took a job at Eastern State Mental Hospital; and, at age 60, she met and married Wiley Mason. In her youth, Bessie was engaged to John Henry DeVault who died. She never dated anyone else until she met Mr. Mason.

Cordelia raised geese and plucked them for pillows and featherbeds. She could spin her own yarn, weave on her loom and sew. She made many beautiful quilts, one of which is on display at the Museum of Appalachia.

Pieces of a linsey-woolsey blanket she made are still in

the family.

Grandson Virgil Hubbs, who owned the house and later gave the house to the Museum of Appalachia, was born in this house and when his father took a job out west, he chose to stay with Grandma Cordie.

Years later, while the house was vacant, thieves ransacked the house, stole the loom, the spinning wheel, the pistol that hung over the door and many other pieces of interest. Pictures and the family bible were strewn on the floor.

Some were picked up by grandson Radis Donahue

and preserved.

A part of the family bible was found by the late Edward Corum, rebound and preserved. One of the bits of trivia about Aunt Cordie is that in her later years she would have the grandchildren pick up hickory nuts, acorns, etc. because she liked to sit on the porch and watch the squirrels play.

She would put out a basket of the nuts and when the squirrels would come on the porch to get them she would talk to the squirrels telling them, “I know you think you are stealing these nuts, but I put them there for you!”

government Haslam seeks to reverse 50-year reform Gov. Bill Haslam has proposed that the governance of several state universities be moved away from the Board of Regents and placed under six new separate boards for specific universities. This idea is pushed heavily by supporters of the University of Memphis.

There is no doubt that it will be enacted by the Legislature with some modifications to board appointments.

It is interesting that this new program of governance is exactly what existed prior to 1968 when I first went to the Legislature 48 years ago. In fact, it was Republicans and progressive Democrats who pushed for consolidation of these boards. Then-president Andy Holt kept UT from being swept into this new organization.

The reason for consolidation was to halt the infighting with winners and losers based on politics among these universities.

The Board of Regents did bring some order into the process.

Now almost 50 years later we are returning to the past led by a Republican governor. The General Assembly will insist that the governor share some appointments to these new boards with Speakers Ramsey and Harwell. They will prevail.

The governor and two speakers will have over 100 new appointments among them. Many of those will be highly prized, just as a seat on the UT Board of Trustees is sought today.

However, I predict in 10 years or less, the issues faced in the early 1960s will surface again. Just as surely as Tuesday follows Monday, the six new boards will compete with each other for funding. The Higher Education Commission will try, but fail, at imposing order as THEC will lack the clout which many of these new board members will possess.

There is also a risk that the UT Board of Trustees will lose some of its authority as there may be a push for UT Martin and UT Chattanooga plus the UT Medical School to have their own boards separate from the mother board. It would require the Legislature to achieve this. At present UT is not impacted.

Haslam’s motives are sincere and he feels he can avoid history repeating itself. Only time will tell.

Love movies?

Then you'll love the Shopper's take on both the local filmmaking scene and Hollywood releases.

Betsy Pickle, East Tennessee's premier film critic, keeps you in the know in Weekender.

Victor Ashe

■ Marleen Davis, former dean of the UT Art and Architecture School and Democratic candidate for District 4 County Commission in West Knoxville and Knox County, had over 100 persons turn out at her Jan. 26 kickoff reception at Holly’s Gourmet Market.

Council member Finbarr Saunders, who is close to Mayor Rogero, was the master of ceremonies. He recently won re-election by a substantial margin to city council, but he also has a personal interest in this contest as Saunders was defeated in 2010 by incumbent Jeff Ownby who is seeking re-election.

Attendees included former TVA board member Neil McBride, former state Sen. Bill Owen, former Knox County school board chair (and current KCDC chair) Dan Murphy, architect Doug McCarty, attorney Randy Humble and Democratic party chair Cameron Brooks.

Davis said she preferred a non-partisan race as occurs in the city but would actively reach out to Republicans and independents in the August general election where she will face either Hugh Nystrom, Ownby or Janet Testerman.

Davis favors the Lady Vols name being restored to the women’s teams at UT. She is strong proponent of education and describes herself as a lifelong educator.

■ Bill Owen recently won a fifth term on the Democratic National Committee, being elected by the state Democratic Executive Committee in Nashville.

Owen will be one of the most senior members of the DNC, which is the governing body of the national Democratic Party. When he completes his new term he will have served 20 years on the DNC. Will Cheek, who is also from Tennessee, has served the same number of years.

Owen is openly backing Hillary Clinton and says he was the first DNC member to pledge his support to her going back to 2006 prior to her 2008 campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination.

faith

6 • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news

Sacred Heart gives Haiti hope

God’s filling station May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

(Romans 15:13 NRSV) Lewis and were in our mountain retreat when the snow started falling on Saturday night. Sunday morning, I turned on the television to see if the church we attend was canceling services. I read what seemed like hundreds of church names, but was astonished at one.

God’s Filling Station is the name of a real church!

At first, I frowned, thinking that seemed a little inappropriate – flippant, even.

However, the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.

It is exactly what happens to me on a Sunday morning.

The week can bring all kinds of challenges – frustrations, disappointments, things to do, fatigue, and, on occasion, even boredom! I can feel drained dry. Depleted.

But Sunday morning services are a time of rejoicing, of fellowship, of prayer, of soul-searching, of repentance, of healing. Worshippers get filled up again, recharged, challenged to go out into the world and be God’s people!

FAITH NOTES ■ Alice Bell Baptist Church, 3305 Alice Bell Road, Clothes Closet will be open 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6. Children and adults clothing. Everything free.

■ First Comforter Church, 5516 Old Tazewell Pike, hosts MAPS (Mothers At Prayer Service) noon each Friday. Info: Edna Hensley, 771-7788.

Cross Currents

Lynn Pitts

Some of that happens because of the sermon. (My only comment to our young preacher on a recent Sunday was “Wow!”) Some of it happens because of the hymns we sing and the anthem we hear. Some of it happens because we see old friends and make new ones and learn something from all of them. And sometimes, if we are paying attention, God Himself whispers a word of encouragement, or instruction, or blessing.

Occasionally, however, the word is one of reproof, which Scripture tells us gives wisdom (Proverbs 29:15), but no joy, at least in my experience!

So, next Sunday, when you go to church, let your prayer be “Fill ’er up, Lord!”

Luttrell seniors

Luttrell Senior Citizens’ January meeting was all about Elvis in honor of his Jan. 8, 1935, birthday.

Ronnie Miller aka “Elvis” entertained the group with hits including “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock” and “Blue Suede Shoes.”

Miller, a veteran, shared his love for all veterans with a patriotic/gospel medley.

Luttrell seniors will meet again on Monday, Feb. 15, from 10 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at the Luttrell Senior Center.

Offerings include: dulcimer and guitar lessons; arts and crafts classes; dance classes; exercise programs; Tai Chi; card games; Joymakers practice; free swim 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday; Senior Meals program noon each Wednesday and Friday. AARP Taxaide free income tax preparation and electronic filing available Mondays, through April 14; appointment: 521-5569.

Offerings include: Card games, billiards, senior fitness, computer classes, bingo, blood pressure checks 10:30-11:30 a.m.

Monday-Friday. Free tax preparation available 9 a.m.

Wednesdays, Feb. 3-April 13. Veterans Services, 10 a.m. Monday, Feb. 8.

Register for: Toenail clipping by appointment, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4; $12. AAA Driver Safety Program, 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9; info/registration: Kate Fleming, 862-9254.

meet Johnathan and his wife 5-7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 4, at the Yoke House, 1401 Cecil Avenue, Knoxville.

Yoke is making a major kingdom impact for Christ by its dedication to share the gospel with middle school students every week!

If you want to know more about Yoke, want to find a club for your student or want to be a Yoke Folk check out yokeyouth.com

‘Elvis’ entertains

■ South Knox Senior Center 6729 Martel Lane 573-5843 knoxcounty.org/seniors Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

■ John T. O’Connor Senior Center 611 Winona St. 523-1135 knoxseniors.org/oconnor. html Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

sister parish, St. Michel – a partnership known as “parish twinning.” The committee’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty in Haiti by developing relationships with the people, focusing on mind, body and spirit through programs in education, health care and faith.

Paul Farmer, prominent humanitarian and founder of Partners in Health, eventually took over the original clinic in Boucan Carré, and the SHC teams moved “to a more remote area,” says Mire. “You can’t

their middle school on TuesGames, tons of fun, the bible, loud voices and of day nights for “club,” which course the unique scent of is what I participated in last Zach middle school kids are the Tuesday.

Wishart sights (and smells) of Yoke Groups are led by Yoke that I experienced last TuesFolk who are college studay night. dents that lead the stuMany of you are familiar dents in their bible study with Yoke, a ministry for some of you may not be so and games. Yoke has been middle school students, but familiar. Yoke kids meet at around for over 40 years and

■ Senior Centers will be closed Monday, Feb. 15, for Presidents Day.

■ South Knox Community Center 522 Old Maryville Pike 573-3575 Monday-Friday

today reaches out to nearly 20,000 students across East Tennessee.

Yoke was founded John Coatney, and now is led by its new Executive Director Joh nat ha n Haskell Haskell.

There is an opportunity to

A medical team from Sacred Heart Cathedral gets ready to head up the mountain on a recent trip to Haiti. Riding the donkey is the team’s leader, Dr. Dean Mire. Assisting Mire are student Joseph Dirmeyer, RNs Ciara and Veronica Baxter, physician assistant Leslie Adams and Dr. Drew Dirmeyer, who is in family practice. Photo submitted

Yoke Folk to hear Haskell

SENIOR NOTES

Register for: Valentine’s Day Party, 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 11. Toenail trimming appointments available Wednesday, Feb. 17; $12.

Living Well with Diabetes, free six-week workshop begins 9:30 a.m. Monday, Feb. 22; RSVP by Feb. 19.

get there by car. The only way to get there is by foot or by donkey.”

He’s speaking of the town of Bouli, which is “way up in the mountains. You can see the Dominican Republic; you can see the coast. It’s three miles uphill.” Just for fun, Mire and his colleagues decided to quantify their trek in easily-understood terms. “It’s the equivalent of 291 flights of steps!”

About twice a year, Dr. Mire has taken a group of medical doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses and support personnel. The team

has usually seen about 500 patients over the course of eight or nine days.

These days, however, “we have personnel there four days a week.” Keeping the clinic running is quite challenging. In an area with no power, “everything has to be done with a generator.”

Being so far inland, neither Boucan Carré nor Bouli were affected much by the 2010 earthquake that devastated coastal regions. Impoverishment is, however, a daily reality.

“Give Haiti Hope” is an ecumenical program, and other Knoxville churches have been involved alongside Sacred Heart.

“Central Baptist has a school there,” says Mire. “The Unitarians have done some of the water projects with us. And another church in Virginia helps out with education.”

Mire says his wife, Cindy, not only supports his efforts, she leads groups of high school students to get them acclimated to Third World travel. “It’s real good for them to get involved,” says Mire.

If you’d like to become involved with or support “Give Haiti Hope,” call Sacred Heart Cathedral at 865-588-0249 or visit shcathedral.org

By Carol Shane As anyone who’s turned off of Kingston Pike onto Northshore Drive knows, Sacred Heart Cathedral is expanding. Bulldozers, large plots of cleared ground and other signs of physical construction are everywhere.

But what doesn’t show from the street is SHC’s expansion into the world. As part of “Give Haiti Hope,” the Cathedral maintains a regular educational, spiritual, water quality and medical presence in the Caribbean country, which shares an island with the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Dean Mire, family physician with East Tennessee Primary Care Associates in Knoxville, heads the medical effort.

He’s been involved since the inception of the program in 1999.

“We took a group of 14 and set up a clinic in the school in Boucan Carré, a small town in the central plateau. The school serves 1,200 students a day, and we feed them one meal each day.” A high school soon followed; it has a current membership of 250.

Sacred Heart’s Haiti Outreach Program committee provides a link between SHC and its Haitian

Betty Herron was happy to celebrate her January birthday with “Elvis.”

Zettie Booker and “Elvis”

Get involved with O’Connor Senior Center The John T. O’Connor Senior Center, located in Caswell Park, serves Knox County residents age 50 and over. There is no membership fee to attend the Center, although some classes may have a fee to support the cost of the class.

Programs at the Center focus on health services, physical fitness and exercise, recreation and education.

A new computer initiative, Tech-Savvy Seniors, offers a variety of classes on devices such as laptops, tablets, smart phones and ereaders.

The Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., with evening and weekend hours for special activities. Lunch is available in the DineA-Mite Diner, Monday through Thursday, from 11

a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

The O’Connor Center operates the Daily Living Center, an adult daycare program located in North Ridge Crossing.

Info: knoxseniors.org/ oconnor or 865-523-1135 Here are some upcoming activities: Lunch and Learn: Mondays.

Lunch provided for those who make a reservation by Thursday of the previous week.

■ Feb. 8, Can You Hear Me Now? Learn the real facts about hearing loss from a Beltone professional.

■ Feb. 22, Essential Oils for Health: Linda Battani, from Wellness Direction, will discuss how dōTERRA Essential Oils have healing properties for health and therapeutic benefits.sss Market Group: Mondays.

■ Feb. 22. Join the planning

for the spring sale. You must attend meetings in order to participate in the This & That Sale on May 4.

O’Connor Center Band: Wednesdays. No experience necessary and newcomers are welcome! Some instruments are available and donations of gently used instruments are greatly appreciated.

Painting (Advanced & Beginner): Wednesdays. 10-week class began Jan. 6 with Ann Birdwell, instructor; you may choose to work in oils, acrylics, or watercolors. Please call to register; class fee is due on or before the first day of class.

Party Bridge: Monday through Wednesday. Call for information and to get on the substitute list.

Quilting: Tuesdays. Opportunity to learn to quilt. If you have tops that need to be quilted, call for information.

Senior Advanced Cardio: Mondays and Wednesdays.

Covenant-led, low-impact aerobic class with an increased level of intensity and a strenuous workout. Cost is $2-$3/class depending on class size.

Instructor Bonito Lopez Abarca leads this basic class for true beginners.

Seniors for Creative Learning BBQ: Lecture series begins with the BBQ on Thursday, Feb. 25, at 12:30 p.m. The $40 single/$55 couple registration fee includes admission to the BBQ and lectures; however, you must call 974-0150 by Feb. 19 to get on the BBQ attendance sheet.

Texas Hold‘em: Wednesdays.

Fun for both experienced and inexperienced card players. Cost is $2/player.

Silver Stage Players: Fridays starting Feb. 5. Join this theatrical group as they prepare for a spring performance.

Singing Seniors: Call 6881960 (Joe Atkins) to register for this class; space is limited. Group rehearsals begin Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Singing Seniors Ensemble: This smaller group of Singing Seniors performs at venues with limited space; practice begins Tuesday, Feb. 9.

Spanish – Beginner: Fridays.

Spanish – Intermediate: Fridays. Class for those with some language skills; excellent opportunity to practice speaking.

Toenail Clipping by appointment only: Keli Jobe: Thursday, Feb. 4, and Wednesday, Feb. 17, 9 a.m. - 12:30. Call 523-1135 to schedule an appointment; Cost is $12.

Veterans Services: Monday, Feb. 8. Counselor available to answer questions.

Water Aerobics: MondayFriday, 10 a.m. Classes are held at the Cansler Family YMCA. Come to the O’Connor Center to complete paperwork and to sign-in prior to beginning the first class.

Cost is $2/class.

With Hope in Mind/National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI): Thursday, Feb. 18.

weekender

Shopper news • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 • 7

An admiring tribute to ‘tough people’

By Carol Shane On a recent Sunday afternoon, Lisa Hall McKee, artistic director of GO! Contemporary Dance Works, was finessing a bit of choreography for the company’s upcoming program. “Sweep your head down and then up,� she instructed Natalie Parent, who was performing a scene in Act One. McKee’s hand gently guided the young dancer’s head until the movement met her satisfaction. “In the Shadows of Pine Mountain: The Scots-Irish Exodus from Ulster to the Hills of Appalachia� is a lively account of 200 years of Appalachian history involving seven choreographers and 50 dancers.

The ambitious production features authentic elaborate sets and costumes, though recent snowstorms have affected their arrival in Knoxville. “All the Scottish stuff is still stuck in Kentucky,� laughs McKee. The idea for the show came about when McKee was writing a grant for the Tennessee Arts Commission last year. Recognizing that East Tennesseans have had multiple opportunities to learn about Appalachian history, she says, “I didn’t want to saturate the community. I wasn’t sure something like this would be supported.�

But she realized that her particular art form lends itself well to history. “Dance is seeing and living it,� she says. “It’s not verbal.�

GO! Contemporary Dance Works artistic director Lisa Hall McKee puts the finishing touches on a dance sequence from the company’s upcoming show, “In the Shadows of Pine Mountain.� With her are Megan Ducote, daughter of Joey and Dr. Garnetta Morin-Ducote; Carlen Little, daughter of Ford and Malinda Little; and Natalie Parent, daughter of Leslie and Ken Parent. All three dancers are high school seniors. Photo by Emily Shane

McKee stresses that the first act will be about “tragedy and trials,� showing the expulsion of the Scots-Irish from England into Ireland

by King James I. “They had all kinds of problems,� she says. “They fought not only against the king’s tyranny,

Coens take on Hollywood

Movie star Baird Whitlock (George Clooney) has bigger problems than just struggling to remember his lines in “Hail, Caesar!� The comedy written and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen is about a day in the life of a studio fixer (Josh Brolin) who has a variety of situations to fix. Also starring Alden Ehrenreich, Ralph Fiennes, Jonah Hill, Scarlett Johansson, Frances McDormand, Tilda Swinton, Channing Tatum, Alison Pill, Clancy Brown and Christopher Lambert, the film is rated PG-13 for some suggestive content and smoking.

but against losing their physical connection with their heritage, which resulted in their exodus to the Appalachian Mountains in the 1700s.�

McKee admires that survivor instinct. “They were a tough people.�

The second act will show the challenges and triumphs of those survivors as they immigrate to America and establish lives in the Appalachian mountains. “We’ll have the highland sword dance and ‘The Irish Washerwoman.’ There’ll be

moonshiners and revenuers.� During my visit, young coal miners were applying “coal� – shiny black electrical tape – to the edges of shovels. McKee and company are big on details, and dedicated to painting as complete a picture as they can. Her intent is to give the old stories a fresh perspective for the modern age. “We are good at taking these stories and bringing history to life. You will laugh, you will cry, and you will think. It’s going to be fascinating, especially for the younger audience members.�

And it turns out that community interest in the subject is still thriving. “We’ve gotten a great response,� says McKee. “In the Shadows of Pine Mountain� will be performed at 8 p.m.

Saturday, Feb. 6, and at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 7, at the Bijou Theatre on Gay Street in downtown Knoxville.

There will be a pre-show patron event at 5 p.m. before the Friday performance.

Tickets/info: 539-2475 or gocontemporarydance.com Send story suggestions to news@shopper newsnow.com.

Charlotte Rampling stands out in ‘45 Years’

By Betsy Pickle Marriage comes under siege from within in “45 Years.�

Wedded bliss tends to give way to something less electric over time. In their fifth decade together, Kate (Charlotte Rampling) and Geoff (Tom Courtenay) may have mellowed, but they still enjoy each other’s company.

They live a cozy retired life in rural England, where the channels of the Norfolk Broads offer a picturesque backdrop not often seen on film. Kate likes to take their dog for long walks. Geoff, who had heart surgery a few years back, seems somewhat less hale and hearty, and Kate worries about his memory.

She is planning a party for their 45th anniversary – they weren’t able to hold one for their 40th – and Geoff is reluctantly cooperating.

They have no children, but they have an abundance of friends who wish to celebrate with them.

A shock arrives in a letter

to Geoff. Swiss authorities have found a body that has been at the bottom of an icy crevasse in the Alps for 50 years. Shifts in the ice have made it possible to retrieve the frozen corpse – Geoff’s long-ago girlfriend Katya, who died during a hiking trip they took together.

Geoff told Kate about Katya when they were dating. What he didn’t tell her was that he was listed as her next of kin; they claimed to be married so they could share a hotel room during their travels. As days go by and Geoff becomes ever more obsessed with his memories of Katya, Kate tries to find out what else her husband has kept from her.

Director-writer Andrew Haigh adapted the screenplay from the short story “In Another Country� by David Constantine, and the mood of the fi lm is primarily low key. That’s not to say that viewers won’t feel the massive changes in the couple’s relationship be-

Geoff (Tom Courtenay) becomes obsessed with the past, unaware of how he’s hurting wife Kate (Charlotte Rampling) in “45 Years,� opening Friday at Downtown West.

neath the surface.

Rampling has always been able to convey a sense of strong emotions disguised by outward calm.

More than 50 years into her acting career, she has not lost that power. Her discoveries and reactions are the heart of “45 Years� and the

main reason to see the film.

They’re also part of why she has been nominated for an Academy Award for her lead performance.

Courtenay provides able support as Geoff. The degree of his obtuseness is the film’s biggest mystery.

Rampling and Courte-

nay’s resumes as icons of 1960s British youth-rebellion cinema give them an automatic authenticity as a couple. Recalling their early films – “The Knack ‌ and How to Get It,â€? “Georgy Girlâ€? and “The Night Porterâ€? for her, “The Loneliness of the Long Distance Run-

ner,� “Billy Liar� and “King & Country� for him – makes their shared history seem that much more believable.

It also makes the fallout from his silence even more potent.

Rated R for language and brief sexuality. Opens Friday at Downtown West.

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8 • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 • SOUTH KNOX Shopper news

News from the Rotary Guy

New name, logo Interact serves HonorAir for Metro Drug

By Tom King

Catholic High’s Interact Club has only 10 members, but those 10 students stay busy with their annual projMetropolitan Drug Comects – and they have a full mission is now the Metro plate of projects. And one Drug Coalition. With the of their projects happens to name change comes a new involve full logo and a fairly new execuplates. tive director, Scott Payne. ment entity. It’s a non-profit Tw i c e Webster Bailey chairs the with a volunteer board of each year directors. The mission is board. the students to bring people together to Bailey said the old name are “serv“had a government feel,” address issues of substance ers” for the while MDC is not a govern- abuse. Info: metrodrug.org HonorA ir veterans breakfast Tom King that is held two weeks prior to the scheduled flights to Washington, D.C. The next HonorAir ■ Bruce Anderson, general ments community outreach flight will be April 13 from counsel to East Tennessee programs. Butzler, who has McGhee Tyson Airport and Children’s worked for the city since the breakfast is scheduled Hospital, 2011, replaces John Homa, for late March in the gymnahas been who retired after serving in sium at Sacred Heart School. named the position for 17 years. She “This is a really special

by Mayor holds a master’s degree from Madeline Texas A&M and a bachelor’s event for our students, beRogero to from Penn State. cause they get to meet the a five-year veterans and hear some of ■ Thomas White is retail area term on the sales manager for U.S. Celtheir stories and it’s fun board of lular in East watching them connect,” commisAnderson Tennessaid Phil Petree, a social sioners see. White studies teacher at Catholic of Knoxville’s Community began his who has served as the club’s Development Corporation career with moderator for seven years.

(KCDC). Anderson serves on

BUSINESS NOTES

U.S. Cellular in 2011 and has served in a variety of sales leadership White roles in the Mid-West territory. He will relocate his family to Knoxville from Columbia, Mo.

the boards of the Knoxville Chamber, Central Business Improvement District and UT Federal Credit Union.

He is a past president of the Knoxville Bar Association.

He and wife Monique reside downtown.

■ Rachel Butzler has been hired as the city of Knoxville’s new solid waste manager.

Her department oversees $9.34 million worth of solid waste contracts Butzler and imple-

■ The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security has reinstated driver services on some Saturdays to enable citizens to reinstate their license in addition to their normal opportunities Monday-Friday. The select dates being offered on Saturday’s are: Feb. 6 and 20, March 5 and 19, and April 2.

Shopper s t n e V enews

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THROUGH SUNDAY, FEB. 7 “Sara Crewe: A Little Princess,” Knoxville Children’s Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Ave. Performances: 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 1 and 5 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. Info/tickets: 208-3677; knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com; info@ childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

THROUGH MONDAY, FEB. 29 Knoxville Watercolor Society exhibit at the Blount County Public Library, 508 N. Cusick St., Maryville. Hours: 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 1-5:30 p.m.

Sundays. Info: 982-0981.

“It is a really fun and moving event.”

Interact is an offshoot of Rotary and students in the club develop and carry out hands-on service projects, make international connections, and develop leadership skills. The Catholic club is sponsored by the Rotary Club of Knoxville.

The club again worked at the 2015 Free Flu Shot Saturday last fall at South-Doyle Middle School, as it has done in years past. They handle a lot of the clerical duties and help members of the Rotary Club of Knoxville, who are coordinating the event.

They have raised $1,000 for each of the last three years for Rotary’s End Polio Now campaign by sponsoring the popular “Out of Uniform Day” at Catholic, which has a uniform dress code. Students wanting to opt out of wearing their uniforms for a day pay $2 to the Interact Club.

The Interactors also ring the bells for the Salvation Army during the Christmas holidays at West Town Mall and through the “A Million Thanks” organiza-

By Ann Metz Jan. 25 marked a memorable evening at the annual Tennessee Veterans Business Association dinner for Bill Weigel, chair of Weigel’s.

He received the Younger Entrepreneur Award, an accolade presented to three long-standing, businessholding veterans who have shown endless energy, passion and vision to create positive contributions to the local community, including veterans and their families.

The Big Read. Includes: southern fried chicken lunch, Clarence Brown Theatre’s presentation of a scene from “A Lesson Before Dying” by Ernest Gaines along with a free copy of the book. RSVP required: Gweatherstone@ pdknox.org or 594-4274.

First Friday Comedy, 7-9 p.m. Saw Works Brewing, 708 E. Depot Ave. Featuring: Atlanta’s Mo Arora and Brian Emond. Free monthly comedy showcase featuring touring and local comedians.

Opening reception for “Alley Cat” art exhibit by Marianne Ziegler, 5-9 p.m., Broadway Studios and Gallery, 1127 N. Broadway. Exhibit on display Feb. 5-March 1. Info: BroadwayStudiosAndGallery@Gmail.com or BroadwayStudiosAndGallery.com Public reception for The Knoxville Photography Collective exhibit, 5-9 p.m., Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. Exhibit on display Feb. 5-26. Info: 523-7543 or knoxalliance.com.

Public reception for Arts & Culture Alliance’s National Juried Exhibition, 5-9 p.m., Emporium Center, 100 S. Gay St. Includes a brief awards ceremony at 6. Exhibit on display Feb. 5-26. Info: 523-7543 or knoxalliance.com.

RB Morris in concert, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Tickets: $12, some discounts available. Info/ tickets: www.jubileearts.org.

SATURDAY, FEB. 6

FRIDAY, FEB. 5

SATURDAYS, FEB. 6-27

Alive after Five: “Fat Friday Mardi Gras” with Roux Du Bayou, 6-8:30 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Tickets: $10; $5 for members/students. Info: 934-2039.

Artist reception: Larry Brown, 5-9 p.m., UT Downtown Gallery, 106 S. Gay St. Open to the public.

“Science and Nature: A Selection of Work from 2005 to 2015” exhibit on display through Feb. 27. Info: 673-0802.

Big Read Kick Off Party, noon-1 p.m., Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office.

Celebrating the launch of Black History Month and

Sign ups for spring league baseball and softball for ages 4-14u, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at Holston Ball Park, 5900 Asheville Highway. League fees: $60. Teams will play at several locations around Knoxville. Info: Julie Townsend, 659-6989; Randy Geames, 525-5275.

THURSDAY, FEB. 4

■

Turkey Creek raises $600

The Rotary Club of Turkey Creek had a lot of fun this past fall with its Fantasy Football League. More than $600 was raised ■ Bearden in a KCS through entry fees to help the local community! partner profile The League 1 winners Each month Knox County were: champion – Team Schools KCS features an Paulknowsbo – Paul West, organization in a Partner club president; runnerup Profile in “Benchmarks,” an team was Team MacAttacks online monthly newsletter – Scot MacIlveen (Oak Ridge that is sent to all staff and Rotarian). League 2 chamfamilies. In January, KCS pion was Team PacketHater – featured the Rotary Club of Matt Engel; runnerup – Team Bearden. The club distribGmen2 – Jim Toukatly (forutes new dictionaries to all mer Turkey Creek Rotarian). third graders in Knox Coun- Tom King is a retired newspaper editor, ty each year and club mem- a Rotarian for 27 years and past presibers read to students at Pond dent of the Rotary Club of Farragut. He can be reached p at tking535@gmail.

Gap Elementary regularly. com

Ken McMullen, president of Weigel’s and Army veteran, introduced Bill Weigel to the 360 attendees.

Kurt Weigel accepted the award in his father’s absence. “It’s a special honor to accept this award on behalf of my Dad this evening” he said. “The Younger Entrepreneur Award represents my Dad’s passion, Kurt Weigel holds the award spirit and vision to create presented to his father, Bill opportunities, especially for Weigel, by the Tennessee Vet- those who gave unselfishly for our freedoms.” erans Business Association.

“Here for Her Heart” event, 5-8 p.m., Lindsay Young Downtown YMCA, 605 W. Clinch Ave. Free event dedicated to women’s heart health and happiness; open to all area women. Info: Sara Prinzi, sprinzi@ymcaknoxville.org or 522-9622.

Jazz Lunch at the Square Room: “Kelle Jolly sings the music of Harold Arlen,” noon-1 p.m., 4 Market Square Building. Admission: $15; includes lunch buffet

by Café 4. Info/tickets: knoxjazz.org or at Café 4.

tion they write cards and letters for our military men and women serving overseas.

“We stay busy and the students really enjoy this,” Petree said.

Bill Weigel gets Younger award

Family Search in Detail, 1-3 p.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Preregistration, valid email address, good Internet searching capabilities required. Info/registration: 215-8809.

Kitten and cat adoption fair, noon-6 p.m., West Town PetSmart adoption center, 214 Morrell Road.

Sponsored by Feral Feline Friends of East Tennessee.

Info: www.feralfelinefriends.org.

Saturday Stories and Songs: David Blivens, 11 a.m., Lawson McGhee Branch Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Info: 215-8750.

Saturday Stories and Songs: Molly Moore, 11 a.m., Cedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive. Recommended for birth to not-yet-walking. Info: 470-7033.

Wallace Coleman in concert, 8 p.m., Laurel Theater, 1538 Laurel Ave. Tickets: $12, some discounts available. Info/tickets: www.jubileearts.org.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 3

Serving the HonorAir veterans are Catholic Interact members Eva James, Ian Greeley and Thomas Morris

SUNDAY, FEB. 7 Big Read: “Dead Man Walking,” 2 p.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. UT Law Profes-

The Weigels have partnered with the Tennessee Veterans Business Association for the past four years by networking with other local businesses that support veterans and recruiting veterans to become a part of Weigel’s stores.

The Knox-based TVBA provides entrepreneurial training, business development assistance and networking opportunities to military veterans and their families.

sor Penny White will discuss the nuances of the death penalty. Info: 215-8750, knoxlib.org.

Pen to Podium: SAFTA Reading Series, 3-4 p.m., Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Info: 215-8750, knoxlib.org.

MONDAY, FEB. 8 Book Discussion: “A Lesson Before Dying,” 6:30 p.m. Lawson McGhee Library, 500 W. Church Ave. Hosted by All Over the Page Book Club. Facilitated by Elnora Williams. Info: 215-8750.

MONDAYS, FEB. 8-15 “Mask Making and Face Jugs” (clay sculpture) class, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Knoxville Museum of Art, 1050 World’s Fair Park Drive. Cost: KMA members $90/nonmembers $110. Info/registration: knoxart.org.

MONDAYS, FEB. 8-29 QED Experimental Comedy Lab, 7:30-9:30 p.m., The Pilot Light, 106 E. Jackson Ave. Free weekly comedy show blending stand-up, improv, sketch and other performance styles. Donations accepted.

MONDAY-TUESDAY, FEB. 8-9 Advanced iPad/iPhone for Seniors, 1-3 p.m., Farragut Town Hall, 11408 Municipal Center Drive. Presented by Social Media 4 Seniors. Cost: $45. Registration/payment deadline: Monday, Feb. 8. Info/registration: 218-3375; townoffarragut.org/register; in person at Town Hall.

TUESDAY, FEB. 9 Book Discussion: “A Lesson Before Dying,” 6 p.m., South Knoxville Elementary, 801 Sevier Ave. A two-part discussion. Light dinner will be served. Facilitated by Lorie Matthews. Info/RSVP: 577-7976.

Harvey Broome Group meeting, 7 p.m., Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church, 2931 Kingston Pike. Program: “Backpacking in the Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska.” Free and open to the public.

Info: sierraclub.org/tennessee/harvey-broome.

“Jazz is for Lovers with vocalist René Marie” 8 p.m., Bijou Theatre, 803 S. Gay St. Presented by the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra. Tickets: $33.50 adult, $15 student. Info/tickets: knoxjazz.org or 684-1200.

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 10 Brown Bag Lecture: “Bloody Breathitt: Politics and Violence in the Appalachian South” by Dr. T. R. C. Hutton, 11:30 a.m., East Tennessee History Center, 601 S. Gay St. Free. Info: 215-8824 or EastTNHistory.org.

Shopper news • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 • 9

10 • FEBRUARY 3, 2016 • Shopper news

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