Union County Shopper-News 022611

ELVIS IN NYC

OAK GROVE UPDATE

JAKE, A-4

BONNIE, A-6

The King in concert

POSTAL CUSTOMER

Restoration continues

UNION COUNTY

Vol. 6, No. 9 • February 26, 2011 • www.ShopperNewsNow.com • 4509 Doris Circle, Knoxville 37918 • 922-4136

AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Hwy. 33 improvements coming

Play ball!

Easter Egg hunts ■ Wilson Park will host the annual Union County Easter Egg Hunt for kids 11 a.m. Saturday, April 16, next to the Union County High School baseball field. There will be hunts for age groups 2 and under, 3-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Rain date is April 23.

The event is sponsored by Union County Parks and Recreation, Union County Business and Professional Association, First Century Bank, Commercial Bank and FSG Bank.

■ Big Ridge State Park will host the 13th annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 23.

Twelve thousand eggs filled with toys, candy or extra prizes will be hidden. There are prize eggs and a grand prize for each age group, including toys, bicycles and food coupons. Bring the whole family and make a day of it. Children ages 2 and under hunt at 10 a.m. with parents’ help. Ages 3-4 hunt at 10:30, followed by ages 5-7 at 1 p.m., and ages 8-10 at 1:30. Info: 992-5523.

Water expansion is sure, road widening possible for Hwy. 33

By Sandra Clark

Spaghetti dinner for Stansberry A spaghetti dinner and auction to benefit Ronnie Stansberry will be held at the Corryton Community Center on Saturday, Feb. 26. Dinner will start at 4 p.m., and the auction will start at 5:30.

Patriots softball pitcher Casey Brown hurls the ball over the plate in practice last week. Practice is underway for both baseball and softball at Union County High School. Photo by S. Carey SEE PAGES A-7 AND A-8 FOR COVERAGE

Pack 401 seeks alumni Cub Scout Pack 401 will celebrate its 30th anniversary with the annual Blue and Gold Banquet on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Big Ridge Elementary School. Alumni of Pack 401 are invited to attend.

There will be dinner, entertainment and a special appearance

by WATE’s Don Dare. Dinner is $8 for adults, $5 for children and children under 3 are free. Info: Courtney Simpson, 776-3708; Kim Richnafsky, 992-9283.

Life in ‘little Peyton Place’ Union County through the eyes of an icon

By Cindy Taylor At one time, you couldn’t tool around Union County without running into Dorothy Williams.

Having just celebrated her 85th birthday Feb. 1, Williams has been instrumental through the years in the beginnings of many community assets that are still vital to Union County residents.

An old, red International truck given to her son, now Union County Mayor Mike Williams, by his grandfather sits idle in the front yard, and bumper stickers on the front door let you know a little something about the person who resides there. Once inside the home, two bird clocks given to Williams by relatives greet you with their songs.

Williams doesn’t get around as well as she once did, so these days

if you want to hear her stories, you’ll have to visit her at the old home place on Maynardville Highway where she motors around the house in her new scooter chair.

“I’m still getting used to this thing,” said Williams about her chair. “I keep banging my legs on the furniture.”

To really get to know her, you have to go back to a time when driving to Union County from Knoxville brought tears to her eyes.

“When I first came out here, I hated it and didn’t think I could live here,” said Williams. “I called it ‘little Peyton Place.’ I’d go to Knoxville to work, and I’d cry all the way back to Union County. But I love it now.”

Williams lived a portion of her early years in Knox County and is a graduate of Halls High School.

She never expected to spend her later years in Maynardville, but once there she made the most of her time.

“Times were hard, and we needed money,” said Williams. “When my Mama asked me to come here to help in her restaurant, I said I would.”

“Mama” was Alice Cook, who started The House Restaurant in Maynardville. Williams “slung hash,” as she called it, and waited tables for eight years until her love of education lured her back.

A graduate of National Business College, Williams had an education in business, but her heart led her to help her community.

Through the years, she was instrumental in establishing a PTA at Union County High School and at Maynardville Elementary School.

She was on the grant committee that pushed for funding the building that houses the Maynardville Library and Senior Center today.

Williams was also a major player in establishing a health department in Union County. She worked there as well as at the health department in Knox County.

Dorothy Williams holds her prize possession, a painting by Aurora Bull presented to her when she was named Union County Citizen of the Year. Photo by C. Taylor

“There’s not much I haven’t but I told people they were dumb done to help make us a living. The for letting the Butchers have evhealth department issues were erything up here.” during the Butchers’ hey day,” said She also worked for the late Williams. “I got along with them, To page A-3

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Hallsdale-Powell Utility District has advertised for bids for a major, yearlong waterline expansion from Halls Crossroads to the Union County line. The line will tie the district to the new water treatment plant on Norris Lake, giving HPUD two sources of water.

The bids will be opened at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 10. Robert G. Campbell & Associates is the design engineer.

With the utility work underway, what are the prospects for the long-awaited widening of Highway 33 from Halls to the Union County line?

Steve Borden, who replaced Fred Corum as director of Region I (East Tennessee) for the state Department of Transportation, essentially had no comment. While confirming that the right-of-way has been purchased, Borden said the construction has not been funded.

He estimated that construction will be 75 percent of the project’s cost, with R-O-W acquisition about 15 percent and design work and environmental studies about 10 percent.

Highway 33 widening is “not funded in the current 3-year plan,” said Borden, but each year toward the end of April the TDOT releases a new 3-year plan. “That will tell you if it’s funded.”

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A-2 • FEBRUARY 26, 2011 • UNION COUNTY SHOPPER-NEWS

Seven from Union earn master beef certificates

By Cindy Taylor

Upper Thoracic Hump Chiropractic Outlook

By Dr. Darrell Johnson, DC

U

pper Thoracic Hump is the term used to describe a condition that comes from our tendency, as we age, for the head and neck to move forward in relation to the shoulders, giving a person a noticeably rounded back. The body begins to deposit fat over the exposed area, eventually creating what is referred to sometimes as a “hump pad.� Over time, the hump can lead to pain in the back, shoulders, neck, arms and hands, and can also lead to breathing problems. Experts have found that patients with Upper Thoracic Hump, which comes about as a result of a posture problem, have a higher rate of morbidity, mostly because of an increased rate of heart disease.

This is a condition for which chiropractic care is effective. A chiropractic adjustment can realign the thoracic vertebrae, those individual bones that make up the mid-back portion of the spine. Among the benefits reported by people who have had the treatment is the improved ability to draw breath. Also, their appearance is greatly improved. See your chiropractor for advice on how to maintain proper posture.

Brought to you as a community service by Union County Chiropractic; 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, TN; 992-7000.

A group of Union County beef producers graduated the Eastern Region Master Beef Producer Program course Feb. 4. The program began in 2004, but Union County participated for the first time this year. This is an educational program designed to provide information to Tennessee cow-calf producers to help them be the very best in the country and to improve their profitability and position in the industry to be competitive with other states.

The program is led by a team of UT Extension specialists and agents with the support of representatives of state-level agencies, businesses and organizations that have an interest in the state’s cattle industry.

There were 29 participants in this year’s class; seven from Union County. The course spanned six sessions with 36 hours of instruction. Topics ranged from farm management and marketing to reproductive management and

Business of the week Lowe’s Collision Repair Mike Lowe says the business of repairing vehicles is in his blood, going back many generations.

His great-greatgrandparents worked as blacksmiths in the days of horses and buggies, and when cars took over the roads, Lowe’s ancestors went along for the ride.

Learning the trade from his father and uncles, Lowe said he was “like a sponge.�

He has 30 years of experience in the collision repair business, starting as a technician and working his way through every job in the shop. He managed King’s Collision on Clinton Highway for 10 years before opening Lowe’s Collision Repair in Maynardville last October.

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At his new shop, he offers the latest technology to get his customers’ cars repaired like new and safely back on the road. He works with any insurance company and is working with the Farm Bureau and State Farm on their direct repair program.

Lowe’s Collision Repair can handle all ranges of car damage, from door dings to major collisions, from dent repair to windshield and glass replacement.

Lowe said he takes pride in the work that

Graduates of the 2011 Master Beef program are: (front) Jama Richardson of Richardson Farm, Donna Riddle of Seven Springs Farm; (back) John Edds of Hidden Spring Angus Farm, Dustin Tindell of Tindell Farm, Rick Riddle of Seven Springs Farm and Union County Extension Agent Shannon Perrin. Not pictured is Bobby Ellison of Ellison Farms. Photo submitted forage production, among others. Those who were already participants with TAEP and graduated this program had the potential of receiving another 15 percent reimbursement from TAEP. John Edds has been a beef farmer in Union County for more than 15 years and found the program to be very helpful. “In today’s economy, everything is changing so

rapidly that there is always a better way to make your business more profitable,� said Edds. “This program reinforced a lot of the practices I already incorporate.

It was interesting to me to learn what graders look for in a cut of beef. That was something I didn’t know and learned from this course.� “This program has more than just an educational component,� said Extension

Agent Shannon Perrin. “This is an all-encompassing program that holds the potential to grow a beef business by leaps and bounds.�

In an effort to continue support for Union County cattle producers, an organizational meeting to begin a Cattlemen’s Association will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 19. Info: Shannon Perrin, 992-8038 or sperrin@ utk.edu.

comes out of his shop, enjoys working with his hands and seeing a finished product. “I take pride in seeing what I’ve done, in taking something unidentifiable and making back to newagain condition,� he said.

He’s also available to answer questions from those who have been in an accident and may need to work with an Mike Lowe of Lowe’s Collision Repair stands with a truck to be insurance company for repairs. repaired on the drive-on frame rack. Photo by S. Carey

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UNION COUNTY SHOPPER-NEWS • FEBRUARY 26, 2011 • A-3

Bates Market keeps beer license

By Cindy Taylor

Union County meetings set The Budget and Finance Committee of the Union County Commission will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, in the small courtroom of the Union County Courthouse.

Union County Commission will meet at 7 p.m.

Monday, March 14, in the large courtroom of the Union County Courthouse. If the courthouse is closed that day due to inclement weather, the meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 17. If that meeting is canceled due to inclement weather, the meeting will be held at 7 p.m.

Monday, March 21.

Mayor plans town hall meetings Union County Mayor Mike Williams will host a series of town hall meetings in various areas of the county. The meeting schedule is: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, at the Plainview Community Center; 6 p.m.

Thursday, March 10, at Lost Creek General Store in Sharps Chapel; 6:30 p.m.

Thursday, April 7, at the Big Ridge State Park Tea Room.

All are invited to attend.

Model bridge contest The East Tennessee Regional Model Bridge Building Contest will be held 8:30 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge for students in grades 7-12. The top two winners in the Senior High division will advance to the International Model Bridge Building Contest at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago Saturday, April 30.

Participants must register

by Monday, Feb. 28. Info: www.amse.org.

Graffiti, litter problems in Luttrell

By Cindy Taylor

Pastor Gary Beeler addresses the Luttrell Beer Board and new Bates Market owner Sam Jamani as Gene Ford listens. Photo by C. Taylor

no right to harass you. If you see something that you think is threatening your beer license with us, you have to take care of it.”

Other council members asked Jamani if he could stay open if he did not sell beer.

“I try to respect people and their views,” said Jamani. “To answer your question, yes it could affect our overall sales.”

The Rev. Gary Beeler, founder of Crusade Ministries, made an appeal to Jamani to reconsider selling beer.

“Statistics prove that the money derived from the selling of beer has never been enough to offset the law enforcement problems and legal problems that are caused,” said Beeler. “Alcohol consumption causes 62 percent of domestic violence and child abuse instances reported to the police in this county. I cannot find any city in the United States that profited from the sale of alcohol above the cost to enforce laws. To Sam I say that you do not have to have alcohol sales to make a profit. You say

you are interested in our community. I respect and appreciate that. But if you are really interested in our youth and our community, you will withdraw your application for a beer license, still make a profit and feel better about yourself for not being a part of the problems alcohol causes. Selling alcohol is a no-win situation.”

“I already had a beer license,” said Jamani. “I was just changing the name of the corporation. It is not a city requirement, but I have taken a class to be certified.

My concern is that the beer license is already there. I don’t want to say this, but somewhere in my heart I feel that I have been picked on personally.”

“If you took his beer license away, I doubt seriously if you would cut down on one can of beer consumed in this area,” said resident Gene Ford.

“We’re saddled here to make decisions,” said Merritt. “When this violation was brought to my attention, I had to act on it. As long as Sam is in compliance, we

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When the Luttrell Beer Board met Jan. 25, it was supposed to be for the simple act of renewing the beer license for the new owner of Bates Market, Sam Jamani.

Jamani already held a beer license, but due to changing the name of his company to Luttrell Inc., he was required to apply for a new license in that name and pay additional fees.

However, Jamani was found to be in violation of Ordinance 67 Section 1-13-3. Simply put, minors under the age of 21 had been found loitering on the premises, located at 3145 Highway 61.

Apparently, this violation had been brought to the attention of the board prior to the meeting, and the vote was to send a letter of violation to Jamani and schedule a new hearing for Feb. 21.

Concerned citizens turned out for the rescheduled meeting and what could have been a fast decision turned into an hourlong debate regarding morality and statistics on the perils of alcohol consumption.

Jamani felt that the loitering was caused by the presence of a pool table and a music machine. He removed these items from the premises Feb. 1. The view of the council was that Jamani had corrected the violation, and the beer license renewal was unanimously approved with the exception of Brad Griffey who passed. Mayor Johnny Merritt thanked Jamani for his initiative in removing the cause of the problem.

“You received what I told you well,” said Merritt.

“I appreciate the way you have handled this, but it is not our position to tell you what you can have in your store. As long as you are in compliance and abiding by the ordinance, we have

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can’t legally turn him down.

We have to put money and morals aside. We have to abide by the law.”

“We’re not meeting here tonight to approve a beer license,” council member Phil Ruth said. “We’re here to make sure Sam is in compliance.”

Jamani was reapplying only because he changed the name of his business.

Once it was proven that he was in compliance, the council saw no reason to refuse the request, and the license was granted.

The Feb. 21 Luttrell City Council meeting revealed not only money being spent, but also showed revenue coming in due to the rate increase. Mayor Johnny Merritt also talked about a grant the city is working on that would allow local repair of pump stations.

Graffiti and litter are still problems throughout the city, and the council discussed options for handling that.

“I got someone to work on the litter last Saturday, and they made great headway,” said Merritt. “It’s hard for our city employees to get time to pick up litter and take the calls they get. It doesn’t even take a week for it to be back like it was, either.”

The date for the Easter egg hunt was discussed, but no date was set. A letter of thanks was received from the Luttrell Fire Department for the paving of their parking lot. The city was responsible for funding and repairing the lot.

Vice Mayor Jackie Roberts brought up the scholarship given by the city each year to a resident high school senior.

“I think we need to publicize this scholarship better and have an application process,” said Roberts.

“A lot of people don’t know we do this. Once they apply, we can choose the applicant with the highest GPA.” The council agreed to try and make the application and the deadline more public so seniors would be aware it is offered. More information will be available prior to the application deadline. The scholarship is for Luttrell residents only.

The upcoming April 16 Art in the Park Festival was briefly discussed.

Life in ‘little Peyton Place’ Bill Shirley, the owner of the Union News Leader at the time, and continued as a reporter for 11 years after it changed ownership. All of this while raising two boys.

“I found out that reporting was the love of my life. I covered a lot of meetings and caused a lot of trouble,” Williams said. “A long time ago, I exposed one county official on unpaid back taxes. There was corruption in the county then, and there still is now.”

From page A-1

The Williams chain runs far and deep in Union County. Son Mike is the mayor, daughter-in-law Barbara is the General Sessions Court Clerk and granddaughter Brandi Williams Davis is the administrative assistant to the presiding judge.

Maynardville Librarian Chantay Collins pulled in with Krystal burgers toward the end of this interview.

Collins has known Williams for more than 15 years.

“She is such a strong lady and is my hero and mentor,” Collins said. “She is so honest with no filters, and you know just where you stand with her at all times. I want to be just like her when I grow up.”

Williams’s favorite parting phrase isn’t goodbye. It’s just, “’Til we meet again.”

That meeting is always a pleasure for those who find themselves fortunate enough to be in her company.

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community Law Dogs Crime beat The Union County Sheriff’s Department answered 175 calls between Feb. 15 and Feb. 21. These are some of their stories.

■ Feb. 18: The victim came to the Sheriff’s Department and said four wheel rims were taken from his house in Sharps Chapel while he was travelling for work and claimed he had seen the rims at Hilltop Recycling on Highway 33.

■ Feb. 18: A Luttrell resident said someone cut the lock off the door of his storage building and stole three chrome wheels. The victim claimed that a man stopped by and asked about the wheels the day he put them in the building, and that man is the only other person who knew where the wheels were.

■ Feb. 19: A man from the Luttrell area said he left his vehicle at his workplace, and when he returned he found

that someone had entered the vehicle and tried to steal it. The attempted car thief only succeeded in doing damage to the vehicle’s steering column.

■ Feb. 19: A man from the Luttrell area said he returned to his vehicle to find that someone had stolen his CB radio.

■ Feb. 19: A man living in a camper in Sharps Chapel was awakened in the middle of the night by a voice saying “This is your notice. Get out.” Someone broke one of his windows and cut the electric wires supplying the camper.

■ Feb. 22: A man driving in the Luttrell area said a maroon flatbed truck struck his driver’s side mirror while travelling in the opposite direction on Highway 61 East. The truck did not stop, and the victim went to the Sheriff’s Department to report the hit and run.

Paulette VFD to hold rummage sale Paulette Volunteer Fire Department is accepting sellable items for the annual rummage sale set for March 11-12 at the Paulette Building on Highway 33. Info or to donate: Terri Bruner, 992-6700; Debbie Caldwell, 9926035; or Sheila Rice, 603-0396.

Benefit for Masingo family A benefit for the Rev. Virgil and Teresa Masingo and their family will be held 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 4, at Sharps Chapel Elementary School. The Masingos’ home was destroyed in a fire. There will be gospel and bluegrass music, hot dogs, barbecue, cakewalks and an auction, which starts at 7:30 p.m. Those who have items to donate for the auction should call Martha Keller, 278-3376.

‘Cancer Queens’ to perform “Cancer Queens,” a cancer prevention musical review, will be held 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 4, at Union County High School. Mammograms will be given 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Performance starts at noon. The first 50 attendees will receive a free lunch. The program is presented by Union County High School HOSA club, UT Extension, Union County Health Department, Union County Health Council, Caring Medical Center, Union County Children’s Center, UT Medical Center and Mercy Health Partners.

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Elvis conquers the Empire State NEW YORK – The King of Rock and Roll knocked ’em dead at Radio City Music Hall this month, 40 years after he last conquered Manhattan and 33 years after he left the building for good.

Jake Mabe

Wait, wait. Don’t do a double take and read that sentence again. Pull up a chair instead and let me tell you about it.

Since 1997, Elvis Presley Enterprises and SEG Events have put together the ultimate production. Called “Elvis Presley in Concert,” it features video performances from classic Elvis concerts stripped down to only include the King’s vocals.

Surviving members of his TCB Band and backup singers perform live on stage.

The show has set a Guinness world record as the first live tour headlined by a performer who is no longer living. Only Elvis, right?

It played to a packed house at Radio City earlier this month. Guitarist James Burton, drummer Ronnie Tutt and pianist Glen D. Hardin were here. So were the Imperials Quartet and the surviving original Sweet Inspiration, Estelle Brown.

So was conductor Joe Guercio, Elvis’s maestro, fronting a 20-piece orchestra.

And here too, up on a video screen, was the Elvis himselvis, still able, through the raw power of that remarkable voice, to bring the audience to its feet. On and on the classics came, “Hound Dog,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “All Shook Up,” “Suspicious Minds.”

But the highlights were the showstoppers, the big numbers that utilized both the full orchestra and the

Elvis Presley (on video screen) sings while surviving members of his TCB Band and others play live to his synched vocals at Radio City Music Hall during a production of “Elvis Presley in Concert.”

Photo by Jennifer VanOver

full range of Elvis’ two octave voice. “What Now My Love” and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” and “How Great Thou Art” and “American Trilogy.” When Elvis and the band hit the bombastic final notes of “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” people were standing, screaming, swooning. Some clapped. Others cried.

All the tough images of terrible impersonators were thrown in the trash with yesterday’s Times. The King was back, or as back as he’s ever going to be, making you forget all about the unfair caricature of the bloated, bejeweled self-parody and remember the artist, the entertainer, the man who changed American pop music forever.

Years and years ago, after watching Presley’s “comeback” show on NBC, reviewer John Landau wrote, “He sang with the kind of power people no longer expect from rock and roll singers.”

If Landau thought it was dead in 1968, I hope to God he has been spared the sight

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A-4 • FEBRUARY 26, 2011 • UNION COUNTY SHOPPER-NEWS

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A $2,500 cash reward is being offered for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the individual or individuals responsible for the physical assault on an African-American female sales representative in Union County during April 2010.

The assault occurred Tuesday, April 20, 2010, between 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. while her vehicle was stopped on Buckner Road between Hickory Valley Road (170) and Maynardville Hwy. (33).

Information should be provided to the Union County Sheriff Department’s Tip Line at (865) 992-2019.

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of 2011. Bieber Fever and Britney Spears and fill in your own blank can’t hold a candle to the King. But, then again, neither can anybody else. They never could.

“There have been pretenders and there have been contenders,” Bruce Springsteen once observed. “But there’s only one king.”

“Before Elvis,” lamented John Lennon, “there was nothing.”

This super-duper spectacle should be seen again and again and again, if only to remind the young and the ignorant that popular music doesn’t have to be pointless drivel.

Manhattan is marvelous this time of year. A blustery 30-degree Tuesday gave way to a 50-degree Wednesday. We went to the top of the Empire State Building.

I was last there on Sept. 1, 2001 – 10 days before the towers fell. Everything and nothing has changed.

We ate lunch at Heartland Brewing Company and sat next to Pete from Texas, who works in television. Pete gets

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up here about four times a year. He had finished work for the day and decided to sit by a window and watch. He lives on three acres an hour outside Big D and said he was ready to go home.

“Two or three days of this madness is enough.”

It was time to go to Penn Station, time to head to Newark, to Knoxville. On the plane I talked to a teacher from Louisiana. She was headed to New Orleans and said her house was spared by Katrina, but damaged during Gustav. She had one of those wonderful Old South accents, thick as sweet molasses, much different from my mountain mumblings.

I had awakened in Times Square and went to sleep in Tennessee, visions of Elvis and the Empire State dancing in my head.

I don’t have any reasons, to quote Billy Joel. I’ve left them all behind.

I’m in a New York state of mind.

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schools

UNION COUNTY SHOPPER-NEWS • FEBRUARY 26, 2011 • A-5

Smoky Mountain 4-H reports On Feb. 8, the Smoky Mountain 4-H Club was called to order by president Nathan Long. The pledge to the American Flag was led by Jessie Smith. The 4-H Flag Pledge was led

by Sarah Morgan. The Thought of the Day was given by Mary Morgan.

New business and old business was brought to the floor. At this time, participants and winners in the County Public Speaking Contest and the County Poster Contest were recognized.

For public speaking: Emily Hocutt placed first for the 4th grade; Jeremiah Kadron placed first for the 5th grade; Bethany Long placed first for the 7th grade; Martin Dickey placed first for 8th grade; Mary Morgan placed second for 8th grade; Nathan Long placed first in the 9th grade; and Rebekah Kadron placed first in the 10th grade. A participation award went to Joshua Sherittz.

Jim Morgan won third place in the poster contest.

Several of the club members volunteered to serve and work at this county event. They are: Abigail Kadron, Dakota Sherittz, Mary Morgan, Sarah Morgan, Martin Dickey, Emmaline Perry and Rebekah Kadron.

Several members gave demonstrations.

Sarah Morgan demonstrated how to make a business card holder from recycled paper boxes. Heather O’Connell demonstrated how to play the violin. Jessie Smith demonstrated how to make a pine cone bird feeder with peanut butter. Ayla Griffen showed how to make an aluminum foil picture. Nathan Long demonstrated how to keep bees properly and the tools that are needed in the process. Mary Morgan demonstrated how to use proper hygiene and grooming techniques in caring for your dogs. Hannah Skeens demonstrated how to make homemade rice packs.

Miranda Key demonstrated how to make yarn dolls.

Meredith Key demonstrated how to make homemade jewelry. Caleb Key demonstrated how to make an inside salsa garden. Emily Hocutt demonstrated how to make a quilted doll pillow.

Project reports were given by: Ayla Griffen, Abby Cabbage, Bethany Long, Randy Griffen, Jeremiah Kadron, Abigail Kadron and Nathaniel Kadron. Community service projects were given by: Jeremiah Kadron, Sarah Morgan, Miranda Key, Meredith Key, Emmaline Perry and Emily Hocutt.

We held our annual photo contest. Fourth grade Explorers awards for the “People” category are: first place Cammie Huffman, second place Joshua Sherittz and third place Emily Hocutt.

Fourth grade Explorers awards for the “Landscaping” category are: first place Joshua Sherittz and second place Emily Hocutt. Fourth grade Explorer awards for the “Animal” category are:

first place Joshua Sherittz, second place Emily Hocutt, third place Cammie Huffman and Randy Griffen participation. Fourth grade “Best of Show” went to Joshua Sherittz.

Fifth and 6th grade junior “People” category winners are: first place Abby Cabbage, second place Jim Morgan, third place Jessie Smith, and Ayla Griffen and Kaleb Huffman participation. Fifth and 6th grade junior “Animal” category winners are: first place Jim Morgan, second place Kaleb Huffman, third place Caleb Key, and Abby Cabbage and Jessie Smith participation. Fifth and 6th grade junior “Landscaping” category winners are: first place Abby Cabbage, second place Jim Morgan and third place Jessie Smith.

Fifth and 6th grade junior “Building” category winners are: first place Jim Morgan, second place Abby Cabbage and third place Jeremiah Kadron. Fifth and 6th grade “Best of Show” went to Jim Morgan.

Junior high “People” category winners are: first place Bethany Long; second place Mary Morgan; third place Dakota Sherittz; and Kalie Huffman, Claire Smith and Martin Dickey participation. Junior high “Animal” category winners are: first place Martin Dickey; second place Kalie Huffman; third place Claire Smith; and Hannah Skeens, Bethany Long, Mary Morgan and Dakota Sherittz participation. Junior high “Building” winners are: first place Mary Morgan, second place Martin Dickey, third place Kalie Huffman and Hannah Skeens participation. Junior high “Landscaping” winners are: first place Claire Smith; second place Martin Dickey; third place Meredith Key; and Dakota Sherittz, Kalie Huffman, Hannah Skeens, Bethany Long and Mary Morgan participation.

Junior high “Best of Show” went to Mary Morgan.

Senior “Animal” category winners are: first place Abigail Kadron, second place

Heather O’Connell, third place Miranda Key, and Nathan Long and Nathaniel Kadron participation.

Senior “People” category winners are: first place Rebekah Kadron, second place Abigail Kadron, third place Sarah Morgan and Heather O’Connell and Nathaniel Kadron participation. Senior “Building” category winners are: first place Nathaniel Kadron, second place Rebekah Kadron, third place Heather O’Connell and Abigail Kadron participation. Senior “Landscaping” category winners are: first place Nathaniel Kadron; second place Abigail Kadron; third place Heather O’Connell; and Rebekah Kadron, Nathan Long and Meredith Key participation. Senior “Best of Show” went to Nathaniel Kadron.

Special thanks go to Marvin Jefferys for judging our photo contest. The meeting was adjourned with games and snacks.

– Emmaline Perry, Reporter

Booker

Headrick

Edmondson

Snow, where are you?

This is another one for the “Kids Say the Darnedest Things” file.

You and I may be ecstatic over the warmer temperatures and brighter days lately, but Daniel, apparently, is missing his old friend, snow.

It was one of the first warm days last weekend, and Zac and I had thrown open the windows and the door to the back deck in celebration.

As we enjoyed the fresh air, Daniel dug into his bedroom closet and found a toy we’d put away: a little blue sleigh with a stuffed bear sitting in it.

He pushed it around on the kitchen linoleum and the hallway laminate for a while before heading toward the great outdoors. Once on the back deck, though, the little sleigh lost its momentum.

Daniel carried it back to the doorway and held up his hands.

“Where’d the snow go, Mommy?”

“It’s too warm for snow right now, buddy.”

Shannon Carey

moms101

He looked up at the sky.

“Snow, where are you?”

Then, putting his hands on his hips and stomping his foot in what I hope wasn’t imitation of yours truly, he said, “Snow, come down here now!”

“Mommy, snow down here now?” he looked at me and asked.

At which point I was forced to admit through giggles that Mommy can do a lot of things, but controlling the weather isn’t one of them.

I didn’t have the heart to break it to him that it might be a year before he sees snow again. But, before the snow situation got too intense, Daniel hit upon another plan.

He grabbed his red wagon, set the sleigh and bear inside, and the ride was smooth once more.

If we have another late blizzard this year, guess who I’m blaming.

Contact Shannon Carey at shannon@ ShopperNewsNow.com.

Steiner

Monroe

Middle school HOSA winners Six Horace Maynard Middle School members of Health Occupations Students of America, HOSA, won their divisions at the regional competition recently. They are eligible to advance to the state tournament in Nashville.

Kelly Williams won in the writing category. Tif-

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fany Headrick won the poster competition. Reece Edmondson won for HOSA Creed. Winning the medical exam were 7th grader Madison Booker and 8th grader Madison Steiner.

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SCHOOL NOTES

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Luttrell ■ PTO meeting will be 7 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 28, with Ronnie Mincey giving the “State of the School” address. Spring pictures will be taken Friday, March 11.

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The MOMS Club of the Maynardville area will host an open house Wednesday, March 2, for all stay-athome, part-time working or homeschooling moms in the 37807, 37779, 37866 or 37721 ZIP Codes. There will be light refreshments, activities and a chance to meet the moms and kids. Call club president Valerie Case at 684-4282, e-mail maynardvillemoms@ aol.com or visit www. maynardvillemoms.blogspot. com for more information.

■ Link your Food City Value Card with the school of your choice to earn money for that school. To link, ask your cashier at check-out. Even though the school isn’t built yet, you can already link your Value Card to Paulette Elementary School.

Taylor Monroe won the HOSA Bowl.

Their advisor at Horace Maynard is Stephanie Walker, and the program is sponsored by the Union County High School HOSA club.

We currently have a position for FNP

MOMS Club to hold open house

■ To make up for school days lost due to snow, Union County schools will be in session the following days, which were previously scheduled as days off: Monday, March 28; Monday, April 25; Thursday, May 26. Spring break will be March 21-25. There will be no school on Good Friday, April 22.

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A-6 • FEBRUARY 26, 2011 • UNION COUNTY SHOPPER-NEWS

Little John

And it is the only one of the letters of John written to one individual.

So what is this little missive?

I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; instead I hope to see you It is written to an individsoon, and we will talk together face to face. ual, a church leader named Gaius, which doesn’t tell us (3 John 13 NRSV) much: Gaius was a common The third letter of John is name in the early Christian unique. era. The writer didn’t identify Cross In Greek, 3 John is just himself either, except as “the Currents 219 words, 15 verses – the elder,” which meant a leader Lynn shortest book in the New in the faith community.

Testament.

Hutton Its purpose, however, In Greek, not one of those is clear: it is a letter of refwords is Christ. The transerence. Just as in modern lators of the New Revised “for the sake of the name.” times, a letter is written Standard Version render This third letter of John is from one friend or associate verse 7 as “for they began the only book in the New to another, by way of introtheir journey for the sake Testament that does not in- duction and commendation of Christ,” but in Greek, it is clude the word Christ. on behalf of a third party. In

CHURCH NOTES Community services

Fundraisers and sales

■ Graveston Baptist Church, 8319 Clapps Chapel Road, is enrolling children 11 months through Pre-K for Parent’s Day Out. The program has small classroom sizes. Info: 465-9655 or www.graveston.org.

■ Beulah Missionary Baptist Church, located on Raccoon Valley Road just off Loyston Road, will have two fundraisers for muchneeded roof repairs. Visit the church fellowship hall 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 3-5, for a rummage sale.

Everything goes for half off the marked price all three days. A benefit singing and spaghetti supper featuring The Better Way Quartet will be held at 6 p.m. March 12. All are welcome.

■ Millers Chapel United Methodist Church, across from McDonald’s on Maynardville Highway in Maynardville, sponsors Food for Friends from 5-7 p.m. on the last Wednesday of every month. This is a free meal for anyone in Union County who could use “on the house” soup and sandwiches. All those in need are invited to come to the church for food and fellowship. Info: Beth, 857-6281.

Men’s programs ■ Revival Vision Church, 154 Durham Drive, in Maynardville, holds a men’s prayer breakfast at 7 a.m. each Wednesday. All are invited

to join in praying and fasting for Union County. Info: Jim, 684-8916.

Special services ■ New Testament Baptist Church, 9325 Maynardville Highway, will have Marriage and Family Month throughout February, with messages to strengthen marriage and family each Sunday. Service times are 11 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Sundays. Info: 992-8366 or www.ntbcmaynardville.com.

Women’s programs ■ Fairview Baptist Church , 7424 Fairview Road in Corryton, will host MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers), 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. every third Monday for devotions, food and fellowship. Child care provided.

Info: Anne, 621-9234.

With service and reasonable cost combined

this case, apparently, “the elder” writes to Gaius concerning “the friends” – a group of traveling missionaries – recommending that he offer them hospitality and care for them, so that they do not have to depend on nonbelievers for support.

In a sideline, he writes about “Diotrephes, who likes to put himself first. …” (That is a charge that could be leveled against a great many of us, who worry about I, me and mine instead of the welfare of the whole community of faith.) Apparently, he is an elder in the church as well, because he has and exercises the authority to

expel those who want to welcome “the friends.”

The letter is apparently carried by one Demetrius, about whom we know nothing else (surely not the silversmith we meet in Ephesus in Acts!), but whose virtue is vouched for by the writer of the letter.

And then verse 13 piques my curiosity. Perhaps it is the tone of the whole letter, and the obvious factions and tensions in the church, but I wonder about verse 13. The writer says, “I have much to write to you, but I would rather not write with pen and ink; instead I hope to see you soon, and we will talk together face to face.”

Oak Grove School update Spring is not that far away, and, frankly, I can’t wait for spring to arrive.

Bonnie Peters Last fall, all of us working on the restoration of the historic Oak Grove School in Sharps Chapel were caught off guard by the early snows and early arrival of really bad weather. Nonetheless, we’re getting ready to pick up where we left off and persevere until winter catches us again.

We knew when Preservation Union County undertook this project that it would not be easy and it would not be quick. We also knew we had to start somewhere because this Rosenwald design early school is one of a very few left in the United States – not just Tennessee or Union County.

Most of the exterior of the building was pressure washed to remove the old, peeling paint, but the eaves did not get done before the bad weather caught us. As

Renovations continue on the historic Oak Grove School in Sharps Chapel. Photo submitted soon as weather permits, our faithful pressure washers, Melissa Beneful and Bob Messick, will join the crew to get that job out of the way so we can paint.

Our fearless leader, Hezzie Samons, has been away doing a mission project in Costa Rica, but he’s back now and will direct getting the rest of the floor joists in place.

Quite a bit of the flooring had to be taken out because of termite damage, so the next job will be to have an exterminator spray the building; and then we can begin installing the subflooring.

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Did he dread the labor (and expense?) of writing on parchment? Or did he mistrust the emissary who would carry the letter? Did he worry that it might fall into the wrong hands, or become more public than he intended? Did he feel more secure with a private, unrecorded conversation?

Perhaps that is the lesson of this rather obscure book.

It is not a great theological treatise, with grand, sweeping ideas and glorious, soaring language. It is life in the church: greetings, memos, church minutes, discussions, plans, arrangements, references, problems, reflections, dreams.

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Unfortunately, Preservation Union County did not get the large grant applied for, but with the help of the Preservation Planner, Lindsey Johnson at East Tennessee Development District and Ethiel Garlington, Director of East Tennessee Preservation Alliance, we are on the lookout for other grants.

Restoration may have to be accomplished by a series of fundraisers and small grants. Large grants are somewhat like the lottery winnings – big bucks are nice, but lots of small grants and donations will work as well.

If you would like to be a part of this important effort, donations can be mailed to Preservation Union County, c/o Betty Bullen, 1982 Highway 61 East, Luttrell, TN 37779.

To donate materials, call Robert Ellison at 281-0181; or to be a part of the work crew, call Bonnie Peters at 687-3842.

Bonnie Peters is the Union County Historian and the author of many books. Contact Bonnie at 687-3842 or bhpeters@ esper.com.

Cancer support group to meet The Union County Cancer Support Group will meet at 7 p.m. every third Thursday at Fellowship Christian Church. Info: Debbie, 659-1052.

sports

UNION COUNTY SHOPPER-NEWS • FEBRUARY 26, 2011 • A-7

SPORTS NOTES ■ Willow Creek Youth Park girls softball spring 2011 sign-ups for weeball (3-4-year-olds), coach pitch (6U-8U), fast pitch (10U, 12U and 14U) will be 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday in February at the park. Weeball is $35. All other ages are $55. Bring a copy of the child’s birth certificate. Info: Dedra Johnson, 599-9920; Alishia Liston, 742-9205; or Mike McFarland, 789-4113.

Trivia contest has cash prize American First Financial Services is sponsoring the Hometown Trivia contest each week. The questions will appear in the American First ad space on page A-2 of the Union County Shopper-News, and each question will be about Union County. The first person to submit the correct answer will receive a $100 cash prize. Send name, contact information and the answer via fax to 992-2090 or via e-mail to AFFSCorporate@comcast.net.

TENNderCare available for children The TENNderCare program wants babies, children, Wes Vitas waits for the catch in center Shortstop Colby Edds fields the ball dur- Patriots third base player Andrew Bow- teens and young adults to get the health care they need. field. Photos by S. Carey ing practice. man warms up during practice.

Good health begins at birth, so it’s important to “Check In, Check Up and Check Back” with your doctor every year. The program continues to increase the rate of children receiving health care services every year. Call “Our goal is to make the re- season, which gets under- today to set up a TENNderCare visit with your doctor or (pitcher/shortstop), Josh

By Ken Lay go to the Union County Health Department. Your health Drew Richardson is just Owens (catcher), Wes Vitas gional tournament this year,” way with a two-game Displan will help. Info: 1-866-311-4287 or www.tennessee. days away from making his (pitcher/center fielder), Josh he said. “Once you reach the trict 3-2A series against gov/tenncare/tenndercare. regional tournament, anyOwens (catcher), Skylar WarAustin-East.

The Pats host debut as Union County High the season opener at 6 p.m.

School’s baseball coach. He’s wick (first base) and Jacob thing can happen.”

The coach may have a Tuesday, March 15, before Contact Humane Society for lost pets the school’s fourth coach in Macklin (pitcher/ first base).

The Union County Humane Society asks that pet ownUnion County also fea- lofty goal, but his path to making the return trip to as many seasons.

He is, however, one of tures three other returners reach the regional involves East Knoxville the following ers contact them immediately if a pet becomes lost. Pets day at 5 p.m. without identification and rabies tags are only required to only a few new faces in the in Emmitt Turner (junior, simple execution. second base), Jesse Buckner “Our kids are working be held for 72 hours by Tennessee state law. The Humane “We want to make the Patriots program.

“Senior leadership will (junior, outfielder/pitcher) routine plays,” Richardson hard,” Richardson said. Society makes every effort to place animals in “forever be a key for us this sea- and sophomore outfielder said. “We’re going to be “They’re really getting af- homes” as soon as possible. Timely contact will ensure that your lost pet is not adopted by new owners. Rememmore aggressive running ter it. son,” Richardson said. Matthew Lamb.

Joining that core of vet- the bases this year.

“That should be one of our “We’ve been on the field ber, identification and rabies tags are your pet’s protecerans are senior outfielders “We’re going to take the the last six days, and we’ll tion. Info: 992-7969. strengths.”

That may be an under- Bradley Baker and Drake extra base whenever we probably be on the field statement as the Patriots Washam and freshman can, and we’re going to keep during the next six days. Kids’ writing contest (opponents) from taking the We’ve had good weather, East Tennessee PBS has launched this year’s PBS Kids have six returning seniors catcher Joseph Houser. but you never know how Go! Writers Contest for students in kindergarten through Richardson, a Gibbs extra bases.” from the 2010 squad, includRichardson said he looks long it’s going to stay that 3rd grade. All entries must be original, illustrated stories ing: Andrew Bowman (pitch- graduate, has some lofty and should be received by Thursday, March 31. First place forward to opening the 2011 way.” er/ third base), Colby Edds hopes for his squad. winners will receive a certificate, prizes and the opportunity to read their story on-air. Info: Frank Miller, 595-0240.

Savvy Pats anxious to open season

Ongoing classes at the Art Center The Appalachian Arts Craft Center is located at 2716 Andersonville Highway 61 near Norris. Info on these ongoing classes: www.appalachianarts.net or 494-9854.

■ Weaving with Carol Pritcher, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tuesdays. Six classes for anyone interested in gaining knowledge of the loom and beginning weaving.

Classes can be scheduled

on an individual basis by calling Carol on Tuesdays at 494-9854. $100 members, $110 nonmembers plus a small materials fee.

Beginning-intermediate.

■ Hand-Sewing Day with the Quilting Department, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wednesdays. Bring your hand-sewing project or help out with the group quilting project with a group of ladies which meets each Wednesday to quilt, laugh and enjoy lunch together. No need to

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■ Braided Rug Class with Dot Fraser 6-9 p.m. the second Monday of each month. Learn to make a beautiful, colorful rug from your scrap material. Ideas for a kitchen, bathroom or hallway. This

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Food vendors available for supper!

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class meets during regular “Ruggers” monthly sessions. $40 members, $50 nonmembers, no charge for repeating the class. Beginning.

Old harp shape note singings All are invited, tunebooks are provided and it’s free.

Info: www.oldharp.org.

■ Franklin Monthly Old Harp Singing, 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, Greeneville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 201 N. Main St., Greeneville. Info: Jeff Farr, 423-639-8211.

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A-8 • FEBRUARY 26, 2011 • UNION COUNTY SHOPPER-NEWS

Not enough heroes Shopper editor Larry Van Guilder got my attention with last week’s strong story about a genuine hero.

If I see famous names in the news for all the wrong reasons, I am reminded that we are running a bit short on leadership. Business giants rise and fall. Politicians are vulnerable. Some coaches cheat. Even preachers sometimes sin and fall short.

Many top athletes reject the responsibility of role modeling. They prefer to just play the games, earn fortunes, appear in one charity golf tournament, maybe sign a few autographs and flip the switch. Privacy is precious. They don’t want to be bothered.

My search for a hero was richly blessed. Pat Shires (Tennessee tailback, 1952) sent me a book, “Escape from Davao” by John D. Lukacs, 2010, Simon and Schuster. It dusts off one of the greatest stories of the Pacific segment of World War II, a daring daylight escape from a notorious Japanese prison camp. A former Volunteer was a ringleader.

Believe it or not, there was a tattered background file in my office. Before he was a Marine, Austin Shofner was a substitute Tennessee tackle, 175 pounds, somewhere behind Bob Woodruff on the depth

Marvin West

chart. Austin lettered in ’36, the year Red Harp ran back a punt and knocked heavily favored Duke out of a Rose Bowl trip.

Shofner grew up outside Shelbyville, along the Duck River. His father, a teacher and part-time farmer, sent him to the big city with sage advice: “If you can’t be smart, be lucky.”

Robert R. Neyland gave young Shofner additional coaching tips, all those football fundamentals, plus the maxims. The player said the coach taught mind over matter.

At 25, Shofner was a Marine officer stationed in the Philippines when the Japanese bombed Hawaii’s Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. Arthur Jones was there. He remembered the chilling news: “Capt. Austin C. Shofner took charge, issuing ammunition, telling us our play days were over, we could start earning our money.”

Jones said the captain could be caustic, abrasive or glib, that he was a natural leader, able to motivate under difficult, even impos-

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sible circumstances. There were some. The 4h Marine regiment was dispatched to Corregidor. It fought fiercely but did not fare well. On May 6, 1942, the warriors were told to give up.

“It fell to Capt. Shofner to pass the word to the men that for the first time in history U.S. Marines had been ordered to surrender. He broke his ceremonial sword over his knee.”

Shofner, prisoner of war, survived the infamous Bataan death march. Many didn’t.

He survived 11 months at Davao, a former penal colony for Filipino criminals. Many didn’t. Conditions were barbaric – slave labor, not enough food and

no medical support. Americans were beaten, tortured, killed. There was no way to escape. That hellhole was surrounded by a swamp.

When seven officers (three marines, three airmen and an artillery major) and two tough sergeants pondered the possibility, somebody said it couldn’t be done. Shofner said they had to try, that their other choice was to die. Motivation was to tell the civilized world what they had seen.

With two Filipino convicts as tour guides, they simply jogged away from an assignment outside the walls. Guards laughed and said the Americans had learned to appreciate their jobs, that they were running to work.

The escapees waded the swamps and fought off wasps and leeches and croc-

odiles. They hacked their way through jungle. They got lost. They came to a large stream. It was Shofner who said cut a large tree and use it as a bridge.

One in the group wanted to turn back.

“No!” roared Shofner.

“You will not.”

“You can’t stop me.”

“The hell I can’t. I will kill you with my bare hands.”

The Americans finally found a Filipino resistance group – or maybe the natives found them. “Brave Americans” were celebrated as heroes. Nobody could escape the Japanese.

The U.S. government delayed their formal rescue.

It had a different timetable for telling the world about prison camp horrors.

Instead of just waiting, Shofner rejoined the war.

When the story was finally told, the Pacific heated up.

Some think the Davao escape may have galvanized the decision to drop atomic bombs.

Douglas MacArthur was among those who pinned medals on Shofner’s chest.

Indeed, he was a hero – promoted to brigadier general, recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit with V for valor, two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star with V, two Purple Hearts and the Chinese Cloud and Banner, along with various campaign medals.

Shofner later told Neyland that what he learned in Tennessee football saved his life. Neyland turned away.

He had something in his eyes.

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

Hopes high for Pats’ softball

By Ken Lay Union County High School softball coach Lance Lay has high hopes as the 2011 season looms around the corner.

The Patriots went 23-13 last season and return eight starters from that season’s squad.

“I have all of my major offensive lineup coming back and we were young last year, said Lay, who opens his ninth season as Union County head coach.

The Pats begin their quest for a big 2011 campaign at home on March 14 against Class 3A powerhouse Central.

“That’s the way we design our schedule,” Lay said. “Our nondistrict games are just as important as our district games.

“We’ll play both Powell and Central, and we purposely do that to get ready for our district games.”

The Patriots will definitely

be ready for a tough district slate, and the coach has eyes on a state tournament berth in May. Union County is young but battle-tested.

Top returners include: Brittany George (senior, outfielder who is a slap hitter and will likely occupy the ninth spot in the squad’s batting order), Taylor Brown (senior, outfielder), Haven Housewright (junior, outfielder and leadoff hitter, who hit .407 last season), Casey Bryan (junior, pitcher, who had 225 strikeouts in 33 appearances last season. She’s also a potent offensive weapon. She batted .435 in 2010 as a freshman. She had seven home runs and knocked in 43 runs last year.), Bailey Mize (sophomore, catcher, who hit .392 with three homers and 26 RBIs), Katie George (sophomore, shortstop, who hit .430 and had a team-leading 15 doubles) and Kelly Cooper (sophomore first baseman).

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Outfielder and senior Taylor Brown lunges for the ball during practice. Photo by S. Carey Cooper led the Patriots with a .460 batting average.

She hit seven round-trippers and drove in 40 runs.

The battery of Bryan and Mize is softball savvy, despite their youth. They call all the pitches.

“Casey and Bailey call their own game, and I don’t have much input there. It makes my job a lot easier,” Lay said.

Freshman third base player Jodi Brooks will also look to make an impact during her rookie high school season.

She’s slated to start at the hot corner for the Patriots. She and Katie George will anchor the right side of the infield.

As far as the District 3-2A race, Union County will look to challenge rival Gibbs, a regular at the Class 2A state tournament, for the district title.

Like the Patriots, coach Carol Mitchell’s Eagles return most starters.

“She doesn’t have a down year,” Lay said of Mitchell.

“I’m happy with our kind of district.”

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