POSTAL CUSTOMER
VOL. 10 NO. 27
www.ShopperNewsNow.com |
BUZZ
A day at the
FCAC art show Fountain City Art Center will present “Travels and Treasures,” featuring art by Aurora Harrison Bull, Terry Chandler, Tracy Gray and Marty McConnaughey, July 17 through Aug. 6. An opening reception will be held 6:30 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 17. The center is located at 213 Hotel Avenue, Knoxville, and hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays and Fridays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays. Info: 357-2787 or fountaincityartctr.com
By Ruth White Oakes Daylily Farm celebrated the season with a festival that brought out the flower lover in just about everyone who attended. The 17th annual event brought guests from as far as Louisiana, Florida, Michigan, Texas and Illinois. Visitors came from 35 states, with many planning vacation around the festival. The festival gives guests an opportunity to select from the wide variety of colors available. An area was set up to entertain little ones as parents selected purchases, refreshments and lunch. Special features included hayrides, bluegrass from Brandywine, a giant rocking chair for photos and a free daylily to guests. Oakes Daylilies is located 8153 Monday Road in Corryton and can be found on the web at www.oakesdaylilies.com. Info: 687-3770. More photos on page 3
IN THIS ISSUE UC Chamber marches on The Union County Chamber of Commerce will continue promoting business and tourism, despite the possibility that Union County Commission will discontinue funding. A recent meeting of the commission’s budget committee saw the Chamber’s budget request die for lack of a motion.
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July 8, 2015
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See Shannon’s story on page 4
Beanbags n’ BBQ There was good food, good music and good fun at Lil’ Jo’s Bar-B-Que in Maynardville June 27. The Union County High School baseball team’s coach and parents held a cornhole tournament to help build a professional metal outfield fence to replace the chain link there now.
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Shirley Hamilton sits in the oversized rocking chair and does her best impersonation of Lily Tomlin’s character Edith Ann. Hamilton has always wanted to have her photo made in the giant chair and is now able to cross that off her bucket list. She has known the Oakes family for years and used to “knock on granddaddy Oakes’ door” long ago. She considered him one of the “sweetest, dearest men you’d ever meet.”
County budget extended
See the story on page 3
West writes:
By Shannon Carey
Football not forever
Union County Commission met in special called session June 30 to extend the county budget into July. Union County Mayor Mike Williams expressed confidence that the commission will approve a budget by the end of July. Also on the agenda was a
There must be a message in the sad story of Antonio “Tiny” Richardson. The very large former Volunteer looked like an NFL tackle in high school. All he had to do was learn the nuances and push past lazy periods.
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See Marvin West on page 4
the county will not have enough revenue to operate by November 2016, she said. Dyer said the commission has three options: do nothing, raise taxes or cut spending enough to “tread water,” or increase the property tax rate to $2.15 from the current $1.79.
The third option is recommended by the state as part of a five-year plan for fiscal stability. Members of the audience also asked questions of Dyer, saying that they want to avoid a tax increase. “Oh, I understand,” Dyer replied. “I live in Union County, too.”
Rodeo gallops into 12th year
Interns in the air and Market Square
By Shannon Carey
Shopper-News interns’ adventures continue. This week, a crash course in flying at Dragonfly Aerial Arts Studio, good eats with Good Golly Tamale, business development with the Knoxville Chamber, and Charlie Hamilton discovers 3-D printed cars.
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question and answer session for the commissioners about the 2015/2016 tax rate. Director of Finance Ann Dyer repeated her presentation from June 8, explaining that the county’s expenditures have exceeded revenue for the past three fiscal years. “Based on current spending,”
Red Gate Rodeo has become a local tradition. With Red Gate Farm owner Butch Butcher and the Stalans family at the helm, the rodeo’s 12th year looks to continue that tradition of family fun. Butcher said Red Gate had often hosted rodeos before the event became an annual affair. He became friends with Mike Stalans, and the pair decided to start an outdoor rodeo. Stalans founded Spur’n S Rodeo, and the rest is history. Stalans passed away last year, but his wife and sons are keeping the rodeo company going. “It’s been a successful event every year,” said Butcher. “We’ve had good support from the community. It’s the biggest event held in Union County by far.” He estimated that the rodeo brings in 3,000 to 4,000 people on Fridays and 4,000 to 5,000 people on Saturdays.
See Interns on pages 6-7
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Expect to see many of your old favorites and some new acts at the Red Gate Rodeo this year. Announcer Mark Northal, formerly of the Dixie Stampede, will return this year, along with rodeo clown Mighty Mike Wentworth. “A lot of people come from year to year just to see his acts,” said Butcher. “He’s the life of the rodeo.” Trick roper Jack Fulbright, a member of the National Cowboy Hall of Fame, is a new addition to the rodeo, as is local musician Piper Montana. As always, a carnival full of fun and food will be held with the rodeo. Butcher said more than 20 food vendors and 20 games, as well as merchandise vendors, will be available. Butcher thanked all rodeo sponsors and the community for making the rodeo possible. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s also a
lot of satisfaction,” he said. Formerly a horse-breeding and training operation, Red Gate Farm recently expanded into horse boarding, offering both pasture and stall board. The facility is also available for weddings, with multiple venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions. Butcher recommended the shores of Red Gate’s 3-acre lake. Info: 992-3303 or www. redgaterodeo.com. Red Gate Rodeo will be held Friday and Saturday, July 17-18, at Red Gate Farm in Maynardville. On July 17, the carnival will start at 5 p.m., and the rodeo will start at 8 p.m. On July 18, the carnival will start at 4 p.m., and the rodeo will start at 8 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for kids 10 and under, and free for kids 3 and under.
Take back your life!
Red Gate Farm owner Butch Butcher Photo by S. Carey
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