Union County Shopper-News 011817

POSTAL CUSTOMER

VOL. 12 NO. 3

www.ShopperNewsNow.com |

FIRST WORDS Rep. Fleischmann on House panels

The chair of the House Appropriations Committee has announced subcommittee assignments for the 115th Congress. U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann (R-Tenn.) retained his three subcommittee assignments: Labor, Health and Human Services; Homeland Security; and Energy and Water – where he serves as vice chair.

Fleischmann said he will “continue to fight for the needs of the nation and the Third Congressional District” including Oak Ridge and the Chickamauga Lock in Chattanooga.

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Scaring is caring

January 18, 2017

for Food City volunteer

BOE to discuss student progress

The Union County Public Schools will incorporate the Title I annual discussion of districtwide programming and academic achievement into the school board regular workshop to be held at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26, at the Union County High School auditorium. A voting school board meeting will follow the workshop.

Agenda items include: discussion by Dr. Jimmy Carter of strategic plan meetings in each school district and teacher tenure. The board will discuss evaluation of the director of schools and board self-evaluation.

Computer classes

One-on-one classes are available by appointment at the public library in Maynardville for those wanting to learn how to use computers and other devices. For appointment: 9927106. The Maynardville Public Library is at 296 Main St. Info: 992-7106, maynardvillepublic library.org or on Facebook.

St. Mary’s Legacy mobile clinic sees patients at the Northside Community Center in Washburn each first Wednesday and the Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission, 7735 Rutledge Pike in Rutledge, each second Thursday. Appointment: 212-5570.

Info: stmaryclinic.org

Pick up extra copies at Union County Senior Citizens Center 298 Main St. Maynardville

ADVERTISING SALES (865) 922-4136 ads@ShopperNewsNow.com Amy Lutheran | Patty Fecco Beverly Holland | Mary Williamson

By Shannon Carey For Austin Branson, most of the summer and fall is filled with thoughts of thrills and chills, but he’s not working at one of those for-profit haunted attractions that have sprung up in the past few years. He and his family, and a huge portion of the Washburn community, are busy crafting a spooky attraction for a good cause.

It’s Austin’s work with this effort that earned him the Maynardville store’s nomination for the Food City Claude P. Varney Volunteer Award, an honor that recognizes the volunteer efforts of Food City employees. Austin has been with Food City for more than three years and works as the May-

nardville store’s produce manager.

The haunting in Washburn, named the Branson Farms Haunted Forest, got its start 19 years ago as a birthday party prank. Austin’s parents, Norman and Cheryl Branson, held a Halloweenthemed birthday party for Austin’s sister, Michelle. They took the kids on a hayride around the family farm, and when they approached the cemetery at the end of the lane, Norman hopped off the ride, donned a mask, and leaped out to scare the kids.

The prank was so successful that around December that year the family got to thinking.

“Dad said, ‘Why don’t we do something for our community?’”

The cast and crew of the 2016 Branson Farms Haunted Forest gathers for a photo before the gates open at sundown. Founders Norman and Cheryl Branson are shown at front right, wearing orange shirts.

said Austin.

The haunted forest was born.

That first year, 20 volunteers created scary scenes on the farm, welcomed visitors and guided groups along the path. They started the tradition that carries to this day: Haunted forest volunteers vote for someone in need to receive all proceeds. The forest isn’t a nonprofit with a board of directors. It’s just neighbors helping neighbors and as grassroots as you can get.

Now, the haunted forest has grown to 50 volunteers and 450

By Seth Norris Briley Buckner made a commitment that will make history for Union County basketball.

Earlier this month, the senior gave her commitment to play basketball at Presbyterian College in Clinton, S.C. If everything goes smoothly until signing day in April, multiple school officials believe she will be the first basketball player, boy or girl, to play Division I basketball.

“It is pretty crazy because I feel like athletes from Union County are very often overlooked,” said Buckner. “It really is a blessing to get this opportunity because it is sort of rare to hear this about a kid around here.”

Buckner also had offers from Young Harris College, Oglethorpe and Bryan College. It was a pretty easy decision for Buckner to go with the Division I school that is offering her more than just a scholarship. Presbyterian, which

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is in the Big South Conference, has traveled to places like Gonzaga and Puerto Rico just this season.

The girl from little ol’ Union County will get a chance to travel.

“I just started to picture myself being able to experience the things that come along with it,” said Buckner. “With some work, there’s no telling where I’ll be getting the chance to play. That’s pretty exciting for me!”

Earlier this season, Buckner surpassed the 1,000-point barrier. In her expanded role, she’s averaging 18.5 points per game, and helping lead the Patriots on the path of another potential district championship. This season has helped her special ability as a player, and she sees the possibilities moving forward.

“I feel like this year has shown that I should be more confident as a player. I’ve proven myself by filling more into a leadership role,” said Buckner. “I can see how the way I

ADDICTED TO

play affects the others on the team.”

Although she has made the big announcement about her plans, she’s not taken her focus off the season, or the team. She has only strengthened it.

“My goal is to lead the team to another district championship,” said Buckner. “I feel like we really have the potential to do it again this year if everyone plays well.”

The Patriots are in the middle of district play and have a record well over .500. It will be a tough task to repeat against teams like Gatlinburg-Pittman and Fulton, but they’ve done it once before.

Buckner wants to finish the season strong, and once it is over she says she is going to hit the weight room to get in Division I shape.

“It’s pretty exciting to think about being the first because I really want to prove myself,” said Buckner. “Anything is possible if you work hard and have a good attitude.”

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Union County High School senior Briley Buckner will go on to play Division 1 basketball at Presbyterian College next year, making her the first UCHS student in that division. Photo

by Gina Buckner

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visitors each night. There have been television appearances, and the Branson Farms Haunted Forest has been rated third in the list of top-rated haunted attractions in East Tennessee.

Austin said the “kids” get together in July to start planning.

By kids, he means the volunteers, who now range in age from 8 to 35.

Most of those who are now adults grew up helping with the forest, so the name stuck.

Buckner heads to Division I, makes UCHS history

Mobile clinic visits two towns

NEWS (865) 661-8777 news@ShopperNewsNow.com Sandra Clark | Shannon Carey

Maynardville Food City manager Scott Inklebarger stands with produce manager and Claude P. Varney Volunteer Award nominee Austin Branson in the store’s produce section. Branson was nominated for his work with the Branson Farms Haunted Forest, through which his family and community volunteers have raised money for those in need 19 years running. Photos by S. Carey

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County will use grant for ambulances, not water

By Shannon Carey

Branson Farms Haunted Forest cast members Riley Tolliver and Danny Burris may look creepy, but they’re raising money for a local family in need.

Seth “Bobo” Beeler shows a spooky face at the Branson Farms Haunted Forest.

Scaring is caring The entire community comes together to make the event special. Local groups offer concessions for sale.

There’s even a bonfire for folks to sit around and socialize.

“It’s an amazing event,” said Maynardville Food City manager Scott Inklebarger.

“I’ve never seen anything like it. At the bonfire, there will be 50 people just sitting around, just there to be part of the event.”

And while the scenes

From page 1 depicted in the forest are spooky, scary and gory, the effort is firmly rooted in faith, with the volunteer group opening each night in prayer.

Austin said the opportunities to help people in a real way, plus the excitement the haunted forest brings to the community, have kept the family going over the years. The 2016 haunted forest raised money to defray funeral expenses of a Washburn school guidance

counselor who had died of cancer.

Austin has other stories, too. One year, the recipient was a little girl who had been paralyzed in a car wreck. Volunteers used part of the funds to buy toys and clothes for her and gave the rest of the money to her family. The girl could not speak, but when she saw the mountain of gifts, “her eyes just glowed so big and her smile was just so huge,”

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Set clear “No-Drug” rules.

Tell your teen that drugs and alcohol are not allowed and outline consequences for breaking the rules.

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Teens whose parents are involved in their lives are less likely to use drugs or alcohol.

Ask the right questions.

Know what your children are doing when they are away from you, where they go, and who their friends are. Monitor digital activity, too.

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This project is funded by the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services.

said Austin. The remaining $1,600 turned out to be just the amount the family needed to install a wheelchair ramp on their van.

“Every year after we give them the money, we’ll talk about it for the next three months,” said Austin.

Inklebarger congratulated Austin on his work for Food City and Branson Farms Haunted Forest.

“Austin does a fantastic job inside the store as a produce manager,” Inklebarger said. “He’s a special young man, taking his talents outside the store, too. I’m proud he’s part of our team.”

The 2017 season will be the 20th anniversary for Branson Farms Haunted Forest. Find them on Facebook for more information.

Union County Commission voted unanimously Jan. 9 to use Union County’s upcoming Community Development Block Grant application to purchase two ambulances instead of allowing the city of Maynardville to use the county’s grant to extend city water lines to 74 homes.

The move came after tense words at last month’s commission meeting, in which Maynardville city manager Jack Rhyne insisted that the city’s use of the county’s grant would not keep the county from applying on the next cycle.

However, tension crept into the Jan. 9 meeting when Maynardville City Council member Len Padgett asked to speak. He asked if the county would allow the city to use the grant application if the county could not prepare the materials in time.

“I know the need for ambulances,” said Padgett.

“We’re just trying to provide clean, potable water for people. When you have people come to meetings that have a jar of water that doesn’t smell too good and is about the color of the bottom of your shoe and they’re trying to raise their family in that, it’s not good. There’s a need out there.”

Nichole Britt of the East Tennessee Development District assured the commission that there was plenty of time to apply for the grant. Chris Upton made a motion to use the grant for ambulances, and Wayne Roach seconded. The grant requires an 11 percent match by the county.

The commission went on to approve paying $35,000 to help residents of Mill Creek

Heights subdivision in Andersonville extend water from Anderson County Water Authority into their development. Previously served by an internal, well-based water system, the subdivision’s water ran dry during the 2016 fall drought. Residents came to the December commission meeting asking for help, which was approved by the budget committee Jan. 2.

Dawn Flatford made the motion with a second by Doyle Welch. The motion was approved with only Mike Sexton voting against.

The commission went on to approve $5,600 to finish a waterline project to extend Hallsdale Powell Utility District water to residents of Cooper Road. Flatford made the motion with a second by Welch, and the motion was approved with Sexton voting against.

Padgett asked to speak once again.

“I do not understand why these outside utilities are coming in and getting money,” he said. “It seems like everybody else gets help and we don’t.”

Union County Commissioner J.M. Bailey responded, saying that the county had given the city grants before.

“I know people need water, but I’m not going to put a dollar figure on a human life for an ambulance.

Surely you don’t want us to lose that grant for the ambulances,” Bailey said.

“Do you have any idea how many lives may have been saved from drinking bad water?” said Padgett.

“What about the 75 families that signed up for water, and they’re from your (Bailey’s) district?”

“I’m not up here for popularity,” said Bailey.

Union County Shopper news • January 18, 2017 • 3

Paulette students, teacher, staff member of the month

Paulette Elementary School’s students of the month for December, now called Principal’s Pals, are: (front) William Dunn, Case Richardson, Emma Donahue, Brooklyn Burbage, Keira Collins, Anna Hayes; (second row) Austin Atkins, Trevor Bailey, Trinity Harris, Faith Stevens, Emily Welch; (back) Breana Woodie, Ashlyn Dyer, Kearra Nicley, Joslyn Ethier, Kylie Crawford and Brycen Earl.

Not pictured are Macie Caldwell and Austin Elliott.

Paulette Elementary School recently named second-grade teacher Cora Miller as Teacher of the Month and food service worker Nancy Bailey as Staff Member of the Month for December. Photos submitted

Shovel with care Chiropractic Outlook

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Horace Maynard Middle announces students of the month

Horace Maynard Middle School faculty and staff recently announced the school’s students of the month for December, selected for academics and citizenship. They are: (front) Brodie Roberts, Nick Moore, Tyler Maples, Mattison Hancock; (second row) Jacob Jackson, Shannon Bailey, Rachel Sharp, Haley Williams; (back) Jordan Rawlinson. Not pictured is Daiyanis Rodriguez. Photo submitted

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Winter is well upon us, and with it comes the unpleasant but necessary job of clearing snow from porches, walks and driveways. Shoveling snow is not something to be undertaken lightly. First of all, you should have an OK from your primary physician that you’re up to the activity. Here are some other things to keep in mind: ■ If you know you’re going to have to shovel on a work morning, set your alarm a little earlier to give yourself some time.

Rushing on slippery footing is an invitation to a fall. If you can, park your car in a spot that will minimize shoveling.

■ Wear layers so you can shed one as you warm up.

■ Don’t try to toss a load over to a pile. Walk it over. The constant

wrenching is tough on the back. frequently.

■ Rest Whatever the activity, injury is more common when someone is fatigued.

■ When lifting anything heavy, including snow, bend at the knees, not at the waist, and let your leg muscles do the work.

■ If an enterprising youngster rings your bell and offers to do the work for a few dollars, encourage his/her entrepreneurial instincts and give yourself a break.

■ If you feel any chest pain or shortness of breath, stop immediately.

Shovel smart and stay safe this winter!

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4 • January 18, 2017 • Union County Shopper news

The gift of snow For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out of my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose and succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

(Isaiah 55:10-11 NRSV) We were in the mountains when the snow fell. It began with large flakes, flakes so heavy they didn’t drift and float, but fell straight down, as if in a hurry to get to the ground.

Truth be told, I become a child again when snowflakes start falling. I can stand at the window, watching the floating, drifting flakes, and I am filled with wonder by the fact that, like people, no two snowflakes are alike.

It seems to me to be proof that God loves His children, and knows that we are all children at heart. Somewhere, deep down in whatever sophistication we hide behind, we are delighted by a falling snowflake – a unique gift that cannot be duplicated.

I am realistic enough to

Cross Currents

Lynn Pitts

acknowledge that snow can be a dangerous beauty, that we need to respect it, and I freely admit that the older I get, the more I respect it! I don’t want to fall and crack my noggin! So, these days, I tend to enjoy it through a window decorated with icicles hanging from the eaves.

We Americans tend to think of the Holy Land as desert country, with occasional oases strewn about, which to some extent is true.

But it does snow there, especially in the mountains, and it’s a wondrous thing to see!

FAITH NOTES Community services ■■ Hansard Chapel Methodist Church, located on Highway 33 across from Tolliver’s Market, hosts a food pantry 6-7 p.m. each third Saturday.

Gently used clothing is also available. Info: the Rev. Jay Richardson, 776-2668.

Special services ■■ UPLIFT, a nondenominational study/prayer group for Universal Peace, Love, Inspiration, Faith & Truth, meets 11 a.m.-noon Sundays in the conference room at Hardee’s, 2825 Maynardville Highway, Maynardville. Info: Eva, 9920185 or eva.thaller@att.net.

APPALACHIAN ARTS ■■ The jurying process for new members of the Appalachian Arts Craft Center, 2716 Andersonville Highway 61, Norris, is in progress. Samples of handcrafted work, along with forms and $25 jury fee, accepted Wednesday, Jan. 18, through noon Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Center. Info/forms: appalachianarts.net or 494-9854.

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Union County Business and Professional Association secretary Alicia Lucy reads a Christmas thank-you card from scholarship recipient Hunter Collins.

Joanie Brock of the Union County Vendor Mall speaks to the Union County Business and Professional Association about opportunities at the mall. Photos by S. Carey

Vendor Mall grows, seeks more vendors

By Shannon Carey There’s a place where Union County’s crafters and small business owners can see their dreams realized, and that place is the Union County Vendor Mall.

Mall founder Joanie Brock visited the Union County Business and Professional Association Jan. 10, at the urging of UCBPA vice president and Vendor Mall vendor Martin Shafer.

The Vendor Mall operates through booth rentals. Each vendor rents a booth for a fee plus a 13 percent commission on each sale. The vendors design and merchandise their booths, and Brock staffs the mall during business hours. She also gives each vendor a website and hosts and advertises events to bring business to the mall.

“I wanted to give small business owners the opportunity to keep their day job and start their small business,” said Brock.

Brock started with her testimony.

She had been in healthcare for 20 years when a promotion and pay raise was offered to her. She took the promotion, and six months later her position was cut.

“I had gotten away from where I needed to be,” she said. “I was more concentrated with my job than with following my God.”

She said the job cut was God telling her, “I had a plan for you and you didn’t listen.”

Brock loves refinishing and repurposing furniture, and her uncle J.T. Russell had space open in the industrial park on Durham Drive in Maynardville. Brock opened the mall to have a place to market her wares and to help other crafters get off the ground. She promised God that everything she did with the business would be to glorify him.

Now, the mall has 13 vendors, three new vendors joining this winter, and room for more. Shoppers have come from Kentucky, North and South Carolina, Texas, and of course Knoxville.

Local artist Betty Bullen has a booth, with Union County Heritage prints available for purchase, and some original works. Shafer’s woodwork is there, including his Union County coasters.

Other items include Knoxville Soap and Candle Company products, primitive home décor, fabric items, silk floral arrangements and much more.

“I’ve got a lot of talented vendors,” said Brock. “We’ve got a big variety of items, and it’s always changing.”

■■ A letter from Hunter UCBPA secretary Alicia Lucy read

a Christmas thank-you card from UCBPA scholarship recipient Hunter Collins. Collins sent his current college transcript and information about the program in which he is enrolled, saying that the scholarship has helped him start his college career debt-free.

“His grades are phenomenal,” said UCBPA member Marvin Jeffreys.

■■ Growth through giving UCBPA treasurer Gail Corum presented the group’s 2017 budget, which was approved unanimously.

The budget is consistent with 2016, with $1,750 budgeted for charitable giving. Corum said the UCBPA is also giving $1,000 to the Union County High School Marching Band for new uniforms. The annual banquet raised $1,000, she said.

“2016 was just a phenomenal year for the UCBPA and for following our theme of Growth Through Giving,” said Marilyn Toppins. “All of you are to be congratulated and thanked.”

Toppins reminded the group that dues are payable as of Jan. 1, and are due in March. Right now, UCBPA has 40 paid memberships.

The UCBPA meets at noon every second Tuesday, at the Hardee’s in Maynardville. Lunch is $5.

Union County Shopper news • January 18, 2017 • 5

James Williams enjoys lively conversation. His natural curiosity and his years spent as an educator show in his wide range of interests.

Photos by Carol Z. Shane

James Williams finds joy in every day

By Carol Z. Shane Gerontologists divide old age into the young-old (ages 65-74,) middle-old (7584) and old-old (over 85.)

Among the latter, James Williams of Norris is that rare treasure: a man with a mind like a steel trap who speaks generously but unsentimentally about his long life, and about his everyday challenges.

A visit with this 92-yearold won’t have you patting his hand and thinking, “poor old dear” – not for a minute. With his ready laugh and lightning wit, Williams is much too engaged and animated for that.

After all, he’s weathered Gen. George S. Patton, the raising of two daughters and 32 years as principal and teacher in the county school system. And he still

has lessons to teach.

“I keep a daily record,” he says, pulling out a small notebook. “See, here are all the names of the staff since I’ve been here.” Now in an assisted living facility in Norris after leaving the home he bought when the town was new, the adjustment wasn’t easy. But “they’re super, and I have to reason that I am much better off here than there.”

Williams and his eight siblings grew up on a farm near Matthews, N.C. “I come from a family of vigorous, active people. I worked from the time I was 13 years old. It kept us in good physical shape.” Basic training in the Army built upon that strength. “It was absolutely a rigorous program. I gained weight, I gained muscle.”

After serving in the 22nd Infantry Regiment of the

Third Army under Patton, he returned home in 1946 and within a week met his future wife, Jean, when she came to town to visit relatives. “My friend asked, ‘Would you like a date with a redhead tonight?’” and I said, “‘Of course I would!’”

At the end of the evening, he told Jean’s aunt, “I’m going to marry that woman.” The next year, he did.

“Look at you, you beautiful thing,” he says, gazing at a photo of the two of them.

“We were absolutely totally dedicated to each other all our married lives,” he says.

“We didn’t argue; we ‘discussed,’ which was good.

She was not a patsy. She had her views.”

The couple enjoyed adventurous road trips, raising their daughters, gardening and putting up preserves, and watching game shows

Over their heads

I can recall once teaching a fifth-grade class. It was brought up that adults often don’t think children have anything important to say.

One of my students said, “You always listen to what we have to say, Mr. Mincey.”

That was the finest compliment I ever received from a student. I know I failed miserably many times, but at least that one student knew that I considered him a person with important ideas and feelings.

I always tried to view children as adults in small bodies. Just like adults, children have worries, concerns and problems. If teachers could only know what bothers students, they might understand better how to help them mature into the fine citizens our great nation needs to thrive. Unfortunately, it is not always possible to know, either figuratively or literally, what hangs over children’s heads.

I once heard of an old building used as a classroom. When the building was renovated for another purpose years later, several thousand pounds of antiquated supplies were dis-

Ronnie Mincey Teacher Time covered in the attic. Thankfully, no crash resulted in any student or teacher discovering what was over their heads!

There is another story of a classroom building that had a leaky roof. Someone was paid to repair the roof, and the leaking stopped.

Sometime later, during a stretch of beautiful, sunny weather, a deluge of water gushed through the ceiling.

No one knew what caused this unexpected torrent, as there were no overhead water pipes. It seems the roof had been repaired by hanging buckets from the rafters in the attic directly under the leaks. One of the buckets spilled, revealing what was over everyone’s head!

I recently read a story of a teacher whose first job was in a one-room school in the first half of the 20th

century. A parent pounded furiously on the door, telling the astonished teacher who answered that the school roof was on fire. The teacher quickly evacuated the students through the building’s only door so all could watch the entire structure burn to the ground within 30 minutes. Had it not been for the parent, possibly no one would have known what was over their heads until it was too late!

These are literal examples, but many things figuratively hang over the heads of today’s students and teachers.

Sometimes students have hidden problems such as homelessness, poverty, bullying and unhappy home situations. Teachers might deal with family sickness, financial difficulties, strained relationships and overwhelming domestic responsibility.

To page 6

and sports on TV. He lost her in October of 2015. “I have had a tough time adjusting to it. You can’t have a beautiful, wonderful companion for 68 years and have her leave and not have it be different.” He’s found some new activities, but admits without a trace of self-pity, “I don’t watch golf now. But it was fun when she watched it with me.”

In May of 2017, Williams will have been retired as long as he was employed as an educator – a rewarding career that he found after a series of postwar jobs that didn’t work out. “I’m not a religious freak,” he says, “but there was some kind of guidance. It didn’t just happen by accident.”

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At his daughter (left) Missy Williams Tortora’s birthday party, James Williams is asked, “How does it feel to have a 60-year-old daughter?” “Like I’m 92,” he deadpans. Also shown is Terry Williams Hozinsky, who lives with husband Ira in New York City. Photo by Emily Shane

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younger,” he says. “Sometimes it changes throughout the day. My dear sweetie used to say, ‘one day at a time.’” His faith is in “an allloving God,” and when the day comes and he’s standing at the Pearly Gates, what does he hope to hear? With a laugh as big as his heart, Williams’ answer is immediate: “Jeanie’s right around the corner!”

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Williams says “staying active” is his No. 1 priority in healthy aging, and he attends his facility’s exercise classes every weekday. He still drives. He enjoys jigsaw puzzles, word games, science magazines and “wonderful” email. “You’ve got to find a little bit of joy and pleasure every day,” he says.

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Office: 992-5888

1330 Main Street • Maynardville, TN. Across from Food City

(behind McDonald’s)

www.unioncountychiropractic.com KN-1432506

6 • January 18, 2017 • Union County Shopper news

UT makes life more difficult for Butch Top leadership of the University of Tennessee, if there really is some, has made life more difficult than necessary for Butch Jones.

Marvin West

As the coach sought to improve his staff, prospective assistants kept asking nosey questions about who will be the next athletic director.

Potential offensive coordinators with names you might recognize were curious about the job and such

trivia as chain of command, grasp and understanding, long-term stability and exactly how important will football be in the overall scheme of things.

Here’s the dilemma: If Butch was forced to pick an available replacement for Mike DeBord when he really wanted someone else, he has a built-in excuse for future problems. You tied my hands.

President Joe DiPietro and the board of trustees have known for months and months that UT needed a chancellor and athletic director. We’ve all known since August that Jimmy Cheek and Dave Hart were moving on.

Common sense dictated

a new chancellor was the first priority in replacing the lame ducks – just in case that person wanted a vote in the selection of the new athletic director.

Identifying Beverly J. Davenport took almost forever. Time dragged on. Even for a quick study, figuring out what is Tennessee football takes longer than making instant potatoes. Delay, delay, delay.

Finally, she or DiPietro or somebody more powerful wants a professional search company to sort through AD possibilities, make recommendations and mask responsibility.

There was a time Butch and I thought we knew the next athletic director would

be David Blackburn, Vol for life, very successful as recent leader of athletics at UTChattanooga. He seemed so obvious. He is 50. He has the ideal background. He has experience. He knows everybody who matters, big donors, politicians, thousands of fans. DiPietro is already his top boss.

David, son of a high school coach, was born in Loudon. He played quarterback there. He enrolled at UT and learned a lot as student manager for John Majors’ teams in 1988-89. He went to Morristown to be a coach. Phillip Fulmer invited him back for an administrative role in recruiting and compliance and a few dozen other things.

Lovely City: Anderson County’s smallest town Sometimes an innocent question can lead to a fascinating story. The question was – where is Lovely Bluff?

Well, it is in Lovely City, up near Lake City (now Rocky Top) on the south bank of Coal Creek. There was once a grist mill there at the foot of a picturesque bluff where clear, cold springs flow out of almost solid limestone rock.

George W. Lovely, who had emigrated here from Pennsylvania, owned the land and the mill and decided he would like to build a legal whiskey distillery, which is believed to be the only legal distillery to be operated in Anderson County.

There was a kink in his plan – a distillery must be located in an incorporated town. Lovely applied for and received from the state of Tennessee a charter of incorporation for a town to

Bonnie Peters

be called Lovely City. The 17 qualified voters voted unanimously for incorporation.

The petition for the town charter was filed in Chancery Court in Anderson County June 8, 1897, by these citizens: G.W. Lovely, David Lovely, J.A. Cornwell, Cornelius Hatmaker, W.H. Hatmaker, J.A. Maples, T.J. Morgan, M.B. Hogan, J.R. Webb, Rich Green, Bud McGhee, William Green Sr., T.W. Green and C.M. Leinart.

Notices were also placed in three places, which had been published in the Clinton Gazette. The charter was signed by the Tennes-

Larry & Laura Bailey

SHARPS

CHAPEL

-

see Secretary of State June 21, 1897.

Of course, George W. Lovely was elected mayor of the town. After all, the town included only his farm and property. There was one ward with two aldermen – W.H. Whitaker and M.B. Hogan. Mark Herrell was elected constable and J.A. Cornwell was recorder.

Most of my information was obtained from Lee Robbins’ history collection; Glenn McCoy; “Anderson County Sketches”

by Katherine Hoskins, and, of course, Mary Harris, the present Anderson County historian, who made me aware of Hoskins’ book.

Lovely’s family provided information on the city and the distillery back in the 1970s and indicated Lovely had two helpers in addition to his son, John, who helped some before joining

the army and making it a career.

The physical description of the town’s location refers to the Henderson Land Company that is also prominent in Union County and Big Valley early history. The still house a few yards away had an office and a storage room.

Also close by was the Lovely residence.

The town is said to have had six houses, a schoolhouse, a post office, a distillery, a saloon and a caboose inside the corporate limits. Other houses and buildings were close by. In 1902 there were five saloons in Clinton near the depot and wharf where rafts of logs were loaded or delayed waiting for high tide.

Lovely City is the smallest town in Anderson County and is believed to be the smallest town in Tennessee.

865-947-9000

www.knoxvillerealty.com

Doug Dickey saw greater potential and promoted Blackburn. Through the years, he looked after facilities, fundraising and event management. Because he could read and write, he evolved into the athletic department connection to the Thornton Center and academics. He participated in coaching searches. He became a senior associate AD under Mike Hamilton.

He was a big help in dealing with the NCAA during a time of crisis, the Bruce Pearl and Lane Kiffin era.

If winning matters, it appears Blackburn and Chattanooga have excelled. Last year UT-C became the first school in a hundred years to win Southern Conference

titles in football and men’s and women’s basketball.

Maybe I shouldn’t mention that the basketball Mocs defeated the Vols in the opener of this season.

Maybe I shouldn’t mention that Blackburn is Tennessee through and through. He is not from Florida or Alabama or even Cincinnati, from whence cometh Dr. Davenport and, before that, Coach Jones.

David has never been athletic director at Notre Dame or UCLA or even Kansas or Kentucky. He is known widely but is not famous outside the Volunteer family. But, he is smart and aware and interested.

Come to think of it, if the big time is what really matters. Dr. Davenport has never been chancellor at any of those places.

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

Over their heads Public outcry for increased accountability for student academic achievement in the last quarter of the 20th century placed a common challenge over the heads of both students and teachers – increased student academic achievement resulting from effective instruction. Standardized test results reveal to an inquisi-

From page 5 tive, demanding and sometimes unforgiving public how effectively teachers taught and students learned state curriculum standards.

While teaching methodologies have changed with increased demands, some basics must remain for any school to be successful.

Next week some of these will be addressed.

TennCare Kids provides services TennCare Kids is Tennessee’s commitment to see that children and teens have the best start to a healthy life. TennCare Kids is a free program of check-ups and health care services for children from birth to age 21 who are TennCare eligible, including health history, complete physical exam, lab tests as appropriate, immunizations, vision and hearing screening, developmental and behavior screenings as appropriate, and advice on healthy living. Union Countians interested in the program should contact the Union County Health Department’s community outreach representative, Pam Williams. Info: 992-3867, ext. 131.

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