J.D. THOMAS, SUMNER COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPUTY
Deputy saved man from drowning By Josh Cross jcross@mtcngroup.com
umner County Sheriff’s Deputy J.D. Thomas’ actions are credited with helping save a man’s life, colleagues said, after the driver’s vehicle slid off the road and landed in Bledsoe Creek last fall. On a rainy morning in October, Thomas, a 24-year law enforcement veteran, was dispatched to Phillips Hollow Road in response to an injury wreck. When he arrived, Thomas found the truck upside down in the creek with the driver still trapped inside. “When I looked in he was kind of having to turn his head to the side to keep his face from being in the water,” Thomas said. “The door was jammed up a little bit but it released from the lock, so I just FOR MORE bent the door around, reached in sumnersheriff.com and between the two of us we worked him out. “He was past shaking it was so cold.” Thomas, who strives to be the best professionally, is also a model and caring person, said Sumner County Sheriff Sonny Weatherford. “He is one of our field training officers, so when someone first comes to work for us we put them with him and several others,” Weatherford said. “After being with him, they all come back and say that they just really feel that he is something special.” Thomas has served as a member of the SWAT team for 15 years. While he has always been fascinated with police work, Thomas said he was simply doing his job when he saved another man’s life. “We all swear when we go into this job that’s what we’re going to do, we’re going to help, and that’s what I did,” Thomas said. “It’s just what we do.”
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PHOTO COURTESY OF SUMNER COUNTY EMA
Sumner County Sheriff’s Deputy J.D. Thomas, Sumner County Emergency Management Agency and Westmoreland Fire Department help rescue a man from Bledsoe Creek after a crash.
Sumner Stars is published by The Tennessean and Sumner County Publications to honor and recognize local residents who make a difference, are trailblazers or go above and beyond to help our community.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 | SUMNER STARS
EDITOR
DESIGNER
Cherish Matthews
Alexandria Moorman
WRITERS
ADVERTISING SALES
Chris Brooks, Josh Cross, Jennifer Easton, Craig Harris, Tena Lee, Dessislava Yankova and Melissa Spoonamore
Chris Ladd, Matt Spann, Dwight Hall and Kimberly Blount
JOHN GARROTT, CO-FOUNDER OF SUMNER COUNTY MUSEUM
Preserving our past for future generations TO GET INVOLVED
By Jennifer Easton jeaston@mtcngroup.com
o say John Garrott has been instrumental in preserving Sumner County’s past would be an understatement. For most of his life, the Gallatin native has devoted his efforts to make sure future generations are able to enjoy and experience Sumner County history. Garrott, 86, has been involved in numerous organizations aimed at preserving that history, including Bledsoe’s Lick Historical Association, the Sumner County Historical Association, Rose Mont Foundation, Gallatin Historic District Commission and the DouglassClark House Advisory Committee. Garrott and Robert Ramsey in 1975 co-founded the Sumner County Museum, which houses artifacts related to life in Sumner. Some of those treasures include Civil War artifacts, an early Hupmobile from 1909, Gallatin’s first fire truck, and the 1996 Olympic torch carried by Sumner resident John Doss. “Walter Durham led the way in pre-
Donations for the museum’s relocation project can be sent to the Sumner County Museum at P.O. Box 1163, Gallatin, TN 37066 or dropped off at the museum, 183 W. Main St. For more information, call 615-451-3738.
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Local historian John Garrott addressed members of the United Chambers of Sumner County in 2013 after he was named the Order of the Horse recipient for his charitable work to the county.
serving history in his writings and publications; John Garrott did it with his work in restoration and collections,” said Kenneth Thomson, president of the Sumner County Historical Society. “If it hadn’t been for either of them, much of our history would be lost.”
Family and history have always been important to her father, said Betsy Hunter, Garrott’s daughter. “He’s always felt both connected you to who you are.” Growing up, her father would often detour for history hunting excursions during short car rides. “It didn’t matter where we were going; you couldn’t drive from point A to point B with without him seeing a museum or antique shop and having to stop,” she said. “He has a thousand stories to tell and could make anything old seem new to us,” Hunter said. Those stops helped build a collection that eventually became part of the Sumner County Museum’s display. Her father has always enjoyed sharing his passion and love for history and
Sumner County with others. Garrott last year led the effort to move the museum to the Carriage House on East Main, raising $325,000 to purchase the property. As part of the deal, Garrott and his wife, June, donated their home of more than 40 years, next to the Carriage House, to the museum. “When he told me he was going to give this gift, I cried,” said Juanita Frazor, who has served as director of the museum for nearly 15 years. “His generosity over the years has gone a long, long way and touched a lot of people.” The move will make the museum more visible, moving it from its current location behind the Trousdale House to the new two-story location, less than a mile away. It will also secure the museum’s future and provide much needed space, Frazor said. “It has been a dream for me to get the museum to where more people will enjoy it and realize the value of a Sumner County museum,” Garrott said in February. “This county is very blessed with history if we could just get it to the public.”
Congratulations We are HighPoint
Dr. Shipley is excellent clinically, providing the most current and relevant Cancer treatment modalities available to all of her patients, but you would expect that. What she also provides is something special – a part of herself. Dr. Shipley is present with her patients, she prays with them, she cries with them and she laughs with them. She shares what is most special about her – her wonderful caring and faith filled nature. That faith and caring provides hope when her patients need it most. As a physician, she is an advocate for her patients, often fighting for their benefits, to get them whatever they need to make the journey more comfortable. She listens as they reveal just how they feel along this journey. She celebrates the positive advances and defeat of Cancer with patients and their families. Dr. Shipley is also a SRMC board member. As a physician leader and board member, she advocates for quality care, constantly asking us how we can do better. She supports SRMC and the staff and works with leaders as a partner. Dr. Shipley is an example of why young physicians enter medicine – to do what is right for their patients, every day, no matter what.” “As a physician
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HighPointHealthSystem.com SUMNER STARS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015
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BEVERLY JONES, AMBASSADOR FOR MAKE-A-WISH FOUNDATION OF MIDDLE TENNESSEE
Realtor helps make sick kids’ wishes come true By Melissa Spoonamore For Sumner County Publications
everly Jones has been helping people fulfill their dreams of homeownership for the last 14 years as a licensed Realtor, and she also serves as an ambassador for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Jones is a trained wish granter, helping families get qualified to receive a wish from Make-A-Wish, and she also donates to the foundation a portion of the profit she makes from every real estate closing. “I’m proud to support Make-A-Wish because they help families with sick children have a normal life for at least one day,” said Jones. “For one day, they get to not think about doctor’s appointments and test results and have the opportunity to spend some happy family time together. “My husband and I don’t have kids, so I can’t imagine how the parents of sick children feel. We enjoy helping the foundation and hope more people in the local community will get trained to be a wish
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granter because they are greatly needed so more children can receive wishes.” Another way Jones plans to help sick kids is by training her adopted pooch Lucy to become a therapy dog. After some simple classes at PetSmart, Jones realized Lucy had a good disposition for becoming a licensed therapy dog. Once Lucy finishes her training, Jones plans to take her to visit people at facilities such as Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Jones is a Sumner County native who enjoys helping her community in as many ways as possible. She serves as a board member for Sumner County HolidayFest, which raises money each year for several local charities. Helping people find that perfect house to call home is also a passion for Jones. She is a Realtor with the PARKS real estate office in Hendersonville where she enjoys assisting clients with all of their real estate needs in the county she loves. “I enjoy the small-town atmosphere you experience when living in Sumner County, and I enjoy helping the community be a better place to live,” said Jones.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 | SUMNER STARS
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Beverly Jones is training her adopted pooch Lucy to become a therapy dog.
HOW TO HELP Visit http://middletennessee.wish.org to learn more about how to donate to Make-A-Wish or how to become a volunteer.
DR. DIANNA SHIPLEY, TENNESSEE ONCOLOGY AT SUMNER REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
Her patients become like family By Dessislava Yankova dyankova@mtcngroup.com
hen it comes to treating cancer, Dr. Dianna Shipley’s encouraging words to patients are the best medicine. Her patients and coworkers agree: Shipley, 49, has a humanitarian heart that runs full time and does not turn off when she leaves the hospital. “The world thinks that if you have cancer, it is all bad,” said Shipley, who knew she wanted to be a doctor since childhood. “That’s not true. Our patients become like family, and we have many celebrations. It’s very rewarding.” Shipley is much more than a doctor. She goes above and beyond to show others she cares and she is there to help with anything she can at any time. Her patients say she treats them as people, not as illnesses. Once Shipley called a patient out of the blue from the grocery store and said, “I’m in the deli and want to bring you something for supper. Do you prefer chicken or ham?” She later
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LOOK GOOD ... FEEL BETTER Once a month, new cancer patients are invited to a luncheon with a guest speaker. They can bring a guest. Through free-to-them products such as make-up, scarves, wigs and aesthetics consultation, women can improve their body image. Through a partnership with the American Cancer Society, the program draws people from throughout the county and beyond. For more information, call 615328-5517.
delivered the meal. Shipley supports her patients and their families by personally attending and sponsoring cancer events. Shipley is instrumental in initiating the now highly successful and self-sustaining “Look Good ... Feel Better” hospital program that provides free resources to help women improve their body image changed by cancer. She promotes a positive work environment with decorations, events and
PREVIEW DAY
Halloween costumes, making it a positive experience for staff and patients, alike. It’s not uncommon for her patients to say, “I love coming here for chemo!” Anything she can do to make the experience better for the patients, in or out of the office, she does, her staff says. Every year, Shipley donates money to and shops with children in need through various organizations for the holidays. She also pays for children to go to summer camp. When she lost a patient who had young children and limited resources, she and her husband took the family Christmas presents and food to their house. Shipley has helped employees with everything from baby showers and wedding showers to emotional support over family deaths to helping with scheduling to ensure educational goals are met. She serves as a positive role model and leads by example. All in a day’s work, Shipley also makes time to send personal notes and make charitable donations in memory of deceased patients.
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Dr. Dianna Shipley, left, with “miracle patient” Anna Harris on Easter.
SERVING STUDENTS of ALL FAITHS from 12 MONTHS to 12TH GRADE
TUESDAY
APRIL 28TH The Great Beginnings toddler program opened in 2013 and provides a learning environment that nurtures and stimulates each child’s growth and development. PreK 3 and Junior Kindergarten offer young children an opportunity to grow physically, socially, academically and spiritually. Curriculum includes music classes, technology classes, library time, play time, and beginning Spanish. Kindergarten classrooms are located in a little red schoolhouse, and curriculum includes technology, iPad lab,
Spanish, music, P.E., library, art, and Mandarin Chinese.
@ 5:00 PM
Students in grades 1-4 enjoy a new STEM lab which emphasizes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in addition to a large variety of special area classes. Cameras are located in all classrooms from 12 months to 4 year olds in order for parents to view their child on a secure website at any time throughout the day. New robotics program for grades 2-6
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Tours every Tuesday 9 till 1 without appointment, or call Ted Bloodworth at 868-2600, ext. 212 to set up a visit. 619 Due West Ave. Madison, TN 37115 | www.goodpasture.org TN-0001051634
SUMNER STARS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015
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REV. THOMAS STATEN, VOLUNTEER WITH GOOD NEIGHBOR MISSION
‘He’s got a servant’s heart’ By Josh Cross jcross@mtcngroup.com
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or the Rev. Thomas Staten, an Army veteran who serves as a volunteer with a Sumner County nonprofit and mentor to high school students, helping others better themselves both physically and spiritually is his way of making the community a better place. “I had a lot of great people who reached out and gave me a helping hand growing up, and I’m just sort of giving back,” Staten said. “I like helping people period and encouraging folks to believe they can be greater and don’t have to stay where they are at.” In July 1969, one month after he turned 18, Staten enlisted in the Army where he served two tours in Vietnam. He received a Bronze Star for meritorious service before being honorably discharged in 1972.
Now, Staten, 63, serves as a Tennessee Promise mentor to five high school students. He is also on the board of the Good Neighbor Mission, a Gallatin-based nonprofit that has helped more than 900 families from across Sumner County with temporary rent and housing since 1983. “He’s got a servant’s heart,” Executive Director Stephanie Meadows said. “I appreciate that I can count on him and he’s just a phone call away. That’s huge to us because we’re always in need of something either for our shelters or the families.” Last month, Staten celebrated his fifth anniversary as the pastor of Hickory Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Castalian Springs. His favorite Bible verse, from the Book of Matthew, says that “if you have the faith of a grain of mustard seed nothing shall be impossible.” “I just believe that there is a lot to be done,” Staten said. “If each of us just did a little bit, we can make a difference.”
Saturday April 25, 7:00 - 9:00 PM / Presented by HFG, A Kemmons Wilson Company
Good Neighbor Mission
Ticket includes fabulous food from Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Lively Music, Drinks, Unique Silent Auction, Chances for Inspiring Gift Baskets and some of the most Impressive Rides in America today.
Donations to the Good Neighbor Mission can be made by visiting its website at www.goodneighbor mission.com or by mailing a check to 600 Small St., Suite 101, Gallatin, TN 37066.
Join us at the Cliff & Dee Dee Ernst private car collection, 744 East Main St. in Hendersonville. Tickets $30.00 each or $50.00 per pair. Purchase tickets at Faboo Cakes, Bluegrass Country Club, Sumner Teen Center or SumnerTeenCenter.org. Limited tickets available at the door.
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The Rev. Thomas Staten speaks during the 2013 Good Neighbor Mission gala.
“I had a lot of great people who reached out and gave me a helping hand growing up, and I’m just sort of giving back. I like helping people period and encouraging folks to believe they can be greater TN-0001052093
and don’t have to stay where they are at.”
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REV. THOMAS STATEN, volunteer with Good Neighbor Mission
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 | SUMNER STARS
SANDRA CHERRY, PRESIDENT OF HUMANE SOCIETY OF SUMNER COUNTY
Saving animals’ lives is her greatest reward By Josh Cross jcross@mtcngroup.com
endersonville’s Sandra Cherry may have only one pet, but she has cared for many. Colleagues say her work with the Humane Society of Sumner County has helped save the lives of countless animals. Cherry, who has been involved with the shelter since 2003, has served as the president of the Hendersonville-based nonprofit for the last five years. “The things that she does for the Humane Society are just absolutely mindboggling,” said Melissa Cothron Waldron, who served as Humane Society president during the 1990s. “From keeping the staff going and keeping the facility going to making sure you’re getting those animal adopted.” Founded in 1974, the Humane Society of Sumner County promotes the humane treatment of abandoned, lost and displaced animals instead of euthanasia. The nonprofit provides temporary shelter, necessary medical attention, mandatory vaccinations and sterilization to aid in population control. “Saving these animals is the number one thing,” Cherry said. “This is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my entire life.” Before being adopted, dogs and cats stay a minimum of two weeks at the shelter in isolation rooms. During that time the staff reviews their medical charts, and the animals are dewormed and their blood is drawn to check for heartworms and other medical conditions. “We do everything because we want to adopt good, healthy animals,” Cherry said. “We’d adopt more if we had more room.” Last year, the shelter at 16 Volunteer Drive found homes for 557 dogs and cats.
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Sandra Cherry has served as the president of the Humane Society of Sumner County for the last five years.
HOW TO HELP Donations, which are tax-deductible, can be made by mailing a check to HSSC at P.O. Box 2412, Hendersonville, TN 37077 or online at www.sumnerhumane.org.
However, keeping the doors open each year is a large task for the nonprofit, which does not receive any local, state or federal funding and operates strictly on private donations and fundraisers. The Humane Society needs a minimum of $20,000-$22,000 each month to remain in operation, said Cherry. Its monthly vet bills average between $3,000 and $5,000. “The thing about nonprofits now, and with any Humane Society, is it’s just getting very competitive for every dollar,” Cothron Waldron said. “Sandra has done a remarkable job of keeping that place going.”
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“Saving these animals is the number one thing. This is the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done in my entire life. We do everything because we want to adopt good, healthy animals. We’d adopt more if we had more room.” SANDRA CHERRY, president of Humane Society of Sumner County TN-0001051028
SUMNER STARS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015
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ANNA VEAZEY, MISSIONARY
Student changes lives with every trip By Tena Lee tlee@mtcngroup.com
ike many high school seniors heading off to college in the fall, Anna Veazey balances a part-time job with several other activities. However, much of the money she earns goes to an unlikely place. After traveling to Uganda in January with a group from Brentwood Methodist Church, Veazey says she begged her parents to sponsor a 6-year-old boy she met at Divine Grace School. She had learned that Eriya, who came to the school with torn clothes and no shoes, had little if any parental supervision. When he appeared sick, she took him to a clinic at the school where he was diagnosed with malaria. “Even though we couldn’t communicate because he hadn’t learned English yet, we made a connection,” Veazey said. “I knew I had to sponsor him.” Her parents, however, reminded her of the other sponsorship commitments the family had already made, and told her if she wanted to help Eriya, she’d have to earn the money herself. Each month the teen sends money to cover his medication, school, meals, uniTO LEARN MORE form and To donate to, or learn more books. She’s about The Kore Foundation, also made it go to www.korefoundation. possible for org Eriya to board at the school and sends toys and letters to him often. Eriya is just one of several lives the teen has changed for the better, and it likely won’t be the last. “She is humble, kind, hardworking, dedicated and compassionate, said Melissa Vaughn, community service coordinator at Pope John Paul II High School where Veazey attends. She’ll return to Haiti in July with KORE Foundation, a relief organization that teaches sustainable living in impoverished areas. Veazey made the trip in February and met a man who had just been given his own chickens to raise. “To see how they start with nothing, and want to work hard to earn what they’re given — it’s just so rewarding,” she said. “I just want to do something like that for the rest of my life.” Veazey will attend the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in the fall with plans to pursue a career in the non-profit sector. Added the teen, “Hopefully I can find my spot in the world.”
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Every month Anna Veazey sends money to cover a Uganda boy’s medication, school, meals, uniform and books.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 | SUMNER STARS
JUDY WOODARD, WESTMORELAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE TREASURER
With passion to help, she is ‘a jewel to our town’ By Craig Harris charris@mtcngroup.com
udy Woodard doesn’t have down time. She doesn’t even like down time. However, that’s the least of her concern. “Sometimes, I worry about the next generation,” Woodard said. “I look around and think, ‘Who is going to do this?’ It’s just not me. It’s everybody. When you look at the Chamber of Commerce or Lions Club or Rotary or anything … even the city government … who is going to be this next generation and fill the shoes of those who are already there? “It doesn’t happen overnight. How do you get people involved? How do you get them excited about working with this club or this organization, or running for office? That’s what bothers me. ... I’m concerned with what’s going to be happening in the future.” Woodard is certainly helping to pave the way — or at least create an easier path — for those future movers and shakers in Westmoreland.
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Judy Woodard has been the Westmoreland branch manager since 2011.
“Honestly, I don’t know how she has the energy to do all that she does,” Westmoreland Mayor Jerry Kirkman said. Woodard has been a lifelong Westmoreland resident. That familiarity is the simple reason for her growing affection and allegiance to her community. “My dad (Hubert Giles) was the mayor and on the council,” Woodard said. “Westmoreland has always been a part of my life. Dad had the furniture
store in town. There was never a day I wasn’t in town. I grew up in town.” Woodard got involved in civic organizations in the 1970s as part of the town’s Jaycees and Jaycettes. “When Rick and I got married, he started getting into the council in the (1980s),” Woodard said. “It was just natural. You get involved to make Westmoreland a better place. That just was our life.” Judy Woodard has been in banking since the 1970s, and Ricky Woodard worked in funeral homes since that time as well. Woodard has been the Westmoreland branch manager at Macon Bank and Trust since 2011, and they became co-owners of Anderson and Woodard Funeral Home in 1996. Ten years later, the Woodards became the sole owner of what is now Woodard Funeral Home. Life changed for Judy Woodard in 2010 with the unexpected death of her husband, who was in what was going to be his final term as mayor after a 10year tenure. “When people say, ‘you’re too busy,’ I don’t want it any other way, she said.
“I want to stay busy. I want to stay active. My life was not any different then than what it is now, and I didn’t want it to change.” While she takes all of her responsibilities seriously, it’s her involvement with the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce that is her passion. She serves as the organization’s treasurer. “Judy is one of the most graceful FOR MORE people in Westmoreland,” KirkWestmoreland Area man said. “When Chamber of Comyou look up the merce, westmorewords ‘service to landchamber.org/ a community’ in Chamber/Home.html the dictionary, you would see a picture of Judy. She is the Christmas parade. She arranges it and takes care of it, but the Chamber of Commerce has a lot of good individuals. “Judy has a running joke that she has no life. Between working two jobs and trying to assist people like myself in knowing what is happening in town, she’s such an asset and such a jewel to our town.”
Keep those smiles
bright!
CLAYTON M. FULKS, DMD (615) 824-8929 | www.smileconstruction.com 100 Springhouse Ct Suite 200, Hendersonville | 608-B Commons Drive, Gallatin | 614-C HWY 76, White House
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SUMNER STARS | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015
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PATTY DANIELS, SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER AT BEECH HIGH
Disabled teens, adults have more opportunities By Jennifer Easton jeaston@mtcngroup.com
any who know Patty Daniels sometimes describe her as a saint. That’s because the Beech High School special education teacher has devoted her life to improving the lives of children and adults with severe intellectual and developmental disabilities. For more than 30 years, Daniels has worked with special-needs kids and young adults in Sumner County; first with Habilitation and Training Services Inc. (H.A.T.S) as a preschool teacher and adult case manager and later as a special education teacher. Each day Daniels and her teaching assistants at Beech help students deal with and overcome some of the challenges of having intellectual FIND OUT MORE disabiliTo learn more about Project ties like 22 and upcoming club activDown synities, contact Patty Daniels at drome or 615-585-3947 or by email at autism. pdaniels364@gmail.com. But by Visit the club’s Facebook page age 22, at facebook.com/ state law ACV.Project22 requires disabled students to exit out of their school system. So when in 2011 several of her students at Beech all at once aged out, Daniels became deeply concerned they would regress without the structure and socialization they’d become accustomed to. “I was really worried about them falling through the cracks. I wanted to find a place for them to go,” Daniels said. When students age out of the school system, families are left to navigate other state programs with long waiting lists. Earning a spot in a day program for adults can take years, said Krys Flatt, whose 21-year-old son, Nick, attends Station Camp High School and has Down syndrome. “Every parent is naturally concerned when it’s time for their child to leave high school,” Flatt said. “With special-needs, there are few options and a tremendous need; everyone knows somebody who has a child with a disability.” While many disabled young adults
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JENNIFER EASTON/STAFF
Patty Daniels, center left in the back row, teaches special-needs students at Beech High School. Many of her students belong to Project 22, a social club she helped established in 2011 for young adults with intellectual disabilities. The club meets on the second and fourth Saturday of each month at Hendersonville Church of Christ.
are able to work part-time, most are not able to stay alone during the day or drive. “They have a lot of potential,” Flatt said. “You don’t want them to stop learning or regress, so it can be a very scary time.” Project 22 was established with the goal of providing disabled adults with the opportunity to hang out with friends while still learning and sharpening skills. Recreational activities, art, music as well as independent living, cooking and vocational skills are emphasized. The group participates in service pro-
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 | SUMNER STARS
jects aimed at enhancing the community, such as the garden at Hendersonville’s VFW Post 9851 that provides fresh vegetables for the veterans’ food pantry or making treats and toys to deliver to local animal shelters. “Our kids are so often on the receiving end. People see them as the ones needing help or think they don’t have a lot to contribute,” Daniels said. “They have skills; they just need the chance to show people what they can do,” Daniels said. Daniels and Project 22 are truly making a difference in the community and in the lives of young adults, Flatt
said. Her son looks forward to each meeting and counts down the days on a calendar at home. Project 22 meetings are held twice a month on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month at Hendersonville Church of Christ. The long-term goal for Project 22 is to eventually offer an ongoing day-program, Daniels said. The club is open to adults with disabilities 16 and older and is free to join. Project 22 is exclusively dependent on grants and donations as well as volunteers from the community willing to donate their time and skills.
TERRY BUBB, DIRECTOR OF ADVISING AND TESTING CENTERS AT VOLUNTEER STATE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Bilingual adviser opens doors to college By Dessislava Yankova dyankova@mtcngroup.com
or the past 10 years, Terry Bubb, has been instrumental in guiding thousands of students of all ages to find and complete the education to pursue their best-fitted career. Known to generations of students across Volunteer State Community College’s three campuses as Señor Bubb, he is the school’s first bilingual adviser and has been the engine fueling Vol State’s Hispanic outreach. Bubb advises Spanish-speaking students, families and supporters who may not always speak English and fully understand what their child needs. “It makes them feel more comfortable to open up,” Bubb said. “And that makes a big difference. We want to provide top-notch assistance to Vol State students.” Bubb has played an integral role in helping to found and carry out the college’s annual Hispanic Fiesta, a celebration of culture, and the Hispanic Family Night that helps families to better con-
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“It makes them feel more comfortable to open up. And that makes a big difference. We want to provide top-notch assistance to Vol State students.” TERRY BUBB, director of advising and testing centers at Volunteer State Community College
nect with the educational process. “Señor Bubb is known as one of the hardest working people on campus,” college spokesman Eric Melcher said. “He is incredibly dedicated and selfless, working long hours to make sure students get the help they need and ensure success.” In addition to his duties of helping students and overseeing advisers, Bubb finds times to help more. He served as co-director of a three-year Tennessee Board of Regents grant program for His-
panic outreach into Sumner County Schools to give students information about going to college. He has worked to institute many changes in advising, incorporating more-advanced technology and new ways of working with students. As a result of his efforts, the ratio of advisers to advisees now allows for closer attention to individual needs, training has been increased to make services more effective, and advisers are encouraged to and have been reaching out more assertively to ensure students receive all the help they need. “He regularly goes above and beyond the call of duty,” Melcher said. “He is definitely one of those people who always goes the extra mile to help people and never seeks the spotlight.” Before joining Vol State full time in 2005, Bubb taught Spanish and coached tennis at Gallatin High School for 18 years. He started at Vol State in 1992 as a part-time evening counselor. Bubb fell in love with the Spanish language and culture after studying abroad in Madrid during his junior year in college.
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Terry Bubb advises Spanish-speaking students, families and supporters.
GET INVOLVED Learn more about the Hispanic outreach at Volunteer State Community College at 615230-3237.
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T.C. CARTER, PRESIDENT OF GALLATIN AMERICAN LEGION LITTLE LEAGUE
He keeps the bats swinging By Chris Brooks cbrooks@tennessean.com
The ding of an aluminum bat and the smell of hamburgers on the grill always come together every April when Little League baseball begins anew. In Gallatin, it’s no different, and the Gallatin American Legion Little League kicked off its season April 11. The new season marks the third under President Tony Carter, affectionately known as T.C. by many. But Carter has been in the game for much longer. “He’s devoted so much time,” league Vice President Trent Willbanks said. “Basically, he had pretty much every job over there. He just has a heart of gold. He’s all about what’s best for the kids.” The 59-year-old Carter has been involved in the program in some capacity
FOR MORE Gallatin American Legion Little League, eteamz.com/americanlegionlittleleague
since 1988. Most of it has been as a coach or as an umpire — and sometimes those hats changed on a daily basis. “I’d be coaching one day and then umpiring the next day,” Carter said. “There have been some groups that I really enjoy coaching. I really like to get out there and umpire tee-ball. That’s my favorite group, the tee-ballers. They’re out there having fun. I like to get out there and cut up with them.” Some of this year’s players are children of those Carter coached or umpired years ago.
“I just love watching these kids grow up and learn how to play baseball,” Carter said. “Some of them that I’ve coached are bringing kids up now.” When Carter took the role as president in 2013, Willbanks became vice president. The two of them have spent many nights in the press box keeping score, monitoring pitch counts, announcing hitters and lining up umpires for future games, among other duties. “We kind of made a little pact,” Willbanks said. “He said he’d be president if I’d be vice president.” Willbanks said Carter’s vision is a simple one — make the American Legion Little League organization the best it can be. “He wants to make sure kids in Sumner County — especially in Gallatin — have a place to learn good, fundamental
baseball,” Willbanks said. “He has high expectations for all the coaching staffs that they teach the right things. He insists that people are good people and need to be role models for the players that they coach.” Carter said getting ready for Opening Day is a hectic time, but once the initial ceremonies are over and the first pitch is thrown, it’s about the game. “At the end of that day, it’s great,” Carter said. “Once we get started, it goes downhill a little bit until All-Stars, then it really gets busy again.” But Carter embraces the challenge of running a league with a lot of moving parts, including multiple age groups. “I love it,” Carter said. “I love seeing people getting involved in Little League. To me, Little League’s the best baseball program on Earth.”
“There have been some groups that I really enjoy coaching. I really like to get out there and umpire tee-ball. That’s my favorite group, the tee-ballers. They’re out there having fun. I like to get out there and cut up with them...I just love watching these kids grow up and learn how to play baseball. Some of them that I’ve coached are bringing kids up now.” T.C. CARTER, president of Gallatin American Legion Little League
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T.C. Carter, right, with Jason Curtis.
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 | SUMNER STARS
GIDGET STEWART, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FRESH START RESOURCES
Minister helps people live life to the fullest FOR MORE
By Melissa Spoonamore For Sumner County Publications
fter spending 10 years on a church staff, ordained minister Gidget Stewart realized a desire to help even more people live a happier life. Twenty-five years ago she started a nonprofit called Fresh Start Resources. “The name really says it all,” said Stewart. “We exist to provide individuals and families with strategies to improve their lives by teaching them biblical principles for living that develop healthier, happier and more peaceful lifestyles.” Fresh Start Resources helps people overcome various types of obstacles including codependency, unhealthy relationships, divorce, addictions, anxiety and general life struggles such as being a single parent. “God has all the answers for life,” said Stewart. “When I’m talking with people, they are sometimes surprised that the insights and answers they receive in a counseling session come from the Bi-
Fresh Start Resources is at 129 Walton Ferry Road in Hendersonville. For more information or to support the organization, call 615-8226772 or visit www.freshstartresources.org.
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Gidget Stewart started Fresh Start Resources 25 years ago.
ble.” Stewart adds, “We teach people to think of the Bible as a manufacturer’s manual. God created us, and he wrote a manual about what we need to keep operating properly.” Fresh Start Resources is supported by a variety of churches, individuals and corporations. They operate from donations, volunteers, fundraisers and the support of the local community.
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“Some people are intimidated to seek help through a church, so Fresh Start is thankful to have our own building to help people,” said Stewart. “We don’t preach; we simply give insight from God’s word that has worked for millenniums to help people live life to the full.” Fresh Start Resources offers other programs. The Noble Woman’s Project was designed to help women get back on their feet, assisting with developing life skills, occupational skills, spiritual growth and self-esteem. The project has now expanded into a jail ministry for women, preparing them to transition into productive citizens when they return to the community. Fresh Start also partners with local restaurant Black-eyed Pea to operate its
Single Parent Meal Program where it provides a meal to single parents once a month. “Being a single parent isn’t easy,” said Stewart. “So, we started the program to give single parents a break once a month to have a meal that they don’t cook or pay for; so they can take some stress-free time out of their busy day to enjoy a meal with their family.” She started Eleos Ministry Training School to prepare women to enter the field of ministry after completion of the two-year program. Eleos is a Greek word meaning “to extend mercy,” so Stewart said it was the perfect name for the school. Fresh Start also offers workshops to help people improve their lives. Some workshop topics include career planning, money management, parenting skills, marriage communication and others. “I love seeing people’s life change and seeing God working in their lives,” said Stewart. “It takes courage to reach out for help, and it’s great to see people find a new hope for a better life.”
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RITA TAYLOR, CANCER SURVIVOR AND ADVOCATE
Her passion is helping others By Dessislava Yankova dyankova@mtcngroup.com
hen asking what Rita Taylor does for others, the better question would be: What doesn’t she do? Taylor’s community involvement seems endless. A lymphoma cancer survivor of 30 years this September, Taylor, 59, has filled every need niche of Relay for Life including team recruitment and survivors’ outreach for three decades. “I didn’t think I was going to see my children grow up,” said Taylor, whose kids were 5 and 6 when she was diagnosed. “Now, I’m baby-sitting my grandchildren. I’m very blessed to be alive because it’s a real gift to be able to live every day.” And she’s making her life worth living. With her newly formed performing group The Staying Alive Divas, Taylor takes women on a “musical journey to good health.” The Divas act and sing popular oldies songs with
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self-rewritten lyrics, mostly by Taylor, to encourage better lifestyle habits, personal care and self-esteem at various events. For 15 years, she coached youth plays that came alive not only at church but also at rescue shelters. For nearly 30 years, Taylor also did puppet shows for up to 5,000 children annually to discourage use of tobacco, drugs and alcohol through Just Say No. “She’s a firecracker,” friend Kina Wald said. “She has such a great passion and love that helps her bring out the best in people. Rita makes our community stronger and better.” Taylor’s talents and care took her to the Sumner County Jail, where she taught art classes combined with mentoring and Bible ministry to 90 women for years. At least one of them, later
Rita Taylor with granddaughter Nola, 6.
joined her church and calls Taylor “my angel.” For more than 20 years, Taylor has also done mission work with family and through religious organizations in the United States and more than 10 countries, where she tests vision and along with other volunteers helps pro-
vide glasses, medical services and clothing for free. In 2013, Taylor helped start Portland’s community garden that helped the city win a health award. Reach Dessislava Yankova at 575-7170 and on Twitter @desspor.
JULIE MILES, FOUNDER OF BILLY’S SONG
Charity strives to get homeless off the streets By Melissa Spoonamore For Sumner County Publications
elping others is something Hendersonville resident Julie Miles has always enjoyed. After hearing a story that touched her heart, Miles started a journey to help one person get off the street. That journey has now evolved into a much bigger mission for Miles, who wants to help reduce the population of the homeless in Nashville. “God has put it on my heart to help the homeless people in Nashville,” said Miles. “Despite all of the homeless charities that exist, there isn’t enough help for the large homeless population in the city and there isn’t enough outreach to really help them change their lives.” Miles has started an organization called Billy’s Song. “Billy is the perfect example of how hard it is for some of the homeless to
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HOW TO HELP For more information about Billy’s Song or to donate, call Julie Miles at 615-708-5133.
change their lives,” said Miles. “He has a job and sometimes makes enough money to put himself in a hotel for a week, but he doesn’t have a car or make enough money to get completely off the streets.” Billy called Miles one day and asked for her help to get some batteries for his radio because he said his music is all he has. After that phone call, Miles realized she had the perfect name for her homeless charity. “Billy’s Song is a charity I designed to give love and support to our homeless community in and around Nashville,” said Miles. “Our short-term goals are to provide the homeless many of the necessities needed to survive on the streets and in the homeless camps of Nashville.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2015 | SUMNER STARS
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Julie Miles, left, with Stephanie, a homeless woman she has helped through Billy’s Song.
Our long-term goals are to change the face of the homeless community and provide support, housing, counseling and education to as many people we can reach.” Miles and her friends and team of vol-
unteers visit the homeless and take them supplies such as blankets, flashlights, food and even tents for a few months now. Her team visited some homeless camps on Easter to provide them with a hot meal and listen to their stories and struggles. “I have been thanked by so many homeless people who appreciate that we visit them and take the time to hear about their struggles,” said Miles. “Being homeless is a vicious cycle that’s hard to break. Many of them are really trying to change their situation but getting off the streets is hard to do when it’s very hard for them to make enough money for rental deposits, rent, transportation, gas and other general expenses. “When you get that far down, it’s hard to pick yourself back up. Many of them get frustrated and give up hope about their ability to change their life. They feel like they don’t matter to society anymore.”
POPPY STEELE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SIGN CLUB CO.
Deaf community has more people to interact with By Tena Lee tlee@mtcngroup.com
nowing that those who are deaf are often isolated and sometimes abused, Poppy Steele sought to change how others perceive them. In order to do so, she recalled the Hermitage church in which she was raised. “I grew up in a community with a large deaf population, and they were active members of society,” she said. “So I knew it could be better.” Steele, 42, recalls how church members learned sign language and embraced deaf culture — drawing dozens of deaf members to their church. With the creation of Sign Club Co. in June 2012, the nonprofit’s executive director aimed to raise awareness of the deaf community as well as advocate on their behalf. “The idea was to create a community around our children,” she said. “So they could be children, but they could also call for help if they needed it.” With Sign Clubs in 16 schools in Sumner, Davidson and Robertson counties,
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COURTESY OF RICK MURRAY
Poppy Steele started Sign Club Co. in 2012.
FOR MORE Find Sign Club Co. online at signclubco.org or call 615-838-3876.
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“The idea was to create a community around our children. So they could be children, but they could also call for help if they needed it.” POPPY STEELE, executive director of Sign Club Co.
the organization has grown exponentially in three years. The clubs use deaf students to teach sign language and educate about deaf culture to its more than 500 students — most of which are not hearing impaired. “Through Sign Club Co., Poppy Steele has provided many opportunities for my students at school and in the community,” said deaf education specialist Kim Baggett. Steele has coordinated community events for Baggett’s students at Station Camp Elementary School to interact
with deaf role models and peers, she said. She has also provided an avenue for them to connect with other organizations, such as Very Special Arts and Sorenson Communications. The clubs have been so successful that other states have asked Steele to create a curriculum so that they can set up their own Sign Clubs. The group in August broke a world record for the longest chain of paper dolls lining First Baptist Church of Hendersonville’s indoor track with 90,000 paper dolls. The project was just one of several ways the nonprofit group has sought to raise awareness of the needs of the local deaf community. Most recently, Steele has been instrumental in working with State Reps. Courtney Rogers and William Lamberth and Sen. Ferrell Haile in introducing legislation that would require law enforcement to secure an independent interpreter for a child who is deaf in case that child is being abused by a family member. “I couldn’t sleep at night knowing there were children in need,” she said.
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