SHOPPER ONLINEShopperNewsNow.com

Brownie’s goodbye“Sometimes our best com-

panions and teachers have four legs. Such was the case for me between the approximate ages of 7 or 8 to 13. My time with Brownie, though seemingly too short, taught me a lot about life and friendship.”

➤ Read Ronnie Mincey on page 4

SEEK for jobsUnion County Public

Schools has a summer pro-gram to help youngsters who probably will go straight from high school to a job.

Photojournalist Ruth White is shadowing teacher Bridget Calfee to explore the training. The first installment of her story appears today.

➤ Read Ruth White on page 6

Milan gets pastorThe Rev. Jody Winstead

has been on the job as Milan Baptist Church’s new pastor for about a month now, and he’s happy to see all the good things going on at his new church home. With Vacation Bible School just past and a mission trip coming up in July, life at Milan is busy this summer.

“Every day is a God-given opportunity,” said Winstead. “We’re thankful for that op-portunity every day to meet someone’s needs through the ministry.

➤ Read Shannon Carey on page 5

Pick up extra copies atUnion County Senior Citizens Center

298 Main St. Maynardville(865) 922-4136

NEWS (865) 661-8777

news@ShopperNewsNow.comSandra Clark | Shannon Carey

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VOL. 11 NO. 25 June 22, 2016www.ShopperNewsNow.com | www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow

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By Sandra ClarkThe stars came out to honor

Eleanor Yoakum in ceremonies June 11 at Lincoln Memorial Uni-versity’s Lincoln Museum. Former Gov. Don Sundquist was reunit-ed with several former cabinet members including Yoakum, who served both as his commissioner of personnel and later as his chief administrative offi cer (now called deputy governor).

Former TDOT commissioner Bruce Saltsman drew the biggest laugh when he said, “She had a list, but Don wouldn’t let me spend the whole budget in Claiborne County.”

“Eleanor made this road her mission” while in Nashville, said Saltsman, “and she made this commissioner miserable.” The improvements were made to U.S. Highway 25E. The resolution to name the road was sponsored by state Sen. Frank Niceley and state Rep. Jerry Sexton, who now rep-resent the area. Both spoke at the dedication.

Eleanor Yoakum is fl anked by her children, Stephanie Barger Conner and Rob Barger, at the dedication ceremony for the Eleanor Yoakum Highway in Claiborne County. Yoakum chairs the board of First Century Bank.

High honor for local leader

By Sandra ClarkWhen the Union County

school board meets Thurs-day, June 23, following a workshop which starts at 6 p.m., several stu-dents, former students and former

teacher Chris Richeson are expected to attend.

Students are unhappy about the non-renewal of so-cial studies teacher Richeson and are worried that some of his classes and the after-school activities he spon-sored might disappear.

Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Carter was on vaca-tion last week, and former principal Linda Harrell’s con-tract also was non-renewed, although she will remain a certifi ed math teacher in the system. Neither was available for comment for the detailed story written by Shannon Carey and published on her blog, www.thepluckypen.com

Supporters to question Richeson’s non-renewal

By Shannon CareyUnion County Commission

took no action June 13 to purchase the former Byrd’s Mortuary prop-erty bordering the courthouse, which includes a parking lot used by courthouse visitors.

The funeral home was auc-tioned in a trustee sale days before the scheduled County Commis-sion meeting. Mayor Mike Wil-liams and county attorney David Myers said they took action to give the county an option to buy since existing parking is insuffi cient on court days.

Williams said he and Myers contacted Pinnacle Bank, which held the property’s mortgage, and asked to be allowed to bid at auc-tion on behalf of the county. If the commissioners did not vote to purchase the property, it would revert to the next highest bidder.

The parcel includes the funeral home, a white house near the fu-neral home, and a long parking lot that backs up to the courthouse. Another adjoining parking lot is owned by another entity and is currently roped off. The bank’s appraisal was just over $600,000, and the county property assessor’s appraisal was $425,000. Myers won the auction on behalf of the

Former Luttrell recorder charged with theftA special investigation by the Tennessee

Comptroller’s Offi ce has found that former Lut-trell city recorder Rebecca Ailor misappropriated at least $120,506 in city money. Ailor issued more than 140 checks to herself or a family member from Sept. 11, 2012, until Feb. 22, 2016, accord-ing to the report.

Ailor was able to conceal her theft by falsify-ing the vice mayor’s or mayor’s signature on city checks. She also recorded the checks as payments to legitimate city vendors, and prepared false documentation to support some of the unauthor-

ized payments. After the Comptroller’s investi-gation began, she deleted the city’s computerized fi nancial records; however, the city’s fi nancial software vendor was able to retrieve the data.

Ailor admitted to investigators that she wrote the unauthorized checks for her personal ben-efi t, falsifi ed signatures, and falsely recorded many of the payments in order to hide their true purpose. She told investigators that she needed the money and was trying to make ends meet.

On May 18, 2016, Rebecca Ailor was indicted by the Union County Grand Jury on one count

of theft over $60,000 and one count of tampering with evidence.

“It’s important for city offi cials to provide oversight of the fi nancial process,” said Comp-troller Justin P. Wilson. “Not only was one per-son responsible for issuing checks, recording disbursements and depositing collections, city offi cials did not review bank statements. This al-lowed this scheme to go undetected for more than three years.”

To view the special investigation online, go to: comptroller.tn.gov/ia/.

Richeson

Union County Mayor Mike Williams delivers a blistering commentary on Union County Commission’s lack of action to purchase the former Byrd’s Mortuary property to the Union County Business and Professional Associa-tion last week. Photo by S. Carey

Funeral home deal is dead

county at $341,000, pending com-mission approval.

But when Myers and Williams presented the information, the commission took no action. Com-missioners discussed the possi-bility of costly renovations to the

funeral home and their perception that the county could not afford it.

“If someone else buys (the park-ing lot) and builds something on it

Nicholas GibbsThe Nicholas Gibbs Society

held its annual meeting and fundraiser June 11 at the Nicho-las Gibbs Historic Site on East Emory Road.

Rebecca Longmire provided a great presentation about the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in the War of 1812 where Nicholas Gibbs Jr. was killed. A ceno-taph has been placed at the homestead and at the Horse-shoe Bend Memorial Park for him..

➤ Read Bonnie Peters on page 5

Learn about Master Ser-vices, a fast-growing business that just relocated to Clinton Highway. Powell edition.

2 • JUNE 22, 2016 • UNION COUNTY Shopper news

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Your vertebrae are the two dozen or so bones that make up the spine. Between each of those bones, cushioning the spine during the daily stress of life, are gelati-nous shock absorbers called ‘discs.’ The disc has a tough outer mate-rial called the annulus fi -brosis which protects the soft interior gel-like sub-stance that is called the nucleus pulpous. Wheth-er through the trauma of an injury or regular wear and tear, discs can be-come damaged. In some cases, the tough outer substance can tear and the soft interior material can leak out, a condition called herniation.

When people talk about back pain, the term “slipped disc” will often come up. It gener-ally refers to a disc that

is ruptured or herniated. It can be a very pain-ful experience and can feel as though a disc has “slipped” out of position. If the nucleus pushes against a weakened, but not torn, annulus, the condition is called a bulg-ing disc.

It is often incorrectly assumed that the only treatment for back pain is surgery and/or pre-scription medicine. But it’s been shown time and time again that chiro-practic treatment is effec-tive in alleviating lower back pain. If you, like mil-lions of Americans, suffer with lower back pain, talk with a chiropractor to see what your options are.

Presented as a community service by Union County Chiropractic; 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, Tenn.992-7000.

Chiropractic OutlookBy Dr. Darrell Johnson, DC

The slipped disc

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Lucy’s Loops in the Big Apple

Young performers in the Downtown Dance Factory in New York City sport “Princess Leia” hats crafted by Alicia Lucy of Lucy’s Loops, a Union County cottage industry. The dance troupe ordered 13 child-size and one adult-size hat for this performance. After the recital, Downtown Dance Factory sent photos to Lucy, along with the message, “They looked amazing!” Lucy teaches cottage industry classes at Maynardville Public Library and thanked library staff for helping make her business a success. Info: www.etsy.com/shop/LucysLoops05.

By Shannon CareyThe Union County Busi-

ness and Professional Asso-ciation welcomed the 2016 UCBPA scholarship recipi-ents to the group’s monthly meeting June 14. Each stu-dent thanked the UCBPA for their scholarships and gave a brief description of their plans for the future.

Hunter Collins, Union County High School’s 2016 valedictorian, won the Jef-freys Memorial Scholarship for $3,125, which he will use to study music at Tennessee Tech. Collins got his start in music in band at Horace Maynard Middle School.

“The director said we needed an oboe player and nobody knew what it was,” he said. “The next day he gave me a case and a book, and I just kind of fell in love with it.”

At Tennessee Tech, Col-lins will go on tour to Cuba and perform with a profes-sional symphony orchestra.

Rachel Pierce won the career and technical schol-arship for $1,000. She plans to attend Cleveland State Community College to ma-jor in nursing. Pierce de-cided to go into nursing be-cause she was a NICU baby, weighing just one pound, eight ounces at birth.

“I realized that I wouldn’t be here today without those nurses,” she said.

Zachary Pursel received the $500 service scholar-ship for his work with the Union County Food Pan-

try. He has been accepted to the Citadel military col-lege and hopes to become a JAG attorney. His inspira-tion came from his involve-ment in mock trial at UCHS, where he was named the second best attorney in the state.

“I hope I can do what I need to do to make my country proud,” he said.

Extension internThe UCBPA also wel-

comed Brigette Passman, an intern at the UT Exten-sion in Union County. Pass-

man is orig-inally from New Or-leans, and her fam-ily moved to Ten ne s s e e in the wake of Hurri-cane Ka-trina. She

will be a senior this fall at UT Knoxville with a major in agriculture education communication.

Passman said her dream is to become a county Ex-tension Agent.

A longtime 4-H’er, she is using her 4-H experience on a service trip to China next week. She will teach Eng-lish and use the 4-H public speaking format to hone students’ skills.

The Union County Busi-ness and Professional As-sociation meets at noon ev-ery second Tuesday, at the Hardee’s in Maynardville.

Leslie Corum is the new Union County Chamber of Commerce president. Photo by S. Carey

Scholarship winners

thank UCBPA

By Shannon CareyLeslie Corum isn’t from

around here, but this is where her heart lives. She’s called Plainview home for 22 years. And now, she’s the president of the Union Coun-ty Chamber of Commerce.

Born and raised in Palm-er, Tenn., on Monteagle Mountain between Chat-tanooga and Nashville, she married Union County na-tive Chris Corum, a former racer and self-proclaimed graduate of what he calls “Horace Maynard Acad-emy.” The couple bought Chris’s grandparents’ old farmhouse. They went into motor sports and racetrack promoting, fi rst with Dough Sopha of 411 Motor Speed-way in Seymour, and as their careers progressed, they had to move.

Living in Macon, Ill., to promote ARCA events, the pair were so successful that they were asked to stay lon-ger than six months.

“But I wanted to come home,” Leslie said. “I want to raise my kids in East Tennessee.”

So they came back, set-tling once again at the fam-ily homeplace on Ailor Gap and eventually buying I-40 Motorsports Park in 2014. Then, in 2016, Leslie saw advertisements for the po-sition of president with the Chamber. With her event planning and promotions background, she thought the job was right for her.

Corum ready to roll at Chamber

“I would love that job to work for the Chamber and promote the county,” she said. “There are so many as-sets here. It’s about to blow wide open if we can all work together and let it.”

But, she felt intimidated by the tension surrounding the Chamber of Commerce in recent months. She spoke with interim Chamber pres-ident Mayme Taylor, and Taylor encouraged her to bring a resume and apply for the position. Leslie won the position by popular vote of Chamber members.

“I was surprised, honest-ly,” she said. “But I was also excited. I was down here that Saturday morning for Art on Main.”

While right now Leslie is working on getting es-tablished and completing paperwork, she already has ideas of how to promote Union County. Her involve-ment in the Taste of Cross-ville event makes her think that a similar event might work here.

“And I’ve already met several business people in the community, and that’s been fun to me because that’s what I actually came here to do,” she said. “My main thing that I want to do in the county is networking, and it’s business to business networking. We’ve got to start local fi rst.”

Leslie also addressed the Union County Com-mission budget committee

two weeks ago and was ap-proved for the Chamber’s $9,000 budget request. The request will go next to the full commission for a vote.

“I was a nervous wreck,” she said. “But the more I talked the better I felt. I said I wanted this to be a new beginning between the Chamber of Commerce and the County Commission. The past is in the past. Let’s work for the future.”

Leslie said it helps that she already knows some commissioners on a person-al level, and she’s trying to get to know others. She said Janet Holloway has been very kind.

“I love that lady,” she said.

“So far, so good,” Leslie added. “I feel like maybe that bridge is being built back. I just want everybody to get along.”

Spangler

Spangler to head VMCThe Rev. Dr. Bruce Span-

gler has been hired as the chief executive offi cer of Volunteer Ministry Center.

The announcement came from VMC board chair John Buckingham.

Spangler has been serv-ing as interim CEO for the past year and served as the chief operating offi cer for the previous eight years. With a history of working for

the past 15 years on the issues of homeless-ness and permanent solut ions, S p a n g l e r brings ex-p e r i e n c e , knowledge

and leadership to the role of CEO, said Buckingham.

UNION COUNTY Shopper news • JUNE 22, 2016 • 3 community

By Seth NorrisWhen David and Christine Rogers met,

their fi rst goal as a couple was not to start an alpaca farm.

Here we are now after 16 years of mar-riage, and the farm boy from Loudon County and the girl from Connecticut are running Rocking Chair Farm. The farm at Fair Meadow Lane in Corryton is in its sec-ond year, and all of it started because they were tired of paying taxes on their beautiful lawn.

“I started researching ways to make my lawn a little more affordable,” said Chris-tine, “We looked at cattle, goats, horses; you name it we’ve looked at it.”

While researching on the web she no-ticed the Southern Select Alpaca Show in Sevier County.

There, they talked with farm owners who were instrumental in pushing them into the alpaca industry.

After traveling back and forth to Two Crows Farm in North Carolina for a year,

they were offered a herd package with three male alpacas, and then the story began.

In their fi rst year, they already had a “world famous” alpaca named Roy who was born with a broken leg. After getting tired of answering individual calls and messag-es, David started a Facebook series of posts called “Roy’s Diary” updating the public on his status. People from China, Peru, and even Russia would check on Roy, who is now strutting around like a normal “sweet” alpaca according to David.

“I’ve never found an animal other than a dog that’s as sweet as they are,” said David, “You can have the worst day of work and come in and spend 10 minutes in the fi eld with them, and you’ve forgot about it.”

Both are committed to inform and de-bunk some myths about alpacas, especially the spitting one.

“Yes, they do spit occasionally,” said Christine, “But they are more likely to spit at each other unless you have done some-thing terribly heinous to them.”

Christine Rogers of

Rocking Chair Farm in

Corryton displays alpaca

wool that she sells at lo-

cal farmers markets.

Pete DeBusk, founder of DeRoyal Industries salutes Yoakum.Former Gov. Don Sundquist

David Rogers tends

to the herd of eight

alpacas at Rocking

Chair Farm in Corryton. Photos by Seth Norris

Eleanor Yoakum From page 1

U.S. Rep. Jimmy Duncan was eloquent in his praise: “We’re honoring a fi ne young woman here tonight. She has touched the lives of thousands of people. My dad said everything looks easier from a distance. Eleanor didn’t leave the county, and she’s made this county, this state and this country a bet-ter place.”

House Speaker Beth Harwell said she’s held El-eanor on a pedestal. “She

has so much poise and has done so much good.”

Justin Wilson, comp-troller of the treasury and a former Sundquist com-missioner, said fl atly, “This road would not have hap-pened had it not been for El-eanor. Highways don’t just happen.”

Finally, it was the hon-oree’s turn. “I will take this honor on behalf of the Yoa-kum family,” she said.

She mentioned her par-

ents, Glenn and Leo Walker Yoakum. She talked about her sisters, Glenna Ad-ams, who died from mul-tiple sclerosis, and Martha Yoakum, “the only one of us brave enough to put her name on a ballot.” Martha Yoakum, a retired attorney, served three terms as the area’s public defender.

“And the service contin-ues,” she said, praising her daughter, Stephanie, who chairs the Tennessee Arts

Commission, and her son, Rob Barger, a third-genera-tion banker who now heads First Century Bank and chairs the Claiborne Coun-ty Economic Development Board. And out in the audi-ence sat her nephew, attor-ney Oliver Adams with his kids, and her own wonder-ful grandchildren: Walker, Elizabeth and Virginia Con-ner, and Mayson and Ella Jane Barger.

“The service continues.”

World-famous alpaca herd calls Corryton home

MAYNARDVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY ■ One-on-one classes are available by appointment for those

wanting to learn how to use computers and other devices. For

appointment: 992-7106.

■ The Maynardville Public Library is located at 296 Main St. Info:

992-7106, maynardvillepubliclibrary.org or on Facebook.

In other words, do unto alpacas as you would have them do unto you, and if you go visit the Rocking Chair Farm, they will have no problem telling you how to do that.

“We enjoy people coming out and petting the animals and learning about them, and we enjoy informing them” said David, “It’s a labor of love.”

They describe the animals as very per-ceptive of emotions and people, and have even seen them rubbing noses with chil-dren. The Rogers would like to eventually get the farm up and running so that chil-dren and anyone else can come and visit regularly.

For now, the farm is mostly open on Sat-

urdays. If you don’t see them at the farm-ers market with their alpaca fi ber, you can get in touch with them on social media and online to give them a 24-hour notice to get everything ready.

The farm is fi ve acres and is home to eight alpacas plus Mason the Wonder Dog, a Great Pyrenees and Anatolian Shepherd mix. The couple are working on the “Adopt an Alpaca Program” to get everyone in-volved and become a member of the herd, according to Christine.

“They set the world right,” she said, “It sounds cheesy, but when you have found your spot in the herd they consider you a member just like anybody else.”

Info: facebook.com/RockingChairFarm

Funeral home From page 1

or locks it down, the court-house is landlocked,” Wil-liams said. “You’re going to have to buy land and build. I can bet my life you are go-ing to have to pay more than $340,000 for both.”

“I don’t think the value is in the building,” said Myers. “I think you’ve got to look at the value of the land. You might look at what is the cost to tear that down.”

Commissioner Tony St-revel asked where the funds for the purchase would come from. County fi nance director Ann Dyer said sev-eral loans for ambulances and law enforcement ve-hicles will be retired in the next fi scal year, freeing up money in the debt service fund.

Commissioner Stan Dail was the only voice for the purchase, saying “We’re

going to have to have more parking spaces, more build-ing space. I am for it.”

No commissioner moved to approve the purchase, so the property reverted to the next highest bidder.

Williams visited the Union County Business and Professional Association meeting the next day, and his ire was apparent.

“It breaks my heart to have a County Commission so blind that they can’t see how great this county can be,” he said. “I am ashamed to have been in that room last night. Our county got sold out last night, and it makes me sick.”

Williams said he and Myers called every com-missioner prior to bidding at the auction and asserted that the county was not li-able for the purchase.

Yoakum checks her list.

Join the conversation at www.ShopperNewsNow.com

4 • JUNE 22, 2016 • UNION COUNTY Shopper news opinion

Ronnie Mincey

TEACHER TIME

Marvin West

Some of my favorite bas-ketball memories got a few drips on them from the death of Jimmy England.

Meet and Greet for James Acuff James Acuff, Republican primary candidate for

state representative from District 35, will be at a hot dog fundraiser from 6-8 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at Seven Springs Farm, 1474 Highway 61 E. in May-nardville. Hamburgers/hot dogs, soft drinks/tea and chips/beans will be available for a $25 donation.

Sometimes our best com-panions and teachers have four legs. Such was the case for me between the approxi-mate ages of 7 or 8 to 13. My time with Brownie, though seemingly too short, taught me a lot about life and friendship.

Brownie seemed almost human through his interac-tions with this pre-adoles-cent boy, but he sometimes proved very much dog. Brownie would occasion-ally, in the middle of the night, bark in chorus with other dogs close by. Dad would holler from bed, “Dry that up, Brownie!” That usually suffi ced.

Once, Brownie came home with a huge gash above his right “eyebrow.” The gash was so deep that I could see the “meat” that covered his skull. Apparent-ly he had been in a fi ght, I al-ways imagined with another

This article is about me. I am plagued with the force of journalistic dyslexia. Unfortunately for me this force doesn’t radiate from my body or move and bend objects at my will. It does, however, radiate from my keyboard and has moved my editors to pull out their hair.

Cindy Taylor

A fond farewell

Raised in the south, I was taught to lead up to the truth and then share it in a delicate fashion, if at all. We may meet at the fence but we do not shout across it; hence the diffi culty in cultivating a journalistic viewpoint from a southern perspective.

When I began my career with The Shopper News as a freelance reporter I was thrown right into Union County politics. Talk about a trial by fi re. The fi rst meeting I covered was a UC commission meeting pre-sided over by then-Mayor Larry Lay. Having never met a mayor in person before that night, I was beyond nervous. Mayor Lay made me feel welcome and even invited me to sit with him in the jury box during meetings.

Now I have traveled the extent of our local area, from aged homesteads to new construction. I have learned many little-known facts about my home-town and met some truly inspiring heroes. I have interviewed people I would have run away from had I met them in a dark al-ley. All wonderful people. I appreciate those who were willing to share their stories and talents and who spent time chatting about their lives.

I have interviewed celeb-rities. I have interviewed

people who were consid-ered to be nobodies. I have photographed monsters lurking in shadows and beautiful people celebrat-ing their 100th birthday. I was blessed to write articles with breaking news as well as articles that broke my heart. Above all, I attempt-ed to write with kindness and accuracy.

It wasn’t always an easy job, especially for my edi-tors. Shannon Carey hired me, written word unseen, after one meeting. I am certain she has had many regrets about that decision.

I am entering a new phase of life as Cyn Taylor, author. My fi rst book “Blue Mountain Sky” is set for release July 1. See how I buried the lead? Journalis-tic dyslexia rules.

In my early days at The Shopper, Ruth White held a training session. Her clos-ing remarks stuck with me through the years.

“Push forward. Make your way to the front. You have as much right to be there as anyone else.”

I am stepping to the back of the crowd. This article is my last for The Shopper. I will miss my peeps in Knox and Union counties and am so grateful for the oppor-tunity I had to get to know you.

To all my readers, “May we meet again over the written word. …”Contact Cindy Taylor at cyntaylor2016@

gmail.com

An abbreviated ‘tail’

Memories of England

He was one of Tennes-see’s all-time greats and the main man in one of the best games I ever saw. Pull up a chair. Allow me to tell you about it.

Ray Mears’ Volunteers were the token opposition for the South Carolina sea-son opener of 1969. Colum-bia was decked out in color-ful fl ags and crepe-paper streamers. All seats had been sold far in advance. The Gamecocks were the No. 1 team in America. The betting line was 24 points.

New York godfather Frank McGuire had assem-bled great talent. A trio of big men patrolled the paint.

Great guard John Roche was the reigning Atlantic Coast Conference player of the year. This was a mis-match. No one gave the Vols a chance.

Mears loved the setting. He had prepared. During the long pre-season, his team had refi ned a match-up zone. It was designed to dictate tempo and keep the crowd quiet. The home team wasn’t quite ready for what happened.

Here is an indelible snap-shot: South Carolina called an early timeout to discuss the Tennessee defense that was confusing Gamecock guards. Players stood off to the side as McGuire and two assistants discussed the di-lemma. They couldn’t agree whether they were seeing man-to-man with zone ten-dencies or a partial zone that turned man at certain places or under certain circumstances. They won-dered what were the keys.

The timeout ended with-out the coaches reaching a conclusion. They shared no wisdom with the players. The staff was still talking, trying to fi gure it out, when the buzzer sounded and the teams returned to the fl oor.

The game was tense throughout. Of course pressure peaked in the fi -nal minute. England hit two free throws when they really mattered. South Carolina got one last shot. Roche missed an off-bal-ance jumper. Tennessee

dog, the fi ght over courtship of a prize female. At least, for Brownie’s sake, I hope it was pleasant, and that the other dog looked worse. At any rate, Brownie soon healed, and all was well.

Unfortunately, Brownie later caught “the mange.” Jack Warwick, our land-lord, told Dad that Happy Jack mange medicine was a “sure-fi re” cure.

A couple of times a week, Dad would put on his rub-ber gloves “up to the el-bow”, chain Brownie, and rub him down with Happy

Jack. That medicine was almost pure sulfur, and Brownie hated it. When re-leased, Brownie would run to the hill across the creek and roll down it over and over, trying to remove the offensive medicine. After a few weeks, Brownie made a complete recovery.

Though I don’t remember exactly when Brownie en-tered our family, I remem-ber all too well when he left. When I was in eighth grade Brownie developed a cough that worsened daily. Dad took him to the vet, only to discover that Brownie had distemper. Not wanting him to suffer, Dad had him “put to sleep.”

Dad never told me about Brownie’s death. I suppose he was trying to protect me as long as possible from the world’s realities. Dad let me think Brownie had “run off.”

But even then I had the

makings of a detective. I ac-cidentally found Brownie’s chain in Dad’s coat pocket. I didn’t have the nerve to ask Dad, but Mother told me how Brownie died. Dad thought as long as he lived that I believed Brownie wandered aw ay.

The only thing left of Brownie after almost 40 years are my memories and one picture. Veda Moore brought Mother and me home from church one Sunday morning, and she took a Polaroid picture of us standing in the front yard. In the lower left corner sits Brownie, scratching his right ear, his back slightly turned toward the camera.

Brownie came along at just that special time in life when everything was fresh. He made life so exciting and enjoyable. Brownie has been gone almost 40 years, and I miss him as much today as ever. I wish for every boy his very own, special “Brownie.”

Next week, stories in pic-tures.

fractures of the spine. My life changed forever.”

Of course he fought. He was a warrior. There were times he appeared to have won. Alas, it or some other cancer came back.

So many memories be-fore and after the Game-cocks: He almost won a state championship for Holston High. There was a UT sea-son when he led the SEC in free-throw accuracy and as-sists. He once outscored big Dan Issel of Kentucky.

Jimmy was a remarkable player, smooth, confi dent under duress, an athletic artist but never fl amboyant. Strange that a panel of ex-pert selectors somehow left him off the Tennessee all-century team. They must not have seen him play.Marvin West invites reader reaction. His

address is westwest6@netzero.com

won, 55-54.England had led the way

to this shocking upset, scor-ing 20, handling the ball ef-fi ciently and hitting six foul shots down the stretch.

Through the years, Mears often said such a clutch per-formance was exactly what he expected of England. The coach said he had never given any player as much responsibility as he loaded onto Jimmy’s shoulders that season.

“I called on him to run the team at the point. He was our best shooter, so we had to get his 20 points. And when we ran up against a man like Pete Maravich, we handed him the defensive assignment of handling the other team’s best man.”

England, 6-1 and 170, was drafted by the Chicago Bulls. He was plenty smart enough for the NBA but he wasn’t big enough, strong enough or fast enough. He was a UT student assistant coach for a season, a school teacher for a little while and then went into business, up through the ranks, spectac-ular advances through three companies, to president and chief operating offi cer of Suzanne Somers’ marketing conglomerate.

The bright lights of Los Angeles were all around but he was so busy, he hardly noticed.

Life was going great until July 2007.

“Multiple myeloma,” said England. “Compression

Kroger seeks large art for new store

The Kroger Company is seeking proposals from area artists for a large-scale indoor artwork to be located at the soon-to-be completed Kroger store in the Powell area at exit 112 off I-75.

This 12.5-feet x 5-feet artwork will have high vis-ibility and will be promi-nently displayed within the store. The artwork should use local references to evoke a creative, uplifting feeling that encourages community and celebrates the spirit of the neighborhood.

The deadline for quali-fi cations is Friday, July 1. The call is open to artists 18 years and older residing in the greater Knoxville area.

Finalists will be cho-sen based on examples of work, experience and their connection to Powell/Knox County. Payment to the selected artist is $7,500. Info at: knoxalliance.com/kroger/.

UNION COUNTY Shopper news • JUNE 22, 2016 • 5 faith

cross currentsLynn Pittslpitts48@yahoo.com

And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want but what you want.”

(Mark 14: 35-36 NRSV.)

Jesus, in his hour of dread and loneliness in the Garden, cried out to God, “Abba, Father.”

All my life, I have thought that those words were interchangeable.

Until I saw a rerun of an NCIS episode. In it, Ziva David, the beautiful Israeli who worked

in the NCIS offi ce, found her father dead. She ran to him, crying out “Abba! Abba!”

It was then I realized that Abba is Aramaic, the fa-miliar, intimate title for father, the equivalent of our Daddy.

It made Jesus’ cry in the Garden of Gethsemane a thousand times more poignant. Jesus was calling God – his Father – “Daddy.” In his darkest hour, while he sweated blood , he called out for “Daddy.”

It breaks my heart.Father’s Day is always sad for me. My brother and

I lost our daddy so young. He lost the chance to see us grow up, to know his grandchildren, to spend years and years with our mother, who loved him steadfastly as long as she lived – 38 years as a widow.

In the midst of these memories, I heard the horrifi c news of a mass shooting in Orlando. God only knows why a man would shoot all the people he could fi nd, shattering lives, families, communities, goals and dreams.

So now, there are more victims, more mourning relatives, more individuals – a whole city –that will never be the same again.

What can we do? Pray? Certainly. Forgive? I hope we will all try. Move on? Do we have a choice?

Abba, Daddy

SENIOR NOTES ■ Union County Senior

Citizens Center298 Main St.Monday-Friday • 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Info for all seniors groups: Melanie Dykes 992-3292/992-0361

■ Plainview SeniorsPlainview City Hall, 1037 Tazewell Pike

Meets each fi rst Monday • 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

■ Luttrell SeniorsLuttrell Community Center, 115 Park Road

Meets each third Monday • 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

■ Sharps Chapel SeniorsSharps Chapel Community Bldg., 1550 Sharps Chapel Road

Meets each fi rst and third Wednesday • 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

VBS NOTES ■ Heiskell UMC, 9420 Heiskell Road, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, July 9.

Ages 4-15. Theme: “Submerged.”

FAITH NOTES ■ 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.

■ Fairview Baptist Church, 7424 Fairview Road, will host Dr. Tim Lee speaking during the 9:20 and 11 a.m. services Sunday, July 3. Info: 687-5648 or fairviewbaptist.com.

■ Mount Harmony Baptist Church, 819 Raccoon Valley Road NE, will host an outdoor gospel singing, 6 p.m. Sunday, June 26. Singers will include: Reba Kennedy, Tony Thomas and David West. Bring a chair. Will be held indoors if raining. Everyone invited.

By Shannon CareyThe Rev. Jody Winstead

has been on the job as Milan Baptist Church’s new pas-tor for about a month now, and he’s happy to see all the good things going on at his new church home. With Va-cation Bible School just past and a mission trip coming up in July, life at Milan is busy this summer.

“Every day is a God-given opportunity,” said Win-stead. “We’re thankful for that opportunity every day to meet someone’s needs through the ministry.

“I’m beginning to see what a wonderful light Milan Baptist Church has been for over 160 years. The volunteers, the youth, outreach, Vacation Bible School, they want to spread the love of Christ. It is a wonderful church family

The Rev. Jody Winstead of Mi-lan Baptist Church

Winstead is new Milan pastor

Veterans soughtUnion County Mayor’s Offi ce is currently accepting

applications for plaques to be placed on the veterans’ wall. Info: 992-3061.

excited about working and serving Christ Jesus.”

Winstead grew up in Washburn, graduated from Washburn High School, and holds an associate’s de-

gree in Bible studies from Andersonville Theological Seminary in Georgia. He is working on a bachelor’s de-gree from the same school via distance learning.

Winstead said he was just 17 when he was called into the ministry. A lifelong church-goer, “I just felt in my heart that there was a calling placed on my life,” he said. “It was a very scary move. I was nervous to take on such a tremendous re-sponsibility, but God has just blessed me for many, many years.”

His fi rst post was Locust Grove Baptist Church in Grainger County. Then, he served as pastor at Commu-nity Baptist Church for 18 years before being called to Milan.

A bi-vocational pastor, Winstead owns and oper-

ates a landscaping and lawn service. The fl exibility of the job helps him be more available to the church for visitations and other needs. He and wife Aime have been married for 18 years.

Right now, Winstead is focusing on getting es-tablished as a new pastor, which he said normally takes a couple of years. His only goal for now is to see church membership and Sunday school numbers grow. He said six people made declarations of faith at Vacation Bible School. The upcoming mission trip will head to Alabama to help a church affected by Hurri-cane Katrina.

“I’m excited about what’s already taking place,” he said. “We’re just going to continue to pray and seek the will of God.”

Bonnie Peters

Cenotaph for Nicholas Gibbs Jr.

Sonja Collins is secretary/trea-surer of the Nicholas Gibbs Society. Photos by S. Clark

Keith Anderson holds fi ve fi ngers to show the number of ways he’s descended from Nicholas Gibbs.

The Nicholas Gibbs Soci-ety held its annual meeting and fundraiser June 11 at the Nicholas Gibbs Historic Site on East Emory Road.

Rebecca Longmire, wife of the society president Joe Longmire, provided a great presentation about the Bat-tle of Horseshoe Bend in the War of 1812 where Nicho-las Gibbs Jr. was killed. A cenotaph was placed at the homestead and at the Horseshoe Bend Memorial Park for him.

His brothers made it back home, and descen-dants of the various lines were present. The attendee coming the greatest dis-tance was from Alaska, and the nearest attendee lived just across the road. A de-scendant of Nicholas Gibbs’ brother, Abraham, was in attendance at age 101. In all, 78 persons attended. The slate of offi cers re-elected are: Joe Longmire, presi-dent; Ann Smith, vice presi-dent; and Sonja Collins, secretary-treasurer.

There are about three acres of this site and a won-derful shady place to stroll. Since last year a pavilion has been constructed, and it is a wonderful place for the Gibbs gathering. The pot luck lunch worked out perfectly with a really nice variety and plenty of it. The society is now fundraising to add restrooms, a mini-kitchen and storage area to the pavilion. There are Nicholas Gibbs mugs, key

Gibbs descendants do it right

rings, Christmas ornaments and vintage canning jars for sale to benefi t this project. A CD of the “Nicholas Gibbs and His Descendants” book, published by the Nicholas Gibbs Society, is for sale.

Tours of the home as well as the Perry-Gibbs Cem-etery where Nicholas Gibbs is buried were available for everyone interested. Some years ago the property own-ers at the time added an at-tached kitchen and another room to the home, but these have been torn off in the restoration to the house’s original state.

The house is wonder-fully maintained and fur-nished with period pieces, although only a few pieces are original to the house.

The grandfather of Nich-olas Gibbs is said to have left England because of re-ligious and political reasons and to save his head when King Charles I lost his in 1649. He went to Amster-dam, married and never returned to England. The family relocated along the Rhine River in Germany, and there Nicholas, father of Nicholas who came to America, was born Sept. 29, 1733, in the village of

Wallruth, near the town of Krumbach, Duchy of Baden.

Nicholas Gibbs born in Germany had two broth-ers – Peter and Abraham – and two sisters –Mary and Catherine. Nicholas came to America in 1747 at age14. Abraham had already relo-cated to America and set-tled in Fredericktown, Md.

Nicholas, apparently up-set with his father, left home with only 30 guineas (about $150). When he came to the ship, the ship’s captain told him that amount of money would only pay half the fare to America. However, Nich-olas negotiated to work out the other half.

After working out his debt, Nicholas served fi ve years in the French & Indian War. During that time, his brother Abraham heard about him and sought to see him. Nicho-las did not recall ever having seen Abraham, but his moth-er told him how to recognize Abraham by a scar or spot on Abraham’s head.

Sure enough, he was able to recognize Abraham by his mother’s description, accepted him as his brother and moved near Abraham in Fredericktown. Legend has it that Nicholas didn’t care much for Abraham’s wife, left Maryland and settled in Orange County, N. C., where he married Mary Ephland. Some of their children were grown and married before Nicholas and Mary’s move to Tennessee.

Nicholas sold his North Carolina property on Oct. 12, 1791, to Obed Green. Their daughter, Catherine, married John Holmes on Oct. 17, 1791, and it is be-lieved that shortly after her marriage the Gibbs family moved to East Tennessee and settled in what is now Knox County.

Continued to June 29

6 • JUNE 22, 2016 • UNION COUNTY Shopper news

Although school is out for the summer, some stu-dents in Union County have had an opportunity to learn skills that will benefi t them for years to come.

The program is called SEEK (Successful Employ-ment Empowerment Kick-off) and is led by school-to-work transition coach Bridget Calfee and Leanne Friebel. The objective is to prepare students who may not choose college as a path after high school and help them get ready for the work world after graduation.

The 6-day program is funded by a grant, Calfee said.

Friebel fi rst identifi ed four popular jobs – daycare, retail/sales, landscaping and inventory stockers.

Brenda Sweet discusses the importance of tracking fi nances and bank account balances during a session of SEEK (Successful Employ-ment Empowerment Kickoff ). Photos by R. White

Bridget Calfee works with student Nicholas Collins on balancing a deposit account.

SEEK off ers employment tools, guidance

RuthWhite

Robert Jandina, a volunteer with the Paulette Fire Department, is all smiles after winning

the watermelon-eating competition be-tween law enforcement and fi refi ghters.

Food City staff (and kids) who helped with the store’s annual Kids’ Day are: (front) Ayden Wilkerson, Rebekah Lucy, Makayla Vandergriff , Ca-leb Hall, Sarah Lucy; (middle) Madeline Lucy, Gabrielle Van-dergriff , Preston Hall; (third row) Matty Brasher, Chris Lucy; (back) Holly Brasher, Food City’s front end man-ager; Ginger Sanders, bakery-deli manager; Amber Hall, exclusive brands coordinator; Becky Vandergriff , front end manager; Austin Branson, produce manager; and LeAnn Ray, HBC coordinator. Photos by S. Clark

She described each job, the skills needed, educa-tion required, job require-ments and wages earned. She also asked the students questions to help them de-cide the type of work they would like to do. “When applying for a job, consider whether you like to work alone or with others. Do you like to work outside? Are you a morning or night person? Do you prefer a fast-paced or a self-paced environment?”

Brenda Sweet of Com-mercial Bank spoke about fi nances, saving, keeping record of expenses. She led a practice session for writing checks and balancing a led-ger. Although a majority of individuals use debit cards at stores, Sweet walked through the check-writing process as many students have no idea of the proper way to write checks. She also had them record sev-eral “deposits” on a ledger and then work through the transactions of withdrawals and payroll deposits.

Sweet touched briefl y on the many different services offered at Commercial Bank and provided students with some basic banking skills that are important in every-day life.

Food City hosts kidsBy Sandra Clark

Food City staff brought their kids along to host the annual Kids’ Day in the parking lot of the store on Hwy. 33 in Maynardville.

Fire trucks and emergen-cy vechiles were highlights for the youngsters.

There were watermelon-eating contests for kids and adults. Madeline Lucy won the kids’ event. Her mom, Food City’s community involvement coordinator Chris Lucy, organized and managed the event.

Chantay Collins from the Maynardville Public Li-brary was there with books and wise cracks. She said 150 kids already are signed up for the summer reading program.

“You missed a great fund-raiser for the Humane Soci-ety over at Seven Springs,” she said. “Several people got slushed.”

“Slushed?”“Yes, they’ve installed a

slushie machine.”Randy Turner, property

assessor following the death

of Donna Jones, had a cam-paign tent and was handing out ice cream. Randy didn’t get sticky and nothing melt-ed. He gave kids coupons for a free cone at McDonald’s, with his name and number discreetly stamped on the back. It was one campaign card no one threw down.

Little League and youth football hosted sign-ups, while Pastor Jack Walker and folks from Union Bap-tist Church solicited par-ticipants for Vacation Bible School. All-in-all, a fun day.

UNION COUNTY Shopper news • JUNE 22, 2016 • 7 kids

By Shannon CareyKids at Luttrell Library’s Sum-

mer Reading got a special treat June 14, as children’s performer Dre Hilton visited with a high-energy performance and a special message.

“There are three things I tell

children,” he said. “The impor-tance of dreaming big dreams. The importance of positive think-ing, and the importance of getting a great education.”

Hilton said he has started reg-ular performances at the Grand Majestic Theater in Pigeon Forge.

The show, called “The Super Dup-er Show,” is $15 per child and free for parents. He also has a YouTube channel and a Charter television show.

“Do any of you go to Luttrell Elementary School?” he asked. “I did a show there, and no lie that

was the best show I ever had in my life!”

Hilton’s performance featured song and dance, including his most popular song, “Yes I Can, Can.”

“Every once in a while, some mean person is going to come

along and say no you can’t,” he said. “But you remember that yes you can!”

Library director Kim Todd said 94 children have registered for Summer Reading so far.

Info: www.luttrelllibrary.org

The Art on Main Student Art Exhibit this year was renamed the Donna Jones Memorial Student Art Ex-hibit and Contest to honor the late Union County prop-erty assessor. The art show was held June 4, with 61 items submitted by middle and high school students.

More than 200 people visited the display in the historic Dr. Carr Offi ce building. Union County High School 10th grader Ol-ivia Wynn won the People’s

Choice Award for her black and white human fi gure drawing. UCHS 11th grader Destini Thomas won High School Best of Show, and Dustin Crawford, 7th grade at Horace Maynard Middle School, won Middle School Best of Show.

Winners in Color Items, High School were fi rst place, Madison Booker; sec-ond place, Haley Johnson; third place, Emma Hick-man; honorable mentions, Marcus Savage and Caleb

Rhodes. Winners in Color Items, Middle School were fi rst place, Kelly Hunter; second place, Makenzi Stewert; third place, Mor-gan Johnson; honorable mention, Sam Vincent.

Winners in Black and White, High School were fi rst place, Olivia Wynn; sec-ond place, Bre Dunsmore; third place, Madison Book-er. Winners in Black and White, Middle School were fi rst place, Cheyanne Law-son; second place, Katelin

Free GED classes, tests availableAnyone in Union County seeking to earn

their High School Equivalency Diploma should sign up now for GED classes pro-vided by Clinch Valley Adult Education. The state of Tennessee is currently paying all test fees for qualifying students. Free classes and resources are also available. Info/registration: Union County Adult Edu-cation, 992-0805.

Head Start accepting applications

Douglas Cherokee Head Start is accept-ing applications for the 2016-2017 school year. The child must turn 3 or 4 years old by Aug. 15. Info/application: Corryton/Lut-trell or Paulette/Big Ridge, 992-4155; May-nardville or Rutledge area, 992-8146; Cen-tral Point and Bean Station area, 828-6123.

TennCare Kids provides servicesTennCare Kids is Tennessee’s commit-

ment 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 be-havior screenings as appropriate, and advice on healthy living. Union Countians interest-ed in the program should contact the Union County Health Department’s community outreach representative, Pam Williams. Info: 992-3867, ext. 131.

This painting by Union County High School student Destini

Thomas won Best of Show in the Art on Main student art show.

Summer

Reading

participant

Markus Wal-

lace shakes

hands with

Dre Hilton

as Hilton

demonstrates

how to make

friends.

Performer Dre Hilton leads kids at Luttrell Library’s Summer Reading program in singing “Yes I

Can, Can.” Photos by S. Carey

Student art show honors Donna Jones

Dre Hilton gives uplifting message

Young-Molton; third place, Trinity Aslinger; honorable mention, Evan Bailey.

Excellent prizes were do-nated by Dollywood, Jerry’s Artarama, Ripley’s Aquar-ium, Titanic Exhibit, Won-derworks, Bob and Carolyn Shields, and Eric and Gloria Holcomb. Students should pick up their entries from Property Assessor Ran dy Turner in the Union County Courthouse.

Brady Moldrup portrays Huck Finn and Dominic Gillette portrays

Jim in the WordPlayers’ production of “Big River.” Photo submitted

The WordPlayers will present “Big River” July 15-17 at the Bijou Theatre.

The Tony award-winning Broadway musical is based on Mark Twain’s classic novel of the same name.

In the timeless tale, Huck Finn discovers that Jim, a runaway slave, is a true friend. Huck has a pure heart, but because of his culture where slavery is the norm, he has an ill-trained conscience.

In the struggle between heart and conscience, Huck’s heart prevails.

Propelled by an award-winning score from Roger Miller, “Big River” carries a strong message which is an-ti-slavery and anti-racism. The performance is sug-gested for ages 12 and up.

Performances will be held 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 15; 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 16, and 3 p.m. Sunday, July 17. Admission is $21.50 ($17.50 seniors and students). Group dis-counts are available. Tickets are available in advance and at the door.

The WordPlayers is a nonprofi t company of Chris-

‘Big River’ coming to the Bijou

tian theatre artists based in Knoxville. Info: wordplay

ers.org, knoxbijou.com or 539-2490.

Catch up with all your favorite columnists every Wednesday at www.ShopperNewsNow.com

8 • JUNE 22, 2016 • UNION COUNTY Shopper news

THROUGH SUNDAY, JUNE 26

“Charlie & the Chocolate Factory,” Knoxville Children’s Theatre, 109 E. Churchwell Ave. Performances: 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 1 and 5 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays. Info/tickets: 208-3677; knoxvillechildrenstheatre.com; info@childrenstheatreknoxville.com.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22

Bits ’N Pieces Quilt Guild meeting, 1 p.m., Community Center in Norris. “Sit and Sew,” 9:30 a.m.-noon before the meeting. Visitors and new members welcome. No July meeting; all invited to free quilt show that is part of the July 4th Norris Day Celebration. Info: Mary Jane Berry, 494-7841.

Free introductory “Zumba Gold” class, 10:30 a.m., Take Charge Fitness Program, 1921 N. Charles Seivers Blvd., in Clinton. Zumba Gold is designed for active older adults. Info: 457-8237.

International Folk Dance Class, 7:30-10 p.m., Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road, Clinton. Info: Paul Taylor, 898-5724; oakridgefolkdancers.org; on Facebook.

THURSDAY, JUNE 23

Excel 2013 certifi cate class, 8:30 a.m.-noon, Knoxville Area Urban League, 1514 E. Fifth Ave. Free class taught by Pellissippi State instructors. Learn new or upgrade old skills. Space limited; registration required. Info: Bill or Jackie, 524-5511.

Hospitality Job Fair, 1-4 p.m., Knoxville Area Urban League, 1514 E. Fifth Ave. On-site interviews and applications with local employers in the hotel, convention and hospitality industries. Info: Bill or Jackie, 524-5511.

“If You Build it, They Will Come,” 3:15-4:30 p.m., Humana Guidance Center, 4438 Western Ave. Presented by Master Gardener Amy Haun. Info: 329-8892.

Shakespeare for Kids, 4 p.m., Corryton Branch Library, 7733 Corryton Road. Presented by the Tennessee Stage Company; featuring “The Merry

Wives of Windsor” and “King Lear.” Info: 688-1501.

FRIDAY, JUNE 24

Annual fi sh fry, 5-7 p.m., Andersonville UMC, 3944 Andersonville Highway. Cost: adults, $7; children 12 and younger, $5. Meal includes all-you-can-eat fi sh, hushpuppies, slaw, fries, dessert and drinks. Proceeds will benefi t youth scholarship fund.

Concert in the Commons: Matt Honkonen, 7 p.m., The Norris Commons, the lawn in front of the Norris Middle School. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic basket. Info: Facebook.

Ijams Nature Center presents “Can You Hear the Frogs?” 3 p.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road. Info: 922-2552.

FRIDAY-SATURDAY, JUNE 24-25

Daylily Bloom Festival, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Oakes Daylilies, 8153 Monday Road, Corryton. Info: oakesdaylilies.com.

SATURDAY, JUNE 25

Burlington Summer Movie Saturdays: “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” 1:30 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Info: 525-5431.

Community fl ea market, 8:30 a.m., St. James Episcopal Church, 1101 N. Broadway, Registration is open for vendors. Spaces are $10; vendors provide tables, etc. Registration deadline: June 17. Info: 523-5687 or offi ce@stjamesknox.org.

Fourth Saturday Jam Session, 7 p.m., old Rush Strong School in Sharps Chapel. Free admission. Includes bluegrass, country and gospel music. Drinks and snacks available, donations appreciated.

“If You Build it, They Will Come,” 10:30 a.m., Cedar Bluff Branch Library, 9045 Cross Park Drive. Presented by Master Gardener Amy Haun. Info: 470-7033.

Lego Club, 3 p.m., Halls Branch Library, 4518 E. Emory Road. Info: 922-2552.

Saturday Stories and Songs: Melissa Mastrogiovanni, 11 a.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. Info: 947-6210.

Saturday Stories and Songs: Sarah Rysewyk, 11 a.m., Fountain City Branch Library, 5300 Stanton Road. Info: 689-2681.

Union County Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Wilson Park. Info: 992-8038.

MONDAY, JUNE 27

Awesome Science with Dr. Al Hazari, 11 a.m., Carter Branch Library, 9036 Asheville Highway. Info: 933-5438.

TUESDAY, JUNE 28

Teen Splatter Art Crafts, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. For teens 12-17. Info: 947-6210.

Union County Library Board meeting, 2 p.m., Sharps Chapel Senior Center, 1550 Sharps Chapel Road. The Sharps Chapel Book Station will be discussed. The public is invited.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29

Computer Workshop: Word Basics, 2-4:15 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Requires “Introducing the Computer” or equivalent skills. Registration required. Info/registration: 525-5431.

Free introductory “Zumba Gold” class, 10:30 a.m., Take Charge Fitness Program, 1921 N. Charles Seivers Blvd., in Clinton. Zumba Gold is designed for active older adults. Info: 457-8237.

International Folk Dance Class, 7:30-10 p.m., Claxton Community Center, 1150 Edgemoor Road, Clinton. Info: Paul Taylor, 898-5724; oakridgefolkdancers.org; on Facebook.

THURSDAY, JUNE 30

Awesome Science with Dr. Al Hazari, 4 p.m., Mascot Branch Library, 1927 Library Road. Info: 933-2620.

Knoxville Zoomobile, 2 p.m., Powell Branch Library, 330 W. Emory Road. Info: 947-6210.

Robotics @ the Library, 5 p.m., Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. For teens ages 12-15. Info/registration: Nicole Barajas, nbarajas@knoxlib.org, or 525-5431.

SATURDAY, JULY 2

Union County Farmers Market, 9 a.m.-noon, Wilson Park. Info: 992-8038.

SUNDAY, JULY 3

Pilot Fireball Moonlite Classic 5K and Little Firecracker Mile, 9 p.m., UT Vet School with the route running along Neyland Drive. Hosted by the Knoxville Track Club. Info/registration: ktc.org/RaceFireball.html; or Bo Saulsbury, bosaulsbury@gmail.com.

MONDAY, JULY 4

Concert in the Commons: Alex Guthrie, 7 p.m., The Norris Commons, the lawn in front of the Norris Middle School. Bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic basket. Info: Facebook.

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