Shopper Blog: Artist creates unique crests for range of monogrammed items

Knoxville News Sentinel

BEARDEN

Artist creates unique crests for range of monogrammed items

John Shearer, Shopper News

Jessica Peddicord has the heart and natural inclination of an artist, but the mental focus and educational training of a businesswoman.

As a result, the West Knoxville-area resident has been able to find her place in the online retail world doing both.

Jessica Peddicord holds up a print of a family crest and accompanying icons that are from her library of watercolor paintings and are sold through her online business, Simply Jessica Marie. The business allows customers to pick symbols of personal or family meaning and have them printed on several products.

Since 2013, she has operated the Simply Jessica Marie online retail shop that offers family crests and other symbols meaningful to a customer and which can be individually designed and placed on everything from sofa pillows to framed prints. The symbols on them come from watercolor paintings done by Peddicord and stored in her electronic library for mixing and matching.

And it is a library that has been growing. After recently moving back to Knoxville from Texas with her husband, Zack, who is originally from Rockwood, she has relaunched what she calls her Crest Bar. It now features even more painted symbols and icons that buyers can choose on her website and have placed on an ordered item.

“Our goal is to easily and quickly provide the finest hand-painted, personally designed crests to any couple, family, business or art lover at the best value imaginable,” said Peddicord.

Wedding invitations are among products sold by Knoxville-based Simply Jessica Marie. They feature printed artwork by owner Jessica Peddicord done originally as watercolor paintings.

“The Crest Bar’s wide variety of readily available floral border, monogram and color selections — as well as the ever-growing, handmade icon library — empower clients to swiftly personalize their artistic heirloom.”

For example, a dog-loving family whose Christian faith is important to them can order a family crest with the family initial or initials as well as a cross or dog face from Peddicord’s library.

And, through coordination with several vendors Peddicord uses, they can be placed on such items as can huggers, pillows, cocktail napkins, stationery, cheese boards and tea towels. Or they can be framed simply as prints.

Pillows with print designs from the watercolor library of Jessica Peddicord are offered through her online business, Simply Jessica Marie.

For Peddicord, arriving at this place in her career has involved several jobs and moves, but a singular interest in art. Growing up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, she realized she was not cut out for sports camps, but totally enjoyed going to art camps at the Sawtooth School for Visual Art and another one her favorite middle school art teacher would have for select students.

She went on to Elon College in North Carolina, but simply took art classes as electives while studying event planning and business and minoring in psychology. However, she would continue to figure out ways to use art in an expressive and advantageous manner.

A print of a family crest and accompanying icons done by Simply Jessica Marie.

After graduation, Peddicord became an associate wedding planner in Nashville, but eventually started a blog and then began an online shop selling hand-painted monograms for customers like college sororities.

She then started selling some invitation greeting cards, and realized her market was in printed items.

“That is when I started to see traction,” she said.

With advice from a photographer friend, she also later realized the future for her might be more in printed items using her artwork rather than custom painting, and that is when her Simply Jessica Marie store began evolving even more.

Her sister, Julia Clinch, helps with some final design work, as well as marketing and public relations, and that allows Peddicord additional time to create even more watercolor icons and symbols for her library.

Scarves with family crests and other adornments sold by Simply Jessica Marie are available to help dogs feel even more like part of the family.

The online store has also been enhanced recently with additional purchasing options and online consultation, Peddicord added.

All in all, combining art and business in this evolving way has been quite enjoyable for her, she said.

“It’s really beautiful to be able to capture people’s lives in such interesting and unique ways,” she said. “It’s really special.”

KARNS

Pumpkin Patch is here! It's officially fall in Karns

Nancy Anderson, Shopper News

It’s officially fall in Karns when the pumpkins arrive at Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church for the annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser.

About 20 volunteers, including students from the National Honor Society from Karns High School, helped unload and place nearly 1,200 pumpkins — not counting hundreds of mini pumpkins — on Oct. 1.

Coordinator Suzanne Davidson and volunteer Zeni Schleter pause Oct. 4, 2021, in the Pumpkin Patch at Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church.

“The Pumpkin Patch is a labor of love for me and the church,” said coordinator Suzanne Davidson. “We all come together to help unload the truck and we get it done quickly. It’s a fine science now. We’ve done this fundraiser since 2009. I just love it. Year after year after year I just keep saying ‘Yes, I’ll organize it.’

“We worried we might not be able to do it this year, because it was canceled last year due to the pandemic, but we’ll do it as long as I’m here and able. I’ll do anything I can to make it happen.

It’s pumpkin time in Karns! Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church kicked off its annual Pumpkin Patch fundraiser Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021.

“The Pumpkin Patch is really special. It gives us joy being able to help others and to help decorate for fall.”

There was no price increase this year. The pumpkins range from 25 cents for the mini to $20 for the giant.

About 20 volunteers unload more than 1,200 pumpkins at Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch on Friday, Oct. 1, 2021.

The pumpkins are not for cooking, but perfect for decorating. There are all kinds of pumpkins, from the classic giant orange to pink, white, and even blue pumpkins suitable for intricate carvings or painting. There are hundreds of mini pumpkins, warty pumpkins, and gourds that look like starfish.

The pumpkins are grown on the Navajo Nation in the Four Corners region of the United States. That’s the area where Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona connect.

Volunteer Tom McMahan displays an unusual green pumpkin. They come in pink and blue as well at the Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch Monday, Oct. 4, 2021.

Davidson said the church is committed to buying the pumpkins from the Navajo because it’s their major export and they want to continue to support that community.

“Buying the pumpkins from the Navajo supports their community, and the proceeds partially fund our Food Pantry, which feeds many people in the Karns community,” Davidson said.

Teen volunteer Ellyana Davidson arranges a pallet of pumpkins at the Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch on Monday, Oct. 4, 2021.

The Beaver Ridge UMC Food Pantry serves anyone in need of food each Monday 1-2 p.m. and is one of the longest running food pantries in the area.

Stock is donated by Second Harvest and supplemented by both monetary and food donations from church members.

Hudson Hammontree picks out a pumpkin nearly as big as he is at the Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch Monday, Oct. 4, 2021.

The Pumpkin Patch will be hosting a car cruise-in featuring Summer Knights Cruisers Car Club on Friday evening, Oct. 22.

Beaver Ridge UMC is located at 7753 Oak Ridge Highway by the red light. The Pumpkin Patch is open 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. on Sunday.

Info: www.beaverridgeumc.org.

Mini pumpkins are plentiful at 25 cents each at Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church Pumpkin Patch Monday, Oct. 4, 2021.

POWELL

What's that manly harmony? It's Powell High's Knoxtones

Al Lesar, Shopper News

When Kobey Harris takes his lead role in the song “MLK,” he understands the true meaning of what singing in a barbershop quartet can be.

“That song is about dreams and legacy,” Harris said. “I can feel the words and the emotion of the song.”

The Knoxtones (from left) Josh Rodriguez, Ethan Hutchison, Grant Trivette and Kobey Harris have been entertaining several audiences.

“MLK” is one of the favorites of the Knoxtones, a barbershop quartet representing Powell High School. They’re another chapter in the 31-year history being written at the school by Jim Kennedy.

“I’m teaching my 'grandsingers' now,” said Kennedy. “I’ve been at it a while.”

Ethan Hutchison, one of the Knoxtones, is following in the footsteps of his father, Keith, who was in Kennedy’s first class in 1990.

Powell High School choir director Jim Kennedy doesn't let a mask ruin his instructions.

“Singing was something I always wanted to do,” said Hutchison. “Being with this group has been great. The longer we’ve worked together, the more our personalities blend.”

Hutchison shares the bass/baritone parts with Josh Rodriguez. Harris is the group’s tenor and Grant Trivette is the lead.

Practice is precious   

Besides the normal school competitions, the Knoxtones find their way into the community and beyond for performances.

All four are part of the Powell Singers, but because of commitments getting them all together is not easy.

“The hardest obstacle is practice,” said Kennedy. “Each of them works on their own part on their own time. Then, the precious time we do have is spent putting it all together.”

Even without an audience, singing barbershop quartet music can be a great experience for the singers.

The Powell Singers meet regularly at 7:30 each morning. That’s when the Knoxtones try to carve some valuable minutes away from the large group. Their first competition together was the Singers Showcase last May.

“The biggest challenge is to understand your part in relation to others,” said Trivette. “I’ve gotta know if I’m singing melody alone or with the others.

“That first competition was so exciting because we had worked so hard to get ready for it.”

Adding personality   

Kennedy talked about how Trivette has been classically trained as a singer. However, there’s something to be said for the music of the barbershop quartet.

“(Barbershop quartet) might not be one of the most popular genres, but barbershop quartet singers can get satisfaction from their music without an audience,” Kennedy said. “You can thoroughly enjoy the harmony all by yourselves.

Kobey Harris, right, is the comedic presence of the group.

“I’ve had a background in barbershop quartet for years. I’ve always used it with our singers here.”

“When you’re done with your performance and you see the reaction of the audience, you can sense the satisfaction in the group,” said Rodriguez. “It’s rewarding when you’re able to do your part to make it happen.”

And then there’s the personality in the performance…

One of the Knoxtones' recent performances was at Morning Pointe retirement facility.

“No doubt about it, Kobey (is the showman),” Rodriguez said. “He’ll come up with the jokes.”

“I try to be funny, even when I’m not,” Harris said with a chuckle. “I’ve always been that guy. I guess it comes easy for me.”

“These are four special guys,” said Kennedy. “The time and effort they put in to be the best they can be is amazing.”

WORDS OF FAITH

Type A/Type B personalities and the experience of grace

John Tirro, Shopper News

In fourth grade, our teacher handed out a paper with two paragraphs, “Type A Personality” and “Type B Personality.”

It went something like this: “Type A individuals tend to be very competitive and self-critical. They strive toward goals without feeling a sense of joy in their efforts… They also tend to have high blood pressure…

John Tirro

"Individuals with a Type B personality work steadily, enjoying achievements, but do not tend to become stressed when goals are not achieved…” (https://www.simplypsychology.org).

We’d been in school five years. We knew an A was better than a B. In that moment, a roomful of 10-year-olds elected to be Type A.

There’s good in that, Type A gets a lot done, but the joy is fleeting, and without reflection it misses that there’s not much point doing things well if you’re doing the wrong things.

I’d like to make a case for an A-Minus/B-Plus Personality, an integration of doing and being, a move from head-shoulders try try try, to heart-breath simply be.

In the New Testament world, there’s a word, nous, generally translated “mind,” but it’s not located in the brain. It’s more like the vagus nerve connecting breath and digestion to the brain, the seat of emotions, the sense of wellness and truth. It’s part of why breathing in through the nose — a slow count four, and breathing out — an audible sigh or hum through the mouth — calms us.

When we pray, “Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right Spirit” — breath — “within me” (Psalm 51:10), this is what we’re talking about. The jangled nerves constantly evaluating and adjudicating the many things can get to be a bit much, to where you almost want a pat on the head, a biscuit, an attaboy attagirl hand on the shoulder, a medal, or an engraved plaque!

Peter, in Mark 10:28, is the poster child for this. “Look, Jesus! We’ve left everything to follow you!” This follows on a rich man’s question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus responds enigmatically about passing a camel through the eye of a needle.

Here’s my thought on receiving what’s already yours. Inheritance isn’t about doing. It’s about being. “Is your name John Tirro?” “Yes.” “Here’s your uncle’s opium pipe from Korea.” “Thank you?”

To inherit, you just have to be part of the family. In Luke 3, there’s a genealogy of Jesus going back to “Adam, son of God,” from whom all of us are descended. You’re already part of the family. God’s unity with us in Jesus, dying and raising us to life, is entirely about that.

As you come to believe it, it becomes real in your experience. One minute, you’re on the outside, trying to figure out how to get your camel through a needle. The next you’re already through, already in.

What would it be like, to breathe that in, deeply? What might open up?

John Tirro is pastor of music and campus ministry at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Info: sjlcknox.org.

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NORTH KNOXVILLE

Fulton alumni honor 7 who died in Vietnam

Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News

John Schlatter, Fulton High School Class of 1968 and former U.S. Army lieutenant on active duty stateside 1974-1976, has been interested in Vietnam veterans for years, starting with researching and writing his 2014 book, “Died On The Fourth of July: Remembering the Men Who Gave Their Lives in Vietnam on America’s Birthday.”

While volunteering for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund’s virtual Wall of Faces project, he had a wakeup call. “One day it hit me: ‘Here I am researching these guys from all over the country, but what about my own high school?’”

Cecelia Houser, left, and Patricia May Axley are the first and second cousins, respectively, of Fulton High School student Gerald Eugene "Jerry" King, a Marine killed May 10, 1968, in Vietnam. He was one of seven memorialized on a granite marker at the school Saturday, October 2, 2021.

Schlatter began an intensive three-year effort to track down all Fulton alumni who had lost their lives in Vietnam. By 2019, he had verified seven. He wanted them to have official recognition, but Schlatter lived in Las Vegas at the time.

“That’s when I contacted my classmates Ronnie Collins and Fred Kitts. They started doing all the legwork.”

Fulton High School Principal Seth Smith and Fulton alumnus Ronnie Collins unveil a granite memorial at the high school on Saturday, October 2, 2021 that honors Fulton alumni who served in the armed forces.

Collins and Kitts put out the call for $5,000 for two monuments — one honoring the “Fulton 7,” and another honoring all Fulton graduates who served in the military — and began planning a dedication ceremony.

By spring 2020, all was in place. But the onset of the coronavirus pandemic caused a delay.

Former Fulton High School graduate Ronnie Collins talks about the effort that that resulted in the placement of a veterans memorials at Fulton High School dedicated to Fulton alumni served in the armed forces.

On Saturday, Oct. 2, Collins, Kitts and a large crowd at last gathered in the Fulton High School auditorium for the dedication ceremony.

Collins said, “This is a Fulton thing. We’re a Fulton Family.” He recognized the fallen soldiers’ family members who were present and stressed that everyone involved was part of “a heavy Fulton presence today.”

Over 100 people attended a presentation and ceremony for the unveiling of a veterans memorial at Fulton High School on Saturday, October 2, 2021.

They included the Revs. Felix Kerr and Gerald McGinnis, who offered the invocation and benediction, respectively; Kensey Zimmerman, who sang the national anthem; Doug White, whose company Bridgewater Catering provided food for the reception; current principal/alumnus Seth Smith and current ROTC members; Alan Carmichael of Moxley-Carmichael, who offered pro bono assistance; Coleman Printing, who put together the program; Summers & Son Monument Company, who created and placed the monuments.

Fulton High School alumnus Fred Kitts and grandson Cannon Cates unveil a memorial on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at Fulton High School dedicated to seven former Fulton students who were killed in Vietnam.

Collins also thanked Knoxville Fire Department Chief Stan Sharp, who arranged for a fire truck to be on site; and East Tennessee Design Company, who helped facilitate funding.

“I can proudly tell you that we raised over $8,500 from alumni alone,” Collins said. “This is how the Fulton Family stepped up to get this done.”

A gathering outside Fulton High School on Saturday, October 2, 2021 for the unveiling of a veterans memorial to Fulton alumni.

Then, with individual photographs of the men projected on a screen behind him, Fred Kitts spoke of each of the Fulton 7. They are: 

• Army PFC Larry Grant Bradley

• Marine Corps PFC Willie Fred Dail Jr.

• Marine Corps Cpl. Gerald Eugene King

• Air Force Lt. Ronald Harold Knight

• Army PFC Jerry Lynn Noe

• Army PFC Gary Dean Smith

• Army Sgt. Alvin Eugene Wiles

The event was livestreamed on WKCS Falcon Radio’s YouTube channel. Schlatter, now living in South Carolina and unable to attend, watched every minute and was thrilled with what his old pals had done.

People gather to view the veterans memorial unveiled at Fulton High School on Saturday, October 2, 2021.

“They really took this on and took it to the finish line. It was very satisfying to see this come to fruition. These men who died in the service of our country are part of the Fulton Family. If we don’t honor and remember them, who will?”

Collins agreed. “We’re not going to forget these men.”

SOUTH KNOXVILLE

Isaiah 117 House comforts kids headed into foster care, supports case workers

Ali James, Shopper News

Few people know what removal day is.

“Before I was involved, I thought removal day was a good day because DCS is taking children out of somewhere unsafe,” said Kristi Whitehead, program coordinator for Isaiah 117 House Knox County.

Kristi Whitehead, program coordinator for Isaiah 117 House Knox County, left, with regional coordinator Jennifer Rodriguez at Isaiah 117 House’s resource center in Elizabethton, Tenn.

“But they are going into the unknown.”

When children are removed from their home out of concern for their welfare, they can spend up to a whole day or even overnight in the DCS office awaiting a foster care placement.

These children often have nothing with them and are scared, lonely, hungry, and often in dirty clothing. Once Isaiah 117 House is built, it will provide a comforting space for children to wait.

A picture of the Isaiah 117 House in Sullivan County that is similar to what the future Isaiah 117 House in Knox County will look like.

The pandemic may have hindered their plans, but Isaiah 117 House has been hard at work raising community awareness, fundraising and stepping in at a moment’s notice to love on children who have been removed from their home.

Recently, Isaiah 117 House Knox County received the deed to an East Knoxville property, brought general contractor Becky Snyder on board and obtained a building permit.

“The existing house doesn’t work for us, we are just going to start fresh,” said Whitehead. “We hope to start demolition next week and host a groundbreaking ceremony within a month.”

Word of Isaiah 117 House continues to spread to Knox County-based organizations and subcontractors who have stepped forward to offer their expertise and equipment for the project.

Whitehead, a state-certified volunteer, often spends time with the children while DCS staff completes the necessary paperwork and identifies a good foster placement.

“I met a little girl who just wanted me to play and interact with her. We talked about her stuffy and how she adopted it,” said Whitehead, who on any given day is more than happy to give endless hugs, hold babies, craft, or color, anything to make them feel important on a hard day.

Kyron, 6, and Kaylor, 4, in their "Love, you’re not alone" T-shirts.

One little boy was removed from his home on his birthday, according to Whitehead. Within hours, Isaiah 117’s volunteers had provided cake and party supplies, purchased and wrapped Paw Patrol toys, so that by the time he had a foster placement, all the family had to do was celebrate.

Isaiah 117 House Knox County organized this birthday cake for a little boy who went into care on his birthday.

“Our goal is to lavish love on them. We don’t say no (to any requests) unless it hurts them,” said Whitehead.

Isaiah 117 Knox County keeps supplies in a donated storage unit so that they can efficiently provide blankets, pillows, socks, underwear, diapers and toiletries.

“We have a lot of things in stock, but if they have other needs I post it on our Facebook group page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1373824779650089/) and within minutes it is typically taken care of,” said Whitehead. “If we do their laundry, we take it back to them in a backpack or a duffle bag — no more trash bags is our mission.”

Backpacks filled with items for kids entering into foster care were donated by the Emory Road Chapter Tennessee Society Daughters of the American Revolution.

Once complete, Isaiah 117 House  in Knox County will have a fully stocked kitchen and bathrooms. The attic, called the giving room, is where children can choose what they like or need, including journals or toys to take with them.

“When they leave us, they will have everything they need from pajamas to backpacks to school supplies. They will be able to enter with dignity,” said Whitehead.

“There is an outdoor space where they can go outside and play, and boys' and girls' bedrooms so they can sleep in a bed and not on the floor,” she said. “It’s giving them space to be children.”

Bedding provided by Isaiah 117 House in Knox County for some toddlers entering into care.

When DCS calls, volunteers will be ready at a moment’s notice to come to the house and lavish love on those children, Whitehead said. “I have volunteers who are ready for the house to be built and can’t wait for that 3 a.m. wakeup call. It takes all kinds of people to do that,” she said.

“We are open 24/7. Children may be removed on their birthday or on Christmas Day; removal days can happen any day, and we need to be prepared to welcome them.”

Isaiah 117 House license plates can be preordered at https://isaiah117house.com/licenseplate.

In addition to volunteering, Whitehead said people can host their own lemonade or hot chocolate stand to raise money for Isaiah 117 House Knox County. “They can reach out and we can give them the graphic and promotional materials.

"We have over 600 pre-orders for an Isaiah 117 House license plate. We need 1,000 ordered before they will make them.”

Isaiah House 117 wants children to know, "Love, you're not alone."

POWELL

Online friends help wherever people hurt

Al Lesar, Shopper News

Selfless charity is nothing new to Tabatha Walker.

When she was in sixth grade growing up in Halls, Walker was given a Walkman for Christmas. All her friend got were clothes.

“I knew my friend really wanted a Walkman, every kid did,” Walker said. “I asked my parents and, when we got off the bus after school, I gave it to her. She was so happy, and worried I might get in trouble.

Tabatha Walker has grown "From My Heart to Yours" into a vibrant nonprofit.

“I felt really good about what I did.”

Two weeks later, Walker’s aunt recognized what happened and gave the youngster her own Walkman.

From those humble beginnings, Walker has carried those lessons with her. Twelve years ago, she identified a single father of five who was having trouble buying Christmas presents.

A group poses after an Easter egg hunt sponsored by "From My Heart to Yours."

“I put the word out among my friends and I had 50 people offering to buy presents,” she said. “It was overwhelming. I learned that there still was a little kindness left in the world.”

That core group of 50 has blossomed. Now, “From My Heart to Yours” is a group of 6,700 people interested in doing what they can to make the world a better place.

Upcoming fall festival 

“From My Heart to Yours” is a social media sensation that is there to help when needed. Someone needs gas to hunt for a teen who ran away? A stranger will help. A needy family looking for help with the down payment for a house? Yep, it’s been done. Electric bills. Dog food.

Nothing’s too big or too small.

“This is just an amazing group,” said Walker, who now lives in Clinton. “We verify the people we’re going to help. We feel what we do is important.”

Making sure students have everything they'll need to return to school was a priority for "From My Heart to Yours."

The group puts on events to help raise money for the work they do. The next one will be a Halloween-themed fall festival on Oct. 30. Wesley House (1719 Reynolds St. in Knoxville, 1-6 p.m.) has donated its large facility for the fall event.

Children’s games, an auction, a raffle, trunk-and-treat and a cake walk — along with food for sale — will make the festival special, while at the same time generate funds to help make Christmas brighter for 150-200 kids.

Pandemic help   

Walker found her way onto social media with the group in 2016. That marked a large increase in the membership. Along with Christmas, “From My Heart to Yours” became involved with Easter, Thanksgiving and even individual birthdays on a case-by-case basis.

“In 2019, we had a Christmas party that helped over 300 kids,” Walker said. “We were amazed at what we were able to do.”

"From My Heart to Yours" has made a tradition of helping children enjoy the holidays.

That sort of momentum carried into the next year when the pandemic impacted everyone’s life. The need was magnified for quite a while.

“I didn’t know how we’d handle COVID, but we didn’t slow down,” Walker said. “We were helping with groceries, prescriptions, wherever there was a need.”

Whatever a dedicated group of people can do to brighten someone's day, they'll try their best.

The scope of the group knows no boundaries. Anderson County, Powell, Halls, the rest of Knox County, Blount, Loudon — there is a need everywhere.

“I’ve gotten to know a lot of amazing ladies who share the same calling,” Walker said.

“We’ve been blessed by so many donations. If we need something, we won’t hesitate to take it from our own house and give it away.”

Just like a Walkman.

KARNS

Dolly Parton's best wishes pay off for Hardin Valley marching band

Nancy Anderson, Shopper News

Sixteen bands from as far away as Oliver Springs and Elizabethton competed in the 12th annual Karns Marching Invitational at Karns High School on Sept. 25, and the stands were full.

Hardin Valley Academy's Marching Hawks swept the categories, winning First Place Percussion in Class 6A, First Place Guard 6A, and First Place Band 6A with their show “These Four Walls” (an homage to Dolly Parton).

Hardin Valley Academy Marching Hawks own the field with their show “These Four Walls,” an homage to Dolly Parton, at the 12th annual Karns Marching Invitational held at Karns High School Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.

Parton sent a video earlier in the week thanking the band for honoring her and wishing them luck in the season. The kids were thrilled with her message and went on to perform their best.

“The show is about home … an East Tennessee home, so we used Dolly Parton’s music to convey that thought. We still have field installations under construction so the show is not actually done at this point. We’re thrilled with the win, though,” said Hardin Valley Academy band director Alex Rector.

Hardin Valley Academy drum major Nirvikta Osti leads the band to sweep the prizes at the 12th annual Karns Marching Invitational held at Karns High School Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.

“The kids did a great job. We try to focus on just being the best versions of ourselves that we can be, but it’s always nice to get a competitive reward.”

Rector said, “We’ve been to the Karns Invitational several times and it’s always a pleasure, it’s professionally run. The day went off without a hitch and the weather was beautiful.”

Elizabethton High School Marching Cyclones won People’s Choice and Best Overall 4A, 5A, 6A. for their show “EmPower.”

Hardin Valley Academy Marching Hawks sweep the prizes at the 12th annual Karns Marching Invitational held at Karns High School Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.

While they didn’t place, the Farragut High School Marching Admirals made a big impact on the crowd with their show “For the Good” featuring the most field props of any band. The 10 installations represented a stunning cityscape as a backdrop for the show, which is about superheroes. Some of the props turned to reveal villains and superheroes.

“In the opening tune we have the heroes 'flight,' 'heat' and 'strength' fighting each other, and the villains, which are represented by the percussion and guard," said Farragut band director Kenneth Carrico. 

“In the end the superheroes realize it’s important to work together to fight the villains.

“We wanted a feel good show everyone could relate to and have a good time. The kids are loving the show.”

Hardin Valley Academy Marching Hawks go home with the hardware, winning First in Class 6A at the 12th annual Karns Marching Invitational held at Karns High School Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021.

“We came in second, but it’s not all about winning. The cool part is we tied with Elizabethton for music and if there’s anything I like to win, it’s music. I’m thrilled and I’m proud of our students on how well they performed.”

The event was a fundraiser for operating costs for the ever growing Karns High Marching Beavers.

Organizing band director Jimbo Crawford coordinated outstanding adjudicators who evaluated music ensemble, music effect, visual ensemble, and visual effect. Caption judges evaluated areas of color guard, majorettes, and percussion.  

Karns High band has already issued a “save the date” for next year’s marching invitational, Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.

OPINION

Is there time left for shopping?

Leslie Snow, Shopper News

It's the end of one chapter and the beginning of the next.

We’re in the surgeon’s office passing the time. The receptionist calls us to the window to say the surgeon has been delayed at the hospital. We’ll have to wait a little longer to discuss my mom’s metastatic melanoma and her options for surgery.

Leslie Snow, News Sentinel columnist.

We play “I Spy” like two little kids. When we run out of things to spy, we take turns picking things in the office we’d like to take home. My mom chooses a coat rack, and for some reason, that makes us both laugh. It’s nervous laughter, but it feels good.

When the games are done, my mom lifts her legs and stares at her pants. “I want to go shopping,” she says. “I need some new sweatpants, maybe some nicer ones like you wear.” I tell her I’d be happy to take her shopping.

Then she turns to me, and our eyes meet. “Let’s wait to see what happens,” she says with a knowing look. “Maybe I won’t need to buy anything new after all.”

I don’t know how to respond, so I just squeeze her hand and go back to waiting.

A few minutes later, it’s our turn to see the surgeon. He’s kind and encouraging and we like him right away. He sends us home with reading material and a plan for my mother’s surgery.

A few weeks later, we’re at the hospital moving from one waiting room to another until it’s time for my mother to be wheeled down for surgery. I give her a kiss and tell the nurses to take good care of her. I stroke her hair one last time and promise I’ll be there when she wakes up. I keep my promise.

The first words out of my mother’s mouth after surgery are, “You must be so tired.” I laugh and say, “No, Mom. You must be so tired. You just had surgery.”

But I know it’s a good sign. And the next morning, I feel even more encouraged when she asks the surgeon if he can discharge her in time for the Cleveland Browns game the next day. He laughs and tells her he’ll make sure of it. And he does.

My mom spends the first day out of the hospital having brunch with her family and cheering for her favorite football team. She seems tired but happy. It’s everything I’ve hoped for.

Two weeks later, we find ourselves back in the surgeon’s office, waiting. We don’t play “I Spy” but we do look for things in the office we might need in our home. My mom still wants the coat rack and I promise to buy her one.

When it’s our turn, the doctor examines my mother and tells us the surgery went well. Only one lymph node was involved and her follow-up care, a year of immunotherapy, is generally well tolerated.

It feels like the end of one long journey and the beginning of a new one. But the news is good. There’s reason for hope. I tell my mom she’s Superwoman and thank the surgeon for taking such good care of her.

We’re quiet on the elevator ride down to the lobby. It’s a lot to absorb. Then my mother speaks up. “I think I’d like to buy those new sweatpants now.”

It takes me a minute to realize what she means. As the elevator door opens, I recall our conversation in the waiting room last month. “Let’s put that shopping date on the calendar,” I say, with a smile. Then, arm-in-arm, we step outside together.

Leslie Snow may be reached at snow column@aol.com.

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