Shopper News blog: A value to veterans: Weigel's supports service dogs

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POWELL

A value to veterans: Weigel's supports service dogs

Al Lesar, Shopper News correspondent 

Stryker is a 6-year-old service dog that is far from all-business.

But Daniel Belcher isn’t sure where he’d have been without him the last four years.

Belcher, a 46-year-old Air Force veteran who was severely injured in the early '90s, and Stryker were matched by Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, thanks to Weigel’s “More Wags for Warriors” fundraising campaign.

Since the pairing four years ago, Belcher, his wife, Michelle, and 15-year-old daughter, Olivia, have grown to love Stryker as part of the family.

The black Lab has responded with a mischievous personality. When he’s off duty, not needed beside Daniel, Stryker likes to have some fun.

“If I get out of bed first in the morning, I’ll feed Stryker,” Michelle said. “A little later, he’ll bring his empty bowl to (Daniel) trying to get a second breakfast. He knows what he’s doing.”

“Stryker and Olivia are more like brother and sister,” Daniel said. “He’s like an ornery 2-year-old. If she gets up out of a chair, he’ll jump in it because he knows she’s coming back. He does things just to irritate her.”

Sold at first glance    

Stryker and Daniel, who lives in Clinton, recently were the faces of the bond that has developed partnership between Weigel’s and the Lenoir City-based training area that is in the process of expanding from six to 18 kennels. They were the first match that came from made possible by the generosity of the company that owns 67 convenience stores within a 100-mile radius of its Powell headquarters.

Mike Kitchens, spokesperson for the Smoky Mountain Service Dogs, said it costs about $22,000 over a two-year span to get a dog ready to help a veteran with mobility assistance, as well as those dealing with lost limbs. That equates to between 1,500 and 1,800 training hours.

“Those dogs are like our children,” Kitchens said. “They’ll wake up one morning and realize, ‘That’s what they want me to do.’ It just takes some time.”

Weigel’s chairman Bill Weigel said more than four years ago the company was interested in developing a relationship with a veteran-centric organization to help financially.

“The first interview we had was with (Smoky Mountain Service Dogs),” Weigel said. “They brought a dog to that meeting. I started to pet it and learned right away you don’t touch a service dog.

“That was the only interview we needed to have. We were sold on Smoky Mountain Service Dogs.”

Around Memorial Day, customers can donate to put their names on dog tags and have them displayed around the store for the “More Wags for Warriors” project.

A big difference   

Daniel, who served in the Air Force’s version of special forces, said he was “shot and blown up” during an incident in the early '90s. The trauma left him in a coma for 32 days.

The Detroit native has recovered now, but the problems linger. Bending over and walking are difficult. Sleep comes only a couple hours a night, but relaxation and meditation fill the void.

“Stryker has made life more bearable for me,” Daniel said. “When I start having issues, he’ll distract me.

“My wife found Smoky Mountain Service Dogs online, and it’s made a big difference. I’m constantly amazed at how smart Stryker is. He’s just great to have.”

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KARNS

Tony Pointer, once a janitor, now Grace Christian Head of School

Nancy Anderson, Shopper News correspondent 

It’s a new era at Grace Christian Academy (GCA) as Bible teacher Tony Pointer takes the helm as Head of School. Pointer is spending the summer in his new office readying for the new year.

Pointer is no stranger to GCA. He worked in the maintenance department in 2001 and worked his way to Head of School through hard work and education.

“I worked as a janitor when I was going to school starting in 2001. Now I’m Head of School. It was a long journey all about education, perseverance, and hard work. You really can be anything you want to be.”

By 2005, Pointer joined the staff at GCA, teaching Bible to seniors. He became one of the most well-liked teachers.

He has a unique leadership style that models the servant-leader ethic.

“I’m a ‘roll your sleeves up and get involved to help out’ kind of guy. I lead through service. But I know how to delegate, too. 

“Servant leadership is not a top-down model. The staff aren’t here to serve me as the head. Servant leadership is the flip of that. I want to work hard to make sure that other people are successful in what they’re being called to do. I want to make sure everyone along the line is well supported. I’m at the bottom trying to help support where I can.”

He said one of his main goals is staff development.

“I’m a big staff development guy. I’m always looking for ways to grow our faculty professionally and, of course, spiritually as well. We teach the kids, and it's true for ourselves too, that we have to do our best each and every day. We have to have good character in everything we do whether it’s out there on the athletic field, academics, or the fine arts program. We have to give our best every day to honor Christ. I will do anything I can to foster that.”

Pointer said his philosophy of discipline is along the biblical model of reconciliation.

“It’s all about reconciliation, you might still have to address consequences, but really that child has to be able to go to the other person, admit they were wrong and ask for forgiveness. You also have to train on how to give forgiveness. I push the child toward being more like Christ.

“We will do detention or suspend in school or out of school if we have to. Worst case scenario is expulsion. It’s just like any other school, but we start with that concept of reconciliation and we partner with the parents the whole way.”

Pointer earned his Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Ministry Preparation from Johnson University in 2002. He earned a Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2006, and a Doctorate of Education Ministry from the seminary in 2012, all while working and raising a family.

His wife, Julie, teaches sixth grade math at GCA. They've been married since 2000 and have two children, Isaiah, 11, and Micah, 9.

Outside school, Pointer is an outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, biking, running, and canoeing.

Info: www.gcarams.org

POWELL

Alumni leaders plan for even stronger future

Al Lesar, Shopper News correspondent 

Striking a balance between more than a century of tradition and the realities of today is a challenge that Rachel Sanders and Meredith Brannan aren’t taking lightly.

Sanders will end her term as president of the Powell High School Alumni Association this summer and Brannan will take over the reins with a goal of serving their alma mater and the community they love.

“I moved back to Powell after I finished law school in Georgia,” said the 36-year-old Sanders, a 2001 grad. “The community feel makes Powell special. I hope to give my two girls (2 years old and 8 months) the same opportunities I had here.”

Brannan, 35, an ’02 grad, has remained close to home since graduating from the University of Tennessee.

“My house is in Halls but my heart is in Powell,” said Brannan, who is a compliance and quality systems specialist at Helen Ross McNabb Center. “I love the community feel of Powell. It sucks you in and you never want to leave.”

Gala with a purpose

On the first Saturday of April, the Powell High School Alumni Association, with more than 500 members, celebrated its 102nd year of existence – one of the oldest alumni associations in the country – with its annual gala.

The primary purpose of the special event – which attracted more than 200 former students – is to generate money for scholarships. This year, six Powell High School grads – Angela Jimenez, Zuriel Lopez-Bautista, Grace Milne, Sarah Norris, Emily Sweat and Cheyenne Westmoreland – were awarded $2,000 Alumni Association scholarships.

Jake Majors was given the $3,000 Jim Courtney Athletic Scholarship.

“It’s important that we’re able to give back to our school and our community,” Brannan said. “This is a way we’re able to help.”

Adding some new wrinkles   

Besides the gala, there is a movement within the leadership group of the organization to keep things fresh with new activities to get people involved.

The first step came last year when the Alumni Association sponsored a homecoming tailgate that gave former Panthers an opportunity to celebrate the biggest football game of the season while being strategically located near the finish of parade.

Another addition to the association’s activities is the inception of a foundation that could be used for a variety of purposes. If a teacher can’t get funding for a specific project, that could be a direction to turn. If the school needs equipment that will benefit several students, it could be used.

“People will have the option to donate to the scholarship fund or the foundation,” said Sanders. “It’s another way we could respond to the needs of the school and the community.

“We still have some things to work out, but we see it as a positive step for the association.”

Sanders said knocking on corporate doors for financial support has been a relatively painless venture.

“When the people at these businesses in Powell hear what we’re doing, they’ve all been willing to support us,” Sanders said. “That’s just another great thing about this community." 

NORTH/EAST

Honey Dew Naturals: Family-tested for health and beauty

Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News correspondent 

Nate and Alli Huff started their business, Honey Dew Naturals, the way many small business owners do – they created a product and their friends and family clamored for more, then urged them to drop everything else and devote all their time to said product. Seven years later, they manage the business full time, shipping their 100% natural personal care products worldwide.

At their home in Strawberry Plains, on a five-acre lot that they bought from Nate’s parents, they and their four children – Jackson, 10, Caleb, 9, and twins Reagan and Ember, 7 – share their lives with an extended family of friends and relatives who live nearby.

All enjoy a huge man-made pond; the kids go swimming every day in the summer. A fire started in the communal fire pit is a cue for all to gather. There are vegetable, herb and flower gardens, and plenty of room for dogs, cats and bike rides.

And in a building adjacent to their house – originally just a shell, but finished by Nate and Alli using recycled building materials – they make their popular Honey Dew Naturals products.

In 2012, says Alli, “we were already making things for ourselves – deodorant and toothpaste. We wanted to be healthier. We wanted things that were not compromised.

“Our daughters were born at 25 weeks and spent three months in the NICU. During that time Nate lost his job in construction. It was overwhelming! And our friends and family said, ‘why don’t you start selling your stuff? We’ll buy it from you!’”

Around that time, the Huffs were invited to a Fall Festival in Strawberry Plains so that beekeeper Nate could sell his honey; they brought some of their other products along as well. “We did really well and got our first retailer, New Creations Salon and Spa,” says Alli.  

Meanwhile, Nate got another job, and Alli carried on making the Honey Dew products. “He’d help me when he got home. It was one of those things like, ‘OK, do I quit and we go after this, or do we stop this because we can’t do both?” They went after it. Within six months Nate had quit his job.

Their two bestsellers are the original products – deodorant and “Mud Mouth” toothpaste and tooth powder, made from a base of calcium-bentonite clay. “It’s is 100% safe,” says Alli. “Our children can swallow it. Babies that are getting their first teeth can use it; it’s actually very beneficial.” Other popular products are Body Guard® Herbal Bug Spray and a range of lip balms.

Every Honey Dew Naturals product is tested thoroughly and used by the Huff family. “It needs to be tried and true in our home,” says Alli.

From helping with the business to tending the pets to weeding the vegetable garden, the Huff children take an active part in the running of their household. All are rosy-cheeked, healthy and happy. “That’s why we do what we do, because of these guys,” says Alli. “They’re the best motivation.”

You can check out all of Honey Dew Naturals products at honeydewnaturals.com.

HALLS

Jamey Romig takes on dream job as principal at Halls Elementary

Ali James, Shopper News correspondent 

“I think that being part of the community and the school gave me an advantage,” said Jamey Romig, of her appointment as principal of Halls Elementary School. “Knowing the staff and the students and having relationships built, to me that is the key.”

Romig has been with Knox County Schools since 1998 in the roles of teacher, instructional coach and assistant principal. A fixture at Halls Elementary since 2013, Romig has worked alongside former principals Mitchell Cox and Dr. Chris Henderson. When Cox was appointed principal at Cedar Bluff Elementary, Romig had the opportunity to take the lead at Halls.

This fall she will be joined by new assistant principal Nathan Lynn. “I can tell that it’s been her dream job,” said Lynn. 

Lynn also has a deep connection to the school. “I went to elementary school here, I grew up in the Halls community. Being back here feels like coming home,” he said. “It’s a place that has my heart. I think it will be a good fit because of the heart and passion we have for the people.”

Lynn worked in elementary education for six years at Brickey McCloud, Rocky Hill and Corryton schools. Before taking on the role of Bearden High School athletic director, he participated in the principal leadership academy and was most recently assistant principal at Bearden Elementary School.

“In the short time we have spent together, we have quickly learned that we complement each other and have similar philosophies,” said Romig.

For Lynn, it is about having “another set of eyes out there. We know the direction we want to go and can feel the pulse of the community to support the teachers, students and their families,” he said.

Nathan, a father to four girls, including twins, lives in Fountain City. Romig said although she lives out in Oak Ridge, she sees the commute time as an opportunity to reflect and learn from the day and to think about how she can constantly improve.

Romig said there was a lot of positive momentum during Mitchell Cox’s two years as principal. “We want to continue the heavy emphasis on early literacy and embrace the state goal of 75% of students in third grade reading on grade level by 2025,” she said.

Both Romig and Lynn were tight-lipped about an exciting new school theme they will announce to their staff soon. “It is about the journey of learning. We hope that it will excite students and teachers alike,” said Lynn. “We will utilize our technology and resources to allow students to take more ownership of their learning,” added Romig.

In addition to the installation of a new digital school sign in front of the school, parents and members of the Halls High School art club have been giving the doors to the bathroom stalls an update. Every door has been painted black and hand-painted motivational pictures and words added. “This may seem like a small thing, but we want to instill pride and ownership throughout the building,” said Romig.

There will be some more new faces at the school when students return next month. “We had three teachers go on maternity leave,” said Romig. “I was excited to receive the email telling me that we qualify for an additional special education teacher.” Romig and Lynn are currently interviewing to fill that position.

Romig said they will continue their Positive Behavior Interventions and support. “We will be revamping how we reward students,” she said. “We will be doing some team training and will be looking at ways to strengthen the program.”

“Halls Elementary has changed and grown so much – half a building has been added,” said Lynn. “But from what I’ve experienced, the people, the vision and expectations haven’t changed.”

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FARRAGUT

Summer cooking camps inspire young chefs

Margie Hagen, Shopper News correspondent 

Do you ever wish your kids would cook for you? There’s a class for that at the Cutting Edge Classroom, 817 North Herron Road in Farragut. Designed for ages 8-14, kids summer camps offer hands-on sessions teaching everything from cooking basics to breakfast, baking, desserts, international cuisine, and even a culinary boot camp.

Owner and Chef John Alunni has a long history in the kitchen. “I grew up Italian and started learning about food around age 2,” he said. “Pots and pans were my toys.” He went on to work in restaurants over the years and earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management and a master’s in educational psychology.

His easygoing style is a hit with kids, but they follow the rules. “Wash your hands” and “Clean as you go” are firm directives. Sanitation and food safety are some of the first lessons taught, but putting the students at ease helps demystify the process.

Alunni makes the classes fun, filled with laughter and high-fives. The kids learn to make different dishes with real food. No microwave here, and the best part may be eating the food prepared. “Kids gain confidence and practical skills while working in teams,” he said.

Other popular classes like cake and cookie decorating are tailored to younger kids and parents together. And don’t miss “Cupcake Wars,” a low-key competition that’s just for fun and eating cupcakes.

It’s not just for the kids; since opening the Cutting Edge in 2016, Alunni has established an outstanding reputation for his school. Adult classes feature cuisines from Italy, India, Morocco, Greece, Mexico and more. “Date nights” let couples enjoy a night together while picking up cooking tips to use at home.

Private, group and team building classes are geared to specific interests. Birthday parties and holiday events can be arranged, and Scout groups have earned merit badges for cooking at the school.

“This is not a franchise,” says Janna Alunni, “it’s our family business and we love what we do.” The couple runs the business together and have been supporters at Light the Park, Farragut Food and Wine Festival and other community events.

There is still time to sign up for July kids camps. An easy to navigate website, thecuttingedgeclassroom.com, has all the information, schedules and pricing, or call 865-335-9370.

HALLS/FOUNTAIN CITY 

Central’s STEAM camp space-travels in second year

Ali James, Shopper News correspondent 

This year, Fountain City STEAM Camp launched into space.

“Based on feedback, we knew we wanted a theme this year and link it to the standards for late elementary kids," said Debbie Sayers, camp organizer and former Central High assistant principal, now incoming principal at Bearden High.

"Teachers Tracy Pace and Leslie Sayers talked and decided that 'Space' was the way to go and that there are a lot of engaging activities to do with space.”

The STEAM camp, open to fourth- and seventh-graders, was a community effort between elementary and middle schools in Central High’s feeder pattern. It is the first of its kind in North Knoxville, according to Debbie Sayers.

The weeklong program is a fun look at Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math – and in some ways serves as an introduction to high school classes.

“It’s getting them excited about learning and academics,” added Sayers. “We do so much for athletic development, why wouldn’t we do the same for their academic wonder? We want to get them excited about learning; we are using STEAM as a platform for doing that.”

At a meeting in May, organizers evaluated their long list of ideas. “We decided what the kids would like more and chose the more STEAM-related activities,” said Leslie Sayers, a volunteer teacher from Belle Morris.

The camp is not affiliated with Knox County Schools; the teachers and student volunteers take time out of their summer to make it happen.

Students tried their hand at dissecting a squid and a perch fish, which did not exactly fit with the space theme, but had all of the campers buzzing afterward.

“I always want to incorporate dissection while they’re at this impressionable age, and we want them to learn not to be scared or afraid of dissection when they get to high school,” said Debbie Sayers.

Fine arts teacher Matt Parks and ELA teacher Sarah Toll brought the arts component to STEAM.

“They were in the middle of their musical when we talked about the theme and using Gustav Holst’s 'The Planets' for our skit, and they just ran with it,” said Leslie Sayers.

Even the snack making had unique opportunities to learn. Students crafted galaxy bark (melted down chocolate with sprinkles swirled into it), built the constellation using gum drops, marshmallows and pretzel sticks, replicated the phases of the moon using Oreos, built a rocket out of s’mores ingredients and filled rocket ships with galaxy-themed treats.

Each camp day started and ended with a chemical demonstration. “We always do something with fire, highly visual stuff that they get really excited about,” said Debbie Sayers. This week included a campfire show with constellations, a “Whoosh” bottle, methane bubbles and fire on a desk – where Sayers used chemicals to color the flames and turned the classroom lights out for an attention-getting experiment.

“Often kids will come to the camp on the first day thinking that it might be boring, but they definitely don’t feel that way by the end of the week,” said Leslie Sayers.

Throughout the week, campers were grouped by grade level and worked on a skit and a multi-day project, The Mars Mission.

“I took them through the engineering process, then they started researching Mars and came up with the things that would be necessary and nice to have in their colony on the planet,” said Leslie Sayers. “They had to draw a blueprint to plan to include clean air, solar panels, and safety (from the Martians). On a poster board they created a model using recyclables to represent each of the parts of their colony. At the showcase we thought it would be nice for other campers and their families to hear the thought process.”

SOUTH 

Games, vendors at Suttree park to benefit 1,100 area girls

Hanna Lustig, Shopper News correspondent 

You’re never too old for a field day. Just ask Rhoni Basden from Girls Inc. of the Tennessee Valley. 

On July 27, the organization will hold its third annual Adult Field Day at Suttree Landing Park, complete with games, beer from Hexagon Brewing Co., food from local trucks and vendors, and a DJ. Proceeds from the event will go to support the after-school programs and summer camps Girls Inc. runs in Knox County, which serve more than 400 girls each year. 

“We want to aim to make all of our programs free to the girls that are enrolled, if not at a low cost,” Basden explained. “We know that our mission can fit any girl from any economic background, but we want to target those girls that need us the most, first.”

Teams of four to six will compete in individual and team events including a relay race, an obstacle course, noodle javelin, tug of war, and giant beer pong. Prizes will be given to the best dressed team, the team that raises the most money for the organization through Facebook donations, and the teams that place highest overall in the games. Registration is $30 per person and includes a silicone print glass as well as one beer ticket. 

Girls Inc. started in 1976 as an after-school sports program, but has grown to include weekly programming throughout the year and summer camps that focus on topics like media design, archaeology, and cooking. 

“At the time in Oak Ridge, where we started, girls were still playing half-court basketball and in skirts,” Basden said. “So a group of women came together and said we could do a little better." 

Although this event will specifically raise money for Girls Inc. Knox County, the organization also serves Anderson and Blount counties for a grand total of 22 schools and 1,100 girls this year alone. 

“We see these girls weekly throughout the school year and then we also run intentional summer camps,” Basden continued.

“Girls Inc. doesn’t believe in a single sex school, or believe that girls need their own school setting. We just believe that they need a girls-only space where they can talk about girl-specific challenges and overcome these challenges, not only with a trained mentor, but with each other. And learn how to empower each other and talk about what’s going on.”

To register online for this year’s Adult Field Day, visit www.girlsinctnv.org.

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POWELL

Powell often a perfect location for Jupiter Entertainment filming

Al Lesar, Shopper News correspondent 

Panic has become a regular part of Christian Rue’s life.

But somehow, the 39-year-old native of Knoxville has a way of making things work.

Rue is a location manager for Knoxville-based Jupiter Entertainment. Jupiter produces television shows like “Homicide Hunter: Lt. Joe Kenda,” “Fatal Attraction,” “Snapped,” “Snapped: Killer Couples,” and “Welcome to Myrtle Manor.”

“Snapped” is Rue’s focus, when it comes to finding just the right home or business in Knox County that will simulate the actual crime scene, wherever in the world it might have happened.

“After our meeting on a project, I will normally have about 20 hours to get everything the director and producer need,” Rue said. “It’s a crunch-time deadline. There’s always panic. But, somehow, it always works out.”

Powell is booming

One reason things fall into place many times is that Rue turns to Powell as somewhere she can count on to provide a suitable backdrop for filming.

“There’s so much diversity in the buildings around Powell,” Rue said. “Powell has grown so much. Powell is booming. You’ve got older homes. You’ve got subdivisions and other neighborhoods.”

Add in open spaces and farms, and the variety of options is significant.

Rue said she didn’t exactly blindly stumble on the Powell community. Her ex-husband Doug Mason grew up there and her former father-in-law, the late Goldie Mason, had been a contractor years ago who built many of those houses.

“Their family was pretty entrenched in Powell,” Rue said. “Other location managers don’t have ties to a specific area. But I know what Powell can offer.”

Charm plays a part    

Once she finds the right match for a project, that’s only half the battle. That’s when Rue has to turn on her charm and coax the owner into letting a production company set up and take over the house (or business) for a couple days.

Jupiter Entertainment pays a fair, negotiated (and undisclosed) fee for the use of the house, which normally consists of two 10-hour days. The production company is completely insured, so any damage to the house is covered.

“Many people in Powell are enthusiastic about allowing us in because we’ve done filming so often in the area,” Rue said. “Normally, we’re about 50-50 when we knock on a door and ask for permission to film.”

Rue will use social media, like the “I Love Powell” Facebook page, to advertise the locations she’s seeking. However, she won’t divulge a filming schedule to the general public.

Rue said it was important that she give the neighborhood a heads-up, so as not to cause alarm with the commotion.

“I’m on-set during the filming,” she said. “That way I can field any questions that people from the neighborhood might have.”

There are never any overnight shoots, so families usually aren’t totally displaced unless they choose to be.

Creativity is a key   

Creativity is a big part of being a location manager. The producer and director want a desert: Find a barren construction site with nothing in the background.

Whatever the challenge, the topography of East Tennessee can usually handle it – except maybe for palm trees. But Rue hasn’t been given that order yet.

“We don’t work a 9-to-5 job,” Rue said. “There’s a lot that goes into finding the right place, getting permission from everyone and making it work.

“We’re pretty thorough when it comes to the right sort of house, room for lights and parking. Everyone on our team has the same goal. We’re all looking for the best matches.”

And Powell just happens to have a lot of them.

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NORTH/EAST

Pollinator garden supports bees and beneficial critters

Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News correspondent 

In all the excitement of a beautiful – if very rainy – month of June, you may not have noticed that the third week of that month is designated as National Pollinator Week. But the folks at Knoxville Botanical Gardens & Arboretum sure did.

They’ve been busy with three big pollinator projects: a meadow, a garden and a grove of trees – all planted and maintained expressly for the purpose of attracting some of humanity’s best friends: the birds, bees and other insects who do the hard work of moving pollen from the male part of a plant to the female part so that, in short, we have food.

“They’re not cute enough to make the cover of any magazines,” says Stephen Dodd, gardener with the KBGA. “The plants are beautiful but the bugs don’t draw enough attention.”

Dodd says he spent much of his Georgia childhood playing outside, surrounded by butterflies, grasshoppers and moths; now when he goes back to visit, he can’t find any. “Our pollinator garden, our pollinator meadow – they’re allowing those insects a place to come back to, which eventually will have a lasting effect on our whole ecological system.”

The beauty of the pollinator garden is breathtaking. Giant black-eyed Susans tower over false indigo, wild bergamot, milkweed and bee balm. At least six varieties of coneflower – that reliable favorite of East Tennesseans – wave in the breeze. The pollinator garden has over 40 types of plants that bugs love. “This bush actually hums,” says Amanda Spangler of the large mounds of St. John’s Wort. Spangler is the KBGA’s director of horticulture.

Dan Steinhoff, a retired mining engineer who is now vice president of the KBGA’s board, agrees. He achieved Master Gardener status in 2010 and is a regular KBGA volunteer.

Many of the pollinator garden plants, he says, are native to our area. Why is it important to make use of native plants? “We haven’t irrigated here. We’re not doing any watering. So the plants that you see here have survived the last three years by being just tough as nails.”

Spangler urges gardeners who want to plant a pollinator garden to visit the KBGA and other local botanical gardens and nurseries. Qualified experts can advise home gardeners about the complex systems involved in nurturing beneficial insects, and help them make better choices in plant selection and care.

The Knoxville Botanical Gardens & Arboretum is at 2743 Wimpole Ave. Info: knoxgarden.org or 862-8717.

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FARRAGUT

MusicFest to strike the right chord

Margie Hagen, Shopper News correspondent 

If you liked the Red White & Blues Festival at the West End Center over the past couple of years, you’ll love MusicFest. Rebranded and expanded this year, it’s two days packed with bands, food, drinks and shopping. Beginning Friday, July 12 and continuing on Saturday, the 13th, West End businesses will move outdoors for the festival, and it’s free to attend.

The big tent will be set up for eating, drinking and enjoying music. Billed as “A Friday in the Country”, the first night features four bands playing from 6-10 p.m. Roscoe and Bethany Morgan start the show; Southbound, the Will Shepard Band and newcomer Danielle Johnson will perform.

“The Saturday Blues” starts at 3 p.m. with Barry Faust and Ben Kreider. Next, Filibilly Rey Pineda will perform with Natalie Rogers; the Mighty Blue, Mystic Rhythm and Jonny Monster bands will keep the blues flowing until 9:30 p.m. when the jam finale will have musicians improvising solo and as a group.

“Farragut has become a recognized place for concerts, and bands love playing here,” said FBA’s Steve Krempasky, the guy with all the connections. With a reputation built over decades in the entertainment field, he uses his network to put talent together with audiences.

Popping up on his radar was 19-year-old Danielle Johnson; a North Carolina native, she now makes Nashville her home. Her debut single and video, “Let It Be You”, got enthusiastic reviews and she’s been touring with her band in between working on her next record. Acting and singing since age 8, Johnson said, “I can’t wait to come to Farragut. It’s going to be a blast!” Catch her show on Friday, July 12 at 9 p.m.       

Restaurants Buddy’s Bar-B-Q, Clean Eatz, Don Delphi’s and Fruition Café will be selling food to eat on the go or in the tent. Smoothies, lemonade, soft drinks and water will be available along with adult beverages. 

Bring proper ID for those adult beverages. Echelon Bicycles serves unique craft beers, and Water into Wine and Mind Yer P’s & Q’s are setting up beer, wine and beverage stations.

There is a lot going on at the West End Center; extensive renovations have brought new businesses in. Retailers McEntire & Mayes Interiors and Lace & Glam Bridal Boutique will offer special promotions and you’ll find deals at the Goodwill store. Hair care businesses Salon 1551 and Off The Topp Barber Shop can set you up with a new look.

Learn about getting active at Heidi’s Gym or the Dance Center West, and check out East Tennessee Spine and Sport for injury therapy. Aurora Pools Spas and Billiard carries indoor game equipment along with outdoor accessories. Service firms Farmers Insurance, Edward Jones Investments and Pinnacle Home Improvements and Tennessee Spine and Sport will be on hand for advice.

Thanks to major sponsor SouthEast Bank and partners Town of Farragut, Visit Farragut, Farragut/West Knox Chamber and Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association among others for underwriting costs for this free event. 

OPINION

It’s hard to keep up with a changing world

Leslie Snow, Shopper News columnist

I remember something my grandmother said to me before she passed away. I had been trying to show her how to use a microphone that connected to her hearing aid, but she was struggling. Her fingers were too big, the buttons were too small, and she didn’t think it was worth the trouble.

“I’m 100 years old,” she said with a smile, “I’m not supposed to hear. Besides, I’m too old to learn anything new.”

I think about her words when my mother calls to ask me questions about her phone. She can’t remember how to use the navigation or how to turn the volume up so she can hear the nice lady tell her when to turn right or when to make a U-turn. She calls to ask me about a recipe or a book she wants to read and always seems surprised when I remind her, she can Google almost anything and find an answer.

“I always forget to Google,” she tells me again and again. And we both laugh about it.

A few years ago, she called to ask if I could check the internet to see if there were any book sales in Knoxville. She and my dad still had their book business back then, and they were always looking for a sale when they came for a visit.

I told her I’d be happy to look up book sales for her, but I wondered why she didn’t Google them herself. She seemed flustered by the question and hemmed and hawed before responding.

Finally, she exclaimed, “Well you’re the one who lives in Knoxville. I figured your computer would know more about it than mine since you live closer.”

We laughed about that for a long time, but lately I’ve been thinking about her and my grandmother with renewed sympathy. And I’ve been wondering about those moments when technology seems to be moving faster than my ability to grasp it.

I’ve never embraced social media, although I’ve been hearing for years that I should. Once in a while, I "like" something on Facebook, but that’s all the activity I can muster on any platform. I don’t know why I object to tweeting or Instagramming or Facebooking, but I hear the echo of my grandmother’s words in my protests, “I’ve gone this long without tweeting, why should I start now.”

This past weekend my husband and I went to Asheville to visit some close friends. They took us to a small venue to hear two singer-songwriters who were in town. I was so impressed with one of the young women that, after the show, I stopped to talk with her and buy one of her CDs.

When we got back to the car to head home, we all burst out laughing. None of us has a CD player anymore, not in our house and not in our cars. That technology has come and gone, and somehow, we missed it. Lucky for me, my new CD makes a nice coaster.

I understand my grandmother now and her frustration over learning to use that newfangled microphone. I know why my mom can’t remember to Google. And it seems as if each new advancement in technology is just one more thing I don’t know how to do.

I’m too young to give up on technology – I want to keep learning new things so I can communicate with my children and interact with the world. But for now, I’d settle on figuring out how to pair my cellphone to my car.

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

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