News

Junior Service League sustaining member Kathy Howard opened her home for the organization’s New Member Tea to welcome and train 18 new members for the service organization. Whitney Cox is president of JSL, a group of approximately 50 active and more than 200 sustaining members. The group is best known for their major service project, Toys for Blount County, which annually provides Christmas gifts to more than 1,400 Blount County children, ages birth to 14.

Jerry St. Clair, owner of Midland Restaurant, went to school to become a doctor and graduated with a pre-med degree but didn’t get into medical school right away. Since he worked in the restaurant business while in school, he stuck with it while waiting to get into medical school. “I liked the restaurant business, and it got into my blood. I went to work for the guy who owned this place for 10 1/2 years. Then he sold it to my wife and me, and we paid it off in nine years.”

A standing-room only crowd greeted the five elected county officials who came to Blount County Court House Tuesday morning to take the oath of office. General Sessions Judge David Duggan was elevated to the Division II Circuit judgeship and Brad K. Long was sworn in as a new school board member representing District VI. Property assessor Mike Morton and Blount County School Board Districts II and IV members Chris Cantrell and John P. Davis Jr. started new terms.

Motorcycle enthusiasts from throughout the area converged on the Harley-Davidson Shed recently to help fill the cupboards of a local food pantry. Big Daddy’s Sports Bar and Teeters Bar and Grill each made large donations of food and funds for the Manna from Heaven food pantry during the event on Aug. 23. The Dixie Iron Riders riding group also led motorcyclists on a ride and members of the group helped Manna from Heaven president Stephanie Stieler throughout the day as she spearheaded the event.

Vendors showcasing their products, a silent auction featuring the works of local well-known artist Ra Ra Schlitt and games for the children are just some of the things visitors to the All About Women Expo can expect.
The second All About Women Expo is a fundraiser for the Blount County Habitat for Humanity 2009 Women Build Project. With more than 30 vendors, women should have a lot to see and do.

The 2008 United Way campaign kicked off with a breakfast rally at the Airport Hilton. As soon as the music and cheering stopped, a large group of business volunteers donned their Live United T-shirts instead of their business jackets. Area businesses and community helpers volunteered for the annual United Way Day of Caring.
Many of the business leaders took the day off to do volunteer work at area non-profit agencies as part of the annual Day of Caring.

There was singing, there was dancing and Denny and Cindy Mayes hope there is plenty of giving. The Alcoa couple and longtime United Way volunteers and supporters, are co-chairs for United Way Campaign, the annual fund drive for UW. A parody of the movie “Grease” helps start the campaign with laughter. Denny and Cindy Mayes were introduced Thursday, Aug. 28, during the United Way of Blount County’s annual kickoff breakfast at the Airport Hilton. The couple announced the annual goal for the campaign is $2.25 million.

Although The Merchant of Venice was rained out in July, actors from the Tennessee Stage Company will be returning on September 18 to perform the conclusion of the story. First, they’ll present a synopsis of the play, followed by the concluding acts. This performance will be indoors, so come to the library to enjoy a Shakespearean production.
Many Maryville-Alcoa residents recall the integration of the schools; for younger residents, the fact of separate schools seems unimaginable and remote.

A new gallery will have its grand opening on Saturday, Sept. 6, and will celebrate with art lovers and animal lovers alike.
The Pistol Creek Gallery, located at 117 E. Broadway, will hold a Grand Opening and benefit from 5 to 10 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6. Gallery director is Heather Whiteside.

A healthy curiosity and a truck with no cup holders has led a Louisville man to build what may be the proverbial “better mousetrap.” Phil Abbott has invented a lid-less cup that he says doesn’t leak or spill, and has no plastic top to pop off just when it’s the most inconvenient. Abbott, 57, came up with a paper cup design he calls “East Tennessee origami.”

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month and Haven House starts the month by celebrating women in the arts during a benefit concert and art display at Fairview United Methodist Church. “Rachel Rising: A Celebration of Women in the Arts” is an open event featuring paintings, photography, sculptures, stained glass and metalwork by women artists from throughout the region. The event culminates with the world premiere of a concert work by author/soprano Rebekkah Hilgraves and composer Rob Deemer entitled “Rachel Rising.”

The Blount County Association of Realtors, in conjunction with The Dixie Iron Riders, will host a benefit Motorcycle Show and Ride on Sunday, Sept. 28. One hundred percent of registration revenue will go to The Oncology Department of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital.

Can’t make it to Auburn for the University of Tennessee football game on Sept. 27? Not a problem. See the game in the most exciting venue on the University of Tennessee campus. The Hearing and Speech Foundation will host Knoxville’s second annual Away-game Tailgate Party at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 27 during the UT vs. Auburn game.

Maryville Orthopaedic Clinic will be conducting mass Pre-Participation Sports Physicals for Winter/Spring Sport High School Athletes for all 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th graders at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 23, at Maryville College. Please refer to our website at www.mocortho.com for further details regarding scheduled time and location for your school.

Blount County Solid Waste Authority and Keep Blount Beautiful are proud to announce the Household Hazardous Waste Collection being held on Saturday, Sept. 13 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at William Blount High School. The purpose of this event is for citizens to dispose of hazardous waste properly to protect our water, land, and air in Blount County from hazardous waste pollution.

Mayberry Day at the Tennessee Valley Fair will be Saturday, Sept. 13, at the Chilhowee Park fairgrounds in Knoxville.
Sponsored by Blount Today, Clayton Bank and Trust, WVLT-TV Channel 8 and Jack FM, Mayberry Day will feature Sammy Sawyer as Barney Fife and a host of Mayberry events and characters. Events include the Whistling Contest, Opie Look-a-like contest, Barney Impersonator, Mayberry Trivia and Jesse James Pie Eating Contest.

“A Young Person’s Guide to the Fall Election” is the title of Maryville College’s Fall Community Conversations Series, which will bring several guests to campus for four separate events. One seasoned political journalist, one documentary, three young alumni with experience in the political process and a satiric duo all will offer insights on the election.

Pistol Creek Gallery will hold a Grand Opening and benefit on Saturday, Sept. 6, at the new gallery at 117 E. Broadway, Maryville. Gallery director is Heather Whiteside. For the grand opening, Whiteside is donating 20 percent of all sales during the show to the Blount County Humane Society.

It began with an inaugural event in early spring of 2006 and drew so many participants that four more followed, with an even greater turnout. Dancing Bear Lodge will host the sixth Bicycle Bash Friday - Sunday, Sept. 5 - 7. The event is expected to once again attract a wide range of riders, from beginners and families to avid racers. There will be scheduled road and mountain bike ride, games, prizes, and demonstrations of equipment and accessories.

Maryville City Schools Foundation is inviting the public to a tailgate party for a good cause.
The foundation will host a tailgate party before the Maryville vs. Clinton game from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, at the corner of South Cedar Street and Lawrence Avenue. Barbecue and hot dog plates will be $5.