Shopper Blog: Ron Oestreich tuned in to 'what people want' in parks and recreation

FARRAGUT

Ron Oestreich tuned in to 'what people want' in parks and recreation

Nancy Anderson, Shopper News

Ron Oestreich (pronounced “O-Strike”) took the lead as director of Parks and Recreation for the Town of Farragut in February. He’s originally from Illinois but says he’s finally home and can now be close to his oldest son and other extended family. His wife and youngest daughter will be moving to Knoxville in May when the teenager graduates high school.

He said he spent time in Knoxville enjoying extended family and the mountains. When the opportunity came to work in Farragut, Oestreich knew it was time to make a move.

“Farragut is a wonderful town and I’m excited to be part of it. There’s a lot of strategic thinking going on in Farragut. Strategic planning not just on the town level but a comprehensive strategic plan for Parks and Rec as well. I’m just here to work hard, learn, and to move my team in a strategic direction,” said Oestreich.

As director, Oestreich will oversee the Parks and Rec staff, programming in the parks, and oversee inspections and risk management in the six Farragut parks.

Oestreich is familiar with the wheel turns of parks and recreation. His father and business partners owned a park called Santa’s Village in Illinois when Oestreich was merely 8. His father gave him a dollar an hour to sweep the midways weekends.

“I got to ride all the rides whenever I wanted,” Oestreich said. He worked at Santa’s Village until college, then worked there summers full time.

“I thoroughly enjoyed the experience, so when I went to college at Eastern Illinois University it was natural to choose Recreation Administration.”

Oestreich said the future can be anything; it’s very bright.

“The Parks and Rec Department, the team I have in place, they’re fun and they are hard workers. Where we can go as a team is really just doing as much as we can for the community. Parks and Rec as a profession is all about the people. We need to find out what the people want and how to deliver it to them … ways and means.

“Athletics and Parks and Rec did a great job of figuring out a master plan through community input, but that was during the pandemic. We need to probably do a pulse check to see how we’re doing. We’ll be doing a little bit of that to see what people want.”

Oestreich is a lifelong Vols fan. “When I was a kid down for a visit, we would go across the bridge from Seymour. I’d see that stadium and I would ask if we could start going to the games. When I got old enough, I started driving here eight hours to see the games. I’ve been down the past two years to see games.

“I love the Tennessee football scene. I love the mountains, so I go hiking, and I also really enjoy NASCAR racing.”

Looks like Oestreich is going to fit right in with his friendly yet “get it done” demeanor. He knows how to have fun, and he knows how to bring the fun to Farragut.

Info: Farragutparksandrec.org.

WORDS OF FAITH

How might we clear the stones in our hearts?

John Tirro, Shopper News

On the way to visit family in Kodak, driving along two-lane roads, I saw a farmhouse surrounded by an extraordinarily rocky yard, huge stones pressed from the ground, crowded close.

The field nearby looked clear of stone and fertile, and I imagine it has grown crops and provided grazing for decades. Someone must have worked hard to clear stones and to build soil to be deep, loose, and fertile.

I don’t know if they used the farmyard as a place to dump stones, or if they simply built the house where stones were too big to move, but I admire the effort that made a fertile field where once was a field of stone.

Part of why I was driving to Kodak is that my wife and I for the past few years have been part of the “sandwich generation,” caring for aging parents while still caring for growing children. At this point our kids are grown, and we’ve established good habits to care for our parents in state and out, but for a stretch our hearts and minds were packed tight with things to do and people to manage.

A lot of people have felt crowded by life lately, teachers caring for children in increasingly trying times, doctors, nurses, restaurant staff, therapists, cashiers, so many people working hard to care for a world that keeps pressing in.

In Matthew 13, the crowd presses in on Jesus, to the point that he sits in a boat to teach the crowds on land. What he teaches is about crowding. A sower sows seeds, some on land so packed it was a path, some on ground so full of rocks there was scarcely any soil, some on ground choked with thorns, and some on deep, fertile soil. Only the last of these received seed, gave it a place to take root, held and provided water, and brought forth grain. He concludes, “Let anyone with ears listen!”

It’s like a Zen koan, a teaching that makes its point by not fully making its point. It forces the listening mind to stretch, maybe even dislodge an old thought, like clearing stones from a field. Jesus teaches by parable precisely to reach people with minds too packed with other ideas to receive the teaching (vv. 13-15). A parable is a kind of story where you talk about one kind of thing, like packed soil, to talk about another kind of thing, like dense minds.

“The word of the kingdom” (v. 19), the teaching of what would it be like to live under the rule of God who is love, the core message of the gospel, first and foremost, is that God is love, and we’re here to love one other − all the more when pressed.

If your spirit is the soil in this parable, what stones or thorns − overwork, perfectionism, resentment, fearful clinging to an old idea or pattern − might need to be cleared, for your life to be a fuller image of God’s love?

John Tirro is pastor of worship at St. John’s Lutheran Church. Info: sjlcknox.org.

POWELL

At Painting With a Twist, every effort gets an 'A'

Al Lesar, Shopper News

Seven years later, Lee Jenkins-Freels’ 50^th birthday present is the gift that keeps on giving.

At the time, when her husband, Jim, bought a Painting With a Twist franchise with the purpose of opening it in Powell, it was designed to give Lee – an art teacher at Powell High School – an opportunity to scale down her daily activity and focus on the business.

Instead, she chose to keep her high school job and still oversee the 16 sessions (each lasting 1½-2 hours) that are conducted each week at 2415 Callahan Road.

“I’ve always liked art,” Jenkins-Freels said. “With this business, we try to treat our customers with the Disney experience. There is no right or wrong with the art that’s produced. If you’re having trouble drawing stick figures, there’s still art in stick figures.

“Our customers’ vision is all that matters. If they don’t want to have a yellow sunflower, that’s fine. They could have a yellow background and black sunflower. It’s still art.”

Great for fundraisers

Those classes could hold up to 55 people – 33 in the front of the studio and 22 in back. Of course, there have been times that just one person has signed up and the class went on as scheduled.

“Who knows why that one person may have signed up?” Jenkins-Freels said. “Maybe they have had a bad day. Maybe a breakup. Maybe they’re lonely. It doesn’t matter. We want to give them the best experience ever. We don’t know how many people we might have helped along the way.”

Parties and fundraisers are popular activities at Painting With a Twist. The business has partnered with 4-H for a couple of fundraisers a year, while other nonprofits like Slumdog Rescue Crew and Faith N Friends horse rescue are regulars throughout the year.

Initial costs are $37 per adult painter and $27 for a child. Beyond that, there is a charge for the variety of surfaces on which the painting could be done.

“A lot of people in Powell wait for the last minute to sign up for a date,” Jenkins-Freels said. “We always try to accommodate folks.”

Second career

Art has been a second career for Jenkins-Freels. After graduating from the University of the Cumberlands, the Claxton native was part of a team that would open J.C. Penney stores across the country.

After 20 years in that corporate environment, she got a master’s of education degree and started teaching art at Powell High School.

“I came a little late to the art game,” said Jenkins-Freels. “I’ve loved it as a second career of mine. An artist is always growing. It helps me communicate.”

Jenkins-Freels said she is always hiring at Painting With a Twist. Finding enough qualified artists to staff all the classes can be a challenge. On the other hand, PWAT provides an opportunity for artists to make some extra money, whether they’re employed or students.

“We hire people who love people,” said Jenkins-Freels. “They will guide our customers through the whole process without restricting them. They allow the creative process to work.”

For more information, go to: www.pwat.com/powell, and go to the events section to sign up and pay.

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HALLS

Party host turns pro with event planning, balloon décor business

Ali James, Shopper News

Kara Cardwell had so much fun planning and styling celebrations for friends, family and her sorority that she admits she did not even consider it as a potential career path.

Instead, the Central High School alum and cheer coach earned a college major in child and family studies. Although she loves kids, she did not want it to be her career focus. “I have a job in Community Relations at UT,” she said. “In 2020 I was promoted to director of communications for the College of Nursing.”

Cardwell has more than five years’ experience working on small alumni events, fundraisers, galas, and large corporate events.

After planning her best friend’s bachelorette trip, another friend insisted Cardwell needed to become a professional event planner. So she officially launched Cardwell Creative Co. in 2021.

Within two weeks, Cardwell had seven bookings. “The first thing I did was an engagement party,” she said. “It had an ice cream social feel with custom balloons, cups and spoons and all kinds of ice cream themed party favors. It was so much fun to plan.”

Cardwell Creative Co. offers a options from children’s birthday parties to corporate retreats to full-service wedding planning. After an initial consultation, Cardwell takes her client’s ideas, puts them together visually and brings that vision to life. “I will communicate with all of the vendors and facilitate all of their needs on the back end.” She has a vast network of connections in the event industry.

“I like to build trust and make sure they trust me to do whatever needs to be done creatively,” she said of her clients.

“I have seen great success in that.”

The balloon installations are becoming an increasingly popular service for Cardwell. Custom balloon décor includes balloon garlands, backdrops and grab-and-go garlands. “I have four booked in April and in May,” Cardwell said. “I really have found a love for the balloon side of this; I am completely self-taught and enjoy the creativity. The client will send me a color palette and from that I get to choose what looks best.”'

Last August, she took a little break to welcome her first child, Addie Rose. “It has been a side business, but now that we have relaunched, we are hitting the ground running," said Cardwell, who recruited her husband, Ryan, to help her run Cardwell Creative Co. “We have two to three events a month, including balloon installations to full-service event coordination and three weddings.”

Last week, Central High School’s former longtime cheer coach Jackie Raley entrusted Cardwell with her campaign kickoff event. “It is a little nerve-wracking and intimidating; it is a huge event,” Cardwell said. “But I am always pleased to see people’s faces light up when they walk into a room and it looks magical.”

Birthday parties are a big part of the Cardwell Creative Co. schedule. “In addition to the engagement parties and weddings, we have had several inquiries about big kids' birthday parties,” Cardwell said. “People want to have a themed party with a fun environment for their kids and knickknacks to match.”

Birthday party trends have changed, according to Cardwell. “I’m seeing nice white bounce houses, more balloons, and DJs are definitely a big to-do,” she said.

Launching an event business as the COVID pandemic started to ease could have been challenging. “People were ready to start coming back together in some capacity, so having those extra elements and the custom decorations helped add to the magic of an event,” Cardwell said.

FARRAGUT

Sowing the seeds of love at Beaver Ridge UMC

Nancy Anderson, Shopper News

Pastor Teresa Atkins McClure welcomed a small but spirit-filled crowd to the annual Spring Fling at Beaver Ridge United Methodist Church March 26.

The Praise Band, featuring Angie Household, Ashley Sharp and Gage Sharp, got toes tapping and giggles from the kids singing along to “Old McDonald Had a Farm” and “This Little Light of Mine.”

The belle of the ball was little Angel Anderson. Her mother, Heather Anderson, said Angel had open heart surgery at 9 months and is doing very well. Angel received a diagnosis of Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21) at birth but is thriving and hitting milestones in her own time.

The theme of the afternoon was “Sowing Seeds.” Church members and kids dressed in country attire and seemed to particularly enjoy the hayrides by community leader Vernon Gordon, who brought his pristine 1953 John Deere tractor pulling a trailer of hay bales.

“This is a wonderful church that believes in giving back to the community. I am more than happy to bring out my John Deere and give hayrides,” Gordon said. “There haven’t been very many, but those that have climbed aboard are having a good time.”

Children’s Director Travis Burnett gave a message about receiving the seed of God’s love.

McClure said, “Travis gave a great message about receiving God’s love and letting it grow in our own hearts and lives so we can love God and love others.”

Attendees brought vegetable seeds to donate to Morgan Scott Project’s Good Earth Garden. A basket was half-full at the start of the event.

Cutest of all was an “Adopt a Prayer Partner” event for preschoolers who adopted a small stuffed animal as a prayer partner.

“It’s an opportunity for the littles to learn how to pray,” McClure said. “We found these little stuffed animals that came with directions for care and directions on how to pray. The whole point of a prayer partner is to learn how to care for something and to communicate with God every day. Prayer is so important for littles to learn how to quiet and center themselves with God’s love.”

Next on the event calendar for Beaver Ridge UMC (7753 Oak Ridge Hwy.) is an Easter Egg Hunt and breakfast starting at 9 a.m. on April 8. There will be food, crafts, games, and pictures with the Easter Bunny. The egg hunt will begin at 10 a.m. and is divided by age.

Info: www.beaverridgeumc.org.

NORTH KNOXVILLE

Crown Upholstery bolsters community, hosts ‘Maker Mingle’

Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News

Wes and Jes Breitenbach of Crown Upholstery, together nearly 30 years, are typical of Knoxville’s maker/small business community in that they’re passion-driven, community-oriented, and willing to follow their own north star. Recently, they hosted a Maker Mingle, presented by The Maker City under its umbrella organization the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center (KEC), at their new location on Central Avenue.

Present were contemporary artist and #bigideaswelcome podcast host Chris McAdoo and Courtney Hendricks, formerly of Blackberry Farms – now the KEC’s director of strategy and engagement and director of maker initiatives, respectively – and a convivial crowd of creatives. Albright Grove Brewing Company provided drinks and KEC supplied light snacks.

Maker Mingles are held regularly, at various locations around town. They provide artisans, small business owners and the community with education, connection and inspiration. They’re open to anyone who wants to come.

Wes says that, to his knowledge, Crown Upholstery is the largest upholstery shop in Knoxville and the only one owned and operated by a woman. Jesica Breitenbach is a fifth-generation upholsterer who says she grew up in her grandparents’ upholstery shop in Glendale, Arizona. “I can’t remember a time when I didn’t know how to sew.”

Having started out working from their home, then moving in 2019 to a 1920s-era former grocery store in Lincoln Park, the Breitenbachs are thrilled with the new space – formerly Jimbo’s Central City Florist. They’ve occupied it since January.

“We have about three times the amount of space we had in our old space, so it gives us elbow room,” says Jes. “We don’t have to move three pieces of furniture just to move one. And it gives us the opportunity to hire more upholsterers, which is what we are actively doing.”

East Tennessee upholstery shops have gotten rarer in the last decade, with at least “10 or 12 closing in as many years,” says Jes. “And the demand has not slowed down.”

The crew at Crown – which also includes Felicia Puckett and Chrysi Forton – take pride in not only good craftsmanship, but in the emotional value a restored piece brings to its owner.

“A lot of the pieces we look at are in the shed, or the basement or the garage because they’re in such bad shape,” says Jes. “We take a piece like that and make it something they can put in their house – not just because it’s usable, but it’s something they’re really proud of.”

Wes says, “emotional attachment is big with a lot of our projects. It’s always wonderful to see people get to sit back in grandpa’s chair. To actually be able to use it, because it’s been sitting there with blankets on it; no one’s used it. But this Christmas they’re going to use it, they’re going to get more pictures with it. And then those kids are getting those memories and continuing that same attachment.”

Wait lists can be as long as two years. “It’s a double-edged sword,” says Wes. “It’s really nice [to have the business], but at the same time when you go to people and you tell them it’s going be this long, they’re like ‘what?’” Smaller projects like cushions and dining room chairs are worked in whenever possible. But, says Jes, “if it’s a big couch or something that’s going be leather and tufted and very advanced upholstery, you’re going to have to wait.”

With plans to include local high school students in an apprentice program, the Breitenbachs continue to expand their business and give back to the community. “If you just keep at it and follow what you think is right,” says Wes, “things happen.”

Info: crownupholsterytn.com, 809-9963.

OPINION

Finding comfort in memories

Leslie Snow, Shopper News

Maybe it was the osprey fishing in the cove. Or the sight of Buttercup chasing squirrels through the woods. It could have been the mayapples getting ready to bloom or the white-tailed deer racing through the forest. I’m not sure which. But on a beautiful Tennessee morning, when the air was crisp and the new leaves of spring were reaching for the sun, I thought of my father with a smile instead of tears.

I thought about his sense of adventure and how much he would love hiking with me. I could hear his voice encouraging me to find new trails and to explore without fear. I could picture him stopping along the path to warn me about the dangers of poison ivy or to encourage me to find beauty in all the little things; the moss growing on a log, the vines spreading on the forest floor, the snakes warming themselves in the sun.

With my dad’s voice still in my head, I caught sight of a large split-trunk tree and I laughed, remembering the irreverent way he would pretend to identify a male or female tree just by looking at it.

I stopped and patted the decidedly female oak and heard myself speak out loud, to the tree, to the universe, and to my father. “Hello Dad,” I said into the morning air. “I’m glad to be with you today. I miss you.” I felt close to him that morning even though he passed away two months ago.

After my hike, I stopped by my mom’s house for a visit. I wanted to share my story with her, to tell her about connecting with Dad, about remembering him with love and laughter instead of tears. I showed her a picture of the female tree I saw that morning so we could share a laugh over my father’s infectious impertinence.

But my mother didn’t find comfort in the story. She didn’t smile and she didn’t laugh at the slightly obscene looking tree. I watched her face fall and her shoulders tense as she stared at the photograph. I saw her look away, pretending to focus on her two cats instead of the sound of my voice.

“I’m sorry, Mom,” I said softly. “I thought it would be nice to share some happy memories of Dad. I thought you might find it comforting to know that I carry him with me on my morning hikes.”

“I guess I’m not ready for that,” she said with a sad smile. “At least not today.” Then, after a pause she said, “Some days are better than others.”

On the way home from her house, I thought about grief and my attempts to tame it. I want it to be a linear emotion that I inch away from a little each day until I can’t feel it any longer. But instead, it’s like a wave that comes and goes of its own volition. On my morning hikes, I feel close to my father, and I think of him with happiness and love. The next day, I might see his handwriting on a note and cry at his absence.

But my mother is riding her own wave of grief, separate from mine. My fond memories of my dad’s humor and his adventurous spirit didn’t bring her comfort the way I had hoped. Her journey is her own. I can’t find the words or the memories to bring her peace. She’ll have to find those stories for herself. And in her own time.

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

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