Shopper Blog: Meet the Teachers of the Year in Fountain City, Halls and Gibbs elementary schools
HALLS
Meet the Teachers of the Year in Fountain City, Halls and Gibbs elementary schools
Ali James, Shopper News
Adrian Burnett Elementary
Kenny Lewis, Physical Education
“My goal is for the kids to have fun,” said Coach Kenny Lewis, who has taught physical education at Adrian Burnett for 17 years. “I joke around with my students; I want the gym to be a place where they are free to make mistakes and see how those mistakes can turn into accomplishments.”
Students’ use of technology makes it hard to motivate them to move, according to Lewis. “Overall, students come to the gym, ready to learn and have fun while doing it,” he said, adding that having a new gym (and campus) has certainly helped with motivation.
“Being in PE, I get to see the students for six years,” he continued. “That’s a long time to get to know them. I stay in contact with many former students. I’ve been invited to graduations, weddings, and sporting events of former students. “I became somewhat of a father figure to a former student, and we remain in contact to this day.”
Blake Byrd, 5th Grade Math
“I try to highlight mistakes in my class and praise my students for trying,” said Byrd. “I talk a lot about how the best lessons, in school and in life, come from making mistakes. Even if they get it wrong there is valuable information in the mistake that will help them the next time.”
Byrd believes he is there to facilitate learning. Learning is ultimately up to the student. “’If I am unwilling to learn, no one can help me. If I am determined to learn, no one can stop me’,” he said. “I am not sure who said that quote, but I have started each class with that saying for years.”
A past student stopped Byrd in the grocery store to tell him he was in Honors Math. “He thanked me and attributed it to him being in my class,” said Byrd. “I told him he was the reason he got there and it was through his hard work.
“Every year I try to prepare my students for what is to come in school and in life as much as I can,” he added. “I want to try to foster the love of learning in my students, so they can become lifelong learners.”
Brickey-McCloud Elementary
Chelsie Lethgo, 1st Grade
“I try to have a lot of energy and positivity that I believe my class picks up on,” said Lethgo. “I try to take time to understand each student and build relationships with them so that I know and can plan for the special things they enjoy. I love to have fun and find that this really encourages and motivates my students’ learning and makes our classroom a special place to be.”
One of Lethgo’s goals when she started teaching was to "bring a little sparkle" to any school she works at. “To make learning fun and magical,” she said. “And, to add a little more kindness in this world.”
Lethgo likes to dress up as a surprise character, add a fun activity, game or snack to a lesson, transform the classroom for events or special days, such as Grinch or Polar Express Day. “Dressing like the Phonics Fairy daily to teach phonics,” she added. “Really just dressing up any chance I get…
“Kids only have a short time to be little and I want to try and foster that love of learning and school early on,” she added.
Brittney H. Barnett, 3rd Grade ELA and Science
“I encourage my students to take ownership in their learning,” said Barnett. “In my classroom, students are consistently collaborating, and often I tell them that they are going to do the thinking first. I incorporate activities and/or tasks that challenge students but also motivate them. This opens the door for students to feel confident in asking questions and promoting a meaningful learning experience.”
In addition to teaching third grade, Barnett serves as the ELA Department chair, Lead Teacher and the Girls on the Run coach.
Relationships are always at the heart of Barnett’s “why” in the classroom. “Taking a student fishing, watching students excel in extracurricular activities, running 5Ks with students, or when a student in high school comes back to a parents' night to see me. All of these special moments remind me why being a teacher is so important. Fun fact: my very first class helped my husband propose in the same classroom that I’m in today.”
Megan Smits, Special Education 3rd-5th Grades
“I always wanted to be a teacher because I struggled with reading when I was first in school,” said Smits.
“During my observation hours I was in special education and that’s what led me to it.”
Smits, who has been a teacher for four years, said she focuses on relationship building, not just between her students but also with the teacher assistants.
“I do a lot of call and response and silly voices,” she said of her personal teaching style. “I have had students for several years and seen their growth over time; they have had huge gains. I have one student who is a struggling reader and he wants to write his own books.”
Copper Ridge Elementary
Bonnie Bentley, Special Education 2nd-5th Grades
Teaching is a second career for Bentley. “My first career was in the restaurant industry, which I began when I was 13. I started teaching when I was 31 and I’ve been a teacher for 33 years,” she said.
In Bentley’s class, students are not only prepared academically, but also develop social, emotional and pre-vocational skills. “I am a firm believer in providing extrinsic rewards and teaching the value of intrinsic rewards as they mature. All people respond to extrinsic rewards for a job well done − I personally enjoy that paycheck every month, but I also respond well to an extra treat every now and then.”
A past student told Bentley that when she made her sound out words it made her mad. “One day in high school she started thinking about the skills I taught her and all of a sudden it clicked,” said Bentley. “She could read anything put in front of her from that point on.”
Corryton Elementary
Melissa Biggs, 1st Grade
This year marks Melissa Biggs’ 27th year as an educator.
“I incorporate movement, music, games, and hands-on materials within my lessons to make learning fun for my students,” said Biggs. “My students are highly motivated by positive reinforcements. Just a few of the fun things I do are Fun Fridays, where my top point earner gets to choose our Fun Friday event for the day, such as Donut Day, Show and Tell, and Pajama and Stuffed Animal Day. Students caught doing good, such as random acts of kindness, are put into my Bucket Filler. Students are chosen out of the bucket each week for prizes.”
Students of the week have a special seat in the classroom with cool pencils and pens to use.
Fountain City Elementary
Jenny Kelly, Librarian
“I do my best to speak with each kid every library visit, even if it’s just a, ‘Hi so-and-so, how’s your day?’,” said Kelly, who has taught in the library for 14 years. “We also have class jobs in the library; this helps kids have a sense of ownership.”
Kelly loves her job. “I’ve had a few students tell me that a certain activity or book we read together helped them to learn to enjoy reading,” she said. “That makes my heart happy.”
Reading aloud together with different character voices engages students, even the older ones, according to Kelly. “I love hearing them giggle and interact with the book,” she said. “My hope is that by talking about books, I can help encourage them to become lifelong readers.”
Gibbs Elementary
Shannon Chancey, ELL Kindergarten-5th Grades
“I consider myself the luckiest teacher at my school − because of the students that I get to teach,” said Chancey, who has been a teacher for 13 years. “My students know that when they come to ELL they will be challenged, but also, they will get to be and feel successful.”
/Working in a small group setting allows Chancey’s class to build great relationships with one another. “Truly knowing how they learn, we are able to target their particular skill levels and gaps that they may have to build on and grow,” said Chancey. “My students have so much background knowledge and culture to offer, they honestly inspire me to be a better teacher.”
Michelle Nantz, Special Education Kindergarten-3rd Grade
“Working with the same students for three years in a row allows me to be part of their continuous growth,” said Nantz. “In the classroom, we discuss how ‘Improving makes you a winner!’ It doesn’t matter how big or small the improvement may be, just as long as you consistently work to improve.”
Nantz is in her 26th year teaching and taught third and second grades for 15 years before switching to special education eight years ago.
Seeing a child write their name independently or transition from one classroom to the next without adult prompting reminds Nantz why she loves her job. “It is also a great feeling when a student finally learns all their letter names and sounds,” she said. “Ultimately seeing a student’s confidence flourish will help them succeed in all areas.”
Halls Elementary
Megan Sarr, Kindergarten
“It’s important to me that my students and their families have a positive first year in school,” said Sarr, who has taught both Pre-K and kindergarten for 10 years. “Children grow so much during their kindergarten year and all of it is so important. These first few years of school set the foundation, and I hope my students feel loved and that they can accomplish their goals with hard work.”
Something fun that Sarr has added to her classroom is a life-sized cardboard cutout of her dogs. “They bring a lot of excitement into the classroom and are a great conversation starter for the class,” she said. “Students read to them, practice sight words, and sometimes they are just around for comfort and fun.”
Michael Blair, Physical Education
Coach Blair has been a teacher for 28 years, and 17 of those have been at Halls Elementary. “I guess I try to joke and play and have fun with the kids, so that they see that physical education can be fun and you can learn at the same time,” said Blair. “That helps get them out of their comfort zone in physical education. Really, when kids come up and give you a hug or a high five, that is what makes this job the best job around.”
Blair has coached high school basketball and tennis, but found that he loved teaching at elementary more. “I would like to thank my coworker, Ms. Jones, my administration and the staff at Halls because it is all one big family.”
Shannondale Elementary
Bethany Williams, 1st Grade
“During morning meetings, I ask my students their ‘wows’ or ‘pows’ each day,” said Williams. “Their ‘wows’ are something they’re excited or happy about currently. Their ‘pows’ are personal hardships or struggles. We have laughed and we have cried together. Making interpersonal relationships sets the tone for learning.”
Williams wants her students to know she cares for their well-being. “They are my school family,” she said. “I go to their sports events or birthday celebrations. I get to know their siblings and family members personally.”
Williams has been a teacher at Shannondale for nine years and before that taught fourth grade at an international school in the United Arab Emirates. “There were seven different countries represented in my classroom,” she said. “My students taught me so much about culture, hospitality and friendship.”
Sterchi Elementary
Amanda Carlton, 5th Grade- ELA and Social Studies
“I always tell my students that as much as I want them leaving my room with new knowledge, I also want them leaving with life skills and ways to become the best versions of themselves,” said Carlton. “I think having an environment where they feel supported is the best way to foster and encourage growth.”
Seeing students move on and graduate to the next step, especially the fifth graders going on to middle school, is special for Carlton. “I love to see how much they grow and change throughout the year,” she said. “I am reminded how much this job means to me when past students visit or reach out and I get to see all of the things they are accomplishing in life.”
BEARDEN
Why isn't there a grave marker for Harriet Greve, a pioneering UT dean?
John Shearer, Shopper News
The University of Tennessee dorm named for longtime Dean of Women Harriet Greve will soon disappear, as has been announced. But apparently, a grave marker for her in Georgia has never existed.
Or, if she has a burial marker, it is not easily found through publicly available documentation. The latter discovery was made by the Shopper News during a recent visit to Athens, Georgia, and through subsequent correspondence with an official at Oconee Hill Cemetery where she is reportedly buried.
The visit had come about as a possible follow-up story to some Shopper News articles regarding the namesakes of Dunford, Greve, and Henson halls, which are to be razed for a new business school building.
Greve’s parents, Charles and Jeanette Greve, are buried in Chattanooga’s large National Cemetery below a single headstone in Section S. Charles, who died in 1904, was a pharmacist in Chattanooga who had emigrated from Germany and fought for the Union Army with a Kansas cavalry regiment. The younger Jeanette, who became a newspaper and magazine editor, died in 1932 while living with her daughter in Knoxville.
Harriet and her older sister, Dorothy G. Jarnagin, and Dorothy’s family are buried in Athens’ expansive Oconee Hill Cemetery across from the University of Georgia’s Sanford Stadium.
Harriet Greve’s grave is near the east end beyond such easier-to-find graves as those of former Georgia football coaches Vince Dooley and Wally Butts and others of note. Greve is buried at Section H, Lot 303, according to records, but a marker could not be found after a detailed search and with the help of some cemetery grounds workers.
Greve was buried next to the visible grave of Harriet Smith – her maternal aunt and the person for whom she was likely named – but no Greve marker is visible there. The grave of her older sister and Dorothy’s first husband, Milton Jarnagin, were found near those of the Jarnagin children on the other end of Section H a couple of hundred yards away, but there was no Harriet Greve marker around there, either.
Greve, the dean of women at UT from the early 1920s through the early 1950s, did not marry or have children and ended up living in Athens late in life to be near her sister’s family before her death in December 1969. She had earlier lived in Knoxville and Gatlinburg with close friend and traveling companion Frances Luttrell Powers.
Some subsequent email correspondence with Athens cemetery official Don Smith also turned up no found grave marker for Greve. As he replied, “I exhausted my search capabilities.”
So, unless the records are wrong, she apparently has no marker. Descendants of her nieces and nephew also could not be reached after a brief effort. Milton Jarnagin, her brother-in-law, had been a popular and outgoing animal husbandry professor at Georgia, who helped pioneer the replacement of cotton with a rotation of crops and animal grazing in the South.
Additional research reveals that the Jarnagins had deep ties to UT and Knoxville, too. Both had gone to UT shortly after 1900 and possibly met there, and Professor Milton’s father was a prominent Knoxville area judge and bank official. The family also owned the historic Glenmore home in Jefferson City resided in by Professor Jarnagin’s brother, Frank, for decades.
Some more information found by UT archivist Alesha Shumar says that Professor Jarnagin already showed an interest in agriculture as a member of the Rural Science Club as an undergrad in 1902-03. Dorothy graduated in 1905 and later was an author and, like her mother, a newspaper writer. She wrote at least two published novels for girls, including the 1923 book “Mardee Gray’s Choice,” still available on eBay.
The Jarnagins’ son, Milton III, was a Rhodes Scholar in 1931. He died in 1988. Of Harriet Greve’s nieces from oldest to youngest, Mrs. George (Janet) Griffeth died in 1996, Mrs. Walter A. (Agnes) Sams Jr. in 1984, and Dorothy Barnet in 2002 at age 84.
Kim Kinsey of Chattanooga, an experienced genealogy researcher who also tried to look online for Greve’s grave marker, said it is not uncommon for someone not to have a marker or headstone. “Unmarked graves happen way more often than you might think,” she said.
Kinsey also said Greve was a member of a Knoxville Daughters of the American Revolution chapter, and she thinks they or someone connected to UT, including alumni, might be possibilities to fund a marker if needed. She added that an old article reveals that Greve had left $10,000 in her will to the school.
An online check shows that headstones cost anywhere from about $300 for a small flat one, to over $2,000 for a nice upright one.
UT was notified about the apparent missing marker situation but has not yet responded.
So, the next chapter of finding or funding a marker for this pioneering UT woman administrator, who was used to making decisions, is now in the hands of others.
SOUTH KNOXVILLE
South Knox Teachers of the Year reflect on favorite moments
Ali James, Shopper News
Bonny Kate Elementary School
Maranda Goddard, 3rd grade ELA
“Each day I encourage students to live up to their fullest potential,” said Goddard, who has taught third grade at Bonny Kate for 16 out of her 22-year career. “We work on perseverance and facing challenges the best way possible with all our learning tools. Each week a student is selected for the ‘Grit Award.’ This award is given to students who work hard and show grit in their classes.
“One special moment that always stands out to me is when a student hugs me and tells me they love me,” she said. “At that moment, I feel so blessed to be an important part of that child’s life.”
Dogwood Elementary School
Nathalie Murphy, Pre-K
Nathalie Murphy’s classroom is a blend of children ages 3-6, with and without disabilities. “This inclusive environment promotes language development, empathy, and a community of learners that follows them as they grow,” she said.
“Previously, I worked as a speech and language pathology assistant. My background in communication disorders supports my kids now with their language acquisition and development.”
Murphy said their curriculum offers plenty of project-based learning and child-directed activities. “Our materials and lessons are hands-on and relevant to the student's everyday life, which makes learning fun,” she said.
Rapid brain development occurs in the crucial years between birth and 5 years, Murphy said, adding that her students are excited to learn new things every day.
“It is truly magical being able to see things through the lens of the children; they make mundane things meaningful,” she said. “It is especially exciting when kids who are nonverbal can communicate using pictures, signs, and/or by writing. They become so excited to finally have an outlet for communication that they previously did not have.”
Whitney Kee, Kindergarten
“I am the biggest cheerleader for each of my students,” said Kee. “I work to help them gain confidence and develop self-motivation. I believe that students have to want to be good at something, and it is up to me to nurture that desire.”
Kee said it is important not only to listen to her students and provide a safe and structured environment, but to follow through with her promises.“The beauty of teaching kindergarten is that they begin the year not knowing how school works,” said Kee, who has taught the same grade level at Dogwood for 10 years. “We spend so much time on routines and procedures, such as how to line up, sit on the carpet and listen, talk with a partner, work with a group, and other similar tasks. Then, you reach a point where it all clicks. You can see it in their eyes the instant that they switch from a wide-eyed ‘baby’ to a mature ‘student.’"
Gap Creek Elementary School
Jeff Johnson, music teacher
“My approach to teaching music is a little different,” said Johnson. “While I consider it very important for students to know the building blocks of music, I believe helping students develop a love for music is the main goal of an elementary music teacher. My hope is that they will take that love of music and continue their music education throughout middle and high school, and possibly even beyond.”
Johnson has taught music at all grade levels from preschool through 12th grade for 10 years and currently splits his time between Gap Creek and Corryton Elementary Schools.
“I make it a point to find something that each student can connect with and find success, whether it be singing, dancing, or proficiency in any number of musical instruments,” he said. “The most special moment in my job is when a student is given their first opportunity to sing or play in front of an audience, and they not only perform beautifully, but develop the confidence to continue seeking opportunities for musical growth.”
Mooreland Heights Elementary School
Jill Wise, 3rd Grade
Every day, Jill Wise has lunch with her students in the classroom. “The kids don’t necessarily like going to the cafeteria, so every day even though it is my plan period, that’s a great time I can spend with them,” said Wise. “If I can’t for some reason, they hate that.”
Wise has moved around a lot and taught in Knox County, Florida, Texas and Mississippi during her 13-year career.
Wise goes above and beyond to incorporate fun, hands-on projects. “We just did a bakery to fill doughnut orders and made it into a competition,” she said. “We made chef hats, put a little shop together, named the shops. We made little Krispy Kreme boxes and used different flavored Cheerios to fill the orders. They read a word problem, drew an array, wrote the equation and then brought it to me.”
Every day is special for Wise. “I had a parent call me and say this is the first year her son loves learning. That is really special,” she said.
Mount Olive Elementary School
Sandy Hale, Kindergarten
Now in her 33rd year of her teaching career, Sandy Hale has been a kindergarten teacher at Mount Olive for 20 of them.
“I've been told over the years that I am especially calm and patient with kindergarten students,” said Hale. “They are learning so many new things. Teaching expectations and being structured is key. Part of that includes using frequent positive reinforcement and helping each student realize their potential.”
At this grade level, Hale said she is in a special spot to see the tremendous growth in all of her students. “Many of them are experiencing school for the first time ever,” she said. “I've gotten to see many students blossom over my career, and I count myself lucky for that.”
New Hopewell Elementary School
Leah Preston, Special Education Kindergarten-5th grade
“I knew I wanted to be an elementary teacher when I was 10 years old,” said Preston. “My love for little growing minds has been a source of joy, even through adolescence.”
Preston has a passion for the dramatic arts and participates in local community theater when she can, even playing Dolly in “9-to-5: The Musical” in Morristown.
“I have the ability to bring stories to life through role play, and storytelling engages the students to truly listen and comprehend the lesson,” she said. “Along with talking in different accents or making up songs for my auditory learners, my students get to do multiple crafts for textile learners.”
Preston has created a welcoming learning space that has a calming, clean scent, instrumental music, muted lighting, and space to move around.
“I have the luxury of having the same students for multiple years, which creates a unique bond with them,” said Preston, who has been a special education teacher for five years. “By the time my students move on to middle school, I feel more like an aunt than their teacher. It's a great life.”
South Knoxville Elementary School
Susan Parker, 4th grade math, science and social studies
“I was a little shocked, but I was voted by my colleagues, it was quite the compliment because I work with some amazing teachers,” said Parker. “I looped with my students, so I have the same class. Being able to loop means you are continuing the work you started.”
Seeing her students on the cusp of achieving grade level mastery of a subject and then seeing the growth continue because she helped change their trajectory is one of the most rewarding things for Parker.
“I have a little boy who is so cute and it amazes me because he didn’t have any drive at all,” she said. “I kept pushing. His brain changed from passive to an active learner. So, you go home and tell everyone about it who will listen.”
Parker has a master’s degree in math and was working in a leadership role before she moved back into the classroom a few years ago.
“I love it, I am just passionate about it,” she said. “I can’t think of a better profession, and I don’t know why everyone doesn’t want to do it.”
BEARDEN
Diverse Knoxville churches partner to preach a unifying message
John Shearer, Shopper News
At a time when social and political issues continue to divide Americans, some local houses of worship are coming together with a unifying message – love.
For the third year in a row, several churches and gathering places of other faiths from primarily Sequoyah Hills have decided to continue the Love Your Neighbor initiative during the Valentine’s Day season.
As a result, banners and signs are going up again with the words “Love Your Neighbor,” and ministers and faith leaders of the participating congregations have agreed to speak on the concept of love over the second weekend of the month.
As a flier passed along by coordinator Joe Benedict says, “The purpose of the Love Your Neighbor initiative is to help our community realize there are far more common core values that unite us rather than divide us. We believe an effective way to do that is to profess a unified message of love, respect and kindness for each other from our diverse neighborhood religious bodies.”
The idea had begun more than two years ago with First United Methodist Church’s efforts under current minister the Rev. Troy Forrester. Member Samantha Lane was on a committee that wanted to draw members and attendees to the church by focusing on love and not on the judgment of others, and she helped push the idea.
Forrester, who had been bothered by the negative political rhetoric in society, also greatly supported the work. As a result, the initiative began in 2021 with other houses of worship agreeing to take part.
Some 11 congregations are currently scheduled to take part this year. They include the original participants of First United Methodist; First Church of Christ, Scientist; First Seventh-day Adventist; Second Presbyterian; Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian; St. George Greek Orthodox; Temple Beth-El; and Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist.
Ebenezer United Methodist closer to the Cedar Bluff area also joined last year along with St. John’s Episcopal Cathedral in downtown Knoxville, and both are also participating this year along with Episcopal Church of the Ascension on Northshore Drive.
Benedict, the lay leader at First United Methodist, who took over the coordination of the project after Lane moved to Charleston, South Carolina, with her family, said his church is honored to help push such an important concept.
“I think it really got to Troy (Forrester) what was permeating our society, and he wanted to promote things that bring us together,” he said.
Which SEC coaches will earn their paychecks as March Madness looms? | Mike Strange
FARRAGUT
Music, craft brews and more make The Admiral Pub a top-shelf hangout
Nancy Anderson, Shopper News
“It’s ‘Cheers, where everybody knows your name’ right here in the heart of Farragut,” said co-owner of Admiral Pub Whitney Fox. “We try anyway. We have a number of regulars that we’re glad to see.
“We’ve grown a real sense of community here with the Tuesday night dart league, trivia, games, and of course the craft beers; but let’s not forget about the music. We really want to showcase local artists.”
The new expansion seats about 50 and has a small stage for about three people. It is open for party rentals.
“We aren’t big enough for the bigger bands, but we’ve got some great musicians coming including Tall Paul, Gas Station Sushi, Redd, and Ben Shuster. They’re all very popular and wonderful entertainers.
“It works out great because we have people who want to watch sports at the bar and some who want to hear music. In the bar, the music is pretty much just background music, but here in the expansion it’s a party with the music more in your face.”
The Admiral Pub is where The Casual Pint used to be. Andy and Whitney Fox were regulars at The Casual Pint. Andy joined the darts league and became friends with Casual Pint owners Pat and Barbara O’Brien. When the O’Briens decided to sell, the Foxes jumped at the chance to rebrand as The Admiral Pub.
Since the purchase four years ago, the Foxes have turned The Admiral Pub into a home away from home, keeping the dart league. Adding music and games has resulted in a number of regulars who come for a beer and a game of darts on a Tuesday night or themed trivia once a month.
Andy Fox is president of AWE Hospitality. Under that umbrella, he manages The Yacht Club and Toqua Pub and Grill. Both restaurants are in Tellico Village. He has a long history of successful bar ownership and management starting with a college gig as a popular bartender. He fell in love with the business and has been successful for the past 30 years.
The 4,000-square-foot pub (including storage) features 22 taps serving local, international and craft beers. In addition to beer, there is a premium collection of tequila, bourbon and scotch whiskeys and a selection of wine, hard ciders, spiked seltzers and craft sodas. There is ample seating at a table or at the bar with several TVs to catch the big game, or sit on the dog-friendly patio.
The walls are decorated with unusual items including a stuffed armadillo sitting just below Admiral David Farragut’s portrait.
“We do a lot of fun stuff,” said Whitney. “We did Whiskey University Classes, collaboration with Euphoric Cheese for a cheese and whiskey tasting. We’re so thrilled with the support we’ve gotten from The Town of Farragut and the Shop Farragut team. There will be more collaborations coming. We’re in it for the fun of it all. We’re blessed.”
The Admiral Pub is open 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 12-10 p.m. Sunday; and 3-10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.
Info: Find The Admiral Pub on Facebook for menus and music lineup.
POWELL
Ken & Jackie’s Crafts has grown from a simple gift to a 2-city business
Al Lesar, Shopper News
Little did Ken Driesenga know a simple gift 10 years ago would change his wife’s life.
He bought Jackie a sewing machine, and started her on a path she now considers an obsession.
“I read (the operating manual) twice and learned how to turn it on,” Jackie said. “Then, I went to (JOANN Fabric and Craft Store) and spent $800.”
She hasn’t stopped sewing since. After a while, her grown children said, “No more.”
“My kids didn’t want any more of the things I was making,” Jackie said. “So, we decided to go into business.”
Today, Jackie owns seven sewing machines and stocks four booths at the Great Smokies Flea Market in Sevierville (since 2019) under the name Ken and Jackie’s Crafts-N-Such.
They just added a booth at Frugality Thrift Store (612 Edgemoor Road, Powell). Last fall, an event was going to happen at the store. Jackie brought over some items for the event and asked owner Jonathon Trotter about booth opportunities. It didn’t take long for her to get settled.
From hobby to addiction
Sewing was never an interest of Jackie’s before that first sewing machine.
“I worked a factory job all my life,” she said. “But there’s just something about it I love.”
It didn’t take long for this hobby to become a passion. Jackie has the scars from carpal tunnel surgery on both hands to prove it.
“This is my life,” she said. “I enjoy it. The first day I don’t enjoy it will be the day I don’t do it anymore.”
“We had our smoking and drinking in our younger days,” Ken said laughing.
“Now, this is my addiction,” said Jackie.
Ken said she’d sew for three hours straight without getting up from the machine, or even taking a break to eat or drink something. He said there will come a point when he has to step in and make her get away from the machine.
The 'Wonder Pocket'
Everything sold at Jackie’s booth is homemade. She just finished her Christmas inventory and switched to Valentine’s Day and Easter. She purchases the patterns from five companies.
She can do about 20 towels an hour, but then has personal touches like buttons and other details. Custom orders also are available.
Jackie’s big sellers are her towels, no matter the season.
“Customers look for different things at the different locations,” she said. “In Sevierville, it’s mainly tourists. (In Powell), it’s more useful things.”
Cloth coasters and hot pads are popular items in Powell. And then there’s the “Wonder Pocket.”
The ”Wonder Pocket” can hold the handle of a frying pan, glasses, a curling iron or other items.
“In Sevierville, a guy pulled out his derringer, put it in the holder, then put it in his pocket and put his money on the counter,” Jackie said. “When we saw that, we said we wouldn’t call it any specific name, so we came up with ‘Wonder Pocket.’”
Jackie spends Monday through Thursday working on inventory and stocking the Powell location. Friday, Saturday and Sunday are spent in Sevierville.
Towels cost $6. Walker aprons, which allow people to carry drinks and other items on their walkers, are $12. Bag holders are $4.
For more information, or to contact Jackie, go to their Facebook page, kandjcraftsnsuch or call 989-287-0985.
Hardin Valley Academy Winter Guard is competition-bound
Nancy Anderson, Shopper News
CJ McCrory, director of Winter Guard at Hardin Valley Academy, is backed by many Winter Guard members when he said it’s a fun and intense activity that makes the winter fly by.
Winter Guard is a little different from color guard, which is a marching band component. Winter Guard is solely the color guard performing in an elaborate show of flag and rifle twirling while dancing to theme music.
“It’s different, we get to put on a show … an in-depth show … a big, elaborate 4½-minute production to compete with other Winter Guard teams.
“This Saturday begins competition season. It will be the first showing of all three of our groups (middle school, junior varsity, and varsity) at the East Tennessee Performing Arts Association Qualifier held at Lakeway Christian Academy in White Pine, Tennessee. We’ve got the floor tarp, the clock, flags … all the components necessary to show well,” said McCrory. “They compete nationally at Winter Guard International in Dayton, Ohio annually as well.”
The Varsity Winter Guard (16 members) is the top tier group at Hardin Valley Academy. Members audition for a spot.
“The Varsity team competes against teams from Japan, Germany, and all over the world for these championships. HVA Varsity is a 2022 WGI Scholastic A semifinalist (top 40 in the nation), 2022 ETPAA Scholastic A Silver Medalists and 2021 ETPAA Scholastic A Gold Medalists.”
McCrory said he is proud of the Hardin Valley Middle School group, too. They are hard workers and will feed right in to already existing successful programs at HVA. There are a few middle schoolers on the Jr. Varsity team. Winter Guard is a seven-year program starting with sixth grade.
“Winter Guard gives the kids a place to belong, something to be really good at … with practice. It’s a place to showcase their artistic abilities.”
McCrory said good Winter Guard members have to be patient with themselves and resilient. No one is good at twirling the rifle right off the bat. He said he will teach an interested student from the ground up. All are welcome.
The 2023 show is called “Golden Hour” and features a large show tarp for the floor and a clock centerpiece large enough for a dancer to perform up top.
The premise is based on a poem “The Golden Hour” by Chuck Kellum. It is about time standing still the moment the sun starts to set. The show is filled with clock motifs. The colors are blue, bright orange, and red, reminiscent of sunset.
The show is the brainchild of McCrory and designed by notable designer Kailey Portwood, who designed the tarp, the costumes, and the flags.
McCrory is also the color guard coordinator for Karns High School and the former coordinator for the Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps.
Info: www.wgi.org
POWELL
Knoxville garage sale shoppers turn pro with K.I.S.S. Resale on Facebook Marketplace
Al Lesar, Shopper News
It's the hunt that has intrigued Steve Heifner.
Still does.
An electrician by trade, the Powell resident has always been captivated by flea markets, auctions, yard sales and estate sales.
Last fall, he and his wife, Kathleen, finally turned pro.
Three years ago, Steve stumbled onto their first estate sale. It had run four consecutive weekends. Steve got permission to buy the leftovers of the sale.
“It took us two days and four loads with a truck, SUV and trailer,” Steve said. “There was that much left over.”
Buying in bulk had its benefits. Steve and Kathleen began reselling the items at flea markets and online. Children’s clothes were big sellers, especially with a variety of sizes.
One of their early projects was to host an estate sale for Kathleen’s grandmother. The execution of the sale went well, which gave Steve an idea.
“We came to the conclusion that we could do this full time,” said Steve.
That’s when K.I.S.S. (Kathleen, 3-year-old Isabella, Steve and 5-year-old Sofia) Resale was born.
Marketplace sale
Steve, who watches TV's “Antiques Roadshow” and is always checking on value, is still looking for that million-dollar find. In the meantime, they have several storage units – and a few rooms of their home – filled with merchandise that’s for sale.
“We have enough to fill a thrift store,” Steve said. “That’s not something we can financially do.”
Instead, they’re busy on weekends going to flea markets and other sales. On their Facebook Marketplace page K.I.S.S. Resale they have two groups – K.I.S.S. Resale and K.I.S.S. Resale Kids Shop.
“We don’t want someone looking for other items bogged down with children’s clothes,” Steve said. “That’s why we decided to separate the two.”
Their two daughters provide a good deal of the items in children’s clothes. That's the cornerstone on which the company has been built.
“We’ve learned quite a bit (in the three years of the hobby/business),” Steve said. “People will tell you what you want to hear. You need to check everything you’re going to buy.”
Need for baby clothes
Clearance shopping in thrift shops can be as productive as getting the leftovers at estate sales. Steve said he’s seen people stage items – especially clothes – in boxes. Clean clothes may be at the top and bottom, an even a bit in the middle, but a good chunk of the clothes in the box may be dirty and moldy.
“There’s a need for baby clothes at a decent price,” Steve said. “It’s fun to go through the odds and ends of baby clothes to see what you can find.”
With consignment as a yet unexplored option in the business, Steve is hoping other people will partner with him in an opportunity to create a wider range of items that can be featured within the Marketplace groups. It hasn’t happened yet, but that’s the next stage.
Kathleen said there’s glassware packed away from her grandmother’s estate sale three years ago that they want to explore.
Knox County keeps getting sued, and losing big, but won't fix the problem | Victor Ashe
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Shopper News brings you the latest happenings in your community
