B4 ◆ Local
The Mountain Press ◆ Friday, December 25, 2009
Christ’s impact felt far and wide Mark Twain (18351910) wrote in a letter to a friend, “The Christmas holidays have this high value: they remind Forgetters of the Forgotten, and they repair damaged relationships.” In a parallel vein, Dr. James Allan Francis (1864-1928) emphasized in his book, “The Real Jesus and Other Sermons,” that the Christmas story brings a message of inner peace during outward turmoil; that it spotlights humility and family; and it speaks of faith, hope and love. Mark Twain and Dr. Francis were probably far apart in their theological beliefs, philosophies and methodologies, but they both realized the validity of what we commonly refer to as the Christmas Spirit. The two also spoke of the amazing influence and history-changing life of the Christ of Christmas. Published in 1869, Mark Twain’s bestselling book during his lifetime, “The Innocents Abroad,” contained this passage he wrote while visiting Capernaum in the Holy Land: “One of the most astonishing things that has yet fallen under our observation is the exceedingly small portion of the earth from which sprang the now flourishing plant of Christianity. The longest journey our Saviour ever performed was from here to Jerusalem — about 100 to 120 miles. The next longest was from here to Sidon — say about 60 or 70 miles. “Instead of being wide apart — as American appreciation of distances would naturally suggest— the places made most particularly celebrated by the presence of Christ are nearly all right here in full view, and within cannon-shot of Capernaum. Leaving out two or three short journeys of the Saviour, he spent his life, preached his gospel, and performed his miracles within a compass no larger than an ordinary county in the United States. It is as much as I can do to comprehend this stupefying fact.” In 1926, as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Los Angeles, Dr. James Allan Francis presented a message at a meeting of the National Baptist Young Peoples Union that included his much-published words: “Here is a man who was born in an obscure village, the child of a peasant woman. He grew up in another obscure village, where he worked in a carpenter’s shop until he was thirty. Then for three years he was an itiner-
Submitted
ant preacher. He never wrote a book. He never held an office. He never had a family or owned a home. He never set foot inside a big city. He never traveled two hundred miles from the place he was born. He did none of the things that usually accompany greatness. “While He was still a young man, the tide of popular opinion turned against him. His friends deserted him. He was turned over to his enemies, and went through the mockery of a trial. He was nailed to a cross between two thieves. While he was dying, his executioners gambled for the only piece of property he had — his coat. When he was dead, he was taken down and laid in a borrowed grave. “Nineteen centuries have come and gone, and today he is the central figure for much of the human race. All the armies that ever marched, and all the navies that ever sailed, and all the parliaments that ever sat, and all the kings that ever reigned, put together, have not affected the life of people on this earth as powerfully as this One Solitary Life.” Today, may the Christ of Christmas impact your life — and the lives around you — in a positive way. — © Carl Mays, author and speaker. E-mail to carlmays@carlmays.com.
Among the Stitch and Chatter members who helped make items year-round are, from left, Eva Reeves, Jean Dew, Geraldine Clark, June Ramundo, Kathryn Lathan, Susan Agnello, Ann Matuszak, Barbara Storms, Ruth Matthews, Stephanie Curtis, Mildred Donley and Betty Heldman.
Stitch and Chatter sews up 10th year Submitted report The Stitch and Chatter group celebrated 10 years together in June. The group started at First Presbyterian Church in Sevierville and moved to Fort Sanders Sevier Senior Center in the summer of 2003. Many afghans and other crocheted or knitted items are made and given away each year by members. The group meets each Wednesday at 10 a.m. Distribution in 2009:
n June 10: The group gave awauy 26 baby blankets and 35 hats at Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center, and 48 afghans/lap robes and a chair pillow to the Ben Atchley State Veterans Home in Knoxville n Dec.2: Eight afghans, 44 hats, 48 scarves and 14 pairs of mittens given to Mission of Hope in Knoxville n Dec. 9: 31 baby blankets, 40 hats and a sweater given to Fort Sanders Sevier Medical Center; and 60 afghans/shawls/capes and a pillow to Meals on Wheels in Sevier County, Sevier County Health Care
Center, Pigeon Forge Care & Rehab, churches and community friends Members of the group who participated: Susan Agnello, Geraldine Clark, Stephanie Curtis, Willie Delozier, Jean Dew, Ruth Fincham, Betty Heldman, Kathryn Lathan, Martha Manos, Ruth Matthews, Annie Matuszak, Annilee McGill, Sieta Neuteboom, June Ramundo, Eva Reeves, Joan Renaud, Debra Roberts, Barbara Roy, Barbara Storms and Vicki Stradley. Donations of yarn are always welcome.
H e a lt h D e pa r t m e n t I n s p e c t i o n R e p o r t s The Department of Health is responsible for regulation of food service establishments in Tennessee The law requires that restaurants have an unannounced inspection at least once every six months to determine if they are in compliance with applicable rules and regulations at the time of inspection. In addition to routine inspections, unannounced inspections are conducted in response to individual complaints. Tennessee uses a 44-item inspection sheet with a maximum of 100 points. Thirteen of the items are considered critical. Critical items, found out of compliance, must be corrected within 10 days. Inspections since Dec. 15:
GATLINBURG
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Atrium Restaurant … 89 Chapel in the Park … 96
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Corky’s Ribs & BBQ …
Geno’s Pizza … 87 Greenbriar Restaurant … 88 n Guarino’s Italian Restaurant … 72 n Park Vista lower kitchen … 95 n Party Hut … 93 n n
PIGEON FORGE
Bennett’s Pit BBQ … 85 Black Bear Jamboree … 94 n G-S-M Murder Mystery Dinner Show … 96 n Gourmet Coffee Shop and Upper Room, Old MIll Avenue … 93 n Huck Finn’s … 92 n Kinkaku … 89 n Long John Silvers … 93 n Mad Dogs Creamery … 95 n Norma Dan Motel breakfast … 94 n Papa’s Hot & Cold, 2879 Parkway … 97
n Parkway Pancake House … 83 n Ruby Tuesday … 84 n Smith Family Theater … 91 n Super 8 … 92 n Thai Thani … 75 n Woodgrill Buffet … 85
SEVIERVILLE
Ball Supper Table, Pullen Road … 94
Hank’s Pizza … 92 Islamorada Fish Company … 80 n New Center Ice Cream & Pizza … 92 n Outback Steakhouse … 93 n River Islands Golf Club … 85 n n
SEYMOUR
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Chapter 7 •
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Zaxby’s … 90
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