West Knoxville, TN December 2020

D E C E M B E R 2 02 0

Moving Up: One Family’s Dashed Hopes Turned into a New Dream

FOOD + DRINK H O L LY HA M B RI G H T B RI N GS BAC K T H E M ARK E T LI F E + C U LTU R E A LO O K AT H IS T O RI C B E ARD EN HOME + DESIGN SH O P LO CAL FO R T H E H O L I DAY S

From our hearth to yours, wishing you the joys of the holiday season.

We’ve Moved!

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1402 Ebenezer Rd. Knoxville, TN 37922 (865) 693-6301 | pyawaltman.com Financial Planning | Investment Management | Retirement Plan Consulting

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LIFESTYLE LETTER

DECEMBER 2020 PUBLISHER

Marc Rochelson | marc.rochelson@lifestylepubs.com EDITORIAL COORDINATOR

Cheers for the Holidays! Last Call for 2020!

Jennie Treadway-Miller | jennie.miller@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Evan Deuvall

OUR GOAL IS TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESSES AND NONPROFIT ORGANI-

L AYO UT DESIGNER

ZATIONS WHO ARE WORKING HARD TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHY

Jayme Emery

THROUGH GOOD TIMES AND HARD TIMES WITH OUR MAGAZINE. We love our community and hope that in our stories, we get to know one another as neighbors and businesses, and we thank you for your readership.

In our cover story, Interior Designer Brooke Phillips shares a story of finding and losing her family's "forever home" that has resulted in her philosophy of "Loss is often the

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Melissa Ballard, Andrew Henderson, Jack Neely CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Eric Branch, Lexie King

gateway into a blessing you could not have imagined."

Chef Holly Hambright, Owner of Holly's Gourmet Market and Cafe in Bearden, shares plans for the new year to build out the "market" aspect of her business. She plans on featuring many locally produced products such as Vienna Coffee, Magpie's Bakery items, Sweetwater Valley Cheese, and more.

We are thrilled to now be partners with The Knoxville History Project. We believe in this organization's vital work and are excited to feature a story from Executive Director Jack Neely in this issue. Jack's article "Historic Bearden, A practical place we take for granted keeps some surprising secrets," Jack gives shares a few highlights from the new book offered by The Knoxville History Project "Historic Bearden." This book is a perfect solution for a host or Holiday gift, and it supports the vital work of The Knoxville History Project.

Students of Clayton Bradley Academy Hannah Robbins, Gwen Layton, and Tori Goff

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

share parting thoughts and hopes for their futures in 2021.

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

Andrew Henderson, owner of Fitness Together, shares valuable information on

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

strengthening our overall health and immune system in his article "Giving Your Immune System a Boost."

During the holidays, when we may not be able to gather as we wish, Melissa Ballard

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

from PYA, Waltman Capital, offers the benefits of giving and helping our community as a way to boost not just our moods but those of our loved ones as well.

And lastly, we have handpicked some locally produced gifts that help keep our local maker economy healthy in our "Christmas Gift Giving Guide."

We thank you for your readership, and we hope that you will stay safe, shop local,

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and embrace the beauty and blessings that surround us throughout our community this holiday season.

We wish you very Happy Holidays!

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Amy and Marc Rochelson

ON THE COVER Interior Designer Brooke Phillips

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ERIC BRANCH 4

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

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OHIO | OKLAHOMA | OREGON | PENNSYLVANIA | SOUTH CAROLINA TENNESSEE | TEXAS | VIRGINIA | WASHINGTON

Proverbs 3:5-6 West Knoxville Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the West Knoxville area’s most affluent neighborhoods.

Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in West Knoxville Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

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INSIDE THE ISSUE DECEMBER 2020

FEATURES 12 To Market, To Market Holly Hambright Brings Gourmet’s Back

16 Historic Bearden A practical place we take for granted keeps some surprising secrets

20 Moving Up One Family’s Dashed Hopes Turned into a New Dream

16 12

32 Giving Your Immune System a Boost Three Ways to Stay Healthy This Winter

20

32

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

8

Good Times

10

Around Town

12

Hot Spot

16

Times Past

26 Local’s Choice 30 Financial Buzz 32 Healthy Lifestyle 34 Parting Thoughts

GOOD TIMES 1.

Townsend Grains & Grits Festival The Grains and Grits Festival took place on November 7 in Townsend. The Tennessee Distillers Guild, with its 30+ distillers, converged for this celebration of Tennessee spirits and gourmet grub. This sold out event was held outdoors with a limited amount of tickets sold, following social distancing guidelines. The best area restaurants and chefs offered up gourmet grub to go along with Tennessee spirits. Photo credit: Rachel Wilhelm

2.

3.

1. Michael Sullivan of American Butcher was on hand with crew for the “Ring of Fire”. | 2. Old Forge Distillery | 3. Plenty of gourmet grub to sample from some of the area’s best restaurants

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

AROUND TOWN

ICE SKATING AT THE CIVIC COLISEUM This year, starting on December 11 and running through January 3, Holidays on Ice will be at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum, home of Knoxville's very own Ice Bears! It has moved from Market Square to the Coliseum this year to provide more space for skaters to be physically-distanced on the ice. There will be cheery music and an opportunity to skate the season away.

Admission is $11 for adults and $8 for children ages 12 and under. The fee includes entry, skate rental, and unlimited time on the ice. Season passes are also available for $40 for adults and $25 for children ages 12 and under. Free parking is

ELF ON THE SHELF SCAVENGER HUNT ADVENTURE Now through January 3, skip to downtown Knoxville for the annual Elf on the Shelf window-

available at the Civic Coliseum in Garages A and B. Visit DowntownKnoxville.org/Holiday/Skate for specific days and times for ice skating. The Civic Coliseum will be closed Christmas Day and New Years Eve.

front scavenger hunt. Since the North Pole is following health and safety guidelines just like us, the Scout Elves will hide in holiday storefront windows only. You can pick up a North Pole Pass at Mast General Store or Visit Knoxville to guide you through the adventure. The first 1,500 participants will receive a holiday stamp to selfstamp their passes. For more information, visit DowntownKnoxville.org/Holiday/Elf.

"RAISE THE TREE" OPEN FOR CHRISTMAS TREE SALES Get your live Christmas tree at an "urban tree farm in the city" and do some good for your fellow citizens! Ten percent of proceeds to Raise the Tree will be donated to Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM), which serves men, women, and children through various ministry programs.

LIGHT IN THE PARK IN FARRAGUT Every evening from now through Wednesday,

in Knoxville, 11534 Parkside Drive in Farragut, and

January 1, visit Founders Park at Campbell Station

222 W. Church Avenue in Maryville. Hours vary, so

in Farragut to enjoy an illuminated walk through

check RaiseTheTree.org for details.

68,000 lights!

There is no charge, and park

restrooms stay open until 10 p.m. each evening.

Make it a tradition each year! Founders Park is located at 405 N. Campbell Station Road.

10

Select your Fraser Fir tree, wreath, or garland at three locations: 305 S. Northshore Drive

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

OAK RIDGE WINTER FARMER’S MARKET The Oak Ridge Winter Farmers’ Market opens on Saturday, December 5, from 9 a.m. to noon, at St.

Mary’s School Gym. Enjoy perusing the goods - eggs, produce, honey, flowers, sweets, breads, meat, and gifts - from 30+ farmers, bakers, and artisans. Booths will be set up for social distancing, and masks are required for both customers and vendors. Market-To-Go curbside pick-up is available if signed up. St. Mary’s School is located at 323 Vermont Ave. in Oak Ridge.

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11

HOT SPOT

TO MARKET,

ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER | PHOTOGRAPHY LEXIE KING

TO MARKET

HOLLY HAMBRIGHT BRINGS GOURMET’S BACK

FOR MANY SMALL BUSINESSES AND

“But even five years ago, everyone won-

RESTAURANTS, THE PANDEMIC OF 2020

dered, ‘Where’s the market?’”

PROMPTED A CHANGE OF COURSE - A

Originally opened in 1978 across the

REWORKED PLAN - TO STAY AFLOAT

street, where Salon Azure is currently, the

AMID LOCKDOWNS AND MANDATED

Gourmet’s Market was one of the first places

LIMITATIONS ON SERVICE.

in Knoxville where someone could buy

But for Holly Hambright of Holly’s

whole roasted coffee beans, gluten-free and

Gourmet’s Market and Cafe, those changes

soy-free products, and the sort of cooking

were already underway. The cafe has been

and bakeware professional chefs and home

a well-loved fixture in Bearden for ages, but

chefs couldn’t find elsewhere. This was long

the “Gourmet’s Market” part of the business

before there was a Williams Sonoma or

hasn’t made sense for years.

Fresh Market in town, and certainly before

“We’ve been in the building since October 2015. It’s gone by so quickly,” says Holly.

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

the internet made buying anything you wanted easier than ever.

“As time and the world would have it, the market expanded and it became harder for an independent store to make the profit margin, so they slowly got rid of the retail section and kept adding seats,” says Holly. “It’s been years since there was retail in the store. It’s just been a restaurant.”

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

13

HOT SPOT (CONTINUED)

To be fair, the restaurant side has suited Holly fine, particularly since she’s been in the culinary world for more than 30 years.

“I only wanted to be as good a cook as my mother was. I’m actually a failed musician,” she says, laughing. “I had a major meltdown at 22 wondering what I was going to do with my life. I went to the downtown library and it took me a week to go through every single major city Yellow Pages looking for cooking schools. I sent away for information and settled on one in Baltimore. I moved up there in ‘82 and the rest they say is history.”

The pianist and singer paired her knack for timing and rhythm with similar concepts in the kitchen. Her career as a chef took her around the country and world, learning from others and honing her skills. Holly is humble though, despite being an award-winning chef and local favorite. She even calls herself a prep cook, someone who’d be happy running a simple soup kitchen where she could try out new recipes and keep the menu on a steady rotation of new flavors.

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

For now, Holly’s Gourmet’s Market and Cafe will continue to shine as a cafe. But, keep an eye out for the Market side in 2021, where local companies such as Vienna Coffee, Magpies Bakery, New Market Farms, and Sweetwater Valley Cheese, among others, will have a larger spotlight.

“I want Gourmet’s Market to make sense again. People my age and older know what it was, but most people don’t know what it meant,” she says. “I want to take the opportunity now to sell local things, and COVID seems like the best opportunity to expand what we’re able to do.”

From Shelton Farms in New Market

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

15

TIMES PAST

H I STO R I C BEARDEN Kiddy Land Amusement Park

Kiddy Land Amusement Park, now Everly Brothers Park at Kingston Pike and Forest Park Blvd.

A PRACTICAL PLACE WE TAKE FOR GRANTED KEEPS SOME SURPRISING SECRETS

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

YOU THINK YOU KNOW A PLACE, PERHAPS AFTER A FEW

ARTICLE JACK NEELY

DECADES OF ACQUAINTANCE. But maybe you never do,

PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED

especially when that place is Bearden. Many of us drive through it more than once a week, buy our groceries or liquor or prescriptions there. It's a place with a lot of parking lots, inviting us to leave our cars there for half an hour or more, to visit any of several chain stores and local shops, on first glance like a lot of the rest of Kingston Pike except maybe on a smaller, denser scale.

When hearing we were working on a whole book about Bearden, some of our supporters made fun of us. “Bearden? Seriously?”

As I hope we prove with the Knoxville History Project's latest book, Historic Bearden: The 200-Year Story of Knoxville's Fourth Creek Valley, this place has a fascinating story, perhaps unlike that of any other community in the world. And you can still see remnants of its old personae if you know where to look.

Within this area of less than 10 square miles was once the city's first airport; the second major mental institution established in Tennessee; a big brick factory; the most prolific rose plantation in the Southeast; Knoxville's biggest-ever hat factory; the area's first 18-hole golf course; and one of the first train stations in East Tennessee.

It was a rare sort of community that had both farms and an electric streetcar. Perhaps it's the only place in America where police could catch a chicken thief making his getaway on the trolley.

But for about 40 years, Bearden was also part of the combined Dixie and Lee Highways, national routes that carried motorists from Washington to New Orleans, and from Chicago to Miami.

For many drivers, Bearden was a handy halfway point, a place to stop for the evening. The Knoxville area's largest concentration of tourist camps, motor courts, and ultimately motels was right here, along this flat part of Kingston Pike.

Other amenities, legal and illegal, from barbecue joints and service stations to slot machines and bootleggers, became part

Julius C. LeHardy Drugstore at the foot of Bearden Hill, circa 1940 (Courtesy of David and Barbara Myers)

of Bearden's diverse economy. Some sandwich places, like the old Wayside Inn and the White Dot Cafe, became nightclubs after dark, with live jazz and dancing, sometimes until dawn. Just outside of city limits (from 1917 to 1962, that line was at Carr Street), it was easy to get away with all sorts of things. For the Flapper generation, Bearden was a fun place.

Often overlooked is the fact that Bearden, part of suburban West Knoxville, had a substantial and vigorous African American community. Most of Homberg Place was known as the Brickyard community, home of scores of workers at Scott's Brickyard; Wallace Chapel AME Zion Church is today its only remnant. Its children walked across the golf course to the all-Black Lyons View School.

Rivaling it in size was the Lyons View community, another African American neighborhood to the west of the golf course.

It still exists today, as a remnant of the days in the 19th century when most of the people who lived along Lyons View were

Baum's Home of Flowers employees, circa 1920 (Courtesy of Charles Baum)

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

17

TIMES PAST (CONTINUED)

African Americans working small farms. Mount Pleasant Church remains, along with its interesting churchyard, with the graves of some who were born in slavery.

Several of those children went on to remarkable success: one as a New York editor, one as a prominent TV anchor woman in California's Bay Area, one as a soul singer—the charismatic Clifford Curry grew up right on Kingston Pike. For a few years, Curry fronted a Bearden rock 'n' roll band, the Fabulous Five—thereby creating, ca. 1957, Knoxville's first biracial band.

In more recent years, Bearden welcomed the dawn of Knoxville's dynamic cable-TV industry—and witnessed an unexpected bluegrass revival that seems more important in retrospect than it did then. Buddy's weekly shows are recalled as an important early venue for performers from Doyle Lawson to Ricky Skaggs, who became more famous later.

We learned that the old legend that Cormac McCarthy quietly wrote one of his most famous novels in a Bearden motel room is true.

At the Knoxville History Project, we research all parts of town for multiple projects. Our bestseller is our recent flagship book, Historic Knoxville: The Curious Visitor's Guide, which turns up essential stories about neighborhoods from Fountain City to Holston Hills to Vestal, as well as UT, Ijams, Happy Holler, downtown.

But I confess a special connection to Bearden, where I've spent a lot of my life. All four of my grandparents lived there. During the Nixon administration, my bicycle paper route covered a remarkably various quarter of it.

I later worked as a night-shift fry cook at the Bearden Kingston Pike at Weisgarber Road, circa 1950

Shoney's, producing several hundred cheeseburgers for Beardenites. By the time I was in college, convinced I was too cool for the mall, I did most of my Christmas shopping in Bearden, especially in Homberg Place: at homey but hip Draper Books; the old Gourmet's Market, when it was an exotic emporium of important delicacies; at the offbeat antique stores that are more interesting than most museums.

18

For more about the Knoxville History Project, and to or-

I came to believe I knew the place as well as I knew

der a copy of Historic Bearden, see KnoxvilleHistory-

my grandmother. But during our three years of research,

Project.org. Historic Bearden can also be found at

Bearden repeatedly surprised me. More than half the

Union Ave. Books downtown and at these Bearden

narrative concerns stories I'd never heard before. Maybe

stores: Bennett Galleries, Bobby Todd Antiques, Callo-

they'll surprise you, too. History can give you a fresh per-

way’s Lamp & Shade, Long’s Drugstore, Mayo Garden

spective on anything, especially where you live.

Centers, and Southern Market.

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

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19

ARTICLE JENNIE TREADWAY-MILLER PHOTOGRAPHY ERIC BRANCH

mov in g up

ONE FAMILY’S DASHED HOPES TURNED INTO A NEW DREAM

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

W

HEN BROOKE PHILLIPS SAT DOWN TO TELL HER STORY, SHE STARTED WITH A SIGH, FOLLOWED BY A PAUSE, AND THEN: “YOU KNOW,

IT’S JUST ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT LIFE… THROWS AT YOU. You think it can be no good, but it’s usually those things that open the door to a blessing you didn’t understand.”

She is careful with her words, and her voice is shaky. It’s been an emotional ride, and Brooke isn’t one to hide that part of herself. Where to begin? When is the exact moment when the path you’re on takes a sharp left turn in another direction?

The beginning is as good a place as any.

“I’m from Strawberry Plains and graduated from Rutledge High School,” she starts. “Dan was coaching football at Carson Newman, and he accepted a position in Florida two weeks before we got married in 1999. We lived just north of Orlando and were there for 13 years.”

In addition to coaching, Dan started working in ministry and eventually became a full-time pastor. They had four children Charlie, Ellie, Jack, and Sam - and Brooke homeschooled them.

Life moved forward, and every sign pointed in the direction of this being their family’s path. It was in this space where Brooke started teaching herself about interior design.

“Because of our limited budget, I learned how to do every trade I needed to to create a beautiful home. I learned upholstery, furniture painting, drapery making -- I learned all of these things and studied incessantly. I didn’t have enough money to pay someone to help me but it was important to me,” she says. “It was inside of me from a little girl. My mom had white walls when white walls weren’t cool. It was an undecorated home, but my bedroom was like another world.”

She pauses again.

“And then we had a May Day. We lost our ministry, our home, our cars, everything. And it was the kindest thing God allowed in our life,” she says. “After that, my dad called and said, ‘if I find a place for you to live, will you come back?’ We fought that for years, but we ended up coming back.”

Like any move, there was an adjustment period back home to Knoxville. It was 2013. Dan went back to coaching and teaching, and Brooke picked up a part-time job at the Paleo Foods Cafe. She’d already cut her teeth designing multi-million dollar homes in Florida for free, partly because she loved the work and partly because, as a pastor’s wife, she felt like her work was part of ministry. Back home in East Tennessee, it was just about picking up a little extra

Nellie Phillips

cash. And yet, she longed to return to her passion.

“We were living in a rental house, and the woman who owns the cafe, Courtney, asked me, ‘What are you doing here? You don’t belong behind a bar serving coffee’, but life had kicked the wind out of me. Courtney had a place in the coffee shop CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

21

MOVING UP (CONTINUED) from left to right: Brooklyn, Dan, Sam, Jack, Brooke, Charlie, and Ellie

that wasn’t utilized, so she said, ‘Do something there.

I don’t care what it is,’” says Brooke. “I contacted local artisans and built a little gift shop, and from there, I started a little company and had three clients immediately. Then I had a full calendar. Within a year, I had a monthly TV spot on WBIR. Within another year, I had offers for TV shows. In the middle of starting a company, we were living in a 1200-square-foot rental house in South Knoxville. All six of us. Dan was teaching and I was making $8 an hour.”

Part of Brooke’s budding design business included helping homeowners ready their house for resale.

When a realtor friend told her about the shabby state of a house on Wye Way, Brooke never dreamed that 1930s colonial was going to be hers.

“She contacted me at the end of 2015 about this house. I walked in, and the smell was - I can’t even describe it. Just years of garbage being in a house.

I had a handyman with me and the bid on clean-up was $50,000,” she says. “But, that house spoke to me.

I don’t know how to say it. I made a comment to the elderly gentleman, something like, ‘Oh my goodness, what I’d give to buy it!’ But I knew it was so far out of our price range that it wasn’t possible. Carol called me the next month and said, ‘This is gonna sound crazy, but the man has it in his mind that you were serious.

He believes God wants you to have this house.”

As if part of a game, they threw in an incredibly low offer, not considering for a moment it would morph into a contract. Not only did the homeowner accept the offer, he threw in $70,000 to help them take it off his hands.

Was there a catch? Technically, no. The home was situated off Alcoa Hwy, which was already under a years-long expansion project. TDOT gave the property clearance - what seemed like a firm “No, we don’t need your house to widen the highway.” With that confirmation in-hand, the Phillips family moved into their forever fixer-upper and began renovating. They tripled their square footage and settled into a home where Dan and Brooke envisioned living for a generation. They would see their grandchildren toddle

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

around those floors. They’d have big family gatherings. It would be unlike anything they imagined.

Which is why when TDOT came knocking two years later, the Phillips were shocked. An appraiser turned up one morning to assess the property’s value, and Brooke was sure he’d arrived at the wrong address.

“We had a letter [as proof], and he apologized saying I needed to call TDOT. Turns out a month after we purchased the house, their decision had been changed. They thought we’d been notified but we hadn’t. We wouldn’t have renovated if we’d known. It was an oversight. So, we just sat there, stunned,” says Brooke. “It took us two weeks to wrap our heads around it.”

All of that work, all of that money, all of those dreams. It felt nonsensical. To make things worse, TDOT didn’t need their whole two acres. They only needed the house for an easement, and CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

23

MOVING UP (CONTINUED)

that meant leaving behind the detached garage and above apartment - which was used for a rental property and guest apartment - still in their possession.

The logistics of eminent domain are full of stipulations, which meant that looking for a place to live - in 90 days, no less - was complicated. The loss of their forever home was setting in, and finding a replacement was proving hard.

That is, until Brooke and Dan inquired about a Spanish-style house up the street. They’d seen it on walks and always wondered who owned it.

Turns out, no one had lived there in years, and it was up for sale. The house was huge, plenty big enough to fit the family of now seven. (Brooklyn, their foster daughter, would have her own room.)

Like the 1930s colonial, the 1990s Spanish-style villa was in bad shape. They could move in, but it was going to be a steady mess for a good long while. With nothing to lose, the Phillips made a low offer, and again, it worked in their favor.

Like the Ghost of Christmas Past, TDOT returned recently to say that, yes, in fact they do need that garage and overhead apartment, so the headache of eminent domain isn’t yet over. There always seems to be another curveball.

But that’s life, right? Because what’s come into view for the Phillips family in their Spanish Villa atop a mountain (with the best views in Knoxville) is an open door of ideas for what can be done in that space. Despite not working in ministry anymore, they are still ministry-minded. As Brooke’s and Dan’s respective businesses grow, having space for whatever comes their way is a bigger blessing than they could’ve imagined.

“This property has refocused us as a family. It’s inspired us to keep going. You think you’re always searching for arrival, but I don’t think that’s how life is at all. It’s constantly evolving, a reminder that we’re not even done here,” says Brooke. “Loss is often the gateway into a blessing you could not have imagined.

Having the mindset as I get older, ‘Okay, I don’t like that that happened, and it didn’t feel good, but there is a reason it did.’ If I will allow myself to not grow bitter, then I will be better for the loss and heartbreak.”

While it’s tempting to call the Spanish-style villa their new forever home, the Phillips aren’t too quick to use those words. If they’ve learned one thing over the last decade, in spite of it all, it’s to expect the unexpected.

“It’s the upside down ways of God,” says Brooke.

“What we think to be lost is gained. What we think we gain is often something else entirely.”

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

01 HOLIDAY CANDLES IN 2 SCENTS “MERRY & COZY” 2021 planners, cards, gifts; The Happy Envelope, 5605 Kingston Pike; TheHappyEnvelope.com | 02 BENTON’S SMOKY MOUNTAIN COUNTRY HAM An aged whole hickory smoked country ham; 2603 US-441, Madisonville; Order early online or by phone, ship anywhere in the USA Shop.

BentonsCountryHam.com | 03 LULU LIQUOR CAKES Liquor infused cakes in a jar! LuluLiquorCakes.com | 04 KNOXVILLE CHOCOLATE BARS FROM KNOXVILLE CHOCOLATE COMPANY AT BRADLEY’S GIFT AND HOME 141 N. Peters Rd; ShopBradleys.com | 05 CENTURY HARVEST FARM: GRASS-FED BEEF & HOUSE MADE CHARCUTERIE 7085 Morganton Rd. Greenback; CenturyHarvestStore.org | 06 MCQUEEN POTTERY, GIFT CERTIFICATES, ART CLASSES, EVENTS 934 E Broadway Ave, Maryville; McQueenPottery.com | 07 PIONEER HOUSE: LETTER PRESSED CARDS, CALENDARS, GIFTS 413 S Gay Street; Pioneer-House.com/Small-Prints | 08 ACF JEWELRY: HANDMADE JEWELRY BY AMANDA “CAROLINE” FARRIS By appointment on West Jackson in the Old City; ACFJewelry.com | 09 AMY CAMPBELL ART Custom Contemporary Portraiture & Paintings; By appointment, TennesseeFarmTable.com/Shop

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West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

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FINANCIAL BUZZ ARTICLE MELISSA BALLARD, CFP®

Give for Their H e a lt h

community and to boost not just our own moods, but those of our loved ones as well. And why not improve physical health while we’re at it?

BENEFITS OF GIVING: + Giving has a positive physiological impact on us, proven by MRI: One study showed that when individuals were given the opportunity to make a charitable donation, the pleasure center of the brain “lit up.”

THIS TIME LAST YEAR, COULD ANY OF US

+ Giving decreases symptoms of depression:

HAVE IMAGINED THAT OUR HOLIDAY CEL-

Several studies have shown that depressive

EBRATIONS WOULD BE MASKED, OR CAN-

symptoms were reduced when adults gave of

CELLED ALL TOGETHER DUE TO A GLOBAL

their time to help others.

PANDEMIC? The far-reaching impacts of COVID-

+ Giving improves your health: Other studies

19 are still unfolding, including the impact on the

have shown that volunteers may have lower LDL

holidays generally and our mental, emotional, and

(“bad”) cholesterol, lower blood pressure and

physical health more specifically.

less belly fat as compared to non-volunteers.

We each have loved ones whose health we

Amazing, isn’t it?

are concerned about—not just their physical health, but their mental/emotional health as well.

If we follow the above to their logical conclu-

Isolation can be crippling. Finances are impacted;

sions, we can see that giving someone else the

mood is impacted. And worse, at a time when we

opportunity to give can have the same positive

want to be joyful and celebrate life together, we’re

impacts on their life.

asked to remain apart.

30

If you aren’t hosting your usual Christmas or

How can we lift moods? How can we turn a sad

Hanukkah gathering, consider donating those

day into a joyful one? There are many approaches

funds to a local charity. Or spend the time you

to these questions, such as turning to physical

would have spent volunteering your time.

exercise or one’s religious world view. I think we’d

Undoubtedly right now, volunteering in the

all benefit from exploring those areas too, but for

physical sense is not as feasible as it was this

now, let’s focus on giving. Not just of money, but

time last year. But you’d be amazed at the options

of time too. I propose this is something action-

you can find online for giving your time virtually.

able (large or small) we can each do to help our

Check out Volunteer East Tennessee’s website

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

(volunteeretn.com) or simply do a Google search for “virtual volunteer opportunities.”

Write cards or create crafts for seniors at your local nursing home, transcribe historical documents for the Smithsonian, help research global human rights violations— the options are limitless!

If you’re concerned about a specific loved one, volunteer virtually with them. Or research together a charity to which you commit to donate in their honor. You’ll provide the same three bulleted benefits above to them—improving their overall well-being.

And while you’re at it, offer your child an extra $50 for Christmas if they’ll commit to researching and choosing a local charity to give a “matched” gift of $50. Take them with you to drop off the check. Or take them to the store and spend the $50 on canned goods to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank and drop them off as a family.

Sowing these positive seeds can benefit ourselves, our loved ones and our community. It’s a win all around. Let’s get creative and elicit positivity and unity in our small circles. What do we have to lose? I’d argue nothing. Happy giving!

Source: Rush Health System “The Health Benefits

of

Giving”

https://www.rush.

edu/health-wellness/discover-health/ health-benefits-giving The opinions expressed are those of PYAW’s Investment Team. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to change due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Forward looking statements cannot be guaranteed.

PYA Waltman Capital, LLC (“PYAW”) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about PYAW’s investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV Part 2, which is available upon request. PYA-20-56

Melissa Ballard, CFP® CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

31

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

GIVING YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM A BOOST TO SAY THAT 2020 HAS BEEN FULL OF STRESSFUL

Nutrition/hydration. We are indeed what we eat and drink,

CHALLENGES MIGHT BE THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF

and more specifically, what we digest and absorb. According

THE YEAR. With the battle against Covid-19 still raging and

to the Harvard School of Public Health, “Diets that are limited

flu season arriving, our immune systems need to be as strong

in variety and lower in nutrients, such as consisting primarily

as possible. These biological threats, plus the emotional and

of ultra-processed foods and lacking in minimally processed

mental stress resulting from this challenging year, make it

foods, can negatively affect a healthy immune system. It is also

doubly important for us to ensure we are as healthy as pos-

believed that a Western diet high in refined sugar and red meat

sible. And while we can discuss the pros and cons of masks,

and low in fruits and vegetables can promote disturbances in

social distancing, and possible quarantines ad nauseam, it’s

healthy intestinal microorganisms, resulting in chronic inflam-

hard to argue against the value in strengthening our immunity.

mation of the gut, and associated suppressed immunity.”

Here are three simple, but crucial things to strengthen your immune systems and lower your risks to Covid, as well as many other threats.

If you struggle with nutrition, be sure to include a multivitamin, and add additional Zinc, and Vitamins C and D for extra insurance.

Lastly, don’t neglect hydration. Dehydration reduces the

Exercise. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine,

overall volume of blood and lymphatic fluids that are inte-

exercise may serve to lower our risk for illness through several

gral in a healthy immune system response. Dehydration and

different pathways. Physical activity may flush bacteria out

inflammation causes further impairment of one's immune

of the lungs and airways, reducing our chances for colds and

system and can contribute to autoimmune diseases.

respiratory illness. Exercise promotes faster circulation of

Trainer’s Tip: Try a frozen fruit and spinach smoothie. I add a

antibodies and white blood cells throughout the body, which

handful of frozen spinach and berries, some Greek yogurt, some

may mean faster recognition of and resistance to illnesses.

milk (I like almond milk), and teaspoon of locally produced honey

Exercise slows down the production of stress hormones,

and blend until smooth. It’s a tasty treat that’s loaded with anti-

which may reduce our chance of illness.

oxidants and about 3 to 4 servings of fruits and veggies.

Trainers’ Tip: While moderate amounts of exercise can be

Sleep. Research studies have concluded that lack of qual-

beneficial, long bouts of strenuous exercise may temporarily

ity sleep and disruption of the body’s circadian rhythm is

reduce your immune system’s ability to function. You don’t

strongly correlated with weakened immunity. Sleep facilitates

need to overdo it – just be consistent! And try to exercise out-

the redistribution of T-cells (an important type of white blood

side whenever possible. The added benefit of sunlight enables

cell), and may be important in the possible redistribution of

our bodies to make Vitamin D, a known immune system booster.

T-cells to lymph nodes. Most medical professionals recommend at least 7-8 hours of restful sleep per night for adults, and 9 to 10 hours for children and teens.

Trainers tip: Take a warm shower and then stretch or foam

ARTICLE ANDREW HENDERSON OWNER OF FITNESS TOGETHER

roll before bedtime. You’ll unwind, and feel less stiff and achy in the morning. Also, minimize screen time before bed. Research shows that the blue light from our screens can inhibit the rise in naturally occurring melatonin, a sleep hormone.

32

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

CityLifestyle.com/WestKnoxville

33

PARTING THOUGHTS NOTES OF HOPE FROM STUDENTS AT CLAYTON BRADLEY ACADEMY

I N 2 0 2 1

I WANT TO...

Hannah Robbins: Senior

Gwen Layton: Sixth Grader

Tori Goff: Fifth Grader

In 2021, I look forward to starting a

In 2021, I just want things to be normal.

In 2021, I hope we have a cure or vaccine

brand new chapter in my life. As I plan

I want to be able to see my friends, not

for Covid-19 so that things can go back to

to graduate high school and start college

just their masked face. I want to see their

how they were before the pandemic. When

next year, my goal is to ultimately be able

smiles. That might sound a bit cheesy a

the pandemic is over, I plan to show my

to find success. Although the future looks

few years ago, but you’re really honest

appreciation for all the things that Covid-

scary and uncertain, I know that using

with yourself, you would say it too.

19 kept us from doing. I used to take for

and applying the knowledge and skills I

granted going to school, going to events,

have gained will help me in the new excit-

and seeing my friends. In 2021, after things

ing experiences I will get to have.

go back to normal, I plan to not take things for granted and be more thankful. I plan to be more grateful for my teachers for being able to have school and my friends.

34

West Knoxville Lifestyle | December 2020

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