Volume 74, Issue 44
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Last issue of 2020 - Relaunch January 2021
Longtime Norris Bulletin Publisher Jack Mitchell Passes Away
By Crystal Huskey
norrisbulletin@gmail.com
As I write, I’m listening to Norah Jones, a musician Jack happened to love. I’m typing awkwardly, because I broke my left shift key trying to clean up the juice my son spilled on me and my laptop, so I have to use the wrong side of my brain to capitalize letters. That’s something I would have
told Jack right about now, in the hours leading up to print day for the Norris Bulletin. He would chuckle, think about what I said, then chuckle again and say something like, “Don’t you love modern technology?” For the past year, I’ve handled the editing, design and much of the writing for the Bulletin while Jack handled operations. Around 8 p.m. on deadline
he’d call me. “How’s it going?” he’d ask. “It’s going,” I’d reply, tweaking the copy or adjusting the size of an ad. “Getting there.” He would make sure I got everything of importance in, double check the ads and send me attachments that didn’t go through the first time. Technology was our biggest hurdle most weeks.
We spoke regularly, meeting up often at his office to discuss the latest gossip/news, and talking late into the night as we tried to make everything that came in through email fit in the 16 pages we had to work with. We worked together to redesign the paper a few weeks ago, a process that went smoother than either of us expected. About that — we (continued on page 2)
The Norris Bulletin
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
changed the design for two reasons. One reason was that it was just time for an update. But the main driver of change, as is so often the case, was necessity. Our printer, based in Knoxville, got eminent domained. (I made that word up. It’s allowed, Shakespeare says so.) The city took his building. And that building housed the huge printing press that spun up our pages every week. You can’t just pick up and move a printing press, so we had to settle for a plain old printer to spit out our pages. Which meant plain
paper instead of newsprint. I’m glad Jack got to see the final result. There was so much more to Jack than anyone would guess. He was a lawyer, a real estate developer, and for a couple of years, an intelligence officer for the U.S. Army. He was benevolent. He was philanthropic. Every time — every time — he saw a homeless person, he gave him or her something, according to Loy, his partner and soulmate of 18 years. He truly, deeply, cared. His heart bled into his politics. Don’t let his column fool you; he wasn’t as cantankerous as he seemed. His opinions and beliefs didn’t come from a place of contention, they came from compassion. And sometimes compassion can make you angry. Sometimes it can make you a little heated. Seeing injustice, unfairness or even ignorance that resulted in meanness riled him up. And writing was
Crystal Huskey, Editor P.O. Box 1078 norrisbulletin@gmail.com
865-719-3550
Thursday, November 5, 2020
his way to combat that. He wanted to let you know. Loy and Jack met at Arcadian Springs, when Jack was drawing up the plans for the community. They had an immediate connection, bonding over music and mutual philosophies. They had a blast together as they shared every aspect of life, from work to community involvement. And they always kissed good night. “He was a good man,” Loy said. “We enjoyed each other’s company. He adored me and I adored him. He was so bright, and there were new things coming in all the time. It was like living with an encyclopedia. His wheels were turning all the time.” Jack always wanted to present Norris in the best light. He knew things. Boy, did he know things! But he knew the wisdom of what was worth saying. “Jack was all about presenting the story of Norris in a good light,” Norris City Manager Scott Hackler said. “Initially,
I depended on Jack for publicity for the Volunteer Fire Department. Jack was only an email or phone call away and he never complained when a request was received minutes before the publishing deadline. As I entered into the job of city manager, Jack was one of those valuable resources in town for a good perspective on the goings on. We had numerous discussions on city related activities where he would share a wealth of knowledge and experience.” A good example of Jack’s contribution was the Concert on the Commons series, according to Hackler. “That happened because of Jack and his efforts to find the best talent to fill the schedule,” he said. “Jack Mitchell was connected, deeply involved, and passionate about Norris being the best it could be. For that, we should all be grateful, and for that Jack will be missed even if you never knew him as I did.”
Published weekly for the community of Norris and surrounding areas Entered as Periodicals July 1, 1996 Norris, Tn 37828 (UPS 004--971) Circulation Manager: PJ Roberts Post Office Postmaster: Please send addresses to: The Norris Bulletin, PO Box 1078, Norris, TN 37828 Founded in 1948 by Ann Henle
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Thursday, November 5, 2020
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City Mayor Chris Mitchell agreed, stating that Jack will be greatly missed.
Leaving Behind a Legacy
Longtime friend Liz McGeachy said Jack could tell a great story and laughed when he told a good joke, which he did often. “He was super smart, and was always happy to share his knowledge and his opinion – whether you agreed with it or not,” she said. “I like that in a person. He encouraged me early on in my writing, and always supported and encouraged my children in their endeavors. He introduced me to some of my favorite musicians and almost single-handedly managed the Concert on the Commons series – one of my favorite events in Norris. Jack was a fabulous cook, and shared his creations with his friends. “The Sunday before his stroke, he showed up at my doorstep with two containers of panna cotta, just because he knew I loved it. That’s the kind of guy he was – he had a big and generous heart, and losing him will surely leave a hole in mine.” Other friends and coworkers will share their experience with Jack in
the following pages of this edition. Jack published the Norris Bulletin for the last seven years. He followed in the footsteps of many dedicated Norris residents, beginning with Anne Henle in 1948. The TVA produced a weekly news sheet for the town that was available for everyone to pick up at the post office, but when that was discontinued, Henle recognized a communications vacuum and started the paper. (Thanks to Bob Gregory for sending me this information.) Anne and her husband Maurice both had a newspaper background. She owned and operated it until 1985, when Jayne Luzadder Kelley took over. It went through a few different hands after that, ending most recently with Jack. This will be the last
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issue of the paper for the year, but in January, I will pick it up as co-publisher with Lisa Shirey. You’ll know Lisa from her regular column in this paper, as well as from her restaurant Clinch River Brewing. She’ll handle operations, much like Jack did, and I’ll keep writing, designing, editing, and whatever else! We know how important this paper is to the community, and we know the value of true community journalism. We will host a meeting this Saturday at 2 p.m. in
front of Loy Johnson Real Estate for anyone interested in discussing the paper, where we will present our plan and hopes for the future. You can reach either of us at norrisbulletin@ gmail.com, or give me a call at 865-209-0313. Our approach will remain similar to Jack’s, and the editors that have gone on before him. We hope we can make him proud. I’ll miss you, Jack.
A Note from Loy Johnson “I am humbled and grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and support from my Norris neighbors. In the words of Jack, with an added phrase from Harper Picarelli, “the best thing about living in Norris is living in Norris...with people like you.” Page 3
The Norris Bulletin
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Al Lesar was at The South Bend (Indiana) Tribune for 32 years, the last 10 or so as Assistant Sports Editor/Columnist, where, among his other many assignments, he covered Notre Dame football.
He was the glue that held the Norris community together
Jack Mitchell was best when doing work behind the scenes It was his engaging smile – well, really more of a smirk – and comfortable drawl that made Jack Mitchell so easy to like. Jack, who passed away recently after a stroke, was one of those special people in the community of Norris who supplied the glue to keep it all together. As publisher of The Bulletin, he was the first to admit that his newspaper background was limited, but what he lacked in the fundamentals of the process, he made up with his passion. Small-town politics appealed to him. A lawyer by trade, who moonlighted as a realtor with his partner Loy Johnson, Jack loved to stick his nose into a public meeting and hold the officials to a
standard. His standard. Close relationships wouldn’t get in the way of Jack’s opinion being there on display on the left column of the front page of The Bulletin every week. He was a master of knowing the ramifications a decision in a meeting might have to the way of life in Norris. Jack was there at that meeting representing everyone in the community, and he didn’t take the responsibility lightly. One of the first people I met in Norris about seven years ago was Jack, mainly because Loy was our realtor. We bought the Henle House, which was originally owned by Anne Henle, the first publisher of The Bulletin in 1948. The irony was not lost on Jack. He knew my
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background. It didn’t take long for him to plant the seed about filling some space for him on a weekly basis once I was living here full-time. Running a weekly newspaper, while trying to work another job, wasn’t easy. The Bulletin was more than a hobby for Jack, it was a labor of love. He wasn’t the best bookkeeper, but he got things done – even if it meant handling a couple expenses out of his own pocket occasionally, before the invoices he finally sent out got paid. Ya know, when we finally got settled and I started filling a page for Jack, he never mentioned money. Heck, he was such a nice guy, neither did I. More than three years later, I’m still
waiting for my first check from The Bulletin. But hey, it’s my hobby; it’s my labor of love. And, well, at least I got a free subscription. As it turned out, Jack lived a few doors down from us. I’d often see him heading down the service road. He’d love to talk sports, but being a Vanderbilt graduate, he was always at a competitive disadvantage – until college baseball season. During the College World Series, he’d never miss an opportunity to update me on the most recent score. Had to just sit there and let him talk. I felt sorry for a guy who had nothing to crow about from August to April. Jack had dreams. One that never happened was a plan to syndicate three
Subscribe to the Norris Bulletin! Email norrisbulletin@gmail.com or call (865) 209-0313 to find out how. $25/year for email only; $35/year for email and print. Stay in the loop! Page 4
Thursday, November 5, 2020 of The Bulletin’s columnists to weekly papers all across Tennessee. Content would focus on University of Tennessee sports, cooking and birds. The key was to get a big-time sponsor like Clayton Homes, Pilot Flying J or some such deep-pocketed business with a statewide reach. The weekly stories would be offered to the papers for free, along with an advertisement from the sponsor. All the papers would have to do was run everything. The sponsor would pay a fee (which was to be distributed to the writers) for every paper in which it appeared. Sounded like a gold mine. Alas, Jack’s best efforts at securing that sponsor never came to fruition. The concept seemed a win-win-win for everybody. Oh well, back to that hobby and labor of love. But, that’s how Jack was. He was the one planning to broker the deal, but never included himself for a cut of the pie. The operation behind the scenes was something on which he thrived. My most vivid memories of him are on a hot, summer Friday night – camera in hand – making sure all was going well with the norrisbulletin@gmail.com
The best thing about living in Norris... is living in Norris!
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Concert on the Commons that he organized, then orchestrated. Jack made that effort because those concerts made life in Norris better. They gave folks something to which to look forward – enjoy the entertainment and see your friends. Then there’s Norris Day. Jack was there – camera in hand – capturing the cute and the curious of every kid and dog that spent the Fourth of July on The Commons or in the parade. He just kinda blended into the crowd, recording history and making life better in Norris. Today’s Jack’s time to step forward and be recognized as one of the pivotal pieces that has held the town together. Reluctantly carrying on without him won’t be easy. So many things won’t look the same. You did good, Jack. We’ll miss ya. Just hope I get to keep my free subscription. Got a comment or question for Al Lesar? Contact him at: allesar111@ gmail.com
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The Norris Bulletin
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Frances Oates of Norris is a lifelong journalist who has written newspaper columns about wild birds since 1968; Birdlady is her registered federal trademark. Email her at birdlady@birdlady.com .
Editor’s note: Birdlady will be setting up a website to discuss birds while the paper is in recess. To find out more, email birdlady@birdlady.com.
the Tennessee bird lines have been humming with reports of siskins, purple finches and red-breasted nuthatches. BirdWire has another piece of good news for “Winter finches”—may- birders: The Tadoussac Bird Observatory in be, just maybe, they’ll Quebec is reporting more turn the winter of our discontent into something evening grosbeaks than in the last quarter-cena little more fun. tury, and the grosbeaks’ BirdWire, an email breeding population has newsletter published by been increasing in EastBird Watcher’s Digest (www.birdwatchersdigest. ern Canada. That lends some credibility to the com) says summer pinerecent report of a flock of cone crops in the northeastern forests have been evening grosbeaks near average to poor this year, Norris Lake in Campbell County, though I haven’t suggesting that waves of the northern birds known heard of any more sightings yet. as winter finches (some So... will this be an are not really finches) will irruption winter? head south this winter to “Irruption” might sound find more abundant food. like a disease, but actuLots of red-breasted ally it’s an invasion, a nuthatches started pushsudden sharp increase ing south in August. in a population. Birders Purple finches (not to wish every autumn for an be confused with house irruption winter, but we finches) are showing up won’t know until at least in large numbers south November whether our of their breeding range. feeders will swarm with Pine siskins, too, are moving south en masse— birds that usually hang norrisbulletin@gmail.com
Red-breasted nuthatch—noticeably smaller than our more familiar white-breasted nuthatch. (Wolfgang Wander photo, Wikimedia Commons) out much farther north. elevations. But for us in Many of the birds that Norris, they’re unusual. irrupt in winter from CanBlack-capped chickaada and Alaska truly are dees and purple finches, finches—those we might you say? Aren’t they see here include not only here all the time? No, our siskins, evening groscommon chickadee is the beaks and purple finches, Carolina, closely resembut also red crossbills bling the black-capped and common redpolls. but smaller, quicker and Non-finches that irrupt in- not as tame. And the purclude snowy owls, black- ple finch is never at our capped chickadees and feeders in summer—comred-breasted nuthatches. pare it carefully to the In East Tennessee, this house finch in your bird picture is muddied by the guide. mountains, where siskins, We used to simply say red crossbills, blackthat northern birds irrupt capped chickadees and southward when food red-breasted nuthatches supplies are low, but it’s reside and breed at high turning out to be a little Page 6
Thursday, November 5, 2020
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G
ing south in years when the lemmings commit mass suicide is the opposite of the truth. The owls move south when an oversupply of lemmings results in an oversupply of owls. In fact, according to Alaska Fish & Wildlife News, the whole lemming suicide story is a fake, promulgated in the 1958 Walt Disney True Life Adventure film “White Wilderness.” The Young snowy owl, sporting the black feathers film featured a segment that will be lost as it grows older. (Floyd Davidon lemmings’ supposed son photo, Wikimedia Commons) strange compulsion to commit mass suicide. In 1983, a Canadian F E & S M O KE A HA C SPECIALS Broadcasting Corp. proA WEEK OF 11/04 - 11/07 ducer looked into it and found that the Disney soup lemming scenes were staged—the lemmings beer cheese with white cheddar toast & pickled onion shown “leaping into the ocean” were actually thrown off a cliff into special a river by the filmmakers and photographed bbq shrimp po' boy pan seared with onion, garlic, & sweet/hot creole sauce, with tight camera shaved lettuce, tomato, chipotle aioli on french roll angles so that movieserved with fresh cracklin's goers couldn’t see what was really happening. desserts Shame on you, Disney!
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more complicated. Seed-eating birds do move south in years when coniferous trees produce poor crops. However, researchers looking at Audubon Christmas Bird Count data found that black-capped chickadees produce large numbers of young in summers following a big seed crop—and if a poor crop follows, the glut of chickadees moves south looking for food. That irruption is due not only to a poor crop of seed, but also to a big crop of chickadees. Something similar happens with snowy owls, according to the website http://www.projectsnowstorm.org/, which reports on snowy owl research. Snowy owls eat a lot of lemmings, mouse-like rodents that live on the tundra. In the autumn of 2013, a mega-flight of snowy owls traveled from northern Quebec into the U.S. Apparently lemming populations had boomed during the summer of 2013, snowy owls enjoyed a banner nesting season—and that autumn, thousands of those young owls moved south. So the long-told story about snowy owls mov-
The best thing about living in Norris... is living in Norris!
banana puddin' cheesecake cookies & milk (toffee chocolate chip)
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The Norris Bulletin
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Lisa Shirey of Norris has a passion for writing, food, cooking, travel, funny adventures, and the human connection of life well shared in the spirit of community. You may email her at lisa.shirey@clinchriverbrewing.com.
Reflecting on a Lost Friend
Words are not easily coming this morning. Generally, they slip up on me like a southern California cougar stalking a lone hiker on a hot July evening. No sign of a single thought and then a rapid flow of startling consciousness. On those rare, but pesky days, when words were scarce and busy partying elsewhere, I would shoot a text to Jack Mitchell. “I got nothin,’” I would say. “Give me an idea…some direction.” My phone would ring, and I would hear him chuckle softly and give me a subtle hint. And it was always just a hint. Like a tiny seed planted in the hope that there might be one fertile patch of ground somewhere in my grey matter that
would sprout something of worth and maybe a little humor. I hope I did not fail him. Jack knew my heart’s desire to write before I fully recognized it. One gloriously sunny Saturday in March of 2015, as I ran to catch up on a mountain of laundry and household chores, after a week on the road, I heard a knock at the front door. After a few neighborly words he proceeded with his mission. “I’ve read some things you have written,” he said. “And I like the way you write.” It is always shocking to me that anyone reads a word I write. But eager to hear the rest, I kept my mouth shut. Jack continued, “I’m wondering if you would consider writing an article every now and then for the Bulletin?” First shocked, then flattered, and finally, thrilled, I said, “I would love to.” And so with that simple approach, he became my friend and mentor every week for sixty-eight months; nearly 292
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weeks of words. He never told me what to write. When I asked, he would say, write about whatever you want. Sometimes I would say, “Is this too much for Norris?” He would say, “I have never censored you yet, and I am not about to now.” I took advantage of that poetic license and so danced around everything from politics, to love, to death, to friendship, to the common potato, to squirrel hunting, to trudging through Amsterdam or Israel. He permitted freedom of creative expression. There are many life lessons in that kind of trust and faith. Considering the heartbreak of the past week, I have thought about Loy and Jack a great deal. I am completely unable to separate one from the other. It is always “Jack and Loy.” I remember the day I met Loy. She was the second person I met in Norris. All glorious joy for life; sassy, unbridled, talented, smart and kind, she captured my heart
early on. Over the years she has guided me over some towering hurdles with astounding tenderness, love and her pragmatic wit and unflinching courage. I am incredibly grateful I have listened to what her heart has said to mine. And so, knowing her, led me to know Jack. Though I do not remember the day I met Jack. It must have been a day I simply popped by the office to sign a contract or have something notarized. With Loy it was instantly and infinitely joyful and memorable. With Jack it was more of a comfortable gliding into a friendship, as one car pulls alongside another and simply idles along peacefully at the same speed for a time. Sadly, that time is done, but I will be forever grateful to both for showing up and inviting me along when they did. My memories of Jack include him sharing gently humorous tales of his beloved mother, relaxing vacations with Loy and Page 8
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the kids, sweet small towns with an artsy feel and a Mayberry charm, memorable meals shared with friends, and always the connectedness of our town and her people. There will be many who will write about his unselfish contribution to the City of Norris. There
The best thing about living in Norris... is living in Norris!
will be those who share stories of his love of Loy and family. There will be those who share his accomplishments and service. Those folks have likely known him far better and longer than I and so will add the detail of brushstrokes I have only just caught glimpses of.
But what I can speak to, is one person reaching a hand-out to another person, in the hope of making a small difference in their lives. I expect Jack did that for many of us, and in doing so, fulfilled one of the greatest commandments; Love Thy Neighbor. Jack was
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that one person reaching a simple hand out to me, to allow my voice to be found and ultimately shared. For that I will be eternally grateful, and he will be eternally missed. Rest in peace, my friend.
A finger pointed them — literally — in the right direction The Norris Bulletin, along with many other news outlets in the region, received a riveting crime story a couple of weeks ago from the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office. While you may have already heard about this, we’re going to share it, just in case you haven’t. It’s a case of justice served without delay — in our experience, that’s a cause for celebration. Just before 9:00 a.m. on October 22, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office received a call about a stolen log splitter from a home on the 900 block of Batley Road in the Marlow community. As the victim identified the property that was stolen, he noticed tools and other items at the end of the driveway and just off the
road. Among those items were the suspect’s finger and cell phone. You read that right. First on the scene, Deputy Kory Blevins, secured the area to allow detectives to begin their investigation. Once they took possession of the finger, the deputies called area hospitals hoping to find a patient missing a finger. Detectives discovered that Hugh John Seeber was dropped off at the Methodist Medical Center Emergency Room around 4 a.m. with a finger missing. Seeber, 50, was transported to UT Hospital for treatment for this injury. Detective Sean Flynn transported the finger to UT Hospital and
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conducted an interview on Seeber. The results of the interview and other evidence has resulted in Seeber being charged with felony theft of property. Seeber has been in jail before on criminal trespassing charges. Anderson County Sheriff Russell Barker, praised the work done by the deputies and detectives on this case.
“I am very proud of the work our guys did today. Mr. Seeber’s finger pointed us in the right direction, which led to him being charged,” Barker stated. District Attorney General Dave Clark, was briefed by the sheriffs office about today’s incident. “You just can’t make up the odd things that we find at crime scenes,” Clark expressed. Seeber was undergoing surgery as the email was being written. We may not have the police reports this week, but we hope this scratches the itch.
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The Norris Bulletin
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
Thursday, November 5, 2020
Obituary
Jack John “Jack” Gorman Mitchell, Jr. October 12, 1942 – October 27, 2020
Born in Humboldt, TN, Jack was raised in nearby Bruceton where he attended Bruceton High School. He went on to graduate from Georgetown and later received a law degree from Vanderbilt University. Jack served as a Captain in the US Army from 19681970 and was an Intelligence Officer while in Vietnam. He was a recipient of the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and Vietnamese Service Medal. Predeceased by his father, John “Jack” Gorman Mitchell, Sr., and a brother, James Larry Mitchell, Jack is survived by his mother Pauline “Polly” Mitchell of Bruceton, sister Theresa Pollack (Al) of North Canton, OH; sister Cecilia Nye of Knoxville; daughter Anne “Meredith” Nelson (Mark) of Mt. Pleasant, SC; and his loving soulmate of 18 years, Loy Johnson in Norris. Jack
also leaves behind nephews and nieces: Mark Mitchell (Amy) of Franklin; Elizabeth Mitchell-Mendelsohn (Matt) of Alexandria, VA; Rob Nye (Beth) of Knoxville, Ben Nye (Kelly) of Nashville, and eight great-nieces and -nephews. In addition Loy’s daughter, Lindsey Mosby (Tim) of Amsterdam, and her two children Miles and Eisele were devoted to the man who loved their mom. Jack was the harmony to Loy’s melody and together they made beautiful music – literally and figuratively. You could often find Jack listening lovingly nearby as Loy sang along with friends and family. He was the steady drumbeat behind
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not only his family, but also anyone who lived and worked nearby. Although he did not possess much musical talent of his own, Jack had a deep appreciation for music of almost any genre – but his favorites were Jazz and Americana. The mastermind and orchestrator behind the scenes of Norris’s summer music series “Concert on the Commons,” and also the owner/publisher of the “Norris Bulletin,” Jack enjoyed keeping his finger on the pulse of the community. Not only could you often find him discussing local topics with concerned citizens, but also sharing his passion for the Norris community and beyond
in his weekly newspaper editorial contributions. His love of Norris was also evident in his success as a real estate agent in town with Loy Johnson Real Estate. Son, husband, father, brother, uncle, grandfather, and neighbor … Jack was – and will continue to be - greatly loved in each capacity. Due to Covid-19 precautions, there will be no immediate service; however, the family invites you to join them in a celebration of his life in the spring. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norris City Office; P.O. Box 1090, Norris, TN; 37828, to go toward a memorial park bench. Please designate any contributions as “Jack Mitchell’s Bench.” In addition, donations may also be made to Restore Life, P.O. Box 1113; Elizabethton, TN; 37644; and designated as “The Brown Fund.”
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Good Neighbors Christmas food and children’s gifts update Good Neighbors was organized in 1935 and has found many ways to help families in the Norris area since that time. Good Neighbors is a volunteer organization with representatives and participants from area churches and the community. For as long as anyone can remember, Good Neighbors has provided boxes of food and children’s gifts to families in need of Christmas cheer and assistance. Good Neighbors is continuing the are being conducted as a tradition again this year in spite of Covid 19. The drive through. Our food collecting, food sorting, organization is in place; basket filling, and gift plans are underway; the schools are ready to con- handling will be managed duct their traditional food as safely as possible. Masks, distancing, and drives; spaces have been other protective steps are reserved, and suppliers being observed. lined up. It is Not Too Late to Changes Due to Covid Sign-up: If you live in 19: But, as with everythe area of Anderson thing else, the Covid 19 County “East” of the pandemic has affected Clinch River, qualify this year’s Christmas financially, and have Food and Children’s missed our recent signup Gifts Project in that we for 2020, call the Norris are taking steps to minReligious Fellowship imize exposure and risk to our workers and to our office at 494-7131 to beclients. Both our recently gin the sign-up process. Please do so by Novemheld registration and our food and gifts distribution ber 15. The Community can on Tuesday, December 15 norrisbulletin@gmail.com
Help: Good Neighbors has always relied on the churches, individuals, and community organizations to fund its activities. Because of Covid restrictions on gatherings such as church services, our donations of cash, and especially children’s gifts are expected to be less than in recent years. The Angel Tree program which collects children’s gifts through the churches, is anticipated to fall short. Also because of the economic and other disruptions caused by the pandemic, we expect the need this year to be higher. If you would like to contribute financially to Good Neighbors, mail your donation to Good Neighbors, c/o Norris Religious Fellowship, PO Box 267, Norris TN 37828. If you would like an Angel from an Angel Tree or to donate to the gifts, contact the Fellowship at 494-7131 for information. Extra Workers May be Needed: Some of our usual helpers may feel uneasy about risking exposure so there might be need for extra hands at the following times. Activities take place in
Fellowship Hall and in the parking lot at the Norris Religious Fellowship, 49 Dogwood Road. For information, contact Bob Gregory, 494-7103. Friday December 11, 10 am to noon at Archers back door. Some trucks are needed getting the food from Archers to the church. Friday December 11, 1 pm to 2:30. Meet at the church. Some trucks are needed getting donated food from the four area schools into Fellowship Hall. Saturday December 12, from 9 am to noon, help may be needed sorting the donated food. Monday December 14, from 9 am to noon, help may be needed filling the boxes. Tuesday December 15, from 8:30 am to noon, help is needed distributing the food and toys in drive through fashion. Thank you from the Norris Area Good Neighbors. Have a safe and bountiful Thanksgiving and a joyful, safe holiday season.
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The Norris Bulletin
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
Thursday, November 5, 2020
White supremacists infiltrate an East Tennessee town in Charles Dodd White’s How Fire Runs By Emily Choate Courtesy Chapter16.org
Pain and Radiance In the opening pages of Knoxville writer Charles Dodd White’s How Fire Runs, a group of white supremacists establish themselves on the grounds of an abandoned mental hospital. From here, on wooded outskirts of a carefully selected town in East Tennessee, their leader intends to rebrand the movement by offering the locals some kinder, gentler Nazis — cool-headed, civically useful, rhetorically skillful. They call their new stronghold “Little Europe.” Unlike many of the people he has recruited, the group’s founder, Gavin Noon, is a true believer. Surrounding himself with a library of books about fascism and eugenics, Noon has developed a multi-stage plan to infiltrate the local government and beyond. But the first step is to present his group as just another innocuous local organization: “The one thing that could undermine his efforts was haste. Instead, he must remain deliberate, measured. He must not allow others to make him the caricature they would have preferred him to be.”
Noon and his followers have been groomed through various channels to join the sub-world of white nationalism — prison gangs, online message boards, fan fiction, and familial cycles of abuse. The insidious nature of contemporary white supremacist recruiting tactics is revealed in the experience of Harrison, a vulnerable young man whose pragmatic alignment with the Aryan Brotherhood during a prison term becomes the bridge he takes back into the outside. The sheer darkness that’s surrounded him for years has led him to understand a warped sense of belonging, a “belonging that demanded you reject the rest of the world.” Leading the fight against the threat of this influence are two county commissioners who are already fighting demons of their own. Kyle Pettus is a former Marine who operates a plant nursery and a reforestation program that helps fellow veterans. An engaging character with a strong civic responsibility and a secretive personal life, Kyle finds himself suddenly responsible for the safety of Gerald
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Pickens, an ornery Vietnam vet who is the only other Democrat on the county commission. After taking some provoking rifle shots at the Little Europe guys from his porch, Gerald is arrested, providing an unexpected opportunity for Noon to manipulate the ideological conflicts already at work in their community. Kyle and Gerald set about rallying their fellow citizens to stand against the encroaching “infection” of white nationalism. While their own authority on the commission comes into question, they must find a way to prevent their local government from any act, however small, that would lend legitimacy to Little Europe. These events take place against the backdrop a long drought drying up the county’s mountains, fields, and coves. Every spark threatens to ignite the land. The final third of How Fire Runs hurtles us through an incendiary gauntlet of danger, suspense, and violence. Scene after scene unfolds through well-paced, smartly plotted action, which makes this book tough to put
down. White imbues his prose with deep compassion and finely honed storytelling. These skills were already on display in White’s 2018 novel, In the House of Wilderness, but here they accelerate, fueled by powerful confrontation with the violent racism and environmental hazards that endanger our current national atmosphere. White holds nothing back, and these scenes spark and blaze. As Harrison observes in a dire moment of risk: “Everything was pain and radiance.” Though the central subject of How Fire Runs exposes chilling realities that threaten the stability of some of our communities, the novel’s overarching vision is not a hopeless one. The people within its world face a struggle to survive. But on the other side of that struggle, the novel suggests, lies the possibility of renewal — if they are willing to confront the darker sides of their own natures and the consequences of their cumulative choices.
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Thursday,November 5, 2020
The best thing about living in Norris... is living in Norris!
The Norris Bulletin
October County Commission Update By Josh Anderson District 3 County Commissioner joshandersondistrict3@ gmail.com Governor Lee announced an extension of his executive order allowing public meetings to be held virtually through the end of the calendar year. The news came just before county commission met for its October business meeting. Several courtesy resolutions were presented this week, including a proclamation honoring former Oak Ridge Mayor and current “Missing Goat” Tom Beehan, as well as World War II and Korean War veteran, Mr. Claude Martin, who at age 15, ran away from home in Anderson County and joined the Army Air Corps. This week was also declared Red Ribbon Week for ASAP of Anderson County. ASAP director, Stephanie Strutner announced that ASAP of Anderson just received its largest federal grant to date: the Strategic Framework Partnership for Success Grant. The 5 year grant, totaling
$1.25 million dollars will allow collaboration with Roane and Scott counties to strengthen drug prevention efforts. Over 500 entities applied for this competitive grant, and ASAP of Anderson was one of only 86 organizations to receive it. Strutner also announced that ASAP of Anderson was chosen to be the sole case study in substance misuse prevention this year presented for review by the U.S. Congress. Interim Finance Director Robbie Holbrook’s budget report continued to reflect an upward trend in sales tax revenues across the county. August sales tax revenues for Norris were $37,144.32, up from $27,270.76 in August, 2019. The county portion of sales tax revenue for August was $411,366.06, up from $350,270.73 in August, 2019. Currently, the county’s unassigned fund balance stands at $6.6 million, which may sound like a large sum to just be “sitting around,” but the state comptroller recommends a county such as Anderson to have about two months
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of operating expenses in the unassigned balance, and $6.6 million puts the county with just over 2 months of operational expenses - this is the first time in several years the county has been able to achieve that level. The budget report concluded with a motion from the budget committee to approve a 3% cost of living raise for all county employees except for school system employees. The total cost of the raise would be about $559,000 annually, and part of the justification was based on several years of stagnant wages for county employees, as well as the increasing cost of employee turnover and training. Commission ended up referring the recommendation back to the budget committee in order to get more clarification on whether certain departments will need appropriations from the general fund in order to fund the raises, as well as to determine if it would be possible to fund a pay raise for school employees as well. The proposed raise for school employees was tabled this year
because of funding cuts at the state level. Dr. Parrott announced that the federal government has extended the free meal program until the end of this school year, which means every student in Anderson County Schools is eligible to receive a free breakfast and lunch for the remainder of the year. Total enrollment is down by 130 students from last year to 5,965 currently enrolled, with over 800 students still attending school virtually. Dr. Parrott indicated that the biggest reason for the drop in enrollment was related to kindergarten age children being kept out of school this year since parents have the option of waiting until the child is 6 years old before starting school. Commission moved forward with approving a contract which would allow for Online Tax Sales for delinquent properties. There is currently no tax sale scheduled, but it’s anticipated one will take place in early 2021.
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The Norris Bulletin
Thursday, November 5, 2020
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
You’re invited to a community meeting! The Norris Bulletin’s new publishers, Crystal Huskey and Lisa Shirey, will host a meet & greet and informational
session on Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. in front of Loy Johnson Real Estate. (Loy will also be in attendance!)
Bring a lawn chair! We’ll also discuss a few volunteer roles available. norrisbulletin@gmail.com
Get comfortable with using less energy at home. Turn your house into the sanctuary it should be. Visit 2eScore.com to find out how energy efficient your home is and what you can do to improve it. With a high eScore and lower energy costs, you’ll be able to live comfortably.
Clinton Utilities Board 457-9232
Pub: CUB Insert: 2015 Size: 5" x 6"
Job No: TVAA-48078 Title: Live Comfortably Ad – Father/Son
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Thursday, November 5, 2020
The best thing about living in Norris... is living in Norris!
The Norris Bulletin
Inside Yard Sale Rain or Shine 13 Ridgeway Road, Norris Friday and Saturday, Sept. 25th and 26th 8:00 a.m-3 p.m.
Washer, Dryer, Furniture and lots more!
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The Norris Bulletin
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
norrisbulletin@gmail.com
Thursday, November 5, 2020
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Thursday, November 5, 2020
The best thing about living in Norris... is living in Norris!
The Norris Bulletin
Circuit Court Clerk Rex Lynch installs new archival filing equipment
Rex Lynch, Circuit Court Clerk, announced completion of new, state of the art, archival filing equipment for the archived records generated from his offices. Many of the records are permanent and can never be destroyed, while others must be maintained for at
least 10 years. “When I took office, General Sessions Division 2 records were unorganized and scattered in multiple locations. Much of the files were recklessly laying in random stacks on open tables, some stored in old liquor boxes, and others
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just piled in the floor. At times it took hours or days to locate files,” stated Lynch. Two high density mobile filing systems were installed in the General Sessions Division 2 office building. Archived files from Criminal Court, Juvenile Court, and General Sessions Court will be filed in them. All the records had to be re-boxed, categorized, labeled, and placed in acid free boxes
for their protection. There was a total of 1615 boxes of records and 632 minute books that were initially placed in the new filing system. There is at a minimum at least 20 years worth of records that can be added to this filing system. “Records are now safe, secure, and easily located,” stated Lynch. Pictured are a couple of before and after photos of the process.
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3The Norris Bulletin
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
Thursday, November 5, 2020
MEET OUR DOCTORS: Dr. Sonia Kherani
Dr. Mark Wegzyn
Accepting New Patients Make an appointment today with Dr. Kherani and Dr. Wegzyn to spruce up your smile this Fall! • MOST INSURANCES ACCEPTED • OPEN ON FRIDAY • SAME DAY APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE • WALK-INS WELCOME
2685 Andersonville Hwy., Clinton (The Shops at Clinton Square, next to Norris Animal Hospital)
865-494-5274
appalachiafamilydentistry.com norrisbulletin@gmail.com
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Thursday, November 5, 2020
The best thing about living in Norris... is living in Norris!
The Norris Bulletin
Arts & Culture Alliance announces Arts Build Communities grants
The Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville is pleased to announce 24 Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant awards for art projects from non-profit 501(c)(3) organizations located within the following six East Tennessee counties: Anderson, Blount, Campbell, Hamblen, Knox and Monroe. Tax-exempt or non-profit organizations, private educational institutions, entities of government (such as Parks and Recreation, public libraries, public schools), and colleges and universities were eligible to apply. The ABC grant program is designed to provide support for arts projects that broaden access to arts experiences, address community quality of life issues through the arts, or enhance the sustainability of asset-based cultural enterprises, and these grants benefit over 560,000 people, including 115,000 youth, across the state each year. The Alliance subgrants the funds through a competitive grant process, which took place via teleconference in August. Panelists included: Margo Clark, Mike Hill, Jan McNally, Dationa Mitchell, Cindy Ogle, and Zack
Plaster. The following organizations will receive ABC grants ranging from $500 - $3,500 each for a total of $45,540. Projects for 20202021 include: + Anderson County: Sundress Publications for Sundress Reading Series, Holler Salon, & Writing Workshops + Blount County: Appalachian Ballet Company for The Soul of Blue Jeans and Ballet--an Outdoor Event + Blount County: Great Smoky Mountains Heritage Center for Holiday Homecoming + Blount County: Townsend Artisan Guild for Smoky Mountain Fiber Arts Festival + Blount County: Townsend Elementary School for Hope Flags for Healing + Campbell County: Postmark LaFollette for The Trunk Show + Hamblen County: Sunshine Ambassadors for Annual Performance Project + Knox County: Cancer Support Community East Tennessee for Healing Through Art + Knox County: Candoro Arts and Heritage Center
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for Vestival Arts & Cultural Festival + Knox County: Circle Modern Dance for Modern Dance Primitive Light 2020 + Knox County: Dragonfly Aerial & Circus Arts Studio for 10th Annual Aerial Dance and Circus Extravaganza + Knox County: Hazen Historical Museum Foundation for Shakespeare on the Hill + Knox County: The Katharine Slowburn Experience for Rituals in Existing (A Performance Experience) + Knox County: Knoxville Children's Theatre for Theatre classes for disabled adults & underserved youth + Knox County: Knoxville Entrepreneur Center for Etsy Craft Entrepreneurship + Knox County: Knoxville Gay Men's Chorus for Digital Rehearsal Platform + Knox County: Knoxville History Project for Downtown Art Wraps + Knox County: Marble City Opera Company for Royal Flush + Knox County: Momentum Dance Lab for Fall Showcase + Knox County: River & Rail Theatre Company for
Community Engagement Program + Knox County: Tennessee Stage Company for New Play Festival + Knox County: University of Tennessee for University of Tennessee String Project 2020-2021 + Knox County: The WordPlayers for THE ENDS WE SEEK: world premiere one-act play + Monroe County: Tellico Plains JAM for Junior Appalachian Musicians The Arts Build Communities (ABC) grant program is funded through specialty license plate sales and administered in cooperation with the Tennessee Arts Commission and the Arts & Culture Alliance of Greater Knoxville. The short-term objective of this grant is to create decentralized decision-making and distribution process for allocated grant funds. The long-term objective is to build Tennessee's communities by nurturing artists, arts organizations (including local arts agencies), and arts supporters in each of its 95 counties. For more information, visit www. knoxalliance.com/abc.
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The Norris Bulletin
The weekly journal for the people of Norris & surrounding area
Thursday, November 5, 2020 Give you can, take what you need. A new blessing box has been set up at the bottom of the stairs at the bus circle of Norris Middle School, and it’s available for anyone who needs a little but of extra help. Built and installed by concerned, caring members of the community, it’s a project everyone can be involved in. Drop off boxed or canned goods, and if you’re ever in a bind, come take what you need.
12 Brews Available On Tap! Sweetwater 420 IPA Gypsy Circus Clinch River 29 Brown Ale Schulz Brau Kolsch Alliance Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale
Yee Haw IPA Congo Square IPA Crosstown IPA Founder’s Porter New Belgium 1554 Sierra Neva Pale Ale
Archer’s
Food Center in the
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Norris Town Center Page 20