HALLS/FOUNTAIN CITY
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VOL. 51 NO. 27 NEIGHBORHOOD BUZZ
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July 2, 2012
Ensemble plays
at Fountain City Park
By Tia Kalmon
Free concert Celebrate July Fourth with a free concert by the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra. The event at World’s Fair Park starts at 8 p.m. and is sponsored by Pilot Flying J. The concert culminates with fireworks. The concert and fireworks will be broadcast live on WBIR-TV.
KARM needs bottled water Due to extreme temperatures, Knox Area Rescue Ministries has issued a request to the community for donations of bottled water. Donations can be brought to the parking lot of KARM at 418 N. Broadway. Staff and volunteers will assist with unloading. Info: 673-6540 or email info@karm.org.
IN THIS ISSUE The ‘Wright’ stuff Jake Mabe sits down for a chat with longtime Knox County Schools educator Dr. Donna Wright, who has accepted a position with the Williamson (Tenn.) County Schools. Wright ignores her accomplishments and instead pays homage to the mentors who helped and inspired her during a 30-year career with the school system. That list includes a “who’s who” of legendary characters, including Earl Hoffmeister, Roy Mullins, Shirley Underwood and the late Sarah Simpson.
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See Jake’s story on page A-5
Index Business A2 Community A3 Government/Politics A4 Marvin West/Jake Mabe A5 Dr. Bob Collier A6 Faith A7 Interns A8,9 Kids A10 Health/Lifestyles Sect B
4509 Doris Circle 37918 (865) 922-4136 news@ShopperNewsNow.com ads@ShopperNewsNow.com GENERAL MANAGER Shannon Carey shannon@ShopperNewsNow.com EDITOR Sandra Clark sclark426@aol.com FEATURES EDITOR Jake Mabe jakemabe1@aol.com ADVERTISING SALES Patty Fecco fecco@ShopperNewsNow.com Brandi Davis davisb@ShopperNewsNow.com Shopper-News is a member of KNS Media Group, published weekly at 4509 Doris Circle, Knoxville, TN, and distributed to 27,825 homes in Halls, Gibbs and Fountain City.
The Tennessee Valley Ensemble treated listeners to a concert in Fountain City Park last Tuesday evening. “A great group of people, we all have a fun time together and they make it a fun experience,” said band director Sandy Wells. This talented musical group is comprised of around 25 people, from high school students to senior adults. The Tennessee Valley Ensemble provides free performances for nursing homes, senior centers or church events. Jean Box, the oldest member of the band, plays the flute and piccolo for the band, but she also transformed her walking cane into a flute that can play three notes. “There is something magic about the people who want to play together here,” Box said. They practice on Tuesday evenings at Peace Lutheran Church and perform on scheduled days for an audience throughout the month. Their next concert will be 9 a.m. Saturday, July 14, at the Oak Ridge Farmers Market. Anyone is welcome to join. There are no tryouts or auditions to make the band. If you think you have what it takes, give it a try. Visit www.tnvalleyensemble.org for Jean Box plays the makeshift flute she made out of her cane during the Tennessee Valley Ensemble concert last more info. week at Fountain City Park. Photo by Tia Kalmon
Coaching job is homecoming for Overton
NEIGHBORHOOD NOTES ■ Fountain City Art Center, 213 Hotel Ave., hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every second and third Saturday. Free admission. Info: 357-2787 or email fcartcenter@knology.net.
By Jake Mabe
Call it a homecoming. When J.D. Overton was named interim head football coach at Halls High School on June 12, he wasn’t stepping into unfamiliar territory. Overton grew up here. He lives here. He attended Halls Middle School before going to Gibbs High. “I’m very excited to be here,” Overton said last week. “It’s a great opportunity, something I’ve wanted to do since I started coaching. I’m looking forward to being back in Halls.” Overton replaces Kevin Julian, who resigned last month. After graduating from Gibbs in 2001, Overton played football at Emory and Henry, graduating in 2005. He accepted a coaching position at Carter High and served as coach Heath Woods’ offensive coordinator for six seasons. Overton says his offensive scheme at Carter evolved to fit the strength of his players. It is a philosophy he will bring to Halls, adding he will use a variety of formations. “We’re going to put our kids in the position to be successful. That’s our No. 1 goal. The offense we will run will be a little bit different than what (Halls) has run in the past. The offense needs to do what the kids can do. “On defense, we’ll have the same philosophy. We’ll be evaluating the things the kids can do and go in that direction.” Overton inherits a team that has more than 20 rising seniors. “It’s their team and they will be very important in turning this thing
■ Fountain City B&P meets at noon each second Wednesday at Central Baptist Church of Fountain City. Lunch is $10. Info: Beth Wade, 9711971, ext. 372, or bwade@utfcu.org/. ■ Halls B&P meets at noon each third Tuesday at Beaver Brook Country Club. Lunch is $10. Info: Shannon Carey, 922-4136 or Shannon@ShopperNewsNow.com/.
Halls High School interim head football coach J.D. Overton observes the summer football camp last week at Dink Adams Field. Photo by Ruth White around. We’ve got a lot of good players coming back, especially up front.” Overton’s coaching staff is evolving, too. It has not been finalized, but Overton said that Zach Beasley, who has coached at William Blount, Bearden and Oak Ridge, will be the defensive coordinator. “The guys who are here want to be here and are very dedicated and invested in our program. We’ll have a few new guys, but we have a good, core group of coaches.” Overton says his football influ-
ences include his high school coach, Randy Carroll (“He’s one reason why I do what I do.”), as well as his coaches at Emory and Henry, and Woods. “I really enjoyed my time at Carter and I learned a lot. That was a great place to be.” Overton and his wife, Jodie, a guidance counselor at Halls High, have a 19-month-old son, John Gardner. He says that weight lifting and fall practice will begin July 9 after the TSSAA-required “dead period” ends.
■ Powell Lions Club meets 7 p.m. each first and third Thursday at 7142 Old Clinton Pike. ■ Powell Republican Club meets at 7 p.m. each third Thursday at Shoney’s on Emory. Open to all Republicans. ■ XYZ Club for seniors meets at 10:30 a.m. each first Wednesday at Powell Church, 323 W. Emory Road. Info: 938-2741.
Angels in the Chapel Daycare
RIGGS Drug can now meet your compounding needs!
Fishing, Skiing, Camping or Hunting at Norris Lake
“We also offer free home delivery and bubblepacking services. Please stop by and see how we can help you today!”
Parents have fun on the lake, bring your child to Angels in the Chapel Daycare and enjoy life a little. Weekend pleasure for you and your child. Weekends are from hour to hour pay rate with appointments only.
Stop by and check out our gifts selection 602 E. Emory Road next to Mayo’s
947-5235
■ Murphy Hills Swimming Pool (located behind Adrian Burnett Elementary) will be open through Labor Day and is accepting new members from within the subdivision and from other neighborhoods. A diving board, baby pool, and covered picnic area and grill are available for use, and a lifeguard is on duty at all times. Members and nonmembers may also reserve the facility at an additional charge for private family parties, sports teams, reunions or other events. Annual household family membership dues are $165 (plus a $125 one-time new member registration fee). Info or to join: Ken Davis, 748-0070 or mrkld40@yahoo.com.
278-3881 An Independent
9 am-7 pm, Mon.-Fri., 9 am-2 pm Sat. Family-Owned Pharmacy Most prescriptions filled in 15 minutes or less
1941 Leadmine Bend Rd Sharps Chapel
Application on site Martha Hill 278-3881 Sabrina Barbee
Family owned & operated Safe, secure and clean 24 hour surveillance