community
HALLS/FOUNTAIN CITY Shopper news • OCTOBER 19, 2016 • A-3
Halls Crossroads Women’s League members Mary Carroll, Gail Browning, Delores Kopp and Gloria Stout enjoy the Halls Senior Center anniversary party. Halls Senior Center coordinator Rebecca Quarles is all smiles at the anniversary as she chats with former coordinator Darrell Gooding, who is now coordinator at the Karns Senior Center.
Halls Senior Center coordinator Rebecca Quarles, former Knox County commissioner R. Larry Smith and senior center assistant Amanda Patton gather for a photo during the Halls Senior Center’s 10-year celebration.
Young at heart
Alysha Graves repurposes pallets Alysha Graves, who works as a buyer/coordinator for Malibu Boats, just knew there had to be a new use for the old pallets she noticed outside the company’s office in Loudon.
Carol Z. Shane
She’d been eyeing them for some time. “I asked our warehouse manager what we did with our pallets and he said that we give them away, so I got a few and started experimenting,� says the Corryton resident. Creativity wasn’t new to her. “My sister and I have decorated for the Fantasy of Trees several times and I found my joy for crafting. It was mainly Christmas decorations and decorating our family members’ homes. One day, I had a friend ask if I could make him a burlap wreath, so I watched some videos on how to do it and made a few for some friends as gifts.� She discovered Chip and Joanna Gaines’ show “Fixer Upper� on HGTV. “I like the rustic designs,� she says. Remarking “gotta love Pinterest,� she says she researched creative websites and then found some paint and went to work. “I found it very satisfying tearing apart the pallets, creating designs and then painting on the wood. My first piece that anybody has bought or gotten as a gift was my ‘Amazing Grace’ sign.� She mustered up the courage to present her pieces at the recent Washington
R. Larry Smith was the master of ceremonies. He recalled bringing doughnuts to the weekly bingo and bridge games. “Catfish� Dave Hall and his band picked classic country and bluegrass. They took us for a ride on Roy Acuff’s “Wabash Cannonball� and performed covers of hits from the likes of Merle Haggard and Flatt and Scruggs. They sang Don Williams’ “Amanda� for longtime senior center assistant Amanda Patton and even got some guy to sing a line or two of Elvis Presley’s “Baby Let’s Play House.� Mayor Tim Burchett showed up to cut the cake and requested the theme to the “Cas Walker Farm and Home Hour.� True to his word, he didn’t talk long, saying nobody wanted to hear a boring politician. “This is your senior center,� Burchett said. “It’s here for you, and I work for you all. If you have a problem, call me at 215-2005, and I’ll help you. “I’m term limited, so I don’t care who I offend,� he joked. Coordinator Rebecca Quarles recognized longtime instructors such as Johnnie Long (exercise), Maggie Capps (who’s taught line dancing since day one) and Don Parsley (tai chi). Then they served lunch and gave away door prizes. “The thing we see most is that it helps the seniors to socialize and stay active and get away from the TV set,� Quarles said. “We (offer) a little bit for everybody. It helps them for people to keep up with them, and it enriches their lives. We’re just here to help seniors stay young at heart.�
Halls Toy Drive applications available Oct. 24 The Halls Toy Drive applications will be available Oct. Creative Corryton resident Alysha Graves shows off her hand-painted pieces made from old 24 through Nov. 18 under the overhang at Cross Roads wooden pallets. Photo by Carol Z. Shane Presbyterian Church or on the Halls Middle School website. Completed applications should be returned to the As for Graves’ burgeonPresbyterian Church Craft School and then the UniverShow and Rummage Sale. sity of Tennessee. She mar- ing crafts venture, it’s ex- church by sliding under the door located under the over“This was my first going-to- ried her husband, Gerrit, panding quickly. “I actually hang. Applicants will be contacted by phone. For those wishing to donate items to the drive, collecthe-public to try to sell any- and the two lived in Fountain just started painting a couthing. I had been nervous in City for a while. The couple ple of months ago,� she says. tion boxes are located at the Halls Senior Center and the the past that my family and just finished building a house One day she will undoubt- Halls Commercial Bank. Monetary donations may be friends were just being ‘nice’ in Corryton, where they live edly be inspiring others, as made directly to the Halls Toy Drive account at Commercial Bank. The goal this year is to provide hoodies, hats, about my crafts.� It was a with their 6-year-old daugh- she has been inspired. scarves, gloves and socks to as many kids as possible. “It is very exciting!� good day. “That sale really ter, Olivia. inspired me, and now I am going to be at the Knoxville *SEATING IS LIMITED Expo Christmas Event in November.� **TICKET PRICE INCLUDES : Graves grew up in Karns, 2 CLASSES graduated from Central High
LUNCH FASHION SHOW with Angela Farmer
Make checks payable to FCUMC-UMW Childcare is not available for this event.
featuring Dolores & Margie Wolfe of Wolfe Design Registration * Sept 30-Oct 31
Cost $25** www.fountaincityumc.org/projectdiy/ or the church ofďŹ ce at 212 Hotel Ave 865-689-5175 KN-1313194
KN-1274530
From page A-1
Deana Hurd of Lulu’s Tea Room Sherri Smith of Southern Plunder & Design Special Guest Lori Tucker of WATE