Union County Shopper news • March 1, 2017 • A-3
Heiskell Corner I had not thought of there being a Heiskell Corner until Leslie Corum asked me to talk about it at the recent Chamber banquet. I always thought of all of us being born inside what was John “Raccoon” Miller’s Fort. This includes my dad, who was born in the former station house of the fort, which was my grandma and grandpa Heiskell’s home at the time and where Icus and Fontella Miller lived. This location needs a historic marker. Anyway, Heiskell brothers Frederick, George, William and Daniel made their way from Hagerstown, Md., and Virginia to Knox County in the early 1800s. Frederick bought a mile square piece of property that became known as Heiskell Station because there was a little train station and Heiskell owned the land around it. Frederick eventually relocated to west Knoxville. William
Bonnie Peters
and Daniel went to Monroe County and great-grandfather George relocated to Beard Valley, which then was still Knox County. Great-grandma Elizabeth Frye and GG George later moved to Kentucky to be near family who owned Frye Candy Company, still in business today near Louisville. In 1921, when Hwy. 33 was built but still not paved, my dad, Dempsey Heiskell, moved his monument shop from Old Jacksboro Road to the new highway where it now stands. My oldest brother, Roscoe, was a good friend of my Uncle Cos Seymour, who read law under attorney Fate Ledgerwood, who
lived where Marian Graves Walker now lives. Since there was no high school in Union County at the time, Roscoe and Cos rode horseback and attended classes at LMU. Cos’ father-in-law, Albert Archer, had a store at the intersection of what is now John Deere Drive and Hickory Star Road. Albert was aging and ready to give up that business, so Roscoe bought that store in 1926 and began building a new building at the intersection of what is now Heiskell Road (old Jacksboro Road) and John Deere Drive. It took four months to build and move the store into the James Heiskell and his aunt, Bonnie Peters new building. Roscoe and Naomi bought approximately 80 where Mike and Connie way into a new block twoacres in 1931 and moved to Heiskell live now. Roscoe story building, which still a two-story frame house said he sold 5,000 pounds stands. This store contin(the Jeff Woods house, a of flour every two weeks ued to operate until the brother to Andrew Jackson and only bought flour by the early 1960s, when he built Woods, who owned the dis- barrel. the service station in antillery). That house was later In 1937, the store was ticipation that his son, replaced by the brick house moved across the high- James, just might need
Volunteer Stars ■■ Gina Buckner Union County Trustee Gina Buckner is this year’s adult Volunteer Stars nominee, but she is hesitant to take credit for the nomination, laying the honor at the feet of all the volunteers who help make Under the Tree a success. “It really ought to be Union County Children’s Charities receiving the award, not me,” she said. “It takes all of the community, and I’m one little piece of the puzzle.” Each year, Under the Tree provides Christmas presents to upwards of 450 Union County children. And what’s more, they coordinate a distribution day that brings churches and community agencies together to give recipient families more than toys. They give hygiene items, coats, gloves, books and many other needed items. “It’s just so overwhelming once you see the work that’s been done and you see these people going through the line and just the smiles on their faces,” said Buckner. “It’s very rewarding, and you never know when you might be on that side of things and need help.” Buckner graduated from Horace Maynard High School in 1984, where she was a cheerleader and a member of the Optimist Club. She went on to work in banking, then opened Connie’s Boutique beside the Pizza Parlor in Maynardville. That’s where she got involved in the Union County Business and Professional Association, serving on the board and volunteering with the UCBPA’s scholarship golf tournament and Keep Union County Beautiful, even picking up trash along the side of Maynardville Highway. “It was a big joke, people would see me on the side of the road with the orange on,” said Buckner. She was in the Leadership Union County class that formed the Union County Chamber of Commerce, but her heart stayed with the UCBPA, where she found opportunities to help children. Toys for Tots had been going strong for many years before Buckner started volunteering with the effort, but now she’s a 20-year volunteer and has
a way to make a living. James began working full time at his station in 1968. On Feb. 17, James Heiskell was recognized as the businessperson of the year at the Chamber banquet. From page A-1
chaired the event for five years. She began her first term as Union County Trustee in 2002, and she sees that as service as well. With her office so near the courthouse doors, Buckner and her staff are a major resource for everyone who walks in. “I feel like us being right here, we get asked for everything. I love that,” Buckner said. “I’ve always said that I’m not a politician. I’m a public servant.” Buckner’s husband is Andy Buckner, and they have three children, Chase, Bryce and Briley. She is a member of Cedar Ford Baptist Church, and she says her mother, the late Carole Booker, was her inspiration to volunteer. “I always remember her helping kids,” she said. “She was always doing good things.” ■■ Charlie Hamilton Charlie Hamilton is 17 years old and a junior at Union County High School. When the letter came informing him that he was the Union County youth nominee for Volunteer Stars, it was a complete surprise. “I was tickled to death,” he said. “I got home and I looked at this letter and I was just in shock. I didn’t know what to think.” Hamilton said he didn’t realize how much he was doing in the community until he received the award. “I guess I don’t notice what all I’m doing. I just don’t think of it that way. I just think about helping out,” he said. Hamilton volunteers with Under the Tree, contributing toys and helping sort and transport the bags of gifts. He also helps with the distribution day. “It gives me a good feeling,” he said. “Everybody needs a little help sometimes. It’s fun for me and it cheers me up, puts happiness in my day.” Hamilton has been active with Union County 4-H since he was in the fourth grade and is now a 4-H Honor Club member, and volunteer hours are a requirement for the club. He helps with the photography contest, Clover Bowl, Chick Chain and speech contest, often helping younger students with their entries. With 4-H, he par-
Boyd says renaissance ahead
From page A-1
■■ Marie Rhyne talked about the founding of Leadership Union County in 2000. The Chamber was formed by the Leadership class of 2003. Rhyne was the Chamber’s first president, “for $1 per year.” ■■ Leslie Corum had one word: “Wow!” She’s finishing her seventh month as Chamber president, now a “part-time” job. “We need to rise up Tim Burchett Darrell Dyer Mike Williams and work in the same direction for Union County,” she added. ing that it’s important to get the “replace” ■■ Gina Buckner and Charlie Ham- part right when repealing and replacing ilton received the Volunteer Star award. Obamacare. He said tax reform is ahead. ■■ Mike Williams, Union County may- “America is winning again.” or, called it “a great day in Union County,” ■■ James Heiskell was named busiand talked about the county’s “unlimited nessperson of the year. potential.” ■■ Darrell Dyer handled the auction, ■■ Mayme Taylor, Chamber board which included original artwork and phochair, welcomed the crowd. tography. Other contributors were Curtis ■■ U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann Petree and Lil’ Jo’s Barbecue, food; Josh said the winds of change are blowing in Cottrell, music; Callie Corum, Miss Food Washington. “We are reversing regulations City 2017, pledge of allegiance; and Pastor that are hurting businesses,” he said, add- Kathy Chesney, invocation.
TennCare Kids provides services TennCare Kids is Tennessee’s commitment to see that children and teens have the best start to a healthy life. TennCare Kids is a free program of check-ups and health care services for children from birth to age 21 who are TennCare eligible, including health history, complete physical exam, lab tests as appropriate, immunizations, vision and hearing screening, developmental and behavior screenings as appropriate, and advice on healthy living. Union Countians interested in the program should contact the Union County Health Department’s community outreach representative, Pam Williams. Info: 865-992-3867, ext. 131.
ticipates in roadside cleanups and picks up trash at Wilson Park. Other activities include Future Farmers of America at UCHS, in which he helps make food bags for elementary school students who don’t have access to food when school is out. He is also a Beta Club member, volunteering at Boo at the Zoo and Fantasy of Trees. Hamilton was a Shopper News intern, and delivering Mobile Meals with that program inspired him and his mother to deliver Mobile Meals when the internship was done. Hamilton hopes to attend UT and major in mechanical engineering, and he’s looking to start an internship with TVA at the end of this year. He is also interested in local politics and may run for local office later in life, he said. Hamilton is a familiar face at County Commission meetings, and he’s trying to get fellow youths to attend as well. “In the community, you need to have future leaders,” he said. “Someday, my gen-
eration is going to be leading the way.” He’s also an advocate for youth activities in Union County, speaking at County Commission in favor of the recent splash pad proposal. “I think the county needs to have something for the youth,” he said. “A lot of people don’t get out. They just sit at home.” Hamilton points to Union County Mayor Mike Williams as his inspiration to serve. He said he’s known Williams since he was a state senator, and Hamilton recently got the opportunity to job-shadow Williams in his role as mayor. “It was an eye-opening experience, just everything he does,” he said. In his spare time, Hamilton likes drag racing at Knoxville Dragway and working on cars with his father. Hamilton has restored a 1953 Ford F-1 truck, which he takes to local car shows and cruise-ins. Hamilton’s parents are Sam and Julia Hamilton, and his sister is Samantha Hamilton.