September Sweetwater Citizen

FREE PUBLICATION!

SEPTEMBER 2019

Cover Photo by Doodle Bivens.

Misty Pina: Living beautifully and changing lives in Sweetwater!

MAYOR’S MESSAGE

September The Sweetwater Citizen

City of Sweetwater Dear Reader:

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E N N E S S E

It is hot in Sweetwater! But we've opened a new Splash Pad to cool you off! And best of all, it is free to the public. It's located in beautiful Engleman Park, along with a playground for ages 2-5, picnic pavilions, and a state-certified arboretum. This park is over 100 years old and features beautiful old trees, shady spaces, and plenty of room to roam.

This park project was provided by a grant through the State of TN LPRF fund, with the city providing the 50% matching funds. Our Parks and Recreation Commissioner Lamar Hughes, Parks Director Tim Crawford, and administrative staff have worked for years on the development of this park. We're so proud for its newest assets! I know it's going to be so much fun watching our kids, and maybe some adults, enjoying this splash pad!

We had a great time at National Night Out to raise awareness about drug abuse and human trafficking, while cultivating relationships between our law enforcement officers and the community. We welcomed home our 5 & 6-year old Dixie Youth World Champs with a hometown parade and pool party.

We also dedicated a bridge in honor of local hero, Reverend Clinton Riddle, which was a long-time coming and such a great day! Be sure you're following the city's social media on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram. We've added new videos with some helpful information from our Police Chief, the Fire Department rescued WRex the SHS Wildcat from a tree, and our Main Street director has some beautiful shots of downtown.

The citizen this month, Misty Pina, is a strong female entrepreneur with a salon in Vonore, as well as the Sweetwater Institute for Cosmetology right here in Sweetwater. Misty is another great example of the entrepreneurial spirit that is alive and well in Sweetwater. We LOVE entrepreneurs! Our small businesses are the back bone of our community.

We're all looking forward to the autumn season, with the beauty only East TN can offer. We hope you've slowed down to enjoy the sunshine and friendly faces. Don't hesitate to call us at City Hall if there is anything we can do to make your days in Sweetwater a li�le brighter.

Respec�ully,

Doyle F. Lowe Doyle F. Lowe 3

THe Sweetwater Citizen SEPTEMBER 2019

CONTENTS 8 Misty Pina is a beautician who is helping change lives and is keeping Sweetwater looking its best with her Sweetwater Institute of Cosmetology!

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Lots of fun was had when football season was officially kicked off at the 2019 Jamboree, held at Sweetwater High School on August 16th!

The Sweetwater Citizen - September, 2019 issue The Sweetwater Citizen Magazine is published by Bonne�e Media, LLC. P.O. Box 335 Sweetwater, TN. 37874 318.719.5603 tom@bonne�emedia.com

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior wri�en permission of the publisher, except in critical reviews and other non4 commercial uses permi�ed by copyright law.

Jeni Seiler runs one of the most successful independently-owned insurance agencies in Monroe County at Paramount Insurance Services in Sweetwater!

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House

September The Sweetwater Citizen

OF THE

Month

Architectural details abound in this stucco and stone home at 120 Cheoah Trace.

Concrete circle drive and ample parking area all on a 4.48+/ acres; partially wooded, peaceful country se�ng with hardwood & tile oors throughout. The kitchen boasts granite counter tops, stainless high-end appliances (two dishwashers, wall oven, warming drawer, six burner gas range-top) The living area and dining area share a three-sided gas fireplace centerpiece. The living area takes advantage of nature’s beauty from a picture window, french doors and sky lights.

There is a large deck accessible from the master suite and the living room wraps around to a screened-in porch. The master bedroom suite features shared soaking tub, walk-in (handicap accessible) shower and his and her water closets each with sinks and closet space. This home has geo thermal heat and air, massive three bay garage with vaulted RV parking and an elevator for handicap access and lights on stairs. There is lots of extra storage space in a partial basement. A kennel and "doggie" doors make this home pet friendly as well. An adjoining tract of land also available.

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September The Sweetwater Citizen

History Happenings

Presented by

Tennessee Overhill

Museums, reflections of our past

By Nancy Dalton

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here are 35,000 museums in the United State according to a recent U.S. government listing.

We are fortunate to have 5 of these in Monroe County.

Museums provide a tangible connection to our past.

will be located on Tellico Lake across the street near the Museum. The museum is located at 619 Church Street. Normal hours: (Tues-Fri 11am to 2pm & Sat 11 am to 1 pm, but call hours may change due to volunteer availability.) 423-884-2989

According to a recent humanities study museum atten dance is trending. As the tech world is taking over our lives, many of us long to reflect on our past. Any day is a great day to Visit a Museum!

Sweetwater Heritage Museum I have mentioned this museum occasionally to residents of Sweetwater and people around Monroe Country & several have said, “I didn’t know Sweetwater had a museum. Where is it?”

It is on the corner of North & High Street in the downtown area. It was recently updated providing visitors with a glimpse into the cultural & transportation heritage of the town of Sweetwater which began in 1858.

There are new exhibits including the local Sweetwater High School & the historic High Point High School.

(Hours: Sat & Sun 2:00 to 4:00 pm or by appointment.)

423-337-6379 Vonore Heritage Museum This charming museum displays many relics from the Civil War, WWI & WWII, Vonroe family heirlooms, antique farm tools and lots of other artifacts used by the people of Vonore starting in the late 1800’s through the 1950’s.

These displays represent the heart of the Vonore culture that should never be forgotten. They are currently working on the Vonore Veterans Memorial Park that 6

Charles Hall Museum The Charles Hall Museum and gift shop contains over 5,000 square feet of Tellico Plains area history.

It consists of an impressive collection of more than 200 guns, a very impressive display of telephone equipment that traces the telephone from its invention through several decades.

This is my personal favorvite. You can also find many antiques that were used by Tellico residents over the years. The museum is the legacy of the late Charles Hall whose lifelong dream was to share his collection with the public. Located at 229 Cherohala Skyway in Tellico Plains. (Hours Mon-Sat 10 am -5 pm, Sun Noon-5 pm) 423-253-8000

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park & Visitor’s Center Museum

September The Sweetwater Citizen

The Fort, in the heart of the Tennessee Overhill, is a reconstruction of the original fort in active service from 1756 to 1760. Situated in the valley of the Li�le Tennessee River, near the Appalachian Mountains, Fort Loudoun State Historic Area provides a glimpse of life during the time of the French and Indian War (1754-1763). Native Americans were caught up in this struggle as they strove to protect their homes and way of life.

The Fort is now offering Kayak & paddle board rentals on the Tennessee River. ( Open 7 days a week, hours 8 a.m. -4:30) October 19 & 20, 2019: 18th Century Trade Faire.

November 9 & 10, 2019 : Garrison Weekend* & King George II Birthday December 7, 2019: 18th Century Christmas 423-420-2331 Sequoyah Birthplace Museum If you have not been to Sequoyah in a while, you must put a visit on your list. It has been updated with some incredible new exhibits. The Museum highlights much of

the 18th century the Overhill Towns of Tanasi and Chota were important Cherokee centers – beloved towns where Cherokees gathered for important councils and religious ceremonies.

The State of Tennessee takes its name from Tanasi. After the waters of Tellico Lake covered the sites of Chota and Tanasi in 1979, memorials were placed at the edge of the lake near the site of each town. A beautiful unique gift shop is on site. 576 Hwy 360 in Vonore. (Hours: Mon-Sat 9 am-5 pm, Sun Noon – 5 pm) 423-884-6246

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September The Sweetwater Citizen

of the MONTH

Misty Pina

Misty Pina confers with employees at her Vonore salon, M-Salon. Many of the employees who work with her in the salon are former students of the Sweetwater Institute of Cosmetology, the beauty school she started six years ago.

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isty Pina admits that she never would have guessed she would end up a beautician—much less the owner of a beauty school—when she enrolled at the East Tennessee School of Cosmetology, shortly after being laid off from a factory job.

“I really didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. I was 28 years-old and I had four kids,” Misty said. “It’s funny when my students tell me that they have wanted to be hairdressers their entire lives and it’s something I never thought that I would do.”

These days, Misty owns the school she graduated from in 2003, now the Sweetwater Institute of Cosmetology, but it was a long road fraught with uncertainty that put her where she is now.

“People ask me how I got so lucky, but I tell them that I am not lucky; I’m blessed,” she said. “I am blessed and I worked hard. I got up every morning and I went to work. I feel that God has led things to happen the way they were supposed to.”

Misty, was born Misty Kelley in Knoxville, but spent a lot of time growing up in Monroe County where her grandmother lived.

“My mom was from Monroe County and my dad was from Knoxville. He was an electrician who traveled for work. I moved everywhere and went to a ton of different schools,” she said.

September The Sweetwater Citizen

Left to right, Angel Pina, Jake Pina, Isaac Pina, Misty Pina, Josh Pina and Benjamin Pina.

the time she spent in tobacco fields she would have never met her husband.

“His dad was working there. He came to visit his dad one day and I saw him. I didn’t meet him, however, until a year later.”

Angel Pina is a Mexican immigrant who works as a carpenter. He had previously worked at an Atlanta concrete factory, where he nearly lost his life in a horrible forklift accident and was still recovering.

“They didn’t think that he would live at first, so his parents temporarily came over from Mexico to help him and he started to get be�er,” Misty said. (continued on next page)

The constant changes where hard as she and her brother, James, were moved from school-to-school, but it taught her how to relate to a variety of people in ways that would serve her well later.

“I believe that going to so many different schools helped make me more sociable. I had to meet lots of different kinds of people and I feel like I make friends very easily now.”

By the time Misty reached Eighth Grade, she had enough of having to adjust to new schools and asked her parents to allow her to stay put and she was placed at Fulton High School in Knoxville.

“I would stay with them if they were in town. If they were traveling, I stayed with friends, family or whoever,” she said.

Misty graduated from Fulton High in 2003 and moved to Monroe County to work on a tobacco farm. The job worked her in every part of bringing the crop to market, from planting to harvest. It was hard work, but if not for

112 W. North St.

Sweetwater, TN (423) 337-5092 9

September The Sweetwater Citizen

Angel’s visits eventually led to an introduction and the couple fell in love.

work on commission, so if I didn’t have clients I didn’t get paid,” she said. “I was lucky if I took home $100 a-week.

They were married in 1995. That year their first son, Isaac, was born. Twin boys, Jacob and Joshua, would grow the family to five in 1997.

My husband was asking what I was doing, saying that we were going to starve to death with these four kids,” she said. “But Mandy was really taking me under her wing and teaching me how to do hair.”

“By that time, I was working in the cafeteria at Sweetwater Hospital making $4.25 an hour. I found out that I was pregnant with twins and that was a big surprise.”

Misty took a second job at the SCHOTT Gemtron plant to keep the family from going under water.

To help make ends meet, Misty took a be�er paying job at MARCA (Matsushita Refrigeration Company of America) in Vonore and the family were able to buy their first home.

“I worked third shift at Gemtron and then I would come home, take my kids to school and then go to work at the salon,” she said.

“It was a small house, about 1,500 square feet,” she said.

“We didn’t have any furniture so we slept on the floor, but I can remember being so grateful for that house because it was OUR house.”

She kept the factory job for six months, before another layoff came. She saw the change as a sign from God that she should focus her energy toward haircare and her clientele started to grow more and more.

Misty worked at MARCA for six years until the company moved overseas shu�ering the Tennessee plant when she was pregnant with her fourth son, Benjamin, who was born in 2002. When he was two weeks old, Misty decided to take advantage of the state’s Dislocated Workers Program.

A surprise came when Mandy offered to sell the business to her.

The program pays for employment education for workers who lose their job through no fault of their own and Misty used it to finance training toward a new career as a beautician by a�ending East Tennessee School of Cosmetology.

“I really felt like it was one of the best years of my life. I had worked on a tobacco farm and in a factory, so I had always worked around men and I had a lot of guy friends,” Misty said. “When I went to beauty school, I started to realize how great it is to be around other women.”

“They would lift me up, pray for me and give me advice on how to raise my kids. I liked doing hair, but I liked the atmosphere more.”

After graduating from beauty school in Sweetwater, Misty went to work at M-Salon in Vonore, owned by Mandy Murphy.

“She is an amazing woman. She was a Redken educator so she traveled around to teach, but she is from Vonore,” Misty said.

Even though she had a new job, times were tough.

“When I went to work there, I really didn’t think that I was ready to do hair and there was no guaranteed pay. I had to 10

Even though some saw it as a risky move, especially since she had no money to buy M-Salon, Misty decided to take the risk and Angel agreed to mortgage their home to finance the business venture.

“I think that it is neat that we refinanced our first home to buy M-Salon. That li�le house paved the way for us and did a lot for us,” she said.

A plus was that there was no need to even change the business name.

“People these days think that the ‘M’ in M-Salon stands for Misty, but it was really for Mandy: I think that worked out well.”

Misty's winning personality brought new energy to the business and soon M-Salon had more customers than the salon could handle.

“We grew to the point that we were doing amazing and I had to even turn people away all the time,” she said. “I kept wondering where we were going to find more employees to handle all that we had.”

Driving past her old beauty school, which had closed years ago, gave her an idea.

“I started to wonder how hard it would be to open a school; that way I could train the people I needed for the M-Salon.”

September The Sweetwater Citizen

Misty poses between Isaac Pina, her son, and Brandon Woodby at M-Salon in Vonore. Both men, who co-manage the business, are graduates of the Sweetwater Institute of Cosmetology.

Misty was able to work out a deal to lease the building that housed the old beauty school for three years with an option to purchase if things went the way she hoped and a renovation to turn it into the Sweetwater School of Cosmetology began.

Luckily, Angel was able to do most of the work, but others pitched in, as well.

“He just got busy painting and cleaning and it is really interesting all the people, family and friends, who came in and wanted to help,” she said. “I was praying that I would get an instructor to help me and Amanda (Debity) came to work for me. I told her that if she didn’t mind painting, she could start working for me right away.”

Misty ran newspaper ads announcing the coming of the new beauty school, offering half-price to the first 20 students—the number needed to be accredited by the state—and she soon had all the students she would need to open.

A hitch came when she stood before the Tennessee Board of Cosmetology and Barber Examiners, which initially refused her a license because they said the floor plans she submi�ed for approval didn’t meet their regulations.

“I started to walk away, but then I stopped to think about it and turned around,” she said.

She had worked too hard and had too many people counting on her to accept the decision.

“I told them that the building used to be a school 20 years

ago and this was the exact same drawing that was submi�ed then and they passed it. I had 20 students and an instructor whose lives were waiting on this school to open. They whispered among themselves for a few minutes and said ‘OK, we approve you’. Everyone in the room started clapping and my husband started laughing. He told me that I watched too much Law & Order and just had to back up there and argue my case.”

This month marks the Sweetwater Institute of Cosmetology’s six year anniversary. Since that time the school has graduated about 300 students.

Two course studies are available. If students opt for a degree in cosmetology, which takes approximately 11 months, they will learn haircare techniques including perms, color, cut and styling as well as manicures, nail enhancements and facials.

A separate four month course on manicuring is also offered in which students can master all aspects of manicuring, pedicuring, and nail enhancements.

Students are able to learn with more hands-on experience than at larger schools, who largely rely on manikin heads to train on, with more walk-in clients available per-student in Sweetwater. What makes the school even more a�ractive to those who would like to become professionals is that an education is much more affordable than at larger schools that typically charge around $30,000 for a cosmetology degree than can be earned at the Sweetwater Institute of Cosmetology for $8,600. A manicurist degree, earned in about four months, is just $3,900. The school 11

September The Sweetwater Citizen continues to turn out more and more skilled professionals as its reputation grows. Misty’s oldest son, Isaac, graduated from the Institute of Cosmetology and now manages M-Salon with Brandon Woodby, the first student to graduate from the institute.

“It was 1,200 square-feet and we have expanded to 2,400 square-feet. It has grown from six employees to 16 since we opened the school in 2013.”

M-Salon has reached new heights under Misty’s tutelage, becoming Monroe County’s premier destination for hair and nail care services and products.

There has been a lot of success in recent years, but Misty is most proud that the Sweetwater Institute of Cosmetology has helped many people create careers that have set them on a path to independence and happiness.

"We are now a half-million dollar salon annually and are definitely looking to become a million dollar salon in the next two years,” she said.

“I really do feel like my life was changed through this school, through this building, and now other people’s lives have changed too," she said.

Down-home, southern cooking goes upstairs in Sweetwater at new eatery

ever sat down to dine with their Southern grandma, is sure to delight in delicacies being served up by Alley and her friendly staff.

If you are looking for great down-home cooking at a great price, look no further than beautiful downtown Sweetwater at a new eatery aptly named Southern Cuisine Upstairs at the Mansion.

“We are serving good ole Southern food; we have a hot bar and a salad bar and homemade desserts. Our pricing is just a li�le above McDonalds here, but below a country club,” said owner Janice Alley.

Any connoisseur of fine Southern food, or anyone who has

118 W. NORTH STREET SWEETWATER, TENNESSEE 423-664-2002 SOUTHERN CUISINE UPSTAIRS AT THE MANSION 12

Mouth-watering meatloaf, country-fried steak, fried-chicken, beef-macaroni and mashed potatoes and gravy, and an array of vegetables--just like mama used to make--are just a few dishes (from the hot bar or menu) guaranteed to please the palate of any good ole boy or gal and even the occasional Yankee tourist who might wander in.

But, don’t just take our word for it—Southern Cuisine Upstairs at the Mansion is located at 118 W. North Street, just above the Sweetwater Flower Shop. The hot bar is just $8.99 and the salad bar is only just $6.25. You can get both for only $11.25! The restaurant is open from 11-3, Wednesday through Sunday. Stop by and experience this amazing new restaurant. for yourself. You will be glad that you did!

September The Sweetwater Citizen

205 N Main Street, Sweetwater 11am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday

Joyce Conrad Owner/Stylist Aesthetician

530 South Main St. Sweetwater, TN 37874 cnrjoy@aol.com merlenorman.com

423-337-7003 • Cell : 423-253-5565 ARE YOU LOOKING TO Build your confidence? Grow as a leader?  Improve your communication & public speaking skills?

Visit a Toastmasters club – it will change your life.

Come to the Monroe County Toastmasters Club.

We meet every 2nd and 4th Wednesday at noon at the Monroe County Chamber of Commerce 520 Cook Str, Ste A, Madisonville, TN 37354.

Phone: 423-883-9227, e-mail: Barbara.stauch@yahoo.com

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September The Sweetwater Citizen

Happening in

Sweetwater

BRIDGE NAMED AFTER HOMETOWN HERO! On August 9, the Sweetwater Exit 60 Interstate Bridge was named in honor of hometown hero, Rev. Clinton Riddle.

Riddle, 98, is a veteran of some of the toughest battles and campaigns of World War II, including the D-Day Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge.

“What a day it is. We are making history, in a way, because this bridge will be forever named the Clinton Riddle Bridge,” Sweetwater Mayor Doyle Lowe told a crowd assembled on a highway median, near the bridge, during a ceremony celebrating the naming of the overpass for Riddle.

Lowe introduced the resolution passed by the city that was steered though the state legislature by State Sen. Mike Bell and State Rep. Lowell Russell.

“It’s such an honor that words can’t express how I am feeling,” Riddle told a reporter after the ceremony.

LINGERFELT CELEBRATES 100th BIRTHDAY Three proud daughters—Judy Wilson, Kay Collins and Rebeca Bowman—gave their mother a 100th Birthday party August on 10th.

Sarah Frances Mitchell Lingerfelt was born August 13th 1919. Many family and friends gathered at Fairview Baptist Tabernacle Church to celebrate the occasion and a fun time was had by all —especially the birthday girl.

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September The Sweetwater Citizen

INGRAM CROWNED MS. WORLD

SPLASH PAD OPENS IN ENGLEMAN PARK

Things have gotten a lot cooler in Sweetwater with the opening of the long-awaited slash pad at Engleman Park.

The splash pad, which is free to the public, was paid for through a grant from the State of TN LPRF fund, with the city providing 50% matching funds.

Ashley Ingram, of Sweetwater, was recently crowned Ms. World in Nassau in the Bahamas.

Ingram, who competed in the pageant as Ms. U.S. World, is pictured here in front of her downtown boutique, Her Majesty Boutique, during a Homecoming Party given last month welcoming her back from the competition.

Tell your children or loved ones that because you care for them so much, you don’t want to burden them with difficult decisions when you’re gone.

Let them know that you’ve made your own final arrangements and give them a wri�en record of what they are.

Make it a family affair. Schedule an appointment with Kyker Funeral Home and invite your children along to participate in the selection of funeral services, funeral merchandise and cemetery property.

We are here for you at Kyker Funeral Home.

We have years of experience caring for families, from all walks of life. Each family comes to us because they know that we are leaders in our profession, dedicated to excellence in service and have the highest integrity.

We are a local, family owned and operated funeral home that is commi�ed to serving families with compassionate, individualized and affordable funerals.

Call Kyker in Sweetwater at (423) 337-5033 and we will be happy to help you schedule an appointment.

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September The Sweetwater Citizen Salt & Light Studios offers a wide variety of classes and experiences for students of all ages. Just the last few months, our students have been part of several performances, camps and events we are proud to bring to our area.

In February, Ballet Magnifcat! —A world premiere ballet company— spent the day with us and shared the insides of the professional ballet world. Several students were invited to a�end a camp held at the Sweetwater studio and spend the day sharing their dreams and aspirations with some of the finest ladies that we have ever met.

This summer, several camps we’re offered in over 150 students took advantage of spending their summer learning in the studio. Art, cheer, gymnastics, martial arts, and bible journaling are just a few of the camps offered. In July, we had the honor of hosting Shamika Benn who recently ended her eleven year tour on Broadway as an actor and Dancer. Shamika gave an intensive workshop and spent one on one time with our students sharing with them the life and struggles of being a road performer and the experiences in Broadway touring shows.

She also shared how she and her husband use this pla�orm as a ministering tool to share with others the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Wicked-The Musical" happen over a three day event.

Students learned two songs along with choreography to be in Sweetwater‘s first sidewalk musical. 2019 has been a great year so far!

salt & light studios

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At BenchMark Physical Therapy, we’re not about gimmicks. We’re about working with you one-on-one to help you on your journey to better health. Whether that’s less pain or increased mobility and function, you’ll find our people and our methods are designed for results. As a partner of BenchMark Rehab Partners, we are able to offer a staff of physical therapists who are some of the best in the industry, and who share a common philosophy about patient-centered care.

Meet our therapists: Jenna Gerber: Physical Therapist and Clinic Director.

She has a doctorate in Physical Therapy and is a Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist. She has obtained certifications in Trigger Point Dry Needling, Certified Manual Therapy and ASTYM tool techniques.

Macey McKenzie: Physical Therapy Assistant.

Clinical specialties include Vestibular rehabilitation and Parkinson’s LSVT/Big & Loud treatment.

We treat the following: Low back pain, Dizziness, headaches, balance, weakness, poor posture, post-operative care, Sciatica, all pain areas, jaw pain, degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, athletic injuries, general instability, neurological disorders (Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease) and Worker’s Compensation injuries.

Left to right in front are Lynne Holmes, Jenna Gerber and Macey McKenzie.

Standing in the back is Trevor Riddle.

Don’t let pain hold you back.

Feel better and move better—faster! BenchMark Physical Therapists are experts trained to identify the source of your pain and recommend treatment to get you moving and feeling better.

208 Railroad Street • Sweetwater • (423) 337-7897 17

September The Sweetwater Citizen

2019 JAMBOREE Story and pictures

by Danielle Proulx

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he 2019 high school football season is officially underway. The season kicked off with the Jamboree, hosted Aug. 16 by Sweetwater High School.

Tellico faced off against Loudon in the 1st quarter of the jamboree, losing in a final score of 6-7. The Bears went 70 yards in 8 plays, ending with a touchdown pass from Rinehart to Fairbanks. The PAT was no good. Loudon’s Lanksford �es the game at 6-6. The Redskin PAT was good, however giving them the 7-6 advantage. Rinehart, Dupes, and Fairbanks led the way offensively for the Bears.

Maggie Lindsey

Meigs County defeated Lenoir City 14-7 in a close 2nd quarter matchup.

Sweetwater’s Jonathan Cano won the longest punt compe��on during half�me fes�vi�es.

In the 3rd quarter matchup, it was Polk County and Sequoyah. Polk County was forced to punt on their first possession, a�er 4 plays. The Chiefs marched up the field, 70 yards, featuring rushes from Luke Lay and Evan Swanson, along with quarterback River Jenkins.

The drive ended with a Jus�n Floyd 16 yard receiving touchdown, from Jenkins. The PAT was good. However, Polk County answered with their own scoring drive, their PAT also successful. The final score ended in a �e, 7-7.

The last matchup of the night was the host, Sweetwater Wildcats against McMinn Central. Sweetwater and Central both punted on their first drives. Sweetwater’s second drive included 3 first downs, but the Wildcats fell short of the end zone. Central marched 23 yards in 5 plays on their final drive but the �me clock expired before they could reach the end zone. The final score, 0-0. Sweetwater had a nice offensive showing. Johnson, Hicks and Long will be a force this season.

Best wishes to all teams as they embark on this 2019 season.

Senior Drew Hicks looks to cut upfield.

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September The Sweetwater Citizen

Tellico’s Dale Rinehart

Sweetwater’s Jonathan Cano wins longest punt competition during halftime of the 2019 Jamboree.

Abbey Barr

Sequoyah’s Evan Swanson 19

August The Sweetwater Citizen September The Sweetwater Citizen

Sponsor

SPOTLIGHT

Jeni Seiler sits at her desk at Paramount Insurance Services. The independently owned agency oers a broad range of coverage options to customers and prides itself for providing insurance with a personal touch.

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here is a lot to love about providing great coverage to customers, but Jeni Seiler knows that pu�ng people first is what has made Paramount Insurance Services one of Monroe County’s most successful independently-owned insurance companies.

“We know your name when you come here; you are more than just a policy number. At other insurance companies, in other places, people just send it their payment. Around here, a lot of my customers like to come in and sit down with me,” she said. “Some people like to come and sit down just to talk. They want to see a real person and do business the old fashioned way.”

Jeni became an insurance agent in 1981, shortly after graduating from Vanderbilt University with a degree in business administration and moving from Nashville to East Tennessee.

It was in college that she met and fell in love with her husband, Sweetwater native Johnny Seiler, who brought her to the place she now proudly calls home.

“I love it here. My in-laws have lived here forever and when I came here Sweetwater opened its arms to me and to us as a couple. I lived in a lot of places before I came here and there is no better place to live than in East Tennessee,” she said.

September The Sweetwater Citizen Jeni is also the proud grandmother of a two year old, Ari Walker, “Who we just love,” she said.

“This is a town built on raising kids and that’s what I like.

My daughter would tell you how much she loved growing up here.”

Heuer passed away suddenly in 2011 and Jeni ran the agency for his family for a while before buying the business with Bill Moore.

Since Moore, who owns Moore Insurance Agency in Lenoir City, had been a business associate and friend for years it made sense to partner with him to continue a business that served the community for over 80 years.

“He had partnered with Doug on accounts before, so it was kind of natural that he and I would go in together on this,” she said of Moore. “He is more than a silent partner, but less than an active partner because he is not here every day. It’s been a good fit for both of us.”

Paramount Insurance Services prides itself on offering clients in Sweetwater and the surrounding areas top-quality insurance options with a personal touch. (continued on the next page)

Paramount Insurance Services was formerly known as Heuer Insurance Agency and Jeni spent 30 years working with the late Doug Heuer before taking over the business in 2011.

She was introduced to Heuer by a mutual friend. Heuer was looking for help and thought Jeni would make a great agent. He was right.

“I wanted to be in business and Doug called me and told me about it. I thought that I would like it and I did,” she said.

“I enjoy working with people and I like being a businessperson who helps people by providing a service that can benefit them in times of trouble. When they need me, I am there.”

Being part of the Sweetwater business community for the last 38 years has been a pleasure, Jeni says.

“I love the business community here in Sweetwater. People here love their businesses and love the people they serve.

They are happy to be here in Sweetwater.”

The Seilers raised a daughter here, Mandy Seiler Walker, who now lives in Farragut.

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September The Sweetwater Citizen

Jeni Seiler stands with Paramount employees. Left-to-right are Vivian Atkins, Vickie Plemons and Beth Newman.

The agency provides a broad range of coverage options, including auto, home, life, commercial and umbrella policies, among many others.

“I will check with eight or 10 companies to find the best one for you,” Jeni said.

"We can provide insurance coverage anyway that you like it, but we love it when people walk in, sit down and have a conversation with us and a lot of people in Sweetwater like to do that—that’s not how it’s done in many other places, but that’s how we like it here.”

“Whether you need home, auto, life, business, boat, or motorcycle insurance or all of it—we will find you the best policy at the best value for anything that you need.”

“Sweetwater has been very good to me and I have a lot of loyalty to Sweetwater. I like shopping the boutiques here and supporting our local businesses. I just love living here and supporting my town,” she said.

The company works hard to foster personal relationships with clients and gets to know their individual needs and goals with a highly experienced staff ready to help fit customers and their families and businesses with the best insurance coverage.

Some of the organizations that Paramount sponsors are FCA - Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Sweetwater High School Athletics (various teams), Sweetwater Dixie Youth, Sweetwater Kiwanis Club, the Black Heritage Scholarship, Sweetwater Memorial Park and the Needy Family Fund.

Paramount Insurance Services has another full-time agent, Beth Newman, as well as customer service agents, Vickie Plemons and Vivian Atkins, to assist clients.

If you would like to learn more about Paramount Insurance Services, please give them a call at (423) 337-5092 or stop by for a visit at the office, behind the downtown Post Office, at 112 W. North Street. You can also find out more about Paramount Insurance by visiting the company web site at www.paramountinsurancetn.com

Jeni and her team really enjoy when clients stop by, but they can also perform many functions by phone or e-mail.

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Give me that old-time religion ...

Sunday School 10 am S u n d a y Wo r s h i p 1 1 a m Holy Communion 1st Sunday of the Month and Holy Days Wednesday Mid-Week Bible Adventures 6:30 pm

Join us for fellowship and old-time gospel music at “Revive Us Again� this November:

Nov. 11: 10 am (fall harvest fellowship and old timers day) Nov.18: 6:30 pm, Nov. 19, 2019: 6:30 pm, Nov. 20: 6:30 pm

Church of The Good Shepherd 450 Johnson Church Rd. Philadelphia, Tennessee Rev. Jason Crowder thegoodshepherdsec@gmail.com