EMMA BEA STALLINGS 693-3232
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID KNOXVILLE TN PERMIT # 109
®
CRS, GRI, ABR
Personal Care Personal Service
www.farragutpress.com • facebook.com/farragutpress • presstalk@farragutpress.com • © 2015 farragutpress all rights reserved • 50¢
ISSUE 44 VOLUME 27
FARRAGUT, TENNESSEE
THURSDAY, JULY 9, 2015
Rain threat didn’t dampen Independence Day parade spirit
■
ANTHONY ELIAS aelias@farragutpress.com
The 28th Annual Independence Day Parade on Saturday, July 4, was unlike any of the previous ones. “It’s threatened to rain [in the past], it’s been overcast, but I don’t ever remember [having rain],” parade participant Jeannie Sellars said. “It didn’t damper the spirits. There was a big turnout for it. And people look forward to it so much. We were bringing our truck down going over to the high school — this was at 8 a.m. this morning
— and there were already chairs set up along the parade route where people were saving their spots.” People were able to see this year’s Grand Marshal, Helen Ashe, twin sister of the late Ellen Turner and co-founder of the Love Kitchen, leading the parade. The joyful Abbeville, S.C., native sat up in the passenger seat of the leading Mitsubishi and said she was “in another world.” As for the parade behind Ashe, some viewers noticed a larger line behind the grand marshal. From horseback riding and
remote-control cars to Lady Liberties and American flag sunglasses, the parade saw all sorts of creativity — in the parade or viewing — put to work. According to Town of Farragut Public Relations coordinator Chelsey Riemann, “at least 70 of our approximately 90 entries still participated.” “I thought it was great,” parade spectator Lisa Copeland said. “Looks like there’s more in the parade this year, it seems like; more participation.” “[It’s] nice to see patriotic See PARADE on Page 3A
Knox County Sheriff’s Office motorcyclists lead off the annual town of Farragut Independence Day Parade Saturday, July 4.
Edmonds new principal at FMS ■
ANTHONY ELIAS aelias@farragutpress.com
Farragut Middle School named Weston “Wes” Edmonds its new principal Friday, June 26. Edmonds, the former assistant principal, will be taking over responsibilities from his predecessor, Danny Trent, on a job he says he’s “built for.” “I even started as a teacher here at Farragut High [School] back in 2004,” Edmonds said. “I was a teacher and a girl’s basketball coach for eight years. In that time, starting off as a firstyear teacher, I got to know the community pretty well and coaching, I got to know a lot of community members and was very engaged in that.” Edmonds became well-known in the Farragut community with his work on the court with Farragut’s girls high school basketball team. In the eight years he spent on the coaching staff, four were spent as the head coach leading the Lady Admirals to an 82-33 record with two consecutive Class AAA sectional appearances.
Edmonds left FHS a year later after being hired by Trent at Central High School. “He was a mentor for me,” Edmonds said. “A really visionary leader kind of guy. [He is] always pushing everybody and trying to get the most out of people. At the same time, a very family-oriented individual; very supportive of your need to your family and doing what’s best for your family, but also expecting the best out of your work. So it was just an honor to work for him for the three years that I did.” Edmonds moved back to Farragut a year later after Trent was named principal at FMS and brought the former FHS teacher with him. The former social studies teacher took over as athletic director. Edmonds and Trent worked alongside one another for another two years before Edmonds took over, but not without his mentor being close by. “We have a very good relationship,” Edmonds said. “We talk about everyday; multiple times a day since I was appointed. I think that part of my appoint-
The sign at the entrance to Farragut Intermediate and Middle schools says it all in welcoming former Farragut High School head girls basketball coach and FMS assistant principal Wes Edmonds as its new principal.
ment was that Trent would be invested in really helping make sure that I was successful here. Making sure that Farragut Middle School keeps on being as
successful as it is. So, yes, we’re in constant communication.” Edmonds said his likeliest challenge will be the increase in students he’s seeing.
“I think whenever you’re talking about moving from the assistant seat to the head seat, it See EDMONDS on Page 3A
Red, White & Blues, Abrams draw hundreds ■
Tammy Cheek
Youngsters, from left, Jackson Yarbrough, Alex Case, Ayden Case, Carrigan Jenkins and Dylan Bryant compete in a watermelon-eating contest, sponsored by Ingles, during the Red, White & Blues Pre-Independence Day Picnic Friday, July 3.
TAMMY CHEEK tcheek@farragutpress.com
Families and individuals from the Farragut area and beyond gathered to celebrate Independence Day early at the Red, White & Blues Pre-Independence Day Picnic. The event, sponsored by TDS Telecom and co-sponsored by Farragut Business Alliance and town of Farragut, took place Friday, July 3, at Renaissance | farragut. It featured multiinstrumentalist Casey Abrams in concert, which was sponsored by Tennova Health Systems. More highlights of the event included patriotic tunes by Concord Brass, food, beverages, a watermelon-eating contest and
free children’s activities, such as GameTruck, face painting, Briks 4 Kidz and more. “I’m really pleased with the turnout, especially considering the weather,” Allison Sousa, FBA executive director, said. “We come every year,” Amy Kilpatrick of Farragut said, adding she loves the community atmosphere of the Red, White & Blues event. “It’s a good way to start the Independence Day celebration,” Kilpatrick’s husband, Blake, said. The concert featuring Abrams proved a regional draw, Sousa said. “People are excited,” Sousa added. “I got calls from Nashville, Bristol and Soddy
Daisy, that I know of.” ”It’s really fun,” Emilie McNatt of Farragut said about the picnic. “I’m here to see Casey Abrams.” Likewise, Marilyn Everett and Steven Everett of Soddy Daisy said they came to see Abrams. “We’re happy you are here,” Abrams told the crowd. During the concert, Abrams moved his music from the stage to the center of the crowd as he performed “Georgia on My Mind.” “I really like the blues,” Jane Andreaco of Farragut said. “That’s why I came.” Since Farragut High School Band was busy preparing for the Independence Day Parade in Farragut, Lenoir City High See BLUES on Page 3A