Volunteer Times April Preview 2018

April Edition 2018 Mr.- Miss Cougar Nominees Mr.- Miss JMS & LMS Slow Poke Law What does it really take to be enforced? CCHS Prom Photo’s Inside Upcoming Events LaFollette Eye Clinic honored by Lions Club Foodie… Walkers Grocery Re- Opens How to Plant How to get expensive home looks for under $20

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 2Publisher- Kelli Online Sports, Preview Editor, Jo Wright Editor/Preview Videographer, Writer Sports Editor- Writer- John Jeremy Young Writer Muse Patrick PebleyContributing Ad Development, Administrative Writer Jim Website Assistant Robey Dossett Development Ward Carmen Roberts

Volunteer times Campbell county preview page 3FROM THE Election season is upon us and we’ll have a special edition comingPUBLISHER out in the next bit focusing on our local candidates and the offices they seek. We have a variety of backgrounds and individuals with vast experience that could benefit our community running this cycle. I believe whom among the offered is elected on August 2nd they will be quality. If you are a candidate, please get in touch with us asap to schedule your free video shoot for our upcoming election edition. As always, we are open to your ideas and feedback so feel free to inbox us through the Volunteer Times page on Facebook or email [email protected]. Thank you, Times readers for allowing us to have a local voice once again! God Bless. Kelli Jo Wright, Publisher Community Drug Forum Kickoff committee meeting scheduled for Friday, May 4th 6pmKKKK Laf. Rec Center…public invited Attn Candidates: Contact Vol Times to set up your free video for public viewing before Saturday the 28th.Sat. May 19th Mayors public debate at cchs auditorium. 2pmAll present candidates will be recognized. Aug 2nd Vol Times will host the Election block party from Sergeant park and LaF Rec Center (if weather). live broadcastsfrom election commission, Stage with open mic for candidates, music, food and allcandidates are encouraged to set up shop for the evenings announcements.

Volunteer times Campbell county preview page 4 Follow the Volunteer Times on Facebook for the latest updates and news. We LOVE Likes! Copy and paste the link below intoyour browser and give us a Like. We’ll Like you too!!! https://www.facebook.com/TheVolunteerTimes/

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 5City of LaFolletteApril OverviewFirst off, let me say “thank you” to allwho attended this year’s annual Dogwood TrailOpening. The ladies here at the City did a greatjob with the food and refreshments. The CCHSBand and Choir did an excellent job with theirperformances. Keep up the great work guys andgals! We look forward to hearing from you againnext year. Also, thank you Shirley Rogers forhelping us cut the ribbon for the Dogwood TrailOpening. We are always honored to have youhere with us for this event. We hope you willjoin us again next year. Thank you! Eventhough the weather cannot seem to make up itsmind on whether it wants to let go of winter andbecome spring or not, that didn’t stop thedogwood’s in the city from blooming!The City of LaFollette’s Spring Clean Upbegins Monday, April 23rd-27th. We will be doingsome landscaping around the city, picking upgarbage along the walking trails and city parks.We will be planting some flowers along the viaduct in downtown LaFollette, pressure washingour city sidewalks and many othermiscellaneous jobs to Spring Clean our city. Ifanybody would like to volunteer and help withthe City’s Spring Clean Up, you can email myadministrative assistant [email protected] or you can calldown here to the city at 423-562-4961 ext.690.I would like to invite everyone to theNational Day of Prayer event that will be May3rd, 2018 at 7:00 p.m. located at LaFolletteMiddle School auditorium. Sher Johnsoncontinues to host this event every year and weare grateful for her and her hard work and wewill continue to help all we can to keep thisevent going in our city each year. All arewelcome. This year’s theme will be Pray forAmerica- UNITY. Please join us May 3rd. Welook forward to seeing everyone there!

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview page 6On Thursday, April 5th, the cannons at the war memorial were given newwheels and those wheels were dedicated to Vietnam War veterans. Countyand city officials, as well as Vietnam Vets were there for the ribbon cuttingand dedication speeches.Follow us on Twitter@VolunteerTimes

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 7 LaFollette Eye Clinic About the Lions Club honored by Lions Club For more than 100 years, Lions Clubs International has been serving by Brandon Johnson those in need. With more than 1.4 million Jacksboro, Tenn. – LaFollette Eye Clinic’s promise to their customers says that they care deeply about members, Lions are the global leader in the overall health and well-being of both their patients and the local community. For the last 12 years, the humanitarian service. The local affiliate of business has been proving that promise by partnering this international organization has been with the Campbell County Lions Club. chartered since 2006, and prides itself on At their most recent meeting, the local Lions recognized LaFollette Eye Clinic’s service by serving the local community. For presenting them with a plaque. The award was accepted by Doctors Andy and Elizabeth Howard, information on the club, please call (423) owners of the clinic. 494-4894.ent Lester (left) and JMS Football Coach Brent One service that the Lions Club performs isPeel read to LES students last week in “Read known as Kidsight Screening – a program thatAcross America” week. screens area children’s vision to detect for preventable blindness and other vision issues. “A lot of the work that we do as Lions is only possible with strong partnerships between our club and optometrists” said Brandon Johnson, a local club member. In 2017 alone, over 800 children were screened, and 70 had issues that led to them being referred to an optometrist.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 8

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 9 Jeremy’z Journey Remembrance of Christ’s Triumphant Resurrection By Jeremy Z. Young I know Easter has passed and retail stores are already on to the next big holiday phase, whichkind of hits a lull this time of year. The bunny has dropped some eggs for the kiddies and we are finallycoming down from the sugar-high of giant chocolate candies. Fun Fact: Did you know that this year Google released it’s search information stating that at least10,000 people a month search to find out if bunnies lay eggs? Hahaha! I know it sounds absurd tomany of us living here in fresh chicken egg territory, but that was the information they released. If youare one of the many who have googled to find out where eggs come from, because you didn’t knowwhich came first: the chicken, the egg, or the bunny rabbit; I apologize if my laughter offended you. But I would like to talk about our family’s Easter a little bit. Sure, we had eggs, a Sundayafternoon meal with family, etc., but something far greater happened in the early morning hours ofthat morning. We have talked about it for a few years, but it seemed one of the kids were always sick,or it was cold and/or snowing on Easter, so we had missed it. But we made it this year to the sunriseworship service atop McCloud Mountain. As we went to bed a little early the night before, I couldn’t help but wonder about the womenwho were planning to go to the grave of Jesus Christ on that first Easter morning (Matt 28:1-7, Mark16:1-8, Luke 24:1-12, John 20:1-9). I wondered if they had been awake lamenting over the death oftheir great teacher. Perhaps they were telling stories about Jesus. The sabbath had ended at sundownso maybe they were preparing the herbs, spices and oils to be used on his body in the tomb the nextmorning. Perhaps none of this was going on, the Bible doesn’t tell us every little detail of this. As we woke early that morning and began getting ready, I found myself thinking of them again. Iwas thinking of how they awoke, got ready, picked up the things they would take with them and begintheir trek to the tomb of Jesus. Traveling up 25W, winding through the curves in the mountain I knew that these thoughts hadbeen placed on my mind by God, as I once again thought of Mary Magdalene and these women as theywalked and talked. What did they say to one another? This was no doubt a solemn journey to anointthe body of their fallen Christ. I again found my mind wandering and wondering. Were they thinking ofone of the many lessons Jesus had taught them? Maybe they were thinking of the time He fed 5,000people with such a small amount of food (Matt 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15).Maybe they were contemplating what He meant when He said: destroy the temple and He would raiseit again in three days (John 2:19). Only they and God know what things they thought or talked about. We stood there and sang about our Savior. We sang of His sacrifice for all of us. We listened to a pastor as he recounted the death and burial of Christ. And just as the glow of sunshine reveals more detail of God’s glory as it rises each day, so did the telling of Christ’s triumphant rise remind us all that it is only in Him that we can truly find joy, peace and salvation in our lives. If Jesus hadn’t risen that day, we Christians would have nothing to celebrate – nothing to stake our faith in. But He did arise. He did come forth from the grave. He appeared, not only to believers, but to many who had not yet believed in Christ before He ascended to Heaven (Mark 16:19, 20, Luke 24:50-53). If we celebrated boiled eggs and chocolate bunnies every day, the world we live in would be a foul-smelling diabetic place. As we climbed our way to the top of the mountain, got However, we should wake each day and celebrate that Jesus is ourout of the truck and walked over near the edge, we did not see Risen Savior, giving us a gift that no other god or idol could everanything like what those women saw that day. There was no give to us – grace from the One True, Living God.stone misplaced that caused us to wonder what was going on.There weren’t any angels that appeared to the gathered groupof believers. But for us, for me, there was so much showed meproof of God’s love and beauty in His creation. Rememberingthe resurrection of His Son, Jesus Christ, shows us the love Hehas for each one of us and the beauty of His plan to save eachof us and bring us back unto Him. As there were some clouds in the sky, the sun slowlybegan to illuminate the majesty of God’s great creation. Thetrees along the mountainside began to wave slightly in a gentlebreeze, the valley lands below, followed by more shadowy,slightly hazy mountain tops in the distance, and the beginningof an amber, orange-ish hue began to appear on the horizon.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 10Jacksboro Middle School student, Audrey Bishop, left- (8th grade) and Clinton HighSchool student, right- Madison Marsee (10th grade) recently served as pages in the TennesseeState Senate. These students were sponsored by State Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston). Page duties consist of anything from making copies, running errands, to distributing legislativeinformation to members of the General Assembly. They report to the Chief Clerk of House andSenate. www.thevolunteertimes.com

Volunteer times Campbell County Preview page 11 The Volunteer Times will host its well anticipated Campbell County Mayor Debate on Saturday, May 19th @2pm at CCHS Auditorium. Public is Encouraged to attend and participate. All candidates present recognized.Pat on Politics:Sometimes we fail by Patrick Pebley If you have never read my stuff and do not know still a hefty price tag but over ten years it is very Apparently in 2006, yes twelve years ago,me a little background is in order. A couple of feasible. In fact, due to the diligence of several of took out a similar grant to the one we wereyears ago I ran for and was elected as an Alderman, our city personnel we are getting quite a bit more applying for. According to the people at theanother name for city council, of my hometown of sales tax revenue because they discovered some state that council had not finished the term ofCaryville. I ran because I love my hometown and business that were having their taxes distributed the old grant. Now remember when Ithe people in it. For the first two years I feel like to the county rather than to Caryville. Things mentioned points? Well this is 30 points off ofevery single thing we have done has been a success were looking good. our grant application right off of the top. A virtual guarantee that our application will beto one degree or another. Our first goal was to make Asbury Park up to passed over for an application with more points. All because of something that was notOne of the things I have felt the best about is the date on the accessibility requirements of the done by a council from over a decade in theten-year recreation plan we have put together in Americans with Disabilities act. Honestly even past. without all of this we owed it to our citizens andconjunction with the county government and the everyone who uses the park to come up to But because I have good people around me wecities of LaFollette and Jellico. It has been a long standards on that. Our Phase One was going to started working on solutions. The committeeand at times difficult process. I have been lucky met, and we went over what our options were.enough to have Vice Mayor Beth Lawson and our be strictly dedicated to this and a few parking lot Some of it was easy, we simply had to order some signage for the park. Some of it wasCity Recorder Trecia Kindred with me every step improvements while we were at it. workable and we were able to do in house, such a adding some designated handicappedof the way. We have met with engineers, We formed a recreation committee to help with parking spots. Finally, we had to go ahead this. Grants are based on points (remember this it and make some ADA approved walkways toarchitects, and various other experts to put together will come into play later) and having this the seating. This is going to cost us somea plan that is feasible to make our parks throughout money and set our application back a year. We also have to remove a merry go round thatthe county a better place. Caryville’s Asbury Park is a safety hazard that caused a number ofis on its way to grow from a nice little community committee added points to our grant application. I people to get bent out of shape last time it was was also excited because it is another way to give removed.park to a facility that will serve the community Despite all of this we are turning this failureeven better and will be able to host regional the people of Caryville a voice in recreation. We into a positive. We may be a little behind where we need to be, but we are going to sallytournaments. set a date and I prepared to preside over our first forth and get things done for the citizens of Caryville. They deserve it!Not surprisingly such improvements do come at a meeting.price. In our case this price tag was a little over a I tend to show up to everything early and our firstmillion dollars. This is a hefty price tag for a small recreation committee meeting was no exception.town, heck it is a hefty price tag for any sized town. I went into Trecia’s office to chat and generallyThere is help in the form of grants that are prepare for the meeting, mostly by making sureavailable. These particular grants were going to the coffee was fresh. Unfortunately, this is whenpay half of our costs. Though half a million dollars she dropped a bombshell on me that she had justis had dropped on her. The state had contacted us with what I can only describe as the worst ofFollow us onnews. Twitter @VolunteerTimes

Volunteer times Campbell County Preview Page 12If there is one thing I know Patrick and John know how to do, it’s eat. I’vebeen feeding those guys for a long time and not only do they eatimpressively they have a great talent for preparing food as well. They knowand recognize culinary imagination when they come across it and are happyto try some of your local favorites and report back their opinions. If you havea specialty item on your menu you would like Pat and John to give a whirland feature in the next “Foodie” edition let us know.Kelli [email protected] grocery & deli I had the club, as many know it's my favorite on Saturday. Walker's takes large orders to area businesses with 45 minutes notice on the call-in. TheyBy: Patrick Pebley/John Muse sandwich and I always look for them on menus. also will cater your event with home cooked food,This month we had a real treat here at Foodie, It's not the easiest sandwich to get perfect but menu items and a variety of cakes and desserts withWalker's Grocery and Deli has re-opened under Walker's hit home run with this one. The toasted 24 hours’ notice. Need a birthday cake or graduationnew ownership and the place is newly remodeled cake along with 50 hot dogs? Give them a call at 423-and very nice inside. They've even added a new bread was perfect as was the textures of the 437-8361 to place your orders. The prices areparking lot on the side of the building. The layers of meats and cheeses. Fresh tomato and excellent, and the staff is exceptionally friendly andlocation is still the same at 610 East Kentucky lettuce made the sandwich a glorious taste courteous. I give Walker's Market and Deli myAvenue in LaFollette. The real delight from the experience. I had a side of tater wedges with the highest recommendation. I'm definitely going back toinside is the new deli. I love small town, home sandwich and they were perfectly cooked and try their classics like cheeseburgers and hot dogs.cooking in these little locations and Walker's had just that right amount of crispness and a Much like John is for club sandwiches I am a fiendGrocery and Deli did not disappoint. A classic for a good cheeseburger. I went ahead and got thedeli menu with a side of down home with the great bold flavor. This sandwich and tater basket meal that comes with both fries and slaw.made from scratch daily specials and desserts. wedges meal turned into one of my favorite Continued on Pg 28 dishes since we started doing Foodie over a year ago,

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 13 Foodie Continued The meat used in the burger is extremely tasty. I also could tell by looking at the burgers they had just placed on the grill that the meat was fresh and the patties were well formed. I could also tell they were ground very fine which makes a huge difference in texture. The cooked version did not disappoint after seeing the patties. It was extremely tasty. I also went with a hot pepper-jack cheese and it really enhanced the flavor. The fries were hot and crispy as well, though fries are very tough to actually mess up. The Cole slaw was a real highlight as it is easy to get wrong for my taste buds. This was right though none of the individual ingredients overwhelmed the others. For dessert I went with a fried apple pie with ice cream. This pie was crispy fried perfection. The apple filling was hot, the bread portion was buttery, and the ice cream was well ice cream therefor delicious. The combo of the three together is one of the best desserts I have had period. If you are in the downtown LaFollette area it is well worth your effort to step onto Kentucky Avenue and try Walkers. All the menu items looked delicious and to my mild regret I did not get the daily special of the hot roast beef sandwich. Walkers is very high on my list that I will be referring folks to from now on.

Volunteer times Campbell County Preview Page 14 COMING SOONDon’t miss this audience interactive opportunity tointerview your Mayor Candidates. Event to also be broadcast facebook live. Candidates for other offices are encouraged to attend as those present will be recognized. Contact Times for Details 423.912.8873

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 15COUGAR Sports

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 16 2nd Annual Volunteer TimesCommunity Choice Awards Comingto you in May 2018

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 17Mr. and Miss Cougar NomineesBy: John MuseThis year The Volunteer Times will be giving out our Mr. and Ms. Awards to those Cougar athletes who represent the best of the best in our sportingcommunity. Here are the nominees who are excellent people both on the field and off the field. We will announce the winners in next month's issue! Mr. Cougar Nominee: Zach Rutherford Senior Zach Rutherford. Rutherford is the All-Everything quarterback for the Cougars who set several records this season throwing the football. Rutherford also plays on the Cougar basketball team and is one of the starting pitchers for the Cougar baseball team. He is a great academic success in the classroom and has signed with University of the Cumberlands. Miss Cougar Nominee: Cassie Dopp Senior Cassie Dopp. Dopp was a great soccer player for Lady Cougar squad that had its best season in 2017 and is one of the best on the Cougar fishing team. Dopp signed a fishing scholarship and has placed highly in many tournaments.Miss Cougar Nominee: Lindsay HortonSenior Lindsay Horton. Horton wrote and then re-wrote the recordbook for Cougar soccer on her way to District Player of the Year infall 2017. She is a high academic achiever and has signed withLincoln Memorial University. Mr. Cougar Nominee: Gary Siebers Senior Gary Siebers. Siebers was a dominant lineman on both sides of the ball for Cougar football and is a great thrower on the Cougar track team. Siebers has signed to play football at the next level with Cumberland University in Nashville.Miss Cougar Nominee: Bailey RutherfordSenior Bailey Rutherford. Rutherford plays soccer and softball for theLady Cougars. She provided excellent senior leadership on the soccerteam and is a hard hitting 3rd basemen for Lady Cougar softball. Mr. Cougar Nominee: Elijah Phillips Senior Elijah Phillips. Phillips was an All-District linebacker for the Cougar football squad and an All-District center for Cougar basketball who joined the 1000 point club this year. He also joined the tennis team this spring. Elijah has signed to play college football with University of the Cumberlands.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 18Miss Cougar Nominee: Cassie KohlmeyerSenior Cassie Kohlmeyer is a multi-year track and field athlete who isalso an academic high achiever. She plans on attending Tennessee TechUniversity in the fall of 2018. Mr. Cougar Nominee: Jared Bane Senior Jared Bane. Bane is the top player and #1 seed on the Cougar tennis team and he was also a member of the Cougar basketball team at the point guard position during his career on the Hill. Mr. Cougar Nominee: Gavin Cooper Senior Gavin Cooper. Cooper is a cross country master in autumn and a distance man in spring when track season comes around. He's one of the best Cougars ever in his distance events. He is an ETSU signee.Miss Cougar Nominee: Drew Leach Mr. Cougar Nominee: Drew JordanJunior Drew Leach. Leach is an outstanding soccer forward for the Jordan was a dominating force on the football field at linebacker,Lady Cougars and follows that up with two seasons of cheer, running back and quarterback in goal line sets. He even lined up atsometimes cheering and playing soccer on the same day. receiver at times. He also played basketball and baseball for the Cougars, where his plays both catcher and pitcher.Miss Cougar Nominee: Lexy RichardsonJunior Lexy Richardson. Richardson is an outstanding hitter for therapidly improving Lady Cougar volleyball program and a key cog onthe district champion Lady Cougar basketball team. She is involved ina myriad of off the field activities as well. Senior Elijah Phillips. Phillips was an All-District linebacker for the Cougar football squad and an All-District center for Cougar basketball who joined the 1000 point club this year. He also joined the tennis team this spring. Elijah has signed to play college football with University of the Cumberlands.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 19 Mr. Cougar Nominee: Christian Shouse Junior Christian Shouse is a very hi-level track, field and cross- country athlete who has went to state in the decathlon and other events in his Cougar career. Shouse is an outstanding worker off the track and field as well as on it.Miss Cougar Nominee: Skylar BoshearsJunior Skylar Boshears. Boshears is a dominant force on the hardwoodfor the basketball Lady Cougars. All-District, 1000-point club memberin only 3 years, this Furman signee is one of the best to ever wear theOrange and Blue.Miss Cougar Nominee: Katie WellsJunior Katie Wells. Katie was the top golfer for the Lady Cougar golfteam in the 2017 season and she also plays tennis in spring. She is agreat student in the classroom at CCHS as well. Mr. Cougar Nominee: Carter Wells Junior Carter Wells. Carter is the top male golfer for the Cougars and was the Volunteer Times Guard Duty winner for his amazing defense for the Cougar basketball team in 2017-2018.Springing into action with the Cougars. Left: Noah Jackson shoots home a goal vs Scott High. The game would end tied 3-3. Right: Bruno Zillo serves against Anderson County at Jaycee Park in Clinton. The Cougars would go on to defeat AC on the day.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 20Mr. and Miss Owl.This month we name our nominees for Mr. and Miss Owl. These Lafollette Owl athletes represent the true spirit of middle school sports andsportsmanship both on and off the field of play. We will announce our winners next month in the May issue of The Volunteer Times. Miss Owl Mr. Owl Nominee: Erica Brock Nominee: Devon 8th Grade: Erica Jones Brock emerged as a force in the post for 8th Grade: Devon the Lady Owl Jones is an incredible basketball team this basketball star for the past winter and also is Owl hoops squad and an outstanding thrower he is a great track on the Lady Owl track athlete that can be squad this spring. found burning up the spring track in sprintMiss Owl Nominee: Bailey Ray Gillum races and relays as well as leaping over8th Grade: Bailey Ray Gillum is an outstanding basketball player the bar in the highand she's even better in her track and field events. She was named jump.the Area MVP last season at Oak Ridge on her way to the state meet.Miss Owl Nominee: Daley Griffith Mr. Owl Nominee: Jonathan Long8th Grade: Daley Griffith is a three season athlete. She cheers both 8th Grade: Jonathan Long is a diverse athlete who plays football,football and basketball season and then runs her way into track and basketball and does track and field events for the Owls. His 3field. A gifted long jumper, Griffith truly shines in the sprint races. She seasons of work for the Owls show his dedication to his school.was named top sprinter at the Area meet in Oak Ridge last season. Mr. Owl Nominee: Seth Thompkins 8th grade: Seth Thompkins was an incredible prospect at quarterback heading into his final campaign as an Owl but broke his arm in the pre- season. That didn't stop him from playing however, he just shifted to defense and played with a cast. Seth is also a very good basketball player for the Owls.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 21 Miss Owl Mr. Owl Nominee: Morgan Grey Nominee: 8th Grade: Morgan Grey Connor is an outstanding Lady Owl golf star. Last year Robertson the team failed to qualify for the state meet but 8th Grade: Connor Morgan qualified as an Robertson was a two individual. She's way great on the managed to further hone LaFollette Owls her game in the 2018 football team. He was season. an excellent defender taking advantage of his size and strength but the real shocker to Owl opponents was when the big man lined up as the Owl power running back.Mr. and Miss EagleThis month we name our nominees for Mr. and Miss Eagle. These Jacksboro Eagle athletes are the epitomeof middle school student athlete. We will announce our winners next month in the May issue of TheVolunteer Times.Miss Eagle Nominee: Jolene Phillips Mr. Eagle8th Grade: Jolene Phillips: Jolene can be found on the sidelines at Nominee: CJEagle practices and games as a team manager through fall but comespring she is burning up the track. She has already set the school record Allenin the 100m race and looks to add more before track season ends. 8th Grade: CJ Allen. Allen is an excellent pitcher and hitter on the CCMS baseball team and is a record setting running back on the Eagles undefeated, championship football squad. Allen set the season rushing record even though he got one less game due to a forfeit. Allen also punted for the Eagles.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 22 Miss Eagle Mr. Eagle Nominee: Aaron Ellison Nominee: Sadie Cox 8th Grade: Aaron Ellison. Ellison is absolutely a dynamic athlete on the football field and the track. He was nearly unstoppable 8th Grade: Sadie Cox. once he caught a pass for the undefeated Eagle football team Sadie is another three and he has speed to burn on the track as an Eagle sprinter. season athlete. She starts her cheer season in late Mr. Eagle summer and wraps that Nominee: Desmond up in late winter, in the mean time she is Gilbert constantly honing her golf game. She is the top 8th Grade: Desmond female player for the Gilbert. Gilbert is an Lady Eagles, who are on amazing Eagle athlete. He a multi-year winning is a hard working post on streak in the regular the basketball team, he is season. a great thrower andMiss Eagle Nominee: Cora Browning runner for the Eagles track and field units. He is8th Grade: Cora Browning. Cora was a great basketball playerfor the Lady Eagles during the 2017-2018 season and she is a also an exceptionalsuperior player of the CCMS softball squad. Earlier in the year member on offense andshe hit for the cycle while pitching a no-hitter. defense of the unbeaten, championship winning Eagle football squad.Miss Eagle Mr. EagleNominee: Nominee: JackHelena Smith Leach8th Grade: HelenaSmith: Smith is a two- 8th Grade: Jackseason cheerleader and Leach. Jack is anshe then jumps right Eagle basketballinto track and field. player who alsoSmith is carrying on happens to be anthe family legacy in exceptional golfer forthe shot and discus and Jacksboro. His Eaglesis also a top flight haven't lost a regularsprinter on the Lady season match inEagle relay teams. almost 2 years now and he is almost always found atop the leader board.On the Fast Track with the Owls and Eagles.Left: Jody Longmirewins her 800m race forthe Lady Owls atAnderson County High.Right: Leah Sanders has set the school record in the 200m race for the Lady Eagles in 2018.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 23 Clockwise from top: Riley Faulkner wins the 800-meter race at Anderson County. He also won the 1600- meter race. Gavin Cooper signed a track and cross country scholarship with ETSU. New Cougar Head Basketball Coach Darrell Cox and family at the introductory press conference. Cougar 3rd baseman Dylan Berry heads to the bag after fielding a ground ball.Clockwise from above:Carlie Baldwin heads to first after connecting with thepitch.Riley Wallace passes the ball down the field vs ScottHigh.Devlin Dukes competes in the long jump event at theDale Legg Invitational.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 24Pat's Place: Softball’s surgeby Patrick PebleyFor many years we all knew of the struggles suffered facilities on their home campus. This could not have Lady Cougars playing well either. Mongar is doingby Cougar Football. It took bringing home Dewayne been good for team morale. things right when it comes to giving these youngWells to finally get the program over the hump. ladies they skills to play the game well.Years later Justin and Matt Price came and built on In the mid 1990’s Lady Cougar Softball finally gotthe foundation. Now when you go see a game under their own facility on the campus of CCHS. Arlis But this is not the only the players that are doingthe lights on Friday nights you see the fruits of their Chapman field has been their home diamond for a well. Mongar has went out of her way to make Arlislabors. Stadium and press box improvements, facility number of years now. The facility was nice to have Chapman Field a much-improved facility, one that isupgrades, and this coming season new stadium lights on campus, but it was still bare bones in many ways. on par with most of the program that the Ladyare all there for the eyes to see. Without the surge The dugouts were good but not big. There were Cougars compete with. For the first time in thethese coaches gave to Cougar Football we would bleachers, but they were limited in their capacity program’s history it may be in better shape thanhave seen none of this, except maybe the new lights and many spectators chose to bring their own their male counterparts that play baseball (I will talkas those would still be upgraded out of necessity and chairs. There was a scoreboard and on good days it about what needs to be done there next month).safety. actually worked. Though this was an improvement over traveling off campus it still was not the kind of Mongar found a college program that was getting ridBut what many people do not realize is that Cougar facility these hard-working young ladies that played of so much of its old equipment as they wereFootball is not the only team that is seeing softball deserved. remodeling. Though this seems like hand me downsimprovements. Yes, we got a soccer facility and we it is indeed very nice equipment that has improvedare getting a new track. But if you really want to see One of those players that played through these the look, feel, and overall game experience. Nowan upgrade attend a Lady Cougar Softball game. aforementioned lean years of Lady Cougar Softball the facility has a new and much improvedActually, go to a game to support our student was Rebecca Mongar. Mongar was a standout scoreboard, one that has worked at every game Iathletes but while you are there look around at the player on the team and even went on to play ball on have been to. The old bleachers have been movedfacility. the college level. Mongar parlayed her college over to left field where they serve as a visitor’s softball into an education degree and came home to section. The home bleachers are very nice and evenYou see if you think Cougar Football was long teach in Campbell County. It was only natural that have chairback seats. The fencing looks professional.suffering you never knew of the struggles of Lady she would go on to coach Lady Cougar Softball as The team even has a netted area to practice pitching.Cougar Softball. For almost the first two decades that well. She was also able to get volunteer labor to installCCHS existed the team did not even have a home almost all of this. The dugouts have also beenfacility. The team had to leave campus and go play Mongar has spent many years improving the stock enlarged and improved. This was done with veryon the field behind East LaFollette Elementary School. of Lady Cougar Softball. For many years the team little money put forth by the school system.To say that this was not an ideal situation is a gross struggled through a great number of coachingunderstatement. Only Cougar Tennis was and still is changes and losing seasons. In fact, it was not Add to this the fact that we also have a middlein such a sad state as far as facilities go. The teams unlike Cougar Football in that aspect. If you go, see school feeder program now and it is easy to see thatwould have to go to an off-campus facility and dress the Lady Cougars in action (and once again you the program is sailing in the proper direction. Thein what ever classroom was designated as a dressing really should) you will notice that they are playing middle school team has the advantage of being aroom. Not only was this not ideal it also had to be well. Freshman pitcher Brenna Rutherford is playing combined Jacksboro and LaFollette team. There isembarrassing for the players as all the other schools well, and her big sister Senior Bailey Rutherford no adjustment period for the younger players gettingthey were playing already had their own even cranked out a home run earlier this season. used to new teammates like there is in both football They are not the only Continued on Pg. 25www.thevolunteertimes.com

Volunteer times Campbell County Preview Page 25Pat's Place continuedand basketball. Add to the fact that Ryan Browning is currently coaching this middle school squad and you must feel good about the overall health of bothprograms.So, when you think about programs being turned around it is still ok to think about Dewayne Wells and the Price twins. But a lso know that there is an unsunghero in Cougar Athletics. Her name is Rebecca Mongar. She is a true homegrown success story. A Cougar who graduated, learned her craft on the college leveland returned to make things better.Now I challenge you all. There are a few weeks left in spring sports. Get out to a baseball, a soccer, and a softball game. If you feel inclined to travel also get outand catch a tennis match and a track meet. These coaches and student athletes deserve your support. With your encouragement we can continue to improve allof these programs. Heck we may even get what we need to have an on-campus tennis facility and the equipment needed to properly host track meets so thatwe can host meets that are officially timed. Spring sports can be a lot of fun. Don’t believe me? Get out to a game and see what I am saying for yourselves.PO

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 26 C SP O I H 08

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 27Pat's Wrestling Memories: the ArmstrongsWrestling is truly a family business. Back in the stalwart in the area that he was chosen to take Scott Armstrong was the junior heavyweightglory days there were so many family units that on Ric Flair when he came to Knoxville to of the bunch, we call the cruiserweights now.dominated the scene. The Funk’s, The Von defend the NWA World Title. This is the He was a popular and talented wrestler butErich’s, The Anderson’s, and so many others had biggest milestone in my life as a fan. I had to that is not where he truly hit his stride ingreat careers. Today the McMahon Family see my hero live, because who knew when Flair wrestling. Today Scott Armstrong servesdominates the wrestling world today. But growing would ever be back. It was my first ever live many roles for WWE. He s one of the seniorup in Tennessee I cut my wrestling teeth watching pro wrestling event. I was hooked forever after officials for WWE and also serves as aContinental Championship Wrestling every that. Of course, Flair got himself disqualified television producer for the company’sSunday afternoon. There were two families that about 55 minutes into the match when it looked Smackdown brand.were staples, the Fullers and the Armstrong’s. like the Bullet had him beaten. It was yearsToday we are going to talk the Armstrongs. before I saw a better match live. What many people do not realize is that there is another brother and he was the mostThese were the prototypical babyfaces that Brad Armstrong was often considered the most nationally successful. He is Degeneration Xeveryone loved. A tough as nails father and his talented of the Armstrong sons. He was an member Road Dogg Jesse James. He wasthree sons were some of the most beloved men in athletic and talented wrestler who move on part of the hottest faction during the hottestthe area. They were the men that were there to from the Continental region (East Tennessee time in cable television’s wrestling history.fight off the bad guys. They righted the wrongs and Alabama) and went throughout many of thethat the heels would unleash. They made young other territories. He teamed with Morristown, Next month we will talk more about theladies swoon all across the southeast. Tennessee’s own Tim Horner to win the UWF Armstrong’s and Continental and USA World Tag Team Championship and defended Championship Wrestling.The family was led by Bullet Bob Armstrong. A those titles on national television. During theveteran athlete. He was the John Wayne of the Monday Night War era of wrestling WCWarea. He took NWA World Champion Jack Brisco actually signed Brad to a guaranteed contract toto the limit in 1974 in Miami, though he failed to sit home and not sign with WWF. Sadly, Bradcapture the title. Bob was a gym rat and was a passed away in 2012.very muscular man that was a natural, no steroidsfor this man. Unfortunately, he had an accident, Steve Armstrong was the tag team specialist ofwhere he dropped a 180 pound dumbbell on the family. He often teamed with his brothershimself when a bench broke, that left his face so throughout the area, But he was most knownbadly injured that he require $38,000 worth of for his partnership with Tracy Smothers. Theplastic surgery to repair his face. pair was very successful everywhere they went and had a NWA/WCW United States Tag TeamThis was when Bob Armstrong disappeared. Some Championship run.time later a masked wrestler named the Bullet showedup in the scene. A man who happened to have thesame tattoos as Bob Armstrong. He was such a Home and Garden

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview PAGE 28Weather Dictates Planting: The school opens its greenhouse to the public each year, selling an assortment of flowers and vegetables at very reasonable prices. This year, the publicHow to Plant Summer Crops opening was scheduled for May 18, however this date was pushed to April 23 because some vegetables were not ready yet. An assorted variety of geraniums, begonias, petuniasand Flowers and more sell for $2 a 3-pack.By Jeremy Z. Young “Flowers are ready, tomatoes are late,” Morton said. The FFA works in conjunction with Tennessee’s 4-H program, sending students to “We just have to wait until we get to better conventions and judging contests. The money raised from the greenhouse sale is used to weather,” local farmer Bob Miller said recently about fund these valuable, educational trips. Morton said the sale makes it possible for these the numerous cold-snaps and massive rainfalls in our students to have transportation, attend conferences, and be housed while attending, area. Miller, who plants a garden and a large amount leaving parents only having to pay for their student’s food while attending. of watermelon each year had said that he would be Also as part of this hand-in-hand coordination, FFA and 4-H will again present the turning the soil with it ready to plant by mid-April. annual Farm Day at the high school May 18. Elementary school children will be bused to Near the third week in April, he laughed and said, the high school to look at growing techniques and to see and learn about farm animals. In “We just have to wait,” talking about the many warm addition to Farm Day, May 18 is also “8th Grade Night” at the high school and 8th graders, days followed by snowy days and freezing night aka incoming freshmen, will get to take a look at the Farm Day presentations to find the temperatures. next crop of students interested in learning these important skills. Also new to FFA this school year is aquaponics. Longtime local educator and farmer Miller, who worked for Shelby’s for many Robbie Heatherly donated an aquaponics system to the class. This combines aquaculture years said that when a few days are warmer stores and hydroponics in a way that is beneficial to growing plants and growing fish in a begin setting out fresh vegetation for sale. However, symbiotic relationship. just because it’s on a shelf at the store, doesn’t mean This year the system at the high school is growing tilapia in the bottom with water it’s time to put it in the ground. This causes some to being brought to the top for hydroponic growth of some evergreen bushes, FFA president lose their investment in plants after cold periods Ryan Roderick said. Clay balls in the hydroponic system help to filter nitrites from the return. water that become food for the plant, returning clean water to the bowl below for the fish. This method allows for both the growing of vegetables and edible warm water fish at the While some have already started planting same time. Aquaponics can trace it’s roots back to 6th century China when rice was grown flowers and crops, covering and uncovering as the in paddy fields with fish alongside the plants. The technology grew from that as wooden weather has required, many wait until Spring is in full slat pallets with mud and dirt were placed atop the water to separate fish from plant tops swing. The inconsistent weather and heavy rain has and aid in water filtration for the fish. also put a hold on tilling, disking and plowing. Morton said he is new to aquaponics, so he wanted to start small while learning to adjust the pH levels to properly grow plants. He gave that advice to any novice starting to Glenna Giles at the Claiborne Farmers Co-op plant a flower or vegetable garden as well. in LaFollette said, “It’s difficult right now to work with “Start small and keep it simple,” Morton said. “Half-runners [green beans], the soil because of the heavy rains. You got to get it celebrity tomatoes, silver queen or peaches and cream corn: these grow easier. Heirlooms dry enough. If you try to do it wet, it will be muddy [tomatoes] are a little trickier.” now, but this summer it will be so hard you can’t hoe Morton also commented that first-timers may start out with too large of an area it.” for a garden or too many varieties of plants and vegetables, causing them to quickly lose interest, lose heart or lose faith in their ability to grow these items. By starting small, any She admitted that it may be a myth or an ‘old novice can learn these valuable skills of growing their own food, or simply maintaining the wives tale,’ but said she has always heard not to plant beauty of their own landscape. summer crops in the ground until you see green all If you want to plant your own vegetables or flowers, it isn’t too late to get started. the way to the top of the mountains. Another possible wives tale says not to plant things in the Plantable vegetation can be purchased at the CCHS greenhouse beginning April 23, at ground in a month that doesn’t have an “r” in it (May, June, July, August). Claiborne Co-op on Beech Street and several other stores and locations. The Co-op can Giles pointed out that a number of “cold also help to inform new planters how to plant with the best chances for a good harvest. crops” could withstand low temperatures and can be planted as early as late-February or early March, They also have seeds and books on when it is best to plant different vegetation. including cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, kale and more. Pansies, snapdragons, English daisies and violas are among the popular flowers that can withstand cool weather also. Cold crops and even grass can be seeded in early spring or in the fall. Warm weather plants, such as corn, tomatoes and certain flowers can be stunted, or killed if they are outside when temperatures drop near or below freezing. Even a slight frost can affect sensitive plants. Giles, in early April, pointed out that some people had already started their planting indoors, taking the buckets or containers outside for sunshine, but having to bring them back in due to the nightly temperature drop. She said that this early season method of planting should only be done by those with enough time to make sure the plants are cared for inside and outside properly as weather permits. The Future Farmers of America (FFA) organization at Campbell County High School teaches youth how to plant using the climate control of a greenhouse. The group’s teacher, Nathaniel Morton, orders plugs – small, quarter size plant seedling sprouts – which the teenagers are learning to plant in planters using top soil from their soil beds. These sprouts are then taken to the greenhouse where they receive three waterings daily, an optimal climate, food and sunlight. FFA President Ryan Roderick told how the plant’s liquid food is mixed with the water to give the plants the water and nutrients they need to grow. He said that growing in the greenhouse this year is an assortment of tomatoes such as heirloom, romas, Mr. Stripey, and several others. Cucumbers, an assortment of peppers, zucchini, squash, watermelon, cantaloupe, bush pickles and more.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 29Home & gardencheap hacks for Doors, walls and the underestimated all-purpose joint compound For years I had the privilege of decorating some of I ran and bought a 5 gallon bucket of all-purposeKnoxville’s and surrounding areas finest homes. I joint compound, a spreader and had at it. Youmiss the days when I decorated full time for can go as thick or thin as you please but justKnoxville Wholesale Furniture as without a doubt, cover your damaged areas. Believe it or not itlooking back, that was the happiest time of my life. looked wonderful and everyone that has seen it has had no idea what it has covered. Now mineI did learn a bit more than just how to reminisce. I is thick and not every home can hold this looklearned how to really stretch a dollar (when often but if you’ve got the thought it might its worth athat’s all you’ve got) and make the most out of what shot. It covered everything from top to bottom. Iyou have, as best you can. even painted it and from photo you can see where the stain technique really grabs to theThree areas I’ll cover in this article include a compound. So, most definitely wet your rag ifrefinished door that purchased would cost you decide to stain this compound even afterhundreds, but dry brushing will cost less than $20 painting , but you can continue to play aroundand about 90 minutes of your time. Next is a wall with the paint and stain until you get the lookstaining/aging technique I accidently discovered you are going for.when working at Wender Furniture in LaFollette.(front room of upstairs gallery, gold color) but at the To see video on these individual processes intime they really though I knew what I was doing. more detail please visit our website.(cough, cough) Last is a wall covering that is my http://thevolunteertimes.com/personal favorite if you home lends to this look asit’s smothering the wall surface with joint Right: Hardware, paint, medallions under $25. Onlycompound. If you have a bizarre or difficult to cover thing left to replace is the knob.issue this may be your best bet.Ok, the door. Take any basic door, piece of furniture Left: You can see how the stain gives aor cabinet for that matter than needs instant aging painted surface just a punch of texture andand this dry brush technique is a piece of cake. I first dimension. Light but simple. For thosecoated the door shown in upper photo in a black who don’t want too much.craft paint where all of my paints came from,Walmart. A few bucks a piece for the color involved Right: Be carefulhere. Then I put a light see through coat of black on using the stainit but I could still see the wood through. Let it dry directly to thefor 5 minutes then hit it with another coat of bright compound asgold. Lightly dry brushing this on top of the black, from photo youthen before it dries completely taking a paper towel can see howand giving it a good rubbing all over to blend the easily it grabs.colors well and still allowing you to see a bit of the Wet your ragwood below. Last color is your (in my case but you before you begincan pick your own) turquoise and I dry brushed it on if you don’t wantboth sporadically but still lighter in some areas while a dark contrastingheavier in others. As your painting the door will tell look and you canyou where it wants you to go with it. This will also see where I’mlook very messy in the beginning so don’t panic and trying differentsanding is always your friend if you think you’ve stains to see whatgoofed it. More detail on our website with video on I like better.the specifics of the tack placements and wooden When I pick theflorets. right one I’ll repaint the smallNext up is a simple as 123. When you are bored with area then reapplyyour painted walls simply grab a thick yellow the selecteddisposable glove (trust me not the latex ones) an old stain.rag, pint of stain and begin giving your walls arubdown. If you are a nervous decorator wet the ragfirst, so this won’t give you a heart attach when youfirst see it go on the wall but wipe it all over as ifyour scrubbing the wall. Then go back over your 4 x4 area and begin to blotch it out. When it’s done itlooks amazing and cost you less than $5 for a pint ofstain and a little elbow grease. I use a light oak stainbut darks work well with other colors.Last but certainly not least is a photo of a wall (toyour right) in an entire room that I am redoing. Theprevious homeowners had a wallpaper, chair railand lower paneling boards in the room. I removedthe rail and paneling and then had wallpaper on top.Have mercy what a mess afterwards!!! Peeling thatstuff off was not an option and I was about to losehope when I remembered how I played with jointcompound one day years ago. I knew it would take alot but it was worth a shot considering that beast ofa room wasn’t going to fix itself.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 30Slow Poke Law Not What It Seemsby John muse There was a great cheer among frustrated driverswhen word got out that a proposed “slow poke”law would finally prevent slow drivers from fillingthe left lane. It turns out that the slow poke law hasnothing to do with slowpokes at all. It’s simply ameasure that prevents use of the left lane in 3-laneor larger highways in many, but not all, conditions. This bill prohibits a person from operating avehicle in the passing lane on an interstate ormulti-lane divided highway that has three or morelanes in each direction, except when overtaking orpassing a vehicle that is in a non-passing lane. Aviolation will be a Class C misdemeanorpunishable by a fine only of $50. The Slow Poke Law will not apply: 1: When the volume of traffic does not permit the vehicle to safely merge into a non-passing lane, 2: When inclement weather or an official traffic control device makes it necessary to drive in the passing lane, 3: When obstructions or hazards exist in a non-passing lane, 4: When avoiding traffic moving onto the highway from an acceleration or merging lane, 5: When highway design makes it necessary to drive in the passing lane to exit or turn left, 6: To authorized emergency vehicles engaged in official duties; or 7: To vehicles engaged in highway maintenance and construction operations.The Bill reads: ON MARCH 7, 2018, THE HOUSEADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSEDHOUSE BILL 1416, AS AMENDED.AMENDMENT #1 removes authorization for thedepartment to erect signs or official traffic controldevices to restrict usage of a lane designated forpassing and instead authorizes the department touse existing permanent electronic overheadinformational displays located on the interstatesystem to provide periodic messages as to theprovisions of this bill. The law as written, never mentions speed or a minimum speed. Instead it seems to funnel the same volume of traffic into one fewer lane. So, if a car is going 10 mph below the speed limit in the middle lane and you want to go 8 mph below the speed limit in the far left lane and pass, you can legally do so. A much simpler solution would have stated any who were driving in the left lane and were going more than 5mph below the speed limit would be subject to fines. As we know, legislators rarely go with the simple solution. Instead we get this vaguely defined law vaguely defined law of when it’s okay to drive in the left lane. Now we can look for people getting pulled over with no clear idea of why and for many court cases with challenges based on the interpretations of when it’s acceptable to drive in the left lane. What qualifies as inclement weather? Snow? Rain? What is the distance from merge points where it’s acceptable to drive in the left lane? How far from a left exit point does one need to be in order to not get pulled over while in the left lane? But again, Campbell Countians only need to be aware of the new law when traveling on one of Tennessee’s highways with 3-lanes or more (example I-75, I-640 in Knoxville, or I-40, I-24, I-65 in Nashville).

The Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 31Generations of wonderful jewelry and service come to a closeBy Jeremy Z. YoungIn 1933, a person could buy a belt, a sweater or dance lessonsfor $1.00. A pound of pork chops was about eight cents andbread was about a nickel. A new car could be bought for about$275 and gas for it was only 15 cents a gallon. Of course, noneof that mattered much during the first few years of the greatdepression. Banks and businesses closed and work-for-pay wasscarce. One thing that did matter was time. Every man had awatch or a pocket watch. From time to time, these needed tobe repaired or replaced. That year, J. Everett Bowman, with the watchmakingskills he had learned from his father, James Hawkins Bowman,opened LaFollette’s downtown staple watch and jewelry store,Bowman Jewelers. “Times were hard, but J. Everett used his God-giventalent to open a small watch and repair shop,” Gail Bowmansaid. J. Everett passed his love for the craft on to his son Jerry.Jerry would join the family business in 1964, the same year hewould marry his longtime sweetheart Gail Miller. Betty Gail Miller of Fincastle got her first salesexperience at age 5, working for her parents who operated aTexaco gas station and grocery store. She would stand on popcrates and pump gas, or convince customers they needed a bigoatmeal cookie.Miller, a valley girl from a farm family, grew up climbing treesand playing outside. They raised cows, pigs, grew and frozetheir own food. Every Sunday they walked to FincastleMethodist Church. She went to Valley View until starting juniorhigh at LaFollette. That was where her and Jerry first met. Jerry, son of the town’s watchman, started his schoolingat East LaFollette before entering junior high.“Jerry gave me a ring in the 8th grade in Bob Carden’s class,”she recently wrote in a letter. “[He] asked me to be hissweetheart. Little did we know, we were starting a lifetimeventure. I still have the ring.”What they didn’t know at the time was that they wouldcontinue a lifelong love for one another, for their communityand business. At 18, J. Everett gave Jerry a watch and told himto take it apart. He also asked the young couple to wait untilthey were 19 to wed, which they did. Gail attended TheDraughon Business College in Knoxville, giving her even moreknowledge of business operations and making happycustomers. That year, 1964, Gail graduated college, Jerryfinished the watch, the two were wed and Jerry joined the Gail and Jerry Bowman.family business. Continued next page

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 32Bowman Jewelry Continued“Jerry’s first love is pocket watches and watch The store is busy with many customers on a Monday afternoon. For 85 years, the Bowmanrepair,” Gail said. family has offered personalized, professional and friendly service, attributing to the company’s success. “It was the most fascinating thing, themoment when I made that old Elgin pocket watch The staff at the jewelry store have been very busy Gail and Jerry Bowman pose for this picture attick,” Jerry said. working to please customers. After 85 years of service to the community, the Bowman family is the workbench during an ‘old time sale’ The couple wed at Indiana Avenue Baptist promotion.Church and was the first that Paul Heatherly would retiring and closing the store.join in marriage after he was called to preach thegospel. Laughing, Gail admitted the only way she “There’s a big misconception about business would know to fix that would be with a owners being wealthy,” Jerry went on to say. Gail worked local office jobs until they hammer. “There’s risks involved. There’s no guaranteestarted a family. Once Jerry and Gail’s sons, Derrek you’re going to stay in business. We’ve beenand Matthew, started school, Gail came to work at After all of these years loving their blessed to be able to pay our bills, keep itthe store in the late 1970s. Their family has always work, it was hard for them to announce they going and make a living for ourselves.”been their top priority. The couple bought the would be closing the business. The closing isbusiness in the 1980s. open-ended until the jewelry is sold and they “A business owner should know how will continue repair and sizing every day the to do everything in the business including Jerry and Gail complement each other in store is open. Jerry said that customers being the janitor,” Jerry said. “Most peoplebusiness as well. He is the goldsmith, jewelry, should come soon, as their inventory will not don’t know how much is involved in running awatch repairman and clock expert, and she has the increase, and many items are being sold at business. Bookkeeping, check writing, etc. Italent of working with people and providing great discounts daily. learned to do all that stuff until we gotexceptional and amazing customer service. someone to do it for us.” “It’s been a very hard, prayerful and “It’s a phenomenal business,” Gail said. tearful decision,” Gail said. Jerry told of how he would go to the“Customer service has always been our priority store in the early morning hours to check itand our customers have been so loyal. We have The business isn’t closing because of when there was a false alarm call, and howbuilt our business on trust. We are thankful to God lack of funds or lack of interest from the owning a business is something on your mindfor allowing us to serve the community for all public. Their business has been a staple in every minute, of every hour, of every day ofthese years.” downtown for decades and is a true model your life.Some of Jerry and Gail’s fondest memories of the of success. All their children and grand- He compared owning a business to raisingbusiness they have worked for 54 years is being children, as well as Jerry himself, have grown children and watching them grow. Just likeable to help people with their special day – their up in the store and worked there in some children, growing a business takes nurturewedding day and the rings that symbolize a young capacity. and care and discipline. “At some point, youcouple’s endless love for one another. want to get to the stage where you’re not “We are only going out of business changing diapers anymore,” he laughed. Gail recalled one couple who came from because we are 72 and we are tired,” GailOhio to get married at the historic LaFollette said. “It’s very hard because we love our Jerry and Gail found great joy in theWedding Chapel. They came in and bought their customers so much. We love the community; promotions they have done over the years.wedding rings a couple of days before they were we love all of our employees, and we’ve had Every year they had giveaways at Christmasto wed. Without family or friends here, they had wonderful, trustworthy employees.” time up until the new year. People couldanother request of the Bowman’s when the big come in and register to win certain items eachday arrived. They stopped in front of the store in “Our customers’ loyalty has been year.their Corvette, the bride came into the store in her fantastic, and they are the reason we havebeautiful wedding gown, and asked Gail if she been able to stay in business so long,” Jerry Continued Next Pagewould come to the chapel and witness their union. said. “I’ve been kidding people, saying ‘If youShe was happy and honored to oblige. find the fountain of youth, let me know and we’ll start this all over again.” “I’ve got to witness some special momentsin people’s lives,” she said. “I just love workingwith people and being a part of their lives on theirspecial day.” One thing Jerry and Gail have always doneis to be open on Saturdays. There have been manycouples who have bought rings, but then realizedthey needed a last minute sizing when the dayarrived. Jerry, a humble man who doesn’t like totalk of himself or his accomplishments, has servedas chairman of LaFollette’s downtown merchantsassociation, and was appointed by city council to aboard of business owners who worked to revitalizedowntown. He has completed courses with Seiko,Bulova, and other watchmakers to be at the top ofhis craft. He completed a two-year study at theGemological Institute of America for diamondgrading and appraising course and completed adiamond setting school.But Jerry said he learned more from the school ofhard knocks. “I guess that’s the most educationalone I’ve had. That’s where the rubber meets theroad,” he said laughing. Jerry said that watch repair is a delicate,intricate process, sometimes requiring tiny partsto be made by hand. “It’s kind of somewhere between ahummingbird and an elephant,” he said. “Hairsprings are steel and have to be perfect in orderfor the watch to tick and keep time.” Bulova, what Jerry called “The king of allwatches,” holds a special place with him. It waseasy to tell when he spoke of these watches inwhich the second hand runs constant instead of

VOLUNTEER TIMES CAMPBELL COUNTY PREVIEW PAGE 33Bowman Jewelers Continued This picture shows Jerry and his father, J. Everett, working at the jeweler’s workbench in November 1971.. He said that throughout the year, he wouldpick an item and think it would be a nice piece Andrea worked for Bowman Jewelers for ten years Goldsmith Jerry Yarberry polishes rings, uses ato give away, and he would put it aside until theseason was right. They gave away necklaces, before marrying Derrek Bowman. She has helped at the laser jewelry machine and does sizing and otherearrings and other jewelry, even giving away an store off and on for 18 years. This photo is from a work at Bowman Jewelers.antique pocket watch. sidewalk sale in the Fall of 2006. “I had people come in three or fourtimes a day to register,” Jerry said. “I had onelady one year that tried to ‘stuff the box.’ Idon’t know if she ever won anything.” He compared one promotion they wouldhave to the Hollingsworth discount spinningwheel. “We put discounts in balloons and letthe customer pop a balloon to see what theirdiscount would be,” he said. Several times they ran a promotion thatwould give everyone their money back whobought something in December if it snowed onChristmas day. As it has become notablywarmer in December in East Tennessee, thispromotion had kind of went away because ithasn’t been as likely to snow on Christmas herein several years.“Our giveaways over the years were a highlightfor us,” he said with a smile on his face. “Itmade it fun for us.” Jerry and Gail have seen watches andwedding sets from the 1930s that people haveshown them from the Bowman family legacy.They are proud of their 54 years of marriage,family and business in this community. Theydon’t seek glory or recognition for themselves,but are content in the life they have made heretogether. “It’s been a wonderful life and Iwouldn’t trade it for anything,” Gail said. Jerryagreed with that sentiment. Now the couple plans to enjoy timewith their family. Jerry says he hopes to travel alittle and see some places. He hopes to fish andhunt some. Jerry admitted that it’s hard to saywhat they will do when they no longer arerunning the operation. “Our lives have seasons,” Jerry said.“The birth, the summer, and then the fall andwinter. My dad used to say, ‘Time and tide waitfor no man.’ Time marches on and there’snothing you can do about it. Live every daylike it could be your last.” “I think the people who really know me,know I have tried to live that way,” he said. Gail assists customers during their closeout sale Left: This letter, describing the love story of Earl and Grace Carr, tells of the rings bought from Bowman Jewelers for their wedding in 1936. They were married 63 years. Right: This old U.S. made Seth Thomas clock hangs above the workbench at Bowman’s Jewelers. The Bowman watchmen used this clock to keep precise time for L&N Railroad train engineers traveling through LaFollette. Jerry said that watches for the railroad had to be set, adjusted and usually had maintenance twice monthly, if not more. Bowman’s provided this service and documentation to the railroad, as well as stamping the engineer’s card showing it had been checked.

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 34Stressed Out? This really opened my eyes to what we are . While pondering how I'm going to make this happen my grandson's startsKelli Jo Wright subjected to daily. Or should I say what we crying...hard, my dad was climbing the walls trying to get out of the house, my It seems everywhere you look these days allow ourselves to be subjected to. I do phone began ringing off the hook as thethere is another health-related problem that NY office had an issue that neededcan be traced back to stress. As Americans believe there are ways that we can control immediate attention. My email notificationswe try to medicate it away, exercise it kept pinging nonstop letting me know thataway, eat it away and yes, even try to shop how stress affects us during our daily minute by minute I was falling even furtherit away. I can attest to at least the last two and further behind. Now for good measurenot being effective, personally. According routines and how making a few small throw in the fact that 3 of my gargantuanto dictionary.com stress is defined as dogs have all decided they must go out for“Importance attached to a thing”. Leading changes or choices can make a huge relief at the same time. One of myexperts say, in psychology, stress is a exchange students continued to messagefeeling of strain and pressure. Stress is a difference in our overall health. Having me on Facebook telling me that I must picktype of psychological pain. Small amounts them up in 15 minutes from track practiceof stress may be desired, beneficial and said that I'm going to share a bit of my and did I care to run 4 others home. Ieven healthy. Positive stress helps improve would like to say this is a nightmare and Iathletic performance. personal story. woke up from it, but unfortunately 3 to 4 times a week this is my reality for often But what about the type of stress you and When I read this back it almost sounded hours at a time. Not sleeping, over eatingI come in contact with every day? Are we, to stay awake and work in the AM hoursliving in our smaller communities, more or surreal yet, this is my level of tolerance I've because that's the only quiet time when I'mless prone to experience stress then say not bombarded and can produce. Oh, letsomeone living in a big city? I can had to adjust to and yours may be similar. me tell you honey, I am a case study whenguarantee you stress is no respecter of it comes to stress, but one day I think itperson. Although some jobs, family or life I'm making it with strength only God could almost caught up with me, which is what iscircumstances at times can affect us more leading me to write this article.harshly than others causing elevated stress have granted me. Over the last 3 years Ilevels, all in all we could easily say we I remember feeling a pain coming up thelocally are just as affected by stress as any have held not one, but two full time jobs.other individual living in America today. lower part of my back working its way up Both extraordinarily stressful and I threw out a question on social media through my chest into my neck andlast week asking for some feedback from demanding of performance, while all along head. It scared me. It was somewhat of athose who live here locally on whether they keeping my father every other month who paralyzing feeling and I knew it had beenhave ever had an illness diagnosed or has advanced Alzheimer's, maintaining thebrought on by stress. . I was very surprised brought on by the stress I had experienced property and house, hosting exchangeat the number of people that sent me their 5 minutes prior when I could literally feel students while keeping up with dozens ofexperiences and shared privately of course my heart beating out of my chest with them across the states. Also I’m anwhat they have been through and its toll. another uncontrollable situation at hand. organizer of community events which I’ll Continued Next Page… soon retire from. However, I’ve always had one on the table a month at a time spinning, waiting for me to touch it with production and usually a pending deadline. Now throw in a new beautiful grandbaby I want to spend time with but can't because I'm already feeling guilty as I'm working way too much and still behind. . One day I was excited for the opportunity to babysit my grandson when suddenly I get a phone call that I've got a board meeting in 3 hours that I have completely and utterly forgot about.

Volunteer times Campbell county preview page 35From 34 Nonetheless trying to get myself in Well, WebMD also lists health problems more of a routine and making the decision directly related to stress such as heartI remember leaning back and taking a to let go and stop trying to control disease, high blood pressure and heartvery deep breath and clearing my mind everything was huge. Also decided about problems, asthma, obesity, diabetes,from everything that was going on. I said a month ago that I was going to have to headaches, depression and anxiety,a quick prayer and I decided that day I'm cut loose, in order to live and I asked God gastrointestinal problems, Alzheimer'sgoing to take one task at a time. I have to begin extracting everything from my life disease and the list continues. This shouldbeen doing this now over a month and that was activity versus productivity. I only get your attention, it did mine. According toalthough I am nowhere near where I want what I'm supposed to be doing at WebMD 75 to 90% of all doctor's officeneed to be, I can see small results. this time in my life consuming my visits are for stress related elements and days. Believe it or not I have honestly complaints. For example, I turn the volume on my begun to see things fall into place andphone off when I'm working on my something that I thought would terrify me So, is there any good news? I sharedlaptop, so I can focus on just that without has given me more peace, comfort and a what I did to get a little relief but what hasbeing constantly interrupted and building been tried and true and consideredfrustration. I attempt to do one task at a sense of relief than anything I can effective as a reliever of stress symptoms?time and set aside specific times for imagine. My advice? Let go! Here are some. Avoid caffeine, alcohol andthings I often had to interject in the nicotine, indulge in physical activity, getmiddle of another task deterring more of Now, enough about me. I simply more sleep, try relaxation techniques, talkmy attention. I decided not to let the little wanted you to know you were clearly to someone, take control (or in my casethings bother me but boy that one I am dealing with someone who is in the take control by giving it up) and managemiles from where I need to be. In fact, trenches with you if you are experiencing your time. These are a few ideas offered byan area where I have always had WebMD on how to reduce stress in ourextreme self control I'm finding has stress and its negative effects. I'm a daily lives.become more of a trigger switch for me. comrade and hope maybe from exposingMaybe I'm pushing stress from one area some of my weaknesses and In closing I want to say there is lots ofof my life to another? Do you ever feel vulnerabilities it might help some of you support out there for people that are havinglike you do that? Things that I would too. If nothing else to maybe not feel so a hard time coping with things that are justhave never done or said now suddenly beyond our control. Whether it's a death,I'm reacting to instead of responding. I guilty about how we are reacting or divorce or devastating blow to our self-have a tendency to say things both responding to it. I used to be quick to esteem such as the loss of a job or career.written and orally that I don't necessarily judge people who couldn't control Even retirement or being new parent. Lifemean but I just want to react attitudes, now I realize it affects everyone happens and we all need someone,immediately. It gives an instant differently. Oh, and don’t get me started sometimes and there are resources that aresatisfaction that I seem to require at the on the eye twitches, but I’ll spare you that available. Please contact the Times formoment for relief before the stress beast these in our area and stay well.sets in. Our minds often trick us into story.thinking that’s actually helping matters What are the symptoms of stress www.thevolunteertimes.comand that's not ok. That's the part I've got according to WebMD? Low energy,to get under control. I fix 3 things but feel headaches, upset stomach, diarrhea,like I could have broken 1 or 2 in the constipation or nausea, neck pains andprocess. I guess that's why they call it “a tense muscles, chest pains and rapidprocess”. heartbeat, insomnia, frequent colds and infections, loss of sexual desire and the list goes on and on. Easier to find one or two you don’t have right?

Volunteer Times Campbell County Preview Page 36Thank you for reading. As always, we appreciate your continued support. Volunteer Times