Community
Farragut girls help build outdoor classroom at Seven Island Park
January 21, 2021 by Tammy Cheek
Farragut area Cadette Girl Scouts Ava Berkheimer and her sister. Ana, from Troop 2034 of Knoxville, recently showed they can use power tools.
The Berkheimers, along with fellow Beaver Creek Service Unit scouts Annabel Dattilo and Jessie Boromei, spent five months finishing a Silver Award project to construct the Hickory Creek Learning Center outdoor classroom for Seven Island State Birding Park in Kodak.
Ava, the 13-year-old daughter of Yarnell Road residents Mark and Nicole Berkheimer, said the girls spent more than 50 hours working on the project.
“I’m super happy at how (the completed project) turned out,” Ava said. “It was such a fun project and to be working with everyone.
“We’re really proud of it,” she added. “We (had) a grand opening on (Saturday,) Jan. 16 ... at Seven Islands.
“After the dedication, the other girls and I (led) the first official class in the new learning space. We are teaching a Girl Scout Animal Habitats badge workshop.”
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January 21, 2021 by Michelle Hollenhead
For individuals and family members dealing with Alzheimer’s disease, every day can seem like “the longest day.”
For that reason, and tying into the actual “longest day” of the year, the Summer Solstice, the Alzheimer’s Association is kicking off its annual awareness and fundraising campaign nearly six months out on Thursday, Jan. 28.
On that day, Farragut resident Kristin Farley will serve as emcee for two virtual kickoff parties: one at noon, the other at 8 p.m., for which registration is being offered through Event Brite.
The Longest Day event itself is designed to “activate communities to fight the darkness of Alzheimer’s,” Tennessee chapter manager Rebecca Williams said.
A former news anchor at WATE-TV 6, Farley’s own experiences with the organization began as she navigated the uncharted waters of her late father: Phil Farley’s memory loss and illness.
“Rebecca really helped me so much while my father was ill,” Farley said. “She hooked me up with so many resources that helped me and my family.”
Farley said she really noticed her father was suffering from failing health and memory loss during a Thanksgiving visit two years ago from his home state of Maryland.
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“A Night in Italy” at Fox Den Country Club
January 21, 2021 by
Opera Night, “A Night in Italy,” was a Knoxville Opera performance treat, which was enjoyed by about 40 Fox Den Country Club members — along with a delicious meal by the FDCC kitchen staff — in the Club’s main ballroom Saturday evening, Jan. 9.
Brian Salesky, KO artistic director who served as the Opera company’s executive director for 15 seasons, introduced the selections to be performed then accompanied singers Jacqueline Brecheen, Cornelia Lotito and Tim Pope on piano.
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January 21, 2021 by Michelle Hollenhead
It might be a bit nippy outside, but Farragut officials are offering two new fun outdoor programs over the coming months to herald in the new year, keep residents socially distant and enjoy the Towns’ parks, trails and greenways.
Farragut 40
This event, originally scheduled last year, continues celebrating the Town’s four-decade “birthday” which was officially commemorated in 2020.
The Town’s Parks & Athletics Council is offering the program, which is designed to encourage residents to not only remember the Town’s founding, but also celebrate its many outdoor offerings by using its 16 miles of greenway and trails.
Participants tracking 40 miles of walking, running or biking between now and March 26 will earn prizes and be eligible for a $100 gift card.
“The program is a great way for Farragut residents to get or stay active, as well as an incentive to explore the Town’s beautiful public spaces,” Parks & Recreation director Sue Stuhl said.
Originally planned for last year’s milestone anniversary, “Farragut 40” was postponed very early amid the pandemic.
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January 21, 2021 by Tammy Cheek
Rotary Club of Farragut members have chosen their new leaders who will take office in July.
The Rev. David Bluford, the 2020 president-elect, will take the helm as the club’s new president for the coming RCF year.
During a Jan. 6 virtual club meeting, Bluford expressed his appreciation to members who stepped up to accept leadership roles for the new year “as we look forward to picking things up on the first of July.
“Hopefully by then, if not before, we will have the ability to throw our Zoom to the side and — at least for those who want to — (meet in person),” he added. “Hopefully, we’ll be able to get back to in person before long and things will unfold for us.”
For members who are new to the leadership roles, Bluford said he looks forward to working with them.
He will replace Edward Jones, 2020-21 president.
“I’d like to offer my congratulations and appreciation to those who were elected,” Jones said at the Jan. 6 meeting. “Thank you, again, for stepping forward for your service and keeping this great club moving forward.”
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January 21, 2021 by Tammy Cheek
“I’ve got the best job I never knew I wanted,” Farragut West Knox Chamber of Commerce president/CEO Julie Blaylock told Rotary Club of Farragut members during a recent virtual meeting.
Blaylock, who also is an RCF member, has been with the Chamber since 2011, starting as an executive assistant to then president Bettye Sisco.
FWKCC’s history dates back to 1987, when it was called Farragut Chamber of Commerce.
With the incorporation of the Town, she said then Mayor Bob Leonard felt the Town should have its own Chamber.
“There’s a little bit of speculation over who started the Chamber, but I believe it was a conglomeration of the late Mayor Bob Leonard … and also multiple business owners in the Farragut area,” she said.
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