Community
September 21, 2022 by Tammy Cheek
A 5-year-old Black Labrador has inspired Farragut woman Gloria Gorss and her granddaughter, Maya Alves, to write a children’s book about Gorss’ experiences with her service dog.
“She is my constant companion and helper,” said Gorss, who acquired Betty Grable three years ago.
As such, Alves encouraged her grandmother to write the children’s book, “Game Day with Grammy,”
“Maya came up with the idea we should write a book about grandma with disabilities, and maybe try to help little kids,” Gorss said.
“Sometimes kids may not understand why grammy and grandpa cannot do certain things or go certain places,” said Alves, a University of Tennessee junior majoring in early childhood education. “Kind of the whole service dog idea was really cool to bring into the story.”
Gorss said sometimes children are afraid of the oxygen tanks and wheelchairs.
“Hopefully, (the book) will inform and entertain at the same time,” she added.
The book is available through Amazon for $10.99.
Gorss was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease, chronic inflammatory demyelineating polyneuropathy, a form of muscular sclerosis, 10 years ago.
Read More
September 21, 2022 by Staff Reports
HARDIN VALLEY —Hardin Valley Academy math teacher Matthew Riddle recently graduated from Tennessee National Guard Officer Candidate School and earned his commission as a second lieutenant in the Tennessee Army National Guard.
Riddle, an officer candidate, completed the 18-month traditional OCS program, which is designed to turn officer candidates into platoon leaders in the U.S. Army.
Earning the commission is “fantastic,” he said. “It was a really hard course, but I’m definitely pretty excited I finally got it.”
“The program is broken into four phases and is completed through monthly weekend drills and two 15-day training sessions held in the summer,” said Darrin Haas, with joint public affairs office of Tennessee Military Department. “Officer candidates are tested mentally and physically to develop their leadership skills in a high-stress environment.”
Read More
September 21, 2022 by
Raising more than $12,000 for Helping Mamas, Farragut Ladies Society more than met its fundraising goal during annual FLS Cotillion — as scores of FLS members were joined by their husbands for this black tie event — in Fox Den Country Club’s main ballroom, Saturday evening, Aug. 27.
“Farragut Ladies Society is a nonprofit organization designed to recognize involved women in the Farragut community,” an FLS press release stated. “The cotillion is a time to celebrate while supporting local charities. …This year Helping Mamas Knoxville was nominated as our 2022 charity.
Read More
September 21, 2022 by Michelle Hollenhead
The launch of the “Almost in Farragut” Food Truck Rally Series kicked off Tuesday, Sept. 20, at Riverside Coffee Shop at Dixie Lee Junction for what is planned as a three-week event, according to organizers.
The next “Almost in Farragut” rally will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, and the final event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 4, during the same time frame.
Riverside Coffee Shop will be offering soft drinks, iced coffee and other beverages to supplement the wares of the planned food truck vendors, which Sept. 27 are set to feature Deep South Fish Shack, Smoked Pickle Barbecue, Kennedy Grill, Good Hombres, Bayou Bites, Top Bun and Smiley Swirl ice cream.
Riverside Coffee Shop has the mission of “Coffee with a Cause,” and provides employment opportunities for special-needs young adults.
Read More
September 21, 2022 by Tammy Cheek
PJ Parkinson’s Foundation is giving area runners a chance to do what they love most when it presents the P.J. Parkinson’s 5K Run and Walk Sunday, Oct. 2, as part of Mind Yer Ps and Qs 2nd Annual Octoberfest at Renaissance | Farragut.
“I think we’re going to have a great turnout,” said Drew Degges, race director and PJ Parkinson’s Foundation board of directors member. “We’ve got about 140 people signed up right now, and we’re hoping to see those numbers grow in the next couple weeks as we near the race.”
Octoberfest will be taking place from 4 p.m. to midnight, Friday, Sept. 30; from 10 a.m. to midnight, Saturday, Oct. 1; and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, Oct. 2, at Mind Yer Ps and Qs, 2744 Kingston Pike in Renaissance | Farragut.
“We’re partnering with Octoberfest,” Degges said. “The Foundation is the primary beneficiary of (the event).”
The 5K run and 1K walk will both kick off at 2 p.m., Degges said.
Read More
