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By Shannon CareyAll branches of Union County

government have received a clean bill of fi nancial health thanks to centralized bookkeeping.

The state comptroller’s offi ce audits the county each year. The most recent audit was completed two weeks ago, marking two fi s-cal years in a row with no audit fi ndings. The audit will be pub-lished in October.

County Mayor Mike Williams said a clean audit means the county is complying with state fi -nancial guidelines and best prac-tices.

“If your audits are coming back clean, that means that you’re conducting yourself in a business-like man-ner,” he said. “We all benefi t from it.”

Union County’s audits from previous years show repetitive fi ndings. The audits said the county needed a formal purchase order system. Payroll taxes were not being submitted on time, re-sulting in penalties for the coun-ty.

Previous fi ndings also called for a centralized fi nance offi ce

overseeing all d e p a r t m e n t s , including the school system and highway de-partment.

Union County Director of Fi-nance Ann Dyer credits “the grace of God”

with her offi ce’s success. She also said her offi ce, which opened in April 2013, is staffed with talent-ed people who “are ready to com-

mit and follow through.”“I hope this offi ce will stabilize

the county even if there’s a turn-over in elected offi cials,” she said.

But the change to central fi -nance wasn’t easy. Williams and Dyer encountered resistance at fi rst.

“Change, even when it’s for someone’s betterment, is not

readily accept-ed,” Williams said. “We’re all human, and we all get used to doing things a certain way. Now, I think you will fi nd that the majority of peo-ple in the system

like what we have here.”The fi nance offi ce provides

monthly reports to department heads, ensuring that they will not

overspend their budgets. Getting as many eyes on the budgets as possible helps catch problems before they become emergencies.

“There’s nobody here wearing halos,” said Dyer. “We all make mistakes. Shared responsibility empowers us. We have policies

and procedures protecting the county from liability.”

The offi ce has also increased the county’s buying power. Dyer said making one bulk buy saves taxpayer dollars.

“Take paper for example,” she said. “The schools buy so much paper that they were getting it $10 less per case than the county. By combining that buy, we can spread the savings to the whole county.”

According to Dyer, Union County is on solid fi nancial foot-ing with good bond ratings and kudos from the comptroller. But

there’s always room to im-prove.

“We’re always asking for ways to improve,” said Wil-liams. “It’s weekly, daily that we’re always fi nding ways to do better.”

Dyer said she is grateful for the opportunity to get central-ized fi nance off to a good start.

“This county has been very good to me and my family, and it was time to give back,” she said. “We are here as servants to the county.”

School boardElection of a chair and vice

chair is on the agenda when the Board of Education meets Thursday, Sept. 17, at Union County High School. The meet-ing follows a workshop which starts at 6 p.m.

During the workshop, sponsor Chris Richeson will discuss the high school student government. Discussion and possible revision of the use of school facilities policy is on the agenda.

Music in LuttrellThe Luttrell Music Festival

will be held 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Luttrell City Park, 115 Park Road. There will be food vendors, crafters and bluegrass music. Admission is free. Musicians include Robinella, David West and the Ciderville Gang, Wayne Burnette Band, Christopher Muncey, Masters Three, the Beasons and Sweet Melba Greene. There will also be a kids music competition and a car show. Info: www.luttrellbluegrassfestival.com

IN THIS ISSUE

Effl er open houseDistrict Attorney General

Jared Effler held an open house at his new office in downtown Maynardville Sept. 10. Previously, only three of the 8th Judicial District’s five counties had a District At-torney’s office.

➤ See story on page 3

7049 Maynardville Pike 37918(865) 922-4136

NEWS

news@ShopperNewsNow.comSandra Clark| Bonnie Peters

ADVERTISING SALESads@ShopperNewsNow.com

Patty Fecco | Tony Cranmore

Alice Devall | Beverly Holland

POSTAL CUSTOMER

VOL. 10 NO. 37 September 16, 2015www.ShopperNewsNow.com | www.facebook.com/ShopperNewsNow

BUZZ

By Shannon CareyBlessed Theresa of Calcutta

Catholic Mission brought a multi-cultural experience to Maynard-ville Sept. 5, with the Kids Royalty Carnival. The carnival was held on property across from Union County High School on which the congregation will build a church.

Bluegrass and gospel music mingled with Mexican tunes. Car-nival goers enjoyed hot dogs and homemade tamales, and everyone gathered to see Fr. Steve Pawelk take a turn in the dunking booth.

“I’ll see you all in confession,” he joked.

Blessed Theresa Mission’s tra-ditional Mexican dancers stole the show with a foot-stomping rou-tine. The dancers’ costumes were all hand-beaded.

Pawelk said the carnival raised $9,000, not including raffl e tick-ets. Money raised will go to the church building fund.

Pawelk thanked everyone who donated time, money and items for the carnival, including the Beasons, the Valley Boys and the Better Way.

“I am amazed at the wonderful welcome the community of May-nardville and Union County has given us in the four years we have been present,” he said.

Santa Lopez keeps rhythm with the

Blessed Theresa of Calcutta Catho-

lic Mission traditional Mexican

dancers. More pictures on page 6.

Carnival boosts church building fund

e e e e eeee

----------

Ann Dyer Mike Williams

County audits clean two years running

“If your audits are coming back clean, that means that you’re conducting yourself in a business-like manner. We all benefi t from it,” Williams said.

Finding ReynoldsEvery whip stitch, most of

us pass by Reynolds Fort. I’m a regular on Emory Road as well as Tazewell Pike and High-way 33; however, it was only recently that I learned there was a fort at what I always call Harbison’s Crossroads.

Near this crossroad in 1788, James Reynolds built a fort on the newly established Cum-berland Road – later named Emory Road.

➤ See Bonnie Peters on page 4

Marshmallows and cupcakes

Why, you ask, does big-time Tennessee bait the trap and lure nice, neighborly Western Carolina into Neyland Sta-dium?

The short answer is money.A longer explanation is more

money.

➤ See Marvin West on page 5

“So for one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, it is a sin.” (James

4:17)

Many peo-ple think of sin as only bad things that people do. Yet failure to do good, or to

do the right thing when you might be able to, is also a sin. In moral theology we call the fi rst type of sins – to kill, to lie, to gossip – sins of com-mission. The other type – the failure to do the right thing, to help your neighbor, to be generous, to protect the weak – are sins of omission.

Salvation requires repent-ing of our sins and accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, but that is only the fi rst step. If we want to be a saint, that is to “be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect” (MT 5:48) or as Luke writes, to “be merciful, just as also your heavenly Father is merciful” (Lk 6:36), more is expected of us. We are invited to do the right thing. If every Christian were bold enough to do the right thing at every opportunity, imagine how wonderful the world would be!

Some people try to confuse

Come to the waterus and make doing the right thing seem unclear. Yet Jesus makes it very simple. Doing the right thing begins by “do-ing unto others as you would have them do unto you.” (Mt 7:12). It continues by “loving your neighbor as yourself” (Mk 12:31). It includes lov-ing your enemy (Mt 5:43; LK 6:27) and going the extra mile and giving them the shirt off your back (Lk 5:38 - 42). It even includes doing to the least of our brothers and sisters as we would do unto Jesus (Mt 25:40).

This means being kind, say-ing nice things, and helping everyone. It means show-ing even more kindness and doing even more favors for the stranger, the prisoner, the hungry, the naked and the sick (See Mt 25:31ff). It means spending less time talking about the problems of others and the world, and spending more time doing something to improve the world and others.

Go and do the right thing today regardless of how small the task. For the sake of Jesus, make a difference.

Fr. Steve Pawelk, Pastor Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission 4365 Maynardville Hwy. 992-7222

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2 • SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 • UNION COUNTY Shopper news business

By Shannon CareyDonna and Nikki Riddle

of Seven Springs Farm vis-ited the Union County Busi-ness and Professional Associ-ation Sept. 8 to announce the grand opening of the Winery at Seven Springs Farm and the Thunder Road Wine Trail on Saturday, Oct. 3.

Nikki said they hope the wine trail will bring 20,000 tourists through Union County each year. Marilyn Toppins said fl yers for the winery will be distributed along with programs for the Union County Heritage Fes-tival, also set for Oct. 3.

Another event, the Union County Humane Society

motorcycle run, will add fun and excitement to Oct. 3. Pid LaWare visited the UCBPA meeting to encourage busi-ness owners to sponsor the run or donate prizes.

“We thank each one of you for your support of the shelter,” LaWare said.

Toppins said the Heri-tage Festival needs vendors, including at least fi ve more food vendors. Arts and crafts vendors and demon-strators are also in short supply due to expansion of the Pigeon Forge arts and crafts show to encompass every weekend in October.

Local amateur photog-raphers can play a role in

Nikki Riddle of the Winery at

Seven Springs Farm

Pid LaWare of the Union County Humane Society

Wine trail coming to Union County

enhancing Union County’s online image. Chantay Col-lins said the Chamber of Commerce will sponsor a contest during the Union County Heritage Festival for inviting, positive images of the county and its people. The photos will be used on the Chamber’s website.

Toppins reported $5,300 profi t from the UCBPA Golf Tournament. Next year’s goal is $10,000. All profi ts help fund scholarships for Union County students.

Dr. Darrell Johnson an-nounced a litter pickup starting at First Century Bank 9 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. All are invited to help clean up the UCBPA’s stretch of Maynardville Highway.

Union County Mayor Mike Williams visited the meeting for an update from the county. He said the county is seeing positive progress.

“There are a lot of good things, but we’re still a long way from where I’d like to get to,” he said.

By Shannon CareyThere’s a new doctor in

town.Dr. Matthew Baird joined

Pediatric Consultants of Maynardville in July, the fi rm located in the former Makzy Pediatrics building on Oakland Lane.

Baird joins nurse practi-tioner Laurice McCord, who has been with the Maynard-ville practice since Decem-ber 2014. Pediatric Con-sultants is affi liated with UT Medical Center and has branches in Halls and North Knoxville.

Baird hails from Oak Ridge, the youngest of eight children. He attended UT Knoxville for his under-graduate work, then went to UT Memphis for medical

Nurse practitioner Laurice McCord and Dr. Matthew Baird are

ready to greet patients at Pediatric Consultants of Maynard-

ville. Photo by S. Carey

Baird joins Pediatric Consultants

The fi rst memorial plaques will soon be in-stalled at the Veterans Me-morial Wall at Wilson Park. The fi rst fi ve will honor the soldiers killed in Chatta-nooga this summer.

school. He received train-ing in Memphis hospitals, including St. Jude. He and Christine, his wife of three years, have a 6-month-old daughter, Anna.

“It’s been very nice,” Baird said of his fi rst months in Maynardville. “The offi ce is very nice, and we have a lot of wonderful families and very cute children.”

McCord holds a master’s degree in nursing and has been a nurse practitioner since 1988, with experience in private practice and hos-pital settings. She came to nursing after providing in-formal hospice care for her

grandmother. She soon saw that pediatrics was the fi eld for her.

“Pediatrics is where my heart is,” she said. “It’s a partnership with the par-ents. You get to see the chil-dren blossom.”

Pediatric Consultants is accepting new patients through age 14, and families can expect quick appoint-ment times. Former Makzy Pediatrics patients will rec-ognize Ashleigh Sharp as a familiar face in the front offi ce. Ashley Hickman and Jessica Maggard are nurses.

The practice offers well child physicals, vaccines,

treatment for minor acute illnesses and injuries, and asthma management. They accept all TennCare plans and most private insurance. McCord speaks Spanish and is fl uent in American Sign Language. They offer hos-pital visits for newborns at St. Mary’s and UT Medical Center.

“We’re excited to be here,” said Baird. “I love ru-ral counties and the rural population.”

Pediatric Consultants of Maynardville is located at 147 Oakland Lane.

Info: 992-9977

Photo contest upcomingUnion County Heritage Festival photog-

raphy contest is open to all ages with the deadline for entries Monday, Sept. 28, at the Chamber offi ce on Main Street. Catego-ries are: Thunder Road, People and Places.

Winners will be announced at the Heri-tage Festival, and available for viewing at the Chamber offi ce during the Festi-val from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3. Info: unioncountyheritagefestival.com or Neva Kitts at the Chamber offi ce.

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UNION COUNTY Shopper news • SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 • 3 communityBy Shannon Carey

New Big Ridge State Park manager Keith Mont-gomery called the Union County park a “diamond in the rough” during a recep-tion with Brock Hill, deputy commissioner of Parks and Conservation for the Ten-nessee Department of Envi-ronment and Conservation.

Hill visited the park Sept. 4 to introduce Montgomery to the community. He over-sees 56 state parks and 85 state natural areas. He said that every dollar the state spends on state parks brings $17 of direct impact to the local economy.

“It creates jobs inside and outside the parks,” he said.

Montgomery, who spent 20 years at the Knoxville Zoo and had a direct hand in much of the zoo’s rede-sign, said he is honored to be chosen to manage Big

TDEC Deputy Commissioner of Parks and Conservation Brock

Hill and new Big Ridge State Park manager Keith Montgomery

recognize park staff at a Sept. 4 reception. Photos by S. Carey

TDEC Deputy Commissioner Brock Hill meets Maynardville Mayor H.E. Richardson and city man-

ager Jack Rhyne.

Big Ridge is ‘diamond in the rough’

Ridge. He started the job this spring.

“This park has a very great history,” he said. “It’s hard to fi nd someone who doesn’t have some attach-ment up here.”

His fi rst order of busi-ness is to improve the park’s aesthetics, pulling out weeds and invasive plants to open up scenic vistas and hidden Civilian Conservation Corps rock-

work. He’s paying attention to park visitors’ comment cards, too.

“We’re trying to turn those around, put in a little elbow grease and put a little shine on things,” Montgom-

ery said.Next year, Montgomery

hopes to open Big Ridge’s private lake area to non-motorized boats like canoes and kayaks. He also hopes to have stand-up paddle-

boards available for rent. As a wake-free area, the waters around Big Ridge are excellent for non-motorized boats.

Info: www.tnstateparks.com/parks/about/big-ridge

By Shannon CareyJared Effl er, 8th District

Attorney General, is proud of his new offi ce in Union County. Remodeled and decked with art from Union County Arts, the offi ce is lo-cated at 105 Monroe Street, across from the Union County Courthouse.

Effl er and his staff wel-comed visitors during an

open house event Sept. 10. Effl er has opened offi ces in Union and Scott counties. Previously, District Attor-ney offi ces were only open in three of the fi ve counties in the 8th Judicial District. The Union County offi ce has been open since June with Jeanne Collins as offi ce co-ordinator.

“Folks in Fentress County

and Union County deserve their own offi ce,” said Effl er.

Each offi ce is staffed fi ve days each week, dealing with crime and child sup-port issues.

“We’re here to help,” said Effl er. “We’re just real ex-cited to have this offi ce, and it’s going to enhance the ser-vices we offer here in Union County.”

District Attorney General Jared Effl er greets the child support team

at his Union County offi ce open house. They are Amanda Hutson,

Sara Cecil, Effl er, Amy Hamac and Etta Adkisson. Photos by S. Carey

District Attorney Jared Effl er shares a laugh with Doc Williams and Beth Price.

Sandy Hurley, coordinator for District Attorney Jared Effl er’s

Claiborne County offi ce, stands with Assistant District Attorney

Tyler Hurst.

Effl er brings service to Union County

The Norris Lake Project Team will host an Island Invasion on this year’s Na-tional Public Lands Day, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday,

Sept. 26.This year, efforts will

focus on the islands in the Loyston Sea area in An-derson and Union County

and the islands near Lonas Young Park in Campbell County, including Pilot Is-land, Wood Duck Island, Bear Hole Island and Baker

Island. The launch point for the Loyston Sea side of the lake is Big Ridge State Park. Volunteers can regis-ter and get assigned a loca-

‘Island Invasion’ for lake clean-up tion there. Boats will shuttle volunteers to and from the islands, and volunteers may bring their own boats. Wear appropriate shoes, prefer-ably boots, gloves and a life jacket.

Volunteers may trade their trash bags for a free Island Invader T-shirt and a free lunch. Info: www.norrislakeproject.com, 800-524-3602, or info@yallcome.org

By Tricia Davis, Union County Healthy Families Tennessee Home Visitor, Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee

Whether or not it still feels like sum-mer to you, the school year has started. And that means that on any given week, most kids are once again spending more waking hours at school than at home. At Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, we know that when kids feel safe and secure, they are much better able to learn – and teach-ers are much better able to do their jobs! While our schools are one of the safest places our children can be, there are spe-cifi c things that parents and caregivers can do to make going to school an even safer experience for everyone.

1. The very best way to protect your child or teen from unsafe people or situa-tions in any setting is to talk to them. But that’s often a lot easier said than done! Here are some general tips and ideas for conversation starters:

Keep it short and simple.Never use scare tactics.Be a good listener.Ask open-ended questions.Don’t be discouraged if your child

doesn’t seem interested in talking at fi rst. They are!

Conversation starters:• What was the best and worst part of

your day?• Who are your “safe adults” at school/

sports/in your neighborhood?• Have you ever seen another kid or

adult pick on or bully another kid?Has anyone ever done that to you?

• What did (or would) you do if some-one was picking on or bullying you?

• Has anyone ever given you a creepy“uh-oh” feeling?

• What did (or would) you do if you gotthe “uh-oh” feeling?

• What ideas do you have about beingsafe?

• Did you have to make a “safe choice”this week?

2. Talk with your children and teens about how to resolve confl ict without fi ght-ing. Fighting can lead to them getting hurt, hurting someone else or being seen as a bully. Practice or role play “talking out a problem” with them, or ask them to imag-ine walking away from a fi ght. Help them identify a trusted adult at school who they can talk with about confl ict such as anoth-er student or a teacher.

3. Talk with your children and teens about bus, bike and walking safety and help them map out how they will get to school and back home safely. Ask that they identify a “buddy” for the bus, biking or walking and always review rules about not talking to strangers or accepting gifts without your knowledge. Help your chil-dren memorize their home address and zip code, as well as your cell and work tele-phone numbers with area code.

4. Because bullying often takes place on buses, ask your children and teens who they sit with, who they talk to, and what the other kids do. Let them know that if they see someone being bullied, or are bul-lied themselves, they can talk to you, the bus driver, or another trusted adult.

5. Always keep an eye on your child or teen’s Internet use and talk with them about what they do online. Ask them what sites they visit, who they email, and with whom they chat. Make sure they under-stand all the school’s rules and policies about Internet usage on school comput-ers as well as personal devices. Let them know they can talk to you if anything they see online makes them uncomfortable, whether it’s a website or a classmate bul-lying them or someone else through email, chat, or websites.

6. Make time to ask teachers and school administrators about the school’s safety and emergency plans. Ask them how stu-dents and parents are involved, how the lo-cal police are involved and what emergen-cies have been considered and planned for – and then share what you learn with your children and teens.

BACK TO SCHOOLa great time to talk to your child or teen about safety

Space donated by: yy::::

For more information about keeping your children safe, visit Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee’s website www.pcat.org and look for the link to resources. If you aren’t sure how to handle a situation call our parent

helpline. 1-800-356-6767. We’re here to help!

I’ll write about George Mann later, but Mann’s wife and children sought refuge in Reynolds Fort in May of 1795 when Mr. Mann was killed by Indians at Camp-bell’s Cave.

In the Gibbs community, as it is known today, Nicho-las Gibbs, a Revolutionary War veteran, purchased 450 acres near Reynolds Fort in 1792. He built his log cabin that still stands today in the same place on fi ve of the original 450 acres.

John Reynolds, grand-son of James, attended school with Sam Houston near Reynolds Fort in 1809 and 1810. John Reynolds, later moved to Illinois and became quite famous, serv-ing as a state representative and senator, as governor of Illinois and as a member of Congress.

The Chicago Historical Society printed Reynolds’ book, “My Own Times,” which was a history of John Reynolds’ life. The book was printed in 1879 and the fol-lowing is an excerpt from

Chapter II of this book:“When I was about six

months old, my parents removed to Tennes-see, and settled at the base of the Copper Ridge Moun-tain, about 14 miles northeast of the city of Knoxville.

“My ear-liest recol-lections are connected with this spot, at a pe-riod when I was probably not more than fi ve or six years old. The nightly alarm of hostile Indians and the mountains with their majestic sum-mits, often veiled in clouds, made an impression upon my mind which the lapse of years and the varied scenes through which I have since passed have failed to oblit-erate.

“I well remember see-ing my parents, whenever a night attack of the In-

dians was expected, bar the door of our

cabin. After one of these alarms,

my father with gun in hand, looked cau-tiously out in every direc-tion, to see that no Indi-an was lurk-ing near the house, be-fore he would venture to

open the door. The wakeful vigilance and resolute spirit of my father left the savag-

es but slender hopes of suc-cess in that quarter, and our house was never assaulted, though the tracks of the In-dian moccasin were often seen upon the premises.

“My grandfather, who resided in the vicinity, had built a fort to which our

family and others repaired in times of more than ordi-nary danger, and there, in frontier parlance, “forted” till the danger was over. In this manner of settlements of Tennessee were harassed for more than a quarter of a century.

“For many years previous to Wayne’s treaty with the Indians in 1795, the Chero-kees were deadly hostile to the frontier settlers and killed not a few of the pio-neers of that state.”

Fast forward more than 200 years and this same land is home to Home Fed-eral Bank, Walgreens, Mid-way IGA, Gibbs High and Elementary schools, subdi-visions named Fort Reyn-olds and Nicholas Crossing, and the new Clear Springs Church, now under con-struction. And oh so many other conveniences we take for granted.

Note: Many thanks to Leonard Wolfenbarger for sharing his knowledge of Reynolds Fort and the Reynolds family.

4 • SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 • UNION COUNTY Shopper news opinion

Ronnie Mincey

Bonnie Peters

Every whip stitch, most of us pass by Reynolds Fort.

Gov. John Reynolds

Finding Reynolds Fort

I’m a regular on Emory Road as well as Tazewell Pike and Highway 33; how-ever, it was only recently that I learned there was a fort at what I always call Harbison’s Crossroads.

Near this crossroad in 1788, James Reynolds built

The pastor of my youth, the Rev. William L. Mitch-ell, resigned from the First Baptist Church of Maynard-ville in 1986. I was less than happy about changing pas-tors, and I stubbornly set my mind not to accept a new pastor.

Then the church called its next pastor, the Rev. Joe McCoy. I didn’t have much hope that anyone could fi ll the void left by Preacher Mitchell.

What the Rev. McCoy did was carve his own special niche. It didn’t take me long to really come to admire his style of preaching. Here was a preacher who fl at out told it like it was, in a big booming voice fi lled with Christian love. In my mind

From reverend to preacher

he went from being the Rev. McCoy to Preacher Joe. What brought about this change?

First, Preacher Joe was sincere with a sprinkle of humor. I remember one Sunday when he said of the Gospel, “I ain’t telling you no fairy tale, like about them three bears that blowed the pigs’ house down!”

Joe McCoy preached

a fort on the newly estab-lished Cumberland Road – later named Emory Road. It was used as a haven for early settlers and travelers during Indian uprisings.

In 1785 the North Caro-lina Legislature passed a law to cut a path called the Cumberland Road through the wilderness to a new settlement called Nash-borough, which later was named Nashville. Forts and blockhouses were built along this road to house travelers, soldiers, and ear-ly citizens. Andrew Jack-son traveled this road from Nashville to his inaugura-tion.

what was to me the best sermon I ever heard. It took some liberty in examin-ing several Bible characters before and after they met Jesus. I never expected to hear such a fi ne message de-livered, especially not in my home church.

Most important, Preach-er Joe loved the members of his congregation, and I never felt he “played fa-vorites.” He once said that an older preacher advised him when he started in the ministry to love the people. Preacher Joe wanted us to let him know when things happened so he could be there and pray for us.

Preacher Joe showed his love in many ways. After a hard day’s work, he and his

wonderful wife came to the funeral home when my aunt died. I always affectionately called Mrs. Linda McCoy “Miss Preacher.” Later I heard another preacher say, “Don’t you call the pastor’s wife ‘Ms. Preacher.’ She’s got an identity of her own.” True enough, but “Miss Preacher” and I had an un-derstanding.

Preacher Joe volunteered to help me move when I bought my house in 1991. The biggest challenge was getting an upright freezer down the basement steps, an ordeal that could have made lesser preachers curse, I’m sure. As he wiped his fore-head afterward, he looked at me and said, “Brother, the next time you move that

thing, don’t call me.”As if having Joe for pas-

tor wasn’t treat enough, his mother, Ruth Cooke, also joined the church. “Granny” became good friends with my mother and me, and I still remember fondly the many Sundays after church when we and other ladies from the church would go out to eat. I still have Granny’s picture on my library shelf.

After eight wonderful years, Preacher Joe ten-dered his resignation from the First Baptist. He recently retired from pastoring, but I know only death will retire him from the ministry.

As assistants aid teach-ers, deacons aid pastors. Next week I’ll share a tale or two about deacons.

MAYNARDVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY

■ One-on-one classes are

available by appointment for

those wanting to learn how

to use computers and other

devices. For appointment:

992-7106.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETINGS

■ Big Ridge meets 7 p.m. every

fi rst Thursday, in the library at

Big Ridge Elementary School.

■ Paulette meets 7 p.m. every

second Tuesday, in the caf-

eteria at Paulette Elementary

School.

■ Plainview will have its fi rst

meeting 7 p.m. Thursday,

Sept. 19, in the Plainview

Community Center, with

meetings continuing every

third Thursday.

UNION COUNTY Shopper news • SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 • 5

2322 W. Emory Rd. 947-9000www.knoxvillerealty.com

Larry & Laura Bailey

JustinBailey

GIBBS – 8+ acre tracts, level single family tracts. Ideal location & ter-rain for mini farm. Additional acre-age available. Starting at $75,000. (910280)

SHARPS CHAPEL – 5.05 acre lake view wooded lot in Norris

Shores. $25,000 (914844)

Offi ce isindependently

owned & operated.

MAYNARDVILLE – Like new! This 3BR/2BA brick rancher has hand-scraped hdwd fl rs, open fl r plan, lg BRs. Mstr suite w/walk-in closet & full BA. Wood fenced backyard. 2-car gar. $129,900 (939380)

UNION – 142.9 acres on Co line. 61.57 acres in Knox Co & 81.33 acres in Union Co. Branch runs across both ends of property & has a spring fed pond. Property has a brick bldg near road. $599,000 (874441)

NORRIS LAKE – Almost 1 acre lot. Seasonal lake access

in cove. Lake & mtn views. $89,900 (922155)

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GIBBS AREA this 6+/- acres is level with creek access. This is part of a larger tract of land also available. Call for details. $85,000 (927701) NORRIS LAKE

HEISKELL – Private 17.50 wooded acres. Less than 5 miles to I-75. Convenient to Clinton & Powell Utilities (water, telephone, cable, & water) are available at road. $156,000 (928303)

MOUNTAIN VIEWS FROM THIS 6+ ACRES. Water has been run to property & ready to build your dream home. Creek at back of property. Convenient to Norris Lake & Big Ridge State Park. No Mobile Homes. $49,900 (932705)

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HALLS – 67.13 acres w/pond. mostly wooded with several pos-sible bldg sites and Seasonal Mtn Views. Private Setting. $224,900 (918598)

PARK LIKE SETTING! A must see. This 4BR/3BA bsmt rancher sits on approx 1.3 acres & features: 4-car gar - 2-car on main & 2-car down, great level fenced backyard w/ above ground pool, 4th BR & full BA down w/lg rec rm & offi ce. Mstr w/tray ceilings, 2 woodburning FPs & lg BRs. $269,900 (919779)

POWELL – Approx 4 acre tracts. Pri-vate setting, great location. Start-ing at $44,900 (908693 & 908694)

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“Realty Executives Associates Inc.”

Marvin West

Why, you ask, does big-time Tennessee bait the trap and lure nice, neighborly Western Carolina into Ney-land Stadium?

The short answer is mon-ey.

A longer explanation is more money.

Tennessee schedules the occasional marshmal-low or cupcake to chalk up an easy victory, sell many tickets, parking places, sou-venirs and hot dogs, take a safe step toward lucrative bowl eligibility and qualify coaches and administrators for raises and bonuses.

There is another element to the process. It, too, is a matter of money. By pay-ing a weaker foe a million or so to absorb a thrashing, Tennessee ends up with the desired number of home games without having to re-turn the visit in some future year.

So, why does Western Carolina accept this appar-ently one-sided deal?

Again, the answer is money. This year, the Cata-mounts visit the Vols and Texas A&M Aggies as sac-rifi cial lambs to balance their budget. Other games

Marshmallows and cupcakes

are against their own kind – Mars Hill, The Citadel, Presbyterian, Mercer, Wof-ford, etc.

Predetermined mis-matches are not new in col-lege football. I doubt that Robert R. Neyland invented the scheme but 34 of his 173 career victories came against such brave teams as Carson-Newman, Maryville College, Sewanee, Tennes-see Tech, Mercer, Tuscu-lum, Emory and Henry and Translyvania.

There were scores like 70-0, 68-0, 60-0, 50-0 and 49-0. Some games were closer. One was close.

OK, I did not mention Chattanooga as a pushover because the Mocs once de-feated the Volunteers. That wasn’t Neyland’s fault.

To tell the truth, the whole truth, scheduling easy victories is a football tradition as timeless as fi ght

songs and homecoming. Many elite teams pluck two pigeons a year. Tennessee will bring in North Texas in November.

You do remember the Mean Green? A shocking 1975 victory over the Vols was relevant in Bill Battle’s career change.

That was then. Now, there are not enough guar-anteed underdogs to go around. The losers are go-ing to the highest bidder. Buffalo, when it was one of the worst teams in pads and helmets, calmly cancelled a game with West Virginia so it could play Wisconsin for an extra $300,000.

The Mountaineers did not receive even a courtesy phone call. The voided con-tract simply arrived in the mail.

West Virginia got so an-gry it scheduled Eastern Washington.

Some coaches of unfor-tunate teams apply interest-ing spins. They talk about adventures and educational experiences, of appearing before large crowds just to see what it is like. They try to inspire players with the once-in-a-lifetime Appala-

chian State story.That classic case hap-

pened in 2007. Michigan hired Appy to come up to Ann Arbor as a season-opening victory for the No. 5-ranked Wolverines. Attendance was 109,218. Michigan was such a heavy favorite, Las Vegas took the game off the betting board.

Appalachian State won, 34-32. TV announcer Thom Brennaman immediately hailed the game as one of the greatest upsets in the history of sports. Ex-Vol Charles Davis, TV analyst, used descriptive words like “unbelievable.”

I don’t know what Mike DeBord said. He was Michi-gan’s offensive coordinator. I suspect he was shocked. Everybody else was.

David does not often slay Goliath. When it happens, the football world trembles. After the earthquake sub-sides, smart coaches talk about taking nothing for granted.

DeBord, a smart coach, will be a factor in Tennes-see preparation for Western Carolina.Marvin West invites reader comments.

His address is westwest6@netzero.com

It is comforting to know that even the writ-ers of the New Testa-ments books had trouble remembering where they had read a certain quote.

How often have I (and probably you) said, “Well, it says somewhere in the Bible that….”

When the authorship of a particular quote is in question, Paul usually gets mentioned, probably because he wrote so pro-lifi cally, and his writings survived.

Hebrews, however, is an anonymous document. We don’t know who wrote it. So, when the author (whoever he was) says that “someone has testi-fi ed somewhere,” we can relate to his predicament.

The problem with our vagueness (and for some folks, with their lack of fa-miliarity with Scripture) is that we can’t quote ac-curately or appropriately.

We take things out of context, we misquote, we misinterpret, and, if we are not very careful, we misuse Scripture for our

Now God did not subject the coming world…to angels. But someone has testifi ed somewhere, “What are human beings that you are mindful of them, or mortals that you care for them?

(Hebrews 2: 5-6 NRSV)

Someone, somewhere

CrossCurrents

LynnPitts

own purposes.Which is why I bought a

great tome called Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible. It has every word of the Biblical texts in alphabetical order, as well as dictionaries of the Hebrew and Greek words. It even includes a special section listing every use of a, an, and, and the. It is, needless to say, quite a large and heavy book (roughly 9 inches by 11 inches, containing1,808 pages), which has led some wags to opine that is why it is called Exhaus-tive.

I bought my copy 25 years ago, when I began writing this column. It is worn now, and older (so am I, come to think of it), but I count it among my best friends!

FAITH NOTES

Community services

■ Hansard Chapel Methodist Church, located on Highway

33 across from Tolliver’s

Market, hosts a food pantry

6-7 p.m. each third Saturday.

Gently used clothing is also

available. Info: the Rev. Jay

Richardson, 776-2668.

Music programs ■ Hickory Valley Missionary

Baptist Church, 2229 Walker

Ford Road, Maynardville, will

host its annual fall singing 7

p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the

church. Everyone welcome.

Special services ■ Bethany Baptist Church,

6705 Raccoon Valley Road,

will celebrate its 100th Home-

coming at 11 a.m. Sunday,

Sept. 21. Donnie McGinnis will

lead the service. Barbecue

lunch will follow.

■ The Church of God of Knox-ville, 5912 Thorn Grove Pike,

will hold its annual Camp

Meeting, 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

each day, Sunday-Friday, Sept.

20-25. Info: pastor Robin L.

Thames, 748-5403.

The Union County Arts Council recently received a donation from the city of Maynardville that will help with matching for the Tennessee Arts Com-mission “Arts Builds Communities” Grant and the East Tennessee Foun-dation’s Arts Grants.

The council will spon-sor basic drawing classes with instructor Seth Havercamp Tuesdays,

Sept. 22 and 29 and Oct. 6.

The council is also ar-ranging a concert series to be held at Union Coun-ty Arts on Main Street in downtown Maynardville. Sarah Morgan the 2012 National Dulcimer Win-ner will be the fi rst fea-tured artist in the series.

The Arts Council wel-comed two new board members: Mary Ann

Maynardville boosts Arts Council

Brantley and Laurie Op-pel. Info: www.unioncounty arts.com or 992-9161

6 • SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 • UNION COUNTY Shopper news

Johnathon Brogan winds up to dunk Fr. Steve Pawelk (not pic-

tured).

Instructor Santiago Soto leads the Blessed The-

resa of Calcutta traditional Mexican dancers.

Jamie Myers takes a turn at the dart game.

Fr. Steve Pawelk of Blessed Theresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission

challenges carnival goers from the dunking booth. Photos by S. Carey

Kimberly Cordero Cruz pets a pony at the carnival.

SEEKING VENDORSPowell Lions Club and the Halls Lions Club

are seeking vendors for their Fall Gift and Craft Fair, to be held 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, Powell Auto Auction, 6729 Pleasant Ridge Road. Info/registration form: E-clubhouse.org/sites/powelltn.

The Union County Heritage Festival is seeking arts-and-crafts vendors, food vendors, demonstrators and nonprofi t booths for the festival, to be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Wilson Park in Maynardville. The festival draws more than 4,000 people each year. Info/booth pricing: Marilyn Toppins, mtoppins51@comcast.net.

THROUGH THURSDAY, OCT. 22Tickets on sale for “The Music and the Memories”

show featuring Pat Boone and Knoxville swing orchestra The Streamliners, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, Oak Ridge Performing Arts Center, Oak Ridge High School, 1450 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Info/tickets: KnoxvilleTickets.com or 656-4444.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16Sharps Chapel Fish Fry, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Sharps

Chapel Senior Center. Bring a side dish to share. Info: 992-3292.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 17Plainview 7th District Neighborhood Watch

meeting, 7 p.m., Plainview Community Center. Info: 992-5212.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 18Karaoke, 6-10 p.m., Bubba Brew’s Sports Pub &

Grill, Beach Island Marina. Info: 992-3091.Movies on Market Square: “Rio” (G, 2011);

movie begins at dusk. Hosted by the Knox County Public Library. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on; well-behaved dogs welcome. Info: 215-8767 or knoxlib.

org/movies.Union County Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m., 1009

Main St., Maynardville. Info: 992-8038.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 19Blessing of the Animals service and a

community barbecue dinner, 5 p.m., Trinity UMC, 5613 Western Ave. Donations requested but not required for dinner. Info: the Rev. Brenda Dowell, 588- 5763; www.knoxtrinity.org.

Church rummage sale, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., St. James Episcopal Church, 1101 N. Broadway. Household items, toys, children’s clothing, electronics, furniture, more. Info: 523-5687.

Luttrell Music Festival, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Luttrell City Park. Music, vendors, activities and more. Info: luttrellbluegrass.com.

Singing, 7 p.m., Hickory Valley Missionary Baptist Church, 2229 Walker Ford Road, Maynardville. Everyone welcome.

SATURDAY-SUNDAY, SEPT. 19-20Country Market, Historic Ramsey House, 2614

Thorn Grove Pike. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Arts, crafts, antiques, classic car cruise-in, Model T club, music and more. Admission: $5; 12 and under free. Info: ramseyhouse.org.

John Sevier Days Living History Weekend, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Marble Springs State Historic Site, 1220 W. Gov. John Sevier Highway. Admission: $5 adult; $3 child; 6 and under free. Includes demonstrations, food, music and more. Info: 573-5508; info@marblesprings.net; marblesprings.net.

SUNDAY, SEPT. 20Gospel singing featuring the Sneed Family, 6 p.m.,

New Beverly Baptist Church, 3320 New Beverly Church Road. Free, but love offering will be taken. Info: 546-0001; NewBeverly.org.

MONDAY, SEPT. 21Luttrell Senior Luncheon, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., Luttrell

Community Center on Tazewell Pike next to Luttrell Elementary School. Bring a dish to share. Anyone 55+ welcome to visit/Join. No dues.

MONDAY-FRIDAY, SEPT. 21-OCT. 2Submissions accepted for jurying process at

Appalachian Arts Craft Center in Norris. Must include completed forms, three samples of work and $25 jury fee. Info/forms: www.appalachianarts.net; 494-9854;

2716 Andersonville Highway in Norris.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 22“Basic Wire Wrapped Rings” class, 6-7:30 p.m.,

Appalachian Arts Craft Center, 2716 Andersonville Highway, Norris. Instructor: Kathy King. Info/registration: 494-9854; appalachianarts.net.

Open enrollment for beginner’s square dance class, 7 p.m., Square Dance Center, 828 Tulip St. Lessons $5; fi rst lesson free. Info: R.G. Pratt, 947-3238.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 23Computer Workshop: Word Basics, 2 p.m.,

Burlington Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Requires “Introducing the Computer” or equivalent skills. Info/registration: 525-5431.

WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY, SEPT. 23-24AARP Driver Safety class, noon-4 p.m., John

T. O’Connor Senior Center, 611 Winona St. Info/registration: Carolyn Rambo, 382-5822.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 24Discover and Make, 6-7:30 p.m., Burlington

Branch Library, 4614 Asheville Highway. Featuring a robotics station. Kids (6+), teens and adults welcome. Registration required. Info/registration: Nicole Barajas, 525-5431 or nbarajas@knoxlib.org.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 25Karaoke, 6-10 p.m., Bubba Brew’s Sports Pub &

Grill, Beach Island Marina. Info: 992-3091.Movies on Market Square: “Night at the

Museum” (PG, 2006); movie begins at dusk. Hosted by the Knox County Public Library. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on; well-behaved dogs welcome. Info: 215-8767 or knoxlib.org/movies.

Union County Farmers Market, 3-6 p.m., 1009 Main St., Maynardville. Info: 992-8038.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 26Alzheimer’s Association Walk to End

Alzheimer’s®, 8 a.m., UT campus. Includes: two-mile walk, vendor booths, door prizes and a special tribute to those who have experienced or are experiencing Alzheimer’s. To start/join a team: alz.org/walk.

Beverly Park Place Fall Festival, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., 5321 Beverly Park Circle. Features kids station, bounce house, face painting, games, crafts and vendors, live music, and food. Craftspeople/vendors wanting to rent a $20 spot to set up sales: 687-1321, ext. 2053.

Send items to news@ShopperNewsNow.com

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Your feet are the founda-tion of your body and they are subject to considerable pressure with each of the hundreds of steps you take every day. When they are working properly, it helps keep everything above them in proper line. So treat them right. Here are some things to consider when buying shoes:

• Your foot size changes with age. Th at’s because the foot spreads. Th e arch lowers a little and things loosen.

• Have both feet measured every time you buy new shoes.

• Have them measured when you are in a standing, weight-bearing position.

• Wear the type of sock you intend to wear with the shoes.

• If each foot is diff erently sized (it’s not uncommon), buy the larger size.

• Buy shoes in the aft er-

noon, because feet swell during the day and will be at their largest later in the day.

• Don’t plan on a shoe stretching with wear. Th e heel should fi t snugly and the toe box should have plenty of room for the toes to wiggle.

• Don’t let a sales person tell you that a shoe fi ts if it does not feel comfortable. You are the only one who knows if the shoe fi ts.

• Shoe sizes may vary slightly from style to style. So don’t convince yourself that you wear only one particular size.

• Finally, don’t skimp on shoes. You know what you can aff ord. A bargain shoe may eventually give you, well, headaches.

Presented as a community service by Union County Chiropractic; 110 Skyline Drive, Maynardville, Tenn.; 992-7000.

Chiropractic OutlookBy Dr. Darrell Johnson, DC

Shoe-buying tips

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110 Skyline Dr., Maynardville, TN 37807

UNION COUNTY Shopper news • SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 • 7 kids

By Shannon CareyStudents in Kristen Wilson’s en-

vironmental science “skinny block” class at Union County High School are caring for and observing life in minia-ture with homemade terrariums.

Using recycled plastic bottles, stu-dents added water, soil, plants, even insects and guppies from home or from natural space behind the school’s baseball fi eld. These bottled ecosys-tems help students learn about biotic

and abiotic systems and challenge their powers of observation.

“They can see if their plants are thriving, how water, temperature and sunlight affect them,” said Wilson. “Some of them did really well.”

Volleyball season is in full swing, and the Union County High School Patriots are learning what it takes to make a strong team.

Coach Lance Lay said with just two seniors on board, the team is young. But each player brings unique talents and skills to the game.

“The volleyball team this

year has proved that they have a love of the game and the determination it takes to become winners,” Lay said. “The team has rallied around the idea that TEAM comes before I. Coach Robbins and I are very impressed with the progress these ladies have made and look forward to seeing them break through for the post season.”

Union County High School volleyball player Kassidy Knight

serves for the point. Photo submitted

Ross Richnafsky added plants and a jumping

spider from his own backyard to his terrarium.

Ecology student Owen Hutchings checks on a slug that just ap-

peared in his terrarium. Photos by S. Carey

Teamwork tops for Patriots volleyball

Ecology students observe life

To place an ad call 922-4136

UNION COUNTY SERVICE GUIDE

Delivering more…Call your sales rep to place your ad here.Ask about frequency discounts.

www.ShopperNewsNow.com 922-4136

TennCare Kids is Ten-nessee’s commitment to see that children and teens have the best start to a healthy life. TennCare Kids is a free program of check-ups and health care services for chil-dren from birth to age 21 who are TennCare eligible, including health history, complete physical exam, lab tests as appropriate, immu-

nizations, vision and hear-ing screening, developmen-tal and behavior screenings as appropriate, and advice on healthy living. Union Countians interested in the program should contact the Union County Health De-partment’s community out-reach representative, Pam Williams. Info: 992-3867, ext. 131.

SCHOOL NOTES ■ Fall Break will be Oct. 12-16.

Maynardville ■ World’s Finest Chocolate

fundraiser will run through

Sept. 23.

Union County High School

■ Open House will be Monday,

Sept. 21, 5-7 p.m.

UT EXTENSION ■ Fourth and 5th graders register for 4-H in their classrooms

in September. 4-H will meet monthly but off ers much more,

including events, contests and activities. Info: ashley.mike@

utk.edu.

■ 4-H September service project will be collecting school

supplies and personal items for Operation Christmas Child.

■ Canning College will be off ered for those age 12 and older,

Saturday, Oct. 17, at the Union County Senior Center. Pres-

sure cooker canning will be taught 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., and wa-

ter bath method will be taught 1-3 p.m. Cost is $15 per class

or $30 for both. Info or to register: Becca Hughes, 992-8038

or rlhughes@utk.edu.

■ Cooking classes taught by Extension Agent Becca Hughes

will be held at the UT Extension Offi ce. Schedule is: pan

sauces, including deglazing and reducing, 10:30 a.m. to 12:30

p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23; healthy holiday meals, 10:30 a.m.

to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28; and healthy holiday treats,

10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18. Cost is $5 per

class. Info or to register: 992-8038 or ashley.mike@utk.edu.

TennCare Kids provides services

Call Shannon at 235-5324

Got school news?

www.ShopperNewsNow.com

8 • SEPTEMBER 16, 2015 • UNION COUNTY Shopper news

Visit Provision online at ProvisionProton.com or call 865-862-1600 .

NEWS FROM PROVISION CENTER FOR PROTON THERAPY

K evin Kirkland was a high school senior on the football practice fi eld when he learned

his father, Eddie, had been diagnosed with late-stage prostate cancer. Four years later, his dad died from the disease.

Kirkland doesn’t want anyone else to go through that experience.

Eddie Kirkland’s diagnosis was particularly diffi cult for Kevin because his mother had died a year before from breast cancer. Breast cancer was just gaining the public’s attention, while prostate cancer lurked in the shadows.

“Back in 1972, you didn’t hear people talk about prostate health, you didn’t hear people talk about PSA tests because there were no PSA tests,” he says. “I always said one day I wanted to do something that impacted men’s health like breast cancer awareness has impacted women’s health.”

More than 30 years later, Eddie Check was born. The program pairs free PSA tests for men with a Medic blood drive. The fi rst event in 2004 had one Medic bus and did 50 PSA tests and collected 50 units of blood. At its beginnings, the initiative was called the Eddie Kirkland Memorial Blood Drive and Free PSA Testing Event Radio talk show host Phil Williams said ‘come get your Eddie Check’ on the air one year and the name stuck. The event is coordinated by Nisus Corp., where Kirkland now serves as president and CEO.

A year later, there was a second event, expanded to a second location. This year, there will be Eddie Check drives in 10 locations throughout eight East Tennessee counties. The initiative involves live radio shows on location with partners including News Talk 98.7, WIVK and WNML and an annual blood drive contest with football fans at the University of Florida. Last year, the program collected 1,200 units of blood with more than 1,000 PSA tests conducted.

“All of a sudden it really started gaining its own strength and its own personality,” Kirkland says. “We’ve had tremendous support from the hospital community over the years. And then when Provision Center for Proton Therapy opened, they became our medical sponsor, and they’ve been an absolutely wonderful advocate and partner. And the Provision CARES Foundation now

Eddie Check aims to honor a dad and save livesFree prostate cancer

screenings can detect cancer early

pays for all of the PSA tests.”The event allows men, many

of whom are hesitant to set up an annual physical exam, to get the PSA test for free while also performing a community service.

“Men don’t really like to go to the doctor, let’s just face it, they don’t,” Kirkland says. “With Eddie Check they can just stop by and get a free PSA test.”

For Kevin Wathen of Maryville, getting a PSA test through Eddie Check revealed what a recent trip to his doctor had not: an elevated PSA level. A follow-up biopsy with a urologist revealed that nine of the 12 samples tested positive for cancer.

“There were no symptoms to tell me there was a problem,” Wathen says. “If I hadn’t had the test done I wouldn’t have given it any thought.”

As a result of Eddie Check, Wathen learned of his diagnosis and became an early patient at Provision Center for Proton Therapy. There, his prostate cancer was treated with protons, a type of radiation that pinpoints a tumor and spares much of the healthy tissue around it. This reduces side effects such as incontinence and impotency as well as discomfort during the time of treatment. Wathen was one of the fi rst to receive hypofractionated proton therapy treatments at the center, a shortened, more intense course that allows therapy duration to be cut in half.

“It still doesn’t feel like I ever had cancer,” he says.

Wathen says he would recommend men of all ages taking advantage of the free annual PSA test, at least to establish a baseline for further testing.

“Especially with Eddie Check being available at no charge,” Wathen says. “I’d do it every year.”

As Eddie Check has grown and expanded, Kirkland says more men locally are becoming familiar with the risk of prostate cancer and how to keep tabs on their health. After 11 years of the Eddie Check program, men often approach him to discuss early detection.

“I think the education and the promotion we put out for prostate health have really resonated,” he says, adding that other programs coordinated by local hospitals and advocacy organizations have provided a boost to the most common of men’s cancers. “I think all of that has really improved education on prostate health. It has made us proud to be a small part of that.”

Eddie Kirkland circa 1943. Kirkland, a Staff Sergeant in the Marines and WWII veteran,

passed away from prostate cancer in 1976. The Kirkland family started Eddie Check

to honor him and to spread awareness and encourage men to get regular preventive

prostate cancer checks.

Eddie Check will be held at six locations on Thursday and seven on Friday (10 different locations) in eight East Tennessee counties including Knox, Anderson, Scott, Hamblen, Cocke, Blount, Roane and McMinn. Blood samples for PSA screenings will be taken at every location during all hours, even if you don’t donate blood. The free PSA screenings are available for men 40 years of age or older, or in the event of family history at an age 10 years younger than the affected relative's age at his cancer onset.

“Early detection is always the best protection against prostate cancer,” said Marcio Fagundes, MD, medical director of the Provision Center for Proton Therapy. “The prostate specifi c antigen (PSA) test is one tool that men have available to detect the presence of prostate cancer. While an elevated PSA does not always mean cancer is present, it is an important benchmark for

men to monitor and share with their family physician.”

Thursday, September 17 ■ MEDIC Donor Center, 1601 Ailor Ave.,

Knoxville, 8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. Sports

Radio WNML remote, 3:00-7:00 p.m.

■ MEDIC Donor Center-Farragut, 11000

Kingston Pike (behind Pittsburgh

Paints), Farragut, 9 a.m.-7:00 p.m.;

Gunner WIVK FM remote,

11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

■ Provision Center for Proton Therapy,

6450 Provision Cares Way, Knoxville

(Bloodmobile), 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.;

Hallerin Hill News/Talk 98.7 FM remote,

6:00-10:00 a.m.; Phil Williams News/Talk

98.7 FM remote, 3:00-6:00 p.m.

■ Books-A-Million, 310 S. Illinois Ave., Oak

Ridge (Bloodmobile),

10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

■ Walmart-Morristown, 475 S.

Davy Crockett Pkwy., Morristown

(Bloodmobile), 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

■ Walmart-Oneida, 19740 Alberta St.,

Oneida (Bloodmobile),

10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Friday, September 18 ■ MEDIC Donor Center, Headquarters, 1601

Ailor Ave., Knoxville, 8:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m.;

Phil Williams News/Talk 98.7 FM remote,

3:00-6:00 p.m.

■ MEDIC Donor Center-Farragut, 11000

Kingston Pike (behind Pittsburgh Paints),

Farragut, 6:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

■ Provision Center for Proton Therapy,

6450 Provision Cares Way, Knoxville

(Bloodmobile), 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.;

Gunner WIVK FM remote, 10:30 a.m. – 1:30

p.m.

■ Walmart-Newport, 1075 Cosby Hwy.,

Newport (Bloodmobile),

10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

■ New Midland Plaza, 232 S. Calderwood St.,

Alcoa (Bloodmobile), 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

■ Lowe’s-Athens, 1751 South Congress

Pkwy., Athens (Bloodmobile),

10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

■ Kingston Church of Christ, Kingston, 120

Spring Street, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.,

Family Center Room

Visit www.provisionproton.com/eddiecheck for more information.

Get checked!

Kevin Kirkland (left) and

prostate cancer survivor Jim

Gorman (right) of Eddie Check.

This is Eddie Check’s eleventh

year of off ering PSA tests to

East Tennessee.

Proton Therapy

Facts: ■ Proton therapy is NOT experimental

■ Proton therapy was approved by the FDA in 1988

■ Medicare/CMS have reimbursed proton therapy since 2000

■ More than 100,000 patients have been treated with proton therapy worldwide

■ The cost of proton therapy for prostate cancer is now the same or lower than conventional treatments, without the damaging side eff ects

■ A fi ve-year, peer-reviewed study released by the University of Florida Proton Therapy Institute found that 99% of prostate cancer patients remain cancer-free

■ There are 1.6 million new cases of cancer diagnosed each year

■ Tennessee ranks fi fth in the nation for deaths from cancer