Tag: sertoma

  • Eddie Mannis | Knoxville Mayor Candidate | Aug 14th

    Eddie Mannis | Knoxville Mayor Candidate | Aug 14th

    Eddie Mannis wants to be our next mayor or Knoxville and having lived here and being a Knoxville business owner, I believe he may just know what he’s talking about.  His biggest claim to fame is the creation of Honor Air and I believe he has a warm place in the hearts of several Knoxvillians be they veterans or not.

    He also stated we need new businesses in Knoxville and if that is not something you are interested in; you need to vote for someone else. He said it has been twenty (20) years since a new company has moved into Knoxville. I tried to think of one that might prove him wrong and couldn’t. I do know East Towne Mall is going down the tubes quickly. Whoever wins, let’s do our part to help.

    The board meeting was pretty much devoted to Oktoberfest and what we can do to make it better, etc.  As that is our only major fund raiser, we must put all we can into making it a success. If you have any ideas, suggestions, or criticisms please pass them on.

    Janet Bigelow will be our speaker next week and for as long as she has been gone; surely she has traveled the world.

  • Shannon Ball and Sarah with Waiting To Hear | July 17th

    Shannon Ball and Sarah with Waiting To Hear | July 17th

    Mr. Shannon Ball, our speaker last week brought his daughter with him who at the age of 2 ½ lost her hearing. A few days after her diagnosis they met a family whose daughter had cochlear implants. With that family’s guidance and support Sarah received cochlear implants of her own just seven months later; and began her journey back to a world of sound. The implants literally changed Sarah’s life and inspired her parents start Waiting to hear.

    Waiting to Hear is a 501©3 tax exempt charity based in Kingsport TN. They serve all of Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia with plans to expand to the surrounding regions soon.  They are proud to be 100% volunteer run organization with a single purpose: To help deaf kids hear!

    Support Waiting to Hear for FREE every time you shop. Sign up for Amazon Smile and choose Waiting to Hear as your preferred charity and Amazon will donate a portion of your total purchase, also Kroger Community Rewards. It’s easy to register and completely free for you.

  • Justin Lafferty | 89th district state representative | June 5th

    Justin Lafferty | 89th district state representative | June 5th

    Justin Lafferty is the “new kid on the block” and is ready to take on the big guys. He said he has been interested in politics since Middle School and has some things he is really wanting to make a change too.  The more he talked the more I became convinced he will use this office as a steppingstone. I was impressed with him and my hope is for him to go far.

    Carol Mohney and I attended Celebrate Sound Saturday morning. I was late, which caused Carol to be late.  The new location is convenient, clean and has plenty of parking.  They attempted to have something for everyone; a bubble machine had one little boy fascinated, he never took his eyes off of it.  If you haven’t done so, get out your checkbook and just thank the good Lord you can hear.

  • Prime Medical | Nov 28th

    We received a lot of information on the art of CPR and just recently in one of my magazines I read about the importance of knowing the proper and if you don’t know suggestions of where to go to learn. Our speaker did not recommend the Red Cross but went on to say there are several good ones available.  The web site of prime medical training.com is a place to start.

    Saturday Carol Mohney, the Kerr’s (Pete is moving around like she hasn’t just had surgery) and myself packed stockings for 2 hours. She told us how many, but I failed to write it down, so I can’t even brag! Lisa Nichols has set this up to make it easier for her helpers but even with the help she really puts a lot of time and effort into the project. I’m glad we can help financially but that’s just the beginning. They are packing again on Tuesday so come on over! It’s being set up in 2 hour shifts so call Lisa @ 755.7537 to get times.

     Slips were passed around for the gifts for the residents of the center. If you didn’t get one (or 2 or 3) hopefully you’ll have another chance. I believe you need to have them wrapped and returned by the 14th.

    December Schedule:

    12.05 Mike Simpson is bringing Rock Garner with Knoxville Habitat & Reboot Combat trauma recovery.  Mike has worked with this for some time and this should be well worth our time.

    12.12 Our neighbor Tom Maddingly will tell us about his new book “Empowered: The Fan ReVOLution That Changed College Football”

    12.19 The Madrigal Singers. This is always special and a great time to bring a guest,however, be nice and let Marriane know.

  • Matt Hall | Oktoberfest update

    Matt Hall was a stand in for Jacob and did an excellent job. Especially since he was in charge of the speaker and she didn’t come.  Happens to all of us and he handled it with grace.  I do believe he’ll do an excellent job next year and its good he’s getting some on the job training.

    We passed around sigh up sheets for “Celebrate Sound” to first find out if you were going to participate and what size t-shirt you wanted.  We’re only asking for $25.00 (tax deductible) and the money goes to our hearing aid loaner program.  If you were not there last week plan to sign up this week. The walk this year will be at Concord Park on September 9th. 

    We discussed the Knoxville Oktoberfest Fundraiser which is not that far away.  September is just a week away. Carol Mohney and I went shopping for some brown bag items over the weekend but not enough to fill all the brown bags. We also need auction items. Remember we didn’t want to constantly be having “fund” raisers and determined to have the one and let that be it – this is it!  We have several beer sponsors so regardless we can get drunk!

    Next Week (maybe) our speaker will be Lisa Nichols who came up with the program Stocking from US. This is a great idea and really makes you feel good especially when you see newsfeeds of soldiers that won’t be coming home.  We contributed to this so come hear what she has to say and give yourself a pat on the back.

    Just a reminder: Speaker chairs for September are as follows:

    09/5 Rusty Farrell

    9/12 Mike McKinney

    9/19 Terrell Kerr

  • Sandra Clark | Election Predictions | Aug 1st

    Sandra Clark | Election Predictions | Aug 1st

    The election is behind us and I was pleased with the outcome. We made the national news – it was reported we elected a professional wrestler as mayor. Seems the “scruffy little city” just can’t get a break.  All of Sandra’s predictions came true and I got the feeling she is definitely not a President Trump fan.

    I would be willing to bet even if he knew it wouldn’t keep him up nights.  I worked at West Valley Middle School. We voted a total of 501 persons and 2 of them were my daughter-in-law and granddaughter (her first-time voting).  One picked Republican and the other Democrat, they should have stayed home!

    It’s much harder when you have two candidates running for the same office and you really like both.  I was impressed with Mattock and Burchett really “pounded the pavement”. You couldn’t go to any function he didn’t show up too.  Sandra seem to think he (Burchett) plans to move on up.  We can sit back and say “I knew him when. . . . . “

    The cost of campaigning I’m sure keeps a lot of good people from running. Sandra said thousands of dollars had been spent (this is a matter of public record, how much they spent and where they got it) and wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall after and election you lost and have the wife say – “don’t ever mention how much I spend on shoes again”

  • Sam Maynard | James White Fort | June 13th

    Sam Maynard | James White Fort | June 13th

    Sam Maynard – James White Fort

    We had a very interesting history lesson this week from Sam Maynard. His family came here from Germany and settled in east Knox county. They were dairy farmers and practiced this trade.  Mary Lou Horner got him involved in helping to preserve old buildings such as James White Fort. She insisted at the time, it would on take a couple of months, he has been working on it for fifteen years!  Did you know the original fort sat in the middle of where State Street Garage now sits? We are so fortunate to have so much history that surrounds us.

    Officers

    Today we installed our officers for next year.  We begin on July 1 with a new and not so new group. Going to have to suffer through for another year with Andy as treasurer, Carol as secretary and me on the bulletin. Now at any time you can declare you’ve had enough and take the position!

    Report on the board meeting:

    Jobs have been assigned for Oktoberfest from Brett and most of us know what we’re suppose to do to make it run smoothly. He is convinced Caroline and possible him will not be available to participate.   We do need items for the brown bags and it wouldn’t hurt to start thinking about items to donate for the auction. Keep in mind folks, this is our one and only fund raiser and we must make it count.

    Sign up sheets for the picnic at Jerry Faerbers’ were passed around. Club will furnish the meat, everything else we are responsible to bring. Hot dogs and hamburgers are the menu for this year and lots of fellowship. If you missed the meeting, get there next week and tell us what your bringing. Picnic is on the 24th and here are

    directions:

    Go north on I-75, exit 128 (Rocky Top) Turn left on Hwy 441 toward Norris Dam. Go 1.3 miles, turn left on Oak Grove Rd. Go 1.4 miles, turn right on Lindsey Mill Circle.  Jerry’s cell (should you need it) 865.659-2305 , landline 865.630-1047.

    Next week: 

    We will have our very own Senator Massey who will hopefully tell us what we can expect in the future. Come join us, several people have been missing lately and we miss you!

  • Bob Thomas | WIVK | Knox County Commissioner | Feb. 7th

    Bob Thomas | WIVK | Knox County Commissioner | Feb. 7th

    Bob Thomas will give our other candidate a run for the money in our up coming county mayor race. Bob has been with WIVK forever and has learned a lot about meeting people. Said he always wanted to be a radio announcer. I think it’s great when you can decide early on what you want to be and then go for it. He worked with Jim Dick and everyone that knew that man remembers him fondly.  They took on several projects (Mr. Dick came up with them and it was up to Bob to see them carried out); the Tennessee Theater which was saved due to their efforts, announcement that we wouldn’t have a Christmas parade in 1974 due to cost, we did.  At some point they decided we needed a hockey team. Getting the team together wasn’t that much of a challenge but after they lost the first 10 games they played it was determined they also needed a coach. It eventually all came together, and we may not be the best, but we are right on up there.

    Mr. Thomas wants to improve the lives of seniors and veterans – can’t argue with any of those. He wants to try a “ride and decide” where high school kids are given an opportunity to work with different organizations such as automotive, printing, plumbing, etc. to see what and how they do things.  He says for every five persons leaving the trades only one is coming in. If this keeps up your bank manager will be making minimum wage and your plumber will be bringing home a hundred thousand a year.

    Next week:  America’s Greatest Treasures by David Lawson.  Should be worth-while.  My brother is bringing him, along with Herman Thomson (not sure about Mr. Thomson and the role he plays but we will know soon!  I do know Mr. Lawson has offered to work with us on fund raising and I believe he has spoked to that “other” group next door.

  • State Representative Rick Stables | September 20th

    Don’t know what happened to our speaker from Children’s Hospital but Rick Stables certainly did an excellent job of taking her place. Mr. Stables is a state representative which covers a large portion of Knoxville and I take it he likes his job and the people he deals with.  He started as a security officer and moved up to the Sheriff’s office and at some point decided to throw his hat in the ring for state representative.  It certainly wasn’t because of the pay.

    He said he was raised a Baptist and that has colored a lot of his thinking since he became an adult.  He believes everyone should be treated equally. He says a lot of growth is headed our way and we need to prepare for it.

    Next week:  Mayor Burchette. Don’t know if he will pass along any exciting news but he’s always fun to listen too.  Bring a friend.

    At some point this week we have a committee that will meet with a committee from the West Knoxville Club to entertain the idea of combining the two clubs. This would give us a boost and help then out also. I don’t know how many members they have but I do know we refused to change our meeting date and time so for all practical purpures for our side nothing changes. Let’s just hope all goes well.

    Oktoberfest:  We have sold 190 tickets – we need to sell 300.  We are in better shape than in years past but as this is our only fund raiser we need to get on the ball and make some money!  We are in the home stretch!

  • Jason Swain | The Swain Event | September 13th

    Jason Swain | The Swain Event | September 13th

    Jason Swain, our speaker this week, actually thought he wanted to be a counselor and got a degree to pursue that career.  He worked as a case worker  at a place in Maryville and then was offered a position on the radio talking about sports, players and who did what right or wrong. Evidently that was too good to pass up and he is one happy camper. He is a Yankee and didn’t grow up in a house where sports was a big deal, however, he said he loves football, East Tennessee and the people and evidently plans to “stay awhile”.  He is one every morning from 7-10 am if you care to listen.

    Our biggest announcement:  Jerry Faerber has secured us a $5,000.00 sponsor for Oktoberfest!  This is Red Door Homes and hopefully this will benefit them also. It won’t be long till the big day is here, if you haven’t done so you need to get your brown bag items in so the “big day” won’t be such a nightmare. Sam’s had a number of things that would work and Walmart is just next door.

    Next Week: Jason has secured Angie Howell with Children’s Hospital. The last week (27th) Matt Hall has convinced Mayor Burchett to speak.

    Housekeeping:  Julie Beeler represented UT Speech & Hearing. Mark Hancock came with someone but I failed to write down who and James Hudson’s claim to fame he was the first player from East High School to play at West High School – we’ve come a long way. The grid pick was won by none other than Chris Kerr picking 9 out of 10.

    As a reminder, the quarterly invoices wiill be appearing on the first of the month and they will reflect the dues increase. To soften the blow on that, the board determined to drop the number required to win, however, the amount will be locked at $10.00 for the drawing and grid pick.