Community
June 3, 2026 by Carlos Reveiz, Correspondent
Over the next several weeks, longtime photographer and Farragut resident Carlos Reveiz and his wife, Nancy, are taking part in the spiritually fulfilling, physically taxing journey as they walk the Camino de Santiago. Here, Reveiz details his first few journal entries, having begun their journey the week of Monday, May 18.
Wednesday, May 20
They say the Camino de Santiago begins the moment you commit to the journey. For me, that commitment took root in 2004 after completing the London Marathon with my younger brother. Now, 22 years later, I am finally realizing this long-held dream.
Our journey began with an overnight flight from Boston to Paris. Despite the jet lag, we spent a memorable day exploring the city’s iconic landmarks, including the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower and many more. It has been an exhausting but incredibly exhilarating 48 hours with very little sleep!
Tonight, we take an overnight train to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a village at the foothills of the French Pyrenees. We will spend two days there, resting and acclimating to the time zone, before setting out. Day one undoubtedly will be our most challenging stage: a 16-mile trek over the Pyrenees featuring a 5,600-foot elevation gain.
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June 3, 2026 by Tammy Cheek
Alzheimer’s Tennessee celebrated the commitment of “unsung heroes,” those who go above and beyond in caring for those facing dementia, with a Caring Hearts recognition ceremony in Rothschild Catering and Convention Center in Knoxville Thursday, May 21.
Of the 100 “caring hearts,” seven are from Farragut and West Knoxville home health or senior care centers.
“One of the most rewarding programs that we do is our Caring Hearts luncheon,” Alzheimer’s Tennessee CEO/president Janice Wade-Whitehead said. “It’s an annual event. Today, we will recognize 100 direct-care workers, our CNAs, our personal care assistants who may work in home health care, assisted living, nursing homes.
“They really are professionals who, a lot of times they’re not well-compensated, do not get a lot of thank-yous for the work they do,” she said. “However, they’re critical in providing day-to-day care and defining quality of life for that individual with Alzheimer’s.”
As part of the awards presentation, members of the Nursing Honor Guard presented roses to each recipient.
One of the coveted awards of the luncheon, the Stan Boling Community Caring Hearts Award, went to Claudia Jewel, the “friendly nurse” at the O’Connor Senior Center for almost 22 years.
“I’m excited,” she said about receiving the honor. “I was surprised when I was told I was receiving it … I love all the participants, the people.
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June 3, 2026 by Jake Nichols
Years ago, members of the Knox County Democratic Party (KCDP) came to a realization: they wanted to be more visible in the community.
They reached out to Keep Knoxville Beautiful, partnering with a non-profit organization that “works to beautify and improve Knox County through litter prevention, recycling and environmental education.”
More specifically, they began working with the organization’s Adopt-a-Road initiative, as member Janice Spoone helped kickstart the party’s involvement.
“We began this when Gloria Johnson was chair when Obama came into office, so we started with three districts doing Adopt-a-Road,” Spoone said. “I had been trying to get districts to do this, because it involves people. It’s easy; you only spend a couple hours doing it, and it’s a simple, great way to give back to the community.
“But nobody would take in my best friends, and officers would not do this. Finally, I realized this wouldn’t happen unless I just do it. So I started asking different districts to sign up.”
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