farragutpress

Community

7th Annual West Knox Preschool & Activities Fair Jan. 25

January 16, 2020 by Staff Reports

Knoxville-Northshore chapter of Moms Offering Moms Support club international is hosting its 7th annual West Knox Preschool & Activities Fair from 10 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Jan. 25, in the gym of St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 625 St. John Court in Farragut.

There, parents will be able to find out more about more than 30 area preschool and activity programs, including education, soccer, dance, martial arts, language study and gymnastics.

While parents are learning, their children will have the chance to play, enjoying crafts from the Episcopal School of Knoxville and interactive opportunities from The Muse, Cool Sports Home of the Icearium, Kindermusik and Knox Dance Worx.

Pete’s legacy: ‘leaving a mark’

Remembered for his Christian love and service locally, Pete Billingsley, FHS Sports Hall of Famer, memorialized

January 16, 2020 by Alan Sloan

Hundreds were on hand in Foothills Church Theater in Maryville early Saturday afternoon, Jan. 11, to memorialize the late Arthur Pete Billingsley, Farragut HIgh School Class of 1972 and former Admirals star basketball player who was induced into the FHS Sports Hall of Fame. Remembered most fondly for his influence as a coach, teacher and Christian leader while at Maryville High School, as expressed during a roughly 90-minute service, several former FHS classmates. teammates and coaches were on hand. Three of his teammates join then head coach Lynn Sexton, center, and then assistant coach Jerry Cannon, second from left, in a show of solidarity. From left are ex-Admirals Mark Priode (Class of 1972); Glenn Harness (Class of 1974) and Willie “Bones” Almond (Class of 1972).

A pioneer by circumstance, yet a sacrificial lamb by choice: that sums up, perhaps, the two most important impacts of Arthur Pete Billingsley’s life.

Not even a teenager, Pete was breaking the athletic color barrier at what was then called Farragut Elementary School (kindergarten through eighth-grade) in the mid-1960s.

It’s no wonder why Roy Stone, one of hundreds to attend a Memorial Service in honor of this 1972 graduate of Farragut High School, had a point to make about a man praised more for his selfless walk with Jesus Christ, as a devout Christian, than for his abundant basketball skills that earned him All-state honors and a scholarship to Carson-Newman University.

Referencing now-retired Farragut Elementary/Middle School basketball coach and teacher Bobby Henry, “All he talked about was Pete Billingsley, what a wonderful man he was,” he said about Henry’s respect for Pete while Stone (FHS Class of 1981) was a student/athlete of Henry’s at FMS.

Hundreds of gifts in tow, FDCC hits the road

January 16, 2020 by Staff Reports

Fox Den Country Club membership director Caroline Inman and general manager Ryan Ott head to a party at The Boys & Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley office with a U-Haul load of toys Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Fox Den Country Club members once again outdid themselves with a record response, brightening Christmas for children of The Boys & Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley in Knoxville with bundles of toys.

Children lit up as they received gifts and were treated to a party Tuesday, Dec. 17, at The Walter P. Taylor Boys & Girls Club along Western Avenue in Knoxville.

“Fox Den Country Club has proudly hosted a Holiday Toy Drive for well over 10 years now, with the last two being partnered with The Boys & Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley,” FDCC membership director Caroline Inman said. “They donated nearly 600 toys to The Walter P. Taylor Boys & Girls Club.

“This toy drive has continued to grow, with this year being the biggest and best yet,” she added.

Normally the party has taken place at Fox Den. However, Inman said sickness and weather tried to get in their way this year.

Boys & Girls Club organizers “had to reschedule once because of weather and tried to a second time due to sickness of their bus drivers, so we rearranged and went to them,” Inman said.

St. John Neumann Catholic Church Epiphany Open House

January 16, 2020 by Tammy Cheek

Sister Leviria Grace, left, and Sister Maureen Oum

St. John Neumann Catholic Church’s members observed the Day of Epiphany, a Christian feast day, with an

Epiphany Open House in the home and convent of the Missionary Congregation of the Evangelizing Sisters of Mary on Sunday, Jan. 5.

Epiphany is “the manifestation of Jesus being one with the people,” Sister Dorothy Casian explained, adding it commemorates the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child. “The Magi opened the eyes of the people to know Jesus more,” she added.

‘Ambassador’ LaMarche had a ‘family’ first impression of Town staff

January 16, 2020 by Alan Sloan

Dot LaMarche

If one person could be branded Town of Farragut’s ambassador to the state of Tennessee and nationwide, Dorothy “Dot” LaMarche would fit the bill.

But that story, perhaps, wouldn’t have unfolded if not for two things: a cell tower issue in Sugarwood subdivision and a great first impression upon encountering Farragut staff inside Town Hall.

Those encounters created a domino effect eventually earning LaMarche local, statewide and national respect.

First impressions

Visiting Town Hall one day, “I saw how the Town was and how the staff was — it was like a little family,” said LaMarche, serving Farragut on the Board of Mayor and Alderman for 13 years (2003-2016 representing South Ward), including the final seven as vice mayor, who also served for years on Farragut Municipal Planning Commission as BOMA alderman representative.