It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. And this is a new column about good folks being good neighbors.
Corryton: It’s great when young people step into leadership. Heck, it’s essential. That’s why Caroline Longmire Alexander’s posting of photos from the 2024 Corryton Possum Chase was impressive. Caroline was a long-ago Shopper intern. The chase was Saturday, October 26, 2024, and drew 212 “awesome participants.” Caroline got the cake; John Grigsby got Jerry Tipton. Wearing a T-shirt that read Corryton Running Club, Jerry said he started running in 1981 and didn’t intend to go this long. But he’s starting his second 1,000 races this Saturday.
North Knoxville: St. James Episcopal Church, 1101 Broadway, is hosting an event next Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, election day. The church will be open for prayer and quiet reflection from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. The labyrinth will be open the entire time and evening prayer will be at 5:30 p.m. There will be chili and games in the parish hall from 6-8:30 p.m. “This is not a watch party, a time to debate, or an avoidance of the issues. We are making space to be together in what is an anxious time for many. … People do not have to be members of the Church to participate. All people are welcome.”
Powell residents mourn the loss of life of Savannah Copeland, 13, whose body was found near the Broadacres pool. By end-of-day October 28, 2024, 574 donors had contributed almost $40,000 on gofundme.com to support the family.
Henry and Johnson
Gibbs: Betty Henry of B&G Catering writes: Not many people can say that knowing a single person changed the entire trajectory of their family, but Georgia Johnson was that person for my family. She was the driving force in starting B & G Catering. … Without her I would never have started this business. She has been my steadfast friend for 40 years and I will miss her dearly. Mrs. Johnson died 10/7/24 at age 79.
Ritta: A community meeting to discuss a proposed rezoning and high-density development on Babelay Road near Highland Baptist Church will be held today (10/29/24) at 6 p.m. at Highland Baptist, 6014 Babelay Rd. The Planning Commission is recommending approval, but Knox County Commission decides at a meeting set for 5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12, at the City County Building.
Work on W. Woodrow
North Knoxville neighbors who use Woodrow Drive can anticipate extensive repair and repaving work to be completed by the end of November. Drivers who don’t live in the area are encouraged to find alternative routes; sections of Woodrow will be closed for six weeks to all but local traffic. Rogers Group is dedicating multiple crews to the project to dig out and rebuild parts of the road before repaving.
Plentiful harvest
Bearden: Middlebrook Pike United Methodist Church packed 4,000 bags of sweet potatoes last week to be shared with churches and agencies all around the community. Martha Jean Bratton said she had nothing to do with the organization of the project, but she and son Matt did fill a few bags.
