Dogwood Chalk Walk: Better each year

Congratulations to all of the artists who participated in the 18th Annual Chalk Walk in Downtown Knoxville See the full list of winners here.

  • Best in Show – Lilly Deal (Portrait of Two Kids)
  • Best in Sidewalk of Fame – Sonia Summers (Boy Chalking)
  • Runner-Up in Sidewalk of Fame – Curtis Glover (Bear with Tiger Lily)
  • T-Shirt Award – Nick Cooper (Ice Cream Cone with Sunsphere)
  • 1st Solo Adult – Cody Swaggerty (Bear with Salmon Claw Machine)
  • 1st Collaborative Adult – Brianna Olson & Madison Seiber (Hummingbird Dragons)
  • 1st Family – Willis Family (Sharks)
  • 1st Solo College/YA – Rachael Phillips (Girl in Hat)
  • 1st Collaborative College/YA – Josie Bailey, Maria Kime, Jenna Puls and Haylee Speller (Snails)
  • 1st Solo High School – Avery Adcock (Watermelon)
  • 1st Collaborative High School – Izzy & Friends (Space)
  • 1st Solo Middle School – Savannah Calvin (Flower with Bees & Butterfly)
  • 1st Collaborative Middle School – Gibbs Middle School Art (Peacock)
  • 1st Solo Elementary – Ginny Field (Girl with Green Background)
  • 1st Collaborative Elementary – Girl Scout Troop 23059 (Girl Scouts in Space)
West Hills plans celebration to bring in spring

The West Hills Community Association will sponsor a Dogwood Arts Spring Celebration from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. Saturday, April 18, on the West Hills Greenway, 409 Vanosdale Rd. near West Hills Elementary School.

Olivia Calfee

The annual event will feature a gardening booth; live music; food and drink; children’s activities; and door prizes. About a dozen artists and craftspeople will have booths for their wares, which include birdhouses, bird feeders, abstract paintings, art featuring East Tennessee flora and fauna, fish art, jewelry, lotions, candles, prints, fingernail art and more.

WVLT reporter/anchor Olivia Caffee will speak to young people about what it takes to pursue a career in television news. Caffee, who will also emcee the celebration, will give her presentation at 11:30 a.m.

The event also includes the planting and dedication of two dogwood trees on the Jean Teague Greenway in John Bynon Park. The trees, donated by Ellenberg Nursery, will each bear a plaque honoring the recipients of WHCA’s Volunteer Leadership Awards: Clara and the Lap Cat Hardin, and Larry Silverstein. The celebration is free and open to the public. Info here. 

Olivia Calfee joined the WVLT morning team in August 2024 as morning traffic reporter and anchor. A native of Cleveland, Tennessee, Calfee is on air weekdays, from 6-9 a.m. as traffic reporter, and co-anchoring with Christyn Allen from 8-10 a.m.

Pilot volunteers do ‘Miles of Good’

Pilot volunteers were in the community on Wednesday, April 8, doing projects with local nonprofit partners for Pilot’s Miles of Good giving initiative. Four projects involved:

  • Emerald Youth Foundation – Volunteers painted the North Complex
  • Helping Mamas – Volunteers packed infant care kits
  • Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretum – Volunteers restored the spring garden
  • Ladies of Charity – Volunteers stocked and packed the thrift store.
In Memoriam: Maryville neighbor masters the web

Momma Mel

YouTube lost a star on April 1, 2026, when Melonie Effler, 53, of Maryville, passed away. She created “In the Kitchen with Momma Mel” on YouTube to bring families together around the table – reaching people around the world with almost 200,000 followers. Check out her YouTube channel here

Survivors include her husband of 33 years, Patrick Effler, two daughters, her parents, other family members and friends from around the world. The full obituary is here.

Mel had 12,800 views on the Smith Funeral Home website on Monday evening. And comments came from at least six states. Here are some samples:

I spent many hours learning and being comforted and entertained by Mel. My Momma has been gone for a while now, and Mel’s sweet energy drew me in one day and I never left.

Her warmth and kindness pulled you right in like a hug. I appreciated Mel’s dedication to her dishes, but mostly her family, faith and community. I would put her channel on because it brought peace.

I am so saddened to lose Momma Mel. I have laughed and enjoyed watching her cook and enjoy life. She was such a loving soul that was captured by camera and captured my heart. I felt she was a longtime friend even though I just found her on YouTube. Signed: Grandma Susie

Oh Momma Mel! When I discovered you on YouTube I felt I was in the kitchen with my Mom! Your love for your family showed through with every meal you prepared! Thank you for so many wonderful times in your kitchen!

I am crying as I type this because she was like an old friend. I will miss seeing her smiling face each week.
Her videos made me feel calm and always made me laugh.

Notes & Quotes

Cynthia Moxley previews the upcoming season at Clarence Brown Theatre as only she can. Check out her photos and commentary at The Blue Streak.

Joni and Friends will “Walk N Roll” at Catholic High School this weekend – Sunday, April 19, from 3-5 p.m. Admission is free but there will be plenty of opportunities to purchase from food trucks and vendors.
Learn more here.  Register here.

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