TDT Blount County Quaterly Spring 2026

from the EDITOR MESSAGE

Springtime, the season of renewal, is a time of new beginnings. The light lingers a little longer and the air is a little warmer and sweeter.

One of my favorite things is to see bright yellow daffodils erupt from my yard, little splashes of sunshine in a sea of green. They move every year, so I never know where they’ll turn up and each year turns into a fun guessing game.

The small, wild rabbits are another favorite of mine and I thrill whenever I see a flash of brown fur move through the yard. Last year, we even had a baby visit, only as big as the palm of my hand.

While winter will always be my favorite season, I love spring’s promise of a rebirth. A light at the end of a season of darkness and wintering. An emergence.

It seems like the perfect season to announce to you, dear reader, that I will no longer be the editor of the Blount County Quarterly.

I have taken a role within our company that will lead me on an adventure to Greeneville, Tennessee, but sadly, away from our community, which I hold very dear.

I’m confident that the next editor will only help to make our magazine even better, bringing you all the things we love about Blount County.

In this issue, we find out the best practice for attracting pollinators to your garden, where to find Bigfoot and what to do when you find wildlife in need of help. We even answer the call of the wild with a trip to Zoo Knoxville.

Thank you for allowing me to cultivate what sparks a fire in my heart about our beautiful community. It’s been an honor to lead this magazine and while it’s hard to pry my fingers away, I am excited to see where it goes.

As for me, I’m hoping to be like those daffodils, moving but still blooming.

While winter will always be my favorite season, I love spring’s promise of a rebirth. A light at the end of a season of darkness and wintering. An emergence.

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Blount County Quarterly is published quarterly by THE DAILY TIMES, a newspaper of Adams MultiMedia. Reproduction of the whole or any part of content herein is prohibited without prior written consent from the publisher. Opinions expressed by contributing writers and editors are not necessarily those of the publisher, editor or Blount County Quarterly

Copyright 2026 by: Blount County Quarterly magazine 226 Gill Street Alcoa, TN 37701 Phone 865-981-1100

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Thinking of planting a pollinatorfriendly garden this spring?

HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW

BY MATHAUS SCHWARZEN

Start with your space, not the plants

Loren Abbott runs Beyond the Barn Plant Farm in Townsend, operating less like a traditional nursery and more like a plant concierge. Customers tell her what they’re looking for and she sources the healthiest options from growers across the state before organizing pickup and installation.

kind of sun do I get? What kind of shade do I get? What kind of space do I have?”

Different plants require different amounts of light, shade and room to grow. The same plant that does well in a pot on a sunny front porch might not fare well in a shady fenced-in backyard.

She said space matters more than you’d think. The first step in planting a garden optimized for pollinators, she said, isn’t picking plants. It’s looking at the garden itself.

“I would start with your area,” she said. “What

Leafy greens, for example, grow well in shade according to the Farmer’s Almanac. On the other hand, plants like tomatoes have a reputation for enjoying strong light. Consider light, space, soil and drainage, then research which plants do well in your environment to reduce early failure.

Plan for a long season

Summer may have a reputation for flowers, plants blooming and greenery everywhere, but Abbott said a balanced garden plans for all seasons.

Planting a mix of offerings that covers the whole growing year ensures local pollinators always have something to eat when they come to visit. A good

seasonal strategy can influence how many pollinators a garden attracts.

“You want to plant some stuff that’s going to start in spring, with your red buds or your willow trees or even some of your early chives and herbs that grow quickly,” Abbott said. She noted that there’s a “plentitude” of plants that flourish in the summer, but suggested finding options to lengthen the season past the hotter months.

Butterfly bushes and beautyberries are great plants to extend the flowering season, she said.

“That will help the bees and the butterflies,” Abbott said, adding that milkweed is a great option to support monarch butterflies in particular.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• Choose plants that match your environment.

• Stagger flowering times.

• Let some herbs flower at the end of the season.

• It’s not just about honey bees.

• Not every plant is for every grower.

And don’t sleep on herbs. Abbott said herbs grow quickly and add fragrance to a garden – something pollinators and humans alike enjoy. Gardeners can cut from the herbs to cook with over the summer and then let them go to seed later in the season, giving the plants a chance to feed local pollinators.

“Basil is such a great herb to cook with, and then at

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the end, let it flower,” Abbott said. “When it flowers, that means it’s going to seed, and that’s when the butterflies and bees will love it. People think, oh, I didn’t cut my herbs back, but that’s okay. You don’t have to cut your herbs.”

She also recommended planting chives and sage.

Don’t get hung up on bees

Claire Hemingway, who holds a joint appointment at the University of Tennessee, studies how bumblebees make decisions while foraging. In lab experiments, she examines how bees perceive flower colors and patterns, how they learn which flowers offer the best rewards and how they choose between options.

Her work draws parallels to behavioral economics, asking whether bees — like humans — make rational decisions based on context and perceived value.

She said the world of pollination is so much bigger than just bees.

“A lot of people think about honey bees, and they absolutely are pollinators, but they are not native pollinators,” she said. “Honey bees are native to Europe, Africa and parts of Asia. They are not naturally found in parts of Central, North and South America.”

Not only are honey bees displacing native pollinators here, but Hemingway said plenty of other creatures count as pollinators.

Hummingbirds, beetles, some bats and even some rodents can carry pollen from flower to flower depending on the region.

Pollinators look for different kinds of flowers, too, she said. Bees, for example, tend to prefer flowers on the blue end of the color spectrum thanks to their UV vision range, flocking to plants with multiple smaller flowers in the blue, white and

purple range. Hummingbirds, whose vision lands further toward the longer wavelengths of the spectrum, will lean toward red flowers.

Those are trends, Hemingway said, not laws, but it’s helpful to know that what a human sees in a flower might not be the same quality that draws a pollinator.

It doesn’t have to be complicated

If you’re struggling to get anything to grow, you’re in good company. Abbott said her first few tries at gardening met with disaster.

“I was not raised in it, so I’ve made every mistake you can make,” she said. “For a while, I thought I was just a black thumb, but I just hadn’t found the right plants yet.”

A first-generation gardener, Abbott will be the first to admit she’s killed most of the ferns she’s bought. But that hasn’t stopped her from trying her hand at plenty of other plants.

There’s a plant for everyone, she said.

“Don’t ever give up,” she said. “You just haven’t found the right plant yet.”

MOVERS & SHAKERS KERI PRIGMORE

BY LEE ZIMMERMAN

They say that teaching is the noblest profession. At the same time, there are those who extend that commitment in order to ensure that every child, regardless of their situation, gets the education they deserve.

Keri Prigmore is one of those individuals. She serves as the Director of Attendance, Enrollment, and Student Support Liaison for the Blount County School System, overseeing district-wide policies and practices related to student enrollment, attendance monitoring, truancy intervention, and support services that address barriers to learning. She brings a studentcentered approach to her work while striving to ensure that every student has the opportunity to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. Her responsibilities have her working closely with families,

school administrators, and community partners to develop and implement proactive strategies that promote consistent attendance and engagement.

Prigmore asserts that she is passionate about serving vulnerable student populations, including those experiencing homelessness, in foster care, or in need of behavioral and academic interventions. She said her goal is to help every student feel supported, welcomed, and ready to learn from the first day of school to graduation day.

A graduate of the University of Tennessee with a B.S. and M.S. in Education, she attained her Doctor of Education degree from East Tennessee State University. She first started teaching at Heritage Middle School and later taught at Alcoa Middle School, where she was eventually named Assessment and Accountability Coordinator. She then assumed the role of Director of

“It is my responsibility — not only as an employee of Alcoa City Schools, but as a child of God — to support those in need by connecting them with available resources. While I am bound by Tennessee law to ensure that every child attends school regularly and remove barriers that hinder their access to education. I am equally compelled by compassion and moral responsibility to support families as they face challenges such as housing instability, food insecurity, and limited access to health care. In these situations, I am grateful for our Family Resource Director, our Coordinated School Health Coordinator, our community partners, and the faculty and sta who are willing to step in and help meet the growing needs of our community.

Alternative Learning at Alcoa High School and later became Director of Attendance and Coordinated School Health.

Since 2019, she has served as Director of Attendance, Enrollment, and Student Support Liaison for Alcoa City Schools.

She said she was initially inspired by her mother, Marjorie Stewart.

“As a young child, I spent a great deal of time with her at Sam Houston Elementary School,” she said. “As a longtime educator with Maryville City Schools, she modeled dedication to learning, grace in the face of adversity, and a selfless willingness to support her students, colleagues, families, and community. Her example is the driving force behind my desire to become an educator.”

Prigmore eventually came to realize she wanted to do more.

“As I reflect on the dynamics of educational organizations in the Blount County area, I am motivated to serve as an example of success in a community that can sometimes place limits on others’ potential,” she continued. “What has been most rewarding this year is the opportunity to re-engage with Pershing Academy of Learning, where I am able to help students refocus on graduation and develop into confident, competitive learners.”

That’s not to say there aren’t certain challenges. She listed chronic absenteeism, the mental health crisis, and widening academic and economic gaps among them. However, she’s quick to point out that many things outweigh those obstacles.

“The reward is watching a student who was once disengaged walk across the graduation stage,” she reflected. “The reward is hearing a student call

”your name and run up to hug you while you are out shopping. The reward is seeing a former student grow into a colleague. Most of all, the reward is knowing you poured into every child and parent, regardless of how they responded to your efforts.”

That said, Prigmore insisted one should not extend one’s personal expectations to others.

“Parents are doing the best they are able or willing to do, so I strive to approach these situations with respect and grace,” she added. “For a variety of reasons, too many families lack the basic necessities required to function as society expects.”

When asked what the most important thing to keep in mind when encouraging young people to learn is, Prigmore offered a ready answer.

“Former Director of Schools and current Director of Finance Thomas Shamblin made a profound statement that has guided my teaching philosophy,” she reflected. “‘Parents send us the best student they have.’ To effectively encourage students to learn, we must meet them where they are and provide the support they need to progress toward mastery. It is essential to celebrate academic or behavioral growth and to model a love of learning so students can develop that same passion. Educators must also help students and families understand how success in the classroom translates to success as adults in the community.”

Prigmore had advice for those considering a career in education.

“Let love lead!” she suggested. “Love should lead your words and your actions, because your effectiveness is revealed in more than just achievement and growth scores. You have the power to inspire a love of learning and the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of your students, their families, and the community.”

For the love of Animals

BY LEE ZIMMERMAN

East Tennessee, and Blount County in particular, has an abundance of wildlife. Unfortunately our native wildlife populations face daily adversity due to any number of reasons. Therefore, it’s become incumbent upon people to help those animals in distress due to storms, predators, construction, or simply human interaction.

Tennessee Rehabilitators routinely rescue animals that have been impacted directly or indirectly by humans. Cars often kill mamas with cubs or injure animals trying to recover food thrown out by well-meaning people.

Dens can be disrupted during construction or tree removal, and animals sometimes decide to raise their young in chimneys and attics.

While many people don’t possess the necessary knowledge, skills or time to raise or rehab these creatures, everyone can help them thrive and co-exist with humans.

For the most part, when one encounters an animal in need of help, it’s best to contact a trained and certified Wildlife Rehabilitator that can provide guidance and instruction on how to safely secure the aid that’s needed.

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Karen Summerville of Mountain Wildlife Rehab is a Tennessee Permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator. We asked for advice on what to do if someone encounters an animal that needs assistance.

• Injured or orphaned wildlife should be kept warm, in a dark, quiet place away from people and pets.

• Talk to a rehabber before giving food or water to the animal.

• Before taking an animal in, call a rehabber for reuniting advice. There are more animals in need than rehabbers to help. Reuniting when possible is important because wild babes do best raised by their moms.

• If babies are found injured, in distress, covered in fleas, ticks, or flies, call a rehabber immediately.

• Always protect yourself and the animal by wearing gloves and/or keeping a blanket barrier between you and the animal’s skin/fur.

Humans are predators to wild animals.  Talking and handling should be done as little as possible to secure them safely.

In addition, East Tennessee Wildlife Council has a Facebook group page. A finder can join the group, post a picture of the animal, the issue and their location. A volunteer administrator can help direct the finder to the closest rehab location and offer advice on reuniting the baby with its mother.

Tennessee permitted Wildlife Rehabbers are inspected yearly by the state but they receive no government funding. They are volunteers, and many have day jobs. Therefore, it’s important to have patience when trying to reach them. If there’s no immediate answer, leave a message or text. When the volunteers are feeding litters of infants or treating injured animals, they can’t stop to answer the phone.

It’s often best to leave an animal where it was found. Many young animals that may appear orphaned are just waiting for their mother to return. However, if the animal is badly injured or the mother has not returned after 48 hours, reach out to a licensed rehabilitator for help. It’s illegal for unlicensed individuals to offer veterinary care for wildlife or to take them in, as it can be harmful to the animals and people in the household.

In Tennessee, Wildlife Rehabilitators specialize in specific types of wildlife. However, Wildlife Rehabilitators do not pick up animals. If a distressed animal is found and a rehabilitator can accept the animal, transportation will need to be arranged to deliver the animal to the place where it can be cared for.

Marybeth Rood of Mountain Tails is another permitted Wildlife Rehabilitator. She works with Mountain Tails and has over 35 years experience dealing with all kinds of wildlife, although she specializes in beavers, bobcats,

coyotes, foxes, raccoons, and skunks. She also works to share information about wildlife and rehab efforts with the public.

Summerville of Mountain Wildlife Rehab also puts out a monthly newsletter. Both organizations gladly accept donations to help offset the cost of feeding, sheltering and providing medical care for their charges.

Summerville’s newsletter can be found at https://www. facebook.com/p/Wildlife-Rehab-Musings-by-Karen-atMountain-Wildlife-Rehab. She can be reached at 865774-1046 or via email at kswildliferehab@gmail.com.

Mountain Tails can be contacted by phone at (865) 388-5289 or via email at MountainTails@yahoo.com

For other wildlife rehabilitators in this area check https://www.tn.gov/twra/wildlife/find-arehabilitator.html or Animal Help Now website  https:// ahnow.org/mobile/

HISTORY OF THE COOPER-WILLARD BUILDING

AT 217 E. BROADWAY AVENUE

BY MARK D. BENNETT | Maryville City Archivist

Amid the continuing renaissance of downtown Maryville, the Kizer & Black law firm has brought renewed life to the historic Cooper–Willard Building, which the firm purchased in 2017, contributing to the preservation and vitality of the city’s commercial core. The practice was founded in 1968 by David T. Black—later joined by his wife and law partner, Marty (Lowe) Black—and World War II veteran and former prisoner of war Ben W. Kizer (1920–1996).

Before the construction of the present structure, an antebellum house stood on this site. It was the home of John Waugh (1776–1855), an early justice of the peace and distiller who reportedly administered the oath to General Sam Houston when Houston entered the army during the War of 1812. The residence later passed to Jane (Wallace) McCampbell, daughter of Revolutionary War soldier Jesse Wallace (1767–1854), who operated the George Washington Tavern on the lot now occupied by Bella. Before the property was sold for commercial development, sisters Emma (Patton) Tedford and Alice (Patton) Magill Bartlett donated the house to Second Presbyterian Church, an African American congregation, which in 1910 moved the structure to a downtown lot forming the eastern portion of the present Vienna Coffee House parking area.

The current building was erected in 1915 for William Henry Willard (1866–1932) and Thomas Floyd Cooper (1855–1928) by the contractors Pearson & Watkins from plans prepared by the Baumann Brothers of Knoxville. Cooper had previously operated the Bittle–Cooper Hardware business in an earlier structure on the eastern portion of the site, later destroyed by fire in 1934. He was also a founder and cashier of the Bank of Maryville (1893–1902) and later proprietor of Montvale Springs; Cooper Street bears his name.

Willard, a flour-mill operator from 1908 to 1913 at the viaduct on the present line of the Church Street extension, went on to farm extensively and in 1917 developed the Willard Addition—today’s Oak Park Historic District. Willard Street likewise commemorates him. In 1929, he was elected city recorder, a position he held until his untimely death.

Rising two stories above a high basement, the building was designed with commercial space on the ground floor and offices and apartments above. Walker George &

Company, dealers in ranges and farm implements, were the first occupants. In 1919, the firm was succeeded by the Walker–Kiser Company, which operated an automobile garage selling Buicks and Oaklands, as well as General Motors trucks. During the 1920s, the building also housed the Mary Blount Café, the Acuff Furniture Store, and the local armory, which relocated to Ellis Avenue in 1928.

Following the foreclosure of the Willard estate, Leola (Landon) Henry (1884–1966)—widow of Charles William Henry (1878–1935), principal of Maryville Polytechnic— purchased the property in 1935. Under her ownership, a succession of businesses occupied the storefronts. Sears, Roebuck and Company operated in the eastern portion from 1941 until the late 1950s, while the upper floor continued in residential use as a boarding house, first under Della Goddard (1867–1941) and later Emma Tulloch (1873–1976).

By 1980, the building housed an architectural firm and Hickory Construction, founded by Chuck Alexander. Heritage Office Supplies and The Copy Shop later operated there under the ownership of Chong K. Park, who acquired the building from the Henry heirs in 1986.

Today, the Cooper–Willard Building continues its long tradition of professional and commercial use, linking Maryville’s early twentieth-century development with the renewed energy of its modern downtown.

Gettin’ Squatchy

The Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival returns for a 6th year

BY LEE ZIMMERMAN

Loch Ness has its legendary monster. The Himalayas boast the Yeti. Not to be outdone, East Tennessee can claim its resident as Bigfoot, the elusive ape-like creature that stalks the wilds and defies outsiders to catch any glimpse.

Commonly referred to as Sasquatch, Bigfoot is a large, hairy, muscular creature said to inhabit the forests of North America. Although sightings are rare, if any, East Tennessee has adopted this gentle giant as its own. In fact, it’s become something of a cultural icon and

a source of ongoing fascination. Despite anecdotal evidence to the contrary — as offered in photographs, hair samples, footprints, and video and audio recordings — some non-believers deny its existence and continue to dismiss Bigfoot as rural mythology and even wishful thinking.

Skeptics aside, Sasquatch’s faithful followers celebrate Bigfoot as one of their own. That’s evidenced by the annual Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival, held every May for the past five years. This year’s event — “The 6th Anniversary Smoky Mountain Bigfoot Festival”— will take place Saturday, May 2. As always, it will offer

multiple offerings in Bigfoot’s honor, including music, wrestling exhibitions, wood carving, vendors, food trucks and special guest speakers who will share Bigfoot legends and lore.

The festival takes place at the Townsend Event Center, 7930 E Lamar Alexander Pkwy.

According to the website, thebigfest.com, this year’s event promises to be “the biggest birthday bash East Tennessee has ever seen… a full day in the heart of the Smokies.” It adds that it will be “a sweet celebration moment — complete with cupcakes, candles, and confetti!”

Guests are invited to “Come party… as we mix Bigfoot lore with birthday fun, festival favorites, and a few surprises only a birthday Bigfoot could dream up! Think party hats, cake-inspired treats, birthday games, and maybe even a surprise visit from the guest of honor himself.”

In addition, attendees are also invited to participate in a 5K run and the One Mile Fun Run/Walk. Runners, walkers, and Bigfoot enthusiasts are encouraged to join the pre-festival event that combines fitness and folklore. Participants will wind their way through scenic trails where, the organizers are insinuating, Bigfoot will personally make an appearance.

The course is suitable for all levels, from seasoned runners to casual joggers. After the race, there will be awards and photo ops prior to the actual festival getting underway.

Participants will be treated to a special perk. “The best swag in the history of Bigfoot 5Ks,” we’re told. “You thought last year was good, this year is even ‘Squatchier!”

Other highlights will include Bigfoot-themed birthday games and giveaways, a Bigfoot-sized birthday card

for fans to sign, photo ops with Party Sasquatch, and special edition merchandise to mark the occasion.

The festival has spawned at least one enduring product offering, Bigfoot Popcorn. The specialty brand was created by Garrett Johnston and AJ Cable, two entrepreneurs who launched this, their initial venture, when both were 18 years old. Their idea was to combine the love of popcorn and the fascination with Bigfoot.

“All of our gourmet flavors are crafted in our Tennessee Department of Agriculture-approved kitchen,” they say. “We serve our fans in Alcoa with the hope that you will enjoy our popcorn as much as we do. We pride ourselves on our different and intriguing flavors that stir a feeling of happiness for your taste buds. The most important thing for us is to put a smile on the faces of those that come into contact with Bigfoot Popcorn.”

In a true sense, that applies to anything and everything that’s Bigfoot-branded.

For ticket prices, information on attending as a “BIP,” registration for the 5K and One Mile Fun Run/ Walk, and parking, go to thebigfest.com.

PAGES PROGRAMS AND

FROM THE BLOUNT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Blount County Public Library (BCPL) has many exciting events coming this Spring, with returning favorites and new additions alike!

SOUNDS OF SPRING CONCERT SERIES

One of the high notes of this season is our Sounds of Spring Concert Series! Enjoy free performances from talented local musicians on April 2nd, 9th, 16th, and 23rd from 6 - 7 PM in BCPL’s Main Gallery. Artists include Redd & the Paper Flowers, Pistol Creek Catch of the Day, Blue Ridge Gathering, and Grace Notes Flute Choir.

PEEPS DIORAMA CONTEST

Use Peeps to recreate a scene from a movie, TV show, book, or anything else in pop culture!

Drop your creations off at the Children’s Desk from March 23rd to the 27th. Can’t compete? No worries! You can always come vote for your favorites from March 30th to April 3rd.

MINI CRAFT BAR (AGES 13 - 17)

Teens, come get creative with a mix of quick, handson craft projects on April 16th from 4 to 5:30 PM in the Kelly Teen Room! Our craft stations will be fully stocked with supplies for making bracelets, buttons, blackout poetry, and more.

MIKE FAMILIANT: LIVE BEYOND THE FOOTPRINTS

Are you a fan of cryptids? On April 30th, at 6 PM in BCPL’s Main Gallery, join producer and investigator Mike Familiant as he shares his experience researching one of America’s most iconic cryptids, Bigfoot.

AUDIOBOOK WALKING CLUB (AGES

16+)

Get your steps in at Audiobook Walking Club! On the first Monday of the month from 9 - 10:30 AM, listen to the audiobook of your choice and walk through our community with fellow readers. Registration and location details can be found on our website calendar.

BLOUNT COUNTY FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY QUARTERLY BOOK SALE

At the Blount County Friends of the Library (BCFOL) Quarterly Book Sale, you can find great deals on thousands of books, DVDs, and more, with all proceeds helping to fund BCPL’s programs! The sale opens to BCFOL members on Thursday, June 4th, 12 to 6 PM, and is open to the public on Friday, June 5th, and Saturday, June 6th, 10 AM to 4 PM.

Summer Reading is also right around the corner, so be sure to keep an eye on our website calendar for details! Some programs require registration, so please confirm on our website calendar so everyone is set up for success. Our calendar is at www.blountlibrary.org, and scroll down.

Looking for something to read?

CHECK OUT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE BCPL!

FROM THE BLOUNT COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

THE ROSE BARGAIN

by Sasha Peyton Smith

Location: YA FIC SMITH SASHA

In this Victorian-inspired Young Adult romantasy novel, Ivy Benton must enter into a marriage contest with a fae prince to free her sister from a bargain previously made with the vicious fae queen of England. This book is in the Young Adult Fiction section and can be reserved via the online catalog or by calling 865-273-1425.

INTO THE MAGIC SHOP

By James R. Doty, MD

Location: B DOTY JAM

Neurosurgeon James R. Doty relates how a chance encounter with an unconventional mentor at a local magic shop changed the course of his life. By learning mindfulness and visualization practices, Doty gets a glimpse of the relationship between the brain and the heart, leading him to explore the neuroscience of compassion and altruism.

This book is in the Adult Biography section and can be reserved via the online catalog or by calling 865-273-1425.

DARK MATTER

By Blake Crouch

Location: FIC CROUCH BLA

In this relentlessly paced sciencefiction thriller, an ordinary man is kidnapped, knocked unconscious, and awakens in a world inexplicably different from the reality he thought he knew.

This book is in the Adult Fiction section and can be reserved via the online catalog or by calling 865-2731425.

A FALL OF MARIGOLDS

By Susan Meissner

Location: FIC MEISSNE SUS

In her compelling historical fiction novel, Susan Meissner tells the tales of two women in different eras, each touched by tragedy. Despite the century-long divide between them, their stories remain connected by a beautiful scarf and a shared search for healing.

This book is in the Adult Fiction section and can be reserved via the online catalog or by calling 865-2731425.

BLOUNT BEYOND Zoo Knoxville

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

BY SHANON ADAME

Do you yearn to get wild every once in a while? The heat of the desert and the call of the rainforest may not be as far away as you think. In fact, just a short drive to Knoxville will have you entering the world of apes and primates, foxes, reptiles and even sweetly slow sloths. Zoo Knoxville is a onestop shop for all things animal kingdom.

For $26.95 per ticket for adults and $21.95 for children, seniors and students, visitors can roam the Zoo and check out over 1,500 animals.

Popular exhibits include the adorable red pandas, wily chimpanzees, a group of mischievous otters, and Joe, a slow-and-steady two-toed sloth. Joe, no introvert, puts on quite a show in the Amphibian and Reptile Conservation Center. If you go during one of his public appearances, you’ll be treated to Joe’s slow descent from his hidey box near the roof of the center.

If you are really lucky, you may even have the opportunity to feed Joe a little fruit snack.

Maybe sloths aren’t quite your thing. That’s okay! The Zoo also offers the chance to feed the giraffes for $6 on Saturdays and Sundays. Or perhaps you’d rather watch the gibbons fly by, swinging like gymnasts through their habitat.

Perusing the animals isn’t the only thing that Zoo Knoxville has to offer. Throughout the year, they host a number of events, like the more recent Hiss & Tell, a Valentine’s Day event where, for $10, zoo-goers were given the chance to name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after a sweetheart, or notso-sweetheart.

Brew at the Zoo allows folks to grab a beer or cocktail and schmooze with the animals of the Zoo after dark. With live music and snacks galore, the event promises a good time while also educating attendees about the Zoo’s conservation efforts.

Boo at the Zoo is the Zoo’s annual Halloween bash. A familyfriendly event, the Zoo offers a not-so-scary celebration for children and adults alike, with trick-or-treating, a haunted cemetery, and of course, snacks.

Aquariums. the is and species

The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

“Through AZA SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction, the entire AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium community is focusing our conservation science, wildlife expertise, and outreach to millions of annual visitors on saving species in the wild,” their website states.

Some animals the Zoo is working to recover are: Bog

turtles, radiated tortoises, red wolves, butterflies, red pandas and Cuban crocodiles.

As spring comes into full bloom and the weather heats up a little, consider a walk on the wild side with Zoo Knoxville. Make sure to tell Joe “hello.”

The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

For more information on Zoo Knoxville visit: https:// www.zooknoxville.org/

Label-makers

How downtown Maryville got an arboretum

BY MATHAUS SCHWARZEN

Chris Hackler wants you to enjoy Maryville’s trees – so much so that he’s labeling them.

The project, which has been in the works for years, has put the downtown Maryville section of the local greenway on the map as an accredited arboretum. Now, Hackler is partnering with Maryville College to get labeling work done this spring, bringing the arboretum experience to the average greenway-enjoyer.

Black signs labeling each tree identified for the arboretum will tell visitors the tree’s English and Latin name, featuring the new arboretum’s logo. They’ll also display a QR code that links to the Downtown Maryville Alliance’s website.

That’ll initially give visitors access to a map and some history on how the arboretum came about. But eventually, Hackler said, “the sky is kind of the limit.”

A LOVE OF TREES

Hackler, who works as the VP of Sales and Marketing for Drees Plant Wholesalers, has been trying to coordinate an arboretum in downtown Maryville for a while now. He’s been interested in plants and

horticulture since college, when he switched from an initial business major to plant and soil sciences.

On graduation, he got a job at Pope’s Plant Farm, and he’s spent the rest of his career in plant-adjacent fields around the country ever since.

Eventually, life brought him back to Blount County. The greenway caught his eye.

“The greenway has always been such a big asset for the community, and it conveniently wraps around downtown,” he said. “My thought was we’ve got all these trees that exist along the greenway. Can we just establish this section as a downtown arboretum?”

He wanted an end product that visitors and residents alike could take advantage of. But first, he had to get there. For years, Hackler has spent an hour or so each month walking the greenway, identifying trees. Many of them, he said, date back to the greenway’s inception and are already decades old.

that it’s trying secluding whether about said.

An opportunity presented itself when he’d covered about 80% of the greenway. As a member of the

covered about 80% of the

Leadership Blount Class of 2025, he worked with a team of fellow classmates to identify the rest of the trees – and find a way to get the project accredited.

He’d initially planned to get the arboretum accredited through the state of Tennessee. When that proved a little too long a process, Hackler and his team pivoted to the international ArbNet register run by the Morton Arboretum in Illinois. That was easy. They sent the group a map and a plan of services, and now the Maryville Downtown Arboretum is an internationally registered arboretum.

Now comes the hard part – labelling all the trees.

PUTTING IN THE WORK

Hackler is a member of the design committee for the Downtown Maryville Alliance. Through a mutual contact, he met Chris Freeman, the director of Community Engagement for Maryville College.

The college, as it turns out, had been looking for a way to get students involved in the Maryville community. Downtown. Outside. In the spring.

“We’ve got energy, and we’ve got people, right?” he said.

Maryville College has been making a push to get students involved in the downtown area, appreciating that although it’s a separate institution with a rich history, it’s also part of the local community. The college is trying to avoid a national history of secondary education secluding itself as “an ivory tower.”

“If a student is going to be here for four years, whether they’re local or not, they should know a little bit about the community that their college is in,” Freeman said.

paid to install a brand new pavilion and 35 new trees in the downtown greenway in celebration of its 35 years in East Tennessee.

In fact, they gave the DMA the money to form the arboretum.

Now, Hackler said the sky is the limit. He’d love to see more trees, more gardens and even more kinds of gardens come to the downtown greenway.

And will the work ever be finished?

“I don’t think it’ll ever be finished because it’ll continue to grow and evolve,” he said.

As a way to help students give back this year, Maryville College is committing about 20 volunteers to help label the trees in the new arboretum in March. The labor will help bring the final stage of the arboretum’s first iteration to fruition, covering dozens of trees, some decades old and even some newcomers, thanks to DENSO North America. year, the manufacturer

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

The Current Revolution

BY DOUG HORN, CFP®

If artificial intelligence (AI) is the current revolution, what defines a revolution and how often do they occur? Excerpts from a variety of definitions describe a revolution as a rapid, fundamental change in financial institutions or production processes resulting in transformative change where the new process replaces the old system.

Thinking of the last several revolutions, the following came to mind: cryptocurrencies and the Internet. According to Google® though, there have been five revolutions since the 1980’s. They are the Rise of Globalization and Financial Deregulations, the Digitization of Trading and Banking, the Rise of Shadow Banking and Derivatives, the Fintech and Mobile Payments Revolution, and the Rise of Decentralization Finance and Cryptocurrencies including the emergence of blockchain technologies. Each of these impacted the

financial system significantly, and while they did not all come to my mind, I believe they show the frequency of change and how rapidly it may occur in the future.

In the early days of access to AI responses through search engines or chat programs, not all answers were correct. But, unlike the human brain requiring twelve years of schooling, often followed by four to eight more years of education to become an expert in only one area, AI appears to be growing in proficiency and accuracy far more rapidly. Where it will end is only a guess at this time.

The economic impact of AI is yet to be fully understood. In early reviews, it was anticipated to improve productivity, with the possibility of displacing certain workers. In the week ending February 13th, a number of industries declined1 based on early fears AI could impact their revenues/profits: Software and IT services, since AI is showing its proficiency in writing code; Trucking and Logistics companies on fears of the impact on personnel; Commercial Real Estate Services, again due to the impact on personnel and the reduced

need for office space; Financial Services on fears AI may become a better source of tax preparation or wealth management; and lastly, Media and Content Production, where AI could impact production or streaming services. There will likely be more moves in other industries as AI continues to improve and broaden the industries it could impact, both beneficially and detrimentally.

As an example of unintended consequences along with benefits, several years ago numerous state legislatures took steps to increase the minimum wage. The rate had failed to keep pace with inflation, and this legislative action was thought to resolve the issue. The new higher rate in the states where it was raised clearly benefited those who remained employed. Unfortunately, some job types were either eliminated or significantly altered. Many grocery stores and big box retailers now have self-checkouts reducing the number of cashiers on staff. Even many of the fast food chains now have kiosks in the lobby set up to take orders and payments, reducing staffing requirements for each location. The higher wage requirement altered the economics and made computerization more beneficial and economical, creating an unintended result. AI, though obviously not created by legislators, may have similar impact across many industries and job positions.

To date, it appears the companies involved in the creation, storage, or the huge computing power required by AI have enjoyed growth in revenue and profits. This includes computer chip manufacturers, data storage companies or those who host cloud storage, many energy companies including distribution, and the construction industry of those businesses related to building data centers. No one can say the growth for these businesses is over, but the AI industry may be at the point where its practical use or application, rather than its development, may produce the next group of leaders in growth of revenue and profits.

Unlike many of the prior revolutions, where society clearly benefited through reduction in hours worked, access to commodities, or advancement in the standard of living, the societal benefits of AI are yet to be fully seen and understood.

Citations:

1 Finance/Yahoo.com, Markets include Dow Jones Industrials®, S&P 500®, or the NASDAQ Composite®, each an unmanaged index. All investing involves risk including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.

Doug Horn, CFP®, Registered Principal. Securities offered through LPL Financial, member of FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through QFC Advisory LLC, a registered investment advisor and separate entity from LPL Financial. Tax services and insurance offered through QFC Services LLC. QFC Advisory LLC and QFC Services LLC are wholly owned by Quality Financial Concepts LLC (collectively, QFC). LPL and QFC are not affiliated.

INVES TI NT HEIR FUTURE

Everydaythey get alittle older,sothose moments you spend together are priceless. Do you have aplanfor your future…and theirs? Being an independent financial planning firm means we have your best interest at the forefront of everything we do. Our team is here to provide you with a personalized plan, so you can spend more time doing what you love most wit t ose ou love most

Out of Hibernation

BY LEE ZIMMERMAN

Spring has sprung. Yes, we had a brief preview this past winter, but sadly it was merely a tease — a taste of what is yet to come once winter fully departs. Now the temperate weather is in line with what the season actually ought to be, with trees beginning to bloom, plants reemerging from the shelter of the soil and the climate inviting us to leave home and hearth to venture outside and enjoy all our environs have to offer.

Indeed, the opportunities seem boundless, especially after the need to stay indoors overrode all else, including the possibility of fully engaging in outside entertainment.

The call of the outdoors

Naturally, consider the outdoor options. For example, now is the opportunity to take to the trails. The weather is mild, but not too hot to allow a hike to soak us in sweat. The foliage is in bloom as the mountains come alive with renewed spectacular splendor. There’s a variety of options as far as choices of where to tread.

Bicycling, horseback riding, motorcycling, golfing, and other forms of outdoor recreation provide a diversity within our domain.

Once the weather clears, the choices seem limitless. So for all practical purposes — and to allow for a full glimpse of the available options — here’s a list of seasonal suggestions.

One can certainly soak up the scenery from the vantage point of a lake or stream. It’s the ideal time to haul boats out of the marinas after a long winter’s repose. In doing so, we’re reminded that even though we’re adjacent to higher terrain, a search for splendor is always an option courtesy of East Tennessee’s array of waterways.

Garden play

Of course, the outdoors greets us as soon as we step out the front door. Yard work may sometimes seem like an unpleasant combination of trouble and toil, but after neglecting the lawn at the behest of too many chilly afternoons and grass that’s been suppressed by frost and a frozen tundra, it becomes a happy reunion with Mother Nature when we’re able to greet a landscape that’s ready to re-bloom. Perennial plants fearlessly reawaken after dormant slumber, appearing seemingly out of nowhere as they reclaim the title to their turf. Of course, we can help extend their stake in the soil by planting new foliage that reinforces and repopulates what became a casualty to winter’s chill. We’re reminded of the joys that accompany gardening, while even such seemingly mindless tasks as mowing and maintenance become a source of satisfaction.

Festivals

Likewise, let’s not forget the various seasonal celebrations. The Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival and Games takes place May 16 and 17 at the Greater Smokies Event Center in Townsend. For its part, The Great Smoky Mountain Heritage Center boasts two events of note this spring — The Great Smoky Mountains Fiber Fair April 24th and 25th and the much anticipated Kids Take Over the Museum attraction on May 9th.

The drive-in

Want to take in a movie? There’s nothing like an old-fashioned drive-in. Maryville’s Parkway Drive-In offers the perfect Friday and Saturday night sojourn beginning April 3rd and 4th.

So too, outside dining and outdoor music presentations become a pleasant possibility courtesy of the numerous local restaurants that make them a must on their porches and patios.

Farm-to-table

The Maryville Farmers’ Market, a veritable Saturday morning tradition, returns on April 18th, and continues until November 16th. Third Thursday takes to the streets of Downtown Maryville beginning on April 16th and running monthly through October. A combination of an art walk, artisan demonstrations, and live music, it offers the opportunity to rediscover the magic Downtown has to offer.

That Springtime Sound

Professional musicians and budding players alike tend to agree that Murlin’s Music World, otherwise known as Murlin’s Music, has been Blount County’s primary one-stop location as far as their musical needs for the past 40 years.

The store was originally known as Sound O’ Life, but a name change took place when Murlin Williamson purchased the store and put his own name on the marquee. That was in 1987, but three years later, in 1990, Williamson retired due to health reasons. Dillon Davis was an employee at the shop at the time, and the year after Williamson retired, he bought the store. Once located in Downtown Maryville at 429 W. Broadway, it moved to its present location at 1920 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy. in 2020. That allowed the business to expand its offerings to include not only a showroom but also space for music lessons and extra storage as needed.

The store’s employees make a point of offering their help and advice when it comes to finding the right instrument for each customer. Davis himself is a musician who first began playing guitar in 5th grade and continued to perform throughout junior high, high school and college, before playing professionally on the local club scene. For the past seven years, he’s

performed at the helm of an oldies band dubbed

performed at the helm of an oldies band dubbed “Flashback.”

The group first formed in 2018 after convening for a performance at a friend’s 60th birthday.

“We had all played together previously in other bands in local clubs in Maryville, Knoxville, and Oak Ridge,” Davis recalled. “After performing at Two Doors Down for the birthday bash, most of the band members decided to continue playing together.”

Davis is also a professional sound technician. He first began offering his services at the same time he formed Flashback. It continues to be one of the major services that Murlin’s can offer.

“My first big show was for R.J. Reynolds at the Burley Farmers Tobacco festival in Sweetwater, and the artist was Vern Gosdin,” Davis explained. “I did that festival again the following year when Faron Young was the artist. When I took over Murlin’s, we started doing more large sound system rentals. We have provided sound for events in Knoxville, Sevierville, Gatlinburg, Maryville,

Alcoa, and at Blackberry Farms. Some of the artists we have provided sound for include Ronnie Millsap, Billy Dean, Bill Anderson, Luke Bryan, Ricky Skaggs, and Emmylou Harris.”

In 2013, Murlin’s began providing sound equipment for weddings at RT Lodge, setting up equipment in the Lodge’s various locales, from the main ceremonial site and the meadow, to the winding path and the tented areas.

Davis remains a skilled all-round technician, whether doing repairs, diagnosing problems, or simply helping people to select an instrument that suits their needs. He offers handy advice when it comes to making the right choices, whether it’s things as simple as a guitar pick, a guitar strap, drumsticks, cables, sheet music, or the instrument itself. The store offers an array of options, from electric and acoustic guitars to amplifiers, drum kits, and the equipment that’s needed for a professional set-up.

The store’s associates — Jennifer Austin and Mary Tucker — are also extremely knowledgeable and serve as instructors, offering lessons on-site for a variety of instruments.

Davis himself is a modest, soft-spoken individual who claims that ultimately he learned by doing. “I read books, set up equipment for our band, talked with equipment reps, and just worked with different equipment while adjusting it until it sounded the way I wanted,” he suggests.

These days, Davis remains proud of the store’s reputation.

“It’s our quality of equipment and service,” he insists. “We stand behind what we sell.”

Ma ryville Co lle ge The atr eD epartment Grease by

Appalachian Ba llet Co mpan y The Little Mermaid

Friday,March 27 | 7P M

Saturday,March 28 | 3P M

The Little Mermaid,aD anish fairy tale written by Hans Christian Andersen, becomes afamily-friendly ballet that will entertain and delight people of all ages! This version is choreographedbyABC Director, AmyMorton Vaughn. With beautiful scenery and colorful costumes, the ballet lighting will be designedbyJohn Horner

Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey

Thursday,April 16 | 7P M

Friday,April 17 | 7P M

Saturday,April 18 | 7P M

Sunday,April 19 | 2P M

Grease is the wordfor young people exploring lust, loss, the realities of growing up, cosmetology and hot-rod repair.The timelessmusic al will be brought to vivid life by the students, staff,faculty,and community of Maryville College.Acelebration of freedom, falling in love,and the friendships that form us, do not missout on Grease!

Ma ryville Co ll eg e The Orchestra at MC

and MC Community Chorus Spring Concert

Tuesday,April 21 | 7P M

The OrchestraatM aryville College,under the direction of Dr.Ace Edewards, and the Maryvlle College Community Chorus, under the direction of Dr.D wight Dockery,will present aspring concert.

DISCOVER EVEN MORE SHOWS