Shopper News blog: Ray’s Auto Body continues with ‘almost-family’

Knoxville

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NORTH

Ray’s Auto Body continues with ‘almost-family’

Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News correspondent 

The family-run business is a rarity these days, but some find a way to continue into the next generation. Take Ray’s Auto Body shop on Western Avenue. Last February, Ray and Louise Shelton retired after 47 years as owner/manager and administrator. And they passed the business on to someone who’s so close he’s practically a family member.

James Bond, the new owner of Ray’s Auto Body on Western Avenue, wears the company shirt everywhere he goes. He’s had most of his own shirts embroidered with the logo. “I can’t change the name of the business!” he says. “All my shirts say ‘Ray.’”

James Bond – yes, that really is his name – had come to know the couple through his work as an insurance adjuster for 20 years. Bond then went on to own his own home restoration franchise. For at least part of that time, the old friends kicked around the idea of Bond taking over for Ray one day. “You want somebody to carry on that’s honest and will keep it going like we did – take care of the same customers like we had,” says Ray. 

Bond came on board this past spring and brought one employee from his previous job. “I had to,” says Bond. “Louise was gone!” All the other employees remained.

Ray Shelton, left, and his wife Louise Shelton, center, recently sold Ray's Auto Body, their body shop of 47 years, to James Bond, right.

“You know, Ray’s the exact same age as my father,” says Bond, “but I feel more like a brother to him. If I’ve ever needed to ask a question or get guidance I would ask him as quickly as I asked my dad. I would ask them both. Sadly, both of them pretty much gave the same answer each time!” He laughs. “I can’t wait to hear the right answer!”

“It won’t be something you want to hear!” says Ray. The two old friends love to kid each other, and Ray’s wife, Louise, is right in there with them. “I’ve had to keep him a little straight over the years,” she says of Bond, who agrees. “She doesn’t hesitate to straighten me out!”

The Sheltons have three grown children and Bond, widowed 2½ years ago, has two. All are friends.

“You know, we just clicked,” says Bond of the initial meeting with Ray and Louise. “We just became friends – it happened immediately.

“Watching Ray run a business and seeing it throughout the years has taught me how you treat people – not that I didn’t know. But that’s Ray’s way. And Louise, too. They’ve done it together, hands down – no question. It’s about being fair, being honest. ‘Charge for what you’re gonna do and do for what you’re gonna charge.’ That’s Ray, that’s not me.”

“Well," says Ray, "you won’t have to cross the street if you’re meeting the customer coming down the other way."

“We’ve been friends for 30 years,” says Bond. “First I was at Farm Bureau, then the franchise, then here. I finally made it home.”

 

FOUNTAIN CITY 

Central High cheerleaders host Bobcat camp

Ruth White, Shopper News 

Central High School cheerleaders hosted their annual Bobcat youth cheer camp last week and spent three days teaching cheers, sideline chants and a dance routine unique to each squad.

Learning new skills, such as stunting, is a fun experience at cheer camp.

Campers experience a learning environment that is not only safe (thanks to guidance from the high school squad) but a lot of fun. Themed nights such as "favorite black and red day" and "Hawaiian night" spark creativity in cheerleaders and add a fun energy to the atmosphere of camp.

CHS coach Jackie Raley is always pleased to welcome her former cheerleaders back to camp as youth coaches, and celebrates the pride and tradition shared by these former Bobcats. 

The group ended camp with a family night to showcase what the squads have learned during the weeklong event. They will return to the CHS gym on Friday, Aug. 3 dressed in full uniform to show the polished and perfected halftime routines that will be performed at youth football games this fall. 

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POWELL

Furniture makers living their dream

Melanie Russell, Shopper News correspondent 

For Christine and Curtis Mallahan, working with furniture for their local customers is their calling – they do it full-time out of their Powell-Halls area home – and they can’t imagine stopping anytime soon.

In their Powell-Halls home, the linen closet-turned-paints-and-primers closet shows “just a few” of Christine Mallahan's current paints used for her pieces. They often experiment with several brands to find the right mix.

Along with making or painting and distressing furniture to sell, the Mallahans also offer free advice for those who want to try their hand at it. Working with old pieces of furniture has become a modern trend, but there are old-school ways to do it to make something one’s own.

They’ve come a long way in their journey with furniture, from consumers to customizers in the span of over a decade.

Several years ago, they were both working 9-to-5 jobs and “leaving home in suits” every day to go to work in finance and the automobile industry, making a comfortable income with all of the usual life stressors. Painting furniture and making it her own was a hobby of Christine’s that also doubled as therapeutic stress relief.

For Curtis and Christine Mallahan, the possibilities are endless when it comes to creativity.

“I used to come home from work and start painting and distressing furniture just to have a creative outlet,” Christine said. “We’ve lived here 22 years and love this community, we love our neighbors, we’ve done pieces for them and really it started to become something I did more and more until finally, I opened a booth (at a craft mall) and got enough of a customer base to quit my full-time job and do this.”

The Mallahans’ house is their workshop. The linen closet is not for linens – it’s for cans and jars of paint, saltwash, polys, primers and dyes and sprays. Their kitchen hosts many of their past projects and pieces they did as experiments and kept. Their entire basement is part playroom and mostly storage space for potential pieces waiting to be “given a new life” by them, as Christine puts it. The large front porch boasts colorfully distressed shutters, doors, windows and other artwork and finished pieces for customers to pick up. The porch also functions as a drop-off for furniture customers, because not everyone has the time, and they want Christine’s touch.

“I have the freedom of working at any hour, take care of my grandkids – I do this full time. And really and truly, it’s what I love to do, and that’s what I think is important, to do what you love,” Christine said. “Knoxville is a very creative place, there are many (artisans) that I call friends, and I price my pieces according to the work that goes into them.”

A close-up of the fine details of the Mallahans’ work on an old piece of furniture that they turned into a kitchen island for their home.

Christine said she and Curtis are usually doing several pieces a week – from custom farmhouse tables, to vanities, dressers, end tables, kitchen islands and more. They usually pick up older, used pieces from Knoxville area thrift stores and restore them: new upholstery, or sanded and stripped down and given a fresh coat of paint with details.

The possibilities are endless.

“People have their own talents, and I talk a lot of people through some DIY projects that call me from out of state, or even here locally,” Christine said. “I don’t mind, only because I’ve done the mistakes, so I can tell them how to do this and that, depending on what it is. I love to share. It’s kind of like a cook in the kitchen – I have my own way of making things, so you could give 10 people 10 frames and 10 of the same paintbrushes, and you’re going to get 10 totally different looks because everyone has their own style.”

Christine Mallahan shows the details of her barndoors in their kitchen pantry. Such is the fate of several pieces in their home in that they become experiments for their furniture painting and restoration business.

A few tips Curtis and Christine have for aspiring DIY furniture restorers or painters:    

  • Start small, like a picture frame. “You can get wooden frames at thrift stores, paint them, distress them – don’t be afraid to experiment because it’s small and you can throw it out if it doesn’t work, and start over,” says Christine.
  • Be patient, “because it does take time,” says Curtis. “I remember trying and trying and not really knowing how to do some things, so I research and read and figure it out.”
  • See the “good bones” of furniture: “There are good bones on old furniture, and new, you just have to do your research to get to know them better and see what kind of materials were used so you can do things like I tend to do, take it all apart and mix and paint – sometimes Curtis thinks I’m crazy but I love different things!”
  • “It’s only worth what you’re willing to pay” for a piece or a potential piece.
  • Don’t be afraid of adding texture to painting/distressing projects.

If you love it, do it. If not, don’t be afraid to start over. “I can’t tell you how many times I started over, or stopped in the middle of doing a piece that I decided to go in a totally new direction with it. That’s what makes it fun for me, and of course, interacting with and showing the progress of pieces for my customers, if they love it, I love it. I have fun, that’s most important too.”

Info: On Facebook, Painted and Distressed Furniture/Home Decor by Christine, https://www.facebook.com/chacha5611/

 

 

KARNS

Lions Club shrimp boil brings smiling faces

Nancy Anderson, Shopper News correspondent 

It was wall to wall smiling faces in the Karns Lions Club Pavilion at a shrimp boil fundraiser hosted by the Karns Club on Saturday, June 9.

Karns Lions Club President Tony Gross boils up 44 pounds of shrimp one bucket at a time for a Low Country Boil fundraiser held at the Lions Club Pavilion on Saturday, June 9.

The event was catered by Karns Lions Club president Tony Gross and his wife, Karen, of Karen’s Catering.

Tony Gross headed up the kitchen crew to boil 44 pounds of shrimp, 30 pounds of potatoes, 75 dozen hush puppies, and just as many ears of corn.

Lions Club member Roy Wayne congratulates Bill Slover, who won a grill and two bags of charcoal donated by Lowe’s on Clinton Hwy.

Karen Gross had many clamoring for a piece of her signature key lime cheesecake.

“I think it turned out pretty good,” said Lions Club board member Martin Gillenwaters. “We had a goal to sell 80 tickets and we sold 71 with a couple sold at the door.”

Gillenwaters said they decided to do a shrimp boil because they’re rare in East Tennessee.

Lions Club board member Martin Gillenwaters said he doesn’t mind getting his hands grubby peeling shrimp. He said, “It’s absolutely worth all the effort to get to the shrimp and for a worthy cause.”

“You just don’t see many shrimp boils here in Knoxville, maybe in New Orleans or Charleston, but not here. Actually, one other Lions Club did one several years ago, so we decided if they can do it we can do it.

“It’s a unique enough idea that people would want to come out for it and they did.”

The money will go toward financing eye care and eyeglasses for those in need as well as help maintain the All Inclusive Playground.

“The Lions club does a lot. We built and maintain the pool. This year is the 50-year anniversary of the pool. We’ve built the new playground too, but our main focus is actually sight.

“We have eye doctors and glasses providers that work with the Lions Club so if there’s someone who doesn’t have insurance and can’t afford it they contact the Lions Club through the website and we’ll set them up to get a new pair of glasses free of charge."

Lions Club member Trish Wayne, with the help of Camille Clark, 13, draws for one of the many door prizes donated by local merchants.

The Lions Club is a worldwide organization that provides eyeglasses and exams to those in need across the globe.

“We have collection boxes at Karns Vision Center and Home Federal Bank to collect old eyeglasses. We send those to Lions Club International. They fix them up and take them overseas. So, don’t let your eyeglasses sit in a drawer, donate them.”

The event featured a number of door prizes donated by Karns area business. Prizes included a grill with two bags of charcoal, a tackle box with rod and reel, coolers, two season passes to the pool, and a drill.

“We’re having a great time and it’s delicious,” said Tracey Herald. “I believe I’m going to have to go back for more,” said her husband, Garry.

Gillenwaters said he’d have to analyze the numbers, but the shrimp boil could easily turn into an annual event.

“I don’t know what the numbers are or how much we made, but if smiling faces is an indication, I’d say it was a success. If the numbers come out right, we could be doing this every year.”

Info: www.karnslionsclub.com

 

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FARRAGUT

Wildlife Explorers find fun while learning

Margie Hagen, Shopper News correspondent

Brought back by popular demand, Wildlife Explorers summer camp gives kids the opportunity to get out and enjoy all of Farragut’s parks while studying the environment. It’s a low-pressure learning experience geared to children from 5 to 10 years old.

Taylor Higginbotham has been a counselor for the past two years. An FHS student, she loves exploring with the young campers.

Organized by the Town of Farragut, the camp meets once a week for six weeks, rotating among all the parks and the outdoor classroom at Farragut High School. In conjunction with the National Recreation and Parks Association, campers are taught about nature, conservation and safety. The organization provides a template for teaching, but each community tailors that to its own unique environment.

Special Events and Program Coordinator Brittany Spencer spearheads all activities with help from Parks and Leisure Services staffers and counselors. “It’s a great way for kids to learn about animal habitats, insects, birds and water,” she said. “They make new friends over the summer.”

Counselor Caitlin Waters got a high-five from a camper. She attends Lee University but has spent the last two summers working with the Wildlife Explorers.

Keeping tabs on energetic young kids in an outdoor setting might be challenging for some, but these counselors take it all in stride. Assisting Spencer in leading the group, parks administrative assistant Beth Barrows said, “It’s a great program and the kids really enjoy it. This is the second year we’ve done this, so we learned from last year.”

Other park assistants rotate to lend a hand, and FHS student Taylor Higginbotham is always ready to pitch in. “I do other service projects for the town and I like being involved with the community,” she said, adding, “I really do it because I enjoy it.”

Parks assistant Caitlin Waters graduated from FHS two years ago. “I volunteered in the past, but it’s a summer job now. I’m earning money to help pay for college.” She’s studying for a career in education at Lee University.

Brittany Spencer and Beth Barrows keep track of each camper’s plant from week to week and let them see the progress.

As for the kids, some took it more seriously than others; 9-year-old Ava said, “I love studying the sights and sounds of nature. It’s like a real video game, but a beautiful one.” Five-year-old Ronin came just for the fun.

 Besides learning fun stuff about nature, the camp stresses respecting the environment; “leave no trace behind” reminds kids to keep it clean. The goal is to expose kids to the outdoors and teach them how everything is connected.

The camp filled up immediately again this year, so make plans early next spring if you would like your child to attend in summer of 2019. More information at townoffarragut.org.

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WORDS OF FAITH

Fishing outing isn't really about the fish

Tom Ogburn, Shopper News columnist 

After several years of talking about it, I am finally going to do it. I am heading to my first ever boat fishing trip. We will be fishing for trout. 

Tom Ogburn, First Baptist Downtown Knoxville

Someone asked me what I hoped would happen – how many fish I hoped to catch. I have a confession. I am a marginal fisherman. It is entirely possible that I will not catch a single fish. It will not be the guide’s fault. I imagine he will do his best to help me. 

It may surprise you to hear that the trip is ultimately not about the fish for me. It is about something much more important. It is about rest. Rest for my body. Rest for my soul. 

You see, the fishing trip is a fly fishing trip. Fly fishing violates everything I learned about fishing growing up. Every motion is different. So, when I am fly fishing, all I can think about is the rhythmic motion of the rod and line. I have to let everything else go. I have to be fully present and focused. It doesn’t hurt that trout live in beautiful places. I find myself in the midst of God’s beauty with people I care about focused on the moment. My heart and mind are at rest. I find myself in the presence of God and God’s rest. I leave the water renewed. 

Psalm 62:5-7 reads: Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

In the midst of our hurried lives, it is good to hear that there is rest for us. God invites us to find rest and renewal in God’s strength and grace. In the midst of our hurried lives, God offers refuge. 

Let me encourage you to take a break from your daily routines and find a moment when you can rest in God’s presence. Pause long enough to let God renew and restore you. Experience refuge from the demands and the pains of your life. There is true rest waiting for you. 

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FOUNTAIN CITY 

Summer park concert proves a hit with the crowd

Ali James, Shopper News correspondent 

The sun was starting to dip behind the trees as families set up lawn chairs and spread out blankets at the June 8 Fountain City Park Summer concert.

Families brought their own blankets and chairs to enjoy the second successful summer concert in Fountain City Park.

“People started showing up early to get the prime spot,” said Bob Davis, Fountain City Lions Club treasurer and event co-organizer. “We were thrilled at the turnout for the first concert in May, we had a great music group, wonderful food vendors for our first attempt. We hope that it will be something we can do next summer.”

Nine-year-old Nick Suminski with a bucket of fresh, hot, Mini-Donuts at the Summer Concert Series in Fountain City Park.

Fountain City Jewelers sponsored the June concert featuring The Tennessee Sons, who played American rock music from the 1960s and onward. Fountain City Lions Club is hosting the brand-new event on the second Friday of each month throughout summer. This free event is both kid and pet-friendly and runs from 6-9 p.m. While the concerts start around 7 p.m., food trucks and vendors are set up around the park. Concertgoers need only bring a folding chair and blanket and take a break from cooking.

Vendors were selling graphic T-shirts, jewelry, handcrafted children’s items and local services. Food trucks were selling barbecue, eclectic Southern cuisine, snow cones, coffee drinks, kettle corn, Mini-Donuts and edible cookie dough.

Two more concerts are coming up: Knox Native Real Estate is sponsoring Karen Reynolds (July 13) and County Commissioner Michele Carringer is sponsoring Candice McQueen (Aug. 10).

Davis, along with club members Penny Kleinschmidt and Kelly Long, served on the events committee to bring the Summer Concert series to life. And as of July 1, Long will officially be the first female president in the history of the Fountain City Lions Club. She replaces Roger Byrd, who served in 2017-18.

Knox Native Real Estate set up a booth at the Fountain City Park Summer Concert and will sponsor the July event.

“We have members who have been here many years and have done so much,” said Long. “I’ve only been in the Lions Club for a year. It’s a job that needed to be filled; it (the appointment) came to me more than I went to it. So many previous presidents have said that they have my back, and that’s the only way I would consider doing this.”

Long recently purchased an older home on Cedar Lane and said she fell in love with the area. “The historic homes, listening to the church bells ring and the band practicing from my back deck,” said Long.

She hopes to capitalize on the longevity of the club, while revitalizing it with a few of the members’ different ideas. “We want to see the community back in the park and fill it with people that appreciate it,” said Long, referring to the spate of vandalism in recent years.

Kelly Long, one of the Summer Concert Series event coordinators, was voted in as the first female president of the Fountain City Lions Club. She will take on the role officially on July 1.

In addition to the Lions Club’s work maintaining the park and the lake, their other responsibilities include raising money for the monthly free vision labs, scholarships and bikes at Christmas.

The club promoted its fundraising campaign at the Concert in the Park. They are selling bricks that can be purchased in memory of, in honor of, or with a business name for $60.

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NORTH

Our Place Art offers expressive outlet

Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News correspondent 

On a recent weekday morning, a basement room at the Emporium Center on Gay Street buzzes with activity. Players enjoy a lively game of “Sorry!” Nearby, a woman is learning to machine-sew, stuff and finish a pillow. Elsewhere two friends paint wooden pineapple ornaments. “I added my name!” says a young woman named Anna. Lilting music from a CD fills the air.

Our Place Art Organization executive director Angela Freeman Hunter.

Our Place Art Camp is in session.

Founded by Angela Freeman Hunter after her son Derrick received a diagnosis of autism at age 3, Our Place Art Organization is a 501(c)3 that offers activities, education and enrichment for disabled children and adults. It’s run by Hunter with help from her daughter Syretta Freeman – “my right hand,” says Hunter – and funded through grants from the Trinity Foundation, Tennessee Voices for Children, the Tennessee Disability Coalition, Whole Foods’ Whole Kids Foundation and others.

Logan Dodd picks out supplies to use during an art activity at Our Place Art Camp.

Why the emphasis on art? Hunter says it’s all due to Derrick, now a handsome, bright-eyed young man of 27.

 “I saw the gift that he had at the age of 3. He was drawing 30 to 40 pictures a day.” Hunter, a devout Christian, believes that Derrick’s gift is God-given. “I was like, ‘just let his art be a blessing to people.’ And now here we are, 24 years later, and he’s still producing art.” In fact, Derrick has his own art business, “Eyes of Faith,” and his work appears at Knoxville Museum of Art, the Village Green Artable Collection in Nashville, the Beck Cultural Center and elsewhere. One of his ornaments, “Reflections of the Sunsphere,” was chosen for Gov. Bill Haslam’s Christmas tree. 

Hunter says her son’s artistic gift inspired her to make it possible for everyone to have an opportunity to create art, and for parents to know that they can have an outlet for their child through art and music or dance. She says making art allows disabled individuals to express themselves. “It’s very therapeutic for them.” Daily sessions also include a “circle time” where feelings are discussed, and topics such as respect for others are addressed. Life skills are also part of the curriculum.

Martin Gathimbi and Derrick Freeman play a friendly game of Sorry at the Our Place Art Camp.

Camp ends on July 13, but many other activities will follow – cooking classes at Whole Foods, monthly art classes at First Baptist Church of Fountain City, where a community garden is also planned, lots more. “Our eventual goal is to have a facility of our own,” Hunter says, “and to have a gallery for the individuals to work in – to get them respect for their art and their individuality, and offer the work for sale. Knoxville doesn’t have anything like that.

“We build on what they can do. We don’t want to set goals for them that aren’t realistic. We say ‘we meet you where you are.’ That’s why it’s called Our Place.”

Info: ourplaceart.com. For the “Eyes of Faith” website, visit derrickfreemansart.com.

 

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FARRAGUT

Popular day camp returns for Girl Scouts

Margie Hagen, Shopper News correspondent 

After a two-year absence, the West Knox Girl Scouts Day Camp is back, much to the delight of around 90 attendees. Scouts, young counselors and volunteers came together last week at Carl Cowen Park to continue what had been a decades old tradition.

Kayti and Katelyn are both 12-year-old junior counselors who led the camp skills and cooking program.

New Camp director Jane Tyner decided to reconvene the camp after the original leaders retired. Tyner started as a Brownie in second grade and has remained active for 39 years. She works full-time as an exploration geologist, but decided it was important to keep the camp going. With two daughters 13 and 15, Tyner wanted to give them and other young girls that experience.

The younger girls enjoyed all of the activities, but another one of Tyner’s priorities was to give girls 12 and older the opportunity to learn to lead. These junior counselors have gone through training and are in charge of their own programs. “We want them to take ownership and exhibit leadership,” said Tyner. “They plan the activities and submit supply lists.”

Scouts had fun crafting “grass” skirts from plastic tablecloths.

Adult volunteers act as chaperones, but the young counselors take charge. “We want them to come up with a plan and carry it out,” Tyner said. “Things go wrong every day, so they have to learn to be flexible, adjust and fix it, just like in real life. For most, this is their first job, and I’ll be writing plenty of recommendation letters.”

“Girl Scouts on Safari” was the theme for this year’s weeklong camp. Each day featured activities tailored to the different age groups; Brownies, Juniors and Cadets participated and learned during programs including camp skills and cooking, nature, crafts, songs and games. Friday was Family Fun Day, complete with a parade.

A separate camp for “Tag Alongs,” kids 3 years and up, and “Drag Alongs,” for younger brothers, kept the Girl Scouts’ siblings entertained. “We need more adult volunteers, so we make it easy for parents to bring their other kids,” said Tyner.

Girl Scouts gathered with counselors at unit sites to coordinate activities.

It takes a lot of organization to pull this off, but Tyner kept 60 campers, 27 junior counselors and a myriad of volunteers on schedule. She’s gratified by the number of high school and college girls who volunteered to come back and act as counselors. “This is serious work,” she said. “The Girl Scouts are known for cookie sales, but that is a platform to fund what they do all year long.”

When asked what happens to the girls when they grow up, Tyner said, “We never age out. Once a Girl Scout, you can still volunteer, lead field trips or contribute in a meaningful way.” The West Knoxville unit is part of the Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians; find more info at girlscoutcsa.org.

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NORTH

Kids learn food facts at Beardsley Farm camp

Ruth White, Shopper News 

Beardsley Community Farm hosted its second annual Farm Camp June 4-8, and 10 students from the Boys & Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley were able to spend the week learning about growing produce, preparing and eating food, compost and more through fun, hands-on activities. 

Adam Caraco, Beardsley Farm assistant director of urban agriculture, shows the compost area on the farm with camper Tiahna Hutchinson.

Through a variety of games, the campers (rising 4th and 5th graders) learned about growing food (via food mapping and how plants grow); consuming food (harvesting greens, discussion on food access) and food waste (composting and how trash is generated).

Beardsley Farm has been in the community for 20 years and is Knoxville's oldest urban educational farm. For some campers, the weeklong event was the first time they were exposed to growing food.

In addition to learning about food, the group was able to make ice cream and rainbow salsa and delivered fresh produce to the Mobile Meals kitchen located next to the farm. While at Mobile Meals, the group was given a tour of the facility and learned more about the program.

The week ended with students providing tours of the grounds to guests before heading to New Harvest Park for a cookout and cooling off in the splash pad.

Beardsley Community Farm is at 1741 Reynolds St. off Western Avenue. 

 

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KARNS

Kids step away from the screens, get creative

Nancy Anderson, Shopper News correspondent 

Summer camps aren’t just about tents and swimming holes. At Grace Christian Academy it’s about getting creative.

Audrey Smith, 10, learned about sequential processing (working back to front) while making a sign for her room at home.

The school held its third annual Creative Canvas Camp for fourth-, fifth-, and sixth-graders at the school Monday, June 11 through Thursday, June 14.

Eleven kids gathered to learn a number of artful lessons including texture, mixing colors, sequential processing, and perspective.

Some projects were dictated; the kids had to follow instructions exactly to reproduce a picture of a lighthouse on a beach where they learned about perspective by painting a fence from far away to near.

Art teacher Teresa McNelly with a student’s 3-D painting of a cupcake on joint compound at the third annual Creative Canvas Camp at Grace Christian Academy last week.

Other projects were open to interpretation. The kids all drew and painted their own rendition of a sloth.

On Wednesday, the lesson was open so the kids could explore any project from cartooning to painting canvas to painting in 3-D with joint compound. Many kids used the opportunity to make Father’s Day presents and artwork for their rooms.

“I gave the kids full license today to explore several different projects. Some are painting things for Father’s Day and others are making things for their bedrooms,” said art teacher Teresa McNelly.

“We’re actually learning sequential process. That is how to create a project starting with the background and working forward. It’s a lot easier to paint the background then letter over the top than it is to try and paint around the lettering. It seems so simple, but that’s actually a very important basic lesson.”

Kids followed instructions step-by-step to learn more advanced technique while creating a lighthouse picture. Pictured are 11-year-olds Kate Mullins, Abby Silver, Sydney Farmer, and Caroline Mabe.

Earlier in the week, the kids applied joint compound to a 5x5 canvas board to create a 3-D image.

“The kids made whatever they wanted to make out of joint compound applied to a 5x5 canvas. They learned a lot about texture and made some wonderful pieces.”

The lighthouse project contained more advanced technique of blending colors and changing up paint strokes.

“They really learned a lot doing the lighthouse picture. They learned how to mix color, how to double load a brush with two different colors to make the sunset colors. They did a good job following directions exactly to get the effect necessary for the piece. Some of that is pretty advanced for beginning painters.”

McNelly said the summer camp was an excellent opportunity for the kids to get out of the house and away from screens for a few days while learning art lessons they’ll keep forever.

Hannah Riseden, 10, tries her hand at cartooning.

“Anytime you’re doing something that doesn’t involve mindless electronics is good in my opinion. With social media and iPads, the kids are in front of a screen all day.

“At Creative Canvas Camp they have to use their brain. Some of it I’m dictating, but they still have to figure it out for themselves as they work through a project. They have to figure out what they’re going to choose and why is that important to them.

“Any day they get creative is a good day in my book.

“The kids are going to go home feeling successful, like they’ve done something and done it well and they have the artwork to keep and be proud of.”

 

OPINION

Multitasking not all it’s cracked up to be

Leslie Snow, Shopper News columnist

I’m sitting at the kitchen counter answering email on my laptop, when Ethan asks if I can help him write his best-man speech for Zack’s wedding. I invite him to work beside me and to ask for help when he needs it. I work and type and give suggestions every few minutes. While we work side-by-side, we tell funny stories about Zack and his pocket calculators.

Leslie Snow, News Sentinel columnist.

I’m emailing and telling stories, when I realize I’m hungry. I grab some leftover chicken from the refrigerator and then sit down at my computer to eat lunch, help Ethan with his speech, and answer email. Then I remember I need to text my friend Kari. In between bites of chicken, I start texting.

Zack texts me while I’m texting Kari. He wants me to go shopping with him in the afternoon. He sends me some clothing options for the rehearsal dinner and asks me to take a look at them. While I’m shopping on my phone, I’m texting back and forth with Kari. I’m also eating chicken, helping Ethan with his speech, and answering email.

That’s when I realize the vendor for the tablecloths I’m renting for the rehearsal dinner has the wrong date on the receipt. I pick up the phone to call the vendor while I’m retelling a funny story about Zack wearing slippers to school. I get the date corrected then go back to my chicken, writing, shopping, texting, and emailing.

I take a call from Jordan while I load the dishwasher. I put salt in the salt shaker on my way to grab a few cherries for my lunch dessert. I get the mail when I let the dogs out and come inside just in time take a call from Zack to confirm our shopping appointment. Then I go back to sending my email.

While I’m checking all the items on my to-do list, I’m thinking about something a friend-of-a-friend said to me the other night.

She noticed me visiting with my friend Cheri, while telling a story, while eating a snack, while writing a card for a shower gift. “You’re one of those people,” she said as she observed me keeping all my metaphorical balls in the air. “What people?” I asked with a smile as I sent a text and took a sip of wine. “You’re one of those multitaskers. I can see it. I’ve been watching you work.”

There are so few times in life you get to use the phrase “guilty as charged.” I saw my opening and I took it.

She tilted her head appraisingly and smiled. I took a closer look at this near stranger, this wise woman, this seer. I noticed her calm demeanor. I saw her relaxed, peaceful expression. She yawned and stretched like a cat soaking in the sun.

“Not me,” she said, lazily. “I’m just a tasker. Never a multitasker.”

I laughed, hard. It was a good line. And I thought of that funny line while I worked my miracles.

I get a lot done in a day. I get a lot done all at once. But no one would compare me to a cat in the sun. I’m a shark that never stops moving. I’m a shark that’s swimming, while hunting, while checking his surroundings, while planning tomorrow’s meal.

But when you think about it, cats look pretty relaxed most of the time. They sleep a lot. When a shark stops swimming, it dies. Maybe those taskers have something on us multitaskers.

Leslie Snow may be reached at snowcolumn@aol.com.