Nervous jitters, weak knees and a butterfly in the stomach. These are often the feelings experienced when speaking before a group. 4-H members can learn to overcome these feelings by participating in the 4-H public speaking activity. Last year over 2,600 Sevier County 4-H Members took part in public speaking, by giving a speech at their local club. This year’s public speaking emphasis is taking place in November 4-H Club Meeting.
     To help 4-H members prepare for this years speaking contest, a Public Speaking Workshops will be held, on November 3^rd & 10^th,  from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., at the 4-H Office, 752 Old Knoxville Highway, adjacent to the Sevier County Fairgrounds. 4-H’ers attending should bring their speech to the workshop, to get the maximum benefit. Adults will work individually and in small groups with 4-H members to improve their speeches and speaking skills.  4-H members can attend either one workshop or both.
     The following suggestions will help you as you prepare that speech for your January club meeting.
1) Decide on a subject: good speeches are based on things you know about or an experience you have had. The speech does not have to be about 4-H, but you might mention how 4-H is related to your subject.
2)Collect and organize your thoughts: do some research on your subject and then put your thoughts into an easy to understand order. Include an introduction, body and conclusion.
3) Write your speech: Use note cards. Become familiar enough with it that you only need to glance at your notes. A good speech is never read.
4) Time your speech: Fourth through sixth graders should be two to three minutes; 7th & 8th grades should be three to five minutes long and 9th through 12th graders should not exceed seven minutes.
5) Practice giving your speech: say it in front of a mirror, your pet, parents and friends. Listen to their advice for improving your speech. Also, remember to have good eye contact, keep good posture and speak with a pleasant voice.
     Each 4-H member giving a speech will be recognized in their club meeting. 4-H’ers wishing to speak competitively can participate in the county speaking contest to be held in December. Sponsors for the public speaking contest include: The Mountain Press, the Sevier County 4-H Endowment Fund and the Sevierville Sunrise Rotary Club. If you need more information about the public speaking contest or other 4-H opportunities, please contact Glenn K Turner at 453-3695.

The Sevier County Public Library System will celebrate Teen Read Week™ (October 16-22, 2011) with special events and programs aimed at encouraging area teens to read for the fun of it. Thousands of libraries, schools and bookstore across the country will hold similar events centered on this year’s theme, Picture It! @ your Library®, which encourages teens to read a variety of materials, including graphic novels, movies, books about photography, and more.
Teen Read Week™ is the national adolescent literacy initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), the fastest-growing division of the American Library Association. “Teens have more activities to fill their free time than ever — web videos, social networking sites, video games, afterschool activities, athletics —and increasingly high expectations in the classroom,” said Cassie Graesser. “It’s important that we show teens that reading is something that’s fun and relaxing that they can do for free. And that reading for fun can translate into better performance at school.”
In addition, Graesser, David Phillips (Seymour Branch Manager) & John Alexander (Kodak Branch Manager) hope to show parents and other concerned community members what their library can offer by hosting special programs and events during Teen Read Week™. The King Family Library will host the following events starting at 3:30 p.m on the following days:
·         Tuesday, October 18: Themed Trivia
·         Thursday, October 20: Dragon/Medieval Art Competition
·         Friday, October 21: How to Tame a Dragon Movie Showing
The SCPLS Kodak Branch Library will host a Medieval Midsummer Knight’s Read and viewing gathering on Thursday, October 21 from 4:00-6:00 PM! Explore legends, lore, knights & ladies, play trivia, talk books & videos from the 5th to the 15th Centuries.
“Many families have learned to make do with less as a result of the economy and have gathered at the library,” Phillips said. “Teen Read Week™ is a great time to make sure teens and their families know about all the free services the library can offer them and to reach out to teens that aren’t regular users and encourage them to come see what they can find here.”
Parents of teens are encouraged to celebrate Teen Read Week™ at home, as well. The library system offers these ideas:
·     Visit the public or school library with your teen to attend a program or to check out books.
·     Set aside time each night for the family to read.
·     Give books or magazine subscriptions to your teen as a gift or reward.
·     Share your favorite book with your teen.
·     Go online with your teen to learn about new books or authors. A good place to start is YALSA's Booklists and Book Awards page, www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists.
·     Join a book discussion group at the school or public library.
Teen Read Week™ is held annually during the third week of October. An updated sponsors and supporting organizations list can be found at the Web site, www.ala.org/teenread. For more information, visit the King Family Library at 408 High Street, Sevierville; the Seymour Branch Library at 137 W. Macon Lane in Seymour; or the Kodak Branch Library at 319 West Dumplin Valley Road in Kodak. Or, call (865) 453-3532 or see the library’s Web site at www.sevierlibrary.org.  
 
 

   It’s a “Totally Titanic” Event! scheduled for Friday, October 21 from 5 – 8 PM at the King Family Library in Sevierville. Part of this special event, focusing on the history and approaching Centennial of the Titanic disaster, will highlight a unique collection of materials donated by John Joslyn and Mary Kellogg-Joslyn, owners of the Titanic Museum Attraction in Pigeon Forge.
“The Titanic Collection,” will sport a specially-designed bookplate and features, among several other books, The Two Pennies by Susie Millar, T is for Titanic by Debbie & Michael Shoulders, Polar the Titanic Bear by Daisy Corning Stone Spedden, Titanicat by Marty Crisp. “The Titanic Collection” will be housed at the King Family Library and available for use in the weeks following the event.
During the program, a reception with refreshments and open house highlighting “The Titanic Collection,” as well as book readings and author signings with authors, Susie Millar (The Two Pennies) and Luke Copas (Facts for Kids about the Titanic) will be part of the evening. The It’s a “Totally Titanic” Event! begins at 5 PM at the Sevier County Public Library System King Family Library, located at 408 High Street in Sevierville.
For more information, visit the King Family Library, view the library’s Web site at www.sevierlibrary.org or call (865) 453-3532. 

The Sevier County Public Library System preschool story time programs are designed with a ready-to-read format that includes an introduction to the alphabet, colors, numbers 1-10, great books, games, and other activities. Each month has a new theme from September through June including topics like the weather, holidays, science, math, and art. The following list includes the day and time the story time programs are held at each location:   
 
·         Seymour Branch Library, 137 W. Macon Lane, Seymour on Monday, October 17 starting at 11:00 a.m. Can You “Bear” Another Story @ the SCPLS?: Smokey Bear Visits! Discover the color orange, letters of the alphabet, and numbers 1-10. For more information, please call Spence Perry at 573-0728.
·         Sevier County King Family Library, 408 High Street, Sevierville on Thursday, October 20 at 10:30 a.m. Can You “Bear” Another Story @ the SCPLS: Bear Day & Visit from Smokey Bear! Bring your favorite teddy bear today to story time.  For more information, call Vickie Kelly at 365-1423.
·         Kodak Branch Library, 319 W. Dumplin Valley Road, Kodak on Friday, October 21 at 11:00 a.m. Can You “Bear” Another Story @ the SCPLS: Fire Prevention Visit from Smokey Bear! For more information, call Cee McKnight at 933-0078.

The East Tennessee Technology Access Center, ETTAC, is recruiting adults with disabilities who might like to participate in a novel book club opportunity!  We are also recruiting volunteers to facilitate book clubs. NCBC will meet weekly at the Sevier County Public Library System King Family Library on Thursdays at 1:00 PM.  
 
A grant was funded in part by the Tennessee Council on Developmental Disabilities to create these book clubs in several counties in East Tennessee.  Unlike other book clubs, the Next Chapter Book Club (NCBC) provides adolescents and adults with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to read and learn to read, talk about books, and make friends in a fun community setting. NCBC members range from those who read well to those who cannot read independently.
  
For more information on how you can participate in the Next Chapter Book Club, please contact Lorrie Crockett at ETTAC (865) 219-0130. ETTAC provides a variety of services for people with disabilities.  Or view the website at www.discoveret.org/ettac. ETTAC is delighted to partner with The Sevier County Public Library System for the NCBC club. Additionally, the SCPLS King Family Library has an Adaptive Technology for patron use. View the SCPLS library website at www.sevierlibrary.org.  

SEVIER COUNTY, TN. Interested in becoming involved with a book club sponsored by the Sevier County Public Library System? Check out one of the ongoing clubs: The SCPLS Main Library Fireside Book Club enjoys contemporary, eclectic books. The SCPLS Inspirational Reading Club focuses on an inspirational author and his or her works each month instead of a specific book.
Both clubs hold monthly meetings and the October meeting dates, authors, and books are as follows:
·         Friday, October 14 @ 10:00 a.m. - SCPLS King Family Library Fireside Book Club. The book discussion will feature “The Help” by Kathryn Stockett. The club meets in the Bridgemont Room on the first floor of the SCPLS King Family Library at 408 High Street in Sevierville. Please call Virginia Borrelli at (865)365-1427 for more information.
·         Thursday, October 20 @ 1:00 p.m. – SCPLS Seymour Branch Inspirational Reading Club – The monthly meeting features a discussion about the author, RANDY ALCORN, and his books. The club meets at the Seymour Branch Library at 137 West Macon Lane in Seymour. Please call Janet Persichetti at (865)573-0728 for further information about the club. 
 

The Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council will hold its annual meeting and tradeshow on Friday, November 4 at Ellington Agricultural Center’s Ed Jones Auditorium in Nashville.

“This is an especially good year to make the effort to attend,” says Gary Bates, forage specialist with University of Tennessee Extension. “Several practical questions that producers have will be dealt with during the presentations.”   

“Experts in cattle and forage production will be on hand to make presentations on the animal and plant considerations for grass-fed beef.  An evaluation of Tennessee hay for horses will also be presented.”

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. and the meeting begins at 9:00 a.m. CST.  A $25 registration fee covers the cost of membership in the Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council, lunch and a printed copy of the day’s proceedings. The meeting will conclude by 3:00 p.m. CST.

“It’s obvious that this meeting is a great opportunity for any farmer who’s looking to produce forage and grasses as profitably as possible,” says Bates. “This is where Tennessee’s top producers will be, and if they can’t help you, they’ll know the other good producers in your area.” 

An accompanying trade show offers producers a look at and a lesson about the constantly changing technology necessary to make the best decisions for their farms and for their buyers. The day’s events also include a silent auction provided by the major seed, chemical and pharmaceutical companies participating in the tradeshow.

For more information about the Tennessee Forage and Grassland Council, contact your county’s University of Tennessee Extension office or Dr. Gary Bates at (865) 974-7208.

     The City of Sevierville Public Works Department announces that the leaf collection period will begin October 10, 2011 and is scheduled to conclude January 27, 2012. This date may be adjusted if warranted by weather conditions. Residents may choose either of the following leaf collection alternatives. Please read each alternative carefully and direct any questions you may have to the Public Works Department at 429-4567.

    Bagged Leaf Collection-The Public Works Department will collect bagged leaves citywide on a weekly basis. There will be no set day for collection. If bags are overloaded and too heavy for one person to pickup it may take longer for collection to occur. Collection period for bagged leaves will be the same as loose-leaf pickup. Residents may call 429-4567 and request a work order be completed or simply place bags at curbside.

    Vacuum Leaf Collection- The Public Works Department will make every effort to be in your neighborhood every two weeks to vacuum loose leaves. During peak periods or equipment breakdown pickup may take longer. The City has been divided into three sections. Once crews make a complete sweep of the City they will start over and make another complete sweep. This method of collection will be used throughout the leaf collection season. NO SPECIAL PICKUPS WILL BE MADE. 

    Tips for Vacuum Leaf Collection: Rake leaves in rows no more than 3 feet wide.Do not park vehicles in front of leaf piles.Remove limbs, rocks, and other debris.Do not place leaves in street. If you have any questions regarding leaf collection, please contact the Public Works Department at 429-4567.

   GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – Amanda Rose Holt, a student in Tusculum College’s education program, has written and illustrated a children’s book, “First Flight.”

   Holt has been asked to do a reading of the book to elementary school students in Jefferson and Cocke counties, and the book is now available at local bookstores and the Tusculum College Bookstore. Her book has also earned her mentions in regional newspapers.

   “First Flight” is about a baby barn owl who is about to take his first flight, but becomes a little scared to take the big leap on his own. With some encouragement from his mother, he gains confidence and gives it his best try. Succeeding in flight, the young owl discovers he loves flying and begins to soar with the knowledge that he can do anything on his own.

    Written in a rhyming style, Holt was inspired by her oldest son’s experiences in starting school as she wrote the book.

   This is Holt’s first book. She has always enjoyed writing, but with three small children, it has been a challenge to find time to do so. However, she was prompted in a Children’s Literature class to write a book. “But, I took it a step further and liked it so much that I had it published,” she said.

   Holt has already written a sequel to “First Flight” entitled “New Home.”  She is currently illustrating the book and hopes to have it published by next Christmas.

   “This is something I really enjoy and plan to do it for a long time,” Holt says.

   She is a student in Tusculum’s undergraduate human growth and learning, K-6 elementary education program offered through the Graduate and Professional Studies program designed for working adults. Holt attends class at Tusculum’s Morristown center. She will being student teaching in January and plans to graduate in May 2012.

      Rosalie Stutzman was recently honored with the title “Sevier County FCE Best of the Best.”  This award recognizes individuals actively involved in the community and their local (FCE) Family Community Education Club.

      Rosalie is a member of the Seymour FCE Club.  During the past 21 years, she has been a dedicated member serving in various leadership positions.  She has volunteered her time in FCE Projects such as compiling 300 cookbooks for CROSS Ministries and Coats for the Cold.  She also has participated in Cultural Arts events, as well as Regional and State Conferences.

   Rosalie Stutzman was recently honored for her community service

      As a member of the Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Curves and Quilting Club, Rosalie serves her community in leadership and service.  Each year, she assists in making quilts, school kits and health kits for the Lutheran World Relief.  She also assisted in making quilts for the Sevierville Police Department to give children in need during police calls, as well as helping in other projects.

      Rosalie Stutzman enjoys caring for her community.  At the FCE Regional Level, Rosalie placed in the top three Regional Best of the Best nominations.

      For more information on becoming involved in your community through FCE, you may contact Linda Hyder, UT Extension at 453-3695. 

   Tusculum College's Indoor Practice Facility will be transformed into a haunted house as part of "TuscSPOOKulum," to be held October 21, 22, 27, 28, 29 and 31 from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

   There will be a haunted house for older children and adults, while younger children will have the opportunity to go through a non-scary house. Admission is $5 for children 12 and under, and $10 for ages 13 to adult. All proceeds from TuscSPOOKulum will benefit the Tusculum College athletics program.

   Students who visit on their school's designated night will receive a $2 for their entire family. In order to receive the discount, students must wear apparel with their school's name on it. On October 31, anyone wearing a costume will receive a $2 discount.

   School discount nights are as follows: Oct. 21-Baileyton, Camp Creek, Chuckey and Doak Elementary Schools; Oct. 22-Grandview, Nolachuckey, South Central, West Pines and West View Elementary Schools; Oct. 27-Debusk, Glenwood, Ottway and Mosheim Elementary Schools and Mosheim Middle School. Oct. 28-Hal Henard, Highland and Tusculum View Elementary Schools and Greeneville Middle School. Oct. 29-Chuckey-Doak, Greeneville, South Greene, West Greene and North Greene High Schools.

   For more information, contact Associate Director of Athletics for Fundraising and Special Projects Mike Joy at (423) 636-7321.

Local artist and retired pottery maker, Caroline Waring, is painting pet portraits. Caroline's has a BFA degree  from Ohio University with  a emphasis in cermaics. She operated Stoneware Pottery in downtown Gatlinburg and Glades Road Craft Community for a number of years. Caroline spends 3 hours a day as an assistant to Christi Carver in a developmental kindergarten class at Catlettsburg Elementary School in Sevierville. " I have always enjoyed painting and have a little extra time now with our children gone so I decided to work a little more with the paints."  

Caroline can produce the paintings from photos of customers pets so there is no need of trying to have a dog or cat  sit for a portrait. You can contact her at 865-453-4944 and there is plenty of time to have a portrait for a Christmas gift.

Sugar from Sevierville. A member of the Whiting family.

Chili from Knoxville.

Abbey from Sevierville.

The City of Sevierville Department of Parks and recreation is now offering morning water exercise classes. The classes provide exercise that tones, trims and strengthens muscles, improves flexibility and builds endurance without putting stress on joints. Classes will be offered Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 AM-9:45AM. The fee is pool admission plus .60 cents per class, or purchase of a 6-month pool pass for $60 dollars.

    The Sevier County Public Library System preschool story time programs are designed with a ready-to-read format that includes an introduction to the alphabet, colors, numbers 1-10, great books, games, and other activities. Each month has a new theme from September through June including topics like the weather, holidays, science, math, and art. The following list includes the day and time the story time programs are held at each location:   
 
·         Seymour Branch Library, 137 W. Macon Lane, Seymour on Monday, October 3 starting at 11:00 a.m. Can You “Bear” Another Story @ the SCPLS?: Visit from the Seymour Fire Department! Discover the color orange, letters of the alphabet, and numbers 1-10. For more information, please call Spence Perry at 573-0728.
·         Sevier County King Family Library, 408 High Street, Sevierville on Thursday, October 6 at 10:30 a.m. Can You “Bear” Another Story @ the SCPLS: NO STORY TIME - Library Closed until 1:00 p.m. For more information, call Vickie Kelly at 365-1423.
·         Kodak Branch Library, 319 W. Dumplin Valley Road, Kodak on Friday, October 7 at 11:00 a.m. Can You “Bear” Another Story @ the SCPLS: Fall & Hibernation! Use gathered leaves, acorns, and twigs to create a fall wreathe to take home during story time. For more information, call Cee McKnight at 933-0078.

    The Sevier County Public Library History Center/Genealogy Department will reopen to the public on Wednesday, September 28 at noon. The elevator repair has been completed and access to the third floor has been reestablished. We apologize for any inconvenience this temporary closure may have caused. The History Center/Genealogy Department hours are:
·         Monday – 3:00 – 7:00 PM
·         Tuesday – Friday – 12:00 – 4:00 PM
·         Closed Saturday & Sunday
    If you need assistance with a Genealogy or local history question, please contact Tim Fisher, Assistant Genealogist at 865.365.1422. For more information, visit the SCPLS King Family Library at 408 High Street, Sevierville, call (865) 453-3532, or see the library’s Web site at www.sevierlibrary.org. 

    The Sevier County Public Library System which includes the King Family Library at 408 High Street, Sevierville, the Seymour Branch Library at 137 W. Macon Avenue, Seymour, and the Kodak Branch Library at 319 West Dumplin Valley Road, Kodak, will open at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 6 so staff may attend staff development training.
    For further information, please call 865.453.3532. 
 

    Todd Shelton, a volunteer with the Tennessee Health Care Campaign, will present a program on the Affordable Care Act on Sept 29 at 7:00. The THCC is a nonprofit organization whose goal is guaranteed, affordable healthcare for all Tennesseans. The THCC staff has developed a PowerPoint presentation to help people understand how the new health care law will be implemented and when the changes will take place.
     Mr. Shelton will be glad to answer questions as well as suggest other helpful information sources. Everyone is welcome to come and learn what to expect as the health care plan is being implemented in Tennessee. Discover more information about the new Affordable Care Act (aka Obamacare) at the Seymour Branch Library at 137 W. Macon Lane in Seymour. FMI, call 865.577.7511.

     The Sevier County Public Library System preschool story time programs are designed with a ready-to-read format that includes an introduction to the alphabet, colors, numbers 1-10, great books, games, and other activities. Each month has a new theme from September through June including topics like the weather, holidays, science, math, and art. The following list includes the day and time the story time programs are held at each location:   
 
·    Seymour Branch Library, 137 W. Macon Lane, Seymour on Monday, October 10 starting at 11:00 a.m. Can You “Bear” Another Story @ the SCPLS?: The Puppet Lady returns for story time! Discover the color orange, letters of the alphabet, and numbers 1-10. For more information, please call Spence Perry at 573-0728.
·    Sevier County King Family Library, 408 High Street, Sevierville on Thursday, October 13 at 10:30 a.m. Can You “Bear” Another Story @ the SCPLS: The Puppet Lady Visits! For more information, call Vickie Kelly at 365-1423.
·    Kodak Branch Library, 319 W. Dumplin Valley Road, Kodak on Friday, October 14 at 11 a.m. Can You “Bear” Another Story at the SCPLS: The Puppet Lady visits! Make a “My Orange Book” to take home during story time. For more information, call Cee McKnight at 933-0078.
 
 

    The Lunar and Planetary Institute invited public and school libraries to apply for a FREE Moon viewing kit! To qualify for the kit, the applicants committed to hosting an International Observe the Moon Night (InOMN) event on Saturday, October 8, 2011. Additionally, each successful applicant is required to fulfill reporting requirements for the events.
    The Sevier County Public Library System King Family Library and the Seymour Branch Library were both awarded InOMN Moon Viewing Kits, valued at $400 each to add to the library collections. The kits include binoculars for viewing the Moon, as well as children's books, a Moon map, and other resources for families to enjoy.
InOMN events are a fun way to celebrate the Moon with your community.  The SCPLS King Family Library and the Seymour Branch Library will hold special events to view the moon on Saturday, October 8. The official InOMN website,  http://observethemoonnight.org, provides a wealth of additional information and tips for families to share and learn more about the uniqueness of the moon.
The SCPLS King Family Library, 408 High Street in Sevierville, will host the following activities with Walters State and Bay Mountain Astronomy Club members from 6-9 PM:
o   OREO Phases of the Moon
o   Moon viewing with Walters State Astronomy Professor & Bay Mountain Astronomy Club
o   Stomp Rocket Launches
The SCPLS Seymour Branch Library, 137 W. Macon Lane in Seymour will host the following activities from 6-8 PM:
o   Story Time featuring Happy Birthday Moono   Slide Presentation - The Lunar Phases and Lunar/Solar Eclipses
o   Outdoor Moon Observations
The Friends of Seymour Library will be providing cider and donuts for the event.  For more information, contact the King Family Library at 865.453.3532; or the Seymour Branch Library at 865.573.0728. Or view the library’s Web site at www.sevierlibrary.org. 

    The Volunteers at LeConte Medical Center are hosting a Masquerade $5 Jewelry Sale Wednesday, September 28, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., in the hospital classrooms. The sale features a wide variety of jewelry and accessory items all priced at $5! Be sure to stop by the sale and support the hospital volunteers! Guests may park in Parking Lot A.