Vintage Etc. doubles space, adds furniture, outdoor movies

HALLS

© Ali James/Shopper News
The new Vintage Etc. store is now open at 3006 Tazewell Pike in Fountain City and is double the size and has plenty of room to display furniture. Jan. 28, 2021.

Vintage Etc. doubles space, adds furniture, outdoor movies

Ali James, Shopper News

Vintage Etc. owner Jeana Vaughn downsized from 11,000 to 2,200 square feet when she relocated to Tazewell Pike in Fountain City two years ago. While the smaller space offered the cozier atmosphere Vaughn was looking for, she was soon bursting at the seams and was on the hunt for a roomier location.

“Initially we thought it would be more manageable, but people have asked us about furniture,” said Vaughn, who had her eye on the building next door to expand. “My landlord told me when it became available and offered it to me.”

After praying over the idea of moving during a pandemic, Vaughn said that the way it all just worked out was proof that it was meant to be.

© Ali James/Shopper News
Vintage Etc. owner Jeana Vaughn said shoppers are increasingly looking for unique items for their home. Jan. 28, 2021.

Vaughn’s vision for Vintage Etc. — 3006 Tazewell Pike, north of Pilot and south of National Fitness — meant she needed more outdoor space. “I wanted to do more vendors markets, have food trucks and host outdoor movie nights,” she said.

“COVID opened my eyes to the fact that more outdoor space is better.”

The building had been a print shop, then a hair salon and tattoo studio. “The layout didn’t really work for us,” said Vaughn. “We had to remove a bunch of walls and existing structures. The landlord pretty much gave us free rein. We worked on it for a month and opened on Oct. 3.

© Ali James/Shopper News
Vintage Etc. in Fountain City has an eclectic range of collectibles. Jan. 28, 2021.

“It’s bigger, at about 4,000 square feet,” continued Vaughn. “We have a loading dock in the back, which is wonderful for the furniture; you don’t have to take things in and out of the front door. We have made our walkway wider between booths to make it more accessible for people in wheelchairs to enjoy the store.” Vaughn estimates that they have quadrupled their parking.

© Ali James/Shopper News
Owl collectibles at Vintage Etc. Jan. 28, 2021.

This year, Vintage Etc. has seen an uptick in people looking for more unique items to add to their homes. “People are getting to the point that they don’t want to buy something that has the same 50 things in the boxes behind it, they are being more picky.”

Vintage Etc. already had a waiting list of vendors wanting booth space. “We only added four new vendors, because our existing vendors wanted more space,” she said. “We now have 24 vendors.”

© Ali James/Shopper News
Vinyl records have increased in popularity at Vintage Etc. on Jan. 28, 2021.

During the fall, Vintage Etc. offered free outdoor walk-in movies. They projected the movie on the rear of the building and invited the community to bring their own chairs and enjoy the socially distanced event.

Vintage Etc. will resume their outdoor vendor markets on the fourth Sunday of every month, starting on March 27 through October.

© Ali James/Shopper News
Vintage books at Vintage Etc., Jan. 28, 2021.

“I was tickled, all of the vendors wanted to be invited back,” said Vaughn. “That is 22 people getting their feet wet, maybe trying to start their own business. Hopefully this will give them the encouragement.

“Our vendors go out of their way to find things; they’re not just wiping down cast-offs and reselling,” said Vaughn. “It’s collections that people have gathered and loved for a while; they work so hard to put good items in there. I couldn’t do it without them, and I wouldn’t want to. Even our customers are Facebook friends that comfort and encourage me. We have a family feel to Vintage Etc.”

© Ali James/Shopper News
Collectible glassware at Vintage Etc., Jan. 28, 2021.

Vintage Etc. is now at 3006 Tazewell Pike, open 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday.

NORTH KNOXVILLE

The Stay Home and Read A Book Ball: the year’s best ‘non-event’

Carol Z. Shane, Shopper News

This time of year, the Friends of the Knox County Public Library (FOL) are usually organizing their massive Used Book Sale, held annually in early spring at the Jacob Building in Chilhowee Park.

Because of the ongoing pandemic, that’s not to be. But the intrepid volunteers of the FOL aren’t letting a pesky little virus stop them.

On Saturday, Feb. 20, you’re cordially invited to attend “the best non-event of the year”: the FOL’s Stay Home and Read a Book Ball.

According to the invitation, suggested attire for the event is “your favorite PJs, evening attire, or anything in between — it’s up to you.”  Location: “your couch or favorite chair, your bed, a tent in the woods — anywhere you choose!”

© Photo by Martha Gill
Lady Gill checks out a detail on the cover of “The Public Library” by Robert Dawson. Her mom, Martha Gill, is co-chair of the Friends of the Library’s communications committee. Lady is a rat terrier who loves to hang out with her humans, patrol the yard, and, of course, read. She’s also fond of treats, especially baby carrots. Lady plans to participate in the Friends of the Library’s Stay Home and Read a Book Ball from her bed on the floor next to the couch. Jan. 2, 2021

Participants can RSVP online, using the donation form provided to make a gift in any amount. 

Who came up with this clever idea, irresistible to any reader?

Natalie Smith, president-elect of the FOL, says it’s been around for a while. “I learned about it on a United for Libraries webinar. The Los Angeles Library Association has done it for a long time; they had their 32nd last year. There’s one in Cedar Rapids and other small communities. The Book Balls picked up last year; a number of people became aware.”

© Photo by Steve Smith
Natalie Smith, president-elect of the Friends of the Knox County Public Library, poses in what she calls “Book Ball style” to promote the Friends’ Stay Home and Read a Book Ball. Jan. 27, 2021.

Smith is also chair of the fundraising committee. Turns out she made the mistake of asking why the group didn’t have one. “I was charged with exploring that. Now I’m the chair. You get what you ask for!”

She’s also eager for everyone to know about FOL’s online bookstore, known as the “little bookshop with the big bargains.” In addition to specific books by local authors, you can “Grab a Bag of Books” for $10 a pop in such categories as Teen Fiction, Science Fiction, Biographies and Memoirs, Romance, Children’s Picture Books, Children’s Middle Grades.

“Think of it as a blind date with a book,” says Smith — and a chance for the whole family to read together on the big day. Purchased bags can be picked up at Lawson McGhee Library and the Halls, Burlington and Cedar Bluff branches.

© Photo by Tracey Wiggins
Tulip, a 3-year-old Plymouth Barred hen, shares Maribelle Wiggins’ favorite book, “Wishtree” by Katherine Applegate, with the young reader on Jan. 21, 2021. According to her mom, Tracey, coordinator for the Friends of the Knox County Public Library’s Stay Home and Read a Book Ball, Maribelle is a 9-year-old rainbow disguised as a little girl.

Proceeds from the Ball and the store go to support the Knox County Public Library.

Sponsors are Knox County Public Library, Knox County Public Library Foundation, Libacious — who will offer two custom cocktail recipes, one of which can be made without alcohol — and Union Ave Books, which is providing participants with a 10% off coupon good through the end of March.

Gearing up for the non-event is Martha Edington, the FOL’s communications committee co-chair who, in the spirit of whipping up some promotion, has been collecting pictures of animals reading. So far, she’s got a chicken, a dog, and Sam Venable.  

© Submitted by Sam Venable
“Annoyingly talented” humor columnist and Knoxville News Sentinel alum Sam Venable gives his all for the Friends of the Library’s Stay Home and Read a Book Ball, though he remarks that he’s afraid this photo will “break the presses.” Jan. 22, 2021.

Edington offered her take on the Ball. “What makes this event different from all the days and nights we’ve been staying home and reading for almost a year? We’ll be reading for a good cause: our library.”

Info and registration: knoxfriends.org. Online bookstore: knoxfriends.square.site.

SOUTH KNOXVILLE

4 Teachers of the Year adapt to technology — and have fun

Ali James, Shopper News

This week the Shopper News continues with the second and final feature on this year’s Knox County Teachers of the Year in South Knoxville.

Mooreland Heights Elementary 

Colbi Galyon, fifth grade science and social studies. Virtual and in-person. 

“One way I have adapted professionally is by embracing the new technological side of teaching,” said Colbi Galyon. “I have enjoyed figuring out how to teach virtually and being able to design instruction that is engaging for students both inside and outside of the classroom.” 

© Submitted
Colbi Galyon, Knox County Schools Teacher of the Year 2020-21, at the Mooreland Heights Elementary School science fair in 2019. Galyon is a fifth-grade science and social studies teacher at Mooreland Heights.

To adapt to this unusual school year, Galyon and her students try to remember to laugh and have fun.

“In the moments of stress or chaos, they say or do something hilarious and it makes everything OK again,” she said. “These moments are a great reminder that although this year might be a little crazier than normal, I am incredibly lucky that I get to spend time with them each week whether it is in-person or through a computer.”  

Mount Olive Elementary 

Amanda Hodges, virtual first grade

After interning as a kindergarten teacher, Amanda Hodges has been a first grade teacher for eight years.

“I think overall I felt it was important for me to create as much of a normal year for my virtual students as possible,” said Hodges, “including crafts, fun hands-on activities and as much personal interaction as possible.”

© Submitted
Amanda Hodges, Knox County Schools Teacher of the Year 2020-21, is a virtual first grade teacher at Mount Olive Elementary School.

Hodges said it has been a new adventure for her. “I have learned many new tools to use virtually and when returning to the classroom,” she said. “I am thankful for my students and their families, and we are having fun together when not everything right now is fun.”

New Hopewell Elementary 

Jennifer Bowers, Librarian

After earning her master’s in Elementary Education, Jennifer Bowers started her teaching career in the kindergarten, first and second grade classrooms. Bowers, who is also a certified fitness instructor, took a 14-year break from teaching to stay home with her three children before returning to ETSU to earn her master’s in Library Science with a K-12 Librarian/Media Specialist Certification. 2020-21 is Bowers’ second year as a full-time librarian at New Hopewell.

© Submitted
Jennifer Bowers, Knox County Schools Teacher of the Year 2020-21, is the librarian at New Hopewell Elementary School.

“I completed this degree completely as a virtual student, doing all of my coursework online, which I think really helped me understand how it feels for students this year,” she said. “When school closed in the spring, I used that time (and the summer, too) to take as many trainings and in-service sessions as I possibly could to prepare for school in a completely different way.”

Despite the challenges, Bowers said her students have learned so much. “We have used these challenges as an opportunity for growth,” she said. “Depending on my faith and determination to look at these ‘silver linings’ has helped keep me positive.”

South Knoxville Elementary

Jessica Maynard, first grade virtual

Enough students chose virtual schooling this year to create a school-based virtual classroom at South Knoxville Elementary. Jessica Maynard volunteered to be the virtual teacher this year, as well as teacher evaluator, EdTech Connector, and On Site Tech Resource.

© Submitted
Jessica Maynard, Knox County Schools Teacher of the Year 2020-21, is a virtual first grade teacher at South Knoxville Elementary School.

When Knox County Schools closed due to rising COVID-19 cases, Maynard reached out by phone to her students’ families. “I checked in with them, asked about their health and if they needed anything,” she said. “I encouraged my students to read every day and practice math and reading on our educational websites.

“Personally, it was very hard to cope with the lockdown and quarantine initially — I had recently experienced two significant losses in my family (not COVID related), and part of coping with that was being with my students and teaching every day,” said Maynard.

OPINION

Is a gift for two still a gift?

Leslie Snow, Shopper News

I always thought bath time was a gift just for me, something special my husband suggested when he noticed I was particularly tired or stressed. Now I know differently and I’m not sure what to think.

My bathing revelation came on an ordinary evening. My husband came home from work, I asked about his day, and listened attentively while he described customers he talked to and problems he solved. Then it was my turn to talk.

I told him about the work I started and never got around to finishing. I recounted my dad’s doctor appointment and listed the errands I had to run. I finished with a story about Buttercup’s trip to the vet.

“Wow,” he said earnestly. “That sounds like a busy day for you. You must be tired.”

I shrugged my shoulders. It was a day like any other, but he insisted on feeling sorry for me anyway. “You do so much around here,” he said, sympathetically. “Why don’t you go upstairs and take a bath. I’ll finish the dinner prep.”

Normally my answer would be a resounding, “Yes, please!” but for some reason, I wasn’t in the mood. I was too hot and too hungry, and a bath didn’t sound appealing. “Let’s grab a couple glasses of wine instead. We can talk while we finish making dinner together. I’ll take a bath another day.”

He was taken aback by my response. “Are you sure? You love baths. Doesn’t a bath sound nice?”

“It does sound nice,” I replied, “but so does cooking and talking. I can sauté the zucchini and make some rice and you can grill the salmon.”

A minute of silence passed before he added, “But the bath bombs you ordered were just delivered. The ones you like so much with the dried flowers in them.”

“I do love those, and I’m happy they were delivered, but I’m not sure I want to take a bath tonight. I think I want to cook,” I replied, a little confused.

“It’s still early,” he persisted. “I’ll cook the salmon just the way you like it, with the crispy skin, and we can both have an hour to relax.”

I let his words soak in for a minute. It sounded like he wanted me to take a bath so he could have an hour to himself. An hour without wine, cooking, or conversation. That’s when it hit me; my special bath time was his special bath time, too. Only without the bath.

My mind raced back to all those nights when I would lie in the tub, feeling guilty about leaving him in the kitchen to make dinner by himself. But then I remembered the whistling. Because while I was soaking, he was grilling steaks and whistling along to Tony Bennett tunes. He was happy. He wasn’t doing me a favor when he suggested a hot bath, he was getting a little “me time” under the guise of giving me a little bath time.

Now when I toss that dried-flower bath bomb into the steaming water at the end of the day, I don’t feel guilty or anxious. Because now I know the truth: Bath time is the gift that keeps on giving.

And I finally know the answer to that age-old question: If your husband urges you to take a bath so he can have an hour alone to relax, is it still a gift?

And the answer is yes, definitely yes.

Leslie Snow may be reached at snow [email protected].

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Shopper News Blog: Vintage Etc. doubles space, adds furniture, outdoor movies