The Sewanee Mountain Messenger
Academy of Lifelong Learning moves to University
The Academy for Lifelong Learning (ALLL) at Sewanee will be one of many programs offered by Sewanee Seminars, led by theatre arts professor and coordinator of the Sewanee Summer Seminar, Dan Backlund. The lunch and learn seminars will continue offering learning opportunities to all those who are interested.
The Academy for Lifelong Learning was created when Tom Watson, former interim director of St. Mary’s Sewanee, put together a committee to bring more programming to the center.
“The lights were on, and no one was home,” said Anne Davis, who has been involved with the program since its creation.
“Elaine Goleski and I decided we would become the coordinators of the programming. Elaine lives in Jacksonville now. Our program has been mostly for retired people, but you don’t have to be retired to come. We typically have about 35-45 people come every month, once a month for the noon-time talk," she said.
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The Academy for Lifelong Learning was created when Tom Watson, former interim director of St. Mary’s Sewanee, put together a committee to bring more programming to the center.
“The lights were on, and no one was home,” said Anne Davis, who has been involved with the program since its creation.
“Elaine Goleski and I decided we would become the coordinators of the programming. Elaine lives in Jacksonville now. Our program has been mostly for retired people, but you don’t have to be retired to come. We typically have about 35-45 people come every month, once a month for the noon-time talk," she said.
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Expansion planned for Morton Memorial Church
Trees were felled and ground broken on a expansion to Morton Memorial United Methodist Church (MMUMC) four years in the making. The expansion is the first since the education building was added to Morton in the 1950s.
The church expansion, which will be called the Ministry Center, will add 3,200 square feet for an approximate cost—including furnishings— of $900,000. The building will be connected to the front portion of the existing sanctuary by a hallway. RVC Construction in Winchester is handling the project.
“I’m so excited because the first thing I say to people about our building is it makes our full campus accessible to anyone that wants to walk in the door,” said Rev. Amanda Diamond. “There was a strategic ministry team in place who had done a lot of work before I arrived five years ago, and we sort of reconfigured that team and spent time talking about how you move into growth. One of the things was how we could begin to be in relationship and partnership with the community.”
Diamond said this expansion is another step toward furthering community partnership.
Rich Wyckoff, a member of the church building committee, said space constraints and lack of accessibility are what called for the expansion.
“We have just run out of space. And currently, if you’re in a wheelchair, we’re not accessible. Back in 1902, when the church was built, you didn’t worry about accessibility. This expansion will provide that into the sanctuary and into the bathrooms,” said Wyckoff.
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The church expansion, which will be called the Ministry Center, will add 3,200 square feet for an approximate cost—including furnishings— of $900,000. The building will be connected to the front portion of the existing sanctuary by a hallway. RVC Construction in Winchester is handling the project.
“I’m so excited because the first thing I say to people about our building is it makes our full campus accessible to anyone that wants to walk in the door,” said Rev. Amanda Diamond. “There was a strategic ministry team in place who had done a lot of work before I arrived five years ago, and we sort of reconfigured that team and spent time talking about how you move into growth. One of the things was how we could begin to be in relationship and partnership with the community.”
Diamond said this expansion is another step toward furthering community partnership.
Rich Wyckoff, a member of the church building committee, said space constraints and lack of accessibility are what called for the expansion.
“We have just run out of space. And currently, if you’re in a wheelchair, we’re not accessible. Back in 1902, when the church was built, you didn’t worry about accessibility. This expansion will provide that into the sanctuary and into the bathrooms,” said Wyckoff.
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Local food ministry helping those experiencing food insecurity
In 2006, Sandy Cantrell had a stroke. After a few years of being unable to work, she found herself struggling to put food on the table. A friend told her of a local ministry that provided food assistance to those with food insecurity, and that is when she rst visited Morton Memorial United Methodist Church (MMUMC).
Three years later, she is meeting with people once a month, helping distribute meals to those who come for food assistance. Cantrell said the best part about the ministry is that it helps get her out of the house and allows her to meet people.
“My mind doesn’t comprehend too much anymore, and I developed Parkinson’s disease. But the food ministry helps people who can’t afford to go buy groceries. I liked it so much I ended up staying to help. It’s a good program, and I would recommend it,” said Cantrell.
The Rev. Amanda Diamond of MMUMC said that is just the kind of impression she hopes the food ministry will have on those it assists—a group she calls the church’s Saturday family.
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Three years later, she is meeting with people once a month, helping distribute meals to those who come for food assistance. Cantrell said the best part about the ministry is that it helps get her out of the house and allows her to meet people.
“My mind doesn’t comprehend too much anymore, and I developed Parkinson’s disease. But the food ministry helps people who can’t afford to go buy groceries. I liked it so much I ended up staying to help. It’s a good program, and I would recommend it,” said Cantrell.
The Rev. Amanda Diamond of MMUMC said that is just the kind of impression she hopes the food ministry will have on those it assists—a group she calls the church’s Saturday family.
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Sewanee summer meals program serves nearly 8,000 kids
The South Cumberland Summer Meal Program served 7,800 meals to about 700 kids this summer. That’s up 2,000 meals from last year. The number of kids served stayed at 700, according to Sarah Hess, a VISTA with AmeriCorps working in the area. The program, which ran from June 5 to July 28 this year, is to be supplemental to local kids during the summer when meals may not be as frequent as those provided at school. There were 20 different sites this year, each of which was run by a member of the community.
“The program is run through the USDA and the Tennessee Department of Human Services coordinates it. Because of the way the grant is set up, the program is funded month-by-month,” said Liz Sirney, Hunger Relief and Literacy Coordinator.
Sirney, a VISTA with AmeriCorps, just finished her second year working with the program. Her job as hunger relief coordinator is to coordinate the meal program.
In addition to providing local kids with a meal and fellowship, the program also provides a space for continued learning throughout the summer.
“A lot of the sites had programming, like the libraries and the summer reading programs. At two of the sites, we piloted this new thing called free play. We bought a bunch of materials—boxes, string, paint—and the kids would come and do whatever they wanted. It’s supposed to be child-led, and the adults aren’t supposed to tell them what to do,” said Sirney.
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“The program is run through the USDA and the Tennessee Department of Human Services coordinates it. Because of the way the grant is set up, the program is funded month-by-month,” said Liz Sirney, Hunger Relief and Literacy Coordinator.
Sirney, a VISTA with AmeriCorps, just finished her second year working with the program. Her job as hunger relief coordinator is to coordinate the meal program.
In addition to providing local kids with a meal and fellowship, the program also provides a space for continued learning throughout the summer.
“A lot of the sites had programming, like the libraries and the summer reading programs. At two of the sites, we piloted this new thing called free play. We bought a bunch of materials—boxes, string, paint—and the kids would come and do whatever they wanted. It’s supposed to be child-led, and the adults aren’t supposed to tell them what to do,” said Sirney.
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Commission approved education budget, property tax rate
During a specially-called meeting of the county commission last month, the commissioners voted 10–3 in favor of an $800,000 increase in the general education budget. Prior to the vote, the school board fund balance was sitting at $5 million. The $800,000 includes covering an increase in medical insurance and half of the 2 percent salary increase for certified teachers and support employees.
The commission also voted unanimously to approve that the current 2.67 property tax rate be maintained.
Stanley Bean, director of schools and former commissioner, thanked the commission for what he said was a vote for the future of students in Franklin County.
“There’s two groups of people in Franklin County we need to take care of—senior citizens and children. This vote was not a school budget vote. It was a children’s future vote. No matter how you think about it, what you voted on affects children’s futures. This money is going to be used for the futures of the children in Franklin County,” said Bean.
County Mayor Richard Stewart spoke to the commission in favor of the tax rate remaining the same.
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The commission also voted unanimously to approve that the current 2.67 property tax rate be maintained.
Stanley Bean, director of schools and former commissioner, thanked the commission for what he said was a vote for the future of students in Franklin County.
“There’s two groups of people in Franklin County we need to take care of—senior citizens and children. This vote was not a school budget vote. It was a children’s future vote. No matter how you think about it, what you voted on affects children’s futures. This money is going to be used for the futures of the children in Franklin County,” said Bean.
County Mayor Richard Stewart spoke to the commission in favor of the tax rate remaining the same.
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Healthcare panel sponsored by Sewanee Organize and Act
A group of concerned Franklin County residents met on Monday night for a panel on healthcare reform sponsored by Sewanee Organize and Act.
The panel was organized to provide a space for citizens to air their concerns and to learn from industry professionals about how, if passed, the proposed repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would affect medical practices and their patients. In May of this year, the House of Representatives passed the proposed repeal. The vote went to the Senate earlier this week.
The panel was organized and moderated by Sandra Rice, a certified nurse practitioner in oncology and family practice. Rice has worked with the Tennessee Justice Center, and she said it was a Justice Center panel from June that planted the seed in her mind to organize a panel in Franklin County.
“It was just fantastic, and I learned so much. I thought we needed to do a panel like that one in rural Tennessee. We would be really affected by any of the changes with healthcare and the ACA, so I said, ‘Let’s do this,’” said Rice. “The purpose of the panel was to be a public hearing, to educate and allow citizens to provide input to the proposed legislation."
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The panel was organized to provide a space for citizens to air their concerns and to learn from industry professionals about how, if passed, the proposed repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would affect medical practices and their patients. In May of this year, the House of Representatives passed the proposed repeal. The vote went to the Senate earlier this week.
The panel was organized and moderated by Sandra Rice, a certified nurse practitioner in oncology and family practice. Rice has worked with the Tennessee Justice Center, and she said it was a Justice Center panel from June that planted the seed in her mind to organize a panel in Franklin County.
“It was just fantastic, and I learned so much. I thought we needed to do a panel like that one in rural Tennessee. We would be really affected by any of the changes with healthcare and the ACA, so I said, ‘Let’s do this,’” said Rice. “The purpose of the panel was to be a public hearing, to educate and allow citizens to provide input to the proposed legislation."
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Five finalists announced for Jacqueline Avent concerto competition
Pianists Peng Chian Chen and Jeong Seunghun, along with utist Elise Kim, oboist Logan Jack Esterling and violinist Ma hew Sakiyama, performed July 13 with an orchestra formed speci cally for the concerto. Performed at the concert were pieces by Gershwin, Ravel, Mozart, Vaughan Williams and Beethoven.
All students of orchestral instruments or piano at the festival are invited to enter the Jacqueline Avent Concerto Competition. Students compete for recognition of their musical achievements as well as a scholarship to a end the festival next year. According to festival director Evelyn Loehrlein, about 60 students entered the first of three rounds of the competition. In the second round, there were around 30 students, which was whittled down to 11 in the final round.
The Jacqueline Avent Concerto Competition was established in 2007 by University graduate Walter Nance and Sewanee resident Mayna Avent Nance in honor of Mayna’s elder sister.Student performances are judged for artistry and mastery—which is a difcult task because of the high level of skill all students of the festival possess.
“Many of the students are playing at a very high level, and the competition was intense. Each of the five performers displayed a special ingredient that goes beyond a high level of musical execution. That ingredient resulted in an obvious connection with the audience,” said Loehrlein.
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All students of orchestral instruments or piano at the festival are invited to enter the Jacqueline Avent Concerto Competition. Students compete for recognition of their musical achievements as well as a scholarship to a end the festival next year. According to festival director Evelyn Loehrlein, about 60 students entered the first of three rounds of the competition. In the second round, there were around 30 students, which was whittled down to 11 in the final round.
The Jacqueline Avent Concerto Competition was established in 2007 by University graduate Walter Nance and Sewanee resident Mayna Avent Nance in honor of Mayna’s elder sister.Student performances are judged for artistry and mastery—which is a difcult task because of the high level of skill all students of the festival possess.
“Many of the students are playing at a very high level, and the competition was intense. Each of the five performers displayed a special ingredient that goes beyond a high level of musical execution. That ingredient resulted in an obvious connection with the audience,” said Loehrlein.
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Bean resigns from Franklin County Commission seat
Stanley Bean, who was appointed Director of Schools in June, resigned from his position as county commissioner in the July meeting.
Bean had been on the commission for 11 years.
“I want to say how happy and proud and honored I am to be director of schools. I hope I can do as well as others who have gone before me in past years. One thing I would like to see at some point is for the school committee and the long-range planning committee to work together. On Aug. 4, we have 5,300 students coming in,” Bean said. “The number one thing is we have to make sure our students are safe.”
David Eldridge, seat A in the seventh district, asked Bean if he was able to say anything about the consolidation of the middle schools. Bean said the issue had not been brought up in any school board meetings he had attended.
“They were going to kind of wait to get my feet wet and get through budget proceedings,” said Bean. “I’ll honor their requests going forward, but I do want to talk with all the school board members about what I think we should do. They will have the final say so, but we’re all going to have to do it together.”
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Bean had been on the commission for 11 years.
“I want to say how happy and proud and honored I am to be director of schools. I hope I can do as well as others who have gone before me in past years. One thing I would like to see at some point is for the school committee and the long-range planning committee to work together. On Aug. 4, we have 5,300 students coming in,” Bean said. “The number one thing is we have to make sure our students are safe.”
David Eldridge, seat A in the seventh district, asked Bean if he was able to say anything about the consolidation of the middle schools. Bean said the issue had not been brought up in any school board meetings he had attended.
“They were going to kind of wait to get my feet wet and get through budget proceedings,” said Bean. “I’ll honor their requests going forward, but I do want to talk with all the school board members about what I think we should do. They will have the final say so, but we’re all going to have to do it together.”
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Sewanee Summer Music Festival: Through the years
When Sally and Walter Sedelow first heard of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF) four years ago, they decided to come for a week to see if it was a good fit for their interests.
Before hearing about Sewanee, the couple typically spent summers in Europe, listening to orchestral and chamber music. But now, Sally said it’s the quality of the music at SSMF that brings them back to the Mountain each year. And Walter agrees.
“We were in upstate New York, and we began to notice students who had been here at the festival. That alerted us to the fact that there was good music here,” said Walter. “The first time we came, we came for a week, and we told friends they would be amazed. The expertise of the students is really exceptional. You’ve got something good here.”
In its early days, the SSMF—known then as the Sewanee Summer Music Center—was a summer home to only about 30 students. Now, the festival attracts more than 200 student musicians from around the globe each summer, all looking for chances to hone their skills and gain performance experience.
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Before hearing about Sewanee, the couple typically spent summers in Europe, listening to orchestral and chamber music. But now, Sally said it’s the quality of the music at SSMF that brings them back to the Mountain each year. And Walter agrees.
“We were in upstate New York, and we began to notice students who had been here at the festival. That alerted us to the fact that there was good music here,” said Walter. “The first time we came, we came for a week, and we told friends they would be amazed. The expertise of the students is really exceptional. You’ve got something good here.”
In its early days, the SSMF—known then as the Sewanee Summer Music Center—was a summer home to only about 30 students. Now, the festival attracts more than 200 student musicians from around the globe each summer, all looking for chances to hone their skills and gain performance experience.
Read more...
SSMF to offer conducting classes for first time in 60-year history
For the first time in more than 60 years, student musicians at the Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF) can take classes in conducting.
More than 30 students at the festival are currently participating in the class—some as conducting students and others as observers and members of the orchestra. Students learning to conduct set individualized goals and get one-to-one instruction with Cesar Leal, musicology and music history professor at the University and artistic director and conductor of the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra. Leal earned his Master’s in instrumental conducting from Florida International University.
“[Conducting] is an increasingly demanding field for musicians, so the skills that musicians get must be diverse. One of the trends we have seen is that a lot of soloists are in charge of leading ensembles from their instruments,” said Leal. “For students that are actually participating as conductors, it gives them the necessary body language to lead. You don’t talk—you just show musical signs by developing a physical vocabulary. You try to manifest the music physically, which is a very big challenge.”
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More than 30 students at the festival are currently participating in the class—some as conducting students and others as observers and members of the orchestra. Students learning to conduct set individualized goals and get one-to-one instruction with Cesar Leal, musicology and music history professor at the University and artistic director and conductor of the Sewanee Symphony Orchestra. Leal earned his Master’s in instrumental conducting from Florida International University.
“[Conducting] is an increasingly demanding field for musicians, so the skills that musicians get must be diverse. One of the trends we have seen is that a lot of soloists are in charge of leading ensembles from their instruments,” said Leal. “For students that are actually participating as conductors, it gives them the necessary body language to lead. You don’t talk—you just show musical signs by developing a physical vocabulary. You try to manifest the music physically, which is a very big challenge.”
Read more...
Behind the Scenes of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival
For festival-goers, the Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF) doesn’t begin until June each
year. But for those who work to put on the festival, planning and organization begins months in
advance.
Evelyn Loehrlein, who came to Sewanee a student in the late ‘80s, serves as the director of
the festival, overseeing everything that goes into making the month-long event a success. She
spends months working with others behind the scenes of the festival, recruiting students,
managing all artistic aspects, deciding on the conductors for each year and the pieces they
conduct and hiring and supervising all faculty and music teachers.
“I’ve already started preparing now for next year’s festival,” said Loehrlein. “I’m in the process
of setting our dates now. I have to work with summer conferences to make sure all the spaces
would be available. There’s about 250 of us so where everybody lives is a big piece of the
puzzle. I actually started talking last year to summer conferences about 2018. I sent a message
to the dean proposing dates and I’ve already started working with admissions to design a
postcard for next year.”
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year. But for those who work to put on the festival, planning and organization begins months in
advance.
Evelyn Loehrlein, who came to Sewanee a student in the late ‘80s, serves as the director of
the festival, overseeing everything that goes into making the month-long event a success. She
spends months working with others behind the scenes of the festival, recruiting students,
managing all artistic aspects, deciding on the conductors for each year and the pieces they
conduct and hiring and supervising all faculty and music teachers.
“I’ve already started preparing now for next year’s festival,” said Loehrlein. “I’m in the process
of setting our dates now. I have to work with summer conferences to make sure all the spaces
would be available. There’s about 250 of us so where everybody lives is a big piece of the
puzzle. I actually started talking last year to summer conferences about 2018. I sent a message
to the dean proposing dates and I’ve already started working with admissions to design a
postcard for next year.”
Read more...
Sewanee Summer Music Festival enters 61st season
In just a couple of weeks, more than 200 musicians from around the globe will ock to the Mountain for chances to hone in on their skills and gain performance experience.
The Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF) will enter its 61st year, kicking off music classes and performances onJune17. Since 1957,the SSMF has been a space for student musicians to gain knowledge via instrumental lessons and experience performing for the community.
Every student participates in private lessons, chamber ensembles and one of the two student orchestras. More than 30 concerts are presented during the four-week festival by the student musicians and their mentor artist faculty.
Ruth Cobb, assistant director of marketing and development, has been involved with the SSMF for three summers. Cobb said that, though there have been changes through the decades, the festival’s purpose first and foremost is always the students.
“The festival is known for the attention and focus given to students, with many faculty maintaining contact with their students throughout the year, offering guidance in auditions and college applications,” said Cobb. “Musicians from all over the globe land here, and the festival is where many of these students will get their start, making valuable connections and gaining performing experience.”
Read more...
The Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF) will enter its 61st year, kicking off music classes and performances onJune17. Since 1957,the SSMF has been a space for student musicians to gain knowledge via instrumental lessons and experience performing for the community.
Every student participates in private lessons, chamber ensembles and one of the two student orchestras. More than 30 concerts are presented during the four-week festival by the student musicians and their mentor artist faculty.
Ruth Cobb, assistant director of marketing and development, has been involved with the SSMF for three summers. Cobb said that, though there have been changes through the decades, the festival’s purpose first and foremost is always the students.
“The festival is known for the attention and focus given to students, with many faculty maintaining contact with their students throughout the year, offering guidance in auditions and college applications,” said Cobb. “Musicians from all over the globe land here, and the festival is where many of these students will get their start, making valuable connections and gaining performing experience.”
Read more...
County commission approves budget resolutions
Resolutions to all budgets, fund balances and lease purchases were approved by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners during Monday night’s meeting. Andrea Smith, Director of Finance, said amendments to the Report of Revenues and Expenditures for March and April were commonplace for this time of year.
“This is just the year-end clean up amendment,” said Smith. “We had some [revisions] come up since the finance committee meeting.”
According to Smith, those revisions entail project preservation being operated out of the county general fund; an increase in revenue from the Health Department and a reduction in the funds for local health services to pay for the increase from the Health Department.
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“This is just the year-end clean up amendment,” said Smith. “We had some [revisions] come up since the finance committee meeting.”
According to Smith, those revisions entail project preservation being operated out of the county general fund; an increase in revenue from the Health Department and a reduction in the funds for local health services to pay for the increase from the Health Department.
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Local science education facility introduces STEM programs for girls
Jamie Treadwell, Education Director at the Hands on Science Center (HOSC) in Tullahoma was one of 15 science education program leaders to attend a workshop in Miami focused on marketing STEM programs to young girls. STEM is an acronym for the fields of science, technology, engineering and math.
The workshop, Exhibit Design for Girls Engagement (EDGE), was facilitated by the San Francisco Exploratorium and funded by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The goal of the workshop was to educate those in attendance on how to create girl-friendly exhibits and programs.
“There is currently a trend towards girls-only programs so that they are less intimidated,” said Treadwell. “Because STEM has been perceived as a male topic, there are fewer women who seek careers that are math- and science-based. We are trying to change those perceptions to encourage girls to consider careers in the field of science.”
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The workshop, Exhibit Design for Girls Engagement (EDGE), was facilitated by the San Francisco Exploratorium and funded by a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation. The goal of the workshop was to educate those in attendance on how to create girl-friendly exhibits and programs.
“There is currently a trend towards girls-only programs so that they are less intimidated,” said Treadwell. “Because STEM has been perceived as a male topic, there are fewer women who seek careers that are math- and science-based. We are trying to change those perceptions to encourage girls to consider careers in the field of science.”
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Reach out and Read promotes child literacy in Sewanee
Nearly 100 new books have been joined with the hands of young children in the Sewanee area over the last three months thanks to a program called Reach Out and Read.
Reach Out and Read partnered with the Sewanee Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine clinic in May of this year to promote literacy on the Mountain in lower income areas.
Each year, Reach Out and Read serves 4.5 million children across all 50 states, focusing on those in low-income families. According to the organization’s website, Reach Out and Read’s purpose is to give “young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.”
For children ages 6 months to 6 years, a well child check-up at Sewanee Pediatrics begins with a new book.
“It makes for a very lovely start to a visit because they’re handling the book and turning the pages. Their eyes light up, and then they take the book home and start building their library,” said Amy Evans, board-certified pediatrician at Sewanee Pediatrics. “They love them, and they learn at an early age that getting new books and reading is a pleasurable thing. I think parents also learn how important it is to be their children’s first teacher. If we wait until they’re 3-years-old, we’ve missed three opportune years to teach children.”
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Reach Out and Read partnered with the Sewanee Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine clinic in May of this year to promote literacy on the Mountain in lower income areas.
Each year, Reach Out and Read serves 4.5 million children across all 50 states, focusing on those in low-income families. According to the organization’s website, Reach Out and Read’s purpose is to give “young children a foundation for success by incorporating books into pediatric care and encouraging families to read aloud together.”
For children ages 6 months to 6 years, a well child check-up at Sewanee Pediatrics begins with a new book.
“It makes for a very lovely start to a visit because they’re handling the book and turning the pages. Their eyes light up, and then they take the book home and start building their library,” said Amy Evans, board-certified pediatrician at Sewanee Pediatrics. “They love them, and they learn at an early age that getting new books and reading is a pleasurable thing. I think parents also learn how important it is to be their children’s first teacher. If we wait until they’re 3-years-old, we’ve missed three opportune years to teach children.”
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Pepper the Clown returns to Sewanee
A little more than 40 years ago, Kim Bres-Kelley stood at her mailbox in Salinas,Calif.,with a letter from her mother in her hand. Bres-Kelley opened the letter to find a picture of her mother, Betty Scott Bres, dressed as a clown.
“I couldn’t figure out why she had sent me a picture of a clown, until I read the letter,” said Bres-Kelley. “It was a bit of a surprise— I couldn’t quite believe that my mom was a clown, but it seemed like something she would do.”
Betty Scott Bres, then 50-years-old, had been working as a disaster preparedness instructor for the Girl Scout Council and American Red Cross in Las Vegas and volunteering in hospitals with the Friendship Force before she made the decision to go to clown school. At that point, Pepper the Clown was born.
Forty-two years later, the Sewanee native is returning for a visit to her beloved birthplace on July 2.
Betty, who was born and raised on the domain, attended St. Mary’s and Otey Parish as a child and loved exploring the University’s campus as a teenager with her sister, Louise— especially since it was an all-male college at the time.
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“I couldn’t figure out why she had sent me a picture of a clown, until I read the letter,” said Bres-Kelley. “It was a bit of a surprise— I couldn’t quite believe that my mom was a clown, but it seemed like something she would do.”
Betty Scott Bres, then 50-years-old, had been working as a disaster preparedness instructor for the Girl Scout Council and American Red Cross in Las Vegas and volunteering in hospitals with the Friendship Force before she made the decision to go to clown school. At that point, Pepper the Clown was born.
Forty-two years later, the Sewanee native is returning for a visit to her beloved birthplace on July 2.
Betty, who was born and raised on the domain, attended St. Mary’s and Otey Parish as a child and loved exploring the University’s campus as a teenager with her sister, Louise— especially since it was an all-male college at the time.
Read more...