Plans are underway to return the Morristown College Bell to Futon-Hill Park. We need funds to restore and protect it from vandalism so that it can once again be shared with the community along with the story of it’s history.
Jennifer Kirst, Food Distribution Manager for Second Harvest of East Tennessee, extends her thanks to all those who volunteered in helping distribute food boxes on June 7th.
This partnership effort is co-sponsored and supported by the Hamblen County NAACP, HOLA Lakeway, Morristown’s Task Force on Diversity and is being hosted by Bethlehem Baptist Church on Cherokee Drive the first Tuesday of each month.
The next Mobile Food Pantry will be held on July 5th.
Thanks to all for this outpouring of compassion and assistance to families in Hamblen County.
The Mobile Food Pantry hosted by Second Harvest, HOLA Lakeway, the Hamblen County Chapter of the NAACP and Morristown’s Task Force on Diversity distributed 300 food boxes on November 2nd! Thank you helpers and distributors! There were a number of young people from Second Harvest who cheered our hearts! The event was held at the offices of HOLA Lakeway. The next Mobile Food Bank will be held on December 7. Below are some photos from November.
Tentative Future Dates
for Morristown TN
January 4, 2022
Feb 1, 2022
March 1, 2022
April 5, 2022
May 3,2022
June 7, 2022
Drive Through WSCC Pages WSCC Pages
RITA students WSCC Pages
There are 14 parks and/or greenways in the Morristown Parks system. Eight of the parks have playgrounds.
Dr. Martin Luther King Park is located at 350 W. Ninth North Street, sits on eight acres at the top of a hill. The view is almost 360 degrees and from the entrance of the park. one can see Clinch Mountain and the Cumberland Gap.
The park is very amenable to family activities. There is a pavilion and picnic facilities a short walking trail, a seasonal butterfly garden, restrooms and a playground with one piece of equipment. It is used by families and church groups for reunions, birthday parties and other events. One thing that could improve the experience would be additional equipment to accommodate children with disabilities.
MTFD is currently receiving donations to provide two swings for children with disabilities. If you wish to support this effort, please send donations to Morristown Task Force on Diversity c/o Rose Center, 442 W 2nd N St, Morristown, TN 37814.
HIDDEN TREASURES ACADEMY HORTICULTURE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
Hidden Treasures Academy, Inc. is a private, post-secondary educational program for high-functioning adults with intellectual disabilities. In their program, they combine applied academics, job-skills and life-skills classes with social and recreational activities while nurturing individual and spiritual growth to students within their program. Not only do students discover the hidden treasures within themselves, but they also have the opportunity to share those treasures with peers and others within our community.
One of those community opportunities comes by way of a partnership with the UT Extension Institute of Agriculture, All Saints Episcopal Church and a few of the Morristown Master Gardeners as they develop a Horticulture Certification Program exclusively for HTA students.
This hands-on program will expand student’s knowledge, skills, and enjoyment of horticulture. The purpose of the program is to build entry-level skills needed to further career opportunities for each student.
ADA approved beds will be built on All Saints Episcopal Church property this fall and planting will start Spring 2016. Funding for this program has been provided in part by grants from the Morristown Task Force on Diversity and the Modern Woodmen of America Fraternal Financial.
Hidden Treasures Academy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, #462819251. www.hiddentreasuresacademy.org
Tracy E. Lewis, Founder / Executive Director
Hidden Treasures Academy, Inc.
www.hiddentreasuresacademy.org
Office: (423) 254-3744
Fax: (423) 586-4281
Each year, members of the Task Force review and select one or more, age and grade level appropriate books for children and youth which focus on diversity, resolving differences, creating respect and community building.
Copies of the book (or books) are then contributed to the libraries of the eleven elementary schools, the four Middle Schools and the two high schools in the Hamblen County School District. In addition, we place a copy of each book chosen in the Morristown-Hamblen Library.
2016 Books for School Libraries:
This year’s book selection for Elementary Schools is “The Flat People and the Round People” written by local author, Claudia Ware.
This is a beautifully illustrated book in which the flat people and the round people live on opposite sides on town and do not speak to one another because they are different. The story unfolds when one brave little boy decides to cross over to the other side of town.
RECOMMENDED READING LISTS:
For parents and teachers of children, age 2 – age 10, click here Book List for Ages 2 – 10
For parents and teachers of Middle Schools, click here. (Work In progress)
Click here for a short list of books for High School Book List for High School Students
For a short list of non-fiction books suitable for adults, click here. Non-Fiction Adult Home Library-November 2015
High School teaching films, for October and November, click here. The attached, pdf list is of seven, Native American Films for High School Teachers.
Films suitable for February- Black History Month- may be found here as follows:
…The Experience of Slavery: Films about the Experience of Slavery
…The Abolitionist Movement: Films about The Abolitionists
…The Civil War and Emancipation: (Under construction)
…The Civil Rights Movement: (Under Construction)
Please note that there are books (and films) on these lists which are beloved classics and which may be cherished by many.
There are also books (and films) listed for High School students or adults which may be controversial and which do include violence of many types. Some may contain offensive language or situations. The history of people is a history of those in power perpetuating violence on those who are not in power. This can be in the form of language and bullying. It can be physical, beatings, incarceration, segregating people in certain areas or on reservations. It can include the rebellion of people against oppression and that is often violent. It includes the closing of economic opportunity and the rejection of certain cultural behaviors important to people outside the “us.” This is the situation of those who are different from the insider culture. For others, the situation itself or the perspective presented by the book may be challenging or even disturbing.
In regard to the adult reading list, we seek to list contemporary reading of note. These will not be easy reading for anyone. We urge readers not to bypass these books. Instead, we urge readers to gather for book discussions in order to process what you are reading.
The reality of our world is that in order to build community and the quality of life for all, we must identify our differences and confront the challenges that are part of the different cultural pools in which we swim.