Hobbies and Happiness @ the Living Heritage Museum

Single-Room Pioneer House now on display at the Living Heritage Museum!  Akin to Little House on the Prairie, my kids and I lit up when we saw this part of the museum! Curator Lisa Chastain is pictured here, and she's my new BFF!  Thanks, Lisa, for indulging me with so many wonderful details during the tour!  I love your work!

Click here to listen to my interview with Living Heritage Museum Curator Lisa Chastain!

Don't miss this event!

Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 a.m. Program – Tennessee Sampler Lecture

In the Parlor.

Ex. Dir. Ashley Rush, Cur. Lisa Chastain and me :)

My Aunt has many portraits like these in her home...Perhaps that's why I like them so much!

Lisa said all the kids who visit the museum play "find the two brothers" in this painting!

In the country store! 

A scale such as this may have been used for trading vegetables...  If you've got 1lb carrots and I've got 1lb peppers, let's trade!

Tools of dentistry/torture haven't changed that much! LOL. ;)

All-natural pain killer for before/after the dentist...

And now we're living history!  This still was conviscated from Starr Mountian in 2011!!!  It was the first still to be confiscated in thirty years!  Fact: McMinn County allows for the sale of beer, but no other alcoholic beverages.

Kids are allowed to "camp out" as the soldiers of the Civil War would have done.

It's a RED COAT! Oh, wrong war, lol.

Samplers such as this would be the work of a wealthy man's daughter, you can tell by the complication of skill needed.  Who ever crafted this would have had a lot of time to dedicate to her "work" and probably would have been viewed when a potential husband came for a visit.  (Fact:  My Aunt has Samplers in her home, too!  I never knew what they were called before visiting the Living Heritage Museum.) 

This too is a Sampler, albeit a sample-of-stitches!  It's actually the work of a student at Tennessee Weslayan College when it was a finishing school for women.  (My mother will like that bit of info!)

Little, but not least! I love this alpahbet sampler!  So cute.  Thanks, Lisa for holding the frame for me!   

Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz

Morgan Johnson, 17-year-old Victim of Suicide Remembered With Love

Since Tuesday when the news of 17-year-old Morgan Johnson's suicide first scrolled across Facebook, I feel as if I carried a ton of bricks.  Almost unable to move with the sadness of this young woman's death.  I didn't know Morgan but my husband taught at her school.  I've wanted so much to do something for this GEM of a young lady, for ALL young ladies ARE GEMS.  Rare and highly valued, as all persons are, I'm reminded that in a dark world such as ours, we need to hear the good news of our "gem-ness." At times we all fear that we aren't worth much.

Community gathered at the L&N Depot, Etowah, Tennessee

I gathered with some spiritual people last night (Thursday) and we spoke of Morgan.  We spoke of our responsibility to love each other, to bear one another's burdens, to do it without expectation of anything in return.  We felt downcast for we were thinking that we are terrible failures at loving this way.  We spoke of the most loving person who ever lived and how our favorite book about him tells us he gave up heaven for us.  HE GAVE UP HEAVEN FOR US.  Because, for him, us knowing him, us knowing his father, WAS what he lived and died and rose again to realize!  His love for us never fails!  He will fill us to over- flowing with love for each other.  We need only look to him!


On Morgan's Facebook page, she says she knows this One Who Loves her most.  Someone had to tell her that.  Someone shared that good news of a hero!  I went to a candlelight vigil for Morgan to represent the One Who Loves. He has a plan in all this.  He works all things together for good for those who know him.  You and I are invited to know Him!

I've wanted so much to do something for this GEM of a young lady, for ALL young ladies ARE GEMS.

Haley Martin, friend of Morgan's and coordinator of the candle light vigil met with me after the event.  I was grateful for her willingness to do something in honor of Morgan.   


We need only look on the One Who Loves to be filled with love...  Let us rest, gazing upon him!  He will be our strength.  He will never leave us nor forsake us, not even in death!  

From the Daily Post Athenian: Authorities looking into whether bullying led to student’s suicide

BREAKING NEWS UPDATE  for  Wednesday, February 8, 2012.

BREAKING NEWS - Authorities looking into whether bullying led to student’s suicide Special to The Daily Post-AthenianThe McMinn County Sheriff’s Department is looking into the possibility that bullying may have led to the suicide of a 17-year-old McMinn Central High School student on Tuesday. While no direct link with bullying has been established, authorities continue to investigate the incident. “I’ve kept in close contact with the young lady’s parents,” said Sheriff Joe Guy. “Neither her parents, school administrators, nor our school resource officers had received any reports that she was a victim of bullying prior to this unfortunate incident. “There have been some allegations made afterward, and we will look into those allegations,” Guy said. “Her parents and I agree that the most important thing is to do whatever we can to prevent another family from having to experience a tragic loss like this. “If any kind of intimidation or harassment occurs in our schools, it needs to be reported before a tragedy happens,” he added. “Students who have knowledge of any issues are encouraged to go to teachers, parents, guidance counselors, ministers and school resource officers. “Our community is committed to dealing with the problem of bullying, but we need people to speak up before, not afterward when it is too late,” Guy said. The incident occurred Tuesday around noon in a church parking lot in McMinn County. The student had not attended school that day. Guy said that he posted two of his chaplains at McMinn Central High School today to assist school officials and local clergy members in counseling students and staff members as they deal with the loss. “Our community has lost a beautiful, intelligent young person with so much hope and promise,” Guy said. “It’s just devastating. Our thoughts and prayers are with her parents, friends and family.” A candlelight vigil is planned for tonight in Downtown Etowah. Read Story

Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz

Three Little Acts to Change the Future for Better!

Vision Casting Tomorrow, February 4th.  Athens Alive 2035 Event

1.  Attend Athens Alive 2035 tomorrow from 10 AM to 2PM.


Tomorrow, we are invited to the Athens Middle School auditorium, to share our hopes for the future!  I've shared on the air that, "this side of heaven, there is no "heaven"" and that's true.  But until Christ returns, it is our work to redeem the relationships of people to God, and then to be ambassadors of God's love to his creation! 

 “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15


Which is why, when Athens Public Works Director, Athens' own Young-Man-of-the-Year and friend Shawn Lindsey wrote the email below, I wanted to share it with you!


2.  Listen for INSPIRATION

"Dear Friends:I was in grade school when my teacher talked to us about the concept of utopia.  I was fascinated with the idea of a perfect place.  It consumed my thoughts and I wanted to learn more and more about it and I have pursued it my entire life and still to this day the idea of utopia keeps me up nights.  For those that may not know what Utopia is Wikipedia defines it as: 

Utopia (/juːˈtoʊpiə/) is an ideal community or society possessing a perfect socio-politico-legal system. The word was imported from Greek by Sir Thomas More for his 1516 book Utopia, describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean. The term has been used to describe both intentional communities that attempt to create an ideal society, and fictional societies portrayed in literature. It has spawned other concepts, most prominentlydystopia.

 I later read books like Don Quixote by Cervantes who told us a story of a man who decided to see the world as it should be instead of how it was.  I admire this kind of crazy.  I like the fact that there are those among who have the attitudes, the belief in themselves and those around them, as well as the courage to change the world for the better.  Now it seems to me as if we all have that chance this Saturday.   I hope to see you at the Middle School and to be ready to decide the future of the community we all love and the faith to make it happen.  I think it is the time and the place to begin brining an Abundant Life to those we will leave this community to in 2035.  I can’t wait for the journey between now and then and to see the path laid before us as this process is completed.

Please look at the attached and share with your fellow Athenians at work, school, church, and with your civic clubs.

 Sincerely,

Shawn Lindsey

Public Works Director

City of Athens

phone: 423 744-2746

Isn't Mr. Lindsey a great writer?!  You can see why I wanted to share this email.  We thank God for The Lindsey Family and the blessing they are to Mc Minn County!
Tomorrow, our family will not be present for this event.  Our dear Uncle Clarence Croft, who used humor & engineering to redeem many an awkward situation will be laid to rest in Madisonville.  Please remember Uncle Clarence's family in your prayers.
3.  Share your hopes for the future of Athens!

Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz

Cancer Survivor Hugh Mc Campbell Plays It Forward Through Concert Fundraiser

Tonight we went to a concert, which was actually like a really cool PBS Special.  My very first guest on my radio show, Katie's Community Connection was a man named Hugh "Doc" Mc Campbell.  He's a vet for large animals and has a resume more diverse than the United Nations!  Honestly, I didn't know what to expect tonight!  I know Doc is always full of surprising stories to tickle the funny-bone.  And I know he can play the  piano (he plays at church nearly every Sunday...) And he can play the banjo and sing, (Doc recorded a song that I used for my show's intro theme music!)
Doc went from recognizing veterans, to the pledge, to "God Bless America!" seamlessly.  A favorite funny was the randomly chosen audience/quartet singers who sang a 60's love song, unrehearsed while Doc accompanied on the piano!  A little-known but beautiful piece written by Doc's mom conveyed the close-knit family which Hugh was raised in...
Doc and Marty, his wife of nearly forty-four years have put on this concert annually for the last five years.  It's a community service event in may ways...  First, it's a family friendly, redemptive and entertaining show!  Second, it's a fundraiser for the Mc Campbells' dearly held causes.  Doc is a cancer survivor; some of the money raised goes to cancer research.  A bit of a "pay-it-forward."  The Boy Scouts of America, yes, Hugh was a Cub-Scout AND an Eagle Scout (much like many of the early astronauts), and the third beneficiary of tonight's ticket sales is the Sweetwater Council for the Arts.
After a beautiful reception at the Mc Campbells' home, I finally got my moment with the Star!  "Doc," I said, "This was such a special event...I know you do this and so much more to support the community, you should be Volunteer of the Year!"  After belaboring the point, Hugh walked me back to where there was hung a BIG plaque...  It read:

"Hugh Mc Campbell, Volunteer of The Year 2010".

I was pleased and so was Doc.  Doc went from frame to frame on the walls, sharing stories.  (He must eat a lot of cucumbers or something because his memory is as good as my nine-year-old's!)  My jaw dropped as I read a personal letter from President George W. Bush to Doc!  (It's seems that I am just one-person removed from the Bush family lately.  See my post about "Let it Rain".) Well, then Doc told me they were cousins and I laughed.  Then he showed me the genealogy map and I wasn't laughing anymore!
Doc and Marty have become dear friends to our family.   In the last six months, Marty has been the driving influence behind a new English-As-A-Second-Language school and two Bible Studies for women.  Doc is contacted regularly to appear on TV or radio for his various talents, and still practices veterinary medicine full time.  They have a growing number of grandchildren; many are homeschooled.
Kudos to everyone in Sweetwater who condoned this event.  As we were leaving, I saw the Mayor of Sweetwater usher a disabled man into his car to give him a ride home from the concert.  What mayor does that?  One I want to re-elect, that's for sure!  What a blessed family we are, what a blessed community we have here in East Tennessee.  I'm so thankful for the Mc Campbells and especially that Doc survived cancer!  Here's to another sweet memory and many successful fundraising concerts!
Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz
P.S. If you would like a CD of Doc's music or would like to support Doc and Marty's fundraising efforts,  send me an email at KatieSmithCommunityConnection@gmail.com

Bring on the Rain, Something BIGGER IS HAPPENING!

Drizzle and cold temps today cannot stop the swell of love...  It is pervasive, like the wind, always moving.

Today in Athens, Tennessee, I took a stroll to the Living Heritage Museum where I saw the VERY FIRST IPAD!!!!  It's called a "Sampler" and you may have seen them without even knowing it! Special thanks to Mary, who hosted my visit! Then, my visit with LHM Exec. Director Ashley Rush blew my mind with ideas and strategy to keep audio and video content coming your way!  (Feel the love??)

I needed to get Thank You Notes for Ashley and I wanted THE BEST for her...  So on my way threw downtown, I stopped at Greek's Bearing Gifts, which is just-Aaaaaaah!  A breath of fresh air!  I'm sure I drove the sales clerk crazy, but she didn't let on, answering question after question about paper!  I wanted just the right colors.  "Blush and Bashful."  If you are a Steel Magnolias devotee as I am then I'm sure you will understand!  (I think "Blush and Bashful" are sorority colors too...Someone can fill me in on that...)

Right next door is the Athens Chamber of Commerce, where Chamber President Rob Preston told me three stories...

1.  Meeting First Lady Barbara Bush and the Secret Police!!!
2. Steve Scheibner, American Airlines pilot originally scheduled to pilot the first plane to hit the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001.  He's coming to town in honor of all McMinn County service women.  Mark your calendars for Friday, March 9, 2012.  Tickets are $10. Call 423-745-0334
3. Tanya, who was on my radio show back in December...  I knew Tanya served the homeless.  What I didn't know was that after loosing her regular job, she was so burdened to help the homeless that she just started feeding them, taking them food out in the woods!  I hope to speak with Tanya again soon...

Keep our family in your prayers, too!  We're strategizing and partnering to see and hear and SHARE these stories with you here online.  If you have an idea, comment or would like to sponsor the new venture, please let me know! 

 I'll be staying in touch with you!

Soli Deo Gloria! ~K. De La Cruz

Gifted Friends...Annie Rose Robinson Releases Her First Music Video!

I am so excited for Annie-Rose Robinson, (Katie's Community Connection guest) a recording artist with Pretty Woman Music!  Here's her first video!  Congrats to all involved and much love!

Connect with Annie Rose Robinson:

FACEBOOK:

http://www.facebook.com/AnnieRoseMusic

TWITTER:

https://twitter.com/AnnnieRose

YOUTUBE:

http://www.youtube.com/user/AnnieRoseMusicTV

REVERBNATION:

http://www.reverbnation.com/annieroserobinson

MYSPACE:

http://www.myspace.com/annieroserobinson

TUMBLR:

http://annnierose.tumblr.com/

Category:

Music

xoxo,
Katie