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Friday, August 8, 2025

Preview of the 2025 Community Cookoff Cookout in Riverview

 

It's considered the last big outdoor family event just as the kids wind down the summer.  The annual Community Cookoff Cookout promises to have something for kids and adults with one central theme...  free food!


Last year's Cookout had more than 500 people attending.  "Our goal is to bring folks to a family gathering who may not get a chance to attend other spring and summer events," says organizer Ryan Smith.  "Now is the time of year to unite them in a spirit of getting the kids ready for the next school year around a particular date that holds a lot of history."

The Community Cookoff Cookout started eleven years ago as a celebration in Kingsport of the 8th of August, the day back in 1863 when Andrew Johnson, then the Military Governor of Tennessee and later president, freed his slaves at his home in Greeneville.  According to the Beck Cultural Center in Knoxville, many communities in Tennessee celebrate the 8th of August as Emancipation Day every year, among them Greeneville, Knoxville, Clarksville, Kingsport and 55 communities in seven other states.  Meanwhile, Juneteenth is celebrated nationwide as the day in 1865 when news of the Emancipation Proclamation reached the last remaining enslaved people in the United States, even though the proclamation itself had already gone into effect on January 1, 1863.  Tennessee recognizes both the 8th of August and Juneteenth as Freedom days.

The Cookout festivities start at 4 PM on Saturday, August 9, 2025 at the V.O. Dobbins ball field behind the Riverview Splash Pad, 1101 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive in Kingsport.  Everybody is invited.  The program begins with a welcome and introduction, the reading of a city proclamation and a history of the 8th of August.  Then the food is served and the activities begin.  Entertainment includes music by two DJ's, a popular water slide, prize giveaways including restaurant certificates, school backpacks, and tee shirts, and other activities for both children and the young at heart.

The entire event is free and open to the public.  "We are not a fundraiser,"  Smith says.  "We don't ask for money, no donations required to come on to the ball field.  Just bring your enthusiam and the kids and we'll supply everything else.  Friendship, fellowship and free food.  You can't top that."

On the Saturday menu are hamburgers, hot dogs, baloney sandwiches, fish, chicken and boneless wings.  The side items include green beans, mac-n-cheese, greens, corn, cowboy beans, cabbage, mixed vegetables, spaghetti and pasta.  "We are proud of our church sponsors, who personally cook many of the sides that we'll be serving," says Smith.   

Those churches are the Central Baptist Church, the Full Gospel Mission Church and the Mt. Zion Holiness Church.  Other event sponsors are the City of Kingsport, Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Handy Man A to Z, Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, Turner Paving and Sealing, Fringe Hair and Nail Studio, Taylor's Plumbing and Home Services, Southern Roots Salon, Southern Dwellings, Salon 211, Taylor-Made Barber Shop, Hot Dog Hut, Sweet's Sports Tavern and Eatery, Texas Roadhouse, Applebee's, Chili's, Buffalo Wild Wings, Krazy Chicken, DJ Gimmee Jimmy, Monsta Amusements, Jeff's Pipe & Muffler, TN/VA Fellowship against Racism, the New Vision Youth, 2 Do Better and Vic Danger Legacy.

Smith says everybody's invited to the last big bash of the Kingsport summer.  "Our motto says it all.. bring the kids, bring a seat, come eat."


Sunday, July 27, 2025

Sidney R. Lyons remembrance

 


Sidney R. Lyons passed away on July 23 at the age of 71. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather, and uncle, known for his kindness and generosity.


Born on March 17th, 1954, in Bristol, TN, Sidney lived a life filled with love, service, hard work, and faith. He honorably served 25 years in the United States Air Force before retiring, followed by 15 years at Raytheon.


Sidney is survived by his wife, Delia Lyons; two sons, Ricky Lyons and Joey Alingcastre; three daughters, Kathy Williams, Vickie Queen, and Tonya Lyons; and six grandchildren: Rasco Razon, Renzo Razon, Raven Razon, Linzy Williams Jr., Chelsea Queen, Victoria White, and Carter Queen. He is survived by his sister, Sylvia Davis; four nieces and nephews, Angela Edwards, Reginald Davis, LaSonya Johnson, Jeanna Racquel and several great nephews and nieces.


A visitation will be held on Monday, August 4th, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Faith Chapel Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 11:00 a.m., also at Faith Chapel. Burial will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola, FL. A repast will follow at 2:00 p.m. at Osceola Golf Course.


The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to all the hospital staff and friends for their support and compassion.


Though he may be gone from our sight, Sidney will live forever in our hearts.

Visitation

AUG 410:00 AM - 11:00 AM (CT)

Faith Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory (South)

100 Beverly Pkwy

Pensacola, FL 32505

(850) 432-6146

https://www.fcfhs.com/

Funeral Service

AUG 411:00 AM (CT)

Faith Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory (South)

100 Beverly Pkwy

Pensacola, FL 32505

(850) 432-6146

https://www.fcfhs.com/

Cemetery Details

Barrancas National Cemetery

1 Cemetery Road

Pensacola, FL 32508


Friday, July 11, 2025

Back to School 2025

 



Thursday, July 10, 2025

The 2025 Douglass Reunion Welcome!

 Welcome to the 2025 Douglass Reunion, from former teacher Mrs. Lois Page Roberts, and former Douglass School student and Teacher Legacy daughter Roberta (Bert) Webb (click the video button twice to play):




Tuesday, July 8, 2025

2025 Douglass School Reunion - Memorial Service

 

Here are pictures from the 2025 Douglass Reunion Memorial Service, Sunday, July 5, 2025.  (Click on the pictures below to make them bigger).  

The Douglass Banquet pictures are further down this column (NOTE:  At the bottom of the page, click "older posts."  The first Banquet pictures are one page back.)  















































More pictures from the 2025 Douglass School Reunion

 More Pictures from the 2025 Douglass Reunion Banquet in Kingsport, Tennessee (click on the pictures to make them bigger):























































































Click "Older Posts" on the lower right.. More pictures and the videos are in the previous column: