The Simon Brothers of Kingsport: A celebration of Life and Legacy

 

National Night Out in Riverview: Free Pizza

Pictures are from last year's "We Care" gift basket deliveries because of COVID, and from the in-person event in the ballfield two years ago.

They are your friends.  They are your neighbors.  You see them all the time, in the grocery stores, at church, in the mall.  You see them all over town and sometimes you may not even know who they are because you've never met them.  They're often the silent heroes in our community.  And they are also the first people you call in an emergency.

     Kingsport's upcoming annual National Night Out event in the V.O. Dobbins ballfield will bring law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians and other first responders together with the people they serve.  "Kingsport is a collection of good neighborhoods in a safe, friendly and welcoming community," says Mayor Pat Shull.  "We welcome everyone to attend the National Night out activities and help celebrate the Kingsport Spirit."

     Covid prevented people from gathering last year from celebrating that "thank you" spirit.  Members of the New Vision Youth delivered "We Care" gift baskets to local first responders at their bases of operation and while the spirit was there, everyone is looking forward to getting back together this year in a big way.

 

      Kingsport police officers, Sullivan County sheriff's deputies, Kingsport firefighters, emergency medical technicians, life-saving crew members and representatives from Ballad Health's medical facilities will all be on hand this coming Thursday for their annual "meet and greet" session with residents.  People will get the chance to meet new first responders they've never met, and greet first responders again that they may already know.  "We're always delighted to attend the National Night Out event," says KPD's Public Information Officer Tom Patton.  "Meeting people continues our mission of preventing crime in our neighborhoods and throughout the entire community."

     This year's National Night Out in Kingsport will be held on Thursday, October 13, 2022 in the V.O. Dobbins (Douglass) ballfield on MLK Drive at Louis Street, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  In case it rains, the free event will move inside the nearby V.O. Dobbins gymnasium.  It's not just an adult event... special attention is being paid to grab the children's focus.  "Parents can get their children fingerprinted and firefighters will have equipment available," says event organizer Johnnie Mae Swagerty.  "One of the most popular activities for children is 'touch a truck' where the fire department sets up one of their fire trucks.  Children can get inside, try on the firefighting equipment, and see what the firefighters do in emergencies.  Law enforcement also has some activities planned as well."

     Special emphasis is always placed on children's interaction with first responders.  "Sometimes, little children can be bothered by the sight of total strangers at their homes during a fire, or someone reaching towards them in the confusion of an accident," says Swagerty.  "Seeing strangers in an already stressful situation like that might further traumatize them... they're already going through a bad time.  With National Night Out, we want them to meet and get to know these first responders in a friendly setting, so that they can be familiar with them in an uncomfortable setting later."

     Local National Night Out sponsors are the South Central Kingsport Community Development Corporation, in partnership with the New Vision Youth group, Kingsport Parks and Recreation, and the Kingsport Housing and Redevelopment Authority.  Other local sponsors are Food City, Starbucks, Chef's Pizzaria, Texas Roadhouse. and the Sullivan County Anti-Drug Coalition.  Chef's Pizzaria will also give out free pizza and Starbucks will give out free desserts and free coffee bags.   There will also be door prizes as well.

     There's also a challenge being given out as well.  "We want to challenge all neighborhoods to come out and meet and greet their first responders," says Swagerty.  "Bring your children and your lawn chairs.  Every neighborhood in Kingsport has had a first responder on their streets, even lately.  They always come as quickly as possible and they keep our lives, our homes and our property safe.  Most of the time, you will see them first during a traumatic event."

     "National Night Out on Thursday can be your way of saying 'thank you' for always being there."

Sons and Daughters Alumni Meeting on Saturday, October 10, 2022

 

The Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Board will hold its regularly scheduled monthly meeting in Kingsport on Saturday, October 8, 2022.

The meeting will be held in the Eastman Conference Room, 2nd floor, in the V. O. Dobbins Tower, 301 Louis Street.  The meeting begins at 1 PM. 

The tower front door on the side of the building is locked on weekends, so please call 423-847-5139 for admittance.

We have some interesting projects in the works.  Please come and take part in the meeting, and offer suggestions on the direction of your Douglass Alumni association.  Also, please bring a friend.

Upcoming Mickey Rogers Golf Tournament

     

The golf tournament is at Meadowview Cattails in Kingsport

The golf tournament is at Meadowview Cattails in Kingsport

Pauletta F. Sensabaugh remembrance

 

Mrs. Pauletta F. Sensabaugh, 76 of Kingsport, TN, sadly departed this life on September 24, 2022 at Select Medical Hospital, Bristol, after an extended illness.

She was born on March 28, 1946 to the union of Paul Crockett, Sr. and Dorothy Gambrell.  She was the eldest of five children through the marriage union of Charles Smith, Sr. and Dorothy Crockett.

She was a 1964 graduate of Douglass High School in Kingsport.  She worked for 30 years and retired from the Upper East Tennessee Human Development Agency.

Pauletta was a member of Great Commission in Kingsport and attended various local churches.  She taught and led the Women's Bible Fellowship Group, sharing the Word of God for many years.  She loved spending time with her great-grandchildren, watching cooking shows and planting flowers in her yard.

In addition to her parents, Pauletta was preceded in death by her husband Richard G. Sensabaugh; son Paul Preston Sensabaugh; two brothers, Paul "Pete" Crockett, Jr. and Charles "Chuck" Smith, Jr.;  maternal grandparents Rev. J.E. and Carrie Gambrell and paternal grandparents Zane and Rachel Geraldine Smith.

She is survived by two sons, Richard Brandon Sensabaugh of Kingsport, TN; and Corey Douglas Sensabaugh of Kingsport, TN; seven grandchildren, three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Sandra "Kay" Perkins of Manassas, Virginia; and Yolanda Smith of Knoxville, TN; three dear and devoted friends, Richmond Keeton, Charlene Hodge and Mary Gambrell; as well as a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, an uncle, and friends.

Services for Mrs. Pauletta Sensabaugh will be conducted Monday, October 3, 2022 at 12 PM at Clark Funeral Chapel and Cremation Service, 802-806 East Sevier Avenue, Kingsport.

The family will receive friends from 11 AM until the hour of service.

Interment will follow at the VA National Cemetery in Mountain Home, TN.