Category: Uncategorized

The Dialogue with Charlie Ingram

Posted on June 13, 2024 by - Uncategorized

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 213th installment visiting with Charlie Ingram, director of Right at Home Maryville which offers in-home or in-facility care and assistance to elderly and/or disabled adults.

How did you get started? My family was served by Right at Home in Southwest FL, when my father’s health was failing. Their flexibility and personal care for him was a GODSEND! We have been raving fans ever since. Recently the owners of the franchise in Maryville decided to make a change, and we were ecstatic to expand to Blount County.

Describe your customers. Families reach out to us initially, when they are needing some help “around the margins” of life. They realize they can avoid, or at least forestall, an upending life change with well timed assistance. Identifying the times-of-day/days-of-week where the greatest impact can occur allows seniors to age “in-place” in comfort and dignity.

More than 20% of the work we do is with Veterans. Helping them navigate the programs to get the support from the VA that is due them, is one of the most satisfying feelings in this field.

What do you enjoy most about the business? Our caregivers are the best! Nearly everyone in the office takes a roll in the onboarding and orientation of new caregivers. We treat them like gold and that translates to amazing client response. We love the feedback loop.

Tremont Institute Hosts Virtual Naturalist Week with Activities for All Ages

Posted on June 10, 2024 by - Uncategorized

From June 17-21, 2024, the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont is hosting Naturalist Week, a free virtual event designed to connect people with nature from wherever they are. Kids and adults are encouraged to explore their backyards, local parks, or any green spaces to notice the nature around them.

Naturalist Week features the Level Up Challenge, where participants earn points by engaging in outdoor activities such as eating a meal outside, following an insect’s travel path, or camping in the backyard. Participants collect 25 points to win a prize and enter a drawing for a custom Tremont experience. Point totals should be submitted online by Monday, June 24 to receive a prize in the mail.

Last year, 56 individuals ranging from 4 to 77 years old from 13 states completed the Level Up Challenge, earning a total of 2,088 points. A local participant shared with event organizers, “I noticed how magical it is to share time and perspectives with someone else while in nature. My daughter and I love similar experiences, but introduced new ways of seeing something to each other.”

On Thursday, June 20, Tremont is hosting The Big Day, a challenge to document as many species as possible, including plants, mammals, fungi, insects, birds, and lichens. For each observation shared on Tremont’s website or social media, a generous donor will donate a dollar to support Tremont’s environmental education programs.

“Over the last two years, we have stories of people exploring with their grandkids, taking intentional time outside during lunch breaks at work, and discovering nature mysteries in their backyards,” said Tremont’s Marketing Director, Erin Rosolina. “It’s incredibly heartening to see people explore biodiversity and find wonder in their own outdoor spaces.”

To wrap up the week, Tremont is hosting a family-friendly happy hour at Yee-Haw Brewing Company in Knoxville on Friday, June 21, from 6 to 10 p.m. A dollar from each pint sold will support Tremont’s programming.

Virtual Naturalist Week is taking place at the same time as an in-person Naturalist Week on Tremont’s campus inside Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The in-person event is an overnight environmental camp for adults, and includes several of the same activities as the virtual event, including The Big Day. A few spots remain for the in-person Naturalist Week camp; learn more at gsmit.org/event/naturalist-week.

Though not required to participate, Tremont encourages donations to Naturalist Week; the funds raised throughout the week will support the nonprofit’s year-round work to connect people of all ages with nature, both through on-campus experiences in the Smokies and educational outreach in the surrounding communities.

Learn more about Naturalist Week activities, including the Level Up Challenge and species documentation, at gsmit.org/naturalist.

The Dialogue with James Ambagis

Posted on May 28, 2024 by - Uncategorized

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 212th installment visiting with James Ambagis, owner of True Comfort Heat and Air which specializes in HVAC services like repairs, installations, duct cleaning and commercial and residential maintenance.

What is your background? I I kicked off my HVAC journey by taking my father-in-law’s class at Tennessee Valley Technical Programs in Alcoa, where I got my EPA certification. After I finished my contract in the U.S. Army, I continued learning by working for other HVAC companies the area. Once I decided to go out and start my own company, I took the American Contractors Exam and earned my Tennessee State Mechanical License. I’ve been running my company for now 3 years!

Describe your customers? We have a wide variety of customers ranging between residential and commercial clients in Blount County and surrounding areas.

What do you enjoy most about your business? It’s truly rewarding to work alongside my wife, Alyssa, as we develop our business and lay a solid groundwork for our future. This business has opened doors to support the community in ways I never envisioned. I am grateful for the independence our company offers. Even though there are busy and stressful periods, I genuinely enjoy my work and the chance to serve my friends, family and community.

The Dialogue With Mike King

Posted on May 28, 2024 by - Uncategorized

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 211th installment visiting with Mike King of Martin Printing which is a full service custom commercial printer that offers full line printing and mailing services.

How did you get started in the printing business? I started in printing when I returned from Vietnam and discharged from the United States Marine Corps. I went to the unemployment office looking for an opportunity to use my GI bill in an apprenticeship program. I was hired by Mutual Business Forms and eventually worked my way up to General manger. The company sold to a company out of Texas, and so I took my experience in printing and became a sales person, where I found my way to Martin Printing.

Describe your customers. Most of my customers come to me because of the quality and service we offer. For the most part they are loyal and reach out to me for most of their printing needs.

What impacts your business the most? Technical changes abound in this industry, from newer chemicals used in the printing process to more advanced systems of printing digitally which allows much smaller runs at affordable prices.

What do you enjoy most about working at the business? I enjoy the family of employees we have here, I enjoy the fact that we can talk about God freely, and finally being able to help others.

The Dialogue with Linda Carruthers

Posted on May 28, 2024 by - Uncategorized

This feature is a question-and-answer session with a new Blount County Chamber member. So, here we go with our 210th installment visiting with Linda Carruthers, president/owner of Willow Ridge Special Event Center which is a wedding venue located in Townsend on the former Coopers Cove property.

Describe more about the property. Willow Ridge sits in one of the most popular wedding capitals of the country, the Smoky Mountains. Our guests are from many parts of the country and surrounding areas. Destination weddings and receptions are very popular for engaged couples. We also host local proms, corporate events, and private parties for inside and outside events. Willow Ridge can seat up to 200 guests at three outside sites or inside the Manor for receptions and other events.

What do you enjoy about this business? I very much enjoy managing the eight acre property, working with vendors and property contractors. It’s very satisfying to see the property enhanced and made more beautiful. I love communicating with engaged couples and helping them make their dream wedding come to life at Willow Ridge,
But, most of all, I love meeting people and making new friends!

What do you wish you knew when you started? I have always loved renovating old things to new, remodeling and updating to new trends, and have experience with other projects of this kind. I was excited to rebrand Coopers Cove to an all new Willow Ridge and move forward with a wedding venue, but also expand to host corporate events, meetings, anniversary and vow renewals, Christmas Parties, bridal/baby showers, and other private events all year round. I did not know that wedding day is a very special time and I would enjoy the guests and the families so very much. It’s a day of love, and it flows freely on wedding day. I’m so blessed to get to experience it week after week.