At 3:15, the biggest retirement celebration commenced as friends and family of Harriet Berrier and Judy Branton joined Sevierville Primary School colleagues in the playtorium. Politicians, local dignitaries, PTO, teachers, friends, former students, and a more, joined for laughter, memories, and words of praise.
Here is how it started…
Ready to present proclamations and honor the retirees.
Mayor Atchley and State Senator Doug Overbey. (And I just noticed that they are also wearing leis for the luau themed retirement party! )
SPS Assistant Principal, Dr. Valentine, offers warm greetings and opens the event.
Central Office Supervisors attend, Dr. Jennifer Younger and Dr. Susan Howard. (The Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent’s pictures were blurred so I can’t share them here. The IPad camera was a little sensitive.)
Senator Overbey honors Harriet at her retirement.
First grade teachers applaud.
Mayor Atchley proclaims May 23rd to be Harriet Berrier Day!
Sue Wilson recites an original poem about the joys of retirement and what our two friends will be missing—but maybe they can come and sub for us some time?
The Parent Teacher Organization leaders provided outstanding support in this event.
What out exemplary group of parent leaders this year. Pictured here are Jamie Woods, Misty Townsend, Christal Franklin, Mignonne Coykendall, Crystal VanRensburg, and Camille Allen. Many thanks to them!
Harriet expresses thanks and memories. Judy Branton, a well loved teacher assistant will be retiring too. What a calm and happy presence Judy has about her. A sweet smile always ready. I have always enjoyed being around her. We will miss you, Judy!
When they said rocking chairs, I didn’t imagine chairs this beautiful. I’ll take one!
PTO announces that they want to update the second grade playground. Even more, they are going to name it in honor of Harriet Berrier. What a legacy!
Event Co-Chairs: Amy Ribblet Julian, music and vocal arts teacher; Paula Poole, second grade teacher. Tireless work on hallway art, songs, invitees, student participation, etc. Exceptional results today. Thank you!
Harriet’s parents are Cotton and Sarah Berrier. This is the first time that I have seen Harriet’s father, but I would pick him out as a golf pro as soon as he walked through the door.
Friends and church friends.
Happy Retirement, ladies!
May you always have good tee times and sunny beaches!
We enjoyed the photos! Here are some more from the 2015-2016 yearbook. (Thank you, Glenda Parrish! Well done.) 
Later, I listened to a presentation by Mark Davidson on “Faith, Family, and Freedom on the Frontier: The Scots-Irish in the Southern Appalachians. He talked about their movement from Pennsylvania, through Virginia, North Carolina and Tennessee in the late 1700s.
But what I really wanted to hear was what is regarded as the best gospel choir in Sevier County. Boyds Creek Church of God Choir sang gospel music of the Smokies “in the way that the church’s early African American members sang it,” stated the program. Led by Nichole Donohoo Stinnett, the choir moved everyone with their voices and testimonies. I think that my friend Sheley and I will be visiting their church one Sunday this summer to hear them sing more. Here are some highlights from their program. (Going to try to insert video too. Can be tricky—I’m still learning.)
And our colleague, Chrissy Hopkins!
We saw so many things that I was glad that they gave us a brochure of the tour so I could just concentrate on taking pictures. Of course, there are many interesting things and so many stories. I couldn’t even begin to cover the floods, the fires, the fights, etc. But here are some interesting photos…
Sims Barber Shop was open for business despite the crowds.
In 1856, there was a catastrophic fire downtown. Courthouse records were lost. These are salvaged bars from the jail which was also destroyed.
I loved this Jim Gray painting of the old court house.
I settled on a to-go box from this bbq vendor and took a brisket home for lunch before heading back to the Wilderness Wildlife Week.
Must do this next year for lunch while we are out and about!
I think this topic is kind of frightening and wanted to hear more about his experiences for three decades tracking lost children and adults . An hour wasn’t long enough. He should write a book about this topic.
There was a silent auction with very nicely framed pictures of sports and music icons. Several nice Invicta watches and jewelry items were also up for bid. There was a contest for best bowtie and best ladies hat. Although I was not involved in that, several people commented on my hat which I bought at the Derby Ladies Social here in Sevierville. I proudly told them that I got it at the Sassafras store near the Pottery House Cafe in Pigeon Forge.
If I go back to Memphis some day then this store is a ‘must see’ on the list. Wonder if they make ladies’ suits too?
When I tapped the screen, the sound came on and then I noticed something interesting—flying emoticons! They were everywhere. You will notice them on the bottom of some of the next screen shots. Hyper technology!
Great band! 
She had very good security.
If you want to keep up with Dolly, it looks like her Facebook page is the place to go as evidenced by all the international comments and well wishes. I am just now catching on to that.
The parking lot always seems packed, but is actually not that big when you pull into it to park. This picture was taken from the far end of the lot so you can see that it is not that big after all. No big walk.
Drinks and water for 50 cents by the door.
Mandi told me about the good prices for hummus and it is true.
Very large Fuji apples. Good price!
Very few people were in the pharmacy at 4:15. There appears to be a drive-through window as well. I can see the advantage to using this Walmart pharmacy if you lived on this side of town. Traffic was minimal compared to the other store.
Great price for this container of gum. Almost $4 at other places.
Out and About in Sevierville 