Debbie Watts looks to use book to promote language and arts

By APRIL STILWELL
The Hendersonville Standard

French author and philosopher Albert Camus once proclaimed, “Real generosity toward the future consists in giving all to what is present.”

Following this creed, award-winning middle school teacher of Merrol Hyde Magnet School, Debbie Watts, will be donating the sales from her “Words & Music” book signing event to usher in a dazzling future for the Hendersonville Art’s council music education program.

On Saturday, Dec. 1, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Watts will be hosting her last book-signing hurrah for “Wordabulous! – Celebrating the ‘Positive Power’ of Words,” a fun and quirky book dedicated to a myriad of words. The event will be held at Monthaven Mansion, home of the Hendersonville Art’s Council.

With the funds from “Words & Music,” the council is looking towards the investment of more pianos for a summer piano camp. “I’m really a piano teacher at heart. I want to give kids the opportunity to take lessons that might not have the opportunity,” Watts said.

Included in the assortment of summer classes, there will be a highly sought after handwriting class and a manners class for smaller children focusing on proper etiquette during Victorian tea parties, bowing, meeting and greeting and more.

By APRIL STILWELL
The Hendersonville Standard

A resounding call from the White House has gone out nationwide to bring awareness to domestic violence, to assist victims in seeking solace and freedom from their abusers.

“…One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all,” is a phrase that resonates to America’s core. Yet on a regular basis, many do not receive their justice because of gaps in the judicial system.

Every day on average, three women lose their lives because of domestic violence. The Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands continually offers aid in setting these victims free. In 2011, the LAS handled 1,830 cases of domestic violence alone.

Getting the courage to take the first step to escape the bonds of abuse can be frustrating and frightening. The biggest struggle a lot of victims face is becoming financially stable once they have their independence from their abuser.

The abuser’s focus is to manipulate the victim, striking fear, not just in physical violence, but attacking deeper into their psyche of financial control. By keeping the victim in a state of anxiety and stress it produces symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

The spouse is then enabled and maintains power over the victim. The LAS wants to provide hope for their clients.

By PATRICK HALL
The Hendersonville Standard

A Harvard professor, Gen. Daniel Smith Donelson, 13 Confederate soldiers, members of the Sumner family, are all laid to rest in a quiet cemetery at First Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville, and the church is hoping to get people in touch with that history through its second year of cemetery tours.

Founded in 1869, the church is one of the oldest in the area, and the congregation still gathers for worship each Sunday in the original sanctuary. According to church member Diana Edmonson, it was founded by 17 people, 12 of whom were from Gallatin First Presbyterian and five more Hendersonville residents.

"People were traveling to Gallatin to worship but wanted a place closer to home,” she said.

The property was purchased for $232, and back then, to raise money, churches often sold pews to families and FPC sold plots in its cemetery.

“To make money to continue the church, cemetery plots were sold for $5 to $10,” Edmonson said.

Members of the Jason Foundation staff celebrating their 15th anniversary were (l-r) Evelyn Hill (Divisional Director), Clark Flatt (President), Connie Flatt (Board Member), Michele Ray (Senior Vice President/CEO), Amanda Davis (Public Relations and Marketing Coordinator) and Crystal Shaw (Administrative Manager). Photo by Don Claussen / Trap the Light PhotographyOn Tuesday, The Jason Foundation celebrated their 15th anniversary with an open house event at their corporate headquarters in Hendersonville. The event highlighted the organization’s growth and their mission to prevent youth suicide through awareness and educational programs.

Dignitaries who have impacted The Jason Foundation were in attendance including Tennessee Adjutant General Max Haston, Tennessee Attorney General Bob Cooper, Commissioner of the Department of Mental Health Doug Varney, and former United States Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.

According to a report from the NHSDA (National Survey on Drug Use & Health) completed in 2000, we lose over 100 young people to suicide every week. It ranks as the third leading cause of death for ages 10-24. More young people have died from suicide than from cancer, heart disease, AIDS, birth defects, stroke, pneumonia, influenza and chronic lung disease combined.