Reader wants mall benches replaced
Dear Editor:
Brother can you spare a bench? Monty Arnold headed Community Action Agency’s senior nutrition program for many years. Monty often reached into the congregation where we worshipped for help in delivering meals to homebound seniors, delivering and serving meals at food sites throughout Blount County and driving the van that picked up seniors.
Monty, who is gone now, would not take “no” for an answer when you protested, “I can’t do that.” Monty came back with, “Sure you can. See you at (such and such) time.”
Thus began my journey getting to know those that persevered and built Blount County.
Once while driving the van a lady asked me to stop at a feed mill and buy her pig some feed until she got her check. I told the others on the van if they tattled on me I wouldn’t pick them up (just kidding).
Did I mention the lady was raising a pig in a bedroom inside the city of Maryville, and when I took her home this 80-year-old woman threw that bag of feed over her shoulder and off she went. This pig was no pet, if you get my drift.
Many of the seniors I served kept us safe, fought our wars, built our roads, taught our children, raised our food, and their children and grandchildren serve Blount County today.
Foothills Mall has chosen to remove benches that seniors and many others used to sit a spell. Next will it be the children’s play area and stop walkers in the mall? The mall manager said the mall couldn’t afford to put them back. Maybe some group could sponsor a bench.
Yours truly,
Sylvia Fagg
2049 Bittle Road
Maryville, TN 37804
