The SewaneeMountain MESSENGER Vol. XXIX No. 5 Friday, February 8, 2013 Tracy City Chosen for Tennessee Downtowns Th e Tennessee Department of Eco- tainable downtown revitalization and nomic and Community Development historic preservation through regional announced on Feb. 6 that Tracy City workshops and webinars, technical has been admitted to its Tennessee assistance and a $15,000 grant to Downtowns Program. A community complete individualized downtown assessment meeting is scheduled for development projects. noon to 3 p.m., Th ursday, March 7, at Th e steering committ ee has been Tracy City’s City Hall. Th e public is active since it was appointed in Oc- welcome to att end and meet with the tober 2012 by the mayor and board Tracy City Steering Committee for of aldermen. Research by the commit- downtown revitalization, the mayor tee found there are 55 active businesses and board of aldermen. and organizations in the downtown Tennessee Downtowns is a com- area of Tracy City and 19 commercial petitive community improvement buildings vacant, leaving a vacancy program for cities and counties seek- rate in excess of 25 percent. Th e com- ing to revitalize traditional commer- mitt ee’s study will strive to address the cial districts. The program follows high rate of business vacancies. Th ere the National Main Street Center’s are two buildings in the downtown “Main Street Four-Point Approach area that have been placed on the to Downtown Revitalization.” Th is is National Register of Historic Places. an 18-month tier program that guides There are an additional five sites Residents of Johnson Hall and members of the PKE sorority celebrate the snow on Feb. 2. Photo by Lyn Hutchinson steering committ ees through the steps that have value as historic or recre- of launching a downtown revitaliza- ational areas. These are the vacant tion eff ort. gymnasium of the former Grundy The other communities selected County High School, the site of the School Board Moves Ahead with SROs this year are Clift on, Greenfi eld, Port- former Tracy City depot, roundhouse land, Waynesboro and White Bluff . and engine repair shop, along with As part of the program, members the contiguous Boy Scouts of Amer- Also Considers HHS Grant Off er, Fund-Raising Proposal of the steering committ ee will teach ica Park, the site of the former Shook by K. G. Beavers Franklin County resident Scott make purchases with no additional citizens about comprehensive, sus- School with remaining gymnasium, Messenger Staff Writer Truslow proposed a way to raise funds fees at nationally recognized retailers (Continued on page 6) The Franklin County school for the schools through a commission- such as Walmart, Macy’s and Offi ce board met in a work session on Feb. based online program. People would Depot. Th e schools then receive 5 to 4 to discuss a fund raising proposal, be able to shop online as they normally 15 percent of the sale, depending on a telemedicine grant opportunity, the do, except they first go through the the retailer. The only assistance the school resource offi cers (SROs) and <www.localschoolfund.com> website. schools will be asked for is to promote the 2013–14 school board budget. Parents, students and local citizens the site. Truslow said Franklin County (Continued on page 6) Zeitler Named SAS Jazz It Up on Shrove Director of Athletics St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School’s 17-year veteran coach, teacher and Tuesday house parent Rob Zeitler has been chosen to be the school’s next director Otey Parish Memorial Church’s of athletics. He succeeds the Rev. Ellis annual Mardi Gras celebration fea- Mayfield, who will retire at the end tures good food, good times and great of this school year. entertainment. Th e event is always on Windows being replaced in an SES classroom. Photo by Pagie Wilson In making the announcement the Shrove Tuesday, the last day before Rev. John Thomas, head of school, the beginning of Lent. This year’s said, “With the right combination gathering on Tuesday, Feb. 12, will of intensity and compassion, Rob celebrate 25 years of this very special SES Renovation Project draws the absolute best out of each community-wide gathering. athlete and team. Win or lose, I have “In honor of the anniversary, plans always been proud to have Rob rep- are underway to ‘Jazz It Up,’” said Begins With Classrooms resenting SAS. Rob brings the deep Peggy Peterson, who is heading this By Pagie Wilson C’14, Messenger Intern respect of our peer-school coaches year’s activity. The University Jazz and a breadth of experience with boys’ Band, conducted by Prakash Wright Sewanee Elementary School, built in 1924, is undergoing a $600,000 and girls’ athletics that spans genera- and boasting a full complement of mu- renovation. Most of the work is in the primary building, the original building tions of students. I know that Rob is sicians from piano and strings to a containing the main offi ces, speech, special education and prekindergarten to a leader and motivator who will help full-thrott le horn section, will be on second-grade classrooms. our coaches, athletes and our whole Rob Zeitler the stage. Bazzania will kick off the “Th ere are four issues being addressed in this renovation: drainage, new roofs, program compete.” evening with its eclectic mix of tradi- the installation of thermopane windows, which are more energy effi cient, and Zeitler joined St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School in 1996. In his 17-year tenure, tional, Americana, bluegrass, Cajun new carpet,” principal Mike Maxon said in a recent interview. he has served as assistant director of athletics, volleyball coach, varsity boys’ and country music. Th e fi rst step is the installation of the windows and carpet in the primary basketball coach, health and fi tness instructor, and physical education instruc- Doors at Cravens Hall will open at building, he said, which began mid-January. Th e new windows are double- tor. Rob, his wife, Courtnay, and their three children live on the SAS campus, 5:30 p.m., and food service begins at paned and smaller than the previous windows. With this loss of window space, where Rob also serves as lead house parent for Harvey House, one of the boys’ 6 p.m. Th ere are door prizes. Th e Jazz the walls will be bett er insulated, and the air-conditioning units will be moved residential houses. Band will start at 6:30 p.m. from the windows to the walls. (Continued on page 6) “I am looking forward to working with our strong coaching staff , developing Tickets are $5 for ages 6–89 and competitive student athletes, healthy relationships and teaching life lessons on $2 for 5 and under; everyone 90 years the court and athletic fi eld,” said Zeitler. or older dines free. Families of six or P.O. Box 296 Zeitler has been integral in developing the basketball and volleyball pro- more may pay a fl at fee of $25. Sewanee, TN 37375 grams at SAS. As head coach of varsity boys’ basketball, he has built a team that “Costumes of all types are strongly is competitive every year and has a strong tradition. He started middle school encouraged but not required,” said volleyball, which has developed into a strong program with more than 15 play- Peterson. “It doesn’t need to be formal ers. Th e girls’ varsity and junior varsity teams, which he coaches, have also had —anything that puts you in a jazzy strong participation for the past three years. Th e varsity volleyball team won mood is perfect. And, be sure to wear the regional championship in 2008. As a classroom teacher, Zeitler developed those dancing shoes!” the health and fi tness curriculum to meet national standards. It takes almost 100 people to put Zeitler holds a B.S. in physical education from University of Wisconsin- this extravaganza together, so if you LaCrosse and an M.S. in sports administration from Georgia State University. can volunteer to help with this event, Prior to coming to SAS, he taught physical education and English at Brandon contact Ann Seiters at 598-5629 or Hall School in Atlanta and St. Francis Day School in Roswell, Ga. email <[email protected]>. 2 • Friday, February 8, 2013 • Th e Sewanee Mountain MESSENGER Letters THE SEWANEE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER 418 St. Mary’s Ln. SUPPORT RA INBOW FUND P.O. 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