Penny Baxter

Happy Holidays! As we enter this time of year, my thoughts turn to everything we in Old North Knoxville have to be thankful for and proud of - our neighborhood, neighbors, and wonderful old homes, to name just a few. I first came to Old North Knoxville because of the houses, but what I found was a group of great neighbors dedicated to making this a livable, viable neighborhood; they have been and continue to be successful!

For the past 18 years we have had our Holiday Home Tour in December. Each year I think we cannot top ourselves and each year I am happily surprised to say that we have. The Tour furnishes ONK with most of our operating costs for the year and helps us continue with programs and events we have during the year - Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Annual Ice Cream Socials, Creek Cleanups, and many more things. Volunteers work all year to make each Tour a success. The Tour brings Old North into the spotlight each year, as many visitors come into our neighborhood. A special thank you goes to the homeowners who open their houses to their neighbors and the public. Let’s continue the tradition and make our guests feel welcome.

Another reason to be thankful is that ONK was awarded the Rohm and Haas 2006 Community Partnership Initiative (CPI) for $30,000 to be spent on the Oklahoma Park project. This grant will allow ONK to make a huge leap forward in making the park a reality. David Booker, who wrote the grant application which impressed the R&H committee, and Beth Booker have been the driving force behind the park. Over several years they visualized what it could be, worked to get the lease from the City and have worked to get volunteers to maintain the lots. We owe the Bookers a huge thank you for their vision and efforts. Now that we have the grant, all of us need to work to make the park a model of what our neighborhood can accomplish. The ONK kids will have a great place to play and ONK will have a beautiful addition to our neighborhood.

Again, have a happy holiday season. Old North Knoxville is a special place. Be thankful for what we have and what we can accomplish when we work together.

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