Sibyl Chandler, 94,

is the belle of bells

The jingling of Salvation Army Christmas bells last Saturday in front of Walmart in Sevierville was mighty special — they were being rung by 94-year-old Sibyl Chandler. It was her first time to ring the bells and she said she found the experience to be “amazing.”

What is amazing is that this woman, who certainly couldn’t be blamed for taking it easy at six years before a century, didn’t see anything extraordinary about what she was doing. “Volunteering is important for the people who are helped and the person who volunteers,” she said. “It gives you a sense of being worthwhile.”

Sibyl, who splits her time between Michigan and Sevierville — which she has called home for more than 30 years — also puts in a lot of volunteer hours at her home of worship, the Smoky Mountain Christian Church. Joining her were her grandsons Noah and Jesse Chandler, both of whom said they drew a lot of inspiration from the family matriarch.

So should we all.

Old Mill restaurant

serves up holiday spirit

They came 125 strong — 25 children each from the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains branches in Sevierville, Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, Kodak and Seymour. On Monday, the Old Mill Restaurant hosted its fourth annual Christmas party for the youngsters, who feasted on ham, turkey, mashed potatoes and macaroni and cheese.

After the meal, the restaurant’s Donna Huffaker led the kids in a rousing rendition of “Jingle Bells.” That was followed by a visit from St. Nick, who delivered goody bags filled with kazoos, scratch-on tattoos, yo-yos and such.

Boys & Girls Club officials were as thankful as the children for the party, thanking the restaurant for its generosity and devotion to the cause. For a lot of the children, one official said, it would be their only big holiday meal.

The restaurant’s Huffaker was pleased to do it. “They’re like our own, adopted extended family. We try to make it special for them.”

And special Christmases for kids is what it’s all about.

Cale Deanda has sweet

invention to help CFF

At first glance, you might not think it was the handy work and an ingenious idea thought up by an 11-year-old. But that’s exactly what the “magical miracle marshmallow slider” is. Not only is it a miracle marshmallow slider, it is also magical that the sale of each unit raises $2 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Cale Deanda, who, along with 13-year-old sister Callie, has cystic fibrosis, was searching for the perfect way to roast marshmallows without all the mess. He’d seen similar items at department stores, but they didn’t have the “sliders,” and that is what made his product unique.

Each slider is handmade, features a wooden handle, a narrow metal rod, slider and a name burned into handle by young Cale. Thus far, the young inventor-entrepreneur has sold about 70 at $10 per pop. It’s just a start, but he’d like to put himself through college and help CF.

Want one? E-mail Cale to cale@curefinders.org, or call him (428-2155) or dad Jim (755-4913).