photo by Harry Chase
Mary Alice Fryar, at right, of St. John, Johnson City, Tenn. describes the art and science of eggs to an attentive audience.

The Mountain Women's Exchange in Jellico, Tenn., pulled the community together to provide a place of learning and entertainment for area children this June.

Though each day's program seemed brief - beginning at 9 a.m. and ending at 1:30 p.m. - more than 20 Jellico Elementary schoolchildren ages 9 through 12 experienced a wide variety of activities.

They went on field trips to the Knoxville Zoo, the American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge, Indian Mountain State Park and a favorite - Chuck E. Cheese restaurant.

They swam and used paddleboats at the park, participated in crafts and games and wrote letters to soldiers who are serving in Iraq.

Over the course of two of their 16 days together, they learned the art and science of eggs - that's right, eggs - from Bill and Mary Alice Fryar, parishioners at St. John, Johnson City. They heard “Rechenka's Eggs” read aloud, and each child received his or her own copy of the book to take home.

They ate breakfast and lunch together, and laughed and joked and played and sang, as children do. And for 16 days, adults conspired to make these kids feel special.

Thanks to the staff of the Campbell County School Cafeteria in Jellico for cooking and serving meals; to Roane State Community College Work Experience/Internship Training Program for providing two interns to assist Patty and Harry Chase in coordinating and managing activities; to staff and members of the Jellico United Methodist Church, who provided a place to meet and a bus to transport the children; to Bill and Mary Alice Fryar; and to the staff of the Mountain Women's Exchange.