News Summary
The Maryville City Council recently honored local author Elyse Bruce with a proclamation for her contributions to children’s literature. During the meeting, the council declared August 30 as International Missy Barrett Day, aimed at promoting kindness among the community. Bruce’s character, Missy Barrett, a 9-year-old adventurer, serves as the inspiration for fostering goodwill and positive behavior among youth. Bruce has authored over 20 books, including her upcoming works showcasing Missy’s adventures. This initiative highlights the importance of community engagement and good deeds.
Maryville, Tennessee – The Maryville City Council honored local author Elyse Bruce with an official proclamation during a recent city council meeting, recognizing her significant contributions to children’s literature. The proclamation also introduced International Missy Barrett Day, a celebration designed to encourage acts of kindness and good deeds among youth and families within the community.
Mayor Andy White presented the proclamation to Bruce as she shared details about her work, including her most popular character, Missy Barrett, a fictional 9-year-old adventurer from East Tennessee. Bruce has authored over 20 books, and Missy Barrett’s character is known for her adventurous spirit and budding passion for history. In an upcoming book titled “The Case of the Perfect Piano,” Missy is set to transform into a “supersleuth.”
The city council officially declared August 30 as International Missy Barrett Day, promoting initiatives aimed at fostering kindness over negativity. Bruce initiated this observance in 2017, starting in her hometown and since then, the celebration has expanded to include more than 10 cities and nearly 20 counties across Tennessee.
During the meeting, Bruce presented an early copy of her forthcoming 2024 release, “The Case of the Missing Muskets,” to council members, generating a light-hearted exchange as Mayor White humorously requested book reports on the shared copies.
After the proclamation ceremony, the council continued with their regular agenda. They reviewed and approved revisions to the city’s personnel rules and procedures manual, ensuring updated governance practices are in place. A representative was elected to the Blount County Cable TV Authority, and the council declared several unusable items as surplus for disposal.
In discussions regarding public safety, an update on beer permitting procedures was shared, aiming to simplify the application process for vendors. Furthermore, the council approved a limited program under the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System (TCRS), allowing eligible public safety personnel the option to retire earlier, specifically between ages 60 and 62 without penalties.
Lastly, the council is taking steps to develop a city-owned land parcel located on West Broadway into a 5,000 square-foot shopping center, in collaboration with Grassy Knoll, LLC. This initiative comes after previous attempts by other developers had been unsuccessful.
The recognition of Elyse Bruce is not only a celebration of her literary achievements but also a call to action for the community to engage in positive behaviors, particularly those that can shape the lives of children. With the initiatives surrounding Missy Barrett Day, Bruce continues to inspire a spirit of goodwill and community spirit within Maryville and beyond.
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Additional Resources
- Maryville Local News
- Wikipedia: Children’s literature
- Tennessee Government News
- Google Search: acts of kindness
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Community
- Maryville City Council Meeting Summary
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KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER The KNOXVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREKnoxville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Knoxville, Knox County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Dogwood Arts Festival, Big Ears Festival, and Knoxville Asian Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Knoxville Area Chamber Partnership and United Way of Greater Knoxville, plus leading businesses in healthcare, education, and energy that power the local economy such as Covenant Health, University of Tennessee, and Tennessee Valley Authority. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
