h arris r iding a cademy o ffers riding lessons to foster families
ed the zebra becomes local mascot no one expected l iving s isters wade r evival takes the stage at friday night live concert m usic
“Hansel & Gretel”
GrEETiNGS!
There’s lots going on—lots going on in the world and in my head.
Military missions, spiritual warfare.
Restaurants opening, restaurants closing.
Babies being born; folks, young and old, dying. The rise of artificial intelligence, the decline of human intelligence.
Birds hunting in the air, a frog on one of these long summer days, just taking it easy in the mud, letting the bugs come to him.
Newsracks to fill. Places to explore. Grass to cut. Rooms to paint. Dishes to wash. Pancakes to flip. Ads to sell. Accounts to manage. Meats to smoke. Stories to edit. Games to play. Bills to pay.
Yeah, I think I would rather just join young Beckett in the wading pool for a while.
As Mr. Murfreesboro always tells us, go do something nice for someone; in some way, try and serve the least of these brothers and sisters.
If you enjoy the Pulse, thank the people and advertisers who make it happen and go visit them.
Enjoy a fine meal at Primrose Table.
Go see the trains at Thor’s.
Pay a visit to High Society.
c
18
recla IMI ng IT s rooT s How Murfree Spring is returning to nature through Indigenous Plants Project.
20
c aT-TasTI c!
Tennessee Whiskers making a pawsitive difference in the lives of local feline friends.
24
We loVe you, eD!
Zebra becomes local celebrity as he roams through Rutherford County.
26
Horses & H eal I ng
Harris Riding Academy offers horseriding lessons to local foster children.
6 Events
calenDar Movies Under the Stars, Bedford County Fair, Hot Chicken Festival, Berry Festival, and more!
14
Sounds
concerTs
MusIc noTes Sisters Wade Revival
Jamie O’Neal
25
Living
TraVel
Alum Cave Trail
Mr. Murfreesboro
Wrassler Dirty Dutch
Mantell actually lived in Murfreesboro.
nonProfIT
Beesley Animal Foundation unveils 24/7 microchip station to help lost pets
28
Food
resTauranT
Hungry Spot Authentic Jamaican Cuisine
30 News
busIness buzz
Beane Brothers BBQ, Smackdab Brewing, Bubba’s 33, White Monkey Market, Bar Rescue, King 7, School of Rock, Neighbors, U&I and more!
33 Opinion
TecH Talk
Using digital tools to plan for vacation free your cHIlDren
What is conservatism?
sPorTs Talk
Top patriotic moments in sports consTITuTIon sTuDy
Why shouldn’t Americans be able to live in an RV parked on their own property?
lIVIng . . . Well! How lonely do you want to be?
Enroll in the School of Rock.
Check out the Discovery Center—a cool indoor spot to visit on one of these hot summer days.
Have the Roof Repair Expert check out the integrity of your roof.
Have a taco at Casa Adobe.
Shop at The Great Escape.
Patronize the Murfreesboro Saturday Market and the Smyrna Depot Market.
This edition of the Pulse happens to contain a lot of animals—cats, horses and a zebra in the sky.
The Mayos enjoy an ongoing exploration of world cuisine, without even having to leave Middle Tennessee. We go from the noodles of Southeast Asia to the pupusas of Central America to the tikka masala of India. This edition of the Pulse brings you Jamaican food. Check it out!
This July, the MTSU Blue Raiders celebrate the opening of its new Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center on July 30; Sisters Wade Revival will perform on the Murfreesboro Square for the July 11 Friday Night Live Concert; those seeking spice in the summer have the opportunity to hit the Hot Chicken Fest on the 26th; the Taste of Rutherford event offers another local food sampling opportunity. Rutherford County may not have a fair, but just a short drive away in Shelbyville, the Bedford County Fair returns this month.
Look inside the July of the Pulse issue for more!
A happy birthday to Sarah, the Plutonium Pulse Qwayne.
Summer, and life, go fast. Enjoy them.
May you have peace like a river.
I’ve got peace like a river; I’ve got love like an ocean, I’ve got joy like a fountain in my soul
Peace, b racken Mayo
Publisher/Editor in Chief
events calendar
ThroughouT July
MoVI es u n D er TH e sTars
The 2025 Movies Under the Stars season runs through July 26 at various area parks. Bring your blankets or lawn chairs. There is no cost to attend and movies begin at dark. For more information, visit murfreesborotn.gov/2381/movies-underthe-stars. Text MOVIE to 38276 to be notified of movie cancellations. 2025 Movie Schedule:
Inside Out – June 30–July 5 (no movie on July 4)
Despicable Me – July 7–12
Encanto – July 14–19
Soul – July 21–26
Locations:
Mondays – Barfield Crescent Park, near Blue Cross Blue Shield Playground (697 Veterans Pkwy.)
Thursdays – Richard Siegel Neighborhood Park, near playground (515 Cherry Ln.)
Fridays – Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.)
Saturdays – Fountains at Gateway (1500 Medical Center Pkwy.)
July 3
sM yrna In D e P en D ence Day c elebraTI on Lee Victory Recreation Park (110 Sam Ridley Pkwy E., Smyrna) will host the Smyrna Independence Day celebration on Thursday, July 3. Festivities begin at 5 p.m., and fireworks begin at dark. Rain date—Saturday, July 5.
July 4
l a Vergne In D e P en D ence Day c elebraTI on La Vergne will hold its Independence Day Celebration on Friday, July 4, at Veterans Memorial Park (115 Floyd Mayfield Dr., La Vergne). This free event includes fireworks, live music featuring Rae Radick, and food vendors. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. and music starts at 6 p.m. Families are welcome to bring blankets, lawn chairs and their own picnic meals. Visitors may also dine from a selection of on-site food vendors. The spectacular fireworks show will begin at dark. Email events@lavergnetn.gov or
››› July 2025 ››› by a ndrea st O c K ard
July 4
c elebraTI on u n D er TH e
sTars
Enjoy great music, lots of fun and amazing fireworks at Celebration Under the Stars on Friday, July 4, at The Fountains at Gateway (1500 Medical Center Pkwy.). Brought to you by Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation and Middle Tennessee Electric, enjoy a DJ, food trucks and splash pad from 4:30–7:30 p.m., live entertainment by Derrick Dove and the Peacekeepers at 7:30 p.m. and the fireworks show beginning at 9 p.m. (pets, alcoholic beverages, cooking grills and personal fireworks or sparklers are not permitted on the celebration site). For more information, visit murfreesborotn.gov/2343/celebration-under-the-stars.
visit lavergnetn.gov/224/july-4th-celebration for more information.
July 4
b ellyflo P c on T esT
aT sP or T s c o M
Murfreesboro’s best bellyfloppers can compete in the sacred art of the bellyflop at the SportsCom outdoor pool (2310 Memorial Blvd.) on Friday, July 4 at noon. Splashers battle for splat supremacy—and a free fountain drink. Winners will be crowned based on crowd noise. Whether you’re a seasoned flopper or just someone who thinks pain is hilarious when it’s someone else’s—or if you just want to spend Independence Day at Murfreesboro’s outdoor pool—come out to SportsCom this 4th of July. Find SportsCom Murfreesboro on Facebook for more information.
July 5
Tennessee Te MP o
The Tennessee Tempo Football Club, Murfreesboro’s professional soccer team competing in the United Premier Soccer League, will take on the FC Leopards, out of Bowling Green, Kentucky, on Saturday, July 5, for the KY-TN Conference Championship. The match will be held at Oakland High School (2225 Patriot Dr.) at 3 p.m. The team encourages the community to pack the house and support the Tempo as they play for this season’s conference championship. For more information on the Tennessee Tempo, find them on Facebook or visit tennesseetempofc.com.
July 5
July 5 TH Par T y aT
M IDD le g roun D
Celebrate with a “post fourth” after-party extravaganza at Middle Ground Brewing (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.) with Heart of Vinyl pop-up on Saturday, July 5, from 3–10 p.m. There will be freshly cleaned and play-tested albums for sale, live music from Zentrance at 6 p.m. and the Joey Fletcher Band at 8 p.m. Middle Ground will have those tasty beers flowing all night long so stop by and get the fun cranked up. For more information, visit middlegroundbrew.com or find Middle Ground Brewing Company on Facebook.
CONTiNuEd ON PAGE 7
July 7
Men Tal HealTH Panel
Broaden your education on mental health at the Break-Thru TN Mental Health Panel on Monday, July 7, from 6–7:30 p.m. at Fountains at Gateway (1500 Medical Center Pkwy). The panel will be moderated by media professional Pamela Furr and is free and open to the public. This community event is designed to bring awareness to mental health issues facing individuals, families and communities, particularly in underserved areas. Panelists include: Greg Pihs (leader, speaker, author and founder of GP Mindgrowth Academy), Dr. Bryan Terry (physician and Tennessee state representative, District 48), Matt Smith (CEO of Actuate Care) and Amy Green (co-founder and CEO of Mamaya Health). Attendees will gain insights on a wide range of vital topics including: access to providers, mental health in primary care, suicide care & response gaps, understanding mental health, and systemic and policy failures. For more information, visit breakthrutn. com or email breakthrutn@gmail.com
July 8
lIVI ng s en T M I n I sT r I es
The July 2025 Living Sent Murfreesboro meeting is Tuesday, July 8, from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. at Wilson Bank & Trust (3110 Memorial Blvd.). Speaker Dave Weill has held many titles in his life, including business owner, author and soldier. Weill is also a warrior for Christ; he’s passionate about sharing Jesus and he views his business, Steak ‘n Shake of Murfreesboro, as a ministry. A complimentary lunch will be provided by Momentum Seminars. Please park on the perimeter of the parking lot. To RSVP, email bob.williams@ alhambrapartners.com.
July 10
sP las H o u T !
Murfreesboro Parks and Rec and the Murfreesboro Fire Rescue Department present the next community Splash Out on Thursday, July 10, at Barfield Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) from 1:30–3 p.m. This annual fun, free summer event creates an opportunity for kids to splash, dance and play in the water gushing from the hoses of Murfreesboro fire trucks. There is no cost to attend. For more information, call 615-893-7439 or email shicks@murfreesborotn.gov.
July 10
b re W b us I ness M I xer
July 14–19
beDforD counTy faIr
The 2025 Bedford County Fair kicks off Monday, July 14, at the Bedford County Agriculture and Education Center (2119 Midland Rd., Shelbyville).
This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Bounty of our County,” showcasing the efforts of local farm and ranch families and promoting agriculture through livestock shows, exhibits and demonstrations. Gates open at 4 p.m. July 14–18 and at 9 a.m. on Saturday, July 19. The carnival opens at 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The week will include lots of livestock such as goats, sheep, horses, cattle and chickens, as well as tractor pulls, car shows, antique displays, music and food. Craig Campbell will sing the national anthem at the opening ceremony on Monday, July 14, at 6 p.m. Other activities, competitions and performances include a corn hole tournament at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, a truck and tractor pull at 7 p.m. on Thursday, the farmer olympics at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, the Mid-State Cloggers at 7 p.m. on Thursday and an antique tractor pull at 5 p.m. on Saturday. For a full schedule of events and more details, visit bedfordcountytnfair.org
Meet and connect with other local business owners, grow your network and pick up some skills along the way at the Brew Business Mixer at Middle Ground Brewing Company (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.) on Thursday, July 10, (usually the first Thursday of each month) from 4:30–6:30 p.m. For more information, visit middlegroundbrew.com or find Middle Ground Brewing Co. on Facebook.
July 11 and aug. 1
T H e 4-H D I scoV ery l ab
Rutherford County Extension provides a hands-on summer adventure on Fridays July 11 and Aug. 1 from 9–11 a.m. The 4-H Discovery Lab invites kids to explore, create and learn through fun projects in science, technology, arts and more. Develop new skills, spark your curiosity and build lasting friendships—all while living the 4-H values of Head, Heart, Hands and Health while in the Community Center classroom (315
through hands-on fun with Passport Adventures on Saturdays, July 12 and 26, from 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Linebaugh Library Club Room (105 W. Vine St.). Students will budget for travel, design creative projects and experiment with global challenges—all while learning real-world skills in this exciting adventure. There are only 15 spots available for each date; pre-register by emailing bsnow6@utk.edu.
July 15
ba P en
Business and Professional Events for Networking (BAPEN) meets at Steak ’n Shake Murfreesboro (2091 Old Fort Pkwy.) on Tuesday, July 15, as well as Aug. 5 and 19, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. The idea behind the free networking group is for small business owners and sales professionals to share ideas and leads and to help attendees’ businesses grow. For more information, find a Rutherford BAPEN group on Facebook.
July 17
John R. Rice Blvd., Suite 101). For more activities, find UT TSU Extension – Rutherford County on Facebook.
July 12
sID e Walk Mural
Join Chelsea Moulder, the sculpture studio tech at MTSU Department of Art and Design, at Linebaugh Library (105 W. Vine St.) on Saturday, July 12, as participants work as a group to complete one mural together with pastels and sidewalk chalk. Each participant will be given an image/square to work on. Meet in front of the library entrance at 10 a.m. All materials are provided. To register, visit rclstn.org or call 615-893-4131 (registration required).
July 12 and 26
Pass P or T aDV en T ures
Children grades 4 and 5 are invited to join Rutherford County 4-H in traveling around the world and exploring the world
T H e c onnec TI on aT cH a MPy’s Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken will host the July 2025 installment of The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, July 17. All Middle Tennessee entrepreneurs and professionals are welcome to attend this casual, free, no-obligation networking event, where they can meet other small business owners and tap into one another’s experience and energy. Networking begins at 5 p.m. with introductions at 6 p.m. Champy’s is located at 1290 NW Broad St.
July 19
b erry f esTIVal
Mark your calendars for the second annual Berry Festival on Saturday, July 19, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at Hop Springs (6790 John Bragg Hwy.). Enjoy live music from Rockin Country Band from 11 a.m.–2 p.m., train rides, a bungee trampoline, human hamster inflatable water wheel, carnival games, a free petting zoo, zippy pets ride and corn hole. Over 150 vendors featuring home decor, boutiques, handmade jewelry, woodworking, direct sales, sports jerseys, candles, fresh berries and berry-themed items as well as berry-themed food and drinks will be onsite. The first 200 adults in attendance will receive a free
CONTiNuEd ON PAGE 8
goodie bag. Parking is $5 (cash). For more information, find the 2nd Annual Berry Festival event on Facebook or visit brianna-victory-events.com
July 19
TasT e of r u TH erfor D
Taste of Rutherford is an annual fundraiser for Main Street Murfreesboro. Attendees will experience tastings from over 20 local restaurants in Rutherford County alongside live music and a craft beer garden on Saturday, July 19, from 6–9 p.m. at Oaklands Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.). Funds raised support the revitalization efforts for the historic downtown business district through Main Street Murfreesboro. Participating restaurants this year include Puckett’s Grocery, Jo Jo’s Fruit Tea, Marina’s on the Square, Simply Pure Sweets, The Alley on Main, Slick Pig BBQ and more. The VIP restaurant is Five on Black Kitchen and Spirit House, with VIP drinks by Murfreesboro Wine and Spirits, served by Julie’s Bartending. In celebration of Main Street’s 40th anniversary this year, 14 original paintings from the collaborative mural wall project featured at The Walnut House will be auctioned off. Each piece tells the story of Murfreesboro, from its founding in the 1800s to the revitalization of the historic square in the 1980s. For more information, visit mainstreetmurfreesboro. org/taste-of-rutherford or find the Taste of Rutherford event on Facebook.
July 20
c lass I c c ar c ru I se-In Shine ‘er up and drive ‘er in at the Cedar Glade Brews (906 Ridgely Rd.) classic car cruise-in on Sunday, July 20, from 1–4 p.m. Car-ticipants get $3 off their tab (1 per car). Stick around for trivia at 5 p.m. There is no sign-up required and no cost to participate. For more information, visit cedargladebrews.com or find the CGB Classic Car Cruise-In event on Facebook.
June 25
4 TH f r IDay f un*Work I ng
The monthly “fun working” event at Spread the Positive (906 Ridgely Rd.) is held the fourth Friday of every month from 5–7 p.m., presented by Reed and Associates of Primerica and Spread the Positive. The event is focused on shining a light on what’s going right and highlighting businesses making a positive impact in the community. Each month the event features a live podcast with local businesses and community leaders as well as networking and conversations,
July 30
MT su sMITH sT
MTSU celebrates the official opening of the new Stephen and Denise Smith Student-Athlete Performance Center with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday, July 30, at 9 a.m., between the Rose and Emmett Kennon Hall of Fame building and the new Smith Athletic Performance Center (located in the north end zone of Floyd Stadium, 1500 Greenland Dr.). The three-story, 85,000-square-foot facility will serve as the new home for Blue Raider Football while also providing premier training, nutrition and sports medicine amenities for all MTSU studentathletes. It is the centerpiece of Phase I of the Build Blue Campaign, a $25 million private fundraising initiative to transform the athletic facilities at MTSU. The facility will include locker rooms, meeting spaces and offices previously located in Murphy Center as well as a state-of-the-art strength and conditioning center, dedicated nutrition station to fuel peak performance, a club level featuring premium amenities and views on game day or for special events and more. To learn more or to contribute to the campaign, visit mtsubraa.com/build-blue The ribbon-cutting ceremony is a free event that is open to the public; the new SAPC will be available afterwards for viewing.
on and off the air, in and around the STP studio. There will be an on-site food truck, so grab a drink and a bite while you connect with the best in the ’Boro. For more information, find 4th Friday Fun*Working on Facebook.
July 26
HoT cHI cken f esTIVal
The heat is on at the Murfreesboro Hot Chicken Festival on Saturday, July 26, from 4–9 p.m. Bold flavors, friendly competition and community spirit come together for an unforgettable evening on the Murfreesboro Public Square. The lively event features award-winning hot chicken; local hot chicken artisans will battle it out for titles including People’s Choice, Best in the Boro, Hottest of the Hot and Most Creative. Enjoy shopping and games for all ages while strolling through a variety of local vendors. Be-
aug. 1–3
We a re b u I l DI ng lIV es P I ckleball Tourna M en T Building Lives Foundation helps Middle Tennessee veterans get out of homelessness and find jobs while providing housing. Play pickleball and help raise money for veterans during a weekend of fun, competition and community at the 2025 We Are Building Lives Veteran Memorial Pickleball Tournament. Seasoned players, first-time fans or passionate supporters of those who served are all welcome. The festival at the Tennis Complex at Maryland Farms (5101 Maryland Way, Brentwood) features a divisions for all skill levels, player swag bags, raffles, giveaways, a special tribute to local veterans, food trucks, family-friendly activities and courtside sponsor lounge access for VIPs. Participation directly fuels the year-round programs that provide housing, job support and hope. For more information, visit wearebuildinglives.org and click “Events.”
augusT 2
Teac H er aPP rec I aTI on nI g HT aT MIDD le groun D Teachers are invited to take a break and celebrate their hard work at Middle Ground Brewing (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.) on Saturday, Aug. 2, for Teacher Appreciation Night, featuring half-off beers for educators and live music from local teacher Tony Hartman. Bring your district ID; this event also welcomes cafeteria workers, bus drivers, para-professionals and administrators. For more information, visit middlegroundbrew.com or find Middle Ground Brewing Company on Facebook.
mondays
come a judge by purchasing a People’s Choice Judge Ticket for $35. Judge tickets include one wing from each competing artisan, milk or water to tame the flames, and a ballot to cast your vote for People’s Choice. The festival is sponsored by Franklin’s Fruit Tea. There is no cost to attend. For more information, visit fnmitb.square.site/boro-hot-chicken-fest or find the 4th Annual Murfreesboro Hot Chicken Festival Event on Facebook.
July 30
r u TH erfor D c oun T y Jee P c re W Mee T u P
The Rutherford County Jeep Crew has a meet-up at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, July 30, at Middle Ground Brewing Company (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.). All Jeepers are welcome. For more information, visit middlegroundbrew.com or find Middle Ground Brewing Company on Facebook.
Mon
Day nI g HT
H I sTory c lass
The Patriot Institute presents free Monday Night History classes every Monday night at 6:30 p.m. at Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken (1290 NW Broad St.). Following a break on July 7, Monday Night History will dive into the Jacksonian Era beginning on July 14. The series will then turn its attention to the Mexican-American War, starting July 28. Classes started back with the Greek City-States, have progressed through Greece, Rome, the Middle Ages, the Pilgrims, the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the history of money, transportation and other topics. The instructor, Galen Walker, formed The Patriot Institute in 2015 and has taught Monday Night History at various
CONTiNuEd ON PAGE 10
locations ever since. For more information, visit thepatriotinstitute.org or find The Patriot Institute on Facebook.
Tuesdays & Fridays
r u TH erfor D c oun T y far M ers Marke T
The Rutherford County Agricultural Extension Cooperation launches the 50th Anniversary season of its producer-only farmers market in the indoor/open-air community center at Lane Agri-Park (315 John R. Rice Blvd.). The RCFM is open from 7 a.m.–1 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday from May 9 through Oct. 31. Market vendors hail from over a dozen Middle Tennessee counties and sell a wide variety of seasonal fruits and vegetables, meats, eggs, baked and canned goods, flowers, plants and more. The Master Gardeners of Rutherford County are available 9 a.m.–noon in the demonstration garden for questions and tours. For more information on the market, call 615-898-7710 or visit rutherford.tennessee.edu/farmers-market.
Wednesdays
P I ggy banks & Play T IM e
Jessica Bryan with Reed & Associates of Primerica presents Piggy Banks & Play Time every Wednesday in July from 10–11 a.m. Bring your coffee, your kiddo and your questions. This laid-back series is designed to help moms learn simple, practical money concepts while little ones stay busy in the enclosed playground at Real Life Community Church (2022 E Main St.). Each week features a different guest speaker—from home-school parents to pediatric nurses; it also covers real-life topics like budgeting for a baby, saving for the future and creating calm routines at home. For more information, call 615-351-8549.
Thursdays
T ec s c I ence on TH e PaTI o TEC (Technology Engagement Center)
Science on the Patio returns Thursdays in July at 11 a.m. There is no cost to participate and no sign-up is necessary. The schedule includes:
July 3 – Tie Dye (materials provided, but you are welcome to bring additional items to dye)
July 10 – Bubble Wrap Painting
July 17 – Water Gun Painting
July 24 – Bubble Painting
Fridays
Murfreesboro coMMunITy cHess
Murfreesboro Community Chess meets at McAlister’s Deli (2357 Medical Center Pkwy.) every Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. Organizers invite those of all ages and skill levels to this casual chess meetup each week. Those attending may bring a board and a clock, but there should be plenty of supplies on hand.
July 31 – Exploding Paint Rockets Aug. 7 – Sprout Houses
These projects are done outdoors. Please dress appropriately and bring water to stay hydrated. For more information, visit rclstn.org or find Rutherford County Library System on Facebook.
Thursdays
Money, c ollege an D aD ulTI ng
This weekly series about “Money, College & Adulting” helps high schoolers and their parents prepare for what’s next with practical, no-fluff guidance on finances, college planning and career exploration. Weekly guest speakers share real-world advice—from understanding scholarships and FAFSA to what admissions offices are looking for and going into a trade. Families ready to launch with confidence are welcome Thursdays in July from 6–7 p.m. at Real Life Community Church (2022 E Main St.). For more information, call 615-351-8549.
Fridays
f r IDay nI g HT Marke T I n TH e b oro
Come out for Middle Tennessee’s largest weekly food truck festival and local shopping event featuring food, fun and community every Friday through the end of September from 5–9 p.m. This is perfect for families, friends and leashed furry companions. Enjoy food from authentic Jamaican dishes to wood-fired pizza to Thai selections to fruit tea—food
trucks change weekly. Shop local and discover unique finds from small businesses and artisans while appreciating the music, entertainment and community atmosphere. Vendor applications are available. There is no cost to attend and parking is free; this year’s location is River Rock Baptist Church, 2248 State Hwy 99. For more information, visit fnmitb.square.site or find the Friday Night Market In The BORO & Food Truck Festival 2025 event on Eventbrite.
Fridays
c 3 n e TWork I ng
C3 is an open networking group for local business professionals at Achieve Entrepreneur and CoWorking Center (1630 S. Church St.) held on Fridays from 8:30–10:30 a.m. The mission is to build relationships, connect local businesses with potential clients, support each other’s professional growth and educate people on how to participate in the local community. Complimentary coffee and snacks are provided. For more information, find Prohibition Home Brewing on Facebook.
s aT urdays
sM yrna De P oT far M ers Marke T
Carpe Artista presents the Smyrna Depot Farmers Market in partnership with the Town of Smyrna from 8 a.m.–noon at the Historic Smyrna Front Street Depot District (98 Front St.) every Saturday from May 17 through Sept. 20. For more
s aT urdays
H I sTor I cal s oc I e T y c offee & c on V ersaTI on The Rutherford County Historical Society has been preserving and promoting Murfreesboro’s local history since 1971. The RCHS aims to be a community resource for those researching their family, property or perhaps just old fun facts. The Historical Society hosts Coffee & Conversation each Saturday morning from 9 a.m.–noon at the Ransom School House Museum (717 N. Academy St.). This is a very informal, fun and informative event. Bring old photos or questions about the past to ask members, and enjoy free coffee and donuts. For more information, visit rutherfordtnhistory.org.
information, call 615-984-4038 or visit carpeartista.com/farmers-market
s aT urdays
s aT ur Day Marke T
The Main Street Saturday Market continues in downtown Murfreesboro with 73 vendor spots. The weekly farmers’ market will take place on the Murfreesboro Public Square every Saturday from 8 a.m.–noon from May 3 through Oct. 25. Spend the day with real farmers, real food and real community and find a wide variety of produce, locally raised meats, fresh breads and pastries, mushrooms, honey, soaps and lotions, sauces, jams and more. This year features the introduction of Market Loyalty cards. Pick up your card at the Main Street Market tent and get a weekly stamp for your purchases. Three weeks’ worth of market stamps enters you into a monthly Market Basket drawing. For more information, find Murfreesboro Saturday Market on Facebook or visit mainstreetmurfreesboro.org.
o ngoing
W I l D erness sTaTI on P H oTo c o MP e TITI on
This year’s summer photography competition will have two separate categories: Patterns in Nature and Colors of the Wild. This is free for ages 0–18 to participate in and all images taken with
a traditional camera or phone anywhere in Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) are eligible. For more information, call 615-217-3017 or visit murfreesboroparks.com.
o ngoing
f 3 Workou T s
F3—which stands for fitness, fellowship and faith—holds free, outdoor, peer-led workouts for men across the country. The free weekly workout sessions welcome all men and always end with a “circle of trust,” emphasizing the group’s commitment to faith. In Murfreesboro, F3 holds workouts on the Murfreesboro Public Square at 5 a.m. on Tuesdays; at Oakland Middle School (853 Dejarnette Ln.) at 5:30 a.m. on Wednesdays; at the Murfreesboro Medical Clinic/Gateway Island parking lot (1272 Garrison Dr.) at 5 a.m. on Thursdays; and at Old Fort Park (201 Golf Ln., at the north entrance parking lot) at 6 a.m. on Saturdays. In Smyrna, F3 meets for workouts at Cedar Grove Elementary (354 Chaney Rd., Smyrna) at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesdays; at Thurman Francis Arts Academy (221 Todd Ln., Smyrna) at 5:30 a.m. on Thursdays; and at Stewarts Creek High School (301 Red Hawk Pkwy., Smyrna) at 6 a.m. on Saturdays. The group meets every week, rain or shine, hot or cold. For more information, visit f3murfreesboro.com.
concerts
Live Music in M idd L e tennessee
Thurs, 7/3
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Luke Gover
Fri, 7/4
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Hard Drive
Cedar Glade Brews
Roland Justice
Fountains at G ateway
Derrick Dove & the Peacekeepers
Heroes d en
Twang Dang Doodle
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Shane and the Money Makers
s aT, 7/5
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Tony Castellanos; Handsome Hooligans
Front s treet Pu B
Dustin Nicholson and Friends
Grindstone Cow B oy
Ashton Smith
Hank’s Honky t onk
Zach Neil
Ha PP y’s sP orts l oun G e
The Band ASHH
Heroes d en
Roland Justice; Nick Jackson
Hi GH s o C iety
Rockin Country
m iddle Ground Brewin G Co.
Zentrance;
Joey Fletcher Band
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Shane and Tony
s un, 7/6
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Eddie Ray Arnold
Ho P sP rin G s Da Jam Band
m on, 7/7
Boro Bour B on & Brews
McKenzie Phipps
Grindstone Cow B oy
Craig Campbell’s ’90s Country Show
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 7/8
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Pepper Brooks
s easons o F m ur F rees B oro 2
Kim the Harp Jam
Wed, 7/9
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Robyn Taylor
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Open Mic Night with Sharon
Thurs, 7/10
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Aubrey Heath
Fri, 7/11
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Chuck Harvill Band; Nick Ray
Bullseye’s sP ort Bar
Eden Storm
Bur G er Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Front s treet Pu B
Roland Justice
Grindstone Cow B oy
Payton Taylor
Ha PP y’s sP orts l oun G e
Cole Bradford
Heroes d en
Bob & Arlo; The Revenue Man
m iddle Ground Brewin G Co.
Muddy Boots
m ur Frees Boro Pu B li C s quare
Sisters Wade Revival
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Shane and the Money Makers
s aT, 7/12
Boro Bour B on & Brews
C.J. Conklin; Eden Storm
Front s treet Pu B
Jeff Lysyczyn
Ha PPy’s sP orts l oun G e
Rubiks Groove
Heroes d en
Dueling Pianos with Carter Elliott and Tyler Petty
m iddle Ground Brewin G Co
Vagabond Train
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Tony and the Attitude
s un, 7/13
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Jace Craddock
Ho P sP rin G s Da Jam Band
m on, 7/14
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Jeremy Michael
Bur G er Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 7/15
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Bill Ashmore Duo
s easons o F m ur F rees B oro 2
Kim the Harp Jam
Wed, 7/16
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Gray Daniels
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Open Mic Night with Sharon
Thurs, 7/17
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Dueling Pianos
Grindstone Cow B oy
Jamie O'Neal
Fri, 7/18
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Unfinished Business
Bur G er Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Ha PP y’s sP orts l oun G e
Southern Toast
Heroes d en
Glen Wagner;
Cary & Sherrie Lynn
C i V i C Plaza
Roland Justice
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Shane and the Money Makers
s aT, 7/19
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Tony Castellanos; Mikki Zip Band
Carmen’s taqueria
Jeff Lysyczyn
Grindstone Cow B oy
Natalee Drummond
Ha PP y’s sP orts l oun G e
Echo
Heroes d en
Whiskey Hollow;
Jay Martin
s easons o F m ur F rees B oro
66 Strikes
s myrna VF w Post 8422
In Cahoots
s un, 7/20
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Milford Academy
Ho P sP rin G s
Da Jam Band
m on, 7/21
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Shane Douglas
Bur G er Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 7/22
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Eden Storm
s easons o F m ur F rees B oro 2
Kim the Harp Jam
T uesdays
k im t H e Har P Jam @ s easons o F m ur F rees B oro 2
Veteran harmonica player Kim Votaw, a.k.a. “Kim the Harp,” has launched a weekly residency at Seasons of Murfreesboro 2 (1733 St. Andrews Dr.). The seasoned frontman and harmonica instructor leads an open harp-and-blues jam from 5–8 p.m. each Tuesday evening. Bring your instrument, dive into the community jam and swap some licks with other local musicians.
Wed, 7/23
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Scott Hogue
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Open Mic Night with Sharon
Thurs, 7/24
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Mitch Predella
Fri, 7/25
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Krystal King; Silent Ruckus
Bur G er Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Hank’s Honky t onk
Zach Neil
Ha PP y’s sP orts l oun G e
The Bar Tabs
Heroes d en
Dueling Pianos with Carter Elliott and Van Rentz
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Shane and the Money Makers
w oods V ikin G Bar B ers H o P
Jeff Lysyczyn
s aT, 7/26
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Southbound Crows
Grindstone Cow B oy
Izzy Grace
Ha PP y’s sP orts l oun G e
Stovetop Rhythm & Blues Band
Heroes d en
s un, 7/27
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Emily Miller
Ho P sP rin G s
Da Jam Band
mtsu w ri GHt m usi C Buildin G
Middle Tennessee
Sinfonietta
m on, 7/28
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Cheryl Mulhern Duo
Bur G er Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 7/29
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Carter Elliott
s easons o F m ur F rees B oro 2
Kim the Harp Jam
Wed, 7/30
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Jeff Lysyczyn s myrna VF w Post 8422
Open Mic Night with Sharon
Thurs, 7/31
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Glenn Brown
Fri, 8/1
Har V ester eV ent Center
Raygun (alternative ’80s tribute)
Jeff Lysyczyn; No Escape
Hi GH s o C iety
Eden Storm
s myrna VF w Post 8422
Reunion Station
s aT, 8/2
Grindstone Cow B oy
Bella Spector
music note s
ON FridAy, JuLy 11, the popular Friday Night Live community concert series returns to Murfreesboro’s Public Square with this month’s headliner, Sisters Wade Revival. The show runs from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., staged in front of the Rutherford County Courthouse as part of Main Street Murfreesboro’s summer music lineup.
Organizers of these free, familyfriendly downtown events encourage local folks to bring lawn chairs, enjoy nearby dining, and shop locally downtown before the Friday evening shows start and the music, dancing and soulful vibes begin.
Sisters Wade, came out in 1999.
2025 f r IDay nI g HT lIV e lI neu P : July 11
Sisters Wade revival aug. 8 rubiks Groove s e PT. 19
Backstage Brass
Sisters Julie and Deb Wade have been harmonizing together since childhood. In the late ’90s, the sisters gained traction in Nashville, playing a two-year house gig at historic Lower Broadway landmark Tootsie’s and signing to Charlie Daniels’ Blue Hat Records. Their debut,
After stepping back from the music scene to focus on family, the sisters reunited in 2019 for a 20th anniversary show—a reunion that grew into a full-fledged musical comeback, with highlights including their version of the folk standard “Wayfaring Stranger” as well as a popular Christmas album project. They continue working on new music and frequently perform with guitarist/producer Andy Most as the SWR Three-Oh, blending country, folk and bluegrass influences as they deliver heartfelt harmonies and acoustic string sounds.
The July 11 concert is free and open to all; head to downtown Murfreesboro and celebrate community and culture. For more on Sisters Wade revival, visit facebook.com/sisterswaderevival or sisterswaderevival.com.
JaMie o’neal to Play grindstone coWBoy, July 17
PLATiNuM-SELLiNG ArTiST Jamie O’Neal rides into Grindstone Cowboy in Eagleville on Thursday, July 17, at 7 p.m. O’Neal’s set promises intimate acoustic storytelling as the country singer celebrates the 25th anniversary of her breakout, Shiver. That 2000 debut album produced back-to-back #1 country-pop singles “There Is No Arizona” and “When I Think About Angels.” The Australian-born O’Neal spent some of her early days in the music industry as a backing vocalist for fellow Australian Kylie Minogue’s tour before launching her own country music career and earning Top New Female Vocalist honors at the 2001 Academy of Country Music Awards. Expect stripped-down versions of tunes from throughout O’Neal’s career and engaging anecdotes about her journey from Australian beginnings to Nashville success at this July 17 installment of Grindstone Cowboy’s Songs from the ’Stone series.
Living
Reclaiming Its Roots nature news
IHow Murfree s pring is returning to nature through Indigenous Plants Project
f you’ve wandered through Murfree Springs lately and you’ve spotted the colorful flags dotted around the pond near the parking lot, you’re probably wondering what that’s all about. Something is quietly in the process of transformation, and it’s more than just a new garden.
Outdoor Murfreesboro’s natural resources team is in the midst of a large-scale native plant restoration, replacing ornamental plants with hardy Tennessee natives that support the local ecosystem.
The vision? A garden that works with nature instead of against it—nearly 4,000 square feet designed to nourish pollinators, shelter wildlife, feed birds, and inspire the community. Over 1,400 plants are being introduced in carefully planned phases. Each species was chosen for beauty, resilience and purpose, from blooming perennials to plants that can hold their own in floods or droughts.
Through Murfreesboro’s Indigenous Plants Project (MIPP) and with help from South Eastern Grasslands Initiative, many of the plants were grown from locally collected seeds—meaning their growth cycle is in sync with our local pollinators.
Because the pond serves as a refuge for turtles, frogs and fish, the team can’t use fertilizers, herbicides or even mulch, all of which could disrupt water chemistry and
harm wildlife.
“It’s a challenge,” says Andra Prewett, a member of the city’s natural resources team, “but it’s worth it. On the day we installed the orange butterfly milkweed into the native garden, a monarch butterfly laid an egg on the milkweed before we could even get it out of the container. If you build it,” she says, “they will come!”
For longtime visitors, the changes may have raised eyebrows, especially when trees were removed in the natural area across from the garden. But the cleared vegetation wasn’t native.
“That area was 90% invasive honeysuckle, privet and mimosa,” Prewett explains.
“They offer little value to wildlife, and crowd out valuable native species.”
Eliminating invasive species is a key part of the city’s long-term biodiversity strategy. It’s not just about the plants, it’s about the domino effect they create. With native flora come native insects, which feed local birds. Healthy plant cover improves water retention and removing invasive plants can even help reduce tick and mosquito populations.
“We’ve already seen species like penstemon and fleabane returning to the landscape. It’s like uncovering buried treasure,” she continues.
None of this work happens alone.
“The Tennessee Naturalist Program and
the Master Gardeners of Rutherford County have been essential in keeping the momentum of the Native Garden and Murfree Spring project going,” Prewett says. “We’re also lucky to have the support and expertise of the team at the Stones River National Battlefield, as we strategize the management of our natural areas, and support from the MTSU Department of Biology for help with field identification and propagation strategies of native plants. We all have a common goal of keeping Murfreesboro healthy, beautiful and biodiverse.”
There are plenty of ways for residents to help—from signing up to volunteer through Outdoor Murfreesboro to simply planting native species in their own yards. Every native plant or backyard milkweed patch creates a corridor for wildlife. If you spot a rare insect or bird, share it on the social network iNaturalist; your observations help document the impact of this restoration in real time. With fall plantings coming next in Phase III, the garden is still growing. But the signs are clear: what was once ornamental is becoming essential. What once looked like disruption is blooming into something far richer. At Murfree Spring, the future is native, and it’s already taking root.
Explore the Murfree Spring Wetlands at 460 SE Broad St.
spotlight on nonprofit
sTory by elIsHa nelson
If you’ve ever gazed into the eyes of a stray cat and wished there was something you could do to help, you’re not alone. In late 2024, a group of local Murfreesboro cat lovers approached Catfeine Café owner Taura Byrd with an exciting proposal to launch a new rescue that would work to save the most vulnerable cats in the Murfreesboro community.
Catfeine had operated for six years working alongside other rescue organizations and sheltering cats in the café, so Byrd understood that the need was out there, and growing. Catfeine’s primary rescue partner was preparing to cut back services, as two of its original board members had retired
Tennessee Whiskers making a paws-itive difference in the lives of local feline friends
after a decade of intense volunteer work.
Recognizing the need and the opportunity, Byrd partnered with experienced rescuers
Danielle Harrett and Nicole Campanella to establish Tennessee Whiskers Cat Rescue in January of 2025. And in only six months, they’ve already made a lasting difference.
It’s no small task to begin a rescue from scratch, but the community of Murfreesboro rallied.
“People have donated, volunteered and fostered,” Byrd said. “Without them, this rescue wouldn’t be here.”
The organization entered 2025 with the hope of saving 100 cats during the first half of the year. As of June, they have already saved 119 from the streets. All of these cats have a story. Stewart, a blind 9-year-old cat surviving on the streets near the Murfreesboro Square, required a whole month of patient trapping attempts to get him into safety. He’s adjusting to indoor life now but still awaits a forever home.
Of the cats rescued thus far, 53 have found a home with adoptive families. 17 feral cats were TNR’d (Trap-Neutered-Returned), controlling the populations of the cat colonies
humanely and effectively. And although most outcomes have been positive, Tennessee Whiskers has had just one devastating loss— part of the emotional cost of doing rescue work. The rescue still has 66 cats remaining in its care, many of whom are recovering their health and waiting for their second chance.
“We’ve taken in several difficult medical cases,” Byrd begins, “kittens like Hansel and Gretel, who were found in a homeless individual’s backpack and were determined to give up. But we didn’t let them. Thanks to the generosity of our supporters, we were able to provide the veterinary care they desperately needed. Today, they are thriving and available for adoption at Catfeine.”
Rescuers Harrett and Campanella are the ones taking emergency calls in the middle of
the night, bottle-feeding orphaned kittens, out on the streets and doing hands-on work to rehabilitate cats that require special care. Byrd works more on the back end of the rescue, and temporarily fosters up to 20 cats at Catfeine, providing them with a safe space to recover and socialize with the public.
What’s even more remarkable about this group? They do it all as volunteers—donating time, energy, and resources because they believe every cat deserves a chance.
Catfeine is more than just a coffee shop— it’s a sanctuary. Tennessee Whiskers cats are often fostered in the cat lounge, where customers are welcome to enjoy lattes among adoptable cats. It’s a low-key atmosphere in which timid cats can emerge from their shells and in which potential adopters can get to know them in a calm environment. Every visit is a win for the rescue. From adoption events to fundraisers and sales of merchandise, Catfeine’s friendly space has become a hub for community cat bonding.
Catfeine will host a Foster Fair community event on July 27. These open-housestyle events are meant to show prospective foster families about what fostering entails and how it can transform lives, both feline and human. All supplies and medical attention are taken care of by the rescue; fos-
ters simply need to supply love and time.
“We receive three to five rescue calls daily,” Byrd says. “We’d love to say yes to every cat, but we can’t unless we have fosters to place them in.”
Building the rescue’s foster network and continued fundraising are at the top of Tennessee Whiskers’ list for the remainder of the year.
Through exhaustion and hard choices, the reward is priceless. Tennessee Whiskers has already proven that with a heart large enough and a little help from the community, a large impact is achievable.
TO AdOPT Or FOSTEr, download applications at catfeine.net or attend a Foster Fair, set for 5 p.m., Sunday, July 27, at Catfeine Cat Cafe, 517 Cason Ln., where potential candidates for fostering can come and learn more about how to help. Fosters must be 21 years old to apply for foster care. Catfeine is also constantly looking for volunteers to help look after cats in the café.
Find Tennessee Whiskers on Facebook or Petfinder for news and adoption tales, and for more information or to apply to foster, visit tennesseewhiskers.com.
615.210.4767 Bill Wilson TNLIC#275638
615.406.5872
Alum Cave Trail
Smoky Mountain path winding along a shimmering stream leads to impressive arch rock formation
ALuM CAvE TrAiL ranks as one of the most popular hikes in Great Smoky Mountains National Park for good reason. It displays a mix of rich, rugged mountain terrain and striking sights into a route that’s manageable for most day hikers, at least up to its first notable unique geological feature—Arch Rock.
The hike to Arch Rock itself constitutes a manageable 2.5-mile round-trip, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a quick excursion that still delivers a special piece of the Smokies’ natural grandeur. The trail follows Alum Cave Creek for its initial portion, winding through the lush forest,
lined with rhododendron, blackberries, mountain laurel and other native flora, the sunlight shimmering on the spray from the stream alongside.
Find the Alum Cave Trailhead parking area on Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) about 6 miles south of the Sugarlands Visitor Center, outside of Gatlinburg.
Setting out from the parking area, the Tennessee trail gradually climbs uphill, slowly but steadily gaining elevation as it follows the contours of the landscape. It’s a rocky trail at sections, with a mix of loose, small gravel and large stone slabs underfoot for much of its journey. Several sections re-
quire careful footing, particularly after rain, but the well-cleared path makes the trek relatively straightforward and not incredibly steep. Alongside the trail, visitors will likely hear the steady gurgling of the creek, a cool, calming soundtrack for much of the hike. About 1.2 miles in, hikers reach Arch
Rock, the trail’s first major landmark and a popular Great Smoky Mountains sight and photo spot. A narrow beam of a footbridge leads directly to the lower mouth of the cavern. Here, hikers ascend a set of roughly 50 stone stairs that curve their way through the tunnel-like formation carved in the black
sTory by bracken M ayo
PH oTos by sara H Mayo
slate, the staircase leading right up and through this towering rock arch. Some steps can be tight or slick, particularly in damp conditions, but mounted steel cables serve as handrails and the climb through this passageway is a highlight of the route, as the arch makes for one of the most photographed features in the park.
Many parties looking for a fairly short walk in the park will opt to turn back to the trail’s beginning from here.
Continuing beyond Arch Rock, the trail becomes dramatically steeper. While the initial portion of the trail travels under thick forest canopy, climbing higher the terrain begins to open up and the forest begins to thin, offering glimpses of the surrounding ridges. About 2.3 miles from the trailhead, hikers reach Alum Cave Bluff—a towering concave rock overhang that gives the trail its name. While it’s not a true cave, the bluff looms impressively high and provides a shaded rest area with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains. During colder months, water dripping from the bluff often freezes into spectacular, long icicles.
Other hikers will choose to turn around at this bluff, making that full out-and-back route just under 5 miles in total. However, some intrepid hikers venture all the way to the top of Mt. LeConte from the Alum Cave Trail parking area, about an 11-mile round-
trip journey with a gain (and then a descent) of about 2,800 feet in elevation.
Those seeking a long, challenging hike continue to the summit of Mount LeConte—one of the tallest peaks in the Smokies at 6,593 feet (only 50 feet shorter than the highest point in the park: Clingmans Dome/Kuwohi). That full 11-mile round-trip hike from the Alum Cave Trailhead to the top of LeConte certainly makes a strenuous but rewarding trek–offering sweeping views and even the opportunity
to spend the night at LeConte Lodge if the group makes advance arrangements. Even if your hiking party is not up for that full ascent, the hikes to Alum Cave Bluff, or simply to Arch Rock, are highly satisfying ventures in their own right. The area offers an excellent introduction to the park’s natural mountain features and East Tennessee forest ecosystem, providing a memorable Smoky Mountains adventure alongside a beautiful stream.
If You Go
a lu M c aV e Tra I l H ea D newfound g ap road/Highway 441
6.8 miles south of Sugarlands v isitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Living
We Love you, e d!
Zebra becomes local celebrity as he roams through r utherford County
sTory by b racken Mayo
On May 31, a zebra escaped from a Christiana farm, painted the town black and white, and brought the community together in a special way.
What began with the animal darting across I-24 one Saturday morning—causing a brief traffic shutdown—quickly escalated in the hometown legend of our striped protagonist, Ed.
Just one day before the very public zebra sighting, Taylor and Laura Ford had brought the striped creature to Middle Tennessee after acquiring him from a breeder in Texas, thinking he would join them on their land alongside their alpacas, bison, ducks and turkeys.
However, the recently purchased pet zebra soon slipped away from the 115-acre farm and promptly became the talk (and meme) of Murfreesboro after many area motorists and residents spotted the creature roaming about.
Video footage of Ed trotting around town circulated widely. A community member dubbed the zebra “Ed” after his escape—a nod to famed black-and-white-striped NFL referee Ed Hochuli—and the name stuck.
Ed the runaway zebra became the biggest news in town crossing highways and making appearances throughout the city, on social media feeds and even on the TV news
recent photo of Ed the Zebra, safe and secure on the ranch in Texas where he was originally purchased. Ed’s owners state that they are still looking for a permanent home for the zebra. Above, clockwise: Ed souvenir T-shirt, available on Amazon; Ed reads the Pulse; Ed takes flight.
fun fac T s
during his self-guided tour of the area, earning fans around the world.
The runaway quickly became a local celebrity with the type of clout and recognition many influencers spend years trying to build, a symbol of joy, a fun Murfreesboro mascot and a source of unity, even, among so many divisive, heavy topics swirling on modern social media.
The galloping black-and-white beast known as Ed brought folks in Middle Tennessee—and far beyond—together in a unique way that few things do.
“We didn’t realize the magnitude of how the zebra would capture the attention of the entire world,” Taylor said.
In addition to the very real video footage of the zebra, local barbershops, breweries, bakeries and shops celebrated the beautiful animal; businesses across town wasted no time integrating Ed into their branding, creating and posting memes of Ed having a blast at points all over Murfreesboro, assisted by now-free and commonplace artificial intelligence image-generating technology.
In meme, the zebra line-danced at Whiskey Dix, enjoyed a snack at Donut Country, drove the go-karts at Go USA, attended the Great Tennessee Air Show, read the Murfrees-
Tennessee state law does limit the possession of certain animals—rhinoceroses, venomous snakes, crocodiles, all carnivores (tigers, bears, wolves, jaguars, etc.) and all primates—to zoos, circuses and commercial propagators. Zebra ownership, however, is completely legal in Tennessee, no special permit required, as the state considers equidae (members of the horse family) Class III wildlife, along with rabbits, chinchillas, llamas, giraffes, marsupials, hogs, sheep, goats, chipmunks and a host of other animals. Zebras, though, are more typically found roaming the African savanna, and the species is known to be wild and unpredictable—capable of sprinting at 40 miles per hour and even kicking and biting.
boro Pulse, ate at Toot’s, went to the movies, tried on classy black-and-white tuxedos, shot pool at MJ’s and enrolled at MTSU.
I hope you had the time of your life.
In real lIfe, the search continued for this wild animal amid hopes that he wouldn’t cause a serious traffic accident or attack someone. The search continued for days and Murfreesboro, Tennessee’s latest claim to worldwide fame became “that town with a loose zebra.”
“Y’all wanna know why Ed became such an icon? ‘Cause he broke free from the system that was designed to cage him, and he was not just living his best life—wild, free and healthy—he was thriving,” said one Facebook commenter, LaLa Lagos. “Deep
down, we all wanted to be Ed.”
After eight days of adventure, drones detected Ed in a field near Christiana and images of a zebra dangling from a helicopter flying above Rutherford County during a dramatic airlift became the next chapter in this local lore.
Transforming from complete unknown to superstar basically overnight, the zebra’s escapades inspired a creative explosion as his fans crafted songs, poems, children’s books and paintings in his honor. A zebra mural appeared in downtown Nashville at the corner of 8th and Edgehill, produced by the street artist Bandit.
“I know everybody seemed to have fun with this and everybody loved it, but at the same time, one of my concerns the whole time was safety,” Taylor Ford told the Tennessean after Ed’s safe return.
Luckily, the tale of the Murfreesboro zebra, at least its chapter of the animal roaming free on the streets for a week, had a happy ending—social media onlookers got some good laughs out of the ordeal, the Murfreesboro small business community had a season of solidarity releasing zebrathemed marketing pieces, and a healthy Ed was reunited with the Ford family.
The area’s creative culture, sense of humor and collaborative spirit shone as it celebrated Ed, the local mascot no one expected—but everyone embraced.
And the people of Murfreesboro shall tell their grandchildren of The Legend of the Zebra, along with local tales of Forrest’s ride through the courthouse and the Human Fly.
dirty dutch Mantell
Wrassler billed as being from ‘Oil Trough, Texas’ actually lived in Murfreesboro
i hOPE EvEryONE has a safe and fun Fourth of July! Thanks to all of our veterans and soldiers who keep us free and to the ones who sacrificed it all. With that being said, I’d like to step back in time to a day when a great time for this kid was staying out late until the street lights came on on a Friday night and then waking up on Saturday mornings to watch my favorite entertainment. That entertainment was Memphis-based wrestling. Unless you’re a dude who was alive during those times, you probably cannot relate.
My grandfather Wilson loved the old wrestling in the days of Gorgeous George and Bruno Sammartino, but there is something different about Memphis wrestling (National Wrestling Alliance, Continental Wrestling Association). I believe it was all the characters. It was broadcast live from the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, to my knowledge. It was Jerry “The King” Lawler, Tojo Yamato, Superstar Bill Dundee, and my favorite wrestler of all time, Dirty Dutch Mantell.
Why was Dutch Mantell my favorite wrestler? He was just a bad dude who looked like he came down off of a mountain. He carried a whip he called Shoo Baby that he
would lay down on his opponent if someone was getting out of line (unlike me, who was whipped for doing wrong). He was a heel and sometimes a babyface. That meant he was sometimes the villain and sometimes the good guy, depending on the current storyline.
His real name is Wayne Keown, and he debuted in the professional wrestling world in 1972 as Wayne Cowan. He would achieve fame in the regional and independent circuits, and later as well in WCW, as “Dirty” Dutch Mantell. Keown also worked with the WWF, now (WWE) as Uncle Zebekiah in the mid-1990s, and again in the 2010s as Zeb Colter. From the late 1990s to the late 2010s he worked as a booker for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Total Nonstop Action (TNA), as well as the Florida-based Championship Wrestling.
Mantell was instrumental in the careers of several huge wrestling stars of the ’90s, including the Blade Runners, who later went on to achieve individual fame as Sting and the Ultimate Warrior. The Undertaker and Kane were early recipients of Mantell’s astute wrestling knowledge, which served them well in their careers. Mantell also is credited with
giving Stone Cold Steve Austin his surname. Austin’s real name at the time was Steve Williams—but that name was already in use, and well known in the wrestling world, by Dr. Death Steve Williams. Mantell originally considered giving Austin the stage names of either “Stevie Rage” or “William Stevenson III,” but would later settle on Steve’s birthplace of Austin, Texas, as his now-famous wrestling surname. At the time, Mantell was a booker for Jerry Jarrett’s Memphis Wrestling. Now, let’s talk about Wayne, the real person behind the Dutch Mantell character. Wayne spent his early life in South Carolina before coming to Tennessee. A lot of people don’t know that Dutch had a granddaughter named Amelia, who was tragically killed in an automobile accident in 2012. She was hit by a repeat offender who had been under the influence of drugs. Dutch, along with his daughter, Amanda, were instrumental in getting Amelia’s Law passed in the Tennessee State Legislature in 2015. Amelia’s Law lets judges place transdermal
monitoring devices on persons on probation or parole who have a history with drug or alcohol abuse. The man who struck and killed Amelia had a nine-page Tennessee criminal history with numerous felonies. I’m positive this law has helped save many lives.
Another bit of trivia is that Dutch is an Army veteran of the Vietnam War. You can see it hasn’t always been show business but also real life experiences that have shaped Dutch. I’ve been a Realtor for the last 25 years. I have worked with all sorts of folks. It was 2017 when I talked to Amanda Moore and her husband, William, about purchasing a home here in Murfreesboro, and I found out Amanda’s dad was none other than Dutch Mantell. You would’ve thought I was a kid at Christmas!
Later, I was able to meet my childhood wrestling idol, Dutch Mantell. Since then, I’ve gotten to spend some time talking to Dutch both in person and over the phone, and he was a guest on my radio show. He was even kind enough to do a personal service announcement for Mr. Murfreesboro.
In his wrestling days, the storylines said Dutch was a man who wandered along the roads of US Route 190 and hailed from Texas—“The Pride of Oil Trough, Texas.” I had no idea that in between his traveling he was living right here in little ole Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Since May 2022, Mantell has hosted Story Time with Dutch Mantell, a YouTube series co-hosted by James Romero. If you are a wrasslin’ fan you will love his podcast. One of his many stories includes being in the locker room in Puerto Rico when Bruiser Brody met his demise (likely murdered by another wrestler).
Dutch should be in the Hall of Fame, period. He has had his disputes with Ric Flair, but who among us hasn’t. Dutch and his family now live on the Gulf Coast. Thanks to Amanda and William Moore for helping me put this together!
Call Bill Wilson for your local real estate needs at 615-406-5872.
amanda Moore with her dad Dutch Mantell
Living
Horses & Healing spotlight on nonprofit
The Harris Training and Riding Academy in Murfreesboro again held a horse-riding camp for foster children this year through its 501C3 nonprofit, the Peppermint Equine Project.
Through the effort, 25 Middle Tennessee foster children were able to attend the Peppermint Equine Project Horse Camp, said Brittany Harris, who owns Harris Riding Academy along with her husband, Will. The Harris family also gives free riding lessons to many foster children throughout the year.
“The Harris Training and Riding Academy is for everyone,” Harris said. “It is our main business. The Peppermint Equine Project is a nonprofit that we started last year as an opportunity to offer riding lessons, and then camp opportunities, to foster families—that includes the foster kids in the family as well as biological children of the family. We offer scholarships for the kids to take riding lessons and go to summer camp.”
The Peppermint Equine Project was born out of a passion for horses and a desire to
share their therapeutic benefits with children, according to peppermintequineproject. org. The nonprofit provides equine therapy and teaches horsemanship skills.
“Our summer camp was a week-long day camp,” Harris said. “Each day when the kids arrived, we started grooming the horses.
Then we broke up into our groups for the week to go over the brushing and saddling of the horses, which are mostly the American Saddlebred. Throughout the morning at
Harris riding academy offers horse-riding lessons to local foster children
sTory by l aura lI n D say
camp, the kids rotate through stations. One of the stations is riding and another would go over a horse-related educational topic.”
The best way the public can help us with the Peppermint Equine Project is just exposure, Harris said.
“We are always looking for ways to help it grow,” she said. “In addition to the camp, right now we do about 15 to 20 lessons a week for foster families. Our lessons continue year-round.”
Harris Riding and Training Academy also offers paid riding lessons for adults and children. They have a show horse division, where they train show horses for children and amateur riders, and the Harris Academy also specifically trains young horses.
The harris riding Academy, as well as the base of operations for the Peppermint Equine Project, are located at 1975 irby Ln., Murfreesboro. To find out more, visit peppermintequineproject.org or call 615556-7370.
Local resources for those interested in being a foster parent, or in volunteering to assist children in need:
stepstone family & youth services recruits and trains foster families to provide care for foster children.
Monroe Harding offers foster care and adoptive services.
casa of rutherford county –casa (court appointed special advocate) advocates for the best interest of children in foster care within the court system.
bridge family Ministries offers respite care, providing temporary care for foster children to give foster parents a break.
good shepherd children’s Home is a Christian-based children’s home in Murfreesboro for disadvantaged boys and girls facing difficult circumstances in their lives.
Isaiah 117 House is a safe and loving temporary home for children awaiting foster care placement.
rhett Harris
Julia Moran at Harris riding academy
PHOTO BY L ILI M ORAN OTHER PHOTOS COURTESY H ARRIS R IDING ACADEMY
b eesley a nimal foundation u nveils 24/7
s tation to h elp g et l ost pets h ome
BEESLEy ANiMAL FOuNdATiON has unveiled its new 24/7 Microchip Station and Outreach Box, now located on the Foundation’s front porch and available for public use.
Beesley Animal Foundation, open Mondays through Thursdays, has long recognized the need for a way to scan found pets during evenings and weekends. In October, the Foundation put out a call, and the community answered. Thanks to the donation of a well-loved double newspaper box and the creativity of dedicated partners, the project quickly came to life.
Oakland High School’s welding class, led by Mr. Warmack, stepped in to weld broken pieces to make the box sturdy and functional again. It then moved on to Oakland High’s Art Club, under the direction of Mr. Baugh, where students transformed it into a vibrant cat-and-dog-themed work of art. Scott Roberts put in shelves so that one side of the box can be used for scanning for microchips, and the other side will hold cat and dog food.
This dual-purpose box serves not only as a Microchip Station, helping reunite lost pets with their families, but also as an Outreach Pet Food Box, stocked with cat and dog food for pet owners in need after hours.
The DataMars Compact Max Microchip Scanner, sponsored by Dr. Kathryn McPherson of McPherson Veterinary Services, is userfriendly and includes clear written instructions as well as a video tutorial.
Unveiled during National Microchipping Month, this long-awaited project is a testament to what can be achieved when a community comes together. Every element,
from the box and repairs to the artwork and scanner and pet food, was donated, making this a truly grassroots initiative.
“We are so grateful to everyone who made this possible,” Beesley staff said in a statement. “This is more than just a box—it’s a symbol of how our community comes together to care for animals.”
Anyone who locates a lost pet with a microchip can now scan them in at Beesley Animal Foundation, 2215 Keeneland Commercial Blvd., Murfreesboro (just off of rutherford Boulevard, across from the Kensington Place shopping center/Publix). visit beesleyanimalclinic.com/scanner-info to learn more about the Microchip Station and Pet Food Outreach Box and view a brief video with instructions on how to use the scanner.
Curry in a Hurry
Take a trip to Jamaica without leaving the ’ b oro at The Hungry s pot
sTory by bracken M ayo
P H oTos by sara H M ayo
Step into the Hungry Spot on Memorial Boulevard in Murfreesboro and take a mini-vacation to the Caribbean—right in the heart of the ’Boro. Warm steel-drum rhythms greet visitors stepping in the door as island-flavored versions of pop songs (and, naturally, some Bob Marley) play; the even warmer air adds to the feel of a tropical island escape, as the scorching summer sun pours in through the windows.
The Dish
Hungry sP oT au TH en TI c Ja M a I can c u I s I ne 1600 Memorial b lvd. Tues.–Thurs. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Fri.–Sat., 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Sun., 12–6 p.m. 615-617- 0723
Jerk chicken with two sides: $17; Beef patty: $4 Lunch special: $11.99 Fried chicken with two sides: $15
Everything arrived quickly from the kitchen (other than the fried chicken, expectedly), served piping hot.
The yellow curry chicken—not spicy, but displaying a bold yellow color, presumably from turmeric, containing pieces of bone-in chicken atop the rice and peas—made a solid value and delicious lunch plate at $11.99.
The restaurant— which has its roots as a food truck, still operating under the Hungry Spot name—now serves the flavors of Jamaica at its brick-andmortar location. Find oxtails, jerk chicken, beef patty, curry goat, curry chicken, collard greens, yams, fish, fried chicken and more at the local eatery.
Samantha Johnson, serving as hostesscook-server, lets some guests know that they were out of a couple of dishes momentarily, as she welcomes the first-time customers into the place.
“Out of wings today,” Sam tells the visitors, also notifying them that the fried chicken takes about 20 minutes to cook as she juggles taking orders and kitchen duties.
The daily lunch special that day was the curry chicken, rice and peas, and cabbage.
For those looking for oxtails, not the most common dish in the Middle Tennessee region, find them here as well.
“My boyfriend and I ate here today. I ordered the curry goat with rice and peas and mac and cheese. He ordered the escovitch fish. The lady was super sweet. She filled our plates up really well. I would definitely recommend this place for Jamaican food,” Jalon Thomas posted in a review following a meal at Hungry Spot.
The jerk chicken came coated in a dark red sauce more reminiscent of BBQ sauce than some may expect.
“It honestly tasted like chicken with KC Masterpiece sauce, which didn’t make sense to me,” Cody Sanders said. “Felt more like a BBQ place than Jamaican.”
Although this dish may not have the traditional jerk chicken wood-smoked flavor
that some want, it’s still a fantastic chicken dish, more closely related to baked chicken with barbecue sauce, pleasantly spicy, and just hot enough.
The Hungry Spot sides deserve praise in their own right—exhibiting home-cooked, comfort food qualities.
As far as the rice and peas, some in the South may expect black-eyed peas in their rice, Hoppin’ John-style, but “in Jamaica we do red beans in the rice,” Sam says about the Hungry Spot version, which blends rice, kidney beans and just a bit of red-pepper kick.
The buttery cabbage, sweet yams, and tasty, savory greens all delivered robust flavors.
“That’s some seriously good mac and cheese,” one diner commented.
All of the side dishes tasted great.
That escovitch—fried fish topped with pickled vegetables—and the oxtails are distinctly Caribbean, as is the beef patty.
These beef patties, a classic Jamaican empanada-like creation, but flatter, arrive scalding hot inside, the rich, flaky pastry stuffed with spicy ground beef. Wonderful.
Otherwise, though, the Hungry Spot’s takes on Jamaican cuisine are not too far removed from traditional Tennessee cooking—greens, sweet potatoes, fried chicken, mac and cheese, cabbage and barbecue chicken.
The fried chicken, for those who opt to wait for it to be deepfried to order, has a great crisp to it, and is not very salty (a plus for some diners; for others, a lack of flavor).
Fried chicken with two sides runs $15. The chicken used in the fried chicken, jerk chicken and curry is bone-in, but cut into smaller pieces than typical American fried chicken (chopping style, or Chinese style, sliced right through the bones).
“I moved from Miami, Florida, to Tennessee recently,” said another Hungry Spot patron, Diamond, who is still in search of quality Tennessee restaurants. “I ordered the snapper escovitch meal and it did not fail. It brought me back home with the island feel and Caribbean flavors.”
As far as the drawbacks, some feel the portions a bit small for the price.
“Rice was most of the meal,” one customer commented; “the pieces of chicken had more bone then meat,” another stated.
Yet another customer, Tammy, reported the quantity of oxtails in her plate was minimal.
“I had more rice than oxtails. It was not worth the $30 I paid this go-around,” she said.
Others say that they’d like a bit more seasoning on some of the dishes.
But for those on the hunt for tropical island-style cooking, the area doesn’t have a whole lot of options, and the Hungry Spot is a welcome addition to Murfreesboro’s culinary landscape. So for those looking for island vibes and classic Jamaican soul food—curry, rice and peas, greens, escovitch, goat and real-deal patties—this is the spot for a quick Caribbean escape.
“The tastiest vegetables and jerk chicken around!” said Tammy Rohane-Henderson.
Beane Brothers BBQ, Smackdab Brewing, Bubba’s 33, White Monkey Market, Bar rescue, King 7, School of rock, Neighbors, u&i
by D elores ell I oTT
Murfreesboro-based SMACKdAB
BrEWiNG has plans to open a brewery that will occupy part of an existing building at the corner of North Front Street and West Lytle Street. The brewery expects to occupy about 3,600 square feet of space in the building, providing a new option for local beer enthusiasts.
A new Korean place, KiNG 7 KOrEAN BBQ ChiCKEN, will soon open near the corner of Northfield Boulevard and Lascassas Pike, in the same shopping center as Golden Bowls.
LA TAvOLA, located at 114 Front St. in Smyrna, has announced that it will be closing. However, BEANE BrOThErS BBQ ANd CATEriNG has already announced plans to open at the downtown Smyrna location. This restaurant is related to Rooster Beane’s previous Rooster’s Lone Star BBQ restaurant, which operated on Main Street in Murfreesboro for a brief time (in the space now home to The Alley); Rooster’s closed its doors in 2014.
CAMiNO rEAL has opened its new location at 2450 Old Fort Pkwy. in the former O’Charley’s building. This location is Camino’s fifth in Murfreesboro; this comes after the closing of Camino Real’s nearby Cason Lane restaurant.
Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit caminorealtn.com for more info.
615 diSTriCT, located at 1950 S. Church St., will rebrand as SOuThErN STiLL 615 District recently welcomed Bar Rescue to its restaurant with attempts to rebrand and save the restaurant from failure.
u&i, a new Asian fusion restaurant, will open at 2069 Lascassas Pk. in the former Casa Blanca Mexican building. Information
around toWn ’boro b us I ness buzz
BuBBA’S 33, owned by Texas Roadhouse founder Kent Taylor, has unveiled plans for a new 7,105-square-foot restaurant to be constructed on North Thompson Lane in the parking lot of the former YMCA building. This location is included in the brand’s 33 projected new restaurants to open across 17 states this year, with 12 already open across Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Texas and Virginia.
Bubba’s 33 will offer a family-friendly sports bar atmosphere, with wall-to-wall TVs featuring various sports. A variety of food options will be offered, including burgers, fried pickles, sandwiches, pasta, steaks, onion rings and loaded fries.
regarding opening date and hours has not been announced, although the restaurant has mentioned on its Facebook page that it is hiring servers, waitstaff and kitchen employees.
SChOOL OF rOCK will hold a grand opening celebration on Saturday, July 26, from 12–4 p.m. School of Rock has opened its Murfreesboro location at 1282 NW Broad St., taking over the former credit union building beside Champy’s Chicken. School of Rock currently operates more than 350 schools worldwide and hosts music lessons for all ages.
The School of Rock Method includes individual lessons, group rehearsals and live performances, all with the goal of getting students onstage performing at a real rock show at a real music venue. Lessons offered
lem Highway to open by the end of August.
PiN hiGh GOLF ExPEriENCE, a mobile golf simulator rental business, has arrived in Murfreesboro. The Experience, owned and operated by a local husband and wife team Patrick and Kelsey Sutton, is dedicated to providing a unique, high-end entertainment option to local events.
“Whether you’re a seasoned pro or picking up a club for the first time, our indoor and outdoor simulators are perfect for all ages and skill levels,” according to the Suttons. “From weddings and corporate events to birthday parties and tailgates, we turn any gathering into a unique and unforgettable golf experience.”
Currently, an outdoor daytime setup is offered for large open spaces, as well as an indoor/evening setup with a covered simulator for weather-sensitive venues. Visit pinhighgolfexperience.com for more information and booking.
GrEENhOuSE MiNiSTriES has announced that it will open its own ivy ON SPriNG coffeeshop after recently celebrating 25 years of community service in the area. The nonprofit also recently opened ThE SPriNG hOuSE, a grocery storestyle food bank where guests are paired with personal shoppers who assist with selecting food, clothing and essentials, also offering words of prayer and encouragement. Greenhouse Ministries’ Garden Patch Thrift Shop is located at 309 S. Spring St.
ThE PrACTiCE rOOM
include guitar, drums, bass, keyboard, singing and songwriting.
Visit schoolofrock.com for more information.
WhiTE MONKEy MArKET has opened at 224 W. Main St., directly across from The Alley on Main. The market hosts different vendor booths offering a unique assortment of antiques, dishes, home decor pieces, vintage furniture and locally sourced items including soaps, teas, jewelry and gifts.
Hours are Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Visit facebook.com/whitemonkeyes for more details.
Officials with the City of Murfreesboro say they expect the new TrANSiT CENTEr at the corner of Bridge Avenue and New Sa-
, Murfreesboro’s only Ashtanga Yoga Shala, has opened at 10B N. Public Square, Room 206. It is owned and operated by Shana Cummings, a dedicated Ashtanga student since 2016. The Practice Room is a partner studio with the Trini Foundation, which offers monthly tuition assistance to individuals in recovery from addiction and substance use disorders. Visit shanaraeyoga.com for more information.
ShriNKTy has opened a Murfreesboro mental health clinic, and although it features a physical office location at 2462 Old Fort Pkwy., it is dedicated to providing online therapy one-on-ones with licensed professionals.
When Shrinkty was founded in 2022, the idea was to provide telehealth and telemedicine—accessible from the comfort of one’s own home.
“Our mission is to provide compassion-
ate, comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and addiction treatment with a multidisciplinary team of specialists to empower individuals suffering from mental health disorders to take control of their lives and achieve a fuller life by actively treating and managing mental health and substance use disorders,” according to shrinkty.com.
AuTOZONE has proposed plans to open a new 24,301-square-foot auto parts store and warehouse within the Jackson Heights Plaza. The site plan features an elevated sidewalk area where battery testing, battery changes, wiper blade replacements and other routine maintenance services will be done.
A second SuPEr 9 gas station is coming to Murfreesboro, to be located on the corner of West Northfield Boulevard and Sulphur Springs Road. The current location, at 3035 New Salem Hwy., features a combined Super 9 Wine & Spirits at the location. Peery Construction LLC, a Murfreesboro-based general contracting company, is overseeing the development.
Rutherford County’s new SOLid WASTE TrANSFEr STATiON celebrated its grand opening on National Garbage Man Day. The new solid waste transfer station, located at 6000 Landfill Rd., serves as a central location where garbage is delivered, consolidated and loaded into high-capacity trucks for transport to regional landfills. The design, located on 12,500 square feet of space, improves the efficiency of solid waste
hi FivE hOTdOGS & STuFF has opened its pop-up restaurant within CoreLife Eatery, located on Medical Center Parkway in the same shopping center as Blaze Pizza and Mission BBQ.
Family-owned Hi Five Hotdogs offers a variety of unique hotdog options, as well as grilled cheese sandwiches, melts, banana pudding and moon pies, bringing some unexpected variety to CoreLife, known for its salads and healthy fare. Some of Hi Five’s more interesting hot dog toppings include macaroni and cheese, strawberry bourbon bacon jam and cream cheese. For further information, visit hifivehotdogs.com.
operations and helps reduce the number of trucks traveling long distances. The facility can accept 2,000 tons of trash per day, which is roughly 600,000 tons of trash per year—essentially, all trash generated in Rutherford County.
The facility will also support operational costs through tipping fees, providing a selfsustaining revenue stream. Non-commercial
Former Tennessee Titan Zach Piller, along with his wife, Victoria, have opened NEiGhBOrS at 2512 Roby Corlew Ln., with hours Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12 a.m. Fan favorite meal options include wings, chicken and waffles, Nashville hot chicken sliders, cheesecake and triple chocolate cake. The restaurant offers happy hour Monday through Friday from 2 to 7 p.m. with half price drafts, bottles, house wine and well drinks.
clos I ng
After its much-anticipated opening and nearly a year in business on the Murfreesboro Public Square, owners of FirE KOrEAN BBQ & BAr, 109 N. Maple St., have announced that the restaurant will close at the end of June. The owners, who also own the Murfreesboro Jefferson’s, plan to reopen the space as a Jefferson’s location, with additional plans to close the restaurant’s current East Main Street location.
After four decades serving Murfreesboro ThE BOrO BAr ANd GriLL is closing on July 5 as restaurant owner Lee Roberts prepares for retirement. The Boro has been a go-to spot for generations of MTSU students and locals, known for its live music, casual atmosphere and karaoke nights, as well as showcasing local artists and bands. This announcement comes just weeks after The Boro celebrated its 40th anniversary in early June.
and residential customers are welcome to utilize the station from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Hard hats and high-visibility clothing are required for all inside the transfer station.
Non-commercial and commercial customers who have not set up accounts with Rutherford County will be charged the Cash Customer Gate Rate—currently $95/ton. Commercial waste handlers who intend to use the station frequently are encouraged to apply for an account with Rutherford County. Account holders receive benefits of reduced fees based on delivered tonnage.
Station hours are 4 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. For more information, visit rutherfordcountytn.gov/transfer_station or call 615-898-7739.
Murfreesboro officials are making moves, after seven years, to reclaim control of the 2.5-acre site that was originally intended to support the ONE EAST COLLEGE, LLC development. The property is home to the former First Methodist Church, a small office building, and a city-owned parking lot, which was sold in 2018 for $1.8 million with plans for a mixed-use development. However, due to the cessation of construction activities, the city council has revoked the project’s incentives and has started a default process against the developer. Negotiations for reacquisition have now escalated toward eminent domain action.
After 31 years in the Murfreesboro area, ENChANTEd PLANET has closed its Murfreesboro store. The one-stop hippie shop will continue to operate its Manchester location at 26 Sitz Dr.
MiLANO ii, located at 114 E College St., has announced that it has closed after more than a decade in business at the former downtown Murfreesboro clubhouse and funeral home location. However, Milano will continue offering catering services; those interested can text 615-556-3800.
Dr. David Hopkins has announced that he will retire this fall and close his M APLE S T r EET M E di CAL C L i N i C , located at 130 S. Maple St., just off the Murfreesboro Square.
The clinic will continue taking appointments up to Sept. 26, and will close permanently on Oct. 1. Medical records can be requested by calling 615-217-4770 or emailing maple.st.medical@gmail.com. After the closing date, records will be maintained by Cariend—a professional storage company.
“Listening, sharing our stories, hugs and even some tears have taught me how to become a better physician. I’m extremely grateful for all the years being with you,” Hopkins said.
The closure of the MurFrEESBOrO hOOTErS, located at 730 NW Broad St., follows Hooters’ Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing and is part of a nationwide move to shutter more than 30 underperforming locations. Hooters plans to eventually reopen some of these locations as franchises.
Opinion
u sing d igital tools and t ips to p lan for vacation
tech tal K
by byron glenn
during a recent conversation with my wife, we discussed “one last family trip before school starts back, but somewhere cooler.” With temperatures hitting dangerous levels and August looming, I realized that July had become the unofficial deadline for escaping the heat and squeezing in that final summer adventure.
If you’re like many parents scrambling to escape this heat dome with one final summer adventure, you’re facing both time pressure and limited options.
However, you can now plan vacations using digital tools significantly superior to any resources available to travelers in the past. But diving headfirst into every single travel app isn’t realistic or necessarily helpful.
Your goal should be to find tools that help your planning process rather than add complexity to it.
start by defining your trip’s primary purpose and current weather reality. Are you seeking air-conditioned
relief, mountains or the beach?
Weather apps like Weather Underground provide detailed forecasts and heat index warnings, while apps like Roadtrippers now include climate data for route planning. Google Travel integrates current weather conditions into destination recommendations, helping you avoid trading one heat dome for another.
The practical distinction: planning apps that consolidate information save time, while apps that require constant switching between platforms create frustration.
Many families find success with the “one primary, two supporting” approach, which involves choosing one central planning platform and supplementing it with specialized tools.
audit your family’s travel preferences before downloading anything.
Do you prefer spontaneous discoveries or detailed itineraries? Are you flying or driving? Will you need offline access?
Understanding these patterns helps you select appropriate tools rather than collecting apps you’ll never use.
If your family has never used travel planning apps, don’t attempt to digitize everything at once. Start with one category, perhaps accommodation booking through Airbnb or Hotels.com, and gradually incorporate route planning or activity discovery for future trips.
Implement a “download and test” approach well in advance of your departure date.
Rather than discovering app limitations while standing in an airport, spend time at home exploring features and downloading offline maps. This preparation prevents technology from becoming a source of travel stress.
Don’t forget to have an offline backup plan.
Despite our digital reliance, cell service isn’t guaranteed everywhere. Download offline maps, games and movies, take screenshots of necessary confirmations, and keep physical copies of essential information. The most tech-savvy travelers still carry printed backup plans.
Prioritize digital security while traveling.
Be cautious when using public USB charging ports at airports or hotels, as they may contain malware that can steal your personal information.
Bring your wall charger or use a portable battery pack as an alternative.
When connecting to public Wi-Fi, avoid accessing your banking or personal accounts.
Consider using your phone’s hot-spot feature instead of con-
Byron Glenn is the Sales and Marketing Manager with Business System Solutions; he is a speaker, business consultant, nonprofit co-founder, and Murfreesboro Tech Council board member. if you are looking for iT-managed services for your business, you can visit bssconsulting.com or call 615-400-8595.
necting to unknown networks.
Enable automatic cloud backup before traveling so your photos and important documents are safe if your devices are lost or stolen.
Enable the “Find My Device” features and record the device serial numbers. For international travel, check if your apps will work abroad;
some services are geo-restricted.
Remember that technology should enhance your family vacation, not dominate it.
The goal is to create memories together, whether you discover that perfect restaurant through a local recommendation app or stumble upon it the old-fashioned way.
by TI ffany boy D
Opinion # F ree yOU r c HIL dren
republican leadership strays far from its conservative roots
WhAT iS CONSErvATiSM? Is the Republican Party truly conservative? Why did the Republican Party drastically alter its platform? Conservatism is a buzzword that is thrown around in an attempt to elicit votes. Politicians often rely on the alphabet to win their elections. It is a successful campaign strategy because many voters simply vote along party lines. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean that those being elected will adhere to conservative values, and it is very important to note that those Republican Party values have seemingly changed significantly.
The 2016 National Republican Party Platform painted a vastly different picture than the current platform. The document was reduced from 66 to 28 pages, omitting the following excerpt, among others: “believe that federal funds should not be used in mandatory or universal mental-emotional screening programs, health, psychiatric or socio-emotional screening programs. The federal government has pushed states to collect and share vast amounts of personal student and family data, including the collection of social and emotional data. Much of this data is collected without parental consent or notice. This is wholly incompatible with the American Experiment and our inalienable rights.”
This particular excerpt has always been included in my seminars. It is important because the party claimed this was something they were opposed to. However, the Republicans were actually participating in all that was listed. It makes sense that they would remove this excerpt from their platform, because not only were they propagating everything they were claiming they were against, they were and are continuing to expand on all of it. What does this expansion look like?
President Trump has announced his plans to partner with Palantir in order to create a federal master database on every citizen. Palantir’s Centralized Database system is “embedded in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), where Palantir engineers are constructing a searchable database of taxpayer records. Expansion talks are underway with the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Education.” There is no turning back. You can read more about this on thenewamerican.com
Equally as concerning is that now the Army has sworn in four tech leaders as colonels. The four new Army Reserve Lt. Cols. are Shyam
Sankar, Chief Technology Officer for Palantir; Andrew Bosworth, Chief Technology Officer of Meta; Kevin Weil, Chief Product Officer of OpenAI; and Bob McGrew, advisor at Thinking Machines Lab and former Chief Research Officer for OpenAI.
Total control will be the result. Additionally, embedded in the Big Beautiful Bill is a 10-year moratorium on preventing regulation of AI. This means all states must comply. No state or its powers can interfere with its implementation. Does this sound like smaller government?
As our nation’s children are being diagnosed at alarming rates and regularly data-mined, that data is being loaded into interoperable databases. We have been warning about this for years, but to say we have reached a critical point in America doesn’t seem to do it justice. The powers that be are going to try to convince you that this is for national security and it is for your own good. Don’t fall for it. They are creating a police nation focused on surveillance and keeping you in line. This will affect every area of your lives with potentially dire consequences. Is this the new version of conservatism?
The seven core principles of conservatism include individual
freedom, limited government, the rule of law (each branch of the government should adhere to the Constitution), peace through strength, fiscal responsibility, free markets and human dignity.
Individual freedom and limited government do not exist when citizens are being tracked and under surveillance by Big Brother. Is this the new rule of law? Are our branches of government adhering to the Constitution? Do you consider the massive data harvesting an invasion of your privacy? Does human dignity no longer include the right to privacy?
Fiscal responsibility does not exist when states are adopting school choice programs that burden citizens by forcing them to fund multiple streams of education including both pubic and private education.
Free markets do not exist when the government is funding private businesses. Private schools are increasing tuition and the prices of resources once utilized by home-school families are exploding because these private businesses are now on the government dole.
Is any of this truly “Making America Great Again”? President Trump also doubled down on his appointment of Penny Schwinn as U.S. Secretary of Education amid major backlash. There are also major issues with his education policies that I wholeheartedly disagree with. This is one of them. When I was interviewed by Linda Jacobson of The 74 about Schwinn’s nomination, I responded with the following:
“Penny Schwinn stated that Trump said he was looking for a solid conservative education leader and her track record in Tennessee exemplifies that. It amazes me that President Trump would consider Penny Schwinn conservative. She expanded Critical Race Theory in Tennessee by promoting the Grow Your Own Initiative that ‘focused on a national model of
recruiting and retaining diverse grounded teachers of color. The program is committed to creating long term local diverse teachers who dismantle institutional racism and work towards educational equity.’ She is also a member of the left-leaning Chiefs for Change. Penny has been very clear that one of her core values centers on equity.
In her testimony, she alluded to laws that were passed in Tennessee during her tenure focusing around prohibited concepts. The law has never been enforceable and CRT is still engrained in our schools and teachers continue to be trained via Grow Your Own. Penny was also behind the Well Being Child Check Taskforce in Tennessee which would have given the government the ability to enter the homes of all children birth to age 18 regardless of how they were being educated.
Schwinn stated in the hearings that a primary focus for her is still mental health. This should concern every parent in the nation. Penny was a disaster for Tennessee and Texas and the fact she was even considered for this position is egregious. There has been major outcry over her nomination. She is not conservative and her confirmation would be a threat to true conservatives, and parental and educational rights.”
This appointment should have never happened.
Again, I implore, what is conservative about any of this? Maybe I missed the memo, but living in a police nation and being fleeced to feed the beast was not on my list of things I willingly wanted to participate in. The million-dollar question is how much will Americans tolerate? Have they already been so indoctrinated that they do not realize the water is reaching the boiling point?
Tiffany Boyd is the founder of Free yOur Children. Learn more at freeyourchildren.com.
usa ! Top Patriotic Moments in s ports
Fred durst Did It All for the Rookie, rocks Ward Jersey in denver with group of new receivers
ThE TrAiN dAddy iS BACK with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard!
I love this country, and I love sports. Every July 4 there are two guarantees for me—I watch Independence Day and I pretend to be Will Smith, a man who gets jiggy with it, blows up aliens, saves the president, marries a stripper, and shows the world how badass America is.
The other tradition has always been watching Joey Chestnut stuff wieners down his throat at a pace that the mind cannot comprehend. The GOAT returns after he was banned from the 2024 Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. Why was he banned? The simple answer is he had a relationship with fake wieners. Partnership, relationship, whatever, he was getting paid to promote Impossible Foods, a company that develops plant-based substitutes for meat products. “Overly priced crap” also explains Impossible Foods.
The MLE (Major League Eating) and Nathan’s didn’t like Joey representing the fake wieners of Impossible. So, they hit the 16-time champion Mr. Nut with a one-year ban.
Well, good news! Joey will return to Coney Island for the 2025 contest, having resolved the sponsorship issue. I bet he puts down 70-plus dogs and buns this year, something he hasn’t done since 2021. The greatest American athlete of all time is ready to take back his crown!
I wish I could tell you I was done talking about wieners, but I would be lying. Keep men out of women’s sports! Did you see the
top overall spot and the TV crew immediately started rambling about Shedeur Sanders, a story they desperately were trying to sell us. The joke was on them when Sanders was eventually drafted 100-plus picks down the road.
recent trans athlete who pitched a shutout to give his Minnesota high school softball team a state championship?
It caused Riley Gaines and Simone Biles to have a war of words on social media—one that ended up with Simone Biles, the decorated Olympian, making a fool of herself. Simone apologized to save face and then deleted her X account. These so-called trans activists always come out after their own retirement and the vast majority speak in riddles on the topic because they are too afraid to bluntly say trans women should be allowed to play with women with no restrictions!
It’s simple for me: keep wieners out of women’s sports.
I know this is completely out of left field: Fred Durst, the lead singer of Limp Bizkit, did it all for the “rookie.” I will say, as a Titans fan and ’90s kid, this story made my heart sing!
So, the Bizkit has been making a comeback these days as the now 54-year-old Durst and his band continue rocking, opening for Metallica right now on tour. They were recently in Denver at Mile High for a show—the same place the Tennessee Titans will open the 2025 NFL season—and Fred walked out onstage wearing a Cam Ward jersey for the entire set. What makes it funny is Fred was born in Jacksonville—what makes it not surprising is the fact he wants nothing to do with those jungle kitties in his hometown.
I just thought it was cool, Fred showing some love to the numberone overall pick of the 2025 Draft. Put respect on my QB’s name!
Cam Ward was drafted at the
Cam threw for a Division I record-breaking 158 pass TDs and became the number-one pick in the draft. Shout-out to Fred Durst for repping the brand right in the home of where it all will go down week 1. Titans at Broncos! I am hoping for a Bo Nix sophomore slump and some Cam Ward rookie magic. Titan Up!
Let’s now move to a few of my favorite sports moments in American history. We must start with the Miracle on Ice—the 1980 hockey team taking down the power that was USSR hockey—right? Many people credit President Reagan for ending the Cold War, but I say it was the Miracle on Ice that did it.
Remember the 1992 Dream Team? Complete domination, they beat teams by an average of 44 points to win a gold medal for USA Basketball. Names like Jordan, Bird, Magic, Barkley, Ewing, Malone. Ballers!
I have given love to Pat Tillman every year for the past decade in these articles. Tillman gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country. Pat was an Arizona Cardinal, an NFL safety who turned down $4 million to join the Army after 9/11. Pat was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 and became the face of heroism. Jesse Owens shaming Hitler in Berlin and winning numerous gold medals is another great moment in American sports history. Unfortunately, it was a time when Jesse wasn’t exactly given the hero’s welcome at home that he deserved in 1930s America. Thankfully the history books remember Owens as one of America’s greatest athletes. Let us also not forget the perfect pitch to start game 3 of the 2001 World Series, 49 days after 9/11, George W. Bush wearing a bulletproof vest and standing alone on the mound in Yankee stadium. Bush threw a perfect
pitch, something not easy to do. Former Titans offensive lineman Taylor Lewan knows all about that after throwing the ceremonial pitch for the St. Louis Cardinals last month. “Worst day of my athletic life,” Lewan said. I personally disagree that it was the worst day of his athletic life. That would be 2021 week 1 vs. the Arizona Cardinals, when he let Chandler Jones have a historic day and rag-doll Ryan Tannehill on a five-sack performance that included two forced fumbles.
Back to President Bush . . . the
crowd went wild, and it was a feelgood moment for America when we needed it. There are dozens of other great sports moments I could have talked about but those are the ones that always come to mind, I reckon. Have a great July 4th. Be thankful you live in such an amazing country. I will show my love for it this July 4th when I put on my American flag suspenders and matching bandanna while I run around like a child blowing up a thousand dollars’ worth of fireworks. Freedom, baby! God bless America!
Constitution Study by Paul engel
Owning Your Own Land
Why shouldn’t Americans be able to live in an rv parked on their own property?
iF yOu rENT rAThEr ThAN OWN your home, you may be tempted to skip over this article. I suggest you don’t, because the underlying questions of ownership and control go far beyond a house or land.
When people think of the American dream or what the Declaration of Independence means when it talks about “the pursuit of happiness,” what seems to come to mind most often is owning property. But do you actually own your property in America anymore? From taxes to regulations, it seems governments at all levels want to tell you what you can or cannot do with your land.
This investigation started while I was researching a Bedford County Commission meeting. I noticed in the agenda a proposed resolution regarding the use of “recreational vehicles (RVs) and campers,” and other structures as “permanent dwellings.” The proposed resolution would create a planning ordinance prohibiting these “readily removable” structures as permanent dwellings. This was justified by the fact that the Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) prohibited using such structures as housing.
No ready-removable shall be modified for use as residential, recreational, or emergency housing in this state.
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-126-311(b)
The logic presented for this county resolution was twofold. First, these structures do not meet current building codes and therefore are not safe for permanent housing. Second, the only method of enforcement of state law was cruel and dangerous, while the County Planning Department should find a “better” housing solution.
What no one in my county government seemed to realize was that both their resolution and the state law were in violation of the Constitution of the United States.
The two clauses in the Constitution which seem to be overlooked most often are the Due Process Clauses of the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments.
nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; — U.S. Constitution, Amendment XIV
This “due process of law” can be defined as “an established course for judicial
proceedings or other governmental activities designed to safeguard the legal rights of the individual” (Free Legal Dictionary).
If we read the Fourteenth Amendment with that definition in mind, it means you cannot be deprived of your life, liberty, or property without a judicial or governmental process designed to protect your individual legal rights. And that is where the TCA and my county’s resolutions violate the Constitution.
When government claims control of my property, it must be done with due process of law, meaning the process must protect my legal rights. For example, if the government can prove that I have failed to pay the required taxes on my home, they have a legal right to sell it to pay my debt. When the State of Tennessee or my county claims that I cannot use my property the way I want, like putting an RV or other “readily removable” structure on it for housing, they are depriving me of my property without due process of law. The state has not shown how my using a readily removable structure for housing harms anyone other than myself. That makes this law a violation of the Constitution of the United States, which means it is void.
Liberty is a pretty broad subject. In fact, I teach an entire class about rights and liberty. When the Constitution talks about liberty, I believe it means “civil liberty,” which Webster’s 1828 Dictionary defines as: “the liberty of men in a state of society, or natural liberty so far only abridged and restrained, as is necessary and expedient for the safety and interest of the society, state or nation.”
In other words, liberty is your right to live your life as you see fit without unnecessary external influence. So tell me, how does someone using an RV for housing post a safety hazard to the society, state or nation? It doesn’t. People claim that they pose a safety hazard to the occupant, but that is not a hazard to anyone else.
While not the focus of this article, plenty of people claim that if you have to pay property taxes you don’t really own your land. At the surface, there appears to be some logic to this position. This position assumes that taxes are like rent, something you pay for the privilege of occupying someone else’s property. However,
taxes are not rent. A tax is a fee assessed to fund the operation of government. Before someone claims that taxes are theft because they are taken without our consent, may I point to an example from the Tennessee Constitution.
In accordance with the following provisions, all property real, personal or mixed shall be subject to taxation
— Tennessee Constitution, Art. II, § 28
You personally may not have consented to property taxes, but the people collectively did when they adopted their constitutions. This also applies to the direct federal income tax, which we consented to when the states ratified the Sixteenth Amendment.
My concern with the county resolution was not the state law, but the potential exposure it would give to both the county and its employees. As things stand now, should someone be fined for using a readily removable structure for housing, they would have a cause to sue the state under 42 USC §1983:
Every person who, under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage, of any State or Territory or the District of Columbia, subjects, or causes to be subjected, any citizen of the United States or other person within the jurisdiction thereof to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the Constitution and laws, shall be liable to the party injured in an action at law, suit in equity, or other proper proceeding for redress, — 42 USC 1983: Civil action for deprivation of rights
If Bedford County were to pass this resolution, the county too would be liable since the deprivation of rights would be under the color of its ordinance.
While many in the county government threw plenty of allegations about why I opposed the resolution, as I pointed out to both you and the county commission, I thought the liability they would expose themselves to, not to mention what their constituents would think, was not worth any benefit the people of the county would gain. It seemed many in county government pointed to the state law as justification for their ordinance, but they had forgotten the Supremacy Clause:
This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all Treaties made, or which shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land; and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby, any Thing in the Constitution or Laws of any State to the Contrary notwithstanding — U.S. Constitution, Article VI, Clause 2 Anything in the laws or constitution of
any state that contradicts the Constitution of the United States is invalid and void, at least according to the Supreme Court. That also means that every judge in every state is bound by that document to invalidate Tennessee’s law in any case brought before them.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not against planning and zoning, but they have to follow the Constitution and due process. In listening to the arguments for this resolution, it sounded like people wanted the Planning Department to act more like a county-wide Homeowner Association (HoA). While some had legitimate concerns about the disposal of waste water, it seemed most concerns were about the look of these structures or the stereotype of the people who lived in them. I still don’t understand why RVs or readily removable structures can’t be required to meet the same general zoning requirements that are designed to protect the rights of their neighbors, such as set-backs, sanitary hookups, and approved electrical systems. That would take care of the legitimate concerns about these residences without infringing on their owner’s rights.
The underlying concern I have is the evergrowing belief that governments have the right to tell people how to live their lives. While the desire to use government to get one’s own way is nothing new, in this country it seems more and more people are willing to use the power of government not only to protect their own legal rights but to also infringe on the legal rights of others. One of the ways I’m seeing this done are things like planning departments, zoning laws and building codes. While there are legitimate purposes for all of these, more often than not they are being used to enforce the belief that government actors know better than the average citizen about how they should live their lives. My question is: Do they have the legal authority to enforce that idea?
I’m glad I found this resolution before the commission voted on it. I hope that my comments both at the public hearings and on local media helped lead to its defeat. However, we must remain diligent as resolutions like this and others can easily be brought back. That is why I tell people it’s probably more important to focus on state and local governments than the feds. Since most Americans pay little attention to their local governments, this is where infringements on your rights can be slipped into the law. If you have a question about a law in your state or local government, please ask me about it at constitutionstudy.com/ask-a-question or paul@constitutionstudy.com.
by JennIfer DuranD
hAvE yOu EvEr BEEN iN a position where you needed or wanted new friends? Life is one continuous flow. It doesn’t stop and ask you what you want or need. As much as we may try to establish a level of comfort or normalcy, life has a way of presenting something else. There are all kinds of ways we meet people. We have neighbors, coworkers, civic groups or professional groups, church. Some people form bonds through social media, dating or even friendship sites. There is no shortage of people to meet. We form relationships within the circumstances in which we put ourselves.
We reach a certain level of security with the people in our lives. Then circumstances change. People move away, divorce, break up, have injuries or illnesses, pass on, or change groups. We have built so many relationships through convenient conditions. Then a life shift occurs and we find ourselves in new situations that require more intentional effort. Yet, we’d like it to be easier, like it was when we were kids.
“The friends that leave you feeling more alive after you’re with them are magic in human form.”
— Cory Allen
ate. So they remain more aloof or unapproachable until some kind of common ground brings them together with another person. Even though they want to form new friendships, life’s hard knocks can make people more withdrawn or reserved because they don’t want to be hurt or disappointed. It requires energy and effort that many don’t want to expend only to be left hanging. Yet, the energy that comes from a single ecstatic encounter can make you come alive and remind you how great it is to connect.
“There’s a quiet comfort in knowing I have not yet crossed paths with all of the people who will bring magic into my life.”
— S.M. Klees
“The only way to have a friend is to be one.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
Over the course of my almost 40year marriage we have had many different close friends. Inevitably, the things I mentioned earlier all played a part in eventual separation of time and connection. Many lasted decades at a time. Conditions changed. Each time we found ourselves in a new season and it took time to start conversations, then spend time together, and eventually those relationships became closer. It is the ones who you are around the most, though, that get more of your time and attention. Although close once upon a time, even the former connections become those friends you only see once in a while or talk to on occasion. They are no longer part of your day-to-day life, not because you don’t care about each other anymore but because the life shifts happened.
My dad once said, “I’m as lonely as I want to be.” Meaning, he had several people in his life that he could call and spend time with if he chose to.
It is always amazing to witness children interact with each other when first meeting. Many appear to be very shy or hesitant. It only takes the one who smiles and asks a question or taps another on the shoulder and runs away inviting the other to chase them. All of a sudden the universal language of children sparks and off they go.
As adults, we have formed way too many judgments or protective layers to be that playful and engaging. Yet, I believe many still think it. They wish they could say “you’re so cute,” “wanna race?” or just sit with another person who looks like they could use a friend. Sometimes it does happen as an adult, but most of the time people don’t want to be considered creepy, weird, needy or desper-
Recently, an adult friend posted on social media that making friends as an adult was hard. She had tried all kinds of things, like supper clubs, all the gyms, game nights and networking groups, and nothing seemed to work. This post sparked many conversations with people. Many who knew her called her (including me) to ask what in particular she was looking for, as they all considered themselves to be her friend. It’s the desire to have that connection that just clicks with another person. Someone with whom you can do things with, share all your thoughts, dreams, inside jokes, and secrets. Those kinds of relationships take time to build.
This friend has some great friends. They are just in different seasons of life and the same opportunities aren’t currently there because some have gotten married, had children, and have other schedules and commitments. So it presents a life shift. Bonds are not forged immediately. Even if you find a spark with another person, there is effort required to follow up. Phone calls, texting, making time to get together. People are all busy doing, but have forgotten how to prioritize being, which unfortunately doesn’t provide adequate time to form bonds.
So what can you do during this time? Be honest, authentic and open to possibilities. Put yourself in situations that make you come alive, not ones that you have no interest in or that leave you feeling “meh.” Think about who you know that you would like to get to know better. Decide to host a get-together and be intentional about your invitations. Let your guests know that you have hand-picked a few people you’d like to know better. There are always things to do, places to go and people to meet. Most of them would probably welcome that fresh face and smile that connects with them on some common ground.
Jennifer durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook day Spa & Gift Shoppe. visit nurturenook.com or facebook.com/nurturenookdayspa or call 615-896-7110 for more.
