From ICEEs to Bunny Bread, Nissan Rogues to Pillsbury Toaster Strudels, take a look at area manufacturing and the wide variety of products made locally in Rutherford County.
22
denny cove falls
Strenuous scramble over stones leads to inspiring waterfall scene.
28 killed at 30
Murfreesboro’s Kristiana Shook-Livingston discovered dead in Henry County.
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6 Events calendar
Can-Am Derby, Murfreesboro Ukulele Orchestra, Borodash, Community Chess, Holiday Market and more!
14 Sounds concerts
Shane Douglas at High Society
Miles Damaso Trio presents A Charlie Brown Christmas album
Matt & The Watt Gives theater
Bravo Boro’s Macbeth opens Nov. 14
24
Living
nature news Tennessee Biodiversity Summit mr. murfreesboro A gift of healing
26 Food restaurant
Andrea’s Home of Breaking Bread
30 News business buzz
Beane Brothers BBQ, Emerald Heart Cafe, Buffalo Wild Wings, Domenico’s, Las Trojas Cantina, Grand
Exchange, Journey Home and more!
33 Opinion money matters
Change the world by giving smarter free your children UNESCO takeover of home education sports talk Bad football in Middle Tennessee education Developing fine motor skills in children living . . . well! Beware of the black hole of cynicism
GrEETiNGS, Pulse readers. Hope you are well! There has been a lot of activity with the Mayos and the Pulse lately. It can feel a bit like a whirlwind at times. We made it to this year’s Cookin’ to Build on the Square, in support of Habitat for Humanity, and tried many different varieties of delicious soups. Beckett and I took in some dog agility action out at the Miller Coliseum. Those dogs are some great athletes! Sarah and I attended the annual Wine Around the Square event. The boys and I got to practice our sign language a bit at the Sign Language Studios fall festival.
We took in the striking forest scene of Denny Falls and Denny Cove out in the newly designated Fiery Gizzard State Park. Ate a bunch of Halloween candy and treats, made it to an MTSU football game, the monthly Connection at Champy’s (generally held the third Thursday of each month, join us Nov. 20!), and have otherwise been working hard at Bill Taylor’s Bushido School of Karate, Avalon Athletic Club and Lil’ Kickers, and working smart on stories, printed pages, boropulse.com, and the Pulse’s email newsletter blast, social media, roster of advertisers and distribution network.
The Pulse Facebook page has been going strong recently; find the Murfreesboro Pulse on Facebook to join the local conversation and to stay abreast of area events, business news, shows and happenings.
’Tis the season—prepare to stock up on model trains and supplies for your holiday setup and for Christmas gifts at Thor’s; also plan to grab some beautiful poinsettias at Valley Growers as the Christmas season draws near.
Holiday markets are in full swing this month; check out the Black Barn Holiday Market on Nov. 8 at Events at East 96, the White Monkey Market’s special Christmas Market Nov. 17–29 at its West Main Street shop, the Murfreesboro Holiday Market on Nov. 22 at Stones River Mall, the Black Friday Middle Market on Nov. 28 at Middle Ground Brewing Company, and the big Small Business Saturday Holiday Market on Nov. 29 at Grand Station.
We welcome several new advertisers this month. Thanks to the local business community for making this fine local and independent publication happen. Go and see those folks!
“Dad, what’s 5 million times a googleplex?”
“That’s a great question, son. Let’s type it in the calculator.”
*FBI knocks at the door*
“Sir, that’s a little too much; you’re taking this too far. We can’t let you access that number.”
An important part of living in a constitutional republic that respects the rule of law and individual liberty is that the angry mob cannot trample upon the rights of minorities. There’s some protection of minorities. Now, there are certain favored, fashionable minorities we hear about more frequently than others, but let’s not forget about protecting minority rights for all in this great country. Perhaps that minority group is home-school families, or those who do not wish to take vaccines. Let’s protect the rights of small business owners, and those who don’t want to connect to the power grid or municipal water service, or maybe those who would like to use currencies other than the U.S. dollar.
These minorities deserve to have their rights and liberty protected from the “tyranny of the majority” as well.
Peace!
b racken m ayo
Publisher/Editor in Chief
FEATurES iN EvEry iSSuE
Nov. 4 aNd 18
boro books and brews book club
Books and Brews meets Tuesdays Nov. 4 and 18 at 7 p.m. at Middle Ground Brewing Company (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.). Books lined up for November discussion include: Dear Edward by Ann Napolitano on Nov. 4 (which will also include a Thanksgiving collection for Nourish) and The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young on Tuesday, Nov. 18. For more information on the Books and Brews Book club, email rachgauger@gmail.com, visit middlegroundbrew.com or find Middle Ground Brewing Co. or the Boro Books and Brews group on Facebook.
Nov. 5 a N d 12 w ild w ednesday
Come out to the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.) on Wednesdays from 4:30–5:30 p.m. to discover something wild about the natural world. You may meet a SOAC animal or enjoy a nature-based activity. Weekly topics are posted on the SOAC Facebook and Instagram. There is no cost to attend. All ages welcome. Walk-up guests are welcome. For more information, email soac.group@townofsmyrna.org or call 615-459-9710.
Nov. 7
family c ampfire and stargazing
The Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center staff will host an evening around the campfire at Sharp Springs Natural Area (1000 Espey Dr., fire pit located behind the Green Building) on Friday, Nov. 7, from 6–8 p.m. for fun games, friends and yummy s’mores. Talk about the stars, what different cultures believed about them, and how to identify the many constellations in the sky while using a telescope. Food is first-come, first-served; weather-dependent program). The cost to participate is $2 per person; anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is suggested through the Community Pass. Email mike.kraft@ townofsmyrna.org for more information.
Nov. 8
can-am derby
Can-Am Derby: A Wild New Powersports Event comes to the Murfreesboro area (8302 Valley View Rd., Lascassas) on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m.–4 p.m. This one-of-a-kind race will put professional racers and ag specialists head-to-head on an obstacle-filled track that’s designed to test the limits of man and machine. Free spectator spots are still available for off-road enthusiasts who would like to experience a day packed with action. Enjoy live country music from Ryan Charles and The Band Loula and food from Fatguy Southern Kitchen. There is no cost to attend, though pre-registration is required. The all-star list of drivers includes X-Games gold medalist Leticia Bufoni, street racing legend Dave Comstock, the new face of electric racing, Ellis Spiezia, and David Ostapiw, the ultimate Canadian off-road enthusiast. The event is hosted by Dale Brisby, the rodeo world’s most entertaining outlaw. Drivers will compete in the new 2026 Can-Am Defender HD11, known for its versatility, toughness and workhorse capabilities. To register and for more information, find the Can-Am Derby event on Eventbrite, or email eric.storz@brp.com
Nov. 7
read to succeed spelling bee
Ten local celebrities compete in Read To Succeed’s 19th Annual Celebrity Spelling Bee on Friday, Nov. 7, at The View at Fountains (1500 Medical Center Pkwy.). Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. and the program kicks off at 7 p.m. The event will feature an exciting adult spelling bee, live and silent auctions, and food and drinks from Simply Pure Sweets, The Sweet Addiction, Cedar Glade Brews and Julie’s Bartending. The importance of literacy and how it transforms lives will be the core focus of the evening. The Celebrity Spelling Bee is Read To Succeed’s annual fundraiser. This year, their goal is to raise $70,000 in
donations and sponsorships. These funds will be used to offer literacy programming and events for children and adults in Rutherford County. In the past three months, Read To Succeed has donated 2,576 books to children, adults, and teachers in the community, taught English as a second language to 623 adult learners and provided one-on-one ABE tutoring services to several additional learners. To buy tickets and support Celebrity Bee spellers, visit readtosucceed.org/celebrity-bee or email mediaevents@readtosucceed.org
Nov. 7
environmental council solid waste forum
Nashville-based Tennessee Environmental Council is coming to MTSU on Friday, Nov. 7, to host a high-level
dialogue about the state’s growing solid waste crisis, featuring local, regional and national leaders from industry, conservation groups, higher education and policymakers. The public is invited to attend the TEC’s 2025 Annual Policy and Practice Forum: Tennessee Solid Waste Solutions, co-hosted by MTSU’s Center for Supply Chain Management and Sustainability, from 8:30 a.m.–4 p.m. (doors open at 8 a.m.) at MTSU’s James Union Building (516 Alma Mater Dr.). Regular admission tickets are $50 and include a catered lunch and free reserved parking in or near the Bell Street lot. Student-rate tickets are available. Speakers include state Sen. Shane Reeves, chairman of the Tennessee Solid Waste Task Force, Mayor Shane McFarland and residents speaking on the impacts of Middle Point Landfill. For more information, visit tectn.org, email tec@tectn.org or call 615-248-6500.
Nov. 7
free full body workout
Carbon Boro Gym leads a free full-body workout at Patterson Park (521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) on Friday, Nov. 7, from 6–8 p.m. This beginnerfriendly session focuses on bodyweight movements, making it perfect for all fitness levels. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to move with a community, this is the place to be. Expect a guided full-body workout, no equipment needed, beginner-friendly and welcoming to all (kid-friendly). Stick around for light refreshments and giveaways after the workout. For other local classes and upcoming events, visit carbonboro.com
Nov. 8
faith in action health fair
The First Baptist Church of Murfreesboro partners with the Patterson Park Community Center for the first FAITH in ACTION Health Fair on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Patterson Park (521 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). This health fair will provide valuable health resources, services and information for the families of the Murfreesboro community. For additional details
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or to register, call 615-631-4475 or email health@fbcmurfreesboro.org
Nov. 8
black barn holiday market
The Black Barn Market & Craft Sale is a craft fair held the second Saturday of June, October and November at Events at East 96 (9901 Lascassas Pk.). Discover one of Middle Tennessee’s favorite events, whether you’re a devoted shopper or just looking for a fun-filled day, with a winter wonderland featuring 100-plus vendors offering unique gifts, handmade treasures, and holiday decor, on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Enjoy food from food trucks, live music that sets the festive mood, a petting zoo, story time with Santa and free pictures to capture the magic, and watch live artisan demonstrations. For more information, call 615-904-4676, visit blackbarnmarkets. com, or find the 2025 Black Barn Holiday Market event and Black Barn Market & Craft Sale on Facebook.
Nov. 12
the art of unburdening: caregiver workshops
The Rutherford Arts Alliance in partnership with We Remember You, Bloom Stage and Poetry in the Boro will present The Art of Unburdening: A Gentle Workshop Series for Caregivers, a six-month series of free, public workshops designed to offer creative and restorative experiences for caregivers in Rutherford County. Funded in part by an Arts Build Communities grant from the Tennessee Arts Commission, this series invites caregivers—particularly those supporting loved ones living with dementia—to set aside the daily weight of responsibility and reconnect with themselves through the healing power of art. Workshops will take place monthly through April 2026. Each session will explore a unique form of creative expression, from storytelling and poetry to visual art, movement, and music. No prior art experience is required. All materials will be provided, and each workshop will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Adult caregiving will be available onsite, with prior arrangement, thanks to a collaboration between WRY and Mindful Care Adult Day Services. The theme on Wednesday, Nov. 12, is poetry with Julie Sumner held at First United Methodist Church (265 W. Thompson Ln.) at 2 p.m. Sumner is a writer who has worked as a critical care nurse, liver transplant
Nov. 8
murfreesboro ukulele orchestra
Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) hosts a special, free community concert by the Murfreesboro Ukulele Orchestra (a.k.a. “The MUO Crew”) on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. in the Youth Services Story Room. Strumming through nostalgia with cheerful precision, the Murfreesboro Ukulele Orchestra is known for reinventing iconic tunes from the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s with sunny flair and contagious rhythm. Their performances are a blend of heartfelt throwbacks and island vibes, whether it’s the Beatles’ harmonies, Jimmy Buffett’s stories of life or Van Morrison’s classic hits. The concert is free, family-friendly and open to the public. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-893-4131.
coordinator and massage therapist.
The series culminates in a community showcase produced by the Bloom Stage in May 2026. Registration is now open at rutherfordartsalliance.org/care
Nov. 13
carol ghattas book signing
Local author and retired Linebaugh Branch Manager, Carol B. Ghattas, will be selling and signing copies of her books at Linebaugh Library (105 W. Vine St.) on Thursday, Nov. 13, from 10 a.m.–1 p.m., including her two newest releases: Archived by Death , published in June 2025, and When You Don’t Feel Like Celebrating: A 31-Day Advent Devotional , published by Ambassador International in October 2025. Archived by Death is a fun, easy-to-read, cozy mystery set inside the Tennessee State Library and Archives in Nashville. It tells the story of first-year archivist Kevin Mason, who works at the Archives. He thought it was just another peaceful day in his dream job, but when the library world is rocked by a shocking murder, his analytical skills kick into gear. When
Nov. 15
oflow high tea party
OFLOW (115 N. Maple St.) will host its next high tea party on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 1–2:30 p.m. The limited-set menu will feature nine different pastries and savories including fresh-brewed loose leaf tea from Music City Tea, coffee from Narrow Gate Coffee and Taiwanese Bubble Tea. The cost is $35 per person or $20 for children between 3–8 years old, plus tax. OFLOW asks that you dress for a high tea party. There will be a prize for best dressed. Reservations are limited. A nonrefundable $10 per-person fee is required to secure your spot. For more information, find the Oflow High Tea Party event on Facebook.
Nov. 16
cedar glade classic car cruise-in
Shine ‘er up and drive ‘er in at the Cedar Glade Brews (906 Ridgely Rd.) classic car cruise-in on Sunday, Nov. 16, 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.
Nov. 17–29
You Don’t Feel Like Celebrating is a potential Christmas gift for friends and family who struggle with grief during the holiday season. In this devotional, Ghattas walks with readers through Isaiah’s prophecies. Learn more about Ghattas at lifeinexile.net . For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-893-4131.
Nov. 15
strongman competition
Evan “T-Rex” Singleton comes to Murfreesboro on Saturday, Nov. 15, from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. for the Deck the Halls Christmas Classic hosted at Carbon Gym Murfreesboro (1311 Greshampark Dr.). The Strongman competition will be judged by Evan himself. The competition (males only) features 18-inch deadlift, axle press, yoke walk and sandbag medley events. Support Evan’s journey towards becoming the Strongest Man in the World while enjoying food, vendors, music and family fun. Sponsors can donate gifts, products or services for athlete prizes. Vendors can host a booth to sell or sample products. For more information, email tracy@ carbonboro.com or visit carbonboro.com or deckhalls.com/strongman.
white monkey christmas market
Come out to White Monkey Market (224 W. Main St.) for its Christmas Market event from Nov. 17–29. The market features a collection of 40–50 vendors this year and will be dazzled with 75% Christmas goodies and perfect holiday gifts. White Monkey Market is a blended vintage, antique, and local goods mercantile. Come shop anytime and take a step into yesterday while remaining in touch with today. Store hours are Monday through Friday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. , and Saturday: 8 a.m.–6 p.m. For more information, email whitemonkeymarket@gmail.com or find White Monkey Market on Facebook.
Nov. 20–21
the cliff notes of insanity
Murfreesboro Little Theatre will perform The Cliff Notes of Insanity, or The Princess Bride in 30 Minutes by M. Ray Robinson at Oaklands Mansion (900 N. Maney Ave.) Thursday and Friday Nov. 20 and 21. This hilarious adventure crams all the iconic scenes that you know, love, and
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can probably quote, into one performance as short as your favorite sitcom. The nostalgic evening will be filled with fighting, revenge and “twue wuv.” Audiences are also encouraged to gather in Oaklands Mansion before the show for themed refreshments catered by The Gentleman Caterer, and to participate in a costume contest and scavenger hunt. For tickets, visit mltarts.com.
Nov. 20
the connection at champy’s
Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken will host the November 2025 installment of The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 20. 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.
Nov. 21–23
art studio tour
The annual Art Studio Tour, presented by the Stones River Crafts Association, gives visitors a glimpse into the working studios of local artisans and craftsmen. By mastering various elements, the artists produce one-of-a-kind treasures. Each year the talent grows and develops, not unlike the overall community. Come see how artwork is designed and made. The tour is a free community event always held the weekend before Thanksgiving—this year, Nov. 21–23—from 10 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information and a full list of stops, visit artstudiotour.org.
Nov. 21
la vergne thanksgiving drive-thru
Each year, the city of La Vergne partners with the community to bring joy and comfort to local families through its Thanksgiving Drive-Thru program. This initiative provides holiday meals and gifts for local residents in need. In the weeks leading up to the Thanksgiving Drive-Thru, the city hosts community donation drives to collect food and financial contributions. The goal is to help ensure that no family in La Vergne goes without a warm meal or a reason to smile this holiday season. Those receiving food must fill out an application in advance at lavergnetn.gov/formcenter/
Nov. 27
borodash
The mission of Borodash is to bring glory to God by raising money for charitable purposes and providing the community with a well-organized Thanksgiving Day family event. In 2008, Christian missionaries Calvin and Alicia Groen dreamed of opening an orphanage after finding malnourished and dying babies in the woods of Geita, Tanzania. In 2010, with the support of Staci McCreary, an event was created to raise money for the orphanage. And thus, Neema House and Borodash were born. Over the years, Borodash began supporting other local charities as well. This family-friendly four-mile race takes place every Thanksgiving Day morning in historic downtown Murfreesboro to support world-changing charities and nonprofits. This year’s verse was chosen in honor of beloved former board member Joe Wakham, as it was one of his favorite passages of Scripture: “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” — James 1:2-4. The race begins at 8 a.m. at the Murfreesboro Civic Plaza (111 W. Vine St.). For more information, visit borodash.org, email info@borodash.org or find BoroDash on Facebook.
police-forms-7. For more information, visit lavergnetn.gov/680/giving-back, email communityengagement@lavergnetn.gov or find the La Vergne Police Department on Facebook.
Nov. 21
middle ground
comedy showcase
Middle Ground Brewing Co. (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.) presents a comedy showcase on Friday, Nov. 21, at 8 p.m., hosted by Mallory Brandon. Admission is $5. Visit middlegroundbrew.com or find Middle Ground Brewing Company on Facebook for more information.
Nov. 22
murfreesboro holiday market
Brianna Victory Events presents the Murfreesboro Holiday Market on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. inside the Stones River Mall (1720 Old Fort Pkwy.).
Bring the family downtown for holiday fun at the Smyrna Depot District (98 Front St.) on Tuesday, Nov. 25, from 6–8 p.m. for Christmas music that all kids can sing along to. Light up the town for the holidays and enjoy free pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus (courtesy of the Smyrna Fire and Police Departments) as well as food trucks. There is no cost to attend and all are welcome. For more information, call 615-459-9773.
Nov. 28
black friday middle market
Middle Ground Brewing Company (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.) will present a Black Friday Middle Market from noon–5 p.m. Dodge the chaos and frenzy while you sip and shop at this locally curated market, your one-stop shop for gifts this year. For more information, find a Facebook page for Middle Market at Middle Ground Brewing Company or visit middlegroundbrew.com .
Nov. 28
4th friday fun*working
Over 100 vendors will offer artisan gifts and festive food with something for everyone, from Thanksgiving decor to Christmas stocking stuffers. Free parking and free admission. For more information, email briannavictoryevents@gmail.com or call 931-952-0472.
Nov. 22
thanksgiving cookie decorating
Save the date for Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating with OFLOW (115 N. Maple St.) on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Decorate homemade cookies at the scratch bakery. Cookies are 1 for $5 or 3 for $10. OFLOW will supply all the decorations. For more information, find the Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating event on Facebook.
Nov. 25
smyrna tree lighting ceremony
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 featuring local businesses and community leaders as well as networking and conversations, 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.
Nov. 29
small business saturday holiday market
Presented by Murfreesboro Markets and Events, come out and discover unique gifts, support local businesses and get into the holiday spirit with vendors, food trucks and music. From handmade crafts to delicious treats and food trucks, there’s something for everyone. Join the festive shopping experience on Saturday, Nov. 29, at Grand Station (1660 Middle Tennessee Blvd.) from 9 a.m.–5 p.m. For more information, find Find the 5th Annual Small Business Saturday – Holi-
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day Market event on Eventbrite and the Small Business Saturday Holiday Market – 5th Annual event on Facebook.
dec. 5
rutherford county christmas tree lighting
On Friday, Dec. 5, gather around the historic Rutherford County Courthouse for the annual lighting of the Rutherford County Christmas tree, presented by Middle Tennessee Electric. Beginning at 6 p.m., enjoy free activities around the courthouse (crafts, free hot cocoa and
small games), carriage rides for purchase and choirs performing around the square. Stage performances featuring School of Rock student rock bands, Rutherford County and Murfreesboro City School Elementary Choir, Center for the Arts performers and The Dancer’s School begin at 6:30. Performers will then welcome Santa onstage and turn on the lights for the Christmas tree. Afterwards, activities will continue around the courthouse such as carriage rides, more choir performances, and free pictures inside the courthouse with Santa until 8:30 p.m. For more
information, call 615-895-1887 or visit mainstreetmurfreesboro.org/celebratechristmas-downtown oNgoiNg
tennessee poetry contest
The Poetry Society of Tennessee, a statewide nonprofit organization for poets and poetry lovers, seeks poetic voices for the 69th Annual Poetry Festival Contests. They offer 17 different contests and more than $1,200 in prizes this year. Contests explore a variety of themes and forms, including Tennesseebased topics. First-place poems are considered for the Best of Fest award and a $250 prize. Winners will be announced during the Tennessee Poetry Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2026. First-place winning poems will be published in the Tennessee Voices Anthology, 2025–26, which features the best of poetry from the society’s program year. Among the contest categories is the Tennessee Voices contest, which seeks poems from Tennessee-based residents. Contest prizes are $150 for first, $100 for second and $50 for third. All three of the winning poems of this contest will be published in the anthology. Entry fees vary based on contests entered and membership status. Entries must be submitted on or before Monday, Dec. 15. Student memberships are also available. Email poetrytennessee@gmail.com or visit poetrytennessee.org/pstfestivalcontests for more information.
oNgoiNg
la vergne last minute toy store donations
Donations are being collected for the La Vergne Last Minute Toy Store, a charitable community endeavor that provides toys and gifts for La Vergne children during the holiday season. Donate new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 5 at the La Vergne Police Department, La Vergne Public Works, La Vergne Library or Fire Station #41, or find a wish list for the La Vergne TN Christmas Toy Store at walmart.com. For more information, visit lavergnetn.gov/680/giving-back. moNdays
monday night history class
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.). 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 locations ever since. Visit thepatriotinstitute.org or find The Patriot Institute on Facebook for more information.
moNdays & Tuesdays
silly song and dance
Join Ms. Nicole for Silly Song and Dance Mondays and Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.). This is an exciting, high-energy program for all ages. Songs are geared for toddlers and preschoolers to stretch, dance and sing. Learn about shapes, colors, letters and numbers while singing and dancing. Adult participation is encouraged. Programs will close to new participants 10 minutes after start time. For more information, call 615-459-4884 or visit rclstn.org/venue/smyrna-public-library
Tuesdays
sight word snack attack
The Sight Word Snack Attack will be held at Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) Tuesdays at 3:15 p.m. Sight Word Snack Attack is a program where children are given a snack and water. They then play a round of Sight Word Bingo, and afterward, children can choose from a variety of fun sight word games to play, such as Tales to Tails. Sight words are common words that kids recognize instantly without sounding them out. Recognizing words by sight helps kids become faster, more fluent readers. This is geared toward preschool-3rd grade; adult participation is highly recommended. All ages are welcome. For more information, visit rclstn.org/venue/smyrnapublic-library or call 615-459-4884.
Tuesdays
after-school climbing
Join the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.) on Tuesdays from 4–6 p.m. to climb on the indoor rock wall. Climbers must weigh at least 50 pounds and wear closed-toed shoes and clothing appropriate for climbing. The cost to participate is $2. All ages are welcome; walk-up guests are welcome. For more information, email soac.group@townofsmyrna.org or call 615-459-9710.
Don’t Forget to Support These Local Businesses!
WedNesdays
all ages story time
Come out to Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W.) for All Ages Story Time on Wednesdays from 10–11 a.m. Read stories, sing songs and play fun games to enhance early literacy. Programs will close to new participants 10 minutes after start time. For more information, visit rclstn.org/venue/smyrna-public-library or call 615-459-4884.
WedNesdays
wild wednesday
Join SOAC staff each week on Wednesdays at the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.) from 4:30–5:30 p.m. to discover something wild about the natural world. Meet a SOAC animal or enjoy a nature-based activity each week; weekly topics are posted on Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center social media. There is no cost to participate and all ages are welcome.
Thursdays after school art club
Join the Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.) from
4:30–6 p.m. on Thursdays to create some art to take home. In SOAC’s Art Club, participants will develop art skills, learn about art history and have fun. All supplies are provided. The cost to participate is $3 for members and $5 for non-members per class. Ages 7–17 years are welcome; anyone under the age of 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is suggested through Community Pass; walk-up guests are welcome. Email sam.kaviyakone@ townofsmyrna.org for more information.
Thursdays
early learners
Join SOAC (Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center) staff each Thursday (100 Sam Ridley Pkwy. E.) for a different themed lesson geared toward introducing your young ones to a classroom setting from 10–11 a.m. or 1–2 p.m. The Early Learners program is developmentally and age-appropriate. Each lesson may involve STEAM investigations, song and motion, story time, and/or exhibit free-play. The cost to join is $2. Ages: 2–6 years old are welcome. Registration is required through Community Pass. For more information, email soac.group@townofsmyrna.org or call 615-459-9710.
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.
Fridays
c3 networking
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.
saTurdays
smyrna fall market
The Smyrna Fall Market takes place each Saturday through Nov. 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Gregory Mills Park (390 Enon Springs Rd. E., Smyrna). Shoppers can find fresh produce, handmade goods and seasonal items from local farmers, makers and food vendors.
saTurdays
historical society
coffee & conversation
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 Satur-
day 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.
oNgoiNg
f3 workouts
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.
YOU TO
CHRISTMAS DOWNTOWN
The Official Rutherford County tree lighting event FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH 6:00PM - 8:30PM around the historic Rutherford County Courthouse
Live performances Free activities for kids Free pictures with Santa Carriage Rides $$ with emcee Dawn Rae May
Presented by
Thank You Sponsors
Michael Busey, ChFC, RICP
concerts
Live Music in M idd L e tennessee
Wed, 11/5
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Blues Jam with Jasco
Hig H s ociety
Jam with Mickey
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
MTSU Percussion
Ensemble
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Sharon & Dave
Thurs, 11/6
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Carter Elliott
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Nathan Malone
Fri, 11/7
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Tony Castellanos; Vagabond Train
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Ha PP y’s sP orts l ounge
Cole Bradford
Heroes d en
The Fog
l a c ucina i taliana
Luna Morena
Main s treet Mur F rees B oro
Blank Page
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Shane and the Money Makers
s aT, 11/8
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Southbound Crows
Ha PP y’s sP orts l ounge
Zone Status
Heroes d en
School of Rock Showcase; Dueling Pianos
l a c ucina i taliana
Steven Gary
Middle g round Brewing c o.
Jeff Lysyczyn
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
High School Honors
Orchestra
Po P ’s Bar & g rill
Sharon & Dave
s u N , 11/9
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Chelsea Rhodes
Ho P sP rings
Da Jam Band
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Phi Mu Alpha recital; Faith Brown; Josue Garza
m o N , 11/10
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Hig H s ociety
Ashley Dawn
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
MTSU Steel Band
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 11/11
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Kylie Brown
Hig H s ociety
Shane Douglas
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Nadgir studio piano recital; Daniel Mazur
s easons 2 Bar and g rill
Kim the Harp Jam
Wed, 11/12
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Pepper Brooks
Hig H s ociety
Jam with Mickey
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
MTSU Guitar Ensemble
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Sharon & Dave
Thurs, 11/13
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Sean Oliu
Hig H s ociety
Midnight Highway
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble
Fri, 11/14
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Hammbone
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Hank’s Honky t onk
Jack Finley Band
Ha PP y’s sP orts l ounge
Rubiks Groove
Heroes d en
Casey Gerhardt; Pink Floyd Tribute
l a c ucina i taliana
Luna Morena
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Shane and the Money
Makers
tn c ra F t Butc H er
Blank Page
s aT, 11/15
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Eden Storm
cH a MP y’s cH icken
Jeff Lysyczyn
Ha PP y’s sP orts l ounge
Memory Train
Heroes d en
Roland Justice; Stones River Revival
Middle g round Brewing c o.
Muddy Boots
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
MTSU Chamber
Orchestra
Po P ’s Bar & g rill
Sharon & Dave
s easons 2 Bar and g rill
Freddie Snell and the White Bay Freddie
International Ever
Changing All Star Band
s u N , 11/16
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Kevin Wolf
Ho P sP rings
Da Jam Band
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
SOAL/TEBA Chorales
(Soprano/Alto and Tenor/ Bass); MTSU Flute Choir; Brass Chamber
m o N , 11/17
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Hig H s ociety
Ashley Dawn
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Oboe Studio Recital; MTSU Jazz Ensemble I
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 11/18
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Brandon Scott
Hig H s ociety
Shane Douglas
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Schola Cantorum
s easons 2 Bar and g rill
Kim the Harp Jam
Wed, 11/19
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Delyn Christian
Hig H s ociety
Jam with Mickey
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Bassoon Studio;
Brent Webb
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Sharon & Dave
Thurs, 11/20
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Carson Mac
Fri, 11/21
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Tony Castellanos; Doc Flannel
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Ha PP y’s sP orts l ounge
New Binge
Heroes d en
Jay Martin;
Cary & Sherrie
Lynn
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
MTSU Faculty Trio;
Heather Benz
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Shane and the Money
Makers
l a c ucina i taliana
Luna Morena
s easons o F Mur F rees B oro
Midnight Highway
s aT, 11/22
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Lisa Law Trio
Ha PP y’s sP orts l ounge
Shawn Pody Band
Heroes d en
Mark Seekamp; Tune Twisters
l a c ucina i taliana
Steven Gary
Middle g round Brewing c o.
Alex Creamer
Po P ’s Bar & g rill
Sharon & Dave
s u N , 11/23
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Nick Bentley
Ho P sP rings
Da Jam Band
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Angela DeBoer; Jazz voice studio recital; MTSU Symphony Orchestra
m o N , 11/24
Hig H s ociety
Ashley Dawn
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
MTSU Flute Choir; MTSU Jazz Ensemble II
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 11/25
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Brandon Scott
Hig H s ociety
Shane Douglas
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Chinese Music Ensemble
s easons 2 Bar and g rill
Kim the Harp Jam
Wed, 11/26
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Scott Hogue
Hig H s ociety
Jam with Mickey
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Sharon & Dave
ashley daWN
M ondays @ H ig H society restaurant & Bar
Kick off your week with some country sounds as Ashley Dawn’s Monday night residency at High Society Restaurant & Bar (211 W. Main St.) continues each Monday evening from 7:30–10 p.m. The singer-songwriter brings country and roots standards and heartfelt originals, friendly engagement with the crowd, and songs that balance storytelling with catchy melodies, ranging from soft ballads to lively foot-stomping numbers. No cover; for more information, find Ashley Dawn or High Society on Facebook.
Fri, 11/28
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Bill Ashmore & the Last Stand
c edar g lade Brews
Brothers Revolt
Ha PP y’s sP orts l ounge
JILLfm
Heroes d en
The Revenue Man;
Dueling Pianos
l a c ucina i taliana
Luna Morena
Middle g round Brewing c o.
Miles Damaso Trio
presents A Charlie Brown
Christmas
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Shane and the Money
Makers
s aT, 11/29
Boro Bour B on & Brews
Revolution
Ha PP y’s sP orts l ounge
DJ Jarron
Po P ’s Bar & g rill
Sharon & Dave
s u N , 11/30
Boro Bour B on & Brews
T.J. Powers
Ho P sP rings
Da Jam Band
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Messiah Sing-a-long
m o N , 12/1
Burger Bar
Jeff Lysyczyn
Hig H s ociety
Ashley Dawn
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Commercial Music
Ensemble
sM yrna VF w Post 8422
Randy and Friends
Tues, 12/2
Hig H s ociety
Shane Douglas
Mtsu w rig Ht Music Building
Horn studio recital; Flute studio recital
s easons 2 Bar and g rill
Kim the Harp Jam
If You Go
sounds
s olo s hane: s easone D l ocal Guitarist takes t unes to h i G h s ociety e ach t ues Day
EvEry TuESdAy NiGhT from 7–10 p.m., Shane Douglas takes the stage at High Society Restaurant & Bar (211 W. Main St.) to perform blues, country and rock covers along with soulful originals in a stripped-down format that puts voice and guitar front and center.
The veteran of the local jam scene now brings a one-man-band experience to the intimate downtown Murfreesboro lounge setting, re-imagining classic tunes and diving into his own gritty compositions, armed with just a guitar, a soulful voice, and an extensive catalog of genre-bending songs. Shane aims to transform each track into something uniquely his own—familiar, yet fresh.
Douglas is a smoking guitar player who can hang with some of the top “chicken pickers” and “guitar slingers” in Nashville, and 30 years after he began his Middle Tennessee musical adventure, Shane says he’s still just getting started. Check him out each Tuesday at High Society, a live-music-friendly space with a full kitchen; no cover. For more information, visit highsocietyrestaurant.com
c hristmas t ime i s h ere: miles Damaso trio to Perform charlie Brown christmas alBum nov. 28, Dec. 20
CELEBrATE ThE SEASON with live jazz and festive spirit at Middle Ground Brewing Company (2476 Old Fort Pkwy.), where the Miles Damaso Trio presents two performances of
A Charlie Brown Christmas this year, following a successful run last year. The first performance is scheduled for Black Friday, Nov. 28, at 8 p.m., followed by a second date on Saturday, Dec. 20. Tickets for the all-ages show are $20 each and expected to sell out. Seating will be assigned upon arrival to ensure everyone gets a great spot. The trio will bring to life the timeless Vince Guaraldi soundtrack that defines the classic Peanuts Christmas special, blending holiday melodies with sophisticated jazz arrangements. The Middle Ground kitchen and bar will be open as the community pub provides the setting for this heartwarming seasonal performance.
For tickets and more information, go to the Facebook page for A Charlie Brown Christmas Album performed live by The Miles Damaso Trio or visit middlegroundbrew.com and click “Order Online” (scroll all the way down the page past the menu for Charlie Brown Christmas tickets).
iN 1994, the Features came together, which included then-MTSU student Matt Pelham, and was part of the thriving Murfreesboro indie scene led by Spongebath Records. Life stuff happens, as it does, but in 2025, Pelham released a modern passion project—no, a wisdom project—under the name of Matt & The Watt Gives. A seemingly softer and older Pelham opens the album with “Wilder Days,” beginning with a piano intro section but soon crescendoing into that familiar, wellplaced and fried rasp, building up alongside a snare beat and soulful, MIDI-zydeco horn section, soon feeling like a seemingly massive bluesy touring band’s riffs echoing from across the stadium.
“Cutting Ties” hits a rolling blues groove with a punch, then drifts into horns and synths weaving around Pelham’s preachin’ about simplifying life and moving forward. Elsewhere, acoustic strummer “’Til You” turns gentle and animated—literally—featuring an accompanying video following two marbles on a whimsical journey of connection and adventure.
Overall, the album is a symphony of wisdom; there’s not a loose nail in this wall of sound. Matt & The Watt Gives rebuilds a sound that has heavily influenced a generation walking around these parts. Find Matt & The Watt Gives at mattandthewattgives.com and on Bandcamp. — b ryce h armon
dirECTOr MAriAN STOrvik makes her Bravo Boro debut Friday, Nov. 14, at the Mills-Pate Arts Center with a haunting yet faithful adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Rather than modernizing or simplifying the play, Storvik embraces Shakespeare’s intricate Elizabethan language and trusts her audience to engage with it fully.
While many contemporary productions of Shakespeare are reimagined for modern audiences, Storvik takes the opposite approach. Her Macbeth honors the polish, rhythm and gravity of the original text, inviting viewers to settle in and experience the story’s full weight.
“We’re doing Shakespeare. Straight up,” Storvik says. “It’s tempting to modernize the dialogue or tighten the pace, especially when we’re all used to short-form entertainment on TikTok or
Instagram. But we wanted something real, honest and respectful. We wanted to give people a chance to step away, lose themselves in Shakespeare’s most tragic play, and feel it.”
At a time when community theaters face shrinking audiences and tight budgets, this director’s confidence stands out. The strong audition turnout and growing anticipation around this production suggest that audiences and actors still want to be challenged and moved by stories that take time to unfold.
Produced by Tyler Tsoumbos, Bravo Boro’s Macbeth runs Nov. 14–16 and 21–23 at Murfreesboro’s Mills-Pate Arts Center (7120 Old Nashville Hwy.). Find showtimes and ticket information for this powerful production that honors one of Shakespeare’s most enduring works at bravoboro.theater
tyler tsoumbos
marian storvik
Made in Murfreesboro
C
FrOM ThE POPuLAr iCEE frozen drink widely available in gas stations to the Bunny Bread we buy in grocery stores, whether you drive a Nissan or occasionally enjoy a Toaster Strudel, all of these products are made in our county, and purchasing them supports Murfreesboro, Smyrna and La Vergne manufacturing—and thus, local families.
While many know about some of the large international corporations that operate factories here, the Rutherford County area is also home to various smaller, locally owned operations, employing maybe a handful of people, producing their specialty items. From firearms to fruit tea, fresh bread to flail blades, a diverse wealth of products are made in Murfreesboro.
Rutherford County has more than double the national average of manufacturing jobs per capita of cities in the United States, according to the Rutherford County Chamber Commerce. And local manufacturing is on the rise, with large companies choosing to open facilities here and entrepreneurs launching new ventures. The gross regional product (GRP) for Rutherford County reached $7.7 billion in 2024.
Here’s a look at just some of the local manufacturing operations in Rutherford County. story by l aura l indsay
i deal Clamp
p rodu C ts
idealtridon.com
Ideal Clamp was founded in 1913 and is headquartered in Smyrna. They make building materials. They are a leading global manufacturer of clamps for use in construction, automotive, aerospace and plumbing.
p ills B ury pillsbury.com
Pillsbury (owned by General Mills) has a large manufacturing plant in Murfreesboro that produces a variety of products including all of the nation’s Toaster Strudels, the beloved toaster pastry that comes with a small packet of icing.
s inomax usa
sinomax-usa.com
Sinomax produces memory foam pillows and mattresses with a facility located in La Vergne. Sinomax USA is the first home industry company to win an Edison Award. The award recognized the innovative and eco-friendly nature of the product and its packaging.
ran K lin’s ruit t ea franklinfruittea.com
This fruit tea that you’ll find at the grocery store is made in Rutherford County. They also have a local shop called The Drinkery, where you can enjoy a cup of sweet tea, or purchase bottles or gallons of various types of fruit tea to take home, at 348 E. Castle St. in Murfreesboro.
Right next door to the Pillsbury plant, you will find Murfreesboro’s Yoplait factory (owned by Lactalis). It is the largest yogurt factory in the nation, according to the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce.
i n G ram Content Group ingramcontent.com
Ingram Is a global book distributor that provides a wide range of services to publishers, authors, booksellers and libraries—handling inventory, fulfillment and a vast network that reaches millions of customers in over 150 countries. Ingram also provides tools for authors and self-publishers to manage their content. Ingram Contents Group’s headquarters is in La Vergne.
i nternational p aper internationalpaper.com
International Paper Co. operates a paper mill in Murfreesboro. The company transforms renewable resources into innovative and sustainable packaging solutions.
m ario Guitars marioguitars.com
Mario Guitars is celebrating its 20th year in business in 2025. Mario Martin and his staff at Guitar Mill, 407 W. Lytle St., handcraft these vintage-inspired instruments in downtown Murfreesboro. Mario Guitars offers more than a dozen guitar body styles. They also offer guitar repair, handmade necks, setup, restoration, aging/relicing, customization, rerouting, and Nitrocellulose finishing services.
m c n eilus t ru CK s
mcneilusgarbagetrucks.com
sC hwan Cosmeti C s usa
schwancosmetics.com
Established in 1927, Schwan Cosmetics is a global private label manufacturer of color cosmetics. Schwan operates on five continents and in 130 countries. Schwan says it is committed to developing beauty products that go beyond conventional norms, and its color cosmetics enhance self-expression rather than hide it. Schwan Cosmetics’ North American headquarters and high-tech manufacturing site is located in Murfreesboro, off of Joe B. Jackson Parkway.
f lail- m aster flailmaster.com
This Murfreesboro-based company has been around for more than 50 years. They make flail mower blades and parts and offer various other types of replacement lawn mower blades.
t he i C ee Company icee.com
Good l Corporation
bigbasketco.com
Good L Corporation is a plastic fabrication plant located in La Vergne. They produce premium quality plastic and steel shopping carts and baskets in multiple sizes. They also color-match to the best shade to match a company’s headers and logos. They are manufactured with 100 percent recycled materials, according to Good L.
This beverage company moved its headquarters to La Vergne in 2019. Its flagship product is the ICEE, a frozen carbonated beverage available in various fruit and soda flavors. There are over 75,000 ICEE machines across America, serving over 300 million ICEE servings each year.
Located in Murfreesboro, McNeilus manufactures refuse and recycling collection vehicles, parts and technology. Their trucks include front loaders, side loaders and rear loaders. The McNeilus Volterra ZSL won the 2025 Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee Competition, hosted by the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Tennessee Manufacturers Association, and the UT Center of Industrial Services. The Volterra ZSL is North America’s first fully integrated electric refuse and recycling collection vehicle. It combines zeroemissions operation, a driver-first design, ergonomic cab, outstanding visibility, and advanced safety and productivity features, according to McNeilus. a
l ewis Ba K eries, i n C . lewisbakeries.net
Formerly Lewis Brothers Bakeries, you will find Lewis Bakeries breads at local grocery stores, and some of the bread is made at a bakery in Murfreesboro. Lewis Brothers also created Bunny Bread in 1947, and it has grown into a regional brand. Some of their other products include Lewis 12 Grain Bread, Hawaiian Loaf, Honey Wheat and the Italian Loaf.
Since the 1960s, Allvan has been manufacturing van bodies for professional movers and curtain-side bodies and trailers for the building supply marketplace. Allvan has a full-service graphics team that designs, prints and installs anything you want to brand. Allvan has a plant in La Vergne.
n issan nissanusa.com
One of Nissan’s largest automobile plants is in Smyrna. It is a significant economic driver in Middle Tennessee, employing thousands of people. It opened in 1983 and was the first auto assembly plant in Tennessee. The Nissan Rogue, made in Smyrna, won the 2024 Coolest Thing Made in Tennessee Competition. The Rogue features innovative elements such as its VC-Turbo engine, which was highlighted as the world’s first variable compression ratio engine.
taylor f arms taylorfarms.com
You will find Taylor Farms salad mixes and bagged vegetables in grocery store coolers. A lot of the salad blends are washed and packaged in Smyrna. The chopped salads are a convenient favorite. Taylor Farms also has recipes on its website.
Galla G her Guitar Co.
gallagherguitar.com
Gallagher Guitar Co. has been building guitars by hand in Middle Tennessee since 1965. The company is known for its handmade acoustic guitars. The shop recently moved to a new location and is now located at 331 N. Front St. in downtown Murfreesboro.
Barrett f irearms barrett.net
Headquartered in Murfreesboro, Barrett is a world leader in large-caliber rifle design and manufacturing. Barrett products are used by civilian sport shooters, law enforcement agencies, the U.S. military and more than 80 other State Department-approved countries across the world, according to the company.
Gutter G love gutterglove.com
Gutterglove makes its gutter guards in La Vergne. They can be found in almost every home improvement store and major retailer across the country.
o zar K r iver m anufa C turin G Co. portablesink.com
Ozark River’s portable sinks provide a simple solution to adding a sink without expensive plumbing additions or renovations. They are fully functional sinks for your patios, outdoor kitchens, garages, workshops, farms and barns. The sinks come ready to use—just attach them to a faucet and fill the water tank. They are equipped with cold and hot water functionality.
t ennessee t ool w or K s ll C tntoolworks.com
This precision machine shop located in Murfreesboro offers CNC machining, tool and die repair, wire EDM work, welding and fabrication. This is a newer company that began operations here in 2017.
w oods a ir m ovement woodsairmovement.com
Woods Air Movement has its U.S. headquarters, research and development, manufacturing and testing facility in Murfreesboro. They make and install life-saving air ventilation systems for subways, vehicular tunnels, arenas and parking garages around the world.
living
If You Go
denny cove falls 5917 u S h wy. 41 / TN-150
Sequatchie, Tennessee
Denny Cove
Strenuous scramble over stones leads to inspiring waterfall scene
story by bracken mayo photos by sarah mayo
dENNy COvE, a rugged, waterfall-filled destination now part of the Fiery Gizzard State Park system, offers a spectacular scene for those willing to undertake a challenging, rocky trail in exchange for a dramatic view of Denny Falls.
Located just past Foster Falls, south of Tracy City, Tennessee, the three-mile outand-back hike to Denny Falls, while quite strenuous in sections, leads to a scenic reward.
Off of Highway 41, a lengthy gravel drive winds deep into the forest—its reds and
yellows bursting forth on a cool and wet late October day, already setting the tone for the hike—before it reaches the parking area.
Setting out, the trail begins easily enough. The first half mile follows a well-compacted dirt path that’s mostly flat and smooth.
After about a half mile, the trail splits. To the right, a steep side trail climbs toward the Denny Cove Overlook, leading hikers up a hill to a large overhanging rock, where the ground drops sharply away, making an impressive view of the sprawling valley below. The view may be at its best in winter, when
bare branches open up even more sight lines across the Tennessee setting. Definitely use caution here; it’s quite a ways down.
Returning back to the main trail, the route continues toward the waterfall, gradually descending deeper into the gorge. The area near where the Overlook Trail and Waterfall Trail converge contains some lovely trickling water features in itself.
The trails in the area are very well marked, with good signage pointing the way to the overlook, the waterfall and to other climbing areas. White diamond blazes guide hikers along the main route.
Continuing along the Waterfall Trail, the terrain grows much rockier, and the once-gentle trek transitions to a journey of uneven footing, scattered boulders and
loose, smaller rocks. The final half mile of the 1.5-mile distance from the parking area to the main falls is where the real challenge lies, particularly for smaller legs and those unaccustomed to or prepared for scrambling over rocks. Every step here requires care. Especially in wet weather, the slick stones can make the path very treacherous. But the effort pays off—completing this trail and its strenuous traverse over rocks delivers a spectacular waterfall view.
After hikers persevere for a while, the sound of falling water begins to grow louder before the scene opens up to reveal Denny Falls. Rock stairs at the end of the trail make the final ascent manageable, though still steep, leading hikers to the base of the falls. They can continue climbing rocks to get
higher up the waterfall feature, reaching the upper segment of Denny Falls.
The main drop powerfully plunges 70 feet from a high ledge into a small pool below; the water then continues its cascading tumble down the Tennessee hillside, winding between massive moss-covered boulders, and in, out and over rocky crags and peaks.
It’s an awe-inspiring sight—the sheer vertical face of the bluff, the rolling cascades misting the air, the sound of the rushing water, and the sense of having arrived somewhere hidden and special. After heavy rains, the flow is especially strong, though the water can soften to a more delicate trickle during dryer times.
Beyond its appeal to hikers, Denny Cove is also a destination for rock climbers. The area’s broad stone cliffs host a variety of sport climbing routes for a range of experience levels. Additional designated access trails lead to the towering, rock-climbing cliff faces. Other nearby natural areas also contain some expansive rock faces for adventurous climbers.
As the South Cumberland State Park grew and added land holdings, it split into multiple state parks, “to ensure each area receives the dedicated management, resources, and conservation it deserves,” according to Tennessee State Parks.
Many conservationists want to protect the
natural splendor of this part of the world, and protect its cliffs, waterfalls, deep gorges and forested slopes. Tennessee designated Fiery Gizzard, an area of approximately 7,811 acres in Grundy and Marion Counties boasting some of the best hiking, climbing and backcountry camping, as its own state park in 2025. Denny Cove sits on the south portion of the Fiery Gizzard State Park, on the Marion County side, its trailhead entrance located about eight miles south of Tracy City, seven miles north of the town of Jasper.
For visitors coming from Murfreesboro, it’s less than an hour and a half’s drive—a worthy day trip for a party seeking a taste of Tennessee’s wild side. Though the hike is somewhat difficult, hikers with a little foresight and motivation could easily complete it with enough daylight remaining to explore other nearby natural features such as Foster Falls, the Sewanee Natural Bridge or Grundy Forest.
Between the vivid seasonal colors, the serene and secluded woodland setting, the distant views from the overlook, the challenge of the rocky scramble and the incredible setting of the Denny Falls feature itself, this trail offers a full dose of outdoor Cumberland Plateau adventure. Be prepared—it’s not the easiest walk in the park, but the Denny Falls setting makes for an incredible payoff.
Tennessee Comes Together for its Wild Things Biodiversity Summit celebrates state’s natural splendor
by ashleigh newnes
More than 600 conservationists, students and nature enthusiasts filled Middle Tennessee State University’s Student Union Ballroom on Oct. 22 for the first Tennessee Biodiversity Summit, a gathering awash in earth tones, hiking boots and North Face jackets. It felt like a reunion of kindred spirits: biologists, birders, park rangers, students, land managers and lifelong nature lovers, all gathered under one roof to talk about the future of Tennessee’s wild things.
Hosted by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency at MTSU, with support from Tennessee Department of Environment & Conservation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the summit aimed to turn that shared passion into action. The event blended science with community—with participants sharing new research, success stories and strategies for keeping Tennessee’s ecosystems healthy.
Midway through the day came the headline moment: TWRA announced plans to reintroduce the red-cockaded woodpecker, a species not seen in Tennessee since 1994. Once lost to habitat decline and fire suppression, the bird is set to return to Savage Gulf State Natural Area through a coordinated restoration effort aiming for release by 2028. Unsurprisingly, that news drew the loudest applause of the day.
The talks throughout the day painted a clear picture of where Tennessee stands. Its biodiversity is extraordinary, and so are the people working to protect it. Presenters shared research, field experiences and practical strategies. Experts spoke from their own corners of the field, yet all with the same goal: keeping Tennessee’s biodi-
versity thriving for generations to come. Between sessions, the halls were alive with conversation. You could hear people comparing notes on restoration projects, discussing volunteer programs, or swapping ideas on how to better connect the public to the outdoors. The challenges (habitat loss, invasive species, urbanization and climate pressures) were never downplayed, but the focus stayed firmly on solutions and the messages remained hopeful—good work is already happening across the state, and it’s growing stronger as people share what they’ve learned. Being among hundreds of others who care about the same wild places gave the day a kind of power. Whether you were a student, a scientist or simply someone who loves seeing a heron on your morning walk, there was a sense that everyone had a place in this story. As the summit wrapped up, it was clear this gathering had struck a chord. For many, it was encouraging simply to be reminded of just how many people are passionate about protecting Tennessee ecosystems.
Protecting biodiversity can feel like an endless job, but this gathering made it clear that it’s a shared one.
The summit will return next year, offering another chance to learn, connect and celebrate what’s worth protecting. After such a strong first year, attendees are already excited and planning for 2026’s Tennessee Biodiversity Summit. For more information on the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, viewing wildlife in our state, or to sign up for newsletter updates and find information about next year’s summit, visit tn.gov/twra/wildlife
t he Gift of h ealing
Stranger at Coconut Bay delivers a supernatural gift to Murfreesboro man
SiNCE NOvEMBEr is the month when Thanksgiving falls, I thought why not share a story about being thankful? This is a true local story that deals with perseverance and overcoming setbacks in our lives. I always tell people there are three things that affect everybody—finances, romances and health. This is another story that covers all three. The main figure in the story is a gentleman by the name of Doug Dennis. Doug was born in 1952 and grew up in Gainesboro, Tennessee. He actually went to a one-room school. His first grade class only had two students. He and his family later moved to Millersville, just north of Nashville, and then he went to White House High School. In 1970 Doug started college at MTSU, where he met his wife, Cathy. He began working at Shoney’s on Broad Street here in Murfreesboro as a bus boy. He graduated from MTSU in 1974 and he and Cathy married in 1975. They began growing their family in 1979 with the birth of Sarah, followed by Amy in 1980 and finally Julie in 1982. I met Mr. Dennis because the girls practically helped raise my son, William, when he was a child. After working at Shoney’s, Doug went on
to become a manager of Pizza Hut here and managed several stores in 2001. It was around this time when his life changed forever.
You see, he had gone to Atlanta for a business meeting. He had to use the restroom and noticed afterwards that there was a lot of blood left behind. Doug had a colonoscopy done and he found out that he had adenocarcinoma, which is a form of colon cancer. The doctor told him he’d probably had it for years. This was October 2001. He proceeded to have 14 inches of his colon removed, but did not have to have a colostomy. Over the next several weeks he had 28 treatments of chemotherapy and radiation. Doctors also found cancer in his lymph nodes.
A year later, the cancer had moved to Doug’s liver and also into his right lung. Between 2001 and 2005 he had four different kinds of chemotherapy at the same time. He lost 50 pounds in six months and would stay in bed for a week at a time due to exhaustion from the treatment. When they found the cancer in his right lung, his oncologist told him to get his affairs in order. He and Cathy went to a funeral home and made his arrangements in 2004.
He told his doctor he was going to get a second opinion, so he went to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where it was revealed he had a pencil eraser-sized spot on his lung and a golf ball-sized spot on his liver. He had three lobes of his liver removed and the lower lobe of his right lung removed.
As you can tell by the story so far, things aren’t looking too good. But here is when the good parts of the story start to happen.
On April 14, 2004, after getting all of the bad news mentioned above, Doug and Cathy, along with some of their motorcycle riding friends, decided to go to Coconut Bay Cafe here in Murfreesboro to try to refocus on what to do next. While there, a gentleman tapped Doug on the shoulder and told him he had a gift for him. Of course, Doug thought this was crazy and said, “How do you know I need a gift from you?” But the guy said “I have a gift for you” and told Doug to hold his hand up in front of his hand. Their hands never touched but Doug said he felt heat from the stranger’s hand and the man told him that he would not die from cancer. At that point Doug’s anxiety he had had concerning his well-being left him and never returned.
That stranger was James Rippy.
“James was a person who had a spiritual gift and freely shared it,” Doug said. “He was a very kind and caring person who ‘gave me the gift’ without any strings attached. He didn’t say ‘if you do this or if you do that . . .’”
At that time, medical professionals were telling Doug there was a 25% chance of surviving after surgery. However, 22 years
later, James was right and the doctors were wrong. Doug did six more months of chemo to make sure it was all gone, but soon ended treatment. Doug goes to the doctor once a year to do the CEA blood test to make sure the cancer is still gone.
“If it hadn’t happened to me, I wouldn’t have believed it,” Doug said about the miraculous encounter. Doug’s faith kept him going. He prayed that if things did not pass, to be given the strength to endure it.
What’s even wilder, Cathy and Doug, along with some motorcycle friends, were at Handlebars on East Main Street here in Murfreesboro. While they were talking to friends, his phone butt-dials James Rippy, the man who gave the gift to Doug at Coconut Bay a year earlier. James called back and told Doug he heard him telling him that story to their friends.
Here’s another interesting story of survival. It was Good Friday 2009, and Doug’s mother-in-law had called to let them know to be prepared for the tornado that was headed their way. Doug said he heard stuff starting to hit his house so he ran upstairs, grabbed his truck keys and his cell phone and got into the half bath under the stairwell of their home. When the tornado hit, he heard all hell break loose. But when it passed, he opened up the door, walked towards the front door and saw the blue sky. Their home had been split in two.
Doug saw Julie’s wedding dress hanging on a closet door, just like it was before the tornado. It was in a keep-safe bag and never moved. Doug went outside and said it looked like a war zone. He called 911 to let them know, like thousands others did that day, and thankfully found out his family was okay.
These are just two true stories that made me so thankful to be alive. We all have so much to be thankful for. We never know when we’re walking amongst angels, or someone blessed with a spiritual gift, or when a miracle will happen. We never know when it’s gonna be our last breath we take while we’re here. Faith sometimes has a way of healing where knowledge does not.
Remember, go get your colonoscopy, have a happy Thanksgiving and go out and do something nice for somebody. God bless!
Call Bill Wilson for your local real estate needs at 615-406-5872.
doug when he was sick
Food
Our Daily Bread
The Dish
a ndrea’s h ome of b reaking b read
119 Front St., Smyrna
Monday–Friday 10:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m.
Breaking Bread cooking up down-home soul food in downtown Smyrna
story by bracken mayo photos by sarah mayo
Ameal at Andrea’s Home of Breaking Bread, a small eatery in downtown Smyrna, Tennessee, may feel like a bit like a homecoming for anyone who misses Grandmama’s cooking, or who has ever been in a small-town Southern lunchroom.
For those hankering for a wholesome, meatand-three, country-style lunch spot, check out this modest, weekday-only establishment, serving home cooking, quick, that tastes like it came straight from Mema’s kitchen.
“Do you remember your grandmother’s food? And how nobody could make anything that tastes like it? Well, that’s what this is. Food that lets you revisit the days you thought were long gone,” Breaking Bread patron Joe Williams said. “I really like this place.”
Situated in one of the old buildings lining Smyrna’s Historic Depot District, the lunch destination welcomes customers with a cafeteria-style line. The setup is not fancy, but the food packs serious flavor and the hot, already prepared food makes a very quick lunch option ideal for those who don’t have a lot of time to waste during their lunch hour.
Breaking Bread builds its salty Southern lunches upon a proper foundation of classic “meat-and-three” tradition.
“The homemade cooking was real Southern authentic,” another pleased customer, Mark Coulter, posted following a meal. “The fresh greens were delicious and the country fried steak was cooked tender and not greasy.”
Every day, the menu at the 119 Front St. restaurant includes meatloaf, green beans, corn, macaroni & cheese, creamed potatoes, pinto beans, cornbread, rolls and tea.
“The meatloaf was awesome,” said Tanya Wells, appreciating the “home cooking and great service.”
“It’s a little place with big flavor!”
Find apples on the Breaking Bread menu every day other than Thursday, when it switches to sweet potatoes; similarly, it serves turnip greens four days a week, but spinach makes the menu on Mondays.
Just before patrons arrive at the hot food counter to place an order, a shelf displays the day’s assortment of ready-to-grab, boxed-up desserts, such as slices of a very moist Sun Drop cake covered with a rich and sugary frosting.
In addition to the famous Breaking Bread meatloaf every day—its large slices covered with a sticky, peppery sauce—it rotates through a selection of different soul food
615-220-1231
Meat-and-three plate: $13.50
standards and desserts each day. Hungry customers can find fried salmon patties, chicken & dressing, and kraut & sausage on Mondays; fried chicken, hamburger steak & onions, and BBQ pork on Tuesdays; liver & onions, roast beef, and chicken & dumplings on Wednesdays; chicken & dressing, hamburger steak & onions, and fried pork chops on Thursdays; and then catfish, baked ziti and baked chicken on Fridays.
“Fried chicken, mac and cheese, greens and apples were great for lunch,” Paul Ayers reported. “Southern style home cooking made for a great experience supporting local.”
Many local fans of various vegetables say great things about the sides, the piping hot, salty turnip greens (some claiming them to be the best in Rutherford County) and the delicious, well-cooked green beans (“there’s definitely pork in there,” one diner reported).
The Breaking Bread lunchroom opens each weekday, 10:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m., and the meat-and-three plates, with roll or corn muffin, offer solid value in a world of rising food costs. The plates are about as quick and affordable as you can get for a good homecooked lunch these days.
“The food is really good Southern meat-
and-three,” another pleased customer stated. “It’s a great alternative to fast food when you want a meal to taste homemade.”
Breaking Bread definitely operates with some local heart and soul, not a chainrestaurant vibe.
“Our food is so good because the Lord is in every bite!” proclaims a sign hung at Breaking Bread.
The restaurant proudly exhibits a Christian flavor—contemporary Christian music plays over the sound system, a board of prayer requests hangs near the entranceway and other scripture passages decorate the walls; it’s not just about meat and vegetables, it’s about the bread of life.
Of course, no place is perfect. Some report finding the food at Breaking Bread overly salty; others suggest it reminds them a bit too much of the school cafeteria experience.
But for most who come through the doors, the local business strikes a tasty balance of Grandma’s kitchen, local soul, history and family mixed with a dash of classic cafeteria.
For Southern classics done right, a very quick meatloaf, dumplins, catfish, roast beef, mac and cheese, potatoes and beans, this is your spot.
killed at 30
Murfreesboro’s kristiana ShookLivingston discovered dead in henry County by l aura b arnett
iN FEBruAry 2026, Mark Odom is scheduled to reappear in general sessions court in Henry County, Tennessee, charged with the murder of Kristiana Shook-Livingston, who had been residing in Murfreesboro. Despite the mysteries surrounding the killing of this young woman, there has been little public outcry or media coverage regarding it.
One can’t help but wonder, if Kristiana wasn’t a homeless woman, would there be more anger and outcry regarding her senseless slaying and more calls to bring her perpetrator(s) to justice?
Though much mystery shrouds her final days on this earth, much of her life was not mysterious. The unanswered questions surrounding her final days stand in contrast to her recent life in a tent behind Petsense in Murfreesboro; here, maintaining her privacy must be weighed with the sharing of her story, lest she vanish unremembered and forgotten, as many homeless women do.
Kristiana Renae Shook-Livingston was born in Oklahoma on Aug. 12, 1994. She was a few months away from her 31st birthday when she was slain. According to childhood best friend, Tyesha Wilson, Kristiana seemed like your average girl
Toya and Max Livingston, and joined by an adopted younger brother, Marc. After graduating from high school, Kristiana left the nest to seek her destiny. She eventually moved to Murfreesboro and worked at Dunkin Donuts, Bargain Hunt and Dollar General, and was known and loved by many in the community.
She had a young daughter who she loved and was in the process of trying to regain custody of, who was the light of her world.
According to Toya, she made some mistakes like all young people, but generally learned from them. But Kristiana really struggled to get her feet under her after her relationship turned sour and she ended up on the streets. She did not mention the fact that she was homeless to family or friends (likely because she didn’t want anyone to worry about her) and they only became aware of her dismal life circumstances in another state after her body was discovered, abandoned near a parking lot, in the Gin Creek Wildlife Management Area in Henry County, Tennessee.
m urfreesboro m an r ecovering a fter f ire at h is h ome, Community Bands together in s upport
by m atthew o lson
iN ThE EArLy AFTErNOON hours of Oct. 6, following a routine night shift as a bar back, Murfreesboro resident Alexander Luger awoke unexpectedly in his residence at 923 E. Vine St. to a smoke-filled home and a rapidly spreading fire.
Luger, 32 years old, quickly fled downstairs, opened the back door, and emerged with hands as black as tar. He noticed his pets had not escaped with him. He ran back in but was not able to find them.
“One dog was removed from the house alive, and another dog and a cat were removed deceased,” according to the Murfreesboro Fire & Rescue Department. “Life-saving attempts were made for the dog with no success.”
Officials continue to investigate the cause of the fire.
next door growing up. She was into drawing and making art, sports, painting her nails and talking on the phone. She loved wearing bright colors and dreamed of one day being a teacher. She loved to laugh and was described by those closest to her as joyous, bubbly, positive, encouraging and never having a bad thing to say about anyone.
By all accounts she was selfless and a giver.
“She was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off her back,” said her five-years-younger brother Marc, reflecting on when Kristiana had given him the best gift he ever received as a kid, a PlayStation she must have saved for weeks to buy.
But outward appearances aside, Kristiana was not your typical girl next door. After her parents’ divorce in her early years, she lived briefly with her father and sister. Sadly, it was the sisters who discovered the lifeless body of their father when they tried to wake him up from a nap. After the death of their father, followed by a brief time of custody with their mother, Kristiana and her sister were enrolled in the foster care system in Arkansas. Eventually they were adopted out to
The woman had a difficult life, but seemed focused on trying to improve her circumstances. As if discovering her deceased father as a child wasn’t traumatic enough, Kristiana, a product of the foster care system, was no stranger to abuse herself. But she never complained, she forgave her perpetrators and had a deep desire to reconnect with her sister.
Toya found out about her daughter’s death on Mothers’ Day, after going through rehab for a bad fall. A week before her death, they had made plans for Kristiana to take a bus back to Beebe, Arkansas.
According to Toya, around that time is when Kristiana met Mark Odom.
“No one really knows what happened after that.”
After first learning about this story, I tried to let it go. But after realizing the importance of it, I reached out to a few who knew her. It has been said that the telling of her story has helped bring healing, and I am honored to have unexpectedly become a catalyst in that process.
It is my hope also that awareness is brought to the community for reasons of safety and justice in light of this senseless tragedy.
In memory of her spirit, I pray for justice for Kristiana Renee Shook-Livingston and healing for those close to her.
As first responders arrived, Luger recounts watching five to six feet of flames emerge from the front window of his residence. Luger’s brother, who was living with him, was at work at the time of the fire.
Luger was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was kept and treated for second and third degree burns on his arms and first degree burns on his chest, as well as burns that damaged his corneas, leaving him blind for a week.
For the first week, all he could see was white light. He can again see, but remains visually impaired and the extent of permanent damage remains unclear.
A downtown Murfreesboro bar and tattoo shop are leading an effort of community solidarity and aid. Luger, who works at Wall Street Bar & Grill, said he greatly appreciates his coworkers and patrons.
“The biggest thing that’s been great for me is the outpouring of support from this community,” Luger said. “The amount of donations of clothing, shoes, boots, money, help in general, has been insane.”
Wall Street has pledged a dollar for every well liquor sale to the fire victims.
Primordial Ink (201 W. Main St, Suite 303) is currently promoting two-inch-bytwo-inch tattoos, in color or without, for only $20 apiece, and donating 100% of the proceeds straight to a GoFundMe page.
For more information or to donate to the fire victim, find the Help Luger Recover and Rebuild after Housefire page on GoFundMe.
kristiana and daughter
Beane Brothers BBQ, Emerald heart Cafe, Buffalo Wild Wings, domenico’s, Las Trojas Cantina, Grand Exchange, journey home by
delores elliott
Rooster and Lori Beane have opened BEANE BrOThErS BBQ at 114 Front St., Smyrna, after overhauling the former downtown Smyrna home of La Tavola. Find Texas-style brisket, ribs, pulled pork, chicken breast, turkey breast, jalapeño cheese sausage and beef sausage. Beane Brothers also serves onion straws, spicy cowboy beans, hand-cut fries, fried okra, green beans, potato salad and other house-made menu items.
The Beanes have a proud history in barbecue, in Texas and in Tennessee, operating various restaurants and event venues (including Rooster's Lone Star BBQ in downtown Murfreesboro for a brief time), and in catering and family functions. Beane has been a preferred caterer with the NFL for many years. His brother, Aubrey “Judge” Beane, founded the popular Judge Bean’s in Nashville, which continues to operate a Brentwood location. Aubrey passed away in 2022, and Rooster aims to keep the brothers’ legacy alive with the new Smyrna restaurant.
Beane Brothers BBQ is open Monday through Wednesday 10:30 a.m.–7 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 10:30 a.m.–8 p.m., and Sunday 11 a.m.–3 p.m. For more information, visit beanebrothersbbq.com.
BuFFALO WiLd WiNGS is set to open a new to-go location—Buffalo Wild Wings GO, at 2943 S. Rutherford Blvd., Ste. E., across from the Walmart. BWW GO is a scaled-down concept which features a takeout and deliveryfocused version of the company’s traditional sports bar. It offers a core selection of wings, tenders, fries and a few other popular menu items rather than offering the entire menu, and prioritizes faster cook and delivery times. It is expected to open early December.
kruSTACEANS SEAFOOd has opened at 2858 S. Church St. The restaurant, which has been in the works for the past few months, recently opened its doors to the public after much anticipation among local seafood lovers. Krustaceans is located in the former Sauce building, and is open daily
a roun D t own ’boro b usiness buzz
has opened its kitchen, now serving sandwiches, pizzas, items made with honey from Emerald Heart owners Matt and Christina Minks’ beehives, smoothies, and other items. The restaurant will soon add cannabis-infused food items to the menu. Hours are Sunday through Thursday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visit emeraldheartboro.com for more information.
from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. A few menu options include fried shrimp and fish, lobster tail, Krab Clusters and more. For more information, visit krustaceansnashville.com.
LAS TrOjAS CANTiNA has opened at 3105 Medical Center Pkwy. near The Avenue, the Murfreesboro restaurant marks another Tennessee expansion for the regional brand, which first opened in 2005. After several construction delays, owners say they are eager to welcome guests and begin full operations once staff training is complete.
Las Trojas Cantina features a menu of traditional Mexican favorites—enchiladas, fajitas, tacos and sizzling skillet dishes—served alongside a wide range of cocktails, beer and specialty margaritas. The restaurant’s signature drink, the Margarona, blends the house margarita with an upside-down bottle of Corona for what the team calls “the perfect mix of bold flavor and refreshing taste.”
Follow Las Trojas Cantina – Murfreesboro on Facebook for more information.
SCOOPy’S iCE CrEAM, which closed its Broad Street location within Jackson Heights over the summer, will open a new ice cream shop in the former Dos Rancheros building located at 2458 Old Fort Pkwy. An opening date has not been announced, but a banner with
of pubs. The menu includes an array of shareable snacks, crispy, beer-braised wings, fresh salads and sandwiches, classic and creative craft burgers, chicken tenders and M.L.Rose’s signature crispy waffle fries. Hours are 11 a.m.–11 p.m. Monday–Wednesday, 11 a.m.–12 a.m. Thursday–Friday, 10 a.m.–12 a.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m.–11 p.m. Sunday. Specials include “Neighbor Hour” Monday through Wednesday from 3–6 p.m. when diners can enjoy 2-for-1 drinks, cheeseburgers and chicken tenders. Learn more at mlrose.com.
the business name has been placed on the building. Scoopy’s features ice cream made inhouse in La Michoacana’s best-selling flavors.
ThE GrANd ExChANGE has opened at 21 S. Public Square. The unique little shop offers books and gifts, plants, local goods and in-person classes according to its Facebook page. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday thru Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and closed on Sunday. Find the Grand Exchange on Facebook for more information.
Nashville-based SChuLTz MONuMENT COMPANy will open a new Murfreesboro location within the Cason Lane shopping center also home to Catfeine, SaBaiDee Cafe and OishiYa. The full-service gravestone and monument retailer offers a wide variety of granite and marble memorials, bronze markers and plaques, statuary and commercial signage. Schultz Monument is locally owned by Pam and Richard Schultz. For more information, visit schultzmonument.com
M.L.rOSE NEiGhBOrhOOd PuB will welcome guests to its new Murfreesboro restaurant, located at 2108 Medical Center Pkwy., on Monday, Nov. 24, at 4 p.m., announced founder Austin Ray. This marks the eighth location of the locally owned group
Travel center chain BuC-EE’S formally kicked off construction on its upcoming 76,000-plus-square-foot facility in Murfreesboro. The site, located at the interchange of Interstate 24 and Joe B. Jackson Parkway, is slated to feature approximately 120 gasoline pumps and electric-vehicle charging stations. Officials say the project will bring 200 full-time jobs to Rutherford County. Nearby infrastructure work is already underway; the realignment of Elam Road and the Butler Drive connection—both required for improved ingress/egress—is near completion, and major construction on the store structure itself is expected through mid-2026. This Murfreesboro location of Buc-ee’s, known for its “destination” convenience-store format—from brisket sandwiches and fresh fudge to “Beaver Nuggets,” branded merchandise and usually very clean bathrooms—will be its closest to Nashville to date.
dOMENiCO’S iTALiAN dELi will open a second restaurant location in addition to its current restaurant, which is located at 106 S. Maple St. The new restaurant will be located at 1602 W. Northfield Blvd. in the Georgetown Plaza near Station Grill and Five Senses. The restaurant is expected to open early November. Domenico’s specializes in authentic Italian deli sandwiches, potato and pasta salads, desserts, freshly made sandwich trays and box lunches, and customizable catering options for any occasion. Visit domenicosdelitn.com to place an order.
Construction has begun for another Murfreesboro WAWA location, this one at the corner of Bradyville Pike and South Rutherford Boulevard, after the company broke ground on its first area location in early August. Wawa says it plans to open at least 50 stations across Middle Tennessee within the next 10 years.
The Murfreesboro-based nonprofit ThE jOurNEy hOME has celebrated the grand opening of its new facility, located at 1207 Old Salem Rd., designed to significantly expand its support for the unhoused and at-risk in Rutherford County. The new building will include 10 short-term family housing units, a wellness clinic with expanded medical and mental health services, a community cafe and on-site job training and housing-coordination resources.
The organization, which has served Rutherford County for nearly two decades, says it provided more than 55,000 meals in 2024 and hopes the new facility will help break cycles of homelessness by offering a “pathway out” rather than simply emergency aid.
For more information or to volunteer or donate, visit lovegodservepeople.org
MurPhy OiL will open a new convenience store and gasoline canopy with 16 fuel pumps at Lascassas Pike and North Rutherford Boulevard. In addition, a new Valvoline Instant Oil Change, Aldi and a daycare will open in the area.
Middle Tennessee State University has announced the formation of the Lightning Zone Committee, comprised of university trustees, prominent alumni and local elected officials, to steer a $119 million renovation of the historic MurPhy CENTEr arena and creation of a nearby entertainment and retail district. The Tennessee General Assembly approved $78 million earlier this year for the project, an effort with dual focus on both MTSU athletics and the broader Murfreesboro community. The Lightning Zone will be a place where students, residents and visitors can walk from housing to games or concerts, then to dining and entertainment—aiming to anchor campus and community growth.
ruThErFOrd COuNTy is progressing on a deal to purchase the former Bank of America building, located on East Main Street near the Murfreesboro Public Square, for approximately $9.2 million. If finalized, the building will house the Rutherford County Election Commission, the Codes Department, and Planning & Engineering offices, according to reports. This would shift the current building owner’s potential and somewhat controversial plans for a hotel, office space and penthouse
living development at the former bank site. The property was purchased for $3.4 million by MAC 3 Properties about three years ago; the potential sale is valued at over $9 million.
ruThErFOrd COuNTy LiBrAry SySTEM has announced an out-of-county library card program, which is available to those not residing within Rutherford County. The new program begins on Nov. 3, and provides library resource access to individuals outside of Rutherford County for an annual fee of $25. Those interested in an out-of-county library card are required to provide proper identification, while existing Rutherford County residents with a library card will retain free access to library services with no change to current services. For more information visit rclstn.org.
closings
In early October, MS. MAriAN’S CAFE on East Main Street near MTSU closed suddenly; although the cooler remained stocked with bottles filled with Kool-Aid, the door was locked and power to the building had been cut off, according to a note on the door from Middle Tennessee Electric. However, according to a post on the Ms. Marian’s Cafe Faecbook page, the restaurant plans to reopen in November.
SOuL MurFrEESBOrO, located at 2804 S. Rutherford Blvd., appears to have closed. The restaurant itself did not announce a reason for closure, but much of the equipment in the building has been removed.
by sean moran
Want to Change the World? Start by Giving Smarter opinion money matters
MANy OF uS have a desire, maybe even a calling, to make an impact, give back and do good in the world. While this is a core value for many people of faith, there are also plenty of people who want to give back for other reasons.
Sometimes, people don’t give because they are unsure which charity to support, how much to give, or whether they can afford to donate. We will explore all of those factors and discuss potential ways to make your impact even greater.
WhAt ChArity ShOulD i ChOOSe?
Often, people have a desire to give, but they hesitate because they aren’t sure where their money will do the most good. The first step is to determine what you are passionate about. Perhaps you want to help people in a particular country, spread the gospel with your finances, or support a charity that rescues a specific animal you are fond of.
iS My D O n Ati O n tA x-De D u C ti B le?
We have all heard the phrase, “Make your tax-deductible contribution today,” or something similar. But is your donation really deductible? If the organization qualifies as a charity for tax purposes, the donation is eligible for a tax deduction, but that doesn’t guarantee you will get one. Let me explain.
to your favorite charity. This can be done by sending your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD), or even more, directly to the charity instead of having it deposited into your bank account. By doing so, you avoid paying income tax on that distribution.
If you would like me to help you with other opportunities for generosity, or other financial planning strategies, feel free to reach out.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not tax, legal or financial advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so consult a financial advisor Connect with Sean Moran by calling 615-619-6919 or email smoran@redbarnfinancial. com, or visit redbarnfinancial.com for more information.
From there, you can research charities that align with your passions. Once you identify a few, learn more about their mission and their efficiency. Are they good stewards of the money they receive? How much of each donation reaches the front lines?
There are large, well-known organizations that administer funds to various charities. While many people may choose to give through such an organization, others might believe it is better to donate directly to a charity to avoid the “middleman” and their operating expenses. Either approach could be the right choice for you.
Consider, also, the opportunity to make non-monetary gifts. While most charities prefer cash, you can also do a lot of good by donating your time, a used vehicle, or even investments.
Remember that 2 Corinthians 9:7 says, “Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.”
To deduct a charitable donation, you must be able to itemize your deductions. This is only advantageous if your total itemized deductions are higher than the standard deduction (for 2025, this is $30,000 for those married filing jointly and $15,000 for single filers). You will want to take whichever deduction is higher. Because of the high standard deduction, only about 10% of Americans currently itemize. This presents an opportunity to use a strategy called “bunching.” This is where you make several years’ worth of charitable contributions in a single year to increase your itemized deductions. This can be done through an outright donation or by using a Donor-Advised Fund. I’d be happy to go into detail on this strategy with you if you are interested; just reach out.
Gener OS ity Pl A nnin G
For most philanthropic individuals, the typical method for donating is writing a check or sending money directly to a charity. But what if there is a more tax-efficient way to give? Fortunately, for many people, there is.
If you have stocks or other investments that have grown in value, you could donate the investment directly to a charity. You would receive a deduction for the investment’s current worth, not the amount you originally paid for it. In doing so, you avoid paying capital gains tax. This means a bigger impact for the charity and less tax for you. For those over the age of 70, another strategy is to give a portion of your retirement account
PHOTO COURTESY OF JULIA M CAMERON / PEXELS
opinion
# F ree Yo U r C h ILD ren
by tiffany boyd
unes C o takeover of h ome e ducation
FrEE yOur ChiLdrEN hAS consistently sounded the alarm regarding UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) and its goal to globalize education by controlling private education and home schooling via school choice.
Recently, UNESCO released its 43page document titled “Homeschooling Through a Human Rights Lens.” Right out of the gate, the paper calls for monitoring home schooling due to the increasing popularity of this educational option.
It states, “Governments must implement oversight mechanisms such as registration and evaluations, while ensuring regulatory capacity and providing parental support.”
Notable contributors acknowledged in the publication were Michael Donnelly (of the yes. every kid. Foundation and former senior legal counsel and director of global outreach for the Home School Legal Defense Association), Angela R. Watson (Homeschool Hub, Johns Hopkins University) and Ashley Berner (Institute for Education Policy, Johns Hopkins University).
The Homeschool Hub, which was launched by Johns Hopkins
University, seeks to serve as a onestop shop for home schooling data, information and research for every state in the U.S. Johns Hopkins has partnered with EdChoice to push the globalization of education via school choice and EdChoice has also funded the Homeschool Hub. It is also important to note that the yes. every kid. foundation also actively lobbies for school choice.
Oddly enough, organizations such as the National Home Education Research Institute already exist to provide the same information. Why all of a sudden would we need an organization that has partnered with and is funded in part by school choice lobbying organizations to provide more of the same?
Home School Legal Defense attorneys Will Estrada and Kevin Boden attended the launch of the Hub in Washington, D.C. and reported that the event left them “feeling optimistic.” HSLDA subsequently published an article on its website titled
“What’s Up With the New Johns Hopkins Research Hub?” on May 12, 2024, but after backlash, removed it from their website and made the following statement on May 17, 2024:
“We understand how our article
missed the mark, and we regret the error. We did not intend to express alignment with Johns Hopkins, EdChoice, or Homeschool Hub. Nor did we intend to express an endorsement of their work. We believe it is our responsibility to be the guardians of homeschool freedom. This is a role and a burden we take very seriously and have been committed to since our inception in the 1980s.
The Homeschool Hub is launched. It’s out there, and we don’t expect it to go away. We plan to watch developments carefully and report back on what we see happening. . . .
Our purpose in attending the launch meeting was two-fold: One, to help us to understand and monitor what they’re doing. And two, to make sure our voice is heard.
We have always fought and will continue to fight for the privacy and freedom to educate your children without government interference. We stand by that commitment.”
Personally, I believe that the HUB is and has always been a direct threat to home-school freedoms, and their contributions to the UNESCO publication regarding home schooling are alarming. Additionally, their ties to organizations promoting school
choice are more than a red flag. UNESCO’s Homeschooling Through a Human Rights Lens goes on to state that a “closed door” workshop was held in September of 2024 with notable contributors such as Elizabeth Bartholet, the same Bartholet who called for a presumptive ban on home schooling back in 2020. Also acknowledged for their contributions were Angela Grimberg (executive director of Coalition for Responsible Home Education) and Jonah Stewart (research and operations director of Coalition for Responsible Home Education). CRHE is the organization behind the unconstitutional Make Homeschool Safe Act.
The crux of this document is simply this: If parents have complete autonomy over their children’s education then there is no way the global players will be able to cultivate a global citizenry and gain ultimate control. They have outlined their playbook for you. Here is how they plan on navigating around your constitutional right to educate your child at home.
The definition of home schooling is one talking point that is addressed, and in its report UNESCO points out that a clear definition is needed in order to ensure accountability. The report specifically notes “learning pods” and tutoring and addresses the fact that a broad definition of home schooling allows the lines to be blurred, which in turn could lead to a child not receiving a quality education. This proves my point in our state of Tennessee, as to why we staunchly opposed a bill that now legally redefines home school co-ops in Tennessee as “learning pods.” This piece of legislation is right in line with the accountability measures UNESCO is clamoring for.
The overreaching sentiment in this document is that of “registration, authorizations, tests, and home inspections.”
They left no stone unturned. From education standards, to a parent’s ability to teach their children, to socialization, UNESCO has a plan and its goal is to produce children who serve global societal needs.
In addition to this particular publication, they have also called for the “regulation of private tutoring for the public good.”
“UNESCO’s 2021 report of the International Commission on the Futures of Education stressed the need for ‘a new social contract for education to repair injustices while transforming the future’ (p. iii). The International Commission was especially concerned with social inequalities in access to education, both quantitatively and qualitatively, recognizing that access related not just to schooling but also to wider avenues for learning,” according to the Regulation of Private Tutoring for the Public Good report. “Since higher-income families generally have greater access to shadow education than lowerincome ones, shadow education maintains and exacerbates social inequalities.”
In other words, tutoring should be regulated because it is not fair to those who can not afford the same educational opportunities for their children.
So, how does UNESCO plan on achieving their goal of a global citizenry? Let me say it again. Taxpayer-funded private and home education is their Trojan Horse. Supporting school choice initiatives hastens their goal and entangles families in the strings attached to government money. School choice proponents are luring families into a trap that will soon lead to total government control. Once again, here is your warning. Will you heed it?
Tiffany Boyd is the founder of Free yOur Children. Find more homeschooling resources at freeyourchildren.com.
Bad football in m iddle tennessee
ThE TrAiN dAddy iS BACk with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk.
Let’s start local and not pull any punches! Murfreesboro deserves better and it’s probably time to fire MTSU Coach Derek Mason. Who is defending this man? MTSU is paying Mason nearly a million dollars a year and he is delivering a product so bad he makes Coach Callahan look good. Okay, that might not be true, but at least the Titans were finally smart enough to say adios. I hated the hire from day one. MTSU should never have fired Coach Stockstill until they had a worthy replacement. I understand wanting to elevate the program after nearly two decades hovering around average, with Stockstill sitting at a 113–111 record. But the man did win two bowl games his last three years here at MTSU, something Mason hasn’t come close to doing.
Mason has never had a winning season with an overall record of 31–71, and somehow made Vandy worse down the stretch. Just because he coached in the big bad SEC, I suppose MTSU expected him to coast his way into Conference USA success. Nope. MTSU nearly opened its 2024 season losing to an FCS foe in Tennessee Tech and then actually delivered the embarrassment in the 2025 opener, losing to Austin Peay at home
I saw a report from Buck Reising claiming that security personnel at home games have been making fans wearing “We Ass” shirts turn them inside out. I am starting to believe that is a team perpetually worried about the wrong things.
You know what would fix all these negative feelings towards the team? Winning! I almost feel sorry for owner Amy Adams Strunk, because that woman has been getting dragged on Titans social media.
a rookie, and that number needs to be jacked up closer to 100 next season.
This 2025 draft class is looking good, and we have two wide receivers we can continue to push expectations of greatness on: the speedster out of Florida and the stud out of Stanford.
The speedster Chimere Dike has been electric. There hasn’t been a player on special teams this exciting since probably the days of Pacman Jones. Going into week nine, Dike led the entire league in all-purpose yards. He also led the NFL in average return yards per punt, nearly 20 yards a pop.
Titans fired Coach Callahan the team finally started using Dike more in the offensive package.
I was thrilled when the Titans cut Lockett, because the result was the younger Dike getting his opportunities. The future isn’t these old washed-up vets. The younglings must learn to use their powers!
Another youngling, Elic Ayomanor has so much untapped potential. I still believe Elic remains the full package, but to this point his production has depended heavily on deep shots.
and getting blasted by 20 points. It was the first time Peay beat an FBS opponent since the ’80s. The Tennessee Titans—where do I start? This team might be more dysfunctional than the Blue Raiders. Don’t blame me for the negativity. It’s not my fault all the teams I cover are playing awful football right now.
I want to keep it positive while at the same time keeping it real. But this Titans team is on the heels of securing back-to-back number-one overall picks.
I have been ride or die with this franchise for nearly three decades and we have had some tough times. The Munchak/Whisenhunt era was a mess, but these last four years have been some of the worst football I can recall. Losing seven straight games in 2022 and giving away the AFC South in the final game of the season started the roller coaster of bad. Or maybe it started just before that, sacking Joe Burrow a record nine times in a playoff game and still finding a way to lose—the saddest walk back to the car ever!
Sure, we had plenty of bad J-Rob drafts always missing on first-round talent, and then trading away A.J. Brown. Then we fired Coach Vrabel for the now-fired Coach Callahan and no doubt these all had an impact on how bad this team is now. Like Cam Ward said, “We ass.”
She has one job right now. Find the right man for the head coach job! She doesn’t need to make any public appearances or get more hands-on. Find competent people, hand them the keys, and then sit back and watch. That’s all.
The only real positive right now is the young talent on this team. That’s a good problem to have regarding the future. It’s sink or swim for the rookies, and they appear to be swimming while all getting invaluable reps. It starts with quarterback Cam Ward and while he certainly hasn’t been great, he hasn’t been exactly awful. He is in a tough situation and growth must be the word continually used to describe Cam. This is a trial-by-fire rookie season and Cam has felt it in pass protection as he leads the NFL in being sacked. But it’s not all on the offensive line with Cam holding onto the football too long, trying to extend plays at times. Let’s just get through the rest of the season staying healthy and growing! It’s crucial for 2026 that he runs into it with full confidence. It’s also crucial that his rookie playmakers grow with him, and the big tight end out of Texas has all the tools to become a top positional player in the NFL. Give Helm the ball! The 6-foot5-inch near-250-pound monster wants the ball. Helm has that rare combination of size and athletic ability. You look at the league’s top tight ends and how much they mean to their quarterback and moving the chains in tough spots. Helm can be that guy. He is on pace to have around 50 targets as
I was thankful to see it finally pay off, taking a punt to the house versus the Chargers. This broke a 13-year drought; the last punt return for a TD for the Titans was in 2012. If Dike keeps this up, he might find himself in the Pro Bowl conversation.
This kid has been clocked by Next Gen Stats numerous times this year running over 20 m.p.h., and after the
He averages about six targets a game and has been involved. He needs to get more comfortable in his route running and get on point with his QB. Easier said than done, but the kid can be special.
Alright, the Train is rolling into the station! Remember the 5 F’s: Faith, Family, Football, Food and Friends. Life will reward you if you embrace those beautiful things.
Gross vs. f ine m otor s kills how to lay a foundation that spurs independence and growth
by Josh bowden / LiL’ KicKers of Murfreesboro
AT ThE CENTEr of the Lil’ Kickers soccer program are the two fundamental categories of gross motor skills and fine motor skills. These are intertwined in every aspect of our curriculum. More than just learning to kick a ball, we aim to provide the necessary environment for learning these core developmental skills . . . fueled by fun!
Gross motor movements (large body, big muscles) lay the groundwork for your child to move, explore and engage with the world. Fine motor movements (smaller muscles, precise control) allow your child to manipulate objects, self-feed, play and, ultimately, build their independence. Our role as parents and caregivers is to fully support both types and ensure children are progressing in their movements. Both sides are essential for meeting developmental milestones.
Gross m otor s kills
Gross motor skills involve using the larger muscle groups of the body: the arms, legs, trunk and neck. They allow a baby to lift their head, push up on their arms, roll over, crawl, sit, stand and eventually walk. Because these large muscle movements underpin mobility, balance, posture and interaction with the environment, they’re foundational to later development. The ability to sit without support, for example, frees up the baby’s hands for exploration and fine motor work. Delays in gross motor skill development can affect multiple domains because they hinder a baby’s ability to explore, play and interact.
f ine m otor s kills
Fine motor skills use smaller muscle groups—primarily the hands, fingers and wrists—and involve more precise, controlled movements. These include grasping small toys, bringing hands to midline, transferring objects from one hand to the other, and using a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger). Fine motor skills are critical for hand- eye coordination, self-feeding, manipulating objects, and eventually tasks like drawing, writing, buttoning clothes and many other daily activities.
w hy a ll t his m atters
When babies develop both gross and fine motor skills, they gain more than movement—they gain access to their world.
Achieving developmental milestones: The progression from lifting the head, sitting, crawling, standing, walking is driven by gross motor development. Meanwhile, mastering fine motor tasks, like picking up a toy, follows the baby’s increasing body stability. As such, you need the first to
achieve the second. The two types of motor skills support each other. A stronger core and trunk (gross) allow better posture and stability, which in turn enable more precise hand/finger movement (fine).
Supporting cognitive growth: As babies move and manipulate objects, they begin to interact with their surroundings, learn cause-and-effect, experiment, and build sensory and spatial awareness. For example, reaching for and grasping objects helps them understand “I can make this happen.”
Building confidence: Gaining physical control empowers babies—they begin to engage, explore, practice, repeat, and when they succeed, they gain self- esteem.
h ow to s upport m otor s kills
Because babies develop through doing— through movement, exploration, play— caregivers play a crucial role in creating opportunities, providing safe environments and offering supportive interactions.
for gross motor support: use tummy time: Placing the baby on their stomach while awake and supervised helps build neck, shoulder and trunk muscles, which are the motor foundations for rolling, crawling and sitting.
Encourage floor play rather than in seats or bouncers, so the baby can move freely and practice pushing, shifting weight, reaching and eventually crawling.
Offer challenge and encouragement: For example, place a toy just out of reach so the baby leans or scoots; hold their hands to help them pull to stand; provide soft furniture or assistance for early standing. These activities support trunk control, balance and coordination.
for fine motor
support:
Provide interesting objects to grasp: Soft rattles, textured toys, objects of different sizes—these stimulate reaching, grasping, transferring between hands.
Encourage the pincer grasp: Between about 8–10 months many babies begin to pick up small objects with thumb and finger. Provide safe small-size items (e.g., cereal puffs, small blocks) for them to pick up.
Play with purpose: Block stacking, simple container games, playing with finger foods, drawing with chunky crayons—all help refine coordination and dexterity.
Working with your youngster to develop these skills early can lead to them being able to complete much more complex actions, increased confidence to undertake challenges, and a lifetime of learning and exploration.
by Jennifer durand
Beware of the Black h ole
have YoU notICeD how qUICkLY some people seem to jump to conclusions without ever asking any questions? It’s like they are anticipating the worst, and sometimes hoping for it to make their own lives seem more relevant or important. Why does it seem easier to believe the bad stuff than to assume the best? Are people afraid of being let down and want to brace for it by anticipating it, rather than refuting it and looking for the good? I remember a line from the movie Pretty Woman. The female character commented that if people put you down long enough, you start to believe it. The other character told her that he thought she was a very bright and special woman. Her reply was “the bad stuff’s easier to believe.” This seems to be a sentiment that is reflected in real life. A lot.
“‘You,’ he said, ‘are a terribly real thing in a terribly false world, and that, I believe, is why you are in so much pain.’” — Alice in Wonderland
Did you know there is a deep, dark hole with a vortex of strength that can pull you in without you even realizing that it’s happening? It can be so subtle in its approach that you’re halfway down before you notice that things look and feel different. This is also known as the rabbit hole, when you are led down a path that seems endless and sometimes destructive, with no barrier to save you from being swallowed up. Or, even when it appears to be a good thing, if it is complicated and met with one distraction after another with no end in sight, it is a black hole that you have fallen into. It can start out so innocently. An unexpected life change happens that throws you into a tailspin, scrambling to keep your balance. We all want our lives to have some sense of order, stability and assurance that we are on the right path to feeling secure, protected and, hopefully, happy. Then the car breaks down, the household gets sick, you lose your job, a loved one departs this planet, a special relationship turns sour, your best friend gets divorced, your child is getting married, or you owe more than you anticipated in taxes. Any one of these can get under your skin and pull your time, attention and energy toward trying to fix it and make life seem “normal” again. Or maybe they all happen within a short period of time—that can feel draining.
“If fear paralyzes you, you’re lost.” — Cheshire Cat What can you do to avoid the pitfalls of the black hole? Or at least be hyper-aware of where you’re headed, and learn to enjoy the ride? First of all, it is important to establish things that ground you. Rituals are great places to start. These would include actions that are your favorite “go to” to unplug, recharge and see the light that can lead you back to a centered space. However, even with healthy habits and rituals we find ourselves deep in the well and unsure how to get out at times.
Many years ago, a friend of mine was sharing about some difficulties happening in his marriage. He often remarked on how I was a positive source of optimism and spiritual support to him. He made the comment “I pray you never become cynical. It’s a horrible way to live.” For some strange reason that statement stuck with me. At the time, I reflected on my life experiences to that point and felt extremely grateful that he, and others saw me as a source of light in their lives.
“If it’s out of your hands, it deserves freedom from your mind, too.” — Ivan Guru
Fast forward, many years and many of life’s curveballs later, I had noticed a shift in myself and saw how I was more often than not seeing the “what if” and gloomy side of circumstances. This came on very subtly and was barely noticeable, mostly because I quickly replaced my negative thinking with more proactive and positive ways of dealing with said situations. And lo, many times my friend’s comment “I pray you never become cynical” would pop into my head. Again, I thought that would never be me. However, I had noticed that I was feeling more edgy about life (due to challenges that take time and attention and put you in the “spin” cycle). I was driving and came up behind someone who wasn’t driving like I thought they should be. Though alone in my car, I spoke aloud, “Really?! You’re going to go that slow when you’re in the lane to turn and move on?” Then the voice appeared in my head—I pray you never become cynical. Whoa! Where did those negative thoughts come from? Mind you, this was a very small example of how subtly the negative can creep in, but I became hyper-aware how easy it was to gravitate to it in that moment. I also realized it had trickled down from bigger issues to something as silly and small as traffic. My friend’s comment filled my head and I remembered I had a choice how to think about any situation. I wish to never be what people refer to as cynical or negative. Not in my DNA.
“May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten.”
— Irish Blessing
How wonderful that just as subtly we can have one phrase or thought that keeps bringing us back to a better way of thinking and being: offering the benefit of the doubt, or seeing the opposite side of a negative thought in order to have a more uplifting and positive outlook. It is an active practice. A choice you make to lean toward the light—and not toward the darkness of the deep, black hole.
jennifer durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook day Spa & Gift Shoppe. Call 615896-7110 or visit facebook.com/nurturenookdayspa or nurturenook.com for more.
