October 2023 Murfreesboro Pulse

BY B ILL S HACKLETT SHACKLETT S PHOTOGRAPHY

As usual, September was another whirlwind of a month.

Nneka Sparks and the Doors of Hope team put on a fantastic Firefly Gala benefiting that organization, which seeks to help women to break the cycle of addiction, homelessness and incarceration and become self-sufficient members of the community.

Dean Heasley introduced me to the Xingha Sab Bor Lao Restaurant—one of the many fine Asian eateries in this community.

Bracken Jr. and I made it to the MTSU football game with the Z-Train for an exciting contest against Colorado State on a beautiful fall evening in Murfreesboro.

Sarah and I stopped in the new Firebirds restaurant and met the team there and enjoyed some lobster queso, steak, sea bass and ancient grains.

FEATurES

iN EvEry iSSuE

6 Events

Celebrity Waiters Dinner, Black Barn October Market, Pumpkin Fun Run, Frightensburgh, Spooky Splash and more

Static-X, Sevendust at Hop Springs, Oct. 11 Rutherford County native Jaelee Roberts makes solo Opry debut

24 Food restaurant Southern Spoon

busIness MOMentuM Two Sisters Maid to Clean

Opinion

Mac Frampton Trio performs Oct. 22 benefit concert for We Remember You Dave-a-Palooza

TPO Introduces Dr. Andrea Dawson as new concertmaster

27 News busIness buzz Firebirds; Mr. Brews; P.F. Chang’s; Aldi; Earth Experience; Travellin’ Tom’s; Bonchon Korean; MexiChina and more Mr. MurfreesbOrO

contributors: Tiffany Boyd, Britney Brown, Jennifer Durand, Delores Elliott, Paul Engel, Laura Lindsay, Blaine Little, Zach Maxfield, Destiny Mizell, Sean Moran, Andrea Stockard, Bill Wilson

art director: Sarah Mayo

copy editor: Steve Morley

advertising: Nneka Sparks

714 w. Main s t., s uite 208, Murfreesboro, tn 37129 615-796-6248

Home school is school, Judge Ewell MOney Matters

Happy anniversary to Sarah. Love you! We celebrated 15 years of marriage in September. I am honored to have spent these past 15 years with you and grateful for what you do for our children, business and household, and our lives. For better or worse, baby girl!

Oh, what will the next decades hold for us . . . ?

I met DJ Tiger, the man behind the Art & Soul events presented at Emerald Heart.

Grady Payne and I sat down for a visit at Boro Bourbon and Brews.

My country music playing friend, Larry Giles, tells me that his new project, The Band Mariah, will perform at Seasons of Murfreesboro this month, Oct. 21.

The Lions Club had me out to one of their recent meetings so the group could learn more about the Pulse.

The Titans had their ups and downs throughout the first four games—a close loss, a close win, a blowout loss and a blowout win.

They are still in position to succeed! Yes, celebrate the victories and attack the next game. The season has been an exciting roller coaster so far.

And our family made it to the beach! We immersed ourselves in the majestic Gulf of Mexico, joined by a big group of Mayos—20 of us in total having some fun in the sun! Thanks to my parents for organizing all of that and making it happen. Good times.

The wildlife was active—fish and rays and lizards and dolphins and rabbits and cranes and pelicans and crabs— lots of creatures running, swimming and flying all about.

The following week my grandmama celebrated her 96th birthday. A big group of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren converged upon her living room for that. Happy birthday, Grandmama! We love you.

n

ewsletter

Copyright © 2023, The Murfreesboro Pulse 714 W. Main St., #208, Murfreesboro, TN 37129. Proudly owned, operated and published the first Thursday of each month by the Mayo family; printed by Franklin Web Printing Co. The Pulse is a free publication funded by advertisers. Views expressed in the Pulse do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. ISSN: 1940-378X

Otherwise, Beckett and I hit the Greenway and playground a few times, and got into Play-Doh and sand at home. Bracken Jr. and I continued working on our chess skills and weightlifting. Fun with the sons.

That’s what’s going on.

As the decades roll by, we lose some of our loved ones and get blessed with new people in our lives. Appreciate the cast of characters in your life.

oct. 6

hOOtIng

events calendar ›››

Owls stOrytIMe

Come out to Patterson Park Community Center (521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) from 10–11 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 6, for a story time featuring some owl-themed fun and crafts. A special visitor may stop by to hang out. Ages 2–5 are welcome. The cost to attend is a canned food item. For more information, call 615-893-7439 or email cellis@murfreesborotn.gov

oct.

6

frIday star party serIes

An MTSU Department of Physics and Astronomy fixture, Friday Star Parties continue with an Oct. 6 event, “Small Worlds of Our Solar System,” led by assistant professor Jana Ruth Ford in Wiser-Patten Science Hall, Room 102 (422 Old Main Cir.). Typically held at 6:30 p.m. the first Friday of the month during the MTSU semester, Friday Star Parties feature an assortment of astronomy and physics topics and are free and open to the public. The format is a 30–45 minute lecture followed by a telescope viewing at the MTSU Observatory (weather permitting). The series continues Nov. 3 with “Probing Dark Energy: The Large Synoptic Survey Telescope,” led by John Wallin. For more information, call 615-898-2130.

oct.

art

oct. 10

celebrIty waIters dInner

6

& sOul

The next Art & Soul event at Emerald Heart will be held Friday, Oct. 6, from 8 p.m.–12 a.m. Andrew Celis created this platform to connect local artists and creatives with potential collaborators, mentors and clients by bringing people from different backgrounds together and celebrating art in all its forms. The evening includes performances, vendors and an inspiring atmosphere. Admission is $10 at the door. For more information, find Art & Soul Networking Events on Facebook. Emerald Heart Café & Dispensary is located at 810 NW Broad St., Suite 212.

oct. 6–7

keepIng bees alIVe

The Tennessee Beekeepers Association 2023 Conference is Friday and Saturday, Oct. 6 and 7, at MTSU’s Student

Kick off fall with a “hoe-down at Copper Ridge” on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 6–9 p.m. The annual Celebrity Waiters Dinner by The Exchange Club will be at the Copper Ridge Event Venue (3597 Betty Ford Rd.). Various celebrities tied to the country music industry serve as waiters. Confirmed waiters for 2023 include Tim Atwood, John Berry, John Conlee, Linda Davis, Tayla Lynn, Bobby Tomberlin and Hawkshaw Hawkins Jr. A guitar or fiddle could be brought out at any moment. In addition to a delicious meal and interaction with celebrities, guests can bid on silent and live auction items, such as one of the last fiddles signed by Charlie Daniels. A reserved table for eight diners is $1,000. Funds raised go toward Exchange Club projects including its national and local project, the prevention of child abuse. To learn more about The Exchange Club and for Celebrity Waiters Dinner tickets, email exchangerutherford@gmail.com.

oct. 7

Union Building (1768 MTSU Blvd.). The association examines the ancient art of beekeeping in its contemporary form. The conference includes presentations on the destructive forces that inhibit successful beekeeping and how to thrive as a beekeeper, either as a hobbyist or someone seeking to build a larger enterprise. Conference tickets are $60; ages 16 and under are admitted free. For more information, register at tnbeekeepers.org.

albert rIchardsOn albuM release

Play N Keyz Records announces the release of a new gospel single from Albert Richardson entitled “God Has Smiled on Me” at Allen Chapel A.M.E. Church (224 S. Maney Ave.) on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 4 p.m. Richardson is well known in the area for lending his gift of song to help families, funerals, charity events and church events in the area.

Guest artists include William Verge, Bishop Belita McMurray-Fite, and For God’s Glory Ministries as well as a live performance by Richardson, whose style has been described as old-school gospel with a twist. For more information, call 615-526-8076 or email ty8tnoos@yahoo.com.

oct. 7

deIrdre deMarsIcO bOOk sIgnIng

Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) hosts local author Deirdre DeMarsico for a book signing on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 11 a.m.–2 p.m. DeMarsico signs and sells copies of her book I Only Have Eyes for You, which focuses on a developing relationship in today’s fast-paced world. Copies of the book will be available to have signed, and sell for $15 each. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-893-4131.

oct. 10

busIness after hOurs

The Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce holds its October Business After Hours at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 10, at Volunteer State Bank (2019 Memorial Blvd.). This is an informal social networking event designed to connect business professionals from across Rutherford County. Bring plenty of business cards. Admission is $15 for chamber members and $25 for future members. No registration is required. For more information on Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cuttings and other events, visit rutherfordchamber.org

oct. 10

rutherfOrd arts allIance MeetIng

Dow Street Community Music School (1272 Dow St.) hosts the fall quarterly Rutherford Arts Alliance meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 6–7 p.m. Learn about this new space and nonprofit organization. Both current and potential RAA members are invited. Attendees can bring business cards, flyers and other information on their various arts practices or organizations. Dow Street Music provides music instruction to children and adults. Founder and MTSU violin/viola professor Dr. Andrea

Oct O ber 2023 ››› by a ndrea st O c K ard

john berry

j ohn Conlee

l inda davis

Dawson speaks about the vision for the school and the various kinds of music instruction offered there. Come tour the teaching rooms, group lesson space and the performance hall that seats 90 people. For more information on the RAA, visit rutherfordartsalliance.org or find Rutherford Arts Alliance on Facebook.

oct. 10

pen pal sharOn caMerOn

Young adult author Sharon Cameron is the featured author for the Friends of Linebaugh Library Pen Pal program, which has brought authors of children’s and youth literature to schools in Rutherford County for over 30 years. Cameron will present a public program at Linebaugh Library (105 W. Vine St.) on Tuesday, Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. Light refreshments will be served afterwards. Cameron is the author of The Dark Unwinding (2012), A Spark Unseen (2013), Rook (2015), The Forgetting (2016), The Knowing (2017), The Light in Hidden Places (2020) and Bluebird (2021). Her books have won the Parents’ Choice Gold Award and the Westchester Fiction Award, earned starred reviews from Booklist, SLJ and Kirkus, and have been chosen for numerous lists, including Indie Next Top Ten, YALSA’s Best Fiction for Young Adults, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard, Audible Best Books and numerous state award nominations. For more information, visit rclstn.org or call 615-893-4131.

oct. 10

rutherfOrd cable breakfast MeetIng

The Rutherford Cable Women Moving Forward October Breakfast Meeting, “Networking That Works,” takes place Tuesday, Oct. 10. Learn how to make networking work for you and your small business with easy steps on planning, filling the pipeline and followup. Anna-Vija McClain, founder and CEO of Piccolo Solutions, shares best practices for networking and provides tools and resources to get systems in place, manage your calendar, stay top of mind and stand out in your network. Meeting attendees can also take part in the annual Cable Committee Fair, an opportunity for the membership to see all the ways to get involved with the organization. For more information, email yourrutherfordcable@gmail.com

oct. 10

tennessee traIls assOcIatIOn MeetIng

oct. 14

black barn OctOber Market

The Black Barn Market & Craft Sale welcomes talented artists, crafters and creators to the October Market on Saturday, Oct. 14 at Events at East 96 (9901 Lascassas Pk.) from 9 a.m.–4 p.m. Shop at 90 vendor booths and enjoy tantalizing food trucks and live music courtesy of 2Country4Nashville. Vendors include Critter Carvings with a live chainsaw carving, Mrs. Kelly’s Mobile Tye Dye, Junior’s BBQ, Hugh’s Handiworks and many more. For more information, find Black Barn Market & Craft Sale on Facebook.

Tuesday, Oct. 10, from 7–8 p.m. at Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.). For more information, visit tennesseesstrails.org or call or text 615-971-8894.

oct. 11

lIVIng sent

Everyone is invited to the October 2023 Living Sent Murfreesboro meeting on Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Experience (521 Old Salem Rd.). State senator and business owner Shane Reeves speaks about the seven leadership traits of Jesus. Jon Chaney’s business involves helping companies take care of their employees. Chaney explains how he connects his faith to his work by seeing every connection as a mission field to share the good news of Jesus Christ. A complimentary lunch will be provided by Mirror Lake Recovery Center. To RSVP, email bob.williams@alhambrapartners.com

oct. 12

st. claIr senIOr center annual health expO

health screenings and tests, flu shots, giveaways and door prizes. Over 40 healthcare professionals will be working with senior-age attendees. For more information, visit murfreesborotn.gov/seniorcenter or call 615-848-2550.

oct. 13

creepy bugs stOrytIMe and crafts

Have fun at Patterson Park Community Center (521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) with a totally bugged-out adventure on Friday, Oct. 13, from 10–11 a.m. Have a creepy fun story time while enjoying crafts and activities. Ages 2–5 are welcome. The cost to attend is a canned food item. For more information, call 615-893-7439 or email cellis@murfreesborotn.gov.

oct. 13

frIday the 13th wIth beer

the movie, buy dinner from the kitchen and show your ticket to receive one more free pint on top of it all. This spooky Halloween time movie starts at 9 p.m. The whole theater is reserved for brewery ticket holders. For more information, find Panther Creek Brews on Facebook.

oct. 14

the gr8t chase 5k

The Gr8t Chase advocates for children and their families who have found themselves in need of hope, compassion and financial support as they are battling life-threatening diseases. The eighth annual Gr8t Chase 5K—Forget Me Not, a United States Track and Field certified, chip-timed 5K route with scenic views, will take place Saturday, Oct. 14 from 8 a.m.–1 p.m. at Gateway Island (1875 W. College St.). This year’s hero is Chase Donnell, a 10-year-old boy who was filled with compassion and joy, and who strove to help others in need. He gave away his last wish to his fellow schoolmates by remodeling his school gymnasium along with new sports equipment. Chase was diagnosed with Burkitt lymphoma two days after his 10th birthday. He battled cancer for almost eight months before succumbing to the disease. Strollers and wheelchairs are welcome in the 5K. For more information on the organization, race and sponsorship opportunities, visit thegr8tchase.org; register by visiting runsignup.com.

oct. 14

MartIn’s hOMe and garden fall festIVal

Martin’s Home and Garden (1020 NW Broad St.) hosts its annual Fall Festival on Saturday, Oct. 14. A family-owned and operated business, Martin’s has provided Murfreesboro with quality gardening supplies and flora since 1982. The event is from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. with fun for the whole family. With their home-grown chrysanthemums becoming available, the colors of fall will be in full swing with shades of yellow, orange and fuchsia decorating the business’s grounds. Enjoy food trucks, live music, games, and various local vendors. For more information, visit martinshomeandgarden.com.

oct. 14

black Out In the cOuntry

St. Clair Senior Center (325 St. Clair St.) hosts its annual Health Expo on Thursday, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m.–noon. This is open to anyone over the age of 60. There will be

Panther Creek Brews and Premiere 6 Theatre present another movie night collaboration on Friday, Oct. 13. See the original Friday the 13th at Premiere 6 (810 NW Broad St.) and enjoy two 16-oz. Panther Creek craft brews for $20. Buy tickets at Panther Creek Brews (714 W. Main St.). Pregame at the taproom before

Beans Diesel Performance (210 Rollin Coal Ln., Woodbury) presents Black Out in the Country 2023 on Saturday, Oct. 14. This year will be filled with tons of custom diesel trucks, fun, and contests, with events including a dyno competition, diesel sled pull, dirt drags, super farm and a show

The Tennessee Trails Association’s Monthly Meeting of its Murfreesboro chapter will be CONTiNuEd

and shine competition. A vendor alley will showcase some businesses in the field. Diesel enthusiasts from all over the U.S. will be present. Gates open at 8 a.m. For more, visit beansdieselperformance.com or blackoutinthecountry.com.

oct. 14

herItage celebratIOn

Bring family and friends to Bradley Academy Museum & Cultural Arts Center (415 S. Academy St.) for the 19th Annual Heritage Celebration on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. There will be an open house with fun conversations and activities for all ages. There is free admission to the museum. Vendors, food trucks, performances and kids’ activities are available. For more information, call 615-962-8773 or email vstembridge@murfreesborotn.gov

oct. 17

hOMeschOOl scIence: nIght explOratIOn

During this fun evening experience, students ages 5–8 delve into the world of nocturnal adaptations and discover how nocturnal creatures navigate while seeking prey or evading predators. The event takes place at Wilderness Station at Barfield Crescent Park (401 Volunteer Rd.) on Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 6–8 p.m. Students ages 9–12 can participate in a forest-andtrees science session. The night ends with s’mores by the campfire. Space is limited and preregistration is required. The cost to attend is $5. For more information or to register, call 615-217-3017 or email challwalker@murfreesborotn.gov

oct. 18

fOOd preparatIOn class at cannOnsburgh

Preparing meals in the slow cooker can save time and money without compromising tastiness. Meet at the Lions Club Building at Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) on Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 10–11 a.m. with UT-TSU Extension Family and Consumer Science Agent Shay Davis, who will share tips and recipes to help you prepare a delicious meal. Bring materials to take notes and your favorite slow cooker recipe you want to share. Admission is free, but reservations are required. Ages 12 and up are welcome. For reservations, call 615-801-2606 or email mbnevills@murfreesborotn.gov

oct. 18

OctOber read tO lead Rutherford Cable’s Read to Lead book club series looks at Change Your World by John Maxwell as it meets at Exit Realty, Bob

oct. 21

puMpkIn fun run at gateway Island

The Pumpkin Fun Run will be held at the Gateway Rotunda at Gateway Island and Reception Center (1875 W. College St.) on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 3—5 p.m. Registration begins at 3 p.m. Bring a food item and a pumpkin. Participants will run or walk the 1-mile large loop on the Greenway Trail with a pumpkin. Any size pumpkin is allowed. Start and finish at the bridge on the Middle Loop Trail. The entry cost is a non-perishable food item. For more information, email rbrady@murfreesborotn.gov

Lamb & Associates (2630 Memorial Blvd.)

on Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 7:30–8:30 a.m. This book discussion will be facilitated by Julie Lewis. Light bites will be provided. The sponsor for the event is Andy Helton of Exit Realty. There is no cost to attend but registration is required. For more information, email joleneradnoti@readtosucceed.org or mary.hoffschwelle@mtsu.edu.

oct. 18–22

dOg agIlIty gaMes

Top Tennessee dogs and handlers compete in the United States Dog Agility Association Cynosport Dog Agility World Games

Oct. 18–22 at Tennessee Miller Coliseum (304B West Thompson Ln.). Dog agility is a competitive sport in which a handler directs a dog over an obstacle course, using voice and hand signals. Dogs maneuver over hurdles, race through tunnels, traverse ramps and a see-saw, and weave through a row of poles. Dogs can be any breed or mix of dog, any age, size or origin. Admission is free. For more information, visit cynosport.com or usdaa.com

oct. 19

hOpe & hOps

The Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault

Center presents Hope & Hops at the rustic and beautiful Copper Ridge Events Venue (3597 Betty Ford Rd.) on Thursday, Oct. 19 from 5–9 p.m. Enjoy the community comradery that rallies around local survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and come out in your best casual wear for a fun-filled night. Support the mission to protect victims, prevent violence and empower survivors. Tennessee breweries that will provide tastings include Common Law Brewing, Dark Shadow Brewing Co, King’s Bluff, Mayday, Smackdab Brewery, Sobr Bar and Vitruvian Artisan Ales. Food is provided by Moe’s, and VIPs will enjoy charcuterie boards from Graze Craze. For tickets and more information, find a Hope & Hops page on Eventbrite.

oct. 19

lantern parade

The Discovery Center and the Rutherford Art Alliance present a second annual Lantern Parade at Discovery Center at Murfree Spring (502 SE Broad St.). This is a special event that is part of the Tennessee STEAM Festival. The celebration heats up at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19, with the Lantern Parade from 6:30–7 p.m. The entire family and a host of friends

can listen to great music, make a lantern and watch the parade (which uses batterypowered lights and no open flames). For more information, call 615-890-2300.

oct. 19

the cOnnectIOn at chaMpy’s

Champy’s World Famous Fried Chicken will host the October 2023 installment of The Connection: An Evening of Professional Networking and Business Brainstorming from 5–7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19. 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.

oct. 20

cOMMunIty rhythM eVent

Everybody Drum Some founder Ross Lester continues the third Friday Community Rhythm Event series for those who would like to join their neighbors in some drumming. The next community rhythm session kicks off at 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 20, in the fellowship hall of St. Patrick’s Anglican Church (7103 Baker Rd.). There is no cost to participate, and people of all ages are invited to participate in the drumming or to spectate. Participants may bring drums, shakers, tambourines, woodblocks or percussive instruments of any type, but instruments will also be available for use. For more information, call 615-631-7458 or visit everybodydrumsome.com

oct. 20

adult & teen challenge banquet

The Adult & Teen Challenge Murfreesboro Annual Celebration Banquet takes place on Friday, Oct. 20, at Turning Point Church (1033 Barfield Church Rd.) at 6:30 p.m. Adult & Teen Challenge serves men recovering from drug and alcohol addictions. For more information, visit atctn. org, or email murfreesboro@atctn.org or call 615-624-7878.

oct. 20 & 21

frIghtensburgh

Frightensburgh is a scary haunted trail that weaves its way through terrifying scenes of horror in the old Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 20 and 21 from 6:30–10 p.m. This is for mature attendees only. Tickets are $10.

CONTiNuEd ON PAgE 9

For more information, call 615-848-2550 or email thutchinson@murfreesborotn.gov

oct. 21

party In pInk zuMbathOn Patterson Park Community Center will host a Zumbathon for breast cancer awareness on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9–11:30 a.m. in the Adult Gym (521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.). Enjoy snacks, water, door prizes and more. Bring your energy and your best dance moves. Participants are encouraged to wear pink and must wear socks and tennis shoes. Ages 13 and up are welcome; the event is limited to 100 people. The cost is $4 for adults and $3 for seniors. For more information, call 615-893-7439, ext. 6113 or email amyers@murfreesborotn.gov

oct. 21

taffeta chIMe bOOk

sIgnIng

Linebaugh Public Library (105 W. Vine St.) hosts local author Taffeta Chime for a book signing on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Chime signs and sells copies of her books The Last and Stoodie Chime is a writer and language teacher from Murfreesboro and has won multiple awards for her short stories, poems and essays. For more information, call 615893-4131 or visit rclstn.org.

oct. 21

wIne arOund the square

The 12th Annual Wine Around the Square benefits the Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Power of Pink Fund on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 6–9 p.m. WATS is a progressive wine- and spirits-tasting event set around the historic Downtown Square in Murfreesboro with dinner from the Alley on Main, entertainment from The Chris Weaver Band and access to all of the tasting venues plus admission to the afterparty at the Alley on Main. The Power of Pink Fund helps provide mammograms for Middle Tennessee women regardless of their ability to pay. Find tickets at winearoundthesquare.ticketbud.com/2023.

oct. 21

st. edward craft faIr

The St. Edward Church craft, yard and bake sale is sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary on Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m.–3 p.m. at the St. Edward Church Gym (188 Thompson Ln., Nashville) featuring crafts and goodies. Proceeds will benefit St. Edward School and Ladies Auxiliary. For more information or to reserve a vendor space, call 423-432-5385.

oct. 21 & 22

bell buckle craft faIr

Every year during the third full weekend of October the streets of downtown Bell Buckle crowd with over 100 vendors and booths to celebrate the spirit of fall with a legendary craft fair. This craft fair benefits the Webb School in the heart of Bell Buckle, with vendors traveling from across the state and country alike to sell their wares. This has been an autumn staple in Bedford County since 1976. The scene also features live bands and soloists pickin’ and singin’ among the blacksmiths, potters, leather-workers, stained glass, jewelry, woodworks and paintings. Festivities are from 8 a.m.–5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22. Parking ranges from $5–10 and benefits the school.

oct. 22

hOMegrOwn huMOr

Homegrown Humor, a comedy show at Emerald Heart Café & Dispensary (810 NW Broad St., Ste 212), kicks off at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 22. The event is free. Kelsey Dixon headlines. This is a 21-and-up show. For more information, visit emeraldheartboro.com or find Emerald Heart Café & Dispensary on Facebook.

oct. 22

persons living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. For more information, call 615-8015570, visit werememberyoucg.com or email werememberyoucg@gmail.com

oct. 23

MurfreesbOrO chess lunch

Who wants to play a game of chess? Community members interested in the initiative of teaching others the game of chess, helping raise funds and interest for getting the game in the schools, sharing ideas on how chess can benefit others, involving their organization in promoting the game, or just desiring to gather with other chess enthusiasts to play and discuss chess can come to a Murfreesboro Chess Lunch at Carmen’s Taqueria (206 W. Northfield Blvd.) from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 23. For more information, call 615-426-7373 or email rmitchell@rutherfordcountytn.gov

oct. 23

steak ’n shake grand re-OpenIng

more seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, winning his fourth Super Bowl. Stake & Burger takes place on Tuesday, Oct. 24, at MTSU. All proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County. For more information, call 615-893-5437, visit bgcrc.net/stakeburger2023 or email michelle.clifford@bgcrc.net.

oct. 26

prOject restyle

Amelia’s Closet holds its second annual fashion show fundraiser, Project Restyle, on Thursday, Oct. 26, from 6–8 p.m. at Liberty’s Station (850 NW Broad St.). This is a restyling competition and a fashion show featuring celebrity emcee Mila Grigg, best-selling author of Forged by Fire and nationally recognized brand consultant. The competition features five teams repurposing, restyling and reconstructing two outfits in 45 minutes, using donated clothing from Amelia’s Closet as their raw materials. The teams’ creations will be judged by a panel with prizes for the winners. Local boutiques will present a fashion show and the event includes a silent auction of jewelry, items from local merchants, concert and theatre tickets, and gently-used high-end handbags. For more information and tickets, visit ameliascloset.org

oct. 27

MIddle

tennessee sInfOnIetta presents “pOrtraIts”

The Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta presents an afternoon concert at MTSU School of Music’s Hinton Hall (1439 Faulkinberry Dr.) on Sunday, Oct. 22, from 3–4:30 p.m. “Portraits” features illustrative, orchestral works from around the world including Respighi’s “Pines of Rome.” Picture the Nations and Instruments of Joy will provide illustrative components alongside each musical piece. Admission is free and open to the public with suggested donations of $10 accepted. Proceeds benefit all three nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit mtsinfonietta.com

oct. 22

we reMeMber yOu pIanO benefIt

cOncert

On Sunday, Oct. 22, The Mac Frampton Trio returns to Murfreesboro to play a benefit concert for We Remember You. The concert begins at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church (265 W. Thompson Ln.). The trio will play a variety of gospel, jazz and classical arrangements. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated for We Remember You, a local nonprofit that supports and educates caregivers of

Steak ’n Shake Murfreesboro (2091 Old Fort Pkwy.), locally owned and operated by Dave Weill, has recently completed a remodel of its dining room and will celebrate a grand re-opening and ribbon cutting with the Rutherford County Chamber of Commerce and the community at 11 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 23.

oct. 24

IsaIah 117 trIVIa nIght

Help raise money for the Isaiah 117 House of Rutherford County at Trivia Night on Tuesday, Oct. 24 at 5:30 p.m. at Champy’s (1290 NW Broad St.). Isaiah 117 House provides physical and emotional support in a safe and loving home for children awaiting foster care placement. RSVP by Friday, Oct. 13 to reserve your team of six, donate an item to the silent auction during the event and donate to the swag bags everyone will receive (an estimated 150 people). Last year, over $7,000 was raised for Isaiah 117 House. For more information, email melanie@authorityclosings.com

oct. 24

stake & burger wIth rOb grOnkOwskI

Rob Gronkowski will be the Boys & Girls Clubs of Rutherford County’s guest for their 34th Annual Stake & Burger event. Gronk is widely regarded as the best tight end in the history of football. He played nine seasons for the New England Patriots from 2010–18, winning three Super Bowls with the team. He came out of retirement in 2020 to team up with Tom Brady for two

spOOktacular tOddler hallOween party

Toddlers 2–5 years old can come out for a spooktacular time on Friday, Oct. 27 from 10–11 a.m. at Patterson Park Community Center, Gym & Library (521 Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.). The Spooktacular Toddler Halloween Party features a parade, spooky pokey dance, candy, carnival style games, superhero obstacle course, prize drawings and a costume contest. Storytime starts at 10 a.m. Admission is a can of food. For more information, call 615-893-7439 ext. 6121 or email cellis@murfreesborotn.gov

oct. 27

spOOky splash

Take a splash at the pool at Patterson Indoor Water Park (521 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.) on Friday, Oct. 27, from 5–8 p.m. for a spookin’ good time. Enjoy swimming, crafting, dinner and a pudding surprise. Make sure you’re ready to find what might be hidden in the pudding and come prepared to leave your mark on a T-shirt you tie-dye. Please bring a white Tshirt. Ages 8–13 are welcome. Cost is $5 for preregistration and $7 the day of. For more information, call 615-893-7439 or email cstafford@murfreesborotn.gov.

oct. 27–28

barf I eld bash c arn IVal Wilderness Station hosts a Halloweenthemed Barfield Bash Carnival at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28, from 4–8 p.m. Enjoy carnival style games, activities, vendors, crafts, prizes, music and more. For more information, email challwalker@murfreesborotn.gov or call 615-217-3017.

oct. 27–28

Old s crea M rOad

Take the scariest hayride into the depths of the forest at Barfield Crescent Park (697 Veterans Pkwy.) on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28, from 7:30–9:30 p.m. Who or what is lurking in the woods? Do you dare find out? The event starts at dark with tickets sold until 9 p.m. Old Scream Road cost is $5. This may be scary for small children. For more information, email thutchinson@murfreesborotn.gov or call 615-890-5333.

o ct. 27–28

serVe It up dOubles

tennIs tOurnaMent

The City Schools Foundation serves up a doubles tennis tournament on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 27 and 28, at Adams Tennis Complex (925 Golf Ln.). Players can compete in men’s, women’s, or co-ed levelbased doubles divisions. This tournament is open to any player 18 and over and all levels of experience with two guaranteed matches. Tournament registration is hosted through Universal Tennis and is $60 ($30 per person) for a doubles team. Register at bit.ly/cityschoolstennis. Co-ed doubles will be played on Friday evening with women’s and men’s matches on Saturday. Money raised benefits Murfreesboro City Schools’ pre-kindergarten through 6th-grade students, enhancing science, math and other programs. For more information on The City Schools Foundation and the tournament, email tori.carr@cityschools.net

o ct. 28

lOcal authOr faIr

Visitors to the Smyrna Public Library (400 Enon Springs Rd. W., Smyrna) have an opportunity to meet talented local authors and purchase copies of their books on Saturday, Oct. 28 from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. This unique Local Author Fair is sponsored by the Friends of Smyrna Library. The fair features 12 authors, all of whom reside in Rutherford County. The authors include Rodney Boyd, author of Christian-based

oct. 28

harVest days

Cannonsburgh Village (312 S. Front St.) presents a fun-filled October Harvest Days celebration featuring crafters, vendors, blacksmith demonstrations, a Murfreesboro Art League exhibit, clogging, music, hayrides and more from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Jake Leg Stompers, Mid-State Cloggers and Stones River Bluegrass will perform. Harvest Days is free and open to the public.

nonfiction; J.L. Burrows, author of young adult and middle-grade Christian supernatural fantasy books; T.D. Douglas, author of children’s books; Gilbert Gordon, author of a memoir; J. Kevin Jennings, author of horror/fantasy/sci-fi; self-help author

Lovely King; Dorey Lee, author of children’s picture books; Jim Sandman, author of inspirational nonfiction; Amy Aldridge Sanford, author of educational nonfiction; Judy Towne, autobiographical author; Ken Vanderpool, author of crime fiction; and Andie Young, author of contemporary Christian romance. For more info, email friendsofsmyrnalibrary1987@gmail.com or visit rclstn.org.

oct. 29

cannabIs tOwn hall

Emerald Heart Café & Dispensary (810 NW Broad St., Ste. 212) hosts a Cannabis Town Hall meeting on Sunday, Oct. 29. This is a meeting of local cannabis industry professionals and advocates from the community to spread awareness of the current state of the hemp and medical cannabis industry in Tennessee. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. There is no cost to attend. For more information, find Tennessee Growers Coalition on Facebook. For more information on Emerald Heart, visit emeraldheartboro.com or find Emerald Heart Café & Dispensary on Facebook.

oct. 31

cOMMunIty fall festIVal at pattersOn park

Patterson Park (521 Dr. Martin Luther King

Jr. Blvd.) hosts a Halloween festival on Tuesday, Oct. 31, with free games, food, prizes and crafts for the whole family. All ages are welcome. For more information, email cellis@murfreesborotn.gov or call 615-893-7439 ext. 6121.

Nov. 4

MarIne cOrps bIrthday ball and Veterans day celebratIOn

Military service members and their guests are invited to the 248th Marine Corps Birthday Ball & Veterans Day Celebration presented by Stones River MCL 1158 on Saturday, Nov. 4. As the celebration for the birthday of the Marine Corps, this year the event honors brothers and sisters in arms from all branches of the military for Veterans Day. Sergeant Major H. Gene Overstreet will be the guest of honor and speaker. Overstreet served as the 12th Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps from June 28, 1991-June 29, 1995. This year’s event is at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Nashville South Cool Springs (820 Crescent Centre Dr., Franklin). Social hour begins at 5 p.m. with the event beginning at 6 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit mclball-midtn.ticketspice.com/248thmarine-corps-birthday-ball, email jerry. alvarado@live.com or call 615-525-3776.

moNdays

cOnnect MurfreesbOrO

Join Connect Murfreesboro each Monday from 9–10 a.m. at BoomBozz Craft

Pizza & Taphouse (2839 Medical Center Pkwy.) for a casual networking event designed to connect professionals, build relationships, drive referrals and help grow businesses. Please prepare a 60-second pitch about who you are and what you do, as well as a specific referral request for attendees on what can be done to help promote your business. The approximately 20-minute period at the end of each meeting is reserved for members to set up one-on-ones and socialize. For more information or directions, visit connectnashvillenetworking.com/events

WedNesdays

netwOrkIng fOr awesOMe peOple

Are you looking to meet and connect with other local business owners? Do you want to grow your network and pick up some skills along the way? Networking for Awesome People meets each week on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. at the Rutherford County Veterans Community Center (439 Rice St.). All you need to bring is a good attitude. Each attendee gets about a minute to explain what they do and what they need, followed by a discussion question of the week. Networking for Awesome People encourages open discussion to help everyone grow. For more information, find a Networking for Awesome People group on Facebook.

WedNesdays

bOrO 2 square runners

The Boro 2 Square running group meets at Mayday Brewery (521 Old Salem Rd.) every Wednesday at 6 p.m. The group welcomes runners of all paces looking to get out to run and socialize with other runners. Normal run distances are between 3 and 5 miles. Participants are welcome to hang out and socialize at Mayday following the run. For more information, visit facebook. com/boro2square

thursdays

Mad cOw trek club

The Mad Cow Trek Club running group meets every Thursday at 6 p.m. at Panther Creek Brews (714 W. Main St.). The group embarks on a route of 4–8 miles and welcomes runners of all paces and abilities. The Trek Club hosts races and free get-togethers to share its love of running with the community. Find Mad Cow Running Company (MCRC) on Facebook for course routes and more details. All runners are encouraged to stay after each run for food and drinks.

Fridays

c3 netwOrkIng at prOhIbItIOn hOMe brewIng

C3 is an open networking group for local business professionals at Prohibition Home Brewing (906 Ridgley Rd.) 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.

Fridays

MurfreesbOrO

cOMMunIty chess

Murfreesboro Community Chess meets at the Murfreesboro Barnes & Noble (within The Avenue, 2615 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.

saturdays

MurfreesbOrO saturday

Market

The Main Street Saturday Market con-

tinues in downtown Murfreesboro. The weekly farmers’ market will take place on the Murfreesboro Public Square every Saturday from 8 a.m.–noon through the end of October. Spend the day with real farmers, real food and real community and find a wide variety of produce, locally raised meats, fresh breads and pastries, mushrooms, honey, soaps and lotions, sauces, jams and more. For more information, find Murfreesboro Saturday Market on Facebook.

saturdays

hIstOrIcal sOcIety

cOffee & cOnVersatIOn

The Rutherford County Historical Society has been preserving and promoting Murfreesboro’s local history since 1971. Whether researching your family, your property or perhaps just old fun facts, the RCHS is an exceptional resource. The RCHS hosts Coffee & Conversation each Saturday morning from 9 a.m.–noon at the Ransom School House Museum (717 N. Academy St.). This is a very informal, fun and informative event. Bring old photos or questions about the past to ask members. Enjoy free coffee and donuts. For more information, visit rutherfordtnhistory.org

Held the 3rd Thursday of each

Wed, 10/4

bOrO bOurbOn & brews

Taylor Hughes

cedar glade brews

Blues Jam with Blues Collective

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Kenna Elpers

panther creek

Muddy Boots

thurs, 10/5

bOrO bOurbOn & brews

Gray Daniels

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Sir Anthony

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

SOAL/TEBA Concert

Fri, 10/6

bOrO bOurbOn & brews

Unfinished Business

burger bar

Jeff Lysyczyn

cedar glade brews

Bailey Rose

eMerald heart

Art & Soul event

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Delyn Christian;

Leigh Hutchins Trio

happy’s spOrts

lOunge

Top Tier Band

jack’s place

Tony Castellanos

Mayday brewery

Carter Elliott

panther creek

Tim Turner Band

puckett’s

Lynnmarie and E3

seasOns

Rockin Country;

The Cooter River Band

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Shane and the Money

Makers

sat, 10/7

allen chapel a.M.e.

Albert Richardson

bert drIVer’s

burlap rOOM

Captain Midnight Band

cedar glade brews

Todd London

chaMpy’s chIcken

Jeff Lysyczyn

cIty cafe

Everette Brown Trio

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Charlie Byrd; In-Cahoots

happy’s spOrts

lOunge

Radio Pirate

puckett’s

Kellie Longworth and

Justin Love

seasOns

Reunion Station;

Moonshine Band

sMyrna Vfw pOst

CrackerJack the bOrO

The Weeping Marys

suN, 10/8

bOrO bOurbOn & brews

Kyle Mercer

hank’s hOnky tOnk

The O’Donnells

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

MTSU Chinese Ensemble;

Tuba Studio Recital

moN, 10/9

burger bar

Jeff Lysyczyn

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Open Mic Night

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Todd Waldecker and Adam Clark

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Jam Night

tues, 10/10

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Sir Anthony seasOns

2Country4Nashville

Wed, 10/11

bOrO bOurbOn & brews

Clint Draper

cedar glade brews

Blues Jam

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Robyn Taylor

hOp sprIngs

Static-X; Sevendust;

Dope; Lines of Loyalty

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Keith Sorrels;

Christine Kralik

puckett’s

Kenna Elpers

thurs, 10/12

bOrO bOurbOn & brews

Roland Justice

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Cary & Sherrie Lynn

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Jazz Ensembles I and II

Fri, 10/13

bOrO bOurbOn & brews

Silent Ruckus

burger bar

Jeff Lysyczyn

cedar glade brews

Steve Hardesty

daVe’s farM

Dave-a-Palooza with The Retreats; Austin Bishop;

Bryce Reeg; and more

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Bailey Rose;

Jack Finley Band

happy’s spOrts

lOunge

DJ Vince

jack’s place

Tony Castellanos

Mayday brewery

Roland Justice

puckett’s

Henry Cruz Band

seasOns

Zone Status

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Shane and the Money

Makers

the bOrO

The Jeremy Pinell Trio; The Dirty Poors

sat, 10/14

cedar glade brews

Vagabond Train

cIty cafe

Everette Brown Trio

daVe’s farM

Dave-a-Palooza with Nate Frederick and the Wholesome Boys; Andy Walker; Asher Cataldo; and more hank’s hOnky tOnk

Taylor Hughes; Zach Neil and Dale Clear

happy’s spOrts

lOunge

No Fun Intended

cedar sprIngs

ranch

Alyssa Bonagura; Patrick Murphy; Dan Smalley

grIndstOne cOwbOy

Lucas Hoge

puckett’s

Chad Cates Trio

seasOns

Missy Garnett Band

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Tony and the Attitude Band

suN, 10/15

bOrO bOurbOn & brews

Glen Wagner

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Emily Miller

moN, 10/16

burger bar

Jeff Lysyczyn

cOVenant church

Tom Taylor; Melynda Bly; Joy Dame

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Open Mic Night

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Jam Night

tues, 10/17

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Jesse Black

seasOns

2Country4Nashville

Wed, 10/18

cedar glade brews

Blues Jam

panther creek

Muddy Boots

puckett’s Carson Mac

thurs, 10/19

grIndstOne cOwbOy

Brandon Lay

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Will King

hOp sprIngs

Carnifex; Signs of the Swarm; To the Grave; The Last 10 Seconds of Life

the bOrO Bob Marston and the Credible Sources

Fri, 10/20

burger bar

Jeff Lysyczyn

cedar glade brews

Secret Commonwealth

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Brooklyn Ray;

Jeff Caron Band

happy’s spOrts

lOunge

Silent Ruckus

hOp sprIngs

Dax; Phix

jack’s place

Tony Castellanos

Mayday brewery

Miguel Dakota

panther creek

The 725 Band

puckett’s

The Deltaz

seasOns

Escape Band

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Shane and the Money

Makers

sat, 10/21

cedar glade brews

Roland Justice

cIty cafe

Everette Brown Trio

crab feVer

Outside Franklin

frOnt street pub

Jeff Lysyczyn

happy’s spOrts

lOunge

DJ Parker

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Cameron Roberts;

Kyla Mahaffrey; MTSU

Symphony Orchestra

panther creek

Heart of Vinyl

puckett’s

Matt Burke & Friends

seasOns

The Band Mariah; Crossroads Band

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Reunion Station

suN, 10/22

fIrst unIted

MethOdIst church

Mac Frampton Trio

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Lexy Dunn

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Middle Tennessee Sinfonietta

seasOns

The Crystal Lake Band; First Jason

moN, 10/23

burger bar

Jeff Lysyczyn

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Open Mic Night

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Jazz Combos

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Jam Night

tues, 10/24

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Delyn Christian

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Chamber Winds;

Symphonic Band

Wed, 10/25

cedar glade brews

Blues Jam

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Phil Valdez

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Drake Wallace Memorial

puckett’s

Troy Castellano

thurs, 10/26

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Silent Ruckus

Fri, 10/27

burger bar

Jeff Lysyczyn

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Camille Rae; Justin Dukes

happy’s spOrts

lOunge

Stretta

jack’s place

Tony Castellanos

Mayday brewery

Steady Rotation

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Faculty Jazz Fusion recital

puckett’s

Radio Farm

seasOns

Echo

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Shane and the Money

Makers

the bOrO

Noisecult; Aye Mammoth; Symptom of the Universe

sat, 10/28

cedar glade brews

Bill Steber

chaMpy’s chIcken

Jeff Lysyczyn

cIty cafe

Everette Brown Trio

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Dwayne Langston; Whiskey Smoke

happy’s spOrts

lOunge

Mixtape ’80s Tribute

Band; DJ Parker

puckett’s

Hobo Cane

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Tony and the Attitude Band

suN, 10/29

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Mike Wiggins

Mtsu wrIght MusIc

Sarah Potts; Octubaween

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Jam Night

moN, 10/30

hank’s hOnky tOnk

Open Mic Night

sMyrna Vfw pOst

Jam Night

If You Go

allen chapel a.M.e.

224 S. Maney Ave.

bOrO bOurbOn & brews

124 N. Maple St.

Musical Arts Group Presents

Brenda Ivey Robertson

She didn’t have to look at anything . . . she just closed her eyes and sang.”

As this recording was done very organically, with no digital trimming, this “figuring it out as you go” approach was very appropriate for Mrs. Robertson’s 1950s style of gospel music. This new album is set to release soon under the title A Soulful Gospel Session. Robertson cited as a few of her favorite songs from the session “Satan, We’re Going to Pray Your Kingdom Down,” “I Ain’t Gonna Let My Religion Die” and “You Are My Neighbor” (composed by Hendrix). The last song, she told the Pulse, speaks to her because “no matter who you are or where you’re from, God loves you.”

This approach has inspired her to learn more about different cultures and develop relationships with people of other cultures.

“I did not get formally educated and that always bothered me,” Robertson said. “I was watching the True Blue channel and saw Mrs. Beverly Keel. I called her thinking she wouldn’t answer. And she brought life back to my music . . . that really blew my mind! Now I have a new platform to talk about kidney disease.”

Brenda Ivey roBertson

has been singing since she was 13 years old. Professionally, she has been crafting and carving a career for herself in the Nashville music industry since 1983 (when Spirit of the Living God was released). By the time her second album, titled You Are My Neighbor, dropped in 1988, James Hendrix—one of Ms. Robertson’s mentors from Motown Records— knew he had a great singer on his hands.

Mrs. Robertson has continued to sing throughout her life and to create a name for herself in the gospel music industry. She now resides in Antioch, living a quiet life with her husband of 36 years, Wilbur. All of her work follows the tradition of classic gospel and soul music. Her style sets her apart, as does the authenticity and sweetness of her heart. Even now, as she goes through stage 3 kidney failure and dialysis, she maintains her

vibrant, positive attitude concerning her walk with Christ and her love for music.

To preserve and record some of Robertson’s music, Beverly Keel, dean of the College of Media and Entertainment at MTSU, invited the singer to record at the MTSU studios. Additionally, the MTSU Center for Pop Music will archive Robertson’s recordings. Professor John Merchant, who has recorded many greats including Michael Jackson and Olivia Newton John, was there to assist. Robertson said she was delighted with the amount of care that went into this recording process.

When recalling the most memorable thing about the recording session, Merchant added: “We can achieve technological perfection in music, but there’s no substitute for authenticity—for the raw authenticity of someone singing from their heart.” He also recalls that Robertson “meant every lyric.

As Robertson goes into her 10th year of dialysis, she wants to bring more awareness to people of all ages about how to take care of their kidneys.

“It’s a four-hour process every time I go [for dialysis],” she explained. The kidney care advocate wants to share about other ways to heal, about the effectiveness of individualized care plans, and about her emphasis on eating better food—to slow down and cook—to take care of her body and to take her vitamins. She encourages others to do the same.

“It’s a growing epidemic of people dying of kidney disease,” Robertson said. “I’ve got to save the people who’ll listen to me.”

In an interview with the Murfreesboro Pulse, Robertson said that the recording session that MTSU offered her and the gifts that Keel brought her touched her heart, but continued to emphasize that she wanted her fight with kidney disease to be shared with the world

and to encourage others battling the disease.

When asked what role her faith plays in her life, she says it is the sole inspiration behind why she does what she does. She promised God she’d tell everyone about who and why He is if she got through this. And that’s what she’s been doing.

“The machine is not my identity—I was somebody before I developed this condition,” she said. “Number one, I belong to God. Number two, God loves me. And number three, I tell people who He is . . . I love God so much. I’m not going to die until God gets ready.

“My husband has been so dedicated and fixed on me living well,” she said, adding that she takes great comfort from her church family at Simeon Baptist Church, and visits from her pastor and his wife, John R. and Karen Rollins.

Daryl Bowers, a musician from her church, joined Robertson at the MTSU recording session. Robertson said it was such a blessing to have finalized the recording project.

Musically, Robertson said she recalls Dr. J. Robert Bradley’s deep, baritone voice admonishing her: “Sing, Brenda; sing well! Don’t oversing. Tell the story and sit down.”

One of the most striking things about Mrs. Robertson is her positive attitude.

“Seldom am I ever down. I refuse to throw a pity party,” she said. “I am a Kingdom citizen.”

She even said that she outlived the doctor who said she would not live past 2014, and is convinced that God has a purpose for her still being here.

“I want my music to leave an inspiration,” she said. “I am so thankful that my work for God finally got acknowledged. The legacy of my life is that I love all people—God’s people.”

At age 69, Mrs. Robertson is still going strong, and wants people to know that they can overcome.

For more information on Brenda ivey robertson’s story, or if you are interested in purchasing A Soulful Gospel Session on Cd, contact grant C. ivey at 629-259-1667.

Gospel singer leaves lasting, inspirational impression at M ts U

stO ry by br I tney br Own

brenda Ivey robertson in the studio at Mtsu with john Merchant

Dave-a-Palooza celebrates Five Years oF Fun, FrienDs anD Folk Music With asher catalDo, the retreats, brett bone, the Ghost ballerinas, ben Wilson, John s alaWaY anD More

ThE FrEE OuTdOOr MuSiC FESTivAl Dave-a-Palooza returns to Dave’s farm on 1295 Knob Creek Rd. in Wartrace, Tennessee, on Oct. 13 and 14. The festival will feature 17 artists playing Americana, folk and country music. Based on the last four years, organizers expect a turnout between 1,800 and 2,220 people.

This year celebrates five years of a guy wanting a huge birthday party. Little did he know that his party would become the annual Dave-a-Palooza, where most attendees don’t actually know who Dave is.

On Oct. 9, the Dave-a-Palooza team will reveal the man behind it all. Learn more about Dave on the “Local on 2” program on WKRN News 2.

The Dave-a-Palooza lineup for Friday, Oct. 13, includes The Retreats, Austin Bishop, Bryce Reeg, Jesse Charette, Logan Wheat and The Ghost Ballerinas. Saturday, Oct. 14’s lineup will showcase Nate Frederick and The Wholesome Boys, Andy Walker, Asher Cataldo, Ben Wilson, Brett Bone, Gavin Bass, John Salaway, Kyle Miller, Long Haired Friends of Jesus and Manny Alexander and the Regulators.

Through a partnership with 98.7 FM and 1580 AM WLIJ, the radio station sponsor will broadcast and record the Dave-a-Palooza shows.

The family-friendly event will include food, merch and activities. Since the first night of the festival falls on Friday the 13th in October, it will host a costume contest for all attendees. Common John Brewing Company also created a beer specifically for Dave-a-Palooza—an American light lager.

Admission, parking and primitive camping are free, but Dave-a-Palooza is selling VIP tickets this year on its website with added bonuses. Dave-a-Palooza does ask that attendees sign up for tickets and camping online prior to the event, but standard tickets to the festival are free.

For ticket reservations and more information, visit thedaveapalooza.com

— dest I ny MI zell

asher Cataldo ben wilson

the ghost ballerinas

c ho RD s F o R a c ause

by dest I ny MI zell

ThE MAC FrAMPTON TriO will take the stage on Sunday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. at Murfreesboro’s First United Methodist Church (265 W. Thompson Ln.) for We Remember You’s second benefit concert.

The trio will engage attendees with a soul-stirring blend of gospel, classical and jazz music to show their support not only for those battling dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, but also their caregivers. Admission is free, but donations to We Remember You are appreciated.

We Remember You is a local nonprofit dedicated to educating and supporting caregivers for those with memory diseases. Lee Ann Hyatt, a registered nurse, founded the organization in 2021.

Hyatt is a Murfreesboro native, but most of her work with dementia patients took place during a several-year stint living in Texas. She moved back to Tennessee four years ago. After working as director for the

Alzheimer’s caregiver respite of Bedford County for 10 months, she observed that Rutherford County lacked similar resources.

“I got this idea in my head and I believe strongly in God. I’m a very firm member of First United Methodist Church and we just kept noticing more and more of our families come up with dementia, so with their blessing behind me I went ahead and figured out how to start a nonprofit,” Hyatt said. “I was like, ‘Okay, God, if you really want me to do this, please help me figure out how to do this.’”

She assembled a board of directors and got to work. Since its inception, We Remember You has touched the lives of over 75 families in Rutherford County.

The nonprofit hosts six different support groups monthly at First United Methodist Church as well as one at the St. Clair Street Senior Center and another that will soon launch at The Villages.

“Everything in the world happens in

the support groups, from lots and lots of tears to a lot of laughter and everything in between,” Hyatt said.

In addition to support groups, We Remember You offers one-on-one private consultations and advice for those who don’t wish to be in a support group.

“When the caregivers are willing to learn different ways of managing the behaviors, the household becomes a lot more of a peaceful place for both the caregiver and the person with dementia,” Hyatt said.

As of February, We Remember You holds a caregiver recovery group specifically for those who provided care to an individual with dementia who has since passed away.

“Their grieving process is different because they’ve had so many waves of grief for years and years as they’ve lost their loved one very slowly,” Hyatt said.

Hyatt will travel to train caregivers, coach caregivers at any hour of the day or night, and will meet them anywhere they need— even in ICUs and emergency rooms.

Caregivers undergo many hardships and tend to have their hands full. The Oct. 22

benefit concert serves as an activity for them and their loved one to enjoy, as well as a way for We Remember You to raise funds as an organization.

We Remember You chose a musical event because the part of the brain that processes music is not typically affected by memory diseases.

“Music reaches right in and makes contact when nothing else makes contact,” Hyatt said. “You can watch some of these people change when music is played and they clear up for a very short period of time.”

The Mac Frampton Trio performed last year’s show as well, which had a notable turnout, Hyatt said.

We remember you wants all caregivers in the area to know that they aren’t alone and can always turn to them for assistance and support. For more information and ways to get involved with the group, visit werememberyoucg.com or call 615801-5570; for more on Mac Frampton, visit macframpton.com.

“Music reaches right in and makes contact when nothing else makes contact,” Hyatt said. “You can watch some of these people change when music is played and they clear up for a very short period of time.”

l ee a nn Hyatt

tPo introDuces

Dr. a n D rea DaW son as neW concertMaster

TENNESSEE PhilhArMONiC OrChESTrA will start its 42nd season on Nov. 8 with a new concertmaster. Dr. Andrea Dawson, professor of music in violin and viola at Middle Tennessee State University, takes over after the retirement of longtime concertmaster Stefan Petrescu.

Dr. Dawson has performed as a classical and Baroque violinist and violist throughout the world. She started playing Suzuki violin at the age of 5. She continued to play in orchestras, ensembles and festivals throughout her youth.

“It is really fortunate to have a philharmonic orchestra in Murfreesboro,” Dawson said. “Anything we can do to increase access to the arts is a great thing!”

Her interest in modern music led her to the composition and publication of an etude book, 24 Etudes for the Modern Violinist, Book I: Intermediate.

mus I c notes

In March of 2023, Dawson founded the nonprofit Dow Street Community Music School in Murfreesboro, in memory of her parents. She has performed with the Valley Symphony Orchestra in South Texas, the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Bucknell University Orchestra, the MTSU Symphony Orchestra, Music City Baroque and the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra. As a member of the Stones River Chamber Players, she has performed in Hangzhou, China; Steinway Hall in New York City; and at WPLN Nashville for Live in Studio C

“Music is part of all of our lives,” Dawson said, “and it can help us to thrive, individually and as a society.”

The Tennessee Philharmonic Orchestra opens its season with its Veterans Concert on Nov. 8 at The View at Fountains of Gateway. For more information on the TPO, visit tnphil.org.

lATE ’90S hArd rOCk FANS will converge upon Hop Springs Beer Park for an electrifying night of headbanging and moshing as Static-X and Sevendust bring their Machine Killer Tour to Murfreesboro on Wednesday, Oct. 11.

Although founder and frontman Wayne Static died in 2014, original Static-X members Koichi Fukuda, Tony Campos and Ken Jay continue the group’s industrial metal energy along with vocalist Xer0 (a.k.a. Edsel Dope, a.k.a. Brian Ebejer), whose other project, Dope, joins the show as well. Sevendust has also cemented its place in the late ’90s rock and metal pantheon following the 1997 release of its self-titled album.

Find tickets to the Oct. 11 show on Ticketweb. General admission tickets are $49.90 and, for serious Static-X fans, a Static-X VIP experience—which includes an after-show meet-and-greet with the band, a limited edition 3-by-5-foot flag, a Static-X key chain, VIP laminate and a photo signed by the band— goes for $155.99. Hop Springs Beer Park is located at 6790 John Bragg Hwy., Murfreesboro.

s tatic-X, s even D ust b rin G l ate ’90s Metal e ner GY to h o P sP rin G s o ct. 11

sevendust

sounds

mus I c note

r uther F or D c ount Y n ative Jaelee r oberts Makes s olo oP rY Debut

JAElEE rOBErTS, best known in her role as lead vocalist and guitar player for the Grammynominated all-female bluegrass band Sister Sadie, made her debut solo appearance on the Grand Ole Opry on Sept. 19. Roberts, who has performed on the Opry multiple times with her group, had not performed in support of her solo career until the 2023 debut.

The invitation was recently extended by Dan Rogers, vice president and executive producer of the Grand Ole Opry, and Gina Keltner, director of talent logistics and scheduling, when they spent time with Roberts at the recent funeral of bluegrass legend Bobby Osborne, who died on June 27, 2023.

“I had good intentions of reaching out sooner to invite Jaelee to make her Opry debut, so when I saw her at Bobby Osborne’s funeral, it occurred to me that this might be an unusual, yet perfect, time to extend that special ask and shine some happiness on a solemn day,” says Keltner. “It was a chance to demonstrate that even though we were all reeling from the loss of both Bobby Osborne and Jesse McReynolds that week, bluegrass music was in good hands and would carry on with talented artists such as Jaelee.”

Roberts began coming to the Opry when she was just 4 years old, joining her father and Grascals founding member, Danny Roberts, backstage when he was there to perform.

“Playing the Grand Ole Opry has been a dream

of mine literally as long as I can remember! I’ve been blessed to grow up backstage at the Opry watching my dad play on that iconic stage and seeing my mom handle the business side of the music, but to be invited to debut myself is an incredible feeling,” Roberts said. “Every country and bluegrass artist—really any genre of music— dreams about walking on that stage and stepping into that circle.”

This is an exciting time for Roberts. Not only is she nominated for three IBMA Awards (Female Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year/Sister Sadie, and Song of the Year – “Diane”/Sister Sadie), but she also recently graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in commercial songwriting from the College of Media and Entertainment. Her debut solo album, Something You Didn’t Count On, was released in May 2022, debuted Top 10 on Billboard’s Bluegrass Album Chart, and has had eight singles appear across both bluegrass and gospel music charts.

Roberts will also continue touring with Sister Sadie.

“Jaelee Roberts . . . wow, this girl can sing! She brings a vocal performance that touches the core of what fires me up about music,” said Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member Patty Loveless. “I love it when the next generation continues a family tradition!”

For more information on Jaelee Roberts, visit jaeleerobertsmusic.com.

Burgers

living Visit the Past

ent position from the comments he made online earlier in the month.

“I apologize for a social media post that made any reference to relocating or demolitioning Cannonsburgh. I would like to propose that in any memorandum of understanding that we look at that it is clearly specified and put in writing that Cannonsburgh will not be harmed, touched or relocated,” McFarland said. “The only thing that could be done at Cannonsburgh would be to improve the existing structures.”

Rose and Schuab said they chose Murfreesboro as a potential site for a baseball club because of the population base and downtown’s ecosystem. After touring multiple sites in the area, they became fixed on Cannonsburgh Village because of its “architectural significance.” Both Rose and Schuab expressed that they have no intention of harming Cannonsburgh, but emphasized their plans to “enrich” its beauty with the stadium.

“The season lasts about 50 home games. That leaves another 300 days to animate the stadium and activate the downtown with other exciting events,” Rose said. “If we go down a path and we work with the citizens and council on something that combines and brings together the campuses of Cannonsburgh and stadium, there’s all kinds of possibilities of what can happen.”

The deBATe on whether to place a minor league baseball stadium at Cannonsburgh, a Murfreesboro City Parks property, became a huge talking point in Murfreesboro last month.

In early September, Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland confirmed that the city had been contacted by developers looking to build a AA minor league baseball stadium somewhere in the heart of Murfreesboro. Local controversy unleashed after McFarland’s Sept. 7 Facebook post shared that he did not support demolishing Cannonsburgh, but saw it productive to discuss relocating it.

Quickly, a Facebook page titled “Save Cannonsburgh Village” and a petition against touching the buildings at historic Cannonsburgh Pioneer Village in any way were drawn up in response. Hundreds of community members who felt strongly about not disrupting the history or structures of Canonsburgh spoke out.

Over 2,000 people signed the petition, eventually including McFarland himself, as well as councilmember Shawn Wright and developer Jason Rose.

hiSToRiC CAnnonSBuRgh

Village, located at 312 S. Front St., represents

approximately 100 years of early Tennessee life from the 1830s to the 1930s, according to Murfreesboro Parks and Recreation.

Buildings at the village include a gristmill, schoolhouse, wedding chapel, doctor’s office, general store and a telephone operator’s house, among other vintage structures.

The property, which also contains a caboose and a large antique tractor and farm implement collection, serves as the home of the Murfreesboro Art League, Rutherford County Blacksmiths Association, the

Lions Club and the Stones River Car Club.

on SePT. 14 the City Council held a workshop meeting at the Murfreesboro Municipal Airport to discuss Project Diamond with Rose, the American Association of Professional Baseball Commissioner Josh Schuab and local residents. It allowed for questions, clarifications and information.

McFarland addressed the public concern for Cannonsburgh Village and took a differ-

Schuab said that he wants residents to view this stadium project as a cultural platform for family-friendly entertainment that pushes the “economic engine” year round.

However, community members like Heather Cadenhead and Cathy Watts believe that the Cannonsburgh Village area is alive now.

“[McFarland] says that the village is not used much, but he is wrong about this. Cannonsburgh Village is a vital part of our community,” says a portion of the Save Cannonsburgh Village petition organized by Watts. “Many community members are not in favor of moving Cannonsburgh Village and also feel that this area of town is not the right place for a baseball team. We love Cannonsburgh just the way it is and want to enjoy it for future festivals, weddings, school field trips and community events.”

Councilwoman Madelyn Scales Harris openly stated that she does not support this project. She is very concerned with traffic in the area, especially as other proposals such as the Keystone Project arise.

A parking facility will not be made for the stadium if plans progress. Schaub explained that the goal is for attendees to utilize the existing parking garages on the Murfreesboro Public Square. He feels that the baseball stadium attendance will increase foot traffic through the downtown

Murfreesboro

stO ry by dest I ny MI zell | p h OtO s by b I ll shacklett

Murfreesboro residents cry foul after c ity proposes baseball stadium at c annonsburgh

area and in turn boost revenue with local merchants. Schaub believes that is an efficient way to benefit Murfreesboro and lower costs for the project.

Another concern is how much of this project will be publicly funded. Rose stated that most stadiums are funded by taxpayers, but he wants to earn the community’s support so that they are enthusiastic about having the stadium. Rose won’t know what kind of numbers Murfreesboro would be looking at until engineering design work is drawn up.

Rose said NASCAR’s two-time Daytona 500 champion Michael Waltrip is interested in investing in the team as well as bringing his brewery and restaurant concept if the city project warrants it.

“There’s got to be a lot of discussion on the financing side before we ever move forward,” McFarland said.

If this facility does become a reality, Rose and Schaub plan to create a symbiotic relationship with Middle Tennessee State University. Schaub shared that three of their other baseball stadiums partner with local universities to let them play in their stadium, which reportedly helps in recruiting players. He also wants to introduce students to the sports industry and sports management through internships and part-time jobs with the baseball team that could turn into full-time employment. Their ideal stadium would seat between 4,500 and 5,000 people. They are estimating that a typical evening at the ballpark

What if You Could Prevent

for a family of four would average around $68, including admission, four sodas and four hot dogs.

As for the team itself, Rose would like Murfreesboro to name the team. He mentioned the possibility of a naming contest later down the line. Among the names already submitted by community members are The Pioneers, The Cannons and The Bucketheads. In addition to that, Rose anticipates some natural rivalry with the Clarksville Coyotes.

“If all goes well, the goal would be to have opening day spring of ’26,” Rose said. Aside from not relocating or demolishing Cannonsburgh Village, no formal public agreements have yet been made in regard to Project Diamond. Though, the city council intends to further discuss the proposal.

“I still want the community to stay involved because obviously this is a big decision and I want it to not be one we take lightly,” councilwoman Jami Averwater said.

oCT. 20–21, Cannonsburgh will host Frightensburgh, a scary haunted trail that weaves its way through terrifying scenes of horror in the old Cannonsburgh Village, from 6:30–10 p.m. Tickets are $10.

SATuRdAy, oCT. 28

Cannonsburgh will host the 2023 Harvest Days festival, an annual, free community event with blacksmith demonstrations, clogging, crafters, music, hayrides and more from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

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m iddle tennessee Pumpkin Patch, c orn m aze and Fall Farm Guide

Walden PumPKin Farm 8653 rocky Fork rd., Smyrna

Open through Oct. 29, Thurs.–Fri.: 2–6 p.m.; Sat.: 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sun.: 12–6 p.m.

O N li NE : waldenpumpkinfarm.com

AdMiSSiON: Free; activities require Walden Bucks, punch cards available for $10

OctO ber M eans I t’s t IM e for pumpkin patches, corn mazes, hay rides and fall fun, and many farms all over Middle Tennessee continue the tradition of hosting tons of activities for kids and the whole family in celebration of the season. Take a road trip to one of these Middle Tennessee farms and view the changing colors of the state’s rolling hills while taking the family for pumpkin picking, to see farm animals, to sample apple cider, barbecue and other fare, for rides, shows, music, bonfires or play areas and all of the sights, sounds and smells of fall.

tHe Farm at rOute 8 sHady lane

3722 Shady ln., Murfreesboro (near lascassas)

Open daily in October: 2–9 p.m.

ONliNE: facebook.com/route8shadylane

AdMiSSiON: $5 per person; age 4 and under free

FEATurES: Corn maze, haunted woods, food trucks; pumpkins, cornstalks and straw bales for sale

FEATurES: Hayrides, farm animals, hay and corn mazes, pumpkins, mums and other fall produce for sale, concession area offering BBQ, hamburgers and sweet treats; country store with fall decorations, jams, jellies, honey, carving kits and toys

WilsOn Family Farm

4809 Byrd ln., College grove (31 miles west of Murfreesboro)

Open Saturdays and Sundays throughout October, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.

ONliNE: thewilsonfamilyfarm.com

AdMiSSiON: $13; kids under 2 are free

FEATurES: Pick-yourown pumpkin, corn maze, hay wagon farm tour, cow train ride

ucKy ladd Farms

4734 rocky glade rd., Eagleville Thurs.–Sun.: 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

ONliNE: luckyladdfarms.com

AdMiSSiON: $17–26

FEATurES: Petting zoo, splash pad, pumpkin patch, slides, hayride, playground, corn maze, fish pond, tractor train, tire mountain, kid maze, corn box, toddler maze, duck races, pony swings, tricycle race track, straw bale maze, games, trails

c edarWOO d Farms

2900 Old Nashville hwy., McMinnville (34 miles east of Murfreesboro)

Open through Oct. 31, Thurs.: 8:30 a.m.–2 p.m.; Fri.: 8:30 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat.: 9:30 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun.: 12–5 p.m.

ONliNE: cedarwoodfarmstn.com

AdMiSSiON: $15 ages 11 and up; $13 for kids 3–10; Pumpkin for each guest included with admission

Bonfire admission is an additional $5; includes hot dogs, marshmallows, chips and a drink (cash or check preferred)

FEATurES: Pick-your-own pumpkin, mazes, jump pad, petting zoo, live music and bonfire by the pond, 100-foot super slide, tire city, treehouse

Gentry Farms

1974 New highway 96 W., Franklin (41 miles west of Murfreesboro)

Open in October, Sat.: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sun.: 1–5 p.m.; open Mondays from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. for home-schoolers

ONliNE: gentryfarm.com

AdMiSSiON: $11 per person; adults over 65 and children under 2 get in free (credit or debit card recommended)

FEATurES: Maze and labyrinth, grain barn, farm arcade, tire swings, kids’ play general store and farmers market, animals, wagon rides, tractor playground, labyrinth, nature trail with views of the West Harpeth River, mini-farm putt-putt

Grandaddy’s Farm

474 highland ridge rd., Estill Springs (54 miles south of Murfreesboro)

Open through Oct. 28, Tues.–Thurs.: 11:30 a.m.–6 p.m.; Fri.: 11:30 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sat. 9 a.m.–8 p.m.

ONliNE: grandaddysfarm.com

AdMiSSiON: Tues.–Fri.: $15.95; Sat.: $17.95 plus tax; free for children under 2; season pass: $40.95; hayrides included with admission, pumpkins are $5 each

FEATurES: Hayrides, pumpkins, pig races, corn maze, animal corral, picnic shelters, slides including the 150-foot Landslide, jump pad, corn boxes for the little ones, fall market with produce, sweet treats and toys

bOttOm vieW Farm

185 Wilkerson ln., Portland (55 miles north of Murfreesboro)

Open daily through Oct. 31, 8 a.m.–4 p.m.

ONliNE: bottomviewfarm.com

AdMiSSiON: $10 per person; age 2 and under free

EATurES: Ride a train to Grandma’s Cabin for a firsthand look at life on a farm, hay rides, slides, jumping pillow, pedal tractors, pony rides (weekend only), gold mine, animals, world’s largest rolled-hay maze

sH uc K les cO rn m aze and Pum PK in Patc H at Fiddle d ee Farms

7526 Swift rd., greenbrier (54 miles northwest of Murfreesboro)

Open through Oct. 29, Sat.: 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun.: noon–8 p.m.

ONliNE: shucklescornmaze.com

AdMiSSiON: $16.43; children 2 and under free; must purchase tickets online to guarantee entry

FEATurES: Magician Bruce Amato performs four shows daily, 150-foot slide, corn maze, pumpkin patch, concessions, games

HOneysucKle Hill Farm

1765 Martins Chapel Church rd., Springfield (56 miles northwest of Murfreesboro) Open through Oct. 29, Tues.–Thurs.:

9:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; Fri.: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Sat.: 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Sun.: 12–6 p.m.; Special hours for fall break, Oct.

9–12: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

O N li NE : honeysucklehillfarm.com

Ad M i SS i ON : $19.95; Saturdays and Sundays: $21.95; age 2 and under free; season pass: $49.95

FEATurES: Corn maze featuring Reba McEntire design, pumpkin patch, farm market, bonfires, hayride and much more

Food

The Dish

restaurant

Southern Spoon

lO cat IO n

1303 Plaza dr., Smyrna ph O ne

615-768-5333

hO urs

Tues.–Sun.: 7 a.m.–3 p.m.

s outhern s poon

In 2018, Adam and Crystal Barnes began operating a catering business under the name Southern Spoon. In need of a larger kitchen, they found one, just off of Lowry Street and Sam Ridley Parkway in the heart of Smyrna, Tennessee, and in 2022 launched the sit-down, physical version of their culinary vision.

Here, as the sunlight pours in the large, open dining room on an early fall day, the music of B.B. King, Keb’ Mo’ and other blues artists plays over the restaurant speakers. The space feels super comfortable, roomy and orderly; in addition to the dining room tables, the area contains a small library and seating area—a cozy place to sip a cup of coffee and read—a few games, some plants, a couple of toys and even a chess board set up.

On the menu, find the classic breakfast items—bacon, eggs, steak, biscuits and gravy—along with chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits served every day (except for Monday, the one day the spot closes) from 7 a.m. until closing time at 3 p.m.

“The chicken and waffles has so much flavor to it, you have to try it,” said a recent customer, Sammy. He added that other items

he tried were good also, “but the chicken and waffles were the star of the show.”

A recent Yelper said that he found shrimp and grits “very flavorful and super creamy,” while customer Tanya Goodman Sykes said “It’s nice to eat real homemade sausage gravy and not something prefab” following a Southern Spoon experience.

Customers can build their own breakfast sandwich, such as country ham, egg and

cheese on a freshly made biscuit, or steak on a sweet potato waffle, if they wish.

Southern Spoon has a full espresso bar as well, grinding beans from the Frothy Monkey, and serves a variety of specialty coffee drinks, such as a chocolate-covered strawberry latte, a hazelnut cortado, lavender rose breve, chai latte and peppermint cappuccino, among other selections.

“The coffees are expertly brewed,” said

pr I ces

Smoked brisket, buttermilk fried chicken breast or red-eye steak with three sides: $17; Shrimp & grits: $15; Two eggs with sausage, home fries and sweet potato waffle: $12; Truffle parmesan fries: $6; Salad topped with roasted pork: $12; Burger and side: $15

O nl I ne southernspoontn.com

one Smyrna local. “Try the almond joy or the honey cinnamon miel.”

Moving on to lunch, the meats and vegetables for the hungry man—the restaurant dishes out some elevated Southern favorites, truly some high-level interpretations of the well-known meat-and-three offerings. It feels like a chef puts care into creating a plate here (opposed to a meat-and-three plate slopped out cafeteria-style from large bins of food prepared the previous day, as the case can sometimes seem to be elsewhere).

There’s smoked brisket, fried catfish, green beans, barbecue chicken and sweet potato casserole.

Find some very good collard greens at the Southern Spoon, served with a hot, but sweet, pepper jelly. This sauce looks extreme with all of the pepper seeds lurking within, but it is actually quite sweet and tasty, though it does pack some spice; proceed with a bit of caution, but for those who like heat plus sweet, it’s a great condiment.

The breading on the fried chicken is just about perfect: so crispy, flaky and salty.

The Nashville hot chicken is a bit on the mild side by many diners’ “Nashville hot” standards, but still very, very good.

stO ry by b racken MayO | p h OtO s by s arah MayO

smyrna restaurant serves elevated

meat and three, breakfast, brunch and creative coffees

The meatloaf is not boring at all. It’s a generous slab of wagyu meatloaf wrapped in bacon.

The Southern Spoon team prepares the broccoli superbly. It’s cooked just enough so it is soft, but nowhere near mushy—delicious.

Additionally, the restaurant makes its wagyu bologna in-store.

This diner found the carrots a little crisp and underdone, and didn’t really care for the flavoring, but that was about the only item sampled at Southern Spoon so far that wasn’t totally superb.

Those soufflé-style sweet potatoes, topped with toasted marshmallows on top—this is good stuff!—with some nutmeg amongst the flavors.

And Barnes says that the Southern Spoon makes each side of mac and cheese to order.

Now, one of these fine Southern Spoon meat-and-three plates goes for $17 (it seems like only a decade ago when the people of Rutherford County balked at a $9 meat-andthree plate price), but the portions are very large and it seems the food is made with love and pride. Still, some may find the price

a little much for this type of fare.

The Barneses say they still do a lot of catering jobs, and locals can look for the Southern Spoon food truck out there, too.

Many speeding by on Smyrna’s busy Lowry Street may not immediately notice this quality addition to the Rutherford County dining scene, but it is worth seeking out (Southern Spoon sits on Plaza Drive, just off of Nolan Drive near the Stars and Strikes, Smyrna Skate Center and Smyrna Outdoor Adventure Center).

“I’m from the South and have grown up on comfort food. Southern Spoon has perfected their comfort food and taken it up several notches! A whole new level of comforting,” Diane Sauseda said. “Portions are very generous and the food is quite literally melt-in-your-mouth.”

She added that, in addition to the quality food, Southern Spoon gets “all the little touches” right, complimenting the inviting atmosphere and cleanliness as well.

For a chef-driven establishment serving upscale Southern favorites in a detailed, perfect way, along with a fine coffee bar and full breakfast offering early morning or mid-day, try out Smyrna’s Southern Spoon.

Firebirds; Mr. Brews; P.F. Chang’s; Aldi; ; Earth Experience; Travellin’ Tom’s; Bonchon korean; MexiChina and More

by delOres ellIOtt

More plans for the Clari Park development on Medical Center Parkway have been announced, including plans to build a new P.F. ChANg’S location.

P.F. Chang’s currently has five Tennessee locations which include Chattanooga, Franklin, Knoxville, Memphis and Nashville.

P.F. Chang’s may be the first internationally recognized multi-unit Asian culinary brand to honor and celebrate wok cooking as the center of the guest experience. With roots in Chinese cuisine, its current menu features dishes from across all of Asia, honoring cultures and recipes from Japan, Korea, Thailand and other areas.

P.F. Chang’s now has more than 300 restaurants in all.

Clari Park on Medical Center Parkway will also include a rAiSiNg CANE’S. Raising Cane’s offers a variety of chicken meals, its own popular Cane’s Sauce, and its crinklecut fries made from center-cut grade A potatoes, as well as a side of Texas toast for most meals. This will be the second Raising Cane’s location in the area in addition to their Smyrna location at 380 Sam Ridley Parkway W. The chain also has Cookeville, Knoxville and Nashville eateries.

Mr. BrEWS TAPhOuSE recently received its commercial building permit for its 14th restaurant location, which will be at 5525 Franklin Rd. in Murfreesboro. The new restaurant is expected to open by the beginning of December. Mr. Brews will offer a variety of burgers and craft beers.

The Mr. Brews franchise began with its first location in 2013 in Weston, Wisconsin. Most of its current locations exist in Wisconsin, with additional locations in Arizona, Florida, Kansas and Kentucky.

The restaurant also offers sweet potato fries and fresh-cut chips, black bean patties, Certified Hereford beef burgers, and vegetarian options. Gourmet burger options include the Kentucky Bourbon Classic, the Rajun’ Cajun and the Brews-chetta burger.

FirEBirdS WOOd FirEd grill recently opened its newest location at 2532 Medical Center Pkwy. in Murfreesboro, the brand’s second restaurant in the greater Nashville area. Restaurant hours are from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The award-winning American restaurant and steakhouse, known for preparing its seasoned and hand-cut aged steaks and fresh seafood over an open flame, offers 6,000-square-feet of space for guests to enjoy the unique dinner experience, with the restaurant’s scratch kitchen visible from the dining room.

The extensive Firebirds menu also includes seared tuna, ribs, burgers, bacon deviled eggs, cheesesteak egg rolls, crab cakes, wings, salads and a five-layer lemon cake. And the concept’s Firebar serves Firebirds’ signature Double Black Diamond Martini, an infusion of fresh pineapple and pineapple vodka.

“I’ve had the distinct privilege of being a part of the hospitality community in Middle Tennessee for years, and there’s nothing quite like the energy and vibrancy of the food scene here. As we have for years at Firebirds in Brentwood, my team and I look forward to serving only the finest wood-fired steaks, seafood and more to this growing community in historic Murfreesboro,” said Kevin Hodges, general manager of Firebirds in Murfreesboro. “On behalf of the entire Firebirds team, we couldn’t be more thrilled to serve our neighbors in Clari Park for years to come.”

The location hosted a pre-opening event and fundraiser for Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation—the restaurant company’s national charity partner—to aid in the fight against childhood cancer. In addition to raising funds pre-opening and hosting other events throughout the year, for every Alex’s Lemonade purchased in every Firebirds restaurant, $1.25 is donated to the foundation. Firebirds has raised about $3.5 million to fund impactful research, raise awareness and empower communities to help cure childhood cancer.

A privately-owned, polished casual American restaurant concept, Firebirds offers an energetic twist on the traditional grill, searing its items over locally sourced hickory, oak or pecan wood on its exposed wood-fired grill. For more information, visit firebirdsrestaurants.com.

Select your favorite cheese, with options like pepper jack, bleu cheese and havarti, and finish off a burger with extras like a fried egg or bacon.

It also serves grilled cheese, mac n’ cheese, chicken tenders and burger sliders

to keep the kids happy. The new restaurant will also feature an outside patio area allowing customers to bring their dogs.

For more information on Mr. Brews, visit mrbrewstaphouse.com.

Aldi’S newest location at 5109 Franklin Rd. has officially opened, with store hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily, every day.

The store receives fresh produce daily and Aldi management say they are proud to support shoppers with their great deals on meats, canned goods and more.

“Our stores are designed to make grocery shopping smarter, faster and easier, and we’ve been voted the price leader for six years running,” said Aldi’s Divisional Vice President Amy Peters. “We have served this community for more than 18 years and are excited to continue to offer Murfreesboro residents an affordable way of shopping.”

Aldi has opened more than 1,000 stores throughout America within the last 10 years.

Aldi offers a variety of organic produce delivered daily, a selection of cheese, alcoholic beverages, gluten-free and plant-based food, non-perishables and more. Shoppers now have the option to pick up orders via curbside pickup, as well as the option for delivery.

BONChON kOrEAN FriEd

ChiCkEN has opened its Murfreesboro location at 1718 Memorial Blvd., featuring chicken wings and strips fried crispy and tossed in its signature soy garlic or spicy sauce, as well as bulgogi, kimchi, udon noodle soup, fried rice, katsu, Korean tacos, pork buns and more.

A new eatery called MExiChiNA will soon open in the Marathon gas station on Old Fort Parkway in the restaurant space formerly occupied by Flying Chicken Station. The new eatery will offer a variety of Mexican and Chinese menu options, and will be the second location in the area in addition to MexiChina’s La Vergne location on Nir Shreibman Boulevard, just off of Waldron Road and Murfreesboro Road.

For more information and the MexiChina menu, visit mexichinarestauranttn.com

WOOdFiN FuNErAl ChAPEl will celebrate its 130th anniversary with a public celebration on Sunday, Oct. 15, at 4 p.m. The event will be held at the Murfreesboro location, 1488 Lascassas Pk., and will include refreshments, music and a guest speaker.

Woodfin also invites residents who have experienced grief to take part in their weekly Mourning Walk, held every Thursday at 9:30 a.m. Those interested will meet at Oakland’s Park pavilion, located at 900 N.

CONTiNuEd FrOM PAgE 27 Maney Ave. in Murfreesboro.

The Woodfin Funeral Chapels in Murfreesboro and Smyrna, a six-generation business, have been independent and family-owned since 1893. For more information, visit woodfinchapel.com

TAziki’S Murfreesboro location has opened at The Oaks, 1855 Medical Center Pkwy., serving beef, lamb, salmon, shrimp and chicken available on a bed of rice, on a salad or as a wrap, along with hummus, soup pasta and more.

Taziki’s originated in Birmingham, Alabama, in 1998 and has since grown to over 90 locations, primarily in the Southeast.

The MurFrEESBOrO drivEr SErviCES CENTEr at 1035 Samsonite Blvd. has closed temporarily for a remodel, and will reopen sometime in mid-November. While the Murfreesboro Driver Services Center is closed, road skills tests can be scheduled at the new MurFrEESBOrO ExPrESS drivEr SErviCES CENTEr at 3906 Blaze Dr.

Citizens can also visit the four self-service kiosks in Rutherford County, located at the La Vergne Public Library, Linebaugh Public Library, MTSU’s Blueprint Print Shop, and at the Rutherford County Clerk’s office. Services included at the kiosks include handgun permit renewals, replacing or renewing a driver’s license, paying driver’s reinstatement fees, changing an address or obtaining a voter registration card. For more information, visit tn.gov/safety/ driver-services.

The TENNESSEE digiTAl MArkETiNg ASSOCiATiON recently launched with intent to assist local professionals in growing their digital marketing skills by helping them learn in a judgmentfree zone. TDMA offers a peer mentoring model and offers marketers a low-cost place

kONA iCE OF MiddlE

TENNESSEE recently announced that it will open a new business this fall. The business, called TrAvElliN’ TOM’S COFFEE, will offer a variety of drinks including frappes, cold brews, iced and warm coffee, frozen beverages, flavored hot chocolate, energy drinks, lemonades, teas and more.

It will offer all sorts of flavor options—vanilla, caramel, mocha, white chocolate, hazelnut and spiced chai, as well as seasonal flavors: honey blueberry, available from March 1 to May 1, vanilla horchata from May 1 to July 1, pumpkin pie from Sept. 1 to Nov.1, and peppermint from Nov. 1 to Jan. 1.

Travellin’ Tom’s, like Kona Ice, will set up at a variety of events around Middle Tennessee. The business is currently hiring “positive people that don’t mind working hard” with coffee and barista experience to staff this coffee shop on wheels. For more information or to apply, email willrod@kona-ice.com or visit facebook.com/konaiceofmiddletennessee

to learn while being supported by other marketers and local experts. Fueled by discussion, brainstorming and sharing, the environment stimulates learning, creativity and collaboration.

“Marketing has evolved incredibly fast, and the volume of skills that marketers are expected to master is daunting: the explosion in disruptive artificial intelligence tools, a reduced ability to target audiences

EArTh ExPEriENCE MuSEuM OF NATurAl hiSTOry, located at 816 Old Salem Rd., recently announced that it has acquired a 2,500-pound triceratops skull.

The skull was found and retrieved from Montana, which was around 3,200 miles round-trip—a journey documented on the Earth Experience Facebook page—and museum staff say they are excited to have the massive fossil as part of its exhibit.

The Earth Experience has been in the process of removing the plaster and rock from around the skull, a process that will be visible to the public. Museum guests can observe this while at the Murfreesboro facility. Other museum exhibits include archeological relics from Antarctica and Madagascar to minerals, rocks, fossils and other locally-found items. For more information, visit earthexperience.org.

with online advertising due to privacy changes and the 2024 loss of third-party cookies, [and] major shifts in SEO and media relations,” said TDMA founder and CEO and Murfreesboro resident Carrie Morgan. “Lately, every time we master one tool or tactic, it changes or another takes its place. It’s a tough environment with high client and employer expectations.”

Morgan has more than 30 years of agency, corporate and nonprofit marketing experience. Her core competencies include keyword analysis, on-page search engine optimization, content marketing and market positioning. She is a keyword analyst consultant, and the award-winning author of Above the Noise: Creating Trust, Value & Reputation Online Using Basic Digital PR, and a Google Women TechMakers Ambassador.

She spent years searching for an association that was part mastermind group, part think tank, and part peer mentoring, where marketing professionals could truly work together, and eventually decided to create TDMA as a solution

The organization will begin with offering one event per month in Nashville, starting with the Oct. 12 “Must-Know AI Tools and Tactics for Marketing Professionals” at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center, and plans to follow that with other Murfreesboro and Nashville events.

For more information, visit thetdma.com or contact Carrie Morgan at 602-478-9919 or hello@thetdma.com.

clO sed 

After just a couple of years of operation within the Marathon on Old Fort Parkway, FlyiNg ChiCkEN STATiON has closed due to staff members retiring.

MOONliTE drivE-iN in Woodbury

recently announced that it has closed permanently due to the staff wanting more time with their families. Despite the theater closing, the facility will still offer a place for special events and fundraising. According to their Facebook page, a few events are already in the works, with more information to come.

Many locals have commented on Moonlite’s Facebook page suggesting they would love to see the business sold to a new owner in order to continue the drive-in, as it has been one of Woodbury’s main attractions since it opened in 2005.

Visit facebook.com/themoonlite for further information.

Those wanting a drive-in experience can visit the Stardust Drive-In in Watertown, which according to owner Barry Floyd, will remain open.

W I ne aR oun D the s qua R e

Power of Pink b enefit Returns to Downtown s quare o ct. 21, Gay e nsey t his Year’s h onoree

WhEN gAy ENSEy rECEivEd A diAgNOSiS OF BrEAST CANCEr, the disease was far from new to her. Both her mother and younger sister had previously been diagnosed with the disease, and she helped them through their journey. She has also been a nurse at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford for 46 years, and in her current position as program coordinator for orthopedics and neurosurgery, she shares a floor with oncology and sees cancer patients every day.

“I have had a lot of firsthand experience with [cancer],” said Ensey, “so it wasn’t as devastating to me. It wasn’t that my world turned upside down. I’m also a very realistic, very calm person, so I was like, ‘Hey, we have a new adventure in life. We’re going to go for it and figure this out’.”

The one thing she had to figure out is all the different types of breast cancer. Like everyone else, she heard the commercials for treatment drugs that mention “Her2,” “Ereceptors” and more, but that part was all new to her. Learning more about what type she had helped her understand her treatment better.

“When I received my diagnosis, I had to look to the surgeon to understand it,” Ensey said.

One thing she knew immediately was where she was going to get treated and who her doctors were going to be, and she pulled together her support system. Her team included Dr. Jimmy Carter, Dr. Brad Medling, Dr. Victor Gian with TN Oncology and Dr. Paul Ledoux and JoAnn Mayes with Murfreesboro Anesthesia Group. But she knows

not everyone has the support that she had, so she recommends that those with a new diagnosis lean heavily on their nurse navigator.

“They have been there with many people . . . from first diagnosis to those who have already had surgery, out of remission, back in remission,” Ensey explained. “They know the story and they are good to talk to. Don’t be afraid to ask for . . . resources.”

One of her biggest self-discoveries was that she was not above cancer. She exercises,

eats right, lives a good life and has faith, but she still received a cancer diagnosis. That is why she is so adamant that people get their annual mammograms so they can have an early diagnosis.

Ensey had a bilateral mastectomy and reconstructive surgery. Being an active and independent person, she found the two weeks after her surgery, when she was unable to care for herself because she could not raise her arms, to be the hardest. Her support system—her husband, daughter, son, extended family, and nurse friends—all kicked in. Asking for help during cancer is, Ensey says, the bravest thing you can do.

Being a nurse gave her a leg up on treatment, because she went into nursing to help others. She knew she wanted to be a nurse from the time she was 4. By age 10 she was helping her mentor and idol, Bedford County’s Health Nurse Mrs. Anderson, with the distribution of polio vaccines.

Born on a dairy farm in Unionville, she was raised by hardworking people, but few in her circle were ever in the medical field. Still, her family supported her goal of becoming a nurse. On July 7, 1977, Ensey became an RN at what was then Rutherford

Hospital. She has seen more changes there than just the name, yet she has never seen a reason to go anywhere else. The hospital is a second family, she said. It was at their urging that she decided to tell her story as this year’s Power of Pink Honoree.

“If anything in my story can help spread awareness that the Power of Pink provides those who are uninsured and underinsured have access to mammograms and early detection, then I am all about it,” she added.

Supporting Rutherford County women in the fight against breast cancer, Wine Around the Square returns to downtown Murfreesboro on Saturday, Oct. 21. The 12th annual Wine Around the Square event, held from 6 to 9 p.m. in various venues around the Murfreesboro Public Square, is a progressive wine and spirits tasting event. With support from Stones River Total Beverages, a wide variety of wines and liquors will be available for sampling throughout the evening.

Event tickets include dinner from the Alley on Main, entertainment from The Chris Weaver Band, and access to all of the tasting venues plus the afterparty at the Alley on Main.

Tickets are $65.

For a VIP experience, VIP ticket-holders will have access to an exclusive pre-party at Whiskey Dix Saloon where they can enjoy additional wines, hors d’oeuvres and bourbons, and receive souvenirs to take home. The VIP Party is also where the Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Foundation celebrates this year’s honoree—Gay Ensey.

VIP tickets are $250.

For event tickets, visit winearoundthesquare.ticketbud.com/2023.

Proceeds from Wine Around the Square benefit the Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford Power of Pink Fund, created to provide awareness, education and diagnostic services for those who need it the most in Rutherford County. Power of Pink also partners with Ascension Saint Thomas Mission in Motion Mobile Mammography coach to provide mammograms for women in Rutherford and 26 surrounding counties, regardless of their ability to pay. Since its inception, the Power of Pink Fund has provided 25,000 potentially life saving mammograms and diagnostics for area women; the fund has also provided $500,000 to support the Our Mission in Motion Coach refurbishment to add 3D tomography and go towards the purchase of a new coach.

For more information on the Ascension Saint Thomas rutherford Foundation, visit rutherfordfoundation.org.

2023 wine around the s quare c ommittee

Take your picture by the mural at the Reliant Realty office at 640 Broadmor Blvd., post it to the Platinum Partners at Reliant Realty Facebook page @platinumpartnersTN and tell us why you “love where you live” for a chance to WIN THIS COOLER  loaded with tailgating/ camping supplies!

SiNCE FAll iS hErE ANd ThE hOlidAy FEASTS ArE JuST ArOuNd ThE corner, what better story this month than one about a “Murfreesboro Maker” who grew up in the South and learned how to cook from her mom (who learned how to cook from her mom, and on up the line—you get the picture).

Murfreesboro resident Carolyn Hall is not only a Middle Tennessee Realtor, but she now is the author of a cookbook called Mama’s Table: Y’all Come Eat. I recently asked her about her life story, her culinary journey and her cookbook.

Mr. MurfreesbOrO: who is carolyn hall? where were you born and where did you grow up?

carOlyn hall: I am from Smyrna, Georgia, right outside Atlanta. My family has always been close. Before my sister and I started high school activities and driving, we went to Alabama, where my parents were raised. Some of my most precious memories as a child were when I was with my grandparents. where did you attend school? Campbell High School, right outside Atlanta. who inspired you growing up? My mama, grandmother and two aunts. They all had a hand in me learning to cook. when did you decide to become a

realtor?

My son was fixing to graduate from high school. I had worked in the school system my kids were in so we could have the same schedule. I was definitely ready for a change. I had heard many times, “you would make a great Realtor with your personality.” do you remember cooking your first meal?

The first meal I cooked all by myself was when I was dating my former husband. I

knew we were gonna be getting married and my mama let me cook supper for us. I don’t know what I fixed, but I did get some critiquing after Dann left that evening. how did that make you feel?

Nervous! I had a man to impress! who or what inspired you to write a book about southern cooking? For some reason, I have always taken photos of my food. I loved to share it on social media. I had thought about writing a book of family recipes for my family, but just never did anything about it. My daughter Melanie was getting married, and I knew as her mother I wanted to give her a very special gift. It is by far my most cherished moment when I gave it to her. what is your favorite dish to cook?

I don’t have a specific dish I like to fix. I have a meal that my entire family loves. It’s the most requested for family meals. It’s cubed steak, gravy, homemade mashed potatoes, English peas, corn, sometimes some okra I put up from summer, Sister Schubert rolls and a little something sweet. I’m not a baker at all, so I’ve never been scared to pull out a box of Little Debbies! do you use a lot of spices?

I’m not a big spice girl, just the basics. what makes a good chef or cook?

I’m not sure about a chef, because I just call myself a home cook. But I would think practice, practice, practice. what is the name of your book?

Mama’s Table: Y’all Come Eat will there be a sequel?

Yes! When you read Mama’s Table: Y’all Come Eat you clearly see that it was written

to my daughter. I plan on doing one for my son, Daniel. The name of it is going to be Mama’s Table, Second Helpings. He’s the second child.

besides cooking, what else do you enjoy?

I love spending time with my family, cuddles with my dog Graham, the beach in the off-season and crocheting. tell us about your family?

I have have two children. Melanie is 25, married to a wonderful man. They are expecting their first child. It’s a girl, so no doubt she will be a great cook like her mama, me, my mama, my grandmother . . . where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?

Living a beautiful life! how can people find your book? Amazon and the Country Gourmet just off the Square here in Murfreesboro. Also, The Davis General store in Leiper’s Fork is going to carry it. when is your book signing party? Nov. 3 at Country Gourmet.

As you can see, Carolyn is a very busy woman. Besides being a mom and soon-tobe grandma, a Realtor and now an author, she is making a difference in the world. I bet most of us at one time loved eating the same dish over and over, just prepared by a different mom or grandma.

Find Mama’s Table: Y’all Come Eat on Amazon or come and meet Carolyn hall at the Country gourmet, 107 E. Main St., Murfreesboro, on Friday, Nov. 3, from 5 to 8 p.m.

Tune into WgNS at 100.5 FM or 1450 AM each Sunday at 9 p.m. for The Mr. Murfreesboro Show or find the podcast on Apple Podcasts. Call Mr. Murfreesboro, a.k.a. Bill Wilson, for all of your local real estate needs at 615-406-5872. you can also follow Mr. Murfreesboro on Facebook and instagram.

news

honoring the Brave

VFW c haplain and Post c ommander Farrer Represents tennessee at 2023 Purple h eart h all of h onor Induction

by laura l I ndsay

riChArd ANdrEW FArrEr, uSMC, Tennessee Chaplain and Post Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Stones River Post #12206 in Murfreesboro, serves other military veterans in his community every day.

This September, Farrer was honored as the Tennessee Representative for the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor induction ceremony.

“Veterans of Foreign Wars, or VFW, was founded in 1899; it is one of the oldest veterans’ services organizations in the world,” Farrer said. “We are known for the GI Bill, The Pact Act, and we are still serving after we have served. We are serving for our veterans.”

Farrer has served as the VFW state chaplain for three years in a row.

“We have 15,898 members, who I get to pray for. I get to go to their funerals, I get to console families, and I get to help out the state officer, and the continuation of the VFW,” he told the Pulse. “I am also the VFW Commander of the Stones River Post 12206. The Stones River Post started two years ago with 26 members. We now have 330 members. We did 935 hours of community service last year, and we gave back $132,000 in aid and assistance to veterans.”

Farrer was born in Tennessee in 1977, and moved back to Tennessee seven years ago after some time away. Now as state chaplain, he volunteers along with the other leaders of the 87 VFW posts in Tennessee.

“I am really happy to represent the state,” Farrer said. “I came back here and married my wife, and now we live in Murfreesboro. It is a great story for me because I was an alcoholic—I am an alcoholic. I am five years sober.

“I got saved, and now I am a community leader. I go to St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, I’ve been married five years to my wife, Katrina, and I got to buy a house in Murfreesboro that is right next to the VA. Because of the VFW and God, my life has turned around for the better.”

Farrer received his Purple Heart after being hit by shrapnel from a rocket-propelled grenade in July 2006 at the Battle of Ramadi in Iraq.

“I was an infantry machine gunner, Farrer said. We had to go to Ramadi, which was a very, very bad time. That summer I think 47 people got the Purple Heart. The Purple Heart medal is given if you were wounded or killed in action while serving overseas for the country.”

In September 2023, Farrer represented

Tennessee at the National Purple Heart Hall of Honor induction ceremony in New York

“This opportunity to represent our great state at such a prestigious event is truly humbling,” Farrer said. “The Purple Heart Hall of Honor is a place that pays tribute to the brave men and women who have been wounded or sacrificed their lives in service to their nation. It serves as a testament to their courage, resilience and unwavering dedication.”

Farrer offered an aside regarding the origin of the Purple Heart medal, which was created by George Washington in 1782. “Back then it was actually called the Medal of Merit. [Washington] wanted a medal to give to the enlisted soldiers because everything else went to the officers,” Farrar explained.

The ceremony took place in Newburgh, New York—the city where Washington originally founded the honor—as part of the National Purple Heart Honor Mission’s 2023 Purple Heart Project. Purple Heart recipients from across the country were honored. The Purple Heart Hall of Honor welcomed new

inductees who have received the award for their valor and sacrifice.

“It is our duty to honor and recognize their sacrifices,” Farrer said.

The event was a multi-day tribute to salute wounded warriors that also included a trip with visits to historic sites in New York City, to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, a tour of the National Purple Heart Hall of Fame in New Windsor, and a visit to Washington’s headquarters in Newburgh.

Among this year’s honorees are U.S. Army veteran Robert Senter, who received two Purple Hearts while serving in the European Theatre during World War II. Another honoree is George Stavropoulos of Indiana, a Navy hospital corpsman attached to the 1st battalion 9th Marines in Vietnam in 1967. During heavy fighting, Stavropoulos continued to provide medical care to other soldiers despite his own wounds. He was awarded a Silver Star for valor; and his second, third and fourth Purple Hearts.

Here in Murfreesboro, on most Sunday mornings, Farrer attends Coffee with a Veteran. It begins at 8 a.m. at Joanie’s on the Square. Many veterans attend, but “anyone can come and enjoy Coffee with a Veteran,” Farrer said.

Upcoming veterans events include the VA Carnival at the Alvin C. York Medical Center on Oct. 6, and the Veterans Day ceremony on the Murfreesboro Public Square at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11.

For more information on the vFW Stones river Post, visit stonesrivervfw.com.

by bla I ne l I ttle

t wo Sisters Maid to c lean

Building a team helped entrepreneur with mission to clean

S AMA hri A r i C hi E , owner of Two Sisters Maid to Clean, knows a thing or two about running a business. Professionally, she worked in corporate IT, where she was a problem-solver for those who had computer issues or challenges accessing online resources. But after she had her fourth child, she felt the need to leave corporate life and stay closer to home. She did just that, and online sales was her first leap into entrepreneurship. It gave her the money she wanted and more time to attend to her children.

In 2017, Samahria and her sister, Kamille Henry, a daycare worker, were looking for new ways to make some extra money. Though neither were professional cleaners, they felt like cleaning was a good way to earn money and an activity that could fit into their already busy schedules. So, in the beginning, it was just the two of them: hence the name—Two Sisters Maid to Clean.

Henry later left the company to start the Learning Ladder Academy on New Salem Road, but the company name still reflects her role as a business founder.

Throughout the life and growth of the Murfreesboro business, Richie has credited her father as a chief mentor. They say that a leader is a reader, and her father recommended that she read the business classic The E-Myth by Michael Gerber. That book was first published in the mid-’80s, but it still contains numerous truths relevant to modern small-business owners.

One lesson the book emphasizes is that in order to truly become an entrepreneur, a business founder must take on other staffers to help with the day-to-day tasks of running an organization. And so she did.

Now, the cleaning business is burgeoning and Richie is looking to expand to other locations. Currently, her company serves Rutherford County and most adjacent communities, including Nashville. In fact, with several clients in Davidson County, she is now considering opening another facility there. Of course, she can’t do that without having a good team in place.

With her current team already two dozen employees strong, Richie is investing energy in creating added value for its clients as well as its team members, who receive benefits and paid time off.

The organization proclaims that its corporate mission is to “continuously develop while serving

with integrity and improving the lives of those we encounter” and strives to accomplish that mission with its core values of compassion, safety, quality, integrity and people over profits.

Richie is currently demonstrating elements of that mission with an actively philanthropic gesture: for every new client in the month of October, her company will donate $50 to Cleaning for a Reason, a charity that provides home cleaning for cancer patents.

The business owner has a vision board in her office that keeps her focused on what needs to happen and where she wants to take the company.

But perhaps the biggest tool for her is that of systems, processes and procedures.

“A lot of business owners I talk to do not have good systems and you see a lot of people in our industry going out of business,” Richie says. “I also feel they won’t invest in how to learn to do [new] things and won’t move from the technician role,” which is why she recommends The E-Myth. According to the book, technicians, however skilled they may be, focus on doing the immediate work necessary that day—making, selling, delivering or cleaning—those good at the handson aspect of what they do. Entrepreneurs focus on the future, defining the mission of the business and closing the gap between where the business is and where they want it to be.

A business without the entrepreneur personality type in a leadership role—a visionary—can stagnate.

“Had I been stuck in that [technician] mentality, our business wouldn’t be where it is today.”

For more about the services Two Sisters provides or to find out about employment opportunities, visit twosistersmaidtoclean.com or call 615-596-7433.

Blaine little is founder and CEO of Momentum Seminars Training and Coaching, a veteran owned business, helping companies remain profitable by investing in their people. he trains and coaches the power skills of leadership, team building and communication. learn more at momentumseminars.com. his book Managerial Mistakes, Missteps & Misunderstandings, is available on Amazon. Check out his podcast at bit.ly/ toastcaster143.

opinion

Does a I h ave c onstitutional Rights?

WiTh ThE rElEASE OF ChATgPT

and other artificial intelligence (AI) applications, there has been a lot of speculation and assertions about our future. With over 30 years of experience in information technology (IT), I have more than a passing understanding of AIs, and have come to the conclusion that much of what I’ve heard is more science fiction than fact.

A recent court case in the D.C. District Court revolved around one very important question: Do AIs have rights?

aR t IFI c I al Intell IG ence

There’s a lot of confusion out there about artificial intelligence. Some claim that AIs have the power of independent thought which will, one day, allow them to take over the world. Others write AIs off as nothing but a novelty. Based on my experience, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

I am not an expert on the current state of artificial intelligence, but there are certain things I know to be true. Let’s start by looking at what an AI currently is. Today’s AI’s are, in general, sophisticated pattern matching software. What differentiates them from other types of software is their ability to “infer” a conclusion. For example, if you create a standard pattern matching algorithm designed to identify dogs in pictures, it can only match a picture of a dog it has already been programmed with. However, an AI designed to perform the same task will compare the pictures with what it has been trained to recognize, and attempt to “infer” if a dog is present based on how closely it can match the images in its database. The process of adding known dog images to the AI’s database is known as training. That’s a very important point. AIs don’t have an innate understanding of what a dog is. They must be trained, usually with thousands to millions of samples, for it to stand a chance of accurately inferring if there is a dog in a picture. This is how

ChatGPT, Siri and Google Assistant all work, but with words rather than images. It looks at what you have typed or spoken and compares that to its database to infer what you are asking for. Then it searches for what it thinks you want and returns it to you, whether that be the sports scores, playing a song, or compiling data into your latest term paper.

With all of that in mind, let’s look at the recent case Thaler v. Perlmutter.

This case starts with a man, a computer and a piece of art.

Plaintiff Stephen Thaler owns a computer system he calls the “Creativity Machine,” which he claims generated a piece of visual art of its own accord. He sought to register the work for a copyright, listing the computer system as the author and explaining that the copyright should transfer to him as the owner of the machine.

— Thaler v. Perlmutter

The important part of Mr. Thaler’s claim is not that he wants a copyright for the art, but that he wanted the computer to be listed as the “author.” I find this a very dubious claim, since he clearly wants the copyright for himself, and I’m not the only one suspicious of Mr. Thaler’s copyright application.

The Copyright Office denied the application on the grounds that the work lacked human authorship, a prerequisite for a valid copyright to issue, in the view of the Register of Copyrights.

— Thaler v. Perlmutter

Shira Perlmutter is the Register of Copyrights and Director of the United States Copyright Office. She is the one who ultimately denied Mr. Thaler’s application for one simple reason. Listing the computer system Creativity Machine as the author would mean there was no human authorship, thereby making the application invalid. This, to me, is the crux of the matter. Do computer systems have property rights? P R o P e R t Y R

IG hts

To properly analyze this question, we have

by paul engel

to understand what property is.

This term in its particular application means “that dominion which one man claims and exercises over the external things of the world, in exclusion of every other individual.”

In its larger and juster meaning, it embraces every thing to which a man may attach a value and have a right; and which leaves to every one else the like advantage.

– James Madison, “On Property,” for the National Gazette, 1792

Property is that which someone holds dominion over. Mr. Madison specifically refers to a man here, but can a computer system hold dominion and exercise control over external things? In some cases, yes, but in the case of a piece of art, no. Even if Creativity Machine has the ability to interact with external things, it cannot hold dominion over them, since it is owned by Mr. Thaler. Which brings us to the question of “free will.”

Creativity Machine did not have the free use of its faculties; it was programmed to make visual art. It did not have a free choice of what to create, it was instructed to create a picture. So the art in question was not the property of Creativity Machine; rather, it was the property of Mr. Thaler. This is confirmed by Mr. Thaler’s own application for copyright since he claimed “the copyright should transfer to him as the owner of the machine.”

c o PYRIG ht

Next, we need to look at the question of copyright. In Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution Congress is delegated the power:

to promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries

— U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8, Clause 8

Congress can make laws granting authors exclusive right to their writings. Is Creativity Machine an author? Copyright law (Title 17, U.S.C.), does not define the word “author,” so let us look at a couple of other sources.

AU’THOR, noun – One who produces, creates, or brings into being;

— Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

Creativity Machine did produce the art. Does that make it the author? If an author is “one who produces,” then we need to look at the definition of “one” in this context.

ONE is used indefinitely for any person;

— Webster’s 1828 Dictionary

One, used as a third-person substitute for a

first-person pronoun — Merriam-Webster’s Online Dictionary

Since “one” in this context is a pronoun used for a person, Creativity Machine is not an author because it is not a person. The court came to a similar conclusion, though the blurring of the lines between man-made and machine-made products will most definitely lead to future confusion.

Undoubtedly, we are approaching new frontiers in copyright as artists put AI in their toolbox to be used in the generation of new visual and other artistic works. The increased attenuation of human creativity from the actual generation of the final work will prompt challenging questions regarding how much human input is necessary to qualify the user of an AI system as an “author” of a generated work, the scope of the protection obtained over the resultant image, how to assess the originality of AI-generated works where the systems may have been trained on unknown preexisting works, how copyright might best be used to incentivize creative works involving AI, and more. — Thaler v. Perlmutter

c onclus I on

It should be obvious to everyone that we are heading into a brave new world, one where machines will act more and more autonomously, thereby decreasing human involvement. While this will be a tremendous boon to productivity, it also raises serious concerns. This case involved the question of authorship and whether a computer system had the right to own and control its creations. Today, in this court and this case, the answer is no. This case, however, does bring to light a potential issue.

What happens if a court decides one day that an author does not need to be human? Could an AI own, as property, the copyright for more than just a work of art? Could a machine hold the patent for a drug or vaccine? Could an AI develop, and therefore own, a DNA sequence? Would it then own whatever the sequence is, be it for virus, cattle or even a human?

Congress has the power to protect the works of authors and inventors. As we enter this brave new world, perhaps we should make sure our employees in that body protect We the People by defining what an author is in the law.

read more Constitutional discourse from Paul Engel at constitutionstudy. com or contact him at paul@constitutionstudy.com.

PHOTO COURTESY OF MATHEUS BERTELLI / PEXELS

Live Exceptionally...Well!

by jennIfer durand

Plug Your Leaks

What Is leakInG In yoUr lIfe?

Do you have leaks in your self-care, relationships, work issues or faith? Perhaps there are physical things you have not tended to that have become broken, worn out or unusable. The leaks may or may not be preventable. Once you notice they are not working properly or at peak performance, at what point do you set out to repair them?

“A small leak could sink a great ship.” — Benjamin Franklin

Recently, I was noticing the amazing flow of water coming from one of my water fountains in the garden. The rush of the water was strong, fluid, constant. The sound was soothing and added so much to the moment. What you didn’t see was that the fountain had sat dry for two years. Just a structure sitting there without life or vitality. It was noticeable. You could see it. You just had no clue what its full potential was. Earlier in the season there were a few attempts to fill it with water and try to determine what might be “wrong” with it. Once filled, the water flowed. We were reminded how lovely it was to hear that sound and see the rushing water. However, we noticed water coming out from the bottom. Aha! Then we noticed another area leaking. We found a small plug that went in one of the drain holes. Once plugged, the water flowed better, but was still leaking from the bottom. We left it unattended for awhile to see what would happen. Can you guess? Yep, it ran out of water. It became lifeless again.

As life would have it, we left it unattended again for several weeks. We had other projects and demands tugging and we didn’t have the time to find out what it really needed to be fixed. Then along came a friend who had some experience in this area, and some time to spare. We were patient while he made multiple visits to determine the cause and the remedy to repair it. After finding the crack, filling it, sealing it, letting it dry and testing it for any further problems the fountain was finally at peak performance once again.

“It is never too late to be what you might have been.” — George Elliot

While enjoying the renewed fountain, I admired the full flow and watched the water move through all the channels with ease and strength. It was living at full capacity. I couldn’t help but think about how we can all live, move and breathe at full capacity if we

would just plug our own respective life leaks. This might take paying closer attention to what needs fixing. It might take walking away for a short time to gain a fresh perspective. It may take several attempts or multiple layers of care, but when the effort is made you will see the flow and progress created.

How are areas in our life like this experience of the fountain? If you value your relationships, just a little attention could avoid a huge pileup.

Value your mental capacity and plug the leaks of taking on too much. Keep your mind free from too much busyness and breathe easier. You don’t have to do everything. And you certainly don’t have to do what you do need to do all at once, either.

Value your body and plug the leaks of neglect by stretching, moving with intention, or getting a massage to nourish your body. Plug the leaks of gluttony and eat smaller portions. Or, plug the leak of choosing things that make you feel sluggish or bad when you eat them. You could also plug the leak of guilt or shame and enjoy what you eat! Plug the leaks of self-condemnation when you look in the mirror. Replace it with a smile that radiates beyond what you’re wearing or how you wear it.

Plug the state of fear with more empowering and supportive thoughts and actions. Plug the leaks of feeling unworthy, jealous, prideful or not being enough with the resources that can get you there—friends, support groups, books, podcasts, mentors.

When something gets in the way of the full flow in any area of your life, remember to locate where the leak or block is, figure out the why, get help if you need it, and put in the time until you get it moving again to its full capacity. Enjoy the flow!

“We all want to fix things. Just as we all believe that so much in life can be rectified. Mend fences, build bridges, reach out, engage in mutual healing.” — Douglas

Kennedy

Jennifer durand is the owner and operator of The Nurture Nook day Spa & gift Shoppe; she is a certified Qigong and Breathe Empowerment instructor, a skin care and makeup specialist, an interPlay leader and is licensed in massage therapy, body work and somatic integration. visit nurturenook. com or facebook.com/nurturenookdayspa or by calling (615) 896-7110.

SiNCE 1992, home schooling has been legal in all 50 states. Imagine my utter disbelief when I was introduced to a family in Tennessee that was being denied that right. It was as if I had stepped into a time warp. Pioneer home-school families across the U.S. were subjected to jail, the removal of their children from their homes, threats and intimidation during the fight to legalize home schooling. It was hard to imagine that this scenario could be occurring anywhere in the United States. Yet, in Coffee County, Tennessee, this appears to be what is happening. Parents are being denied their right to home school.

I was introduced to the Taylor family when they attempted to enroll their daughter in an umbrella school. This is a legal home-school option in Tennessee, known as a Category IV school. This option is considered a non-public school option. When the umbrella school the family had enrolled their daughter in attempted to retrieve the student’s records from the Coffee County school system, they refused to provide them. They claimed the child was truant and would be counted absent until she returned to public school. The school system alleged that the truancy issue stemmed from the previous school year, and they would need to appear in court with their daughter.

The mother, Amber Taylor, immediately gathered her daughter’s doctor’s notes for the absences in question to present to the court. She was contacted by the attendance supervisor, Keith Cornelius, who left a message stating that Judge Ewell would not approve home schooling. Currently, there is no law that states that if a child has been cited for truancy a parent cannot remove their child from public school and enroll

them in a Category IV school. In 2023, Senate Bill 417 was introduced in the Tennessee General Assembly, which stated “a parent or guardian of a student who has accumulated five (5) or more days of unexcused absences during the school year and who is subject to tier three of the LEA’s progressive truancy plan in § 49-6-3009 shall not withdraw the student from school unless . . . (iii) The student enrolls in a nonpublic school.”

However, even if this law were in effect, Mrs. Taylor’s daughter would be exempt, since her daughter had been legally enrolled in a Category IV, non-public school.

During the initial court preceding Mr. Taylor attempted to present a folder with the doctor’s notes to Judge Gerald Ewell and he was told to “shut up” and asked if he wanted to “sit in the box.” Mrs. Taylor attempted to explain to Judge Ewell that her daughter was enrolled in a legal Category IV school, however, the judge was heard in a leaked recording threatening to send her daughter away if she didn’t return to public school the next day and stating that “home school was no school.” That recording, Tennessee Judge: Home School Is No School, is available on Rumble on The Patriot Punk Network.

Mrs. Taylor told the judge that she would be hiring an attorney and was given another court date with the instructions to return her daughter to public school. The Taylors did not comply, since their daughter was legally enrolled in a Category IV school and retained legal counsel.

It is important to note that the Coffee County School system has a progressive truancy plan that is supposed to be implemented.

The truancy plan is a three-tiered plan with detailed instructions regarding actions that are required to be taken at each level. According to Mrs. Taylor, the school did not implement the steps listed in the three-tiered plan. According to Mrs. Taylor, the truancy plan was not followed. She received no written citation from the school. The citation had been given to her daughter the prior school year; however, Mrs. Taylor was not issued a copy. When Mrs. Taylor and her daughter appeared for their initial court date, she requested a copy from the court and discovered that the citation had another child’s name and a detailed description of why the minor listed on the paper was being cited. The Social Security number on the citation also did not belong to Mrs. Taylor’s daughter.

Mrs. Taylor, her daughter, and their attorney appeared in court for their final court date on Sept. 5, 2023. After having spoken with officials, Mrs. Taylor’s attorney presented her with two options he had been presented with. One option was for her daughter to plead guilty to truancy and they would allow her to remain enrolled in the Category IV school, but this option would require her to be placed on six months’ supervised probation and submit to random drug testing. The Category IV school would be required to report attendance to the probation officer. The other option would be for her to allow the judge to hear the case, and he would likely order her daughter back to public school. If she failed to comply, she would be arrested for contempt of court. There was no good option for this family to choose. They chose for their daughter to plead guilty in order to prevent her from being forced back into the public school system or worse, from allowing DCS to potentially remove their daughter from their home if they didn’t agree to the condition of public school.

In Coffee County, Tennessee, children cited for truancy are classified as unruly. Interestingly, according to the State of Tennessee Office of Attorney General, “no child found to be an unruly child may be placed on probation under the supervision of the department, unless such child is found to also be a delinquent child or is found to have committed a violation of a valid court order as provided for in the Appendix to the Tennessee Rules of Juvenile Procedure.”

Amber Taylor’s daughter was found to

be neither delinquent nor to have committed a violation of a valid court order, yet her daughter is on supervised probation.

Free YOUR Children was present for a peaceful protest at the Coffee County Juvenile Justice Center when the Taylors appeared for their final court date. We were approached by numerous families that had also been denied their right to home-school. Is Coffee County allowed to create its own laws? Who is advocating for these families? Why are so many children being placed on probation for truancy? Did you know that schools receive funding based off of attendance and assessments? Attendance is big business. Is Coffee County refusing to allow parents the right to home-school their children in order to be able to collect the money based on attendance?

The Taylor family now has to endure a large legal bill, and their daughter is on supervised probation, all because they wanted to exercise their right to home-school their daughter. If you would like to donate to the Taylors to offset their expenses, you can do so at Amber Taylor’s GiveSendGo page: “Supporting the right to homeschool my daughter.”

The Coffee County School District has an average math proficiency score of 22% and a reading proficiency score of 27%. No wonder parents are choosing to remove their children from this school system. The burning question is, why is the juvenile court system being allowed to deny parents’ their right to home-educate their children? Who is holding these public servants accountable?

I have been contacted by numerous families in Coffee County who have been told they do not have the legal right to homeschool their children. Parents need to know and understand their parental rights.

Home school is school, Judge Ewell.

If you believe that children do not belong to the state, it is time to take action. Call your elected officials. Ask them why this is happening in Coffee County. If you have been denied your right to home-school your child, contact me at freeyourchildren@gmail.com.

Tiffany Boyd is the founder of Free yOur Children, a homeschool advocate, consultant, speaker and the founder and administrator of Middle Tennessee Christian homeschool Connection. She holds a B.S. degree in interdisciplinary studies from MTSu. She is a wife of 30 years and mother to five children, grandmother to two. She is a former tenured public school teacher. She and her husband have home educated for 18 years. Contact her at freeyourchildren@gmail.com.

We have all pro B a B ly heard the expression “put your oxygen mask on before helping others.” As parents, we always want what is best for our children. Sometimes, however, what we think is best may not be.

In a recent video for my YouTube channel, Red Barn Financial TV, I spoke about the differences between a pension and a 401(k)/IRA (I’ll use these terms interchangeably in this article). In that video, I explained that having a guaranteed stream of income every month is a very valuable asset and it can be even more valuable than a 401(k). This is because you can’t run out of money in the pension— you get a payment every month.

One viewer commented, “Your kids would rather inherit the 401k, they don’t get squat of your pension.”

While this is generally true, your children don’t get “squat” if you run out of money, either. They often end up picking up the slack and paying for your needs.

The purpose of my video was to share that both a pension and an IRA are valuable tools and to contrast both, not to suggest that one was better than the other. The real question is: If someone gave you $1,000 per month for the rest of your life or gave you $100,000 cash, which would be better?

Some might say, “give me the cash, because I’ll turn it into a lot more.” That could be true, but you could also end up with nothing if your investments don’t do well and you need to spend some of the money. Simply put, the $1,000 per month would total $120,000 after 10 years with no risk.

The right answer is a personal choice, and it is also a matter of how long you are likely to live; a question for which most of us don’t have an exact answer.

Consider the fact that most companies have done away with pensions, and you have to ask yourself why. Was it because a 401(k) plan was so much better for the employee, or was it because it was cheaper and less risk for the employer? I would argue that the latter is true.

There is no rule that says you can’t take a portion of your pension money and put it aside, or invest it to leave a legacy, so you can in fact have a pension and also save money for your children.

It is important to have a conversation with your children to learn whether an inheritance is impor-

tant to them, or if they would be happier to see you spend your money and enjoy your life. In other words, do they have a financial need (or desire) for your money, or would your money be best spent traveling, giving to charities of your choice, or in some other way? Additionally, if your children aren’t good with money, could you be setting them up for failure by leaving them a sizable sum?

In my May 2023 article, I spoke about the unintended consequences of dividing your money equally among your children, and the fact that taxes should be a consideration. There could be unintended consequences, and your children may inherit a tax liability that is higher than the one you would pay. If you had a pension and put money aside or invested a portion for your children, when they inherit (or are gifted) that money, there generally isn’t a tax consequence to them, so it can be a bigger benefit.

You may say that you only have an IRA, and a pension isn’t available to you. This is very common in today’s work market. There are ways in which you can create a pension for yourself so that you will have a guaranteed income every month for the rest of your life. There are also ways to create a pension for your children as well. This is something that a financial advisor like myself can help you create if it’s something that works for your situation. It’s a great idea to educate yourself and find out if this could be a good decision.

In an ideal world, you would want to save what you can and become diversified along the way.

If someone asked me whether I prefer the “stack of money” or the monthly income, I’d state that I’d like to have some of each.

The decision of whether to choose a pension or a 401(k)/IRA is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer. It is important to weigh the pros and cons of each option and choose the one that is best for your individual situation.

disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for informational purposes only. it is not tax, legal or financial advice. Please consult a financial advisor before making any major financial decisions.

Contact Sean Moran with red Barn Financial at 615-619-6919 or smoran@redbarnfinancial.com.