Marion Lifestyle Magazine

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Happy 2020, Marion County!

Welcome to our fifth issue of Marion Lifestyle! What began as a glimmer of an idea over lunch one afternoon has grown into something we are very proud of.

As we continue to grow, we have plans to focus on increasing our online presence. Our website is up and running, and every issue of Marion Lifestyle is available online in PDF form, free of charge. As part of the planned expansion, we plan on adding fresh content to both our website and Facebook page in between our printed publications.

As always, please be sure to lend your support to the local businesses and organizations that make this magazine possible.

Without them, we could not do what we do.

If you would like to advertise in this magazine or on our website, please reach out to us at (423) 973-4386 or via email at ads@ marionlifestyle.com. Additionally, if you would like to have the next issue of this magazine delivered to youor business for distribution, please let us know.

This past year has been an incredible experience for us, and we can’t wait to continue to feature all of the amazing people, places, businesses and organizations that encompass our beautiful corner of the country.

At the time of printing, snow was once again in the forecast. Hang in there, Marion County – spring is coming!

PO Box 612 South Pittsburg, TN 37380 423-973-4386 ads@marionlifestyle.com www.marionlifestyle.com

Editor/Writer Kathie Tierney

Photography Noted in publication

Distribution 423-973-4386

Designer Dale Woodfin

Advertising Trevor Shattuck

Publisher Southeast Publications

Contents Winter 2020 | NO. 5

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34

Jeromy “Bucket” Richardson

VITA - Income Tax Assistance for Marion County

38

8 Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House

Princess Theatre - A History

40

14 Make-A-Wish - a Whitwell Boy’s Wish Comes True

Census 2020 - Everyone Counts

44

18 Linda Kerlin - Local Mixed-Media Artist

Chamber of Commerce With Member Spotlight

54

24 National Cornbread Festival - Where the Money Goes

Business Directory Support your local business by using the Marion Lifestyle business directory.

28 “Inspired” for the Children’s Advocacy Center

Advertise in our premier publication.

Photo by: Russell Walker

423-973-4386 MARION

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Jeromy “Bucket” R STORY BY Kathie Tierney

STORY BY Kathie Tierney

4

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Photo by: Russell Walker

” Richardson

lker

“I’m gonna go, Momma.

I’m Fishing.”

As she hung up the phone, Robin Richardson had no idea those would be the last words she would ever hear from her son, Jeromy “Bucket” Richardson. Less than an hour later, Jeromy was gone.

Born and raised in Marion County, Robin and Eddy Richardson married and had two children, Jeromy and Cory. The boys attended Marion County High School and finished at Richard Hardy Memorial.

Robin works at at KEIM Trucking in Jasper where she has been for several years, and her husband, Eddy, is retired from RockTenn.

Jeromy went on to become an Iron Worker who was in Local Union 704 in Chattanooga, and Cory is currently the Lockmaster for Chickamauga Dam with the Army Corps of Engineers.

Around midday on July 16, 2015, Robin left her job at KEIM Trucking in Jasper to meet her son, Jeromy, at the Dairy Queen for lunch. At the time, it was just another day, but looking back, Robin is forever grateful that she had that precious time with her son.

“I left him standing at Dairy Queen,” recalls Robin.

An avid fisherman, Jeromy headed out that afternoon to his favorite fishing spot at Ketner’s Mill, along with his girlfriend and her teenaged daughter.

Around 6 p.m., Jeromy spoke briefly with his mother on the phone before he said his goodbyes, eager to get back to his fishing.

Thirty minutes later, two brothers, Lebron and Christopher Hurt, who were floating on rafts in the water, came dangerously close to the edge of the dam. Jeromy shouted warnings to the men to alert them of the approaching danger, and one of the brothers scrambled out of the water just in time. However, it was too late for the other Hurt brother who went over the damn into the strong current below.

Seeing that his brother was in trouble, the man jumped back into the water, over the dam. Jeromy, who was

fishing just a short distance away, immediately leapt into action and tried to help the Hurt brothers who were struggling in the strong current at the base of the dam.

“That was the last anyone saw of him for two days. It took us two days to find his body,” Robin recalls.

Jeromy’s girlfriend, Hattie Lincoln, and her daughter, frantically tried to locate the men in the water, but there was nothing they could do. Sadly, despite the collective efforts of many others in the area, all three men tragically lost their lives that day. The heavy rains that had occurred for days prior to the tragedy had made the waters too treacherous for even the strongest of swimmers.

Later, Steve Lamb, the Emergency Management Agency Director for Marion County, compared the churning waters beneath the dam at Ketner’s Mill to that of a washing machine.

Both of the Hurt brothers’ bodies were located within the first day, but it wasn’t until two days later that Jeromy’s body was found, almost two miles downstream from where he had been fishing.

Carnegie Medal Just shy of two years later, the Richardson family gathered in Courthouse Square in Jasper to receive an award on behalf of Jeromy’s heroism. The certificate they received said, “This certifies that Jeromy E. Richardson has been awarded a Carnegie Medal in recognition of an outstanding act of heroism.”

According to their website, www.carnegiehero.org, “A Carnegie Medal is awarded to civilians who risk their lives to an extraordinary degree saving or attempting to save the lives of others.”

The massive Harwick coal mine explosion in 1904 in Pittsburgh, prompted Andrew Carnegie, a Pittsburgh steelmaker, to start the hero fund. Immediately MARION

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following that explosion, two men ran into the mine in an attempt to save some of the men trapped inside, and in doing so, lost their own lives. Those acts of heroism were the catalyst behind Carnegie’s ultimate mission.

his Uncle constructed a 4-leaf clover out of horseshoes and mounted it on a pole next to Jeromy’s tombstone.

The family often visit Jeromy’s place of rest and hangs meaningful items from the horseshoe clover.

Today, the Carnegie Hero Fund Commission carries out the founder’s wishes all over the United States and Canada. Not only are medals presented, but financial awards also accompany the honor. Such financial assistance comes in the manner of one-time grants, scholarship aid, death benefits, and/or continuing assistance to either the award recipients themselves, or their loved ones.

In another remembrance gesture, some of Jeromy’s friends built a cross in his honor and mounted it downstream close to where his body had been found. The cross features Jeromy’s longtime childhood nickname, “Bucket.” The friends signed the cross and attached a magic marker in a baggie for visitors to use to write their messages.

At the end of 2019, a total of 10,135 Carnegie Medals had been awarded since the Pittsburgh-based Fund’s inception in 1904.

“

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. – (John 15:13)

”

On the sixth-month anniversary of the tragedy, the Richardson family gathered at Ketner’s Mill and released balloons in Jeromy’s honor, and for the Hurt brothers.

Three blue balloons representing the men and six white balloons representing each month since their passing, were released into the sky. A video of the tribute can be found on the public Facebook page the family set up, “Jeromy Richardson.”

On the two-year anniversary of his death, Robin took her first trip downstream to see the cross that had been erected in Jeromy’s honor. Terrified of water even before she lost her son, it wasn’t an easy trip for Robin to make.

Remembering Jeromy

“I don’t like water, even before this happened, and it took me a long time to go down and see it,” Robin remembers.

To assist with the nomination of Jeromy for the Carnegie award, Hattie wrote a heart-wrenching narrative of what had occurred.

To this day, Robin often makes the trip to Ketner’s Mill to sit and reflect. “Some people do not understand how I can, but I feel more close to him there.”

“That day, two mothers lost their sons…my daughter lost the most noble role model she’s ever had. So many hearts, lives and families were affected..our universe lost amazing souls.”

Another way the family stays close to Jeromy is through his animals. Robin and Eddy adopted Jeromy’s beloved Blue Healer dog, Stella, and his donkey, Mikey. “He sure loved his animals,” Robin said.

She ended with, “..most of all, Jeromy’s children lost their father to being selfless and caring, trying to save others as it was his nature to do so.”

Friends and family often post to the public Facebook page Cory created. Mother’s Day is always especially hard for Robin and last year, she posted the following message:

Jeromy left behind not only his parents, brother and girlfriend, but his four young children - Lacey, Colt, Gabe and Will.

Jeromy was laid to rest at Havron’s Chapel United Methodist Church in Shellmound, His tombstone was beautifully crafted depicting Jeromy’s favorite fishing spot at Ketner’s Mill. At his brother Cory’s insistence, the tombstone was inscribed with the following verse: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13) Jeromy had always loved 4-leaf clovers and often spent time searching for them in his travels. In his memory, 6

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“The two reasons I celebrate Mother’s Day. One I can hold in my arms and one I can hold in my heart.”

The last picture ever taken of Jeromy was of him happily fishing at Ketner’s Mill, just a short time before he passed away. That image (shown here) will always hold a special place in the hearts of Jeromy’s loved ones.

As Cory wrote to his brother in a heartfelt post, “I would give anything to talk to you one last time.”

“

The two reasons I celebrate Mother’s Day. One I can hold in my arms and one I can hold in my heart.

”

7 Photo by: Russell Walker

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Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House Celebrates 30 Years STORY BY Kathie Tierney

STORY BY Kathie

F

or over thirty years, the Ronald McDonald House Charities® (RMHC) of Greater Chattanooga has been serving children and their families from around the region. When a child becomes ill and needs to be hospitalized, parents are often faced with financial burdens as they struggle to find a way to stay with their children. RHMC was created to help offset some of the worries and burdens that parents with critically ill children are faced with.

The vision of the RMHC is to, “Serve a vital role in familycentered care, improving the lives of sick children by keeping families together.”

Each year, RMHC of Greater Chattanooga programs serve more than 3,500 children and their families, many of whom are from Marion County. To date, approximately 315 families from Marion County have been able to stay close to their sick children, totaling 4,620 nights over 30 years! Those 4,620 nights equal approximately $400,000 worth of savings to the families in gas, hotel, and food expenses.

Blake Cooper In 2015, Blake Cooper, a South Pittsburg High School student, was traveling home in a car with a few of his friends.

The night turned tragic as the teens were involved in a horrific multiple-rollover car crash. For almost two weeks, Blake was completely unresponsive and in critical condition in the intensive care unit.

During Blake’s lengthy hospital stay, his family was able to stay at the Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House making it possible to remain close to their loved one throughout his recovery.

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Grant Shattuck In December of 2016, after multiple tests and doctor appointments, Grant Shattuck, a South Pittsburg Elementary School student, received the terrifying diagnosis that his family most feared. Grant was diagnosed with a brain tumor and cyst in his left temporal lobe.

In addition to the Ronald McDonald Houses that give families a place to live, the organization also provides Ronald McDonald Family Rooms (RMFR), giving private spaces to families who need to shower, eat, or rest, all without having to leave the hospital. During Grant’s surgery and hospital stay, his family was able to take comfort in the RMFR at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

Thankfully, both of these Marion County boys are doing very well today, but when their futures were uncertain, the services provided by RMHC were truly a blessing to their worried and weary families.

History and Mission The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities® of Greater Chattanooga is to provide families with the care and resources they need when their child is sick and to offer programs and services that directly improve the health and well-being of children.

“We are proud to serve a multi-state region with Marion County being our third highest county served by families needing a place to call home while their child is sick at a nearby hospital,” said Tiffany Commons, Director of Development.

The RMHC of Greater Chattanooga is going strong and is proud to be celebrating its 30th Anniversary in 2020. The House is able to exist solely due to their fundraising efforts and generous donations

“

Helping give children what they need most - their families.

”

from the community.

Kira’s doctors were also worried because she deals with varicies which are swollen blood vessels in the abdomen and esophagus that could rupture. If one of those vessels were to rupture, Kira’s doctors knew there would be nothing they could do, and Kira would bleed to death.

Talk about a mom’s intuition to feel limitless and empowered over what her body could handle!

Share-A-Night 2020 “Better Together”

“My high risk doctor said he thinks my positive attitude about the pregnancy is the only reason I made it through,” stated Kira.

Each year, the RMHC of Greater Chattanooga® hosts their Share-A-Night Campaign to help raise funds for their valuable programs. These campaigns are geared towards educating the community about how vital their services are to those who are in desperate need of them. Every Ronald McDonald House family shares a unique bond; they called the Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House home while their child was hospitalized. Whether their stay was for one week or one month, one less worry existed for those families and they were able to focus all their energies on the healing of their children.

Two weeks before her scheduled C-section, Kira found herself in premature labor and headed to the emergency room.

Within 42 minutes of Kira’s OB/GYN and high-risk doctors arriving at the hospital, “Amazing” Grace was born at 4lbs 3oz. If Grace wasn’t a miracle enough, her tiny baby liver amazingly helped process some of what Kira’s couldn’t manage. Though she could have been born with many complications, Grace only had higher levels of biliruben that would take a short time to clear out, and then she just needed time to grow.

Kira & Grace Spears Can you imagine having a liver disease that encompasses three different autoimmune disorders? When Kira Spears found out she was pregnant in 2018, she sought medical advice immediately. Given that her liver was functioning at a 60-70% capacity; doctors felt it would be fatal for Kira to go through with the pregnancy. On top of that, she was told the baby had less than a 5% chance to survive the pregnancy.

“My doctors were concerned for me when I decided to go through with it,” shared Kira, “But I told them I’d had a talk with God and He told me I get to have a baby.”

Though many may read this and wonder why doctors recommend this to Kira, you have to understand the condition of her body. She has three autoimmune diseases that attack her liver every day: autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) and primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

“When I found out I was going to be staying at the Ronald McDonald House, it was exciting to me and the sense of relief I felt for having a place to stay close to the hospital was truly amazing.”

Without support like yours through the annual Share-ANight Campaign, Kira would not have been by Grace’s side every single day for almost two months. For a sick child, sometimes the best medicine is being together for more hugs, kisses and love. Monetary gifts will give families like those of Grace, Blake and Grant, a place of limitless hope, optimism and joy at being so close to the resources their sick child needs. You can help keep families close and better together!

This year marks 30 years of providing a home for families to stay while their child is sick through the Share-A-Night Campaign at your Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House.

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s

“

We serve a vital role in familycentered care, improving the lives of sick children by keeping families together.”

”

g

“When I found out I was going to be staying at the Ronald McDonald House, it was exciting to me and I had a sense of relief for having a place to stay close to the hospital.”

- Kira Spears, 55 night stay

For more information, contact the RMHC of Greater Chattanooga office at (423) 778-4300. Donations to the cause can be made via their secure website at RMHChattanooga.com or a check can be mailed to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga at 200 Central Avenue, Chattanooga, TN 37403.

Please help keep families close and “better together!”

Share -A-Night 2020 For 30 years, the Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House has provided a “home away from home” and allowed thousands of families to be better together. The Share-A-Night Fund makes it possible for every family to stay at the Chattanooga Ronald McDonald House at little or no cost.

The minimal cost of providing 1 night’s stay to 1 family is $75.

For more information, and how to get involved, visit RMHChattanooga.com

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STORY BY Kathie Tierney

O

n January 11, 2020, volunteers from Make-A-Wish East Tennessee traveled to Marion County to grant the special wish of Sheppard Williams, a 7-year-old boy from Whitwell.

Chronically ill since birth, young Sheppard has already undergone 17 surgeries and received multiple difficult diagnoses through the years.

Throughout his struggles, what Sheppard wanted more than anything, was a fish tank. The Make-A-Wish folks stepped in to make that dream a reality.

The Make-A-Wish organization was founded back in 1980 when a U.S. Customs Agent sought the assistance of his fellow officers to help grant the wish of a terminally ill boy by the name of Chris Greicius who wanted to “catch bad guys.” Outfitted with his own police officer’s uniform, Chris’ dream came true just days before he passed away, inspiring the creation of the Make-AWish Foundation.

Since 1980, more than 315,000 children in the United States and its territories have had their wishes granted by Make-A-Wish supporters.

Make-A-Wish grants a wish, on average, every 34 minutes. Every wish experience is driven by the wish kid’s interests, creativity and personality.

Sheppard discovered his wish during a visit to the Tennessee Aquarium where he loved strolling through the endless tunnels, surrounded by the swimming fish. He was determined to get a fish tank of his own so that he could experience the joy of fish every day.

Make-A-Wish staff and volunteers filled Sheppard’s tank with the brightest fish they could find. They set him up with a lounger

for him to sit and admire his fish and stocked him with a large supply of sea plush animals and books. Sheppard’s family was also given passes for the aquarium so Sheppard can visit his favorite place again.

When Sheppard walked into his room and was surprised by his new fish tank, the pure joy on his face moved his parent’s to tears.

“The fish tank is extremely calming for him, Sheppard gets seizures often and this is bringing him so much comfort. He never wants to leave his new fish, not even to go to bed. This was by far the best wish ever! What an awesome blessing! You all are angels,” said Sheppard’s mom, Vicki.

Devin Schiesser, Director of Make-A-Wish Program Services said, “My favorite part of my job is getting to see a child’s reaction to their wish, much like the one that I got to see with Sheppard and his family. There was a smile on Sheppard’s face the entire celebration, and that’s when I know that all of us at Make-A-Wish have achieved our mission.”

To qualify for a wish, a child with a critical illness must be older than 2½ years and younger than 18 (at the time of referral) and must not have received a wish from another wish-granting organization. A child can be referred by a parent or guardian, a healthcare professional, or by the child themselves.

Make-A-Wish chapters serve every community in the United States, including all its territories, and the organization is blessed with nearly 40,000 volunteers across the country.

In April of this year, Make-A-Wish America will be celebrating its’ 40th anniversary. In particular, World Wish Day will be recognized on April 29, exactly 40 years after young 7-year-old Chris was granted his wish to be a police officer.

Make-A-Wish East Tennessee Make-A-Wish East Tennessee was founded in 1988, and they serve 36 counties throughout the regions of Chattanooga, Knoxville, and the Tri-Cities. Last year, the East Tennessee granted 65 wishes, and this year they intend to increase that number to 70.

As of today, there are 180 children in various stages of the wish process, waiting for their wish to come true.

How you can help Volunteer - The East Tennessee chapter is always looking for volunteers for wish granters who have the incredible opportunity to help a child discover their one true wish, as well as planning a fun celebration at the end of the wish process.

To volunteer, contact Devin Schiesser at (423) 602-9957 or via email at dschiesser@etn.wish.org.

Donations -Monetary donations can be made through the East Tennesee chapter’s website at etn.wish.org, or via mail to 6005 Century Oaks Drive, Suite 500, Chattanooga, TN 37416.

Adopt-A-Wish - If you or a local business that you are affiliated with would like to monetarily adopt an entire wish, we can connect you with our development team to learn more.

“I feel so lucky to be a positive part of all of our families lives, and these moments that I get to have with them are ones that I will always cherish,” said Schiesser.

Clearly, Sheppard cherished the day just as much. As he took in all of the aspects of his granted wish, the ecstatic boy kept repeating, “Thank you, this is the best day ever!”

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Linda Kerlin STORY BY Kathie Tierney

B

orn in Loudon, Tennessee, and raised in Michigan, local artist Linda Kerlin met her husband, Terry, in Knoxville while she was visiting her sister. Linda and Terry were married in 1981 while they were living in Texas.

While living in North Carolina in 2001, and while Terry was traveling for work, Linda put 3,000 miles on her car looking for a new home.

“I didn’t know where to go and I didn’t have a particular spot that I wanted,” she remembers.

At her father’s suggestion, Linda added Marion County to her search, and finally settled on the Kerlin’s current home in Sequatchie.

Due to the obligations of work and raising children, it wasn’t until about five years ago that Linda was really able to embrace her artistry and focus on her talents full-time.

“I’ve moved so much so it’s had a little bit of an effect on my art career,” Linda said.

In 1983 while living in Texas, Linda was attending college, taking classes, and she started painting.

“I started out as a watercolor artist. I painted only in watercolor for ten years. Then I wanted to get the paint on thicker.

One day I thought I would experiment and go to acrylic.”

Decades later, Linda’s quaint art studio, built

by Terry in 2004, is stocked full of all kinds of media – from

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watercolors, acrylics and oils, to pencils, chalk, wax and even homemade paper. Linda’s creations are limited only by her imagination, which is beautifully, seemingly endless.

“I’m an experimental, mixed-media artist,” Linda said.

Accompanying Linda’s artwork at the many galleries she is featured in is her personal statement: “Art possess me, excites me, by giving additional purpose to my life. The painting process for me is a spontaneous peacefulness of layering paint to create movement like a song that takes you away momentarily, removing all distractions. I like to think of my work and remote space as a refuge for taking apart and reassembling the pieces of my past, present and future self. The many layers of paint express myself and what it is to be an artist. “ In typical Linda fashion, her layers of paint are often applied using a tool modification of her own design.

Finding the length of a standard paintbrush to be too constricting for her liking, Linda fashioned an extension to her starting brush to enable her to begin her creations with a canvas on the floor and “very wet paint.”

“Starting the way I do,” said Linda, “it is freeing, it’s fun, and you can’t really do anything wrong. It’s kind of like being a kid again. I remove all that negative stuff, and I am not worried about being perfect. I just want to play

and I want to put a feeling into the art.”

Now that her children are grown, Linda is at a point in her life where she can focus on her art full time, something she has never been able to do before. Almost daily, Linda makes the trek across her yard to her studio stating it’s something she does to maintain her happiness.

“I have had times where I didn’t paint for a few years due to moves, life changes and so on, so it’s really just the last five years that I have been painting non-stop,” she said. “It takes a lot of discipline. It’s kind of like a habit for me. If I don’t paint every day, I am not happy. It really makes me happy and I get a lot out of it. A lot of it is for me.”

Music is a large part of Linda’s artistic inspiration. As she sits down at her easel, or tackles a new blank canvas on the floor with her one-of-a-kind extended paintbrush. Linda tells her “Alexa” to play whatever music fits the tone of the day.

“I get a lot of inspiration from music. I am always saying to people that I get music therapy and art therapy every day,” Linda explained. “I am hoping to get a lot of movement and energy into my work.”

“

I’m not worried about being perfect. I just want to play.”

Occasionally, Linda leaves her studio sanctuary to attend classes and workshops, always eager to learn more. Most recently, Linda traveled to North Carolina for a series of classes where she learned how to make her own paper which she now uses in some of her stunning collage pieces.

But perhaps Linda’s biggest inspiration of all is her grandchildren, both of whom greatly enjoy their time in Mimi’s studio and seem to possess the artistic gene. During a visit last year, Linda’s 4-year-old grandson, Henry, remained surprisingly entertained for almost an hour during a fun art activity that Linda set up. Placing sheets of paper on the ground and a selection of paints, Henry was instructed to put his choice of paint colors on the paper. Then, using a large squirt gun from a bucket of water, he squirted the paint, creating beautifully unique abstracts.

Along those same lines, Linda’s granddaughter was recently finger painting in the studio. Lost in concentration, the little girl rubbed her paint-covered hands together, as though applying hand lotion, while staring out the window. Linda started to speak but she was promptly shushed by the budding artist.

“Mimi, quit talking, I am trying to paint.”

Linda remembers thinking to herself, “That’s what I want to get back to. I want to free myself with no fear of criticism, and have fun. Children have no fear, they just think let’s get in there and play. I am always learning from my grandkids. They are very inspirational.”

Just a few weeks ago, Linda headed out with some friends to a landscape spot in Chattanooga, eager to use the air easel she had received as a Christmas gift. While looking at her surroundings, Linda was disappointed to find that she felt no inspiration. Rather than going to the trouble of packing up and relocating, she decided to start with one word, “color”, on her canvas. From there, she let MARION

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her imagination run wild.

When she was finished, Linda felt that something was lacking.

Turning the painting upside-down solved that problem, and her masterpiece was complete. Amazingly, one of the galleries where she showed her work took that piece on the spot, and it never made it to Linda’s studio.

“I was excited about that piece. I was playing and I wasn’t worried at all. I didn’t like anything around me and instead of saying there is nothing here and go somewhere else, I just found something,” she said.

The best advice that Linda can give to an artist is to never give up. Acknowledging that it is often very difficult to be an artist, she explained how she gets past the stumbling blocks.

“You get to a point where the painting looks really bad, and that’s normal. It doesn’t matter how long you’ve painted, you will probably get to that point. It’s how well you can deal with getting past that. You can do it, but it’s hard,” she said.

In a corner of her studio, there is a section of spectacular creations that Linda somehow calls her “rejects”. Oftentimes, she will pick one up and play with it, finding a newfound inspiration

“

I’m an experimental, mixed-media artist.”

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that wasn’t there weeks or months ago when she last looked at it. Beyond that, if inspiration doesn’t return for that piece, Linda cuts it up and uses the pieces in her amazing collage creations.

“I take a painting that I don’t really like and cut it up. I recycle old paintings and make them into something else,” Linda explains.

Restricted only by the space around her, Linda’s studio is filled with hundreds of fascinating and versatile pieces. No two works are alike, and every one of them has a story to tell.

To see some of Linda’s work in person, visit her website at Lindakerlin.com, or contact her directly at netlgk@gmail.com.

Three galleries in Chattanooga also feature many of Linda’s creations: The Gannon Art Center at 3250 Brainerd Road, the Area 61 Gallery (next to the Tivoli Theatre) in The Maclellan Building at 721 Broad Street, and the Reflections Gallery located at 1635 Rossville Avenue.

Stop by and get lost in Linda’s eclectic work – you’ll be glad you did!

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Where the Money Goes

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very year, on the last full weekend of April, the National Cornbread Festival transforms the small town of South Pittsburg, Tennessee, into a mecca for lovers of cornbread, crafts, music and more.

The National Cornbread Festival operates as a 501c3 nonprofit organization, and as such the president, board members, committee members, and hundreds of volunteers from surrounding communities all donate their time as unpaid volunteers. These communities as a whole are truly the benefactors of the festival’s success.

County High School Baseball, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, North Jackson High School Football, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Princess Theater, Randolph United Methodist Church, Richard Hardy Memorial School 11th Grade; Richard Hardy Athletics, Richard Hardy Memorial School Baseball, Richard Hardy Memorial School Boys Basketball, Sertoma Club, Signature Health Care Activity Fund, South

Last year, the 23rd National Cornbread Festival brought 21,774 people to the picturesque little city. Because of the reputation of the festival and the many different enjoyable activities offered, the festival continues to thrive.

After all the expenses to put on the festival were paid, the festival board met and made the decision to give back $72,000 dollars to the groups that helped make it a success.

Donations were made to the following community organizations: American Legion Post #62, Bridgeport Middle Basketball, Bridgeport Elementary, Christ Church Episcopal, City of South Pittsburg, Crossroads Baptist Church, Marion County Democratic Women, Hearing Loss Association, House of God Church, Jasper Elementary School, Jasper Middle School Football, Kimball Tabernacle of Praise, Lion’s Club, Marion 24 MARION

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Pittsburg Academy Baseball, South Pittsburg Academy 7th & 8th Grade Classes, South Pittsburg Church of God, South Pittsburg Fire Department, South Pittsburg Ladies Club, South Pittsburg Elementary School, South Pittsburg High School Band Boosters, South Pittsburg High Baseball, South Pittsburg High School Girls Basketball, South Pittsburg High School Baseball, South Pittsburg High School Golf Team, South Pittsburg High School Interact Club, South Pittsburg High School Leo Club, South Pittsburg High School Prom Committee, South Pittsburg High School Shop Class, South

Pittsburg High School Student Council, South Pittsburg High School Theater Group, South Pittsburg High School Track Team, South Pittsburg High School Volleyball, Tiger Pride, Tennessee Organ Donor, TriState Boom, Troop #63 Boy Scouts, VFW, Washington Alternative Learning, Whitwell High School Interact Club and the Whitwell High School Student Council. Volunteers from these groups do everything from set up, decorating, cooking cornbread, picking up loads of trash, greeting those that come through the gate, cleaning the dining tents and many more tasks. This 2019 dividend of $72,000 brings the total to $1,079,000 to organizations and community reinvestment over the last 23 years.

Another way the Festival positively impacts our area is through tourism dollars. Tourism dollars are very important to Tennessee’s economy and the amount is growing each year. The National Cornbread Festival generates a substantial amount of ancillary tourist dollars. Festival-goers eat at local restaurants and shop with local merchants during their stay at surrounding hotels and campsites. According to the results of a recent economic impact report generated by the Southeast Tennessee Development office, in 2019 the National Cornbread Festival generated: $1.9 Million in direct tourism expenditures; an additional $493,000 in additional sales; supported the equivalent of 41 full-time jobs; produced $850,000 in payroll; created $66,170 in local sales tax and hotel revenue; and created $154,000 in state tax revenue.

The festival also contributed to the area by directly purchasing products and

services that include things like advertising with local and regional media services, booking local talent, sound and stages for the over 50 musical acts and hiring locals for security to ensure our festival is always among the best in the South.

Needless to say, there’s always a lot going on behind the scenes almost each month of the year.

Want to be a part of it all? It’s a great way to earn some money for your organization and to be part of something special.

Here’s how it works: Reach out to one of the board members, Beth Duggar, Shawn Henson, Carey Garland, Sam Durham, Meredith Smith, Rob Woodfin or John Marshall or contact us at www.nationalcornbread.com/contact/ to send a general inquiry with your contact information and to register your organization as a volunteer group. It’s a great way to help your community and raise funds for your organization. Plus, it’s lots of fun!

In March of 2019, the National Cornbread Festival was named

by Smithsonian.com as one of the Ten of the South’s Most Mouth-Watering Food Festival’s and featured by Southern Living Magazine on May 2nd in an article entitled, “Tiny Appalachian Town Becomes the Cornbread Capital of the World Every April.” Throughout the year, many people take great pride in telling others about this festival, how the money goes back into the community, and that it’s all done by volunteers.

The festival is very thankful to the thousands of volunteers and community members who come together to make this grand festival one of the best in the Southeast.

Don’t miss the next National Cornbread Festival. Mark your calendars for April 25 and 26, 2020!

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“INSPIRED”

To benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center STORY BY Kathie Tierney

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n December 5, 2019, Margaret Tucker with the Creative Zone, LLC., along with the American Legion in South Pittsburg, sponsored the “Inspired” Art Contest for young artists.

All of the proceeds raised went directly to benefit the 12th Judicial District Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC).

The Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) is a nonprofit organization that exists solely to serve child victims of abuse. Efforts are underway to bring a CAC to the 12th Judicial District, the only district in the State of Tennessee to not have a CAC. Through the efforts of many, an office and executive director are already set up in Marion County, and fundraising efforts are ongoing to open the new CAC office and to start helping local children. In years past, child abuse victims in Marion County had to utilize the inconvenient services of the Hamilton County CAC rather than being able to seeek help in their own back yard.

Wanting to help raise money for the cause, Margaret Tucker decided to host the “Inspired” Art Contest.

Every artist who participated had to pay an entry fee and each piece of art that was on display was voted upon by the community using monetary donations, all of which went direitly to the CAC. A total of 26 young artists created 33 art entries, all of which are displayed in the next few pages. Cash donations used to vote on the artwork brought in $1,100 for the CAC and entry fees and “Inspired” t-shirt sales brought in several hundred more.

In the coming months, the new 12th Judicial District Children’s Advocacy Center will be open in Jasper.

For the first time, forensic interviews, medical exams and other valuable services will be available to the children of Marion and surrounding 12th Judicial Counties.

The CAC will exist solely through monetary donations and extensive fundraising efforts. For more information about the Children’s Advocay Center or to make a donation, visit their Facebook page at “12th Judicial CAC” or call (423) 443-7431.

The Winners In the 5-12 year old category, the winners were: • Caden Roach- Creativity & originality of theme.

• Ally Gamble - Quality of artistic composition and overall design.

• In the 13-18 year old category, the winners were: • Stone Graham - Creativity and originality • Skye Baxter - Artistic composition • The community favorite that received the most donation votes for the Children’s Advocay Center was Skye Baxter.

Caden Roach

Stone Graham

Ally Gamble

Skye Baxter MARION

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Averie Mantooth Averie Mantooth

Ava Freire

Braxton Higgins

Brady Lewis

Carden Brown

Charles Henley Charles Henley

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Charlie Tierney

Dalton Johnson

Ella Freire

Grayson Clark

Grayson Clark

Emma Bolton

Hank Garland

Hunter Fowler

Katilyn Jordon

Joseph Hamby

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Locke Collier Katilyn Jordon

Matt Tierney

Reagan Hookey

Megan Gentry

Samantha Tierney

Shylo Brown Samantha Tierney 32 MARION

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Shylo Brown Zach Tierney

Honorable Mention The criteria for the Art Contest were that the art must be holiday/seasonal themed. However, Emma Bolton created such an incredibly inspiring piece that suited the Children’s Advocacy Center (CAC) perfectly, that the judges awarded an “Honorable Mention” for the entry.

Emma centered her artwork around the word “Hope” which is exactly what the CAC represents to Bolton. Her own family has benefitted from the CAC in the past and Emma has seen how beneficial the services provided are to those in need.

“To me, the Child Advocacy Center is a place of hope and new beginnings for abused children. Children who need help and a safe place to go where they don’t have to tell their horrible story over and over again. A place where there are good people who care about their pain and suffering. I believe in the CAC because my own mom was sexually abused and her story wasn’t believed. That pain led her to drugs and attempted suicide. When she was a kid, she needed the CAC, and so do a lot of children. That is why it means a lot to me.”

Emma donated her artwork to the CAC in Jasper to hang on their walls as a remembrance of what they represent to so many people.

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STORY BY Kathie Tierney

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sought by the site coordinator was a promise to spread the word.

If you try to call the IRS for help, the automated system directs you to the IRS website to find your answer. Talking to a live person is next to impossible unless you have the proper sequence of numbers, and even then, you often get disconnected and forced to listen to information that does not solve your problem.

This year, VITA services have expanded to Bridgeport, Alabama as volunteers further extend their reach to try to help more people.

ears ago, taxpayers were able to go to their local IRS office and have an employee help them submit their return in one easy visit. Today, with budget cuts, domestic terrorist threats and exceedingly complicated tax law, taxpayers have been left to find answers to tax questions on their own, or pay for answers from tax professionals.

If you manage to navigate your way through the automated maze, be prepared to listen to “Your call is important to us” for an hour or two during tax season as you wait for a real person.

If you call the number for the IRS office in Chattanooga, you will hear a message that says, “we do not provide live telephone assistance at this number” and then the caller is directed to the IRS web site, or to call for an appointment. For security reasons, you can no longer walk into an IRS office without an appointment, and if you do speak to someone, the IRS staff will not give tax advice and they are only allowed to answer a limited number of tax questions.

In the 1970s, the IRS started a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA ) program to help seniors and low income taxpayers get help filing their returns. Last year, over 3.5 million federal tax returns were prepared by VITA volunteers. The program has been well established in Hamilton County for quite some time, but did not expand into Marion County until four years ago. In 2015, The City of South Pittsburg provided space, internet access and furniture to get the program off the ground.

During that first year, the South Pittsburg VITA site only prepared about 200 returns. People were leery, but those who utilized the service were very pleased. Every return was double checked by a second IRS certified preparer, the numbers were explained to the taxpayer, and the returns were filed. At the end of the visit, the only ‘payment’

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In the second year, the program expanded to Whitwell and over 400 VITA returns were prepared. By year three, the program was blessed with two new volunteers, Jim and Barbara Roberts, who worked almost full time, closing out the tax season at both locations with over 750 returns. By year four, that number rose to over 1,000 tax returns.

However, filing tax returns does not tell the whole story.

The local VITA volunteers pride themselves on providing additional services that are not offered at a most VITA sites. One such service is transporting taxpayers to their appointment with IRS revenue agents to assist with understanding and solving the issue at hand. Another is traveling to taxpayers’ homes when transportation is an issue, and a third is to the time spent reviewing prior returns to check for errors and filing amended returns if needed.

All of this is provided at no cost to the taxpayer.

Some of the “success” stories the VITA volunteers have come across are: • 2015 tax return: preparer classified income incorrectly resulting in $5,000 of self-employment tax in error. Corrected and filed to reduce amount owed in taxes, penalties and interest.

• 2017 tax return: IRS would not release taxpayer’s refund because she had not repaid her installment on her 2008 Home Buyer’s Credit. Explained to her what forms were needed and that she did not have to repay the $4,000 balance of the credit because she sold her home at a loss.

• 2016 tax return: taxpayer retired and transferred money from one retirement account to another. The broker misclassified the transfer resulting in over $14,000 in additional tax.

• 2014 tax return: Taxpayer was a truck driver who had

tax preparers this year, all of whom had to pass the IRS advanced certification tests in order to volunteer.

The VITA volunteers hope to continue to expand their services to more people in the community in the coming years. You no longer have to dread tax season and you don’t always have to pay to get professional tax services for your personal tax return. VITA volunteers are working hard right now in your back yard, all at no cost to you.

To schedule an appointment with a VITA tax preparer, call (423) 580-0042 for the South Pittsburg and Bridgeport offices or call (423) 463-7199 for the Whitwell location.

The Bridgeport and Whitwell offices are only open on Thursdays which is the only day the South Pittsburg office is closed. paid a tax professional to file her tax return. She owed over $4,000 but instead of a balance due, we were able to get a refund by deducting nightly per-diem expenses for each location that she stayed overnight. We did the same for her 2015, 2016 and 2017 returns.

Call VITA today and get the tax assistance you need!

In years past, Ginny Aries, worked as a revenue agent with the IRS and volunteered part-time at the South Pittsburg VITA site at night and on the weekends. This year, after retiring from the IRS, she will work full-time at the VITA sites assisting taxpayers. Gina worked for over 27 years preparing taxes and was the Tax Director at a financial planning firm in Orlando before joining the IRS. She received her CPA license and a Master’s Degree in Taxation and has been a tremendous resource to the VITA volunteers.

The VITA program has grown in Marion County largely due to the support from the cities of South Pittsburg and Whitwell, and this year, Bridgeport, who provide the space, internet access and furniture for the programs to operate. Without the support from each of the participating municipalities, VITA services would not be possible in the Marion County area.

There are several volunteers to help keep the VITA offices up and running - answering the phones, scheduling appointments, greeting the taxpayers and taking care of paperwork. Between the three VITA sites, there are eight

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n 1920, a South Pittsburg

merchant purchased two lots in the middle of Cedar Avenue and construction on the two-story brick “Imperial Theatre” began. The theatre opened in 1921 with the screening of the silent picture “Tank Town Follies”, starring South Pittsburg’s own Jobyna Ralston.

In 1924, a manager gave the theatre a new identity by renaming it ‘The Palace’, and later closed the theatre briefly in 1931 to install a new sound system.

By 1934, the Cumberland Amusement Company added the theatre to its large chain, and it closed for a month for remodeling and improvements.

The lighted marquee was added during that time which today locals associate with the Princess Theatre.

Herman McDowell became the new manager of the theatre with the Cumberland Amusement take over, where he remained for over 20 years. After the renovations were complete, the

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theatre was reopened with the movie “Sadie McKee”, starring Joan Crawford.

In 1939, there was a special election on the question as to whether the city should authorize Sunday moving pictures. No one knew the results of the election until an ad appeared in the weekly newspaper that there was to be a screening of “Tail Spin” the following Sunday.

With the advent of drive-in movie theatres and television, patronage at the Princess declined, and its doors closed in 1963.

In 1976, the theatre reopened as the ‘Valley Cinema’ with the movie “Ode to Billy Jo”, but within a few years, sadly, the theatre closed permanently.

By 1999, after years of neglect and no maintenance, the twostory building had deteriorated, and the roof and a portion of the north wall collapsed. The structure was condemned and was a candidate for demolition.

In an effort to save the theatre, The City of South Pittsburg purchased the building and charged a committee of concerned citizens with the restoration. The South Pittsburg Historic Preservation Society headed up the renovation project, which amazingly, took almost 14 years to complete!

Once the theatre was restored and reopened, multiple efforts to provide programs for the community’s enjoyment had limited success.

Recent revitalization In 2018, Ron Hudson took the lead with scheduling a series of successful live events at the Princess and in 2019, the Historic Society leased the Princess from the city with Mr. Hudson as chairman of the board.

“Returning to South Pittsburg after years away, I was saddened by how comparatively few stores on Cedar Avenue were open. Even more depressing was the refurbished Princess Theatre sitting

almost unused. I formed a focus group of about 30 people to bring improvement to the town, starting with revitalizing the use of the theatre,” said Hudson.

While attending a meeting of the newly formed Marion County Arts Council in 2018, Hudson met with Wesley Brewer, a teacher at Marion County High School, whose theater group was to perform “9 to 5”. When asked, Brewer agreed to perform the play at the Princess Theatre and an astonishing sold-out, three performances were the result!

Brewer’s theatre group will be presenting a much-anticipated performance of “Grease” in April of this year.

After that fantastic start, booked acts thus far have included a symphony performance,

country and pop music, gospel groups and comedians. Grade school glee clubs and a high school band performance rounded out the program schedule for last year.

About a year ago, a group of interested local citizens visited Crossville’s Palace Theater, whose manager Ronnie Hill has worked to revitalize that theater.

He has served as a true resource in local efforts to bring the Princess back to life.

Last year, The South Pittsburg Historical Preservation Society provided funds for much needed acoustical panels, and the City bought a new sound board. The results have been highly praised by the recent performers. Additionally, a 2019 Tourism Enhancement Grant for $71,500 from the Tennessee Department of Tourism enabled

the city to invest in additional lighting - a 90/10 grant awarded $64,350 from the state and required only a $7,150 match from the city.

Much of this would not have been possible without the volunteers who have worked tirelessly, and from Ann Gray, whose expertise in grant writing has proved invaluable to the many residents who enthusiastically assist in all facets of the presentations.

The future looks bright for the wonderful, historic theater, and its resurgence is instigating more activities aimed toward regenerating both the town as well as the surrounding areas.

Stop by soon, see a show, and bask in the piece of history that is once again thriving, 100 years later!

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time to listen to stakeholders and experts, and developed a communications and advertising campaign to truly reach everyone.”

Some reasons why the census is essential:

STORY BY Kathie Tierney

“The 2020 Census counts every person living in the 50 states, District of Columbia, and five U.S. territories,” according to www.2020census.gov.

Article One of the United States Constitution (section II) directs that the population be counted at least once every ten years.

The first Census was in 1790 following the American Revolution and just over 3.9 million residents were officially counted at that time. Jump forward to the last census of 2010, and that number exceeded 308.7 million people.

2020 Census The 2020 Census will be the 24th time the population has been officially counted. A massive marketing campaign has swept the nation geared towards educating the population as to the vital importance of the census.

“We are very excited to see our 2020 Census awareness campaign rolled out across the country,” said Census Bureau Director Dr. Steven Dillingham. “We’ve done our research, taken

“

We encourage everyone to be counted. The more people that are here, the more money the county is entitled to” 40 MARION

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• More than $675 billion dollars in federal funds, grants and support to states, counties and communities are based upon census data. Those funds are spent on schools, hospitals, roads, public works and other vital programs.

• The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

• After each census, state officials redraw the boundaries of the congressional and state legislative districts to account for population shifts.

• The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and your community.

• Completing the census is every citizen’s civic duty.

In the next couple of weeks, almost every household across the United States will receive a census invitation in the mail offering several options for citizens to respond. Every household will have the option to respond online, by mail or by phone. Several reminder letters and post cards will be sent out over a 6-week period. If by the end of April a household has not responded, Census workers will start going door to door to obtain the information.

Marion County Marion County Mayor David Jackson has been stressing the importance of the 2020 Census for several months. Summing up the importance of the census to Marion County, Mayor Jackson said, “It equals $1,093 per person, per year. We encourage everyone to be counted. The more people that are here, the more money the county is entitled to.”

Your Privacy is Protected The Census Bureau is bound by Title 13 of the U.S. Code to keep your information confidential. Under Title 13, the Census Bureau cannot release any identifiable information about you, your home, or your business, even to law enforcement agencies.

The law ensures that your private data is protected and that your answers cannot be used against you by any government agency or court. The answers you provide are used only to produce statistics. You are kept anonymous.

Be Aware of Potential Scams

Reporting Suspected Fraud

Phishing is a criminal act in which someone tries to get your information by pretending to be an entity that you trust. Phishing emails often direct you to a website that looks real but is fake— and may be infected with malware.

If you suspect fraud, call 800-923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative. If it is determined that the visitor who came to your door does not work for the Census Bureau, contact your local police department immediately.

It is important to know that the Census Bureau will not send unsolicited emails to request your participation in the 2020 Census. Further, during the 2020 Census, the Census Bureau will never ask for your Social Security number, your bank account or credit card numbers, money or donations.

Once the results of the Census are in, over the next decade, lawmakers, business owners, and many others will use 2020 Census data to make critical decisions. The results will show where communities need new schools, new clinics, new roads, and more services for families, older adults, and children. The results will also inform how hundreds of billions of dollars in federal funding are allocated to more than 100 programs, including Medicaid, Head Start, block grants for community mental health services, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, also known as SNAP, school lunches, plans for highways, programs to support rural areas, restore wildlife, prevent child abuse, disaster preparedness and support for firefighters and families in need.

In addition, the Census Bureau will never contact you on behalf of a political party.

Staying Safe at Home If someone visits your home to collect a response for the 2020 Census, you can do the following to verify their identity: • First, check to make sure that they have a valid ID badge, with their photograph, a U.S. Department of Commerce watermark, and an expiration date. • If you still have questions about their identity, you can call 800-923-8282 to speak with a local Census Bureau representative.

Census results affect your community every day, so please do your part and get counted in 2020!

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DRAGGING CANOE COFFEE TRADERS heads into their 2-year Anniversary, Kevin Hudson and Robert Bateh would like to say

thanks to everyone for their continued support.

Located in the heart of South Pittsburg, this quaint coffee shop has provided high-quality espresso based drinks, baked goods and catering to the community and surrounding area. Hudson and Bateh also recently started the monthly South Pittsburg Arts & Farmers Market.

The Market has become a staple to the community and it spotlights local and area talent. Items featured are handmade jewelry, baked goods, knitted hats, woodwork, handmade cosmetics and organic bath items. In addition, we have live music and have introduced yoga classes which come with a complimentary drink from DCCT.

South Pittsburg Art’s & Farmer’s Market Follow Us On FB & IG

@spartsandfarmersmarket @draggingcanoecoffeetraders

☀ 9am - 2pm ☀

Every 2nd Saturday of each month

Kevin and Robert feel the implementation of Arts, Culture, Food and Music are essential to the growth and wellbeing of the community, while also highlighting the treasure of Historic South Pittsburg, Tennessee.

For more information, any interested Vendor can send an email to spartsandfarmersmarket@ gmail.com. Hudson and Bateh hope to continue to bring new and exciting ventures to the area, and they hope to have everyone along for the ride.

Live Music, Arts, Crafts, Food, Yoga & Much More!

Hosted By: Dragging Canoe Coffee Traders LOCATION: Dragging Canoe Coffee Traders 409 Elm Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380

MARION COUNTY CHAMBER BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2019-2020 Kathie Tierney President “Marion Lifestyle” P.O. Box 612 South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 493-3204 Email: kathietierney@yahoo.com

Joyce Burkhalter First Volunteer Bank 131 South Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 668-4505 Email: joyce. burkhalter@firstvolunteerbank.com

Patrick O’Hagan Past President Economic & Workforce Development 4501 Amnicola Hwy Suite 240 Chattanooga, TN 37406 (423) 697-3230 Email: patrick.ohagan@chattanoogastate.edu

Donna Sartin Heart Realty Inc 300 Ketner Mill Lane Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 802-0906 Email: dsartin2005@yahoo.com

Brett Del Balso Farmers Insurance 102 B Betsy Pack Drive Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 939-1222 Email: bdelbalso@farmersagency.com Shelby Potterfield President Elect SVEC P.O. Box 31 South Pittsburg, TN (423) 837-8605 Email: spotterfield@svalleyec.com

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Mandy Finotti Lodge Manufacturing 204 E. Fifth Street South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7181 Email: mfinotti@lodgemfg.com Joy Gunter Secretary/Treasurer First Jackson Bank 201 Battle Creek Rd South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-8000 Email: jgunter@firstjacksonbank.com Vicki Messer WEPG – The River 104.9 105 Ash Avenue North South Pittsburg, TN 37347 (423) 488-0394 Email: littleriver102356@yahoo.com

Patty Henry SueBob’s Diner 2573 Highway 283 Powell’s Crossroads, TN 37397 (423) 658-8575 Email: suebobsdiner@gmail.com Erik McDaniel Grace Presbyterian Church 3363 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 423-718-0653 Email: erik.gracejasper@gmail.com Meegan Burton Rogers Funeral Home 400 Laurel Ave. South Pittsburg, TN 37380 21 E 5th Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423)837-7176 Email: rogersfuneralhome@hotmail.com Carmen O’Hagan Colonial Chemical, Inc, 225 Colonial Drive South Pittsburg, TN 37380 Carmenohagan@yahoo.com, (423) 228-4654.

Dan McDermott Dan’s Handyman Services, P.O. Box 847 Jasper, TN, Danshandymanpro@gmail.com (423)503-4724.

MEMBERSHIP LISTING ACCOUNTANT

England CPA, PLLC 4279 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-1066 John Moore, CPA, PLLC 18 Courthouse Square Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-3600 ATTORNEYS Cameron & Cameron, PC 28 Courthouse Square Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-9975 Chambliss Law Firm 605 Chestnut Street, Suite 1700 Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 756-3000 Miller & Martin, PLLC 832 Georgia Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 485-8328 Wooden Law Firm, PC 730 Cherry Street, Suite B Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 756-9972 AUTOMOTIVE Church’s Tire Center 511 Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-6701 Riverside Chevrolet Buick GMC 305 Battle Creek Road (Kimball) South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7926 Moss Motor Company 1000 South Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837- 7114 Wagner Truck & Trailer Rentals 200 East 28th Street Chattanooga, TN 34710 (423) 267-2129 CAMPGROUNDS Shellmound Campground 2735 TVA Rd Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-9857

CLEANING SERVICES Valley Janitorial 213 South Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-6585 CONSTRUCTION Caps Roofing 230 Dogwood Trail South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 834-6424 Collins Building Materials 6570 Hwy 41 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-3457 Imperial Home Improvements 22790 Highway 41 Chattanooga, TN 37419 (423) 837-4171 Sequatchie Concrete 406 South Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37347 (423) 837- 7913 STH & Associates 200 Betsy Pack Drive Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 837-0451 S&ME 4291 Hwy 58, Suite 101 Chattanooga, TN 37416 (423) 499-0957 CONSULTING Emendee Technologies. LLC 136 Commission Street Southington, CT 06489 (423) 939-9889 Ganis Consulting Service 1845 Jasper Highlands Blvd Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 883-1999 MMD Consulting P.O. Box 815 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-9460 COFFEE SHOP Dragging Canoe Coffee Traders 409 Elm Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423)939-9372 DISTRIBUTORS Coca-Cola Bottling United 26921 John T. Reid Parkway Scottsboro, ALA 35768 (256) 259-0505

H.J. Walker Dist. Exxon Products 103 East Third Street South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7939 EDUCATION & TRAINING Caring, Inc. - A Division of SETHRA 110 Gamble Lane Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-1800 Chattanooga State Kimball Site (Marion County Regional Institute for Higher Education) 2100 Main Street Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-1327 EMPLOYMENT STAFFING Resource MFG & Prologistix 104 Third Street South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-9919 FINANCIAL SERVICES Citizens Tri-County Bank Jasper Branch 4765 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942- 1990 South Pittsburg Branch 402 North Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-8645 Whitwell Branch 14087 Highway 28 Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 658-5880 Farm Credit Mid-America 7605 Hamilton Park Drive Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 510-9429 First Jackson Bank (Kimball Branch) 201 Battle Creek Rd South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-8000 First Volunteer Bank Jasper Branch 105 Betsy Pack Drive Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 668-4504 South Pittsburg Branch 131 South Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 668-4505 Whitwell Branch 13108 Highway 28 Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 668-4506

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Mountain Valley Bank LPO 3365 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 939-0145 River Valley AgCredit 601 Morrison Springs Rd Chattanooga, TN 37415 (423) 624-4638 Tennessee Valley Federal Credit Union 405 Dixie Lee Center Road Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 634-3600 Tower Bank, Jasper Branch 4564 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-5151 Monteagle Branch 205 West College Street Monteagle, TN 37356 (931) 924-7800

Rogers Funeral Home South Pittsburg Chapel 400 Laurel Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7176 Jasper Chapel 21 East 5th Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-2682 Tate Funeral Home 950 Mel Dixon Lane Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-9500 HAIR SALON Roots Salon 14 Courthouse Square Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 939-0060 HANDYMAN SERVICES

South Pittsburg Branch 315 South Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-2150

Dan’s Handyman Services P.O. Box 847 Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 503-4724

Whitwell Branch 13165 Highway 28 Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 658-3000

HEALTH CARE

FIREWORKS

Amedisys Home Health 310 Kimball Crossing, Suite 3 Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-3636

L.W. Loyd Company 1500 South Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7916

A Plus Care Family Practice 503 Westfield Place Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 939-0525

Tennessee Alabama Fireworks 139 Highway 72 Kimball, TN 37380 (423) 837-8677

Covenant Allergy and Asthma Care 365 Kimball Crossing Drive Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 468-3267 ext 201

Fireworks Supermarket 1090 Hwy 28 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-5909

Erlanger Health System UT Erlanger Primary Care Office 520 12th Street North South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7144

FITNESS Maximum Fit, LLC 100 Derby Trail Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 939-3009 FUNERAL HOMES Jasper Memorial Funeral Home Flowers and Gifts 150 Cornerstone Drive Jasper, TN 3347 (423) 942-7777

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Fade LLC 115 Woodland Drive Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 352-4121 Fast Pace Urgent Care 4300 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 651--1696 Home Health Care of East TN & Hospice 13535 TN Hwy 28 Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 658-2111

Hospice of Chattanooga 4926 B Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 892-4289 Mountain Valley Mental Health Center 215 Hickman Road Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-3961 Parkridge West Hospital 1000 Highway 28 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 837-9500 Physicians Care 625 East 12th Street South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 648-4460 Skin, Cancer and Cosmetic Dermatology 400 Dixie Lee Center Suite C Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 702-6899 J. Walter Sledge, Cardiologist 11 Courthouse Square Suite A Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-1844 INDUSTRY AND MANUFACTURING Cardin Forest Products 2534 Battle Creek Rd South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-4041 Colonial Chemical 225 Colonial Drive South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-8800 Jasper Materials 150 Hickman Road Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-4090 Lodge Manufacturing 204 East 5th Street South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7181 Ply Gem Siding Group 1274 Industrial Blvd Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-6033 United States Stove Company 227 Industrial Drive South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-2100 Valmont Industries, Utility Division 1950 Industrial Blvd Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-9888

INSURANCE Farm Bureau 201 Oak Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-3418 Farmers Insurance 73 College St, Suite C Monteagle, TN 37375 (423) 939-1221

Jasper Hospitality (Quality Inn) 1156 Highway 28 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-6310

Blood Assurance 705 East 45th Street Chattanooga, TN 37403 (423) 752-8456

Monteagle Inn & Retreat Center 204 West Main Street Monteagle, TN 37356 (931) 924-3869

Chattanooga Goodwill Industries Kimball Office 361 Kimball Crossing Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-8221

MAGAZINE

First Volunteer Insurance 105 Betsy Pack Drive Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 668-4888

Marion Lifestyle P.O. Box 612 South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 493-3204

Russ Hood Insurance 4139 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-5579

MEDIA

State Farm Insurance 3700 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-3411 LIBRARIES Marion County Libraries Jasper Public Library 14 West Second Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-3369 Beene Pearson Library 208 Elm Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-6513 Orena Humphrey Public Library 1130 Main Street Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 658-6134 LODGING America’s Best Value Inn of Kimball 130 Main Street Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-7933 Best Western (Previously Comfort Inn) 205 Kimball Crossing Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-2478 Hampton Inn (Kimball) 100 Hampton Drive South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423)228-4270 Holiday Inn Express 300 Battle Creek Rd Kimball, TN 37380 (423) 837-1500

WEPG & WSDQ 105 N Ash Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-8151 Dusty’s Outdoor Media 688 Wilshire Drive Jackson, TN 38301 (731) 267-3121 MOTORCYCLE RESORTS Trials Training Center 300 Woodland Road Sequatchie, TN 37374 (423) 942-8688 MUNICIPALITIES Jasper, Town of 4460 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-3180 Kimball, Town of 675 Main Street Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-7040 South Pittsburg, City of 204 West Third Street South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-5012

Jasper Lions Club P.O. Box 655 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-5519 Jasper Regional History Museum 715 Phillips Avenue Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-5519 Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Chattanooga 200 Central Avenue Chattanooga, TN 37403 (423) 778-4350 Tennessee River Gorge Trust Inc. 1214 Dartmouth Street Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 266-0314 United Way of Greater Chattanooga 630 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37405 (423) 752-0314 OPTOMETRISTS Spectacles Family Eye Care 233 S Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-8611 PEST CONTROL Burl’s Termite & Pest Control 1035 Industrial Blvd Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-6464 PHARMACIES

Whitwell, City of 13671 Highway 28 Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 658-5151

Jasper Drugs, LLC 17 Courthouse Square Jasper, TN 37347 (423)942-2535

NEWSPAPERS

The Drug Store 335 Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-6855

Marion County Newspapers 307 ½ Elm Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-6312 NON-PROFITS American Cancer Society 6221 Shallowford Rd, Suite 102 Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 499-2606

PHYSICAL THERAPY Benchmark Physical Therapy 4150 Main Street, Suite 101 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-8073

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Southern Rehab & Aquatics 400 Dixie Lee Center, Suite A Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-7536

Lookout Winery/Wood Oven Pizza 11848 Highway 41 Guild, TN 37340 (727) 499-8974

South Pittsburg Antiques 224 S Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-5439

PRINTING

Redpoint Inn 30 Courthouse Square Jasper, TN 37347 (615) 975-1916

Walmart Super Store 525 Kimball Crossing Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-6732

SueBob’s Diner 2573 Hwy 283 Powell’s Crossroads, TN 37397 (423 )658-8575

SKYDIVING

Woodfin Printing 700 Magnolia Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7294 REAL ESTATE & DEVELOPMENT Century 21 Cumberland Realty 13 Courthouse Square Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-6000 Heart Realty 1292 Main Street Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-5478 H&H Management LLC 945 Old Dixie Highway South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 228-0035 Regency Property Services LLC Retail Real Estate 380 N Cross Pointe Blvd Evansville, IN 47715-4027 (812 424-9200 StaPro Oz, LLC 1055 Ridge Crest Drive Goodlettsville, TN 37073 (423) 281-4085 AKA: (The Borders at South Pittsburg Apts) 2330 Hamilton Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 281-4085 Thunder Air, Inc /Jasper Highlands 104 Battle Creek Road Kimball, TN 37380 (423) 265-0781

Western Sizzlin 1130 Highway 28 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-5777 RETAIL Chattanooga Vapor Company 310 Kimball Crossings Drive Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 228-4489 Comfort Gallery Mattress and Furniture 780 Main Street Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-3000 Farmers Home Furniture 4785 Main Street, Suite 6 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-3165 Gordmans 341 Kimball Crossing Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-3500 Lowe’s of Kimball 525 Dixie Lee Junction Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-3110

RESTAURANTS

Phillips Furniture 305 Betsy Pack Drive Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-2593

Johnny’s Hook ‘n Grill 13060 Hwy 28 Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 815-4014

SOCUMOS 56 Rebecca Ln Jasper, TN 37347 (865) 566-1609

For more information about the Marion County Chamber of Commerce, you may reach us at: Marion County Chamber of Commerce 302 Betsy Pack Drive, Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-5103 Email: Info@Marioncountychamber.com Website: www.Marioncountychamber.com 48 MARION

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Chattanooga Skydiving Company 300 Airport Rd Jasper, TN 37347 (855) 776-5867 STORAGE UNITS First Choice Storage 300 Industrial Blvd Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-9191 Watt-N-Storage 5496 Hwy 41 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 596-0194 UTILITIES Sequachee Valley Electric Cooperative 512 South Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-8605 Tennessee American Water Company 109 Wiehl Street Chattanooga, TN 37403 (423) 771-4723 VETERINARY Kirk Veterinary Clinic 1960 Main Street Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 942-5522 WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT American Job Center 5514 Hwy 41 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 837-9103 INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIPS Sheriff Ronnie “Bo” Burnett Mr. Brad Carter Mr. Daniel Carter Mr. Rick Carter Mrs. Judy Graham Dr. Mark Griffith Ms. Kim Headrick Mrs. Bobbi Hubbard Mrs. Teresa Lakey Pastor Erik McDaniel County Clerk Dwight Minter Mrs. Beth Webb

A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Happy 2020, Marion County!

The Marion County Chamber of Commerce will now be highlighting Chamber members every quarter! The goal is to increase Chamber member exposure and to help with promoting local business.

The application period for the 2020 Spencer Wayne Small Business Grants has just closed - stay tuned for the announcement of the winners!

The Chamber invites community business members to join us at our board meetings (the 3rd Thursday of each month) or at our bi-monthly breakfast meetings, hosted by varying businesses in the community. Visit www.marioncountychamber.com for more information, or call our fabulous Executive Secretary, Judy, at (423) 942-5103.

See future issues of Marion Lifestyles for articles and more information about all things Chamber, and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook where announcements and events are posted regularly!

OR FOR SMILES, INC.

DIRECT BOBBI HUBBARD - EXECUTIVE

not have dental inices for low-income citizens who do serv tal den ble rita cha rs offe Inc. les, Smi l.com) ounding area. (www.smilesfreedenta surance in Marion County and the surr in Marion ie and I have owned several businesses Rich d ban hus My ted? star get you City Napa Auto How did Pit Stop Automotive Repair Shop, Hub The d ude incl ch whi s year the r ove County now “retired,” and I k store called Turn the Page. We are boo used a and Gym Stop Fit The parts, do volunteer work. with grand openChamber helped all of our businesses The ? you ed help er mb Cha the ies are in How has lets the community know what compan ber mem a g Bein out. d wor the get s are an excelings to help Chamber breakfasts and other meeting The rs. ome cust r refe they and nty, the cou large or small, to join s owners. I encourage all businesses, ines bus r othe with ork netw to way lent ce.

Marion County Chamber of Commer the

red by the in the Leadership class that was sponso ated icip part I 6, 200 In s? ines bus r you rd in 2008 and Any interesting facts about you or munity. I served on the Chamber boa com the ut abo e mor n lear to nity r activities with Chamber. This was a fantastic opportu mber, primarily because of my voluntee Cha the from rd awa r” Yea the of school kids who 2009. In 2009 I received the “Citizen gination Library. I am proud of our high Ima on Part ly Dol the ugh thro ks signed up for the United Way which provides boo to get kids age birth to five-years-old hard ks wor ch whi ns, Tee y inar aord volunteer for the League of Extr for free books. is raised not only for the books but also its giving to United Way. The money n in sicia ease Phy incr Inc. to h, es rfait tinu Inte con e nty Luk t Cou Marion ghbors program, Sain Nei d Goo the k, Ban d Foo r.) the t ntee por local charities. They currently sup ecca Long (another Saint Luke volu volunteering with St Luke and met Reb ted star I les.

Smi Nelson, Brian Hubbard, and ic Clin ical and Med along with Dr. Kaz Hasnani, Sherry so , care tal den for d nee e hug a is e r 600 people in the Rebecca and I learned that ther ve helped to provide dental care to ove We’ 3.

201 in les Smi ted star we on, Norma Harvey, and Janice Bolt community. ng, we have been 3 from Texas. From the very beginni 199 in here ed mov s son our and elf to relocate to Marion Why Marion County? Richie, mys our enthusiasm led to Richie’s father and , area this love We t. por sup munity. My mom, blessed with wonderful people and her. We love being a part of this com mot my and ily fam and e, niec , hers Pittsburg offered us a County along with his two brot en we opened our dental clinic, South Wh rs. ntee volu as e serv s dkid gran Volunteer Income Tax Assons, daughter-in-law’s, and us, St. Luke Interfaith Clinic and the t por sup to es tinu con and ory Arm r programs and individuspace in the National Guard supports not only our program but othe tive pera Coo al tric Elec ey Vall hee port than Marion County sistance program. Sequatc lived in an area that had more local sup er nev e hav I ES. CAR SVE gram pro als through their grant does. grown and developed impressed with how the Chamber has am I ? you for do ld cou r mbe Cha r has people coming in to Is there something more the grants they have and that the Chambe s ines bus ll sma the love I ses. ines ght that a directory of nonprograms to help small bus businesses succeed. I have often thou our help to s urce reso find to do s are available. do classes and what they y could let people know what resource ctor dire The ity. mun com the to ial profits would be benefic

yman Services

Dan McDermott - Dan’s Hand

www.danshandymanpro. ’s Handyman Services. My website is I’m Dan McDermott and I own Dan -4724. com and my phone number is 423-503 res, leaky plumbing, a jack of all trades. I can fix light fixtu I’m e)? rvic t/se duc (pro do you do What s and build decks. small home additions, update kitchen State area of ction business for 35 years in the Tristru con the in was I ted? star get How did you in Tennessee. t. I’m continuing with my trade here New York, New Jersey and Connecticu merce when I met I got involved with the Chamber of Com of interesting How has the Chamber helped you? lot a met County Lifestyle magazine. I’ve Kathie Tierney buying an ad in Marion ity. mun com rself and your business in the people. It’s a good way to introduce you a time. I’m able to get an your business? I only do one job at Any interesting facts about you or until each project is job another ls and complete the job. I don’t schedule eria mat the se cha pur kly, quic ed estimate complet completed.

It took a while to become accusso friendly, waving and saying hello. ’s ody ryb Eve . here ily fam e hav I Why Marion County? small town atmosphere. tomed to the slower pace, but I like the iness networking. I’d like the you? It’d be nice if there was more bus for do ld cou er mb Cha the e mor attend the event and learn what Is there something and other businesses would be able to ple Peo . gram pro t men rove imp e hom chamber to host a panies are able to do. the different home improvement com

Dave Pestillo - Emendee Tech

nologies, LLC

My name is Dave Pestillo, and I’m the owner of Emendee Technologies, LLC . The company’s website is https://emendeetech.com .

What do you do (product/service)?

I offer turn-key energy conservation & telecommunications solutions, which includes: Hosted Pho ne Systems, Telecommunication Net work Services through Frontier, Comcast, AT&T, and Optimu m and other services. We also offer Ene rgy Audits & Upgrades (Light-emitting diode (a sem iconductor light source), Energy Man agement Systems, Solar energy, and Co-Generation. In man y instances, Emendee develops solution s that save our customers money while simultaneously mak ing improvements to their business.

How did you get started? I’ve always been an entrepreneur. While I was grow ing up in Connecticut, I had a lot of odd jobs: mowed law ns, ran a paper route for five years and worked as a babysitter. During winters, I cleared drivewa ys and other areas snow blowing, and After college, I worked at Home Dep I gave drum lessons. ot for two years. I then worked as a serv ice representative with the local telepho pany, and I later moved to sales and ne comto channel management. In 2004, I wan ted to work for myself but I had a fam support, so I decided to wait. In 2009, ily of five to through divine intervention, Emend ee Technologies LLC was born.

How has the Chamber helped you?

It gets me out into the community, and allows me to pay it forward. We had cessful Career Day last month, and we our first sucare expanding to other Marion County high schools later this year.

Any interesting facts about you or your business? “Emendee” stand for “Michelle” who was my high school and now wife of 26 years, and me, Dav sweetheart id, which is represented with M&D, or Emendee. The puzzle pieces in our sents our 3 sons. Matt is the green puz logo reprezle piece, Chris is the yellow, and DJ is blue. I love what I do. About half ers are non-profits, and I have worked of my customand continue relationships with over 120 Churches, schools and organization customers are banks, manufactures, s. Other and retail.

Why Marion County? I couldn’t stan d Connecticut winters anymore. Wh ile waiting for DJ to graduate from high researched locations in the Carolinas. school, we In 2018, we almost bought property near Greenville, SC. A nearby river was ed, so we decided against that location contaminat. We were searching for other commun ities and Michelle’s step-mother, Car recommended Jasper (she meant Geo olyn Bodine, rgia but I thought Tennessee). That’s when I started researching taxes. We surprised that Tennessee doesn’t hav were pleasantly e income tax. I googled Jasper Highlan ds and was immediately impressed. next day and signed a contract our first We visited the day in Tennessee!

Is there something more the Chamb er could do for you? Yes. More netw orking events, including after-hours. great to have committee meetings from It would be time to time. In a nutshell, you can’t win if you don’t play. Don’t be just a reap the benefits of the Chamber. It’s member to important to jump in, get involved and get your name out there!

Jasper’s Bicentennial Celebration (Celebrating 200 years of history) On the Courthouse Square May 28 – 30, 2020 ** Music, Crafts exhibits & vendors, History exhibits, Antiques, Food vendors & more**

Photo by: Russell Walker

For more information: Check our Facebook page: Jasper TN Bicentennial or Contact Sam Anderson 423-488-0771

South Pittsburg Dugout Club needs your help!

William Leslie Kellermann , President of Lodge in the 1930s, was given the opportunity to expand the manufacturing plant on to the land where the South Pittsburg High School (SPHS) baseball field stands today. However, Kellermann was adamant that the property go to the school and not absorbed by the industrial complex. The field was therefore named in Kellermann’s honor.

Generations of children have utilized the field over the years, playing the game they love in what is now a historical spot in South Pittsburg. The downside is that the piece of history is in dire need of upgrades and repair.

The existing concession stand and bathrooms have been there since the early 1990’s. In 2011, the field underwent a huge upgrade in terms of bleachers, a wall, netting and a scoreboard, a project that exceeded $50,000.

The dimensions of the field have been completely overhauled - the configuration and dimensions of the infield had been off for a long time. The mound was rebuilt, as was the plate and batter area. Leveling and planing of the outfield has begun in an effort to get it where it needs to be and to rid the field of any low/high spots which resulted from extensive water problems. Upgraded lighting has also been completed in recent years.

Just a few weeks ago, the SPHS baseball program hosted a field work day where a large group of volunteers showed up to help get the field ready for the 2020 season. But so much more needs to be done.

The South Pittsburg Dugout Club is asking the community to help with their fundraising efforts, and they have set up an account at Citizens Tri-County Bank for that purpose.

Donations can be made directly at the bank, via Paypal at spdugoutclub@gmail.com, or checks can be mailed to P.O. Box 401, South Pittsburg, TN 37380.

Please help the SPHS Baseball Program restore their historical field for future generations to come!

BUSINESS DIRECTORY

Dragging Canoe Coffee Traders 409 Elm Avenue South Pittisburg, TN 37380 (423) 939-9372 Facebook: Dragging Canoe Coffee Traders

First Volunteer Bank www.firstvolunteer.com 105 Betsy Pack Drive Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 668-4504 - Phone

Bowman Athletics 221 Turner Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 605-5277 Facebook: Bowman Athletics

131 South Cedar Ave South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 668-4505 - Phone

US Stove 227 Industrial Park Rd. South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-2100 www.usstove.com

13108 Highway 28 Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 668-4506 | Phone Citizens Tri-County Bank 24hr Banker: (423) 517-8888 www.ctcbonline.com 4765 Main St Jasper, TN 37347 Office: (423) 942-1990 402 N Cedar Ave South Pittsburg, TN 37380 Office: (423) 837-8645 14087 Hwy 28 PO Box 939 Whitwell, TN 37397 Office: (423) 658-5880 Tower Community Bank www.towercommunitybank. com 4564 Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-5151 3315 Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-2150 13165 Highway 28 Whitwell, TN 37397 (423) 658-3000 CAPS Roofing South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 834-6424

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SVEC 512 South Cedar Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 Outages: (888) 421-7832 Office: (423) 837-8605 American Legion Hall 300 Elm Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-5012 Lodge Manufacturing 204 East 5th Street South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7181 www.lodgemfg.com Sue Bob’s Diner 2573 Highway 283 Powells Crossroads, TN 37397 (423) 658-8575 www.Suebobs.com Big Daddy’s 124 US-72 South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7810 www.bigdaddysoutdoor.com Sewanee Inn 1235 University Avenue Sewanee, TN 37375 (931) 598-368 www.sewanee-inn.com Rogers Funeral Home 400 Laurel Avenue South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-7176

21 East 5th Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-2682 www.rogersfuneralhome.com Window World 3769 Powers Court Chattanooga, TN 37416 (423) 296-0866 www.windowworldchattanooga. com Heart Realty 1292 Main Street Kimball, TN 37347 (423) 837-5478 www.heartrealty.net South Pittsburg Rotary Club P.O. Box 512 South Pittsburg, TN 37380 National Cornbread Festival P.O. Box 247 South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-0022 www.nationalcornbread.com Dan’s Handyman Services Serving Marion County One call does it all - free estimates (423) 503-4724 www.danshandymanpro.com

ADVERTISE IN THIS MAGAZINE

423-973-4386

Kaz D. Hasnani, DMD Chris D. Bryant, DDS Sequatchie Valley Dental Assoc., PC 507 Betsy Pack Drive Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-5508 www.svdental.net Lewis Appliance & AC Service Expert service on all major appliances/heating & central A/C Factory trained & certified technicians since 1973 (423) 942-3723 Crye-Leike Realtors Gail Richards 1201 Market Street Chattanooga, TN 37402 (423) 802.8876 First Jackson Bank 201 Battle Creek Road South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-8000

Riverside Chevy Buick GMC 305 Battle Creek Road South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 228-5030 South Pittsburg Antiques 224 S. Cedar South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-5439 Farm Bureau Insurance 201 Oak Avenue Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-3418 Parkridge West Hospital 1000 TN-28 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 837-9500 Valmont 1950 Industrial Blvd.

Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 942-9888 Dan’s Handyman Services P.O. Box 847 Jasper, TN, (423)503-4724

Spectacles Family EyeCare 233 S. Cedar Ave. South Pittsburg, TN 37380 (423) 837-8611 Hospice of Chattanooga 4926 B Main Street Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 892-4289

NON-PROFITS MARC - Marion Animal Resource Connection P.O. Box 153 Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 240-9074 marc4change@hotmail.com Champion Commons 300 Cornerstone Drive Jasper, TN 37347 (423) 664-3288 Blessed, Inc. Jasper, TN 37347 Blessedandobsessed.com

photo by: April Hill-Henderson MARION

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of South Pittsburg

• OUTPATIENT THERAPY • MULTI-SENSORY ROOM • REHAB TO HOME THERAPY • GATED COMMUNITY FOR DEMENTIA PATIENTS • ANNUAL ELDER’S VACATION • ANNUAL SENIOR OLYMPICS • CERTIFIED VOLUNTEERS

• ANNUAL HALL OF FAME CEREMONY • WEEKLY WOUND CARE PHYSICIAN VISIT • WEEKLY BEHAVIORAL PYCH NURSE PRACTITIONER VISIT • FULL-TIME CHAPLAIN SERVICES • HOME STYLE BUFFET • CERTIFIED WOUND CARE NURSE • EDEN CERTIFIED

SIGNATURE HEALTHCARE OF SOUTH PITTSBURG REHAB & WELLNESS CENTER 201 E 10TH ST, SOUTH PITTSBURG, TN 37380 (423) 837-7981

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11/11/19 9:42 AM

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305 Battle Creek Road 305 Battle Creek Road South Pittsburg, TN 37380 South Pittsburg, TN 37380 Sales: 423.228.5030 Sales: 423.228.5030 Service: 423.228.5031 Service: 423.228.5031