Standing Stone
Volume 8 Issue 4
Scribe Covering Monterey and Surrounding Communities
Duly sworn
FREE Take One
April 8, 2022
Everybody do your share
Photo by Rebekah Beeler/Scribe Monterey Police Chief Bill Randolph swears in appointed interim mayor, Ward 2 Alderman Nathan Walker, at a special-called meeting on March 25.
Walker appinted interim mayor By Rebekah Beeler Scribe publisher
After Mayor JJ Reels’ resignation as mayor last month, a special called meeting was set for March 21, with two items on the agenda: to discuss the appointment of an interim mayor and appoint a new town attorney. Certified Municipal Finance Officer and office manager Ella Dishman advised the Board she corre-
sponded with Warren Nevad with Municipal Technical Advisory Service. In that exchange, Nevad recommended that the vice-mayor, Ward 2 Alderman Mark Farley, fill in as interim mayor and appoint a nominee for the Ward 2 alderman vacancy Photo submitted until the August election, in Clean up! Clean up! Everybody everywhere! On April 2, over 20 volunteers, including members of the Monterey High which Farley would return School Football Team, came for Monterey Community Clean-Up Day, helping to beautify Bee Rock Park. Monterey is also grateful to the Putnam County Clean Commission who hosted a clean-up day focusing on downtown Monterey • See MAYOR • on April 2. The next Monterey Community Clean-Up day is set for April 23. Meet at the Monterey Historic Depot at Continued on 3 9 a.m.
Monterey to host Annual Easter Egg Hunt April 9 Hippity! Hoppity! Easter is on its way! Mark your calendar for the Town of Monterey Easter Egg Hunt at 10 a.m. on Saturday, April 9. Rain date is Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. Three age groups will be hunting at three locations: egg hunters age toddler-4 years will be at the Little League Field, age 5-8 at Whittaker Park and age 9-12 at Standing Stone Monument. Only one parent per child is permitted to assist for the toddler-4 age group. Each egg hunting site will feature five prize eggs and one golden egg, as well as prize claim stations for each age group.
INDEX
1 section, 8 pages News.................. 1, 3 Events................ 2-3 Community......... 4, 8 School................... 5 Opinion.................. 6 Puzzles.................. 7 Paid for by Cameron Sexton for State Representative, Mark Elmore, Treasurer
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Our Town
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April 2021
Sandwich Board
Community Easter Service on April 13 Monterey community churches have planned a Community Easter Service set for Wednesday, April 13, at 6 p.m. at Monterey United Methodist Church. Monterey Hilltop Chorale will be performing as will local pastors from Monterey area churches. Join in to celebrate Easter with the community. Monterey Lions Club to hold spring Turkey Shoots The Monterey Lions Club will be holding their Spring Turkey Shoots on Saturday, April 16, and April 30 at 10 a.m. Come join the Monterey Lions Club for a good time and win nice cuts of meat and cash prizes. Shoots are located on Hwy. 70, after passing Bee Rock Rd. towards Cookeville. Turkey shoots are held from 10 a.m. to noon. One shot is $5 or 5 for $20. Money raised by the shoots will go toward the club’s many service projects, including free eye exams for students. For more information, contact Mike Callahan at 931-839-2350. Sand Springs Baptist Gospel Singing April 30 Sand Spring Baptist Church will host a Gospel Singing on April 30, with refreshments from 5-6 p.m. and singing from 6-8 p.m. Come and enjoy food and fellowship with singers Randall Vaughn & Family, Darlene Jones and Anderson Church.
Monterey Hilltop Chorale concert May 9 Monterey Hilltop Chorale, an all volunteer choir under the direction of Francis Eldridge, will perform their third season concert at Monterey United Methodist Church at 6 p.m. on May 9. The spring concert will feature sacred gospel selections. The event is free to attend and open to the public. A love offering will be taken at the door to support the Chorale and allow them to continue the arts in Monterey through music. The Chorale always welcomes new members and meets at the Monterey UMC at 6 p.m. on Mondays for rehearsal. They are also seeking sponsorships to help with the cost of sheet music, supplies and professional pianist. Sponsorships are yearly and sponsor logos will be featured on the concert programs. For more information about becoming a sponsor, contact Kathy at kradel1010@gmail. com or Joy at cedesigners@ outlook.com. Monterey Farmers Market open for new season Monterey Farmers Market is now open on Saturdays from 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. The Monterey Farmers Market seeks vendors to sell produce, eggs, meats, baked goods, and handmade crafts during the 2022 season. Registration for vendors to participate at the Monterey Farmers Market this year are open at the Monterey Depot Museum. For more information, contact Rafferty Cleary,
Standing Stone Scribe
Rebekah Beeler, Publisher Standing Stone Scribe is a monthly Berliner publication covering news and features in Monterey and surrounding communities from Mayland to Rickman, Calfkiller to Crawford. Editorial Policy: Standing Stone Scribe encourages event and news submissions and letters to the editor. Submissions should not be libelous and must bear the author’s name, complete address and telephone number. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted. The Standing Stone Scribe newspaper reserves the right to accept, reject or edit any and all submissions and advertisements intended for publication. Copy deadline: All submissions must be received by the Friday before the first Monday of the month. Standing Stone Scribe publications are set to be printed generally on the Thursday following the first Monday of the month with the exception of Monday holidays in which the Scribe will be printed the following Thursday. The Scribe welcomes electronic submissions at editorstandingstonescribe@gmail.com. Advertising: Get the word out about your business, service or organization, increase traffic, expand your customer base, and communicate directly with the community you serve. Let everyone around know your business by advertisting with Standing Stone Scribe. For more information, specs and price sheet, email editorstandingstonescribe@gmail.com or call 931-265-9489.
Monterey Cultural Administrator, at 839-2111. Made Here Market is set for May 7 The third annual Made Here Market is back and will be held on May 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Biz Foundry’s parking lot, 114 N. Cedar Ave. in Cookeville. The market exclusively features businesses and individuals who create the products they are selling. If it wasn’t created here, it won’t be available for purchase at the market! So, come out and shop local on May 7! There will be live music, local makers and food trucks. Monterey Board meets on first Mondays The Town of Monterey holds monthly board meetings open to the public every first Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Monterey Municiple Building. It is important for residents to see how the city is being managed and to take advantage of the opportunity use their voices. Everyone who has a vested interest in the town, its direction and prospects, as well as the necessity to understand city processes, programs and issues is encouraged to attend. The town hall meeting will have a sign-in sheet for those who wish to speak and give time for them to bring up important issues for discussion. Monterey Senior Center plans programs Make plans to check out the Monterey Senior Center. • Exercise– Chair exercises Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 8:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. • Bridge– Monday and Thursday at 1 p.m. • Bingo- Thursday at 10 a.m. • Wednesday Socials: 10:30 a.m. 30-attendee maximum for special guest presentations. Make reservations to attend. • Thursday Extras: 10 a.m. BINGO • Friday Art: 10 a.m.
If schools are closed due to inclement weather, the Monterey Senior Center will also be closed.The Center is located at 105 N. Elmore, Monterey, TN. Contact the Senior Center by calling 8398053. Membership is free for those 60 and over. Come and see what we are all about. Please stop by the center to see what new adventures have been added. Regular center hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Monterey VFW meet first Thursdays VFW Post 6277 meeting time has changed. Post meeting will remain on the first Thursday of every month but will now begin at 7 p.m. VFW Post 6277 is located at 101 South Poplar St., Monterey, TN, and is open to all veterans who have served in a war or conflict. SCV active in community The Champ FergusonStanding Stone Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV) Post 2014 Help preserve Southern Heritage and join in the Capt. Champ Ferguson-Standing Stone #2014 Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV). For more information, contact Jack Looper at 445-2050 or Rooster Barnes at 510-2211. SSHS/Monterey Hometown Project meets The Standing Stone Historical Society/Monterey Hometown Project meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Monterey Lions Club. The Society plans the annual Standing Stone Day celebration, a local holiday that is observed annually on the second Saturday in October. Monterey Hometown Project meets directly following the Standing Stone Historical Society meeting. Monterey Hometown Project is a group organized under the Standing Stone Historical Society to raise funds to make improvements to the Town of Monterey. Email standing-
stoneday@gmail.com. FCE Club meets fourth Monday The Monterey Family and Consumer Education Club meets on the fourth Thursday of the month at the Monterey Senior Center at 6:30 p.m. Civitan Club meets third Tuesdays The Monterey Civitan holds monthly meetings on the third Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Monterey Methodist Church fellowship hall. Anyone interested in joining the Monterey Civitan Club is welcomed and encouraged to come to the meetings. Check out Monterey Branch Library A monthly quilting class is held on the third Tuesday of the month at 2 p.m. Bring your quilting project, learn from experienced quilters and enjoy the company. Free violin lessons began at the library on March 3, open to students 8 to 80 years old. Classes are on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30 p.m. There are limited seats in class and limited instruments for lease. To reserve, call 839-2103. Download the Libby app and use your library card number to download ebooks, audiobooks and magazines to use at home. Using personal computer? Go to https:// reads.overdrive.com/. Friends of the Monterey Library Book Sale is set for the first Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Used book donations are accepted during normal library hours. Please come and support the library and join Friends of the Monterey Library. The library is located at 401 E. Commercial Ave, Monterey. 839-2103. Garden Club meets second Tuesdays The Monterey Garden Club meets the second Tuesday of each month. Come and listen to guest speakers, watch demonstrations and get tips
for successful gardening. The clubs is active in the Monterey community and offer scholarships to Monterey High School graduates. They would love to have you join them. For more information, please contact Monterey Garden Club President, Jan Stansell at (214) 208-5243 or email montereytngardenclub@yahoo.com. They look forward to seeing you there!
Suicide prevention resources available The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800273-8255) is one such free resource that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for anyone who is in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Lions Building for event rental The Monterey Lions Club will be renting out the Club’s building for parties, events and gatherings. The cost is $50 for a 3-hour slot and $100 for an all day event. For those who would like to rent the Monterey Lions Club building for their event, call 931-839-2350. Contact Mike Callahan at 839-2350 for more information. Forms are available at 108 E. Commercial Ave.
The Old Gray to host Freedom Fest The big kickoff for Independence Day weekend, The Old Gray has planned “Freedom Fest” for Friday, July 1, and Saturday, July 2. To celebrate the nation’s birth, the two-day patriotic event will feature country music, fireworks, a BBQ cook off, food and vendors. The lineup includes Chris Janson and Davisson Brothers performing on Friday night and appearances by Ty Herndon, Darryl Worley, Andy Griggs and more on Saturday night. Fireworks shows will be displayed both nights. Tickets • SANDWICH BOARD•
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April 2021
Investing in future leaders Clean Up Commission
offers service hours
Putnam County Clean Commission offers volunteer opportunities for anyone needing to earn service hours or for anyone who simply wants to help keep Putnam County beautiful. All ages are welcome. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. To register or for more information, visit www.cleancommission.com/service-hours or email the commission at cleancommission@gmail.com.
• MAYOR • Continued from 1
Photo submitted On behalf of Tennessee Disaster Response Team, team leader Ken Hall presents a donation to Monterey’s Youth Football League secretary LaTroya Key and board member Seanaree Bilbrey during their annual fundraiser on April 2, as investment in today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders. The League’s fundraiser had hotdog cookout plates for sale and collected donations. Key said, “Monterey, you showed out today! We all truly thank each and every single person that bought food and gave donations. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts!” The League also wanted to send a special thank you to Monterey Foods, IWC and Save A Lot for their support and allowing them the opportunity to hold their fundraiser.
Sandwich Board are available for purchase now by visiting theoldgray. com. Also like them on Facebook at “The Old Gray.” Celebrate Standing Stone Day with Monterey Oct. 8 The 42nd annual Standing Stone Day celebration of Monterey’s Cherokee heritage and the Standing Stone Monument will be observed on Saturday, Oct. 8. Festivities this year will include a parade, scavenger hunt, Native presentation, craft vendors, car show and food trucks. The event will also feature live music by crowd favorite Caleb and Leann. The Miss Standing Stone Beauty Pageant date is set for Saturday, Sept. 17. Titus House wants to help Need clothes? We can help! Titus House, 306 W. Craw-
ford Ave. in Monterey, provides free clothing to anyone in need. Titus House is open the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon, except for October when it will be open the third Saturday. Titus House accepts donations of clean, dry clothing in bags or boxes. These may be dropped off at Titus House. Please put donations underneath the carport at the end of the Titus House driveway. Titus House appreciates your donations! Titus House is an outreach program of the Monterey Church of Christ. Questions regarding Titus House please call (931) 2527676. The Cottage Thrift Store open The Cottage thrift store at the Monterey United Methodist Church offers new inventory
and new pricing. They ask for everyone to exercise precautions, use gloves and masks and will have some available for their shoppers’ safety. Note: if there is a spike in local COVID-19 cases, The Cottage will remain closed. Putnam County Clean Up Commission offers service hours Putnam County Clean Commission offers volunteer opportunities for anyone needing to earn service hours or for anyone who simply wants to help keep Putnam County beautiful. All ages are welcome. Youth under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. To register or for more information, visit www.cleancommission.com/service-hours or email the commission at cleancommission@gmail. com.
to the alderman seat for the remainder of his term. Vice-mayor, Ward 2 Alderman Mark Farley, opened the special called meeting and opened the floor to take nominations for interim mayor. Ward 1 Alderman Alex Garcia nominated Alderman Nathan Walker, Ward 3, as interim mayor. Ward 4 Alderman Bill Wiggins made a motion that nominations cease, supported by Alderman Jim Whitaker, Ward 2. “Even though they didn’t follow my recommendation,” Nevad said, “I’m not an authority like the state Comptroller is.” Nevad continued, “But they created another vacancy and it’s up to the Board to fill it.” Wiggins noted that Walker would not be vacating his Ward 3 alderman seat to serve as interim mayor, but would serve as interim and his seat would remain vacant as per the MTAS statement. Nevad added that the Town of Monterey charter was “vague” and “did not specify who or a timeline” in which those seats must be filled. With the impending election in five months, the board acted on the charter’s vague vacancy policy to nominate a board member other than the vice-mayor to be interim mayor and can essentially just not fill the alderman seat vacancy before the election fills the mayor’s seat in August, in which Walker would return to his vacant Ward 3 alderman seat. Wiggins motioned to have Walker appointed as interim mayor, seconded by Farley.
Walker was sworn in by Monterey Police Chief Bill Randolph. The board also discussed the matter of retaining a city attorney. Appointed by Reels last year, attorney Will Mullins was serving as Monterey’s city attorney. Wiggins said, as a formality, the city should send a letter to Mullins and state for the minutes that he was no longer retained as Monterey’s council effective March 21. He also brought up the two “schools of thought” regarding the appointment of a new city attorney; one school of thought being that the mayor has the authority to appoint city council and the other school of thought that the mayor and the board shared that authority. A motion was made to formally release Mullins as city attorney. After a roll call vote, the motion passed when all present voted in favor, with the exception of Walker who passed on the vote. Walker said some attorneys have been contacted to replace Mullins and they were waiting to hear back from them. In regular session, the Board of Mayor and Alderman met on April 4. With Walker acting as interim mayor, Ward 3 alderman seat was vacant. In public comment, Jon Phillips addressed the board and said there were many codes and zoning violations occurring around Monterey and named a few examples. He expressed the need for a codes enforcement officer. “It protects everybody,” Phillips said. He and his wife, Lindsay Phillips, own Simply Divine
Salon, located in their downtown building on Commercial Avenue, and he said they are having serious issues with the building next door falling in on their newly renovated building. Walker said the board was “actively working on that,” and it was one of the items on the agenda to address. During that discussion, Walker said he was hopeful that issue would be taken care of this week as he had a “good candidate” for the position. In committee reports, Walker spoke as chair of the finance committee which met to discuss wages and pay rate structure and schedule. He said he hopes to have a budget to present at the May meeting. In other actions, the Board voted for the following: - Accept a bid to repaint the Monterey Depot Museum at $5,100. - To donate $700 to send two of the eight young men from Monterey High School chosen to attend Boys State. - Accept a bid for Walkers Precision Comfort to replace the HVAC unit at city hall for $16,242.60. - Price check for a gas HVAC unit to replace the one at Monterey Police Department. - Contract with Jackson and Thornton Accounting Group at an estimated cost of $2030,000 for them to conduct a cost study for the 3 to 5-year rate increase schedule for water/sewer. There was no mention of potential city attorneys to retain for Monterey during the meeting.
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April 2021
The inkling... Volunteer to be the calm after the storm Volunteerism is not a hard thing, it’s a heart thing. It’s also an everyone thing. While not everyone is able to go and do all the time, everyone can do something. And when we volunteer, our children see us, bearing witness to those answering the call to help our fellow man, woman and child. They can see firsthand that volunteering takes many, many forms, each worth the doing and as important as the next, whether it be to volunteer to do a chore in the house, favor someone with a kindness, work an extra shift for a colleague who needs a break, check on a neighbor, donate money, collect supplies, offer moral support, or give of time and energy. The adage is true: many hands make lighter work. Born and raised in the Volunteer State, it is incumbent upon me to be just that. As a matter of personality, I am a fixer; I want to make things better. One way I can fulfill this inherent calling is by being a member of the Tennessee Disaster Response Team (formerly Monterey Lions Disaster Response Team). I am not always available to go on the dispatches due to work and household scheduling demands, but if I can help I do whenever and wherever I am able. I have been on a handful of local dispatches, assisting with storm cleanup from tornadoes to ice storms from Athens to Cookeville and Fairfield Glade to Monterey. My husband and son have also given up a weekend or two volunteering to help us on local dispatches. After a Category 4 Hurricane Ida made landfall on the shores of the Gulf at the end of August last year, among other affected areas, it devastated southern Louisiana. The Monterey Lions Club Disaster Response Team sent a call out for a supply drive in Monterey to collect donated canned goods, non-perishables, drinks, water, gasoline, and toiletries prior to dispatching to make a supply drop at the Freddie John Falgout VFW Post 3665 in Raceland in the Louisiana Bayou. As always, the community members of Monterey responded unsparingly and the Disaster Response Team trucks and trailer were weighted down with supplies from their generosity and care. Then, over Labor Day weekend, members were dis-
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patched. Because of the holiday, it worked out for me to dispatch with them. My 15-year old daughter, Zolah, had seen reports and heard the news about the devastation and hardships the people affected by the storm were suffering. She was inspired to help and asked if she was old enough to volunteer with the team. It really was a proud momma moment when I saw the concerned look on her sweet face, her determination to help and willingness to give up her holiday from school. Instead of making plans with her friends with her time off, she was asking to go and work toward easing someone’s suffering. As a parent, it is mine to foster that willingness in her, make the opportunities available to her and let her experience actively giving back and helping to lessen the plight of others. It is the basics of instilling volunteerism, perpetuating it, propelling it forward. We rode in the back seat of the team’s extended cab pickup for a dozen hours with the team leader, Ken Hall, and his wife, Dianne. Zolah was perfectly content. She didn’t complain, not one iota. I’m not bragging nor was I surprised that she didn’t, but even if she had just a little, it would have been understandable. But, her sole objective was to help where she could and she knew that sitting in the truck for the long haul was far less uncomfortable than being on the bayou with no home, no electricity or running water during the most miserably hot month of the Louisiana summer. We made our way toward Hattiesburg, MS, and began to see how far the hurricane damage reached, made evident with hazardous debris on the roadway as downed trees traced the lines of the interstate. As we drove further into Louisiana into bayou country, the scenes from the horrendous hurricane wreckage just got worse and worse. Even by this point, when the waters had receded somewhat in the few days since the storm, the banks of the bayou were still swelled up over the roads, some parts completely washed out. There were overturned boats, power poles and
Photo submitted
Tennessee Disaster Response Team volunteers, Jack Duncan, Dianne Hall, Ken Hall, Rebekah Beeler, and Zolah Beeler, haul the much-needed supplies donated by the Monterey community to the VFW Post 3665 in Raceland, LA, after Hurricane Ida devastated the area.
Photo by Rebekah Beeler
Bobby Boudreaux embraces new friends, Rebekah and Zolah Beeler, after offloading supplies from Monterey. Photo by Rebekah Beeler
Vietnam veteran and VFW Post 3665 member, Raymond Ledet, brings a dozen of his finest fig and strawberry-fig preserves to offer as a gift for the supplies the Tennessee Disaster Response Team brought to relieve those in Raceland, LA, and surrounding areas affected by Hurricane Ida. telephone lines tangled by the storm, rows and rows of roofless homes, crushed cars and equipment and flooded businesses closed by the storm. The array of colorful tarps on tops of the buildings brought little in the way of comfort for the people there; their American dream, their homes and livelihoods unmercifully smashed into splinters of hope to rebuild upon. I wondered if the swelling water would have displaced the alligators that lurk within them, bringing them into people’s yards and on the flooded streets. Apparently, they were. Passing by on the road from the truck, it was difficult to make out whether they were just logs of storm debris in the water or alligators. But, Zolah spotted her
first wild alligator swimming in a swell between the interstate we were on and an adjacent road. Another team member saw it, too, and confirmed the sighting of the 10foot gator. We arrived at VFW Post 3665 in Raceland to offload our supplies. The veterans and community volunteers were there to greet us. When we got out of the truck, it was hard to breathe the air was so heavy with humidity. Bobby and Claudia Boudreaux were orchestrating the teams of people dropping off supplies and the volunteers categorizing them for distribution. I loved to hear them talk in their crooning bayou accent, softened by the perspective parishes of their birth. It was lyrical, musical to listen to.
Their Cajun accents were so endearing, soothing and so friendly. As we unloaded our donations, I made a new friend. He was an older Vietnam veteran; a tall, humorous gentleman by the name of Raymond Ledet. He said it so fast I couldn’t understand it to say it, let alone spell it. He pronounced it more slowly for me and said with soft, round vowels, “Raymen LaDay.” The post’s large flag pole had been mangled in the storm, creased and pushed over to leaning, stopping before the flag ever touched the ground. It still bore Old Glory, waving lowly in the heavy air. Pointing to the flag pole, in his thick Cajun accent, Ledet said, “See what ‘dis mean? It mean we’re bent but not broke.” As the volunteers organized our supplies, we began setting out grape jelly. Ledet and I segued from that to canning and making our own jelly. He said he’d made fig,
persimmon and blueberry. I told him I had never had fig or persimmon preserves before, but that season I had made wild cherry and apple jelly, and my frozen blueberries were waiting for me to make jam. Of all the things I could have imagined my new friend and I having in common, who would have thought it would be canning? As we talked more about canning preserves, jams and jellies, he told me the story about the fig tree. One of his good veteran friends had a very productive old fig tree in his yard across the bayou. He’d let Ledet harvest from this tree every year. About six years ago, his 95-year-old friend passed away, but his daughters inherited the property and honored Ledet’s friendship with their father by continuing to let him harvest the figs. That very season, he said the harvest brought in about 30
• See VOLUNTEER • Continued on 8
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Maddle elected State FFA VP Photo submitted Monterey High School student and Future Farmers of America member Hannah Maddle is elected to serve as the 2022-‘23 Middle Tennessee Vice President for FFA State Office. Maddle will represent the Tennessee FFA Association and its more than 28,021 members this year. She will participate in extensive leadership training, facilitate workshops in agriculture education classrooms across the state and visit agriculture business and industry leaders. Congratulations!
Overton 4-H goes to Congress Overton County 4-H sent its 75th delegation to Tennessee 4-H Congress. Each youth was chosen based on their work in 4-H over the years. The youth selected were: Chyann Livermore, Charlotte Livermore, and Zac Lewis. Rickman Elementary School teacher Molly Gore volunteers for 4-H as needed and attended Tennessee 4-H Congress as a previous member in the parade of delegates on the first night of Congress. They even had a delegate from the first year of 4-H Congress. The delegates were able to meet with Sen. Paul Bailey and discuss future careers and leadership. Lewis was elected in the 2023 Tennessee 4-H Congress officers as Speaker of the Senate. He will serve on the Tennessee 4-H State Council until 4-H Congress 2023. Photo submitted Lewis also represented UT Adult volunteer Katie Livermore and Overton 4-H Congress Extension Central Region delegates Chyann Livermore, Zac Lewis, and Charlotte Livwith Jedrick Mooneyham ermore enjoy delegates’ night out. of Van Buren County 4-H at the History Bowl, placing second overall. government in action, de- lios and 4-H speeches. Attending youth are spon- bate legislation, vote on If you have a high schooler sored annually by Farm bills, and learn about Ten- interested in joining 4-H, Bureau, One Bank of Over- nessee history. The trip is recommend them to join ton County, First National open to 9-10 grade students Honor Club to get started. Bank, and Swallows Insur- interested in citizenship and E-mail Nicole Marrero at ance. leadership, as well as stu- nmarrero@utk.edu or call Youth that attend 4-H dents in grades 11-12 who 931-823-2735 for more inCongress get to experience are finalists in 4-H portfo- formation.
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April 2021
Free football camp offered A free football camp is being offered Monterey and Hanging Limb Community residents’ children ages 5-12. Parents and guardians are encouraged to bring their child to camp see if they like playing football before they sign-up to play on the Monterey Youth Football League. League sign-ups are set for May 14, from 2-6 p.m. at the old Monterey softball field. Children are asked to please wear cleats and shorts for camp. Water and snacks will be provided. Sign-up dates are: April 30, from 9 a.m.-noon
at the old Monterey softball field May 14, from 2-6 p.m. at the old Monterey softball field (during camp) May 21, from 9 a.m.-noon at the old Monterey softball field June 4, from 9 a.m.-noon at the old Monterey softball field Registration fees to play for Monterey Youth Football League are $60 for the first child, and $40 for additional siblings. Players must have updated sports physical by the first practice on June 6, and must have copy of birth certificate at sign-ups. Play-
ers ages 5-12 (5 years old as of April 1, and not turn 13 in the calendar year) are welcome to participate in camp and play in the League. Monterey Youth Football League season will run June-October. Practices are on Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays at 6 p.m. Games start in August and will be on Saturdays in addition to the Monday, Tuesday and Thursday practices. Send us a message on Facebook at Monterey Youth Football League or call Phillip Key at 931-783-3336 or Mark Kennedy 931-3199101 for questions.
PCSS now holding early enrollment, kindergarten registration
Putnam County School System began early enrollment and kindergarten registration for the 2022-’23 school year this week. Early registration and kindergarten registration ends on April 22 at 3 p.m. Have questions about zoning, how to enroll a kindergartener? How to enroll a new student? How about questions for those who are currently enrolled in the PCSS school system? Visit www.pcsstn.com or call 931-526-9777.
Event organizers seek sponsors, donors and funds to help in their efforts to provide a safe night of celebration for the Monterey High School graduating class of 2022.
Businesses and individuals interested in supporting the class may contact 931-510-3373 or mhsprojectgrad22@gmail.com.
Do you want a bank with that small town feeling?
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Capitol Hill Week
Standing Stone Scribe
Dave Says
From Senator Paul Bailey Action on Capitol Hill continued to shift from committees to the floor of the Senate this week as lawmakers worked diligently to approve many important bills. Over half of the Senate’s nine standing committees have completed their business for the 112th General Assembly. Meanwhile, the state budget will be the central focus during the final weeks before adjournment. Governor Lee proposes new budget amendment Finance and Administration Commissioner Butch Eley briefed members of the Senate Finance Committee this week on Governor Bill Lee’s proposed additions to the 2022-2023 state budget. The total cost of the proposed budget is $52.8 billion. Changes to the proposal include $241 million for one-time budget expenditures and $74 million for recurring items. The new amendment reflects Governor Lee’s priorities to focus on long-term, strategic, onetime investments that can help the state withstand future economic downturns. I was pleased to see over $70 million set aside for new capital projects for Tennessee Tech in the Governor’s proposal. These projects include $29.9 million for the new Tucker Stadium, $21.5 million for the Facilities Services Complex, and $13.9 million for the Wings Up Way Parking Garage. I look forward to working with Governor Lee and my
colleagues in the coming weeks to thoroughly review the Governor’s proposal and ensure that the state is making good investments with taxpayer dollars that continue our record of fiscal responsibility. Education Committee approves legislation promoting fairness in school sports I am pleased that two bills aimed at ensuring fairness in school sports advanced out of the Education Committee this week. Last year, the General Assembly passed legislation prohibiting biological males from participating in girls’ sports in public K-12 education.Senate Bill 2153would extend that prohibition to public higher education institutions. This bill levels the playing field for female athletes who’ve trained all their lives to compete at a collegiate level. It is not fair for a biological male to compete against these elite women. There have been numerous examples of biological males competing and winning in women’s sporting events throughout the country, including in the NCAA 500yard freestyle last month. The Education Committee this week also passedSenate Bill 1861which builds off the legislation passed last year. Under the bill, the Tennessee Department of Education would withhold a portion of state funds from public middle or high schools that fail or refuse to determine a student’s gender at the time
of birth for participation in school sports. Senate Republicans vote to balance power of government agencies in courts This week I supported legislation to keep government agencies in check by directing courts to no longer give deference to administrative agencies over citizens and businesses. Senate Bill 2285 directs courts to take up cases that involve the interpretation of administrative rules “de novo”. This means a court will have to decide these cases without reference to any legal conclusion or assumption made by a previous court. The bill directly addresses a landmark U.S. Supreme Court Decision which established the “Chevron Doctrine” in 1984. This ruling gave deference to administrative agencies in the interpretation of their own rule, which has expanded the administrative state at the cost of the average citizen and business. The practice of “Chevron Deference” is not how our justice system is supposed to work and I was pleased to see this legislation passed to balance the power of our government agencies in courts. Please continue to reach out to me with questions or comments about any of these bills or other legislation in the General Assembly. Thank you for allowing me to serve the great citizens of Senate District 15.
Don’t waste your time or money if you’re not serious
Dear Dave, I’ve been wanting to start my own small business for years. The only problem has been my current job. I make good money, but I also put in a lot of hours. About a month ago, I came up with an idea I think would be really successful. How do you feel about me handling the books of this new business, and generally overseeing things, but hiring a manager to handle the day-to-day operation? Temple Dear Temple, I don’t like this idea very much. In fact, I hate it. If your idea is to crunch a few numbers, and stop by once in a while just to make an appearance, then I’d advise against the whole idea. The big problem with your plan is that you are only a small part of the equation, when it’s supposed to be your business. In one survey by Forbes. com, several successful entrepreneurs were asked how many hours per week they worked. Not one said less than 50, and the majority put in closer to 70 or 80 hours a week. While the latter may not be feasible if you’re already working a full-time job, the idea is the same. You have to love what you’re doing, and you must be willing to put in the time and effort to make it work. When it comes to being a
How to deal with anxiety The world has become an anxious, worrisome place. Anxiety has been escalating on a near-vertical trendline— currently, 40 million adults in the U.S. alone are struggling.1 Make no mistake: Even if you don’t struggle with anxiety, it is real, and it’s powerful. I know I’ve been weighed down by anxiety and the runaway train of fear and compulsion. But I also know that healing and peace is possible when we decide to change our identity, take ownership of our thoughts and actions, and partner with anxiety instead of going to war with it. Anxiety is like a smoke alarm. It goes off when it detects a threat in our bodies or our environments—like when we feel we’re in danger, alone or out of control.
Standing Stone Scribe
Dr. John Delony In most cases (though not all), anxiety does not mean something is wrong inside us, but rather, it means there are fires in our environment— like disconnection, safety concerns, overstimulation or past trauma—that need to be addressed. Sometimes, it’s as simple as drinking way too much coffee and not getting
Your Good News
enough sleep. Healing our anxious minds and bodies is a daily and lifelong journey, but it’s one worth taking. As you learn how to deal with your anxiety, I want to encourage you to start by focusing on these six key things: 1. Stop using anxiety as an identity Millions of people have been labeled as disordered. They have anxiety and believe they’ve got a disease. Hear me say this: You are not your anxiety. Instead, anxiety is a learned physical and mental response to a world full of threats and disconnection— perceived or real. It’s your body’s way of trying to take care of you. And since you learned it, it can be unlearned. 2. Honor the alarms Learn to pay attention to
Standing Stone Scribe
April 2021
your personal anxiety alarms and what makes them go off. Maybe it’s running into a certain coworker in the hall or being ignored by someone you care about. Or maybe it’s when you arrive home after a long, exhausting day and feel afraid to step inside because loneliness is waiting to greet you. Maybe it’s a past tragedy, deep trauma or hyperstressed mind. Yes, the alarms are loud, and your thoughts might spin out of control. But the longer you ignore the alarms, the longer you go without getting what you need. Pay attention to what your anxiety alarms are telling you instead of running from the noise. 3. Take an inventory of your life All change begins with owning reality. You must ask yourself: What’s going right
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Dave Ramsey successful entrepreneur, you are the ideas. You are the passion, the vision, the energy and the desire to get things done and grow the business. If you don’t have the drive to be all those things, you’re better off not doing it at all. You’d have a better chance of making something work if you bought an existing business with a manager already in place. I’m sorry, Temple. But in my mind, your idea—as it stands now—is a big disappointment just waiting to happen. — Dave
I wouldn’t go that far
Dear Dave, Our son is in high school, and he has a part-time job. He makes good grades, and we have always tried to teach him how to save and handle money according to your advice. He has even managed to set aside a few thousand dollars for college. My wife and I were talking the other night, and I brought up the idea of charging him a small amount for rent, maybe just $20 or $25 a month, to help
for me and what’s not? To begin healing, you must take inventory of how things are going. Here are some questions to help you begin. Write down your answers to see what you learn and what needs to change. • Am I safe and valued in my current environment? • Have I dealt with past traumas and painful relationships? • Where do I feel anxiety in my body? • Do I have a friend or a community I can count on? • Do I find purpose and meaning in my work or family? • Am I eating well, exercising, and getting seven to nine hours of sleep every night? • What forms of distraction or comfort am I addicted to? • What stimulants am I consuming (caffeine, sugar,
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Your Good News
him be even better prepared for the real world. What do you think about this? Keith Dear Keith, I appreciate the fact that you’re looking for teachable moments. But making a high school kid pay rent? No, that’s a little over the top. Listen, you and your wife are already way ahead of a lot of parents. Teaching him financial responsibility and the importance of education are great things. It sounds like your son is a bright, motivated young man, too. I talk to adults all the time who are decades older, but still don’t grasp the concepts of maturity and responsibility like this kid does already. With the kind of start you’re giving him, I think he’s going to grow up to be a very successful adult. Keep up the good work, and let that young man know how proud you both are of him! — Dave • • • Dave Ramsey is a seventime #1 national best-selling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 18 million listeners each week. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today Show, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business, and many more. Since 1992, Dave has helped people regain control of their money, build wealth and enhance their lives. He also serves as CEO for Ramsey Solutions.
etc.)? 4. Make a habit of identifying your thoughts and emotions An anxious mind can feel like your brain is filled with chaos. Writing your thoughts and feelings on paper gets them out of your body and often takes their power away. Instead of chaos, your thoughts become just words on paper. From there, you can sort through the truth and the lies of what’s on the paper. You can demand evidence from the thoughts and learn to challenge the critical voice or worst-case scenario death spiral inside your head. 5. Go from controlling your thoughts to changing your actions When you look at your thoughts on paper, you can
• See ANXIETY • Continued on 7
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Entertainment
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‘Outlaws’ land Prime on the wrong side of the tracks By Paula Tudor, Scribe columnist In recent months, I have spent a lot more time watching shows on streaming services than on regular network television. I suppose it is because network television has been in a bit of a creative slump for a while, and the shows I do like seem to get canceled far too early, but I digress. Because I am a long time subscriber to Prime anyway, it is always my go-to for streaming new content, and I am rarely ever disappointed. Typically, when Amazon goes out of their way to advertise something new, I take notice because that usually means, at least in my experience, it is something worth watching. All I can say is that Amazon must be in a bit of a creative slump at the moment, too. When I logged on to Amazon through my TV last week, I noticed the banner advertisement for their show “The Outlaws” starring Christopher Walken.
The premise seemed interesting enough: a group of people, all from different backgrounds, meet each other in community service and find themselves the target of some dangerous people. After watching the first couple of episodes, however, it seems this show has at least a few different themes running through it, which makes it difficult to tell what this show is really about. “The Outlaws” starts off promisingly enough. We see a young woman, named Rani (Rhianne Berreto), getting caught shoplifting and having to report for community service. Walken’s character, Frank, after just serving time, is having to do the same thing. This introduces us to the other five outlaws and we quickly get to know something about each of their personalities. By the second episode, we know more about each of the outlaws than is probably necessary. In fact,
the show goes into so much detail about the outlaws’ personal lives it threatens to derail the original point of the series. Frank helps his grandson throw a party and invites the celebrity member of the community service team to it so he can impress his friends. Rani develops a crush on team member Christian (Gamba Cole), who is trying to keep his sister from joining a gang. We see their whole dysfunctional family dynamic in this second episode. The show goes through every character in this manner. It’s like falling down a rabbit hole. There are so many possible paths the show can take from all the activity in episode two that it feels like we could potentially be watching several different shows at once. Although, in general, I am in favor of shows letting the audience get to know their characters in meaningful ways, the pace
in which “The Outlaws” does this seems a little hurried, almost frantic. Much of the stuff we learn about the characters could have been saved for season two. The type of insight we get into even minor characters, while interesting, does nothing to move the story forward and feels like a waste of time in a season that only includes six episodes. “The Outlaws” is definitely not for everyone. It is a British show and seems to have been made on a rather small budget. At times, it feels like a web series in the early days of web series, before any money was being funneled into them. There are a few laughs here and there, but nothing you couldn’t find in almost anything else. The bottom line is that unless you are a diehard Christopher Walken fan and absolutely have to watch everything he is in, I wouldn’t waste my time on “The Outlaws,” not when you have so many other choices. All six episodes of “The Outlaws” is currently streaming on Amazon Prime. A second season has already been confirmed.
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• • • Paula Tudor graduated cum laude from Tennessee Technological University with a bachelor’s degree in interdisciplinary studies, with an emphasis in English and communication. She is
a freelance writer and a distinguished blogger/online correspondent, with more than 3,000 followers on Twitter. The bulk of her work can be found at paulas-soapbox.blogspot.com and at paulatudor.com.
3. *#25 Down piece 4. Off-the-cuff 5. Mylar filling 6. Socket insert 7. Adult elver 8. Tax of one tenth 9. Like Darth Vader’s side 10. Drop-off spot 11. Eugene O’Neill’s piece 12. One less than jack 15. Hair holder 20. African antelope 22. Boat propeller 24. Depart from the ground (2 words) 25. *Fischer and Kasparov sport 26. Reach a goal (2 words) 27. Private 29. *Palmer and Nicklaus sport 31. Dirty money 32. Wife’s dad, e.g.
33. Large violin family member 34. *Bolt and Owens sport 36. *A trap in #29 down 38. Biblical pronoun 42. Blast from the past 45. Tin Man’s prop 49. Bambi’s mom 51. Sewing machine brand 54. Do like phoenix 56. Accustom 57. Like gin in fiz 58. Do like goo 59. Kitchen head 60. Russian autocrat 61. Overnight lodgings 62. Hissy fit 63. What acronym and acrylic have in common 65. *#29 Down prop 67. Oui in English
STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: WHICH SPORT?
• ANXIETY • Continued from 6 begin to identify what’s within your control and what’s outside of your control. For example, let’s consider your workplace. Say you’re overwhelmed and burned out at work. You can’t control the decisions your boss and coworkers make, but you can decide how you will act at work—how you show up early, work with integrity and excellence, and respect others. You can choose to avoid gossip, delete obnoxious group texts, and speak up when necessary. You can also choose to set boundaries, or maybe even look for a different job. Learning to control and direct your thoughts and actions takes time, strength and practice—just like working out a muscle. But we can all do it! Now, if you’ve taken to the steps to address the things within your control and you’re still struggling, you might be considering anxiety medication. I want to be clear: As a society, we are way overmedicated. But for a season, medication can help you dial down or “turn off” your anxiety alarms. But silencing the alarm won’t put out the fires, which means, in almost every situation, medication is not a long-term solution. Years ago, anxiety medications were an important piece of my healing puzzle. They
didn’t solve or take away my anxiety, but they did help turn down the volume on the alarms so I could meet with a counselor, address my work and home life, and begin to take better care of myself. I haven’t taken them in years—but they served their purpose for a season. Don’t let anyone tell you that all medications are evil. And don’t let anyone tell you that medication by itself can cure anxiety. Before taking medications, I recommend working with a counselor and a doctor to examine your diet, sleep, relationships, trauma and family histories. If you do end up taking medicine for a season, it can be a remarkable support as you heal and change your thoughts and actions. Just remember that it doesn’t have to be—and almost never should be—a part of your story forever. 6. Connect with real people in real ways Our bodies can’t be well without regular, connected community. We biologically, spiritually and emotionally need others—and we need them in person. Don’t turn to a screen after your alarms start to sound. Don’t text unless you have no other options. Don’t run to social media unless you truly have no place left to go. Call someone. Go visit someone. See a real face. Hear a real voice. If it’s safe, touch a real hand. Have a real hug. Find a way to talk to or see a
human. Connect with people you love or who you can be vulnerable with. This might mean calling a therapist, a pastor, your neighbor, a hotline, a friend or an old college buddy you haven’t seen in forever. Make true human connection a critical and essential part of your life. Practical Tips for Anxiety Relief The next time the alarms start ringing, pause. Ask yourself what the alarms are trying to tell you. Remember: You have tools to deal with anxiety. Reach out to someone you can trust. Breathe deeply and intentionally. Challenge your thoughts and lean into healthy actions. You can do this—and you are worth the work. You are worth being well. • • • Dr. John Delony is a mental health expert with PhDs in Counselor Education & Supervision and Higher Education Administration from Texas Tech University. Prior to joining Ramsey Solutions in 2020, John worked as a senior leader, professor, and researcher at multiple universities. He also spent two decades in crisis response, walking with people through severe trauma. Now as a Ramsey Personality, he teaches on relationships and emotional wellness. Follow John on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube or online at www.johndelony. com.
ACROSS 1. Synagogue read 6. One in King’s sematary 9. Cabinet div. 13. Grind down 14. Aloha State’s welcome 15. Soup server 16. Bikini ____, Marshall Islands 17. Final, abbr. 18. Donor’s loss 19. *Vonn and Miller Olympic sport 21. *Ovechkin and Gretzky sport 23. Alternative to trade 24. Secret disclosure 25. Computer-generated imagery, acr. 28. Wise Men 30. Remnant of the past 35. Egg-layers 37. Urban dwelling 39. Printer contents 40. Volcano in Sicily 41. Poetic although 43. Paella pot 44. Dictation taker 46. Like April 1st target 47. Locker room supply 48. Dirty or sleazy 50. Fuddy-duddies, for short 52. Stir fry pan 53. Bread portion 55. Mad King George’s number 57. *Pelé and Ronaldo sport 60. *Sampras and Williams sport 63. Luau greeting 64. “____ my party, and I’ll cry if I want to...” 66. Sack fabric 68. Cheat or trick 69. Davy Jones’ Locker locale 70. Bert’s buddy 71. Coral barrier 72. Poetic “ever” 73. “The defense ____” DOWN 1. Oolong, e.g. 2. Crumbs
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Life on the Mountain
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Standing Stone Scribe
April 2021
Jammin’ at Hippie Jacks is back Jammin’ at Hippie Jacks is back on the entertainment scene to host a Live at the Sanctuary music and camping event on April 22-24, to raise funds for their community outreach program and help support neighbors in need. The return of Jammin at Hippie Jacks brings an epic live-music lineup includ-
ing Blue Mother Tupelo, Jimmy Daddy Davis and Charlie Treat. Join in for the two-night concert and camping event on the farm for the mini-festival and Jammin reunion, complete with food, refreshments, music, camping, bonfire jams, laughter, love, joy, and community. The event is open to the
public and free to attend. Just bring a donation to help raise funds to support their outreach projects. No dogs allowed. Gates open at noon on Friday, April 22. Live music starts at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Jammin at Hippie Jacks is located at 642 Shiloh Rd., Crawford, TN 38554.
• VOLUNTEER • Continued from 4 pounds of figs from the old tree, the best yet. He said he’d used about 25 gallons of his harvest making the year’s preserves. But, Hurricane Ida had lopped the old tree off at the ground and flipped it completely over. There would be no more figs from his good friend’s tree. Ledet said he had saved about 5 gallons to make a small batch next year when he knew there would be no figs to harvest. We were about to leave after the group pictures were made with the VFW Post members, but Ledet asked our team leader if he would wait, that he only lived about 10 minutes away but he wanted to get some preserves to share with me before we left. Ledet came back with a dozen jars, half were fig preserves and the other half were strawberry-fig preserves. When he handed them to me, I felt the weight of it in gold. Here was this beautiful, weathered veteran giving a dozen jars of his precious preserves to me. I know how much work went into them; all that effort in harvesting and preparing them, cooking and canning them, not to mention knowing what those figs meant to him and that he wouldn’t have a harvest next year. Yet, he still wanted to offer them to me. It was so pre-
Photo by Rebekah Beeler
Zolah Beeler volunteers with the Tennessee Disaster Response Team in Raceland, LA, and unloads supplies generously donated by Monterey area residents.
cious. My heart ached with tenderness of his gift. He said he wanted to thank us and that he’d wanted to bring me fig preserves and
persimmon preserves but couldn’t find the persimmon. He said he may have run out, so he thought he’d bring the strawberry-fig preserves to
make it up to me. I told him he didn’t have to make anything up to me, but it was all the more precious. He asked, “Do you know how I do the strawberryfig?” I shook my head, and in that sweet Cajun he said, “I just cook ’em up and put ’em wit de fig and thass it.” I was enamored that someone like him could just continue to give and give even though he’d been through so much, fought in war, served his country, been through storms like Hurricane Ida and now was volunteering at the post to help others in its aftermath. What’s more is that my daughter saw this sweet gesture, and it touched her heart, too. Volunteering is so much more than volunteering. It is new friendships and fig preserves; a story, a memory, a lesson and a love. I could never give as much in my volunteerism as what gets added to me. Though we cannot keep the storms from coming, we can volunteer to be the calm after the storm, and weather them better together.
Join the Tennessee Disaster Response Team The Monterey Lions Club Tennessee Disaster Response Team is a non-profit organization meeting the needs of those faced with natural disasters. The team needs donations of water, canned goods and money to make trips to and from disaster areas and also welcomes volunteers to help in relief missions. Contact team leader Ken Hall at 239-3318 to become a team volunteer.
