Free Take One
Volume 7 Issue 4
Covering Monterey and Surrounding Communities
April 9, 2021
Board takes Ward 4 alderman nominations By Rebekah Beeler
Scribe publisher
The Monterey Board of Mayor and Aldermen took nominations to fill the vacant alderman seat for Ward 4 at the meeting on Monday night. Those nominated during
the meeting were William “Bill” Wiggins and Rebecca Iaquinta. The seat was vacated by former Ward 4 Alderwoman Starlett Wessels, whose resignation was tendered at the March Board meeting. Board members dis-
Monterey approves $5.1 million budget By Rebekah Beeler Scribe publisher
At their meeting Monday night, the Town of Monterey Board of Mayor and Aldermen voted to approve the budget for the 2021-’22 fiscal year ending June 2021. The total budget approved for all departments was $5,119,574. Though they also voted the tax levy to be able to hold a vote to approve the budget, Alderman and Finance Committee Chairman Nathan Walker said, “The best news, no new taxes, folks. So, no tax increases and no new taxes. We think we can operate well within this.” The budget included appropriations a 3% cost of living pay increase for town employees, a brush truck for the town at $155,000 to lease to own at $24,000 per year and $80,000 for the Monterey Volunteer Fire Department to find a used ladder truck to lease at $16,000 per year, with an additional $35,000 for a replacement medical monitor/ defibulator. The Monterey Police Department expen-
ditures were estimated at nearly $10,000 for training, classes, netting and awning. The budget also called for $29,620 for the Town’s software and server upgrade and an additional $3,500 for the online utility bill pay capability. The budget also sets $23,500 for the Cultural Administrator department for marketing, websites, social media allowance, repair and maintenance, including $7,500 for a website and tourism initiatives through a search engine optimization company. The Board also approved the following actions: • The first and second reading of Ordinance 21-844 to change the zoning classification for a .67acre parcel on N. Elm St. owned by William Wiggins from residential to commercial. • The first and second reading of Ordinance 21-845 to change the zoning classification for a 1.5-acre parcel at 205 E. Cleveland Ave. owned by William Wiggins from residential to commercial.
cussed an opportunity to speak with both nominees before the vote. Martin noted that in the previous alderman nomination, the Board had the opportunity to speak with and vet the nominees. “I agree, you’re supposed to give notification before
you have a vote,” Reels said. Alderman Nathan Walker inquired about holding a work session to hold the vote. Alderman James “Coonie” Foster said, “We’ve waited too long already. We need to get it done.”
While Wiggins was in attendance, Iaquinta was not. Reels said holding the vote it didn’t give the other candidate time and they had to give the same consideration and notification to the other candidate. Discussion continued on possibly voting at a work
session. Alderman Jim Whittaker made a motion to “end the discussion and just vote.” “We have to have discussion before we vote on the matter,” Reels said.
• See BOARD • Continued on 3A
Easter’s on its way...
Photo by Rebekah Beeler
Hundreds of children scoop up about 11,000 Easter eggs at Monterey’s annual egg hunt. See more photos on 8A.
Wrestling champ pins her own day
Drum roll, please...
Photos by Andrea Kruszka Tennessee Tech Center for Rural Innovation works with Monterey officials to launch the Rural Reimagined program, complete with a marketing logo reveal at Bee Rock on March 24.
Monterey strives toward tourism Photo by Rebekah Beeler
Monterey Mayor JJ Reels presents Kaylin Marie Shepherd with a key to the city and a proclamation, declaring April 6, 2021, as Kaylin Marie Shepherd Day for her accomplishments as an eighth grade student at Monterey Junior High School student competing with AAU Wrestling for Cavalier Youth Wrestling associated with Tennessee AAU. Shepherd placed first in the Region III Wrestling Tournament and first in the state tournament becoming Tennessee State Champion in her division. She was also invited to compete in the AAU All-American Spring Youth Nationals in her weight class, placing third nationally.
By Rebekah Beeler Scribe publisher
Monterey is not only on the map, but is taking big steps towards becoming a bigger piece of the state’s tourism pie. The Board approved a
Paid for by Cameron Sexton for State Representative, Mark Elmore, Treasurer
budget for the Cultural Administration Department of $23,500 marketing and tourism initiatives for the 2021-’22 fiscal year at the Town of Monterey Board meeting on Monday, April 6.
“We’re really wanting to get behind that as a Town and as a Board. Rafferty Cleary, our Cultural Administrator, has done a really fantas-
• See TOURISM • Continued on 5A
2A
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Our Town
Standing Stone Scribe
April 2021
Sandwich Board Meetings may be suspended, canceled or postponed due to COVID-19. Check before you meet.
Wild Horse and Mule Show April 10
A Wild Horse and Mule Show have been set for Saturday, April 10, from 5-8 p.m. at the Hanging Limb Recreation Center, 104 Water Tank Rd. in Crawford.
Monterey Branch Library open Saturdays
Monterey Branch Library is now open on Saturdays 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Stop by and check out our latest reading materials. On your visit, stay connected, stay well-read and stay active in the community. There is something for everyone at Monterey Branch Library, whether it’s for family leisure time or homeschooling resources. Book Sale- Friends of the Monterey Library Book Sale on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Used book donations are accepted during normal library hours. Story time Wednesdays 11 a.m. Come visit with us at the Monterey Branch Library (MBL) this month and stay connected, stay well-read and stay active in the community. There is something for everyone at Monterey Branch Library, whether it’s for family leisure time or homeschooling resources.
Monterey Senior Center to reopen in May
The Monterey Senior Center has announced it intends to reopen in May. Make plans to check out the Monterey Senior Center. • Exercise– Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 9 a.m. • Bridge– Monday and Thursday at 1 p.m. • Wednesday Socials: 10:30 a.m. • Thursday Extras: 10 a.m. • 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.
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.
Farmers Market open
Monterey Farmers Market opened March 27. Vender permits are available at the Monterey Historic Depot. Call 839-2111 for more information. Monterey Farmers Market is also open and available for yard sales. Hours are Thursday evenings 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Call the Monterey Depot Museum for a permit at 8392111.
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.
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 signin sheet for those who wish to speak and give time for them to bring up important issues for discussion.
The Monterey Garden Club will meet on Tuesday, April 13, 10:30 a.m. at Monterey United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall. Rafferty Cleary will be the guest speaker this month. Everyone is welcome! Come join in. 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!
Banana Pudding Festival April 17
A Banana Pudding Festival is set for April 17, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Cookeville Fairgrounds. Shop and enjoy over 100 vendors, live music, food petting zoo and $5 pony rides!
Titus House wants to help Join Monterey Disaster Response Team
The Monterey Lions Club Disaster Relief 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 Ken Hall at 239-3318 to help.
Lions Building for event rental
Starting in July, 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 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.
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.
Scribe Editorial Policy
FCE Club meets fourth Monday
Standing Stone Scribe is a monthly broadsheet publication covering news features regarding people, churches, schools, clubs, organizations, history, and events 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. Advertisements: Get the word out about your business, service or organization, increase traffic, expand your customer base, and communicate directly with the community you serve. Ad rates are $4.50 per column inch and with a monthly publication your advertisements have a longer shelf life. For information email editorstandingstonescribe@gmail.com or cal 931-265-9489.
Continue your active lifestyle during the cold months at Meadow Creek Park. Meadow Creek Park now boasts two miles of completed trail builds for scenic hiking and biking in Monterey, thanks to the UC SORBA volunteer trail builders. The park is located at four miles east of Monterey along Hwy. 64 at 19195 Clarkrange Hwy.
Garden Club meets second Tuesdays
Civitan Club meets third Tuesdays Suicide prevention resources available
Hike & Bike Meadow Creek Park
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.
SSHS/Monterey Hometown Project meets
The Standing Stone Historical Society/Monterey Hometown Project meets at 6 p.m. on the fourth Tuesday of the month at the Monterey Depot Museum. Standing Stone Day is a local holiday that is observed annually on the second Saturday in October. Monterey Hometown Project meets diretly 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.
UCDD offers caregiver support meeting Are you raising a relative child or need housing assistance? For more information on assistance and support, please contact Melissa Allison at the Upper Cumberland Development District toll-free at 1-877-275-8233. A support group meeting will be held for relatives that are caring for relative children during the month of April 2021. Please contact Melissa Allison at 931-476-4127, if you are interested in attending this meeting. For housing assistance, while caring for a minor child, contact Myra Walker at 931-432-4111.
Need clothes? We can help! Titus House, 306 W. Crawford Avenue in Monterey, provides free clothing to anyone in need. Titus Hous is open the second Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon except for September and October when it is 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.
SCV active in community
The Champ Ferguson- Standing 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. God Save the South!
Our Town 3A MBL offers free tax Tree time! preparation service
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Standing Stone Scribe
April 2021
By Rebekah Beeler Scribe publisher
The Monterey Lions Club sponsored a community tree planting event on Saturday, March 20, in observance of the first day of Spring, Earth Day and the Tennessee Tree Day. Ordering 500 seedlings, including Red Oak, White Oak, Tulip Poplar and Red Bud trees, the club invited the public to volunteer to plant. The Lions chose March 20 to ring in the spring with their tree planting project that would beautify Monterey and coincide with Earth Day and Tennessee Tree Day. The Lions were proud and welcomed the event to include the whole community and beautify the town.
Monterey Branch Library is offering free tax preparation service through May 15 for those who need assistance filing their 2020 tax returns. The service is available by Tuesday or Thursday appointments only, starting April 13.
So far this year, MBL has already prepared over 125 returns; up from 98 returns filed last year. Library tax preparer volunteers are trained with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program by the IRS. The IRS also provides the tax program
volunteers use to prepare and file the tax returns. This service is offered completely free. E-file and direct deposit are also available. For more information, contact MBL at (931) 839-2103 or visit at 401 E. Commercial Ave.
Bikers Against Bullies to host charity softball tournament
Photos submitted
Monterey Lions volunteer to plant 500 seedlings to beautify the town.
Bikers Against Bullies USA are set to play a chapter versus chapter charity softball tournament at noon on Saturday, April 10, at the Monterey Softball Field on E. Railroad Ave. in Monterey. The Bikers Against Bullies Middle Tennessee
and N.W. Alabama Chapters will have a showdown to raise money for their mission to offer education and awareness resources to support their anti-bullying campaign. BAB USA is a non-profit organization created by, but not limited to bikers,
committed to educating and empowering role models for a respectful society. Spectator admission is a charitable donation. There will also be a silent auction and concessions.
State Natural Areas celebrate 50th anniversary The Tennessee Division of Natural Areas, the state’s leader in protection and management of native plants and animals, invites Tennesseans to participate in upcoming events for Natural Areas Week, as well as observe the 50th anniversary of landmark legislation for preservation in the state. Natural Areas Week, with several outings across Tennessee, will run from Saturday, April 3 through Sunday, April 11. Observance of the state’s Natural Areas Preservation Act of 1971 will feature guided hikes at various locations on Saturday, May 1. “We want to share with Tennesseans an appreciation of the abundant natural resources we enjoy in our state,” Jim Bryson, deputy commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC), said. “Our system of natural areas serves a special purpose, and we believe everyone should have a chance to be part of this celebration.” Experienced leaders will head events for Natural
• BOARD • Continued from 1A “We are having it,” Looper responded. “I’m saying we end the discussion,” Whittaker said. “Now, Robert’s Rules of Order, I believe, says that you need a motion to end the discussion, it needs a second, but then you vote.”
Photo by Rebekah Beeler
Stinging Fork Falls State Natural Area is one of Tennessee’s 84 beautiful natural areas you can celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Preservation Act.
Areas Week at designated locations across the state. From scenic hikes to water outings, staff and partners will explore and explain habitat in Tennessee State
Natural Areas throughout the week. Detailed information on activities for Natural Areas Week can be found online. Specifically, May 4
Farley and Looper both seconded. “This feels rushed and pushed,” said Walker. “I don’t see anything wrong with taking the time to talk to each of the nominated candidates. This feels like it’s being kind of pushed here.” “If we follow Robert Rules of Order, you have to give notice,” Reels
said. The discussion continued until a motion by Looper to notify nominees, have a work session and then vote, seconded by Garcia, carried. The Board agreed it will vote for the vacant Ward 4 Alderman seat at a work session prior to the special called meeting set for April 19.
marks the 50th anniversary of passage of the
Natural Areas Preservation Act, signed by Gov. Winfield Dunn. Since the legislation was enacted, nearly 130,000 acres of pristine forests, vistas, undisturbed wetlands, grasslands, barrens and glades, with some of Tennessee’s rarest species, have been preserved. More about the 50th anniversary events across the state can be found online. The state has designated 84 natural areas. Under that process, the program recommends new natural areas for designation, the Tennessee General Assembly amends the act, and the governor signs the legislation, which makes the natural area protected by law. The intent is to provide long-term protection for Tennessee’s rare, threatened and endangered plant and animal life. Designated natural areas are
publicly owned or are private lands encumbered by a conservation easement. A map and list of Natural Areasthroughout the state are online. Professionals in the Division of Natural Areas focus their efforts on searches, monitoring, conservation, restoration, and management of Tennessee’s native species and plant communities. Data gathered by division biologists help guide the TDEC Bureau of Parks and Conservation in protecting Tennessee’s special places as state parks or natural areas. Most designated natural areas are managed by TDEC. Some natural areas are managed through cooperative management agreements with local, other state and federal agencies as well as with non-governmental organizations.
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New TSLA facility is what Tennessee needs to preserve our past for the future By Secretary of State Tre Hargett & State Librarian and Archivist Charles A. Sherrill Preserving Tennessee’s legal and civic history and making our history accessible through the Tennessee State Library and Archives is not just our statutory responsibility. Rather, it is our honor to house our state government’s history and collections from Tennessee families, churches, newspapers, businesses and organizations. That is why we are excited to tell you about the new, state-of-the-art Library & Archives building on the northeast corner of the Bicentennial Mall at the intersection of Rep. John Lewis Way N. and Jefferson St. in Nashville, Tenn. The new facility will provide Tennesseans the opportunity to access and experience our state’s history like never before. Our previous home on 7th Ave. N. opened in 1953 and is the oldest library and archives in the country that has not undergone a significant expansion or renovation. The need for additional space and improved climate controls in our previous building was abundantly clear. We were using more than 99 percent of our available space to house our current collections and the 68-year-old structure did not have sufficient temperature and humidity controls to properly preserve the irreplaceable items in our collections. In our old building, we were quickly running out of room to accept new documents of historical significance. As the repository for every Tennessee Governor’s papers, beginning with our first Governor John Sevier, we knew we would not have had space to accommodate the papers of our current Governor, Bill Lee. In our new 165,000 square foot facility, the extra space and application of the latest technologies to improve efficiency will increase our capacity by nearly 40 percent from 542,700 to 759,500 items. This will al-
low us to continue to properly preserve our current collections and add to them for years to come. The new building also has additional space to accommodate visiting researchers, scholars, historians, librarians, archivists, genealogists, lawyers and school groups. Our new reading room gives these visitors a comfortable, welcoming space to utilize the books, photos, maps, manuscripts and other historical documents in our collection. Plus, we have professional librarian and archival staff experts standing ready to assist. In the past, we could not accommodate even a modest sized group which rendered our collections inaccessible to these Tennesseans. With our new classroom and meeting spaces, we can accommodate groups of up to 300. This will allow us to serve larger school and other groups who previously may have missed seeing our incredible historical resources. It will also enable the Library & Archives to serve as the state’s center of activity in the realm of education and training for historical groups, librarians and archivists and many others with whom we work. Our professional staff experts will utilize the new facilities to teach and demonstrate to Tennesseans the best archival practices for preserving and caring for their community’s historical treasures. State-of-theart conservation equipment including our new blast freezer, temperaturecontrolled vaults and large conservation lab will help preserve and save damaged materials for our collection and collections across Tennessee. Accessibility is especially important because the Library & Archives serves as a resource for adults and children with disabilities through our Library for Accessible Books and Media and Early Literary Resource Center. Our new facility is fully ADA compliant and has many improvements, including convenient underground parking making our services more acces-
sible for Tennesseans with disabilities. The new building’s vastly improved climate controls will regulate temperature and humidity to maintain optimal levels preventing the degradation of the many rare items in our collection. The high-tech climate control systems will help us ensure that Tennessee’s history is preserved for future generations. Most of our collection will now be accessible using a new high-tech Automated Storage and Retrieval System. This climate-controlled robotic system will allow for quicker retrieval of books and materials for our patrons and saved Tennesseans more than $50 million in storage space through increased efficiency. We also worked to maximize the value of taxpayer dollars by making costconscious material choices. By choosing sensible, durable interior and exterior finishes, we reduced costs while giving Tennesseans a building that they can be proud of that adds to the beauty of the Bicentennial Mall. Planning for this new facility began in 2005. We and our predecessors worked with Governors Bredesen, Haslam and Lee and the Tennessee General Assembly to turn these plans into reality. We are pleased to report that construction costs remained within budget. To keep up with all the details about the new building and our virtual opening event, follow our TSLA Facebook: Tennessee State Library and Archives and Instagram: @tnlibarchives accounts and our Twitter account: @SecTreHargett. The new Library & Archives opens to the public April 13, 2021, with limited capacity due to COVID-19 safety precautions. Email ask@tsla.libanswers.com to make an appointment. We encourage you to plan a visit to your new Tennessee State Library and Archives to take advantage of our resources to deep and rich history of our great state.
Dave Says Obstacles and answers
Dear Dave, In your mind, what are some of the biggest mental and emotional obstacles preventing people from addressing their financial problems? Roger Dear Roger, This is a great question! There are always circumstances beyond our control that can put us in a bad place, financially or otherwise, for a season. But to change your situation when it comes to money, you have to be willing to step back and honestly look at the overall picture of what has and hasn’t been working—and why. You need to be willing to admit you might have been wrong about a few things, and be open to learning and trying new ways. Myths about money and debt are definitely near the top of the list of things messing people up when it comes to their finances. I’ve heard it said if you tell a lie often enough and loudly enough, that lie will become accepted as a fact. Repetition, volume, and longevity will twist and turn a myth, or a lie, into a commonly accepted way of doing things. Debt is so ingrained into our culture, and has been marketed to us so aggressively, that most Americans can’t envision a car without a payment, a house without a mortgage, or a college student without a loan. We’ve also bought into the myth that we can get rich quick. We’re living in a microwave society, but living right financially is a crock pot concept. It takes time. Some people are afraid of change. Change can be painful, and many simplywon’t change until the pain of where they are exceeds the pain of change. When it comes to money, where you are right now is a sum total of decisions you’ve made to this point. If you don’t like where you are, you have to admit changes need to be madein order for you to achieve your dreams. Finally, a lot of folks simply haven’t been taught the proper way to manage
April 2021
for something that isn’t an emergency, the transmission in your car will go outor you’ll have to replace the central unit on your home. It’s not worth the risk! —Dave
Getting started
Dave Ramsey money. Ignorance is not lack of intelligence, it’s a lack of know how. There’s a big difference between the two.Admit, even if it’s just to yourself, that you are not a financial expert. Read about money, talk to people who have been successful with their finances, and begin a life-long quest to learn as much as you can about money and how to manage it wisely. What you don’t know about money will make you broke, and keep you broke!
Not really an emergency
Dear Dave, My husband and I are close to having our home paid off and being completely debtfree. Can we dip into our emergency fund to pay off the house? Enid Dear Enid, I’m not sure I’d recommend doing this. I might think about it ifyour emergency fund is way too big, plus you have a very small amount left to pay on your home. But remember, your emergency fund should be three to six months of expenses—not income. On top of that, paying off your home a few months earlier isn’t exactly an emergency. Believe me, I understand the feelings that go along with being so close to becoming completely debtfree. It can be tempting to throw a bunch of money at your house, and get rid of the mortgage payments. Still, even as much as I hate debt, I wouldn’t put my emergency fund at risk to make it happen. When you do things like that, Enid, you’re just begging for Murphy to come visit. The moment you write a big check and weaken your emergency fund
Dear Dave, Should I catch up on my past due bills before saving up $1,000 for Baby Step 1? Sharyn Dear Sharyn, That’s exactly what you should do.Get current or make payment arrangements with everyone who’s willing to work with you first. In the process, make sure you’re keeping your own living necessities in mind—food, shelter, clothing, utilities, and transportation. After you’ve done that, and saved a beginner emergency fund of $1,000, start your debt snowballand pay off all your debts from smallest largest, except for your home. That’s Baby Step 2. In Baby Step 3, you’ll save up and increase your emergency fund from $1,000 to a full three to six months of expenses.Once you reach this point, you can really start looking toward the future. In Baby Step 4, start investing 15 percent of your income into Roth IRAs and other pre-tax retirement plans. College funding for the kids, if there are any, is next in Baby Step 5. Baby Step 6 is a big one, because this is where you pay off your home early. But Baby Step 7 is the real deal. This is when you’re completely debt-free, and you’reable to build wealth like crazy and give with outrageous generosity! —Dave • • • Dave Ramsey is a seven-time #1 national bestselling author, personal finance expert, and host of The Ramsey Show, heard by more than 16 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.
How to teach your kids about money If you guys have been hearing the term “financial literacy” a lot, there’s a good reason—it’s one of the most important money-related topics! And that’s why April has been named Financial Literacy Month. I’m a huge believer in financial literacy for everyone, but this stuff is especially important if you have kids who are in middle school, high school or college. Getting the right education about money is a game changer in their future success. Here’s what you need to know about financial literacy. What’s financial literacy? Being financially literate means understanding basic money concepts, like budgeting, saving, investing, and beyond. And it’s not just about knowing all the factswhen it comes to money. Learning the right behavior is even more important than having the head knowledge. Why is financial literacy so important? When you’re financially literate, you know how to avoid the financial prob-
Anthony ONeal lems that way too many people face, like student loans and credit card debt. You know how to budget, understand investing and insurance, and have an emergency fund to cover life’s curveballs. And when students learn how to do all those things before they have a chance to make mistakes with money, they can head into the real world way ahead of the game. Nice. How can I help my kids become financially literate? As a parent, you’re a huge influence in your kids’ lives when it comes to money topics. These questions will help you figure out your own level of financial literacy so that you can better help your kids:
• Do you have an emergency fund of at least $1,000? • Do you make and stick to a zero-based budget every month? • Are you debt-free (or getting there)? • Do you understand how compound interest works? • Do you know what types of insurance you need? If you answered yes to most of those questions, your financial literacy is on point! But if you didn’t, don’t stress. Following the Ramsey Baby Steps is a great way to get your finances under control. You can help with your kids’ financial literacy by showing them how to open a savings account and set money-saving goals. Even with younger kids, include them in your family’s financial conversations and help them divide any money they get into giving, saving and spending categories. You can also encourage your kids to take a personal finance classif their school offers it. Our Ramsey research team found that students who take a personal finance class
are 23% less likely to use loans to pay for college. And 87% of them feel confident about their ability to invest for the future. Bottom line: Parents and teachers are the first line of defense when it comes to helping young people avoid major money mistakes. But the good news is, you don’t have to have a perfect track record to teach your kids about money. • • • Anthony ONeal is a #1 national best-selling author, financial expert and host of the popular online series “The Table” on his YouTube channel. He has appeared on Good Morning America, The Tamron Hall Show, The Tom Joyner Show and Rachael Ray, among others. Since 2015, Anthony has served at Ramsey Solutions, where he teaches young adults how to budget, live without debt, avoid student loans, and build real wealth for their future. Follow Anthony on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube or online at anthonyoneal.com.
We do not inherit the Earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children. ~Native American Proverb
Celebrate Earth Day April 22
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Standing Stone Scribe
April 2021
UCHRA Commodity distribution set for April 22
The Upper Cumberland Human Resource Agency will hold a commodities distribution for Putnam County on Thursday, April 22, from 9 a.m. until noon at Trinity Assembly of God Church “The Nest.” Sign up will be available at the distribution site. The UCHRA does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, sex, color, national origin, religion, or disability in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services or activities.
Church Directory Bible Holiness Church 144 Dripping Springs Rd. 839-6268 Columbia Hill Baptist 1226 Columbia Hill Rd. 445-3066 Church of God in Christ 2704 Muddy Pond Rd. 445-7782
Photos submitted
Monterey Lion Roy Dishman teaches fellow Lion and eye team volunteer Renee Phillips how to use the SPOT to conduct free eye exams for Monterey students. On March 26, the Monterey Lions Club volunteers tested well over 100 students’ eyes.
• TOURISM • Continued from 1A tic job... We were looking ways that we can go further and get the word out about Monterey,” said Alderman and Finance Committee Chairman Nathan Walker. “That’s a pretty good investment that we’re going to make for this tourism initiative that we’re trying to get underway here.” A logo reveal event was held with Monterey Mayor JJ Reels, city officials and interested attendees and Rural Reimagined, a program of the Tennessee Tech Center for Rural Innovation, at Bee Rock on March 24. The program offered a rebranding of Monterey and an energetic marketing campaign. “I’m extremely pleased with the outcome of Monterey’s Rural Reimagined experience,” said Rafferty Cleary, Monterey Cultural Administrator. “Our community coalition worked extremely hard over the last seven months, trying to identify what Monterey has to offer and how we can capitalize on those offerings.” Tennessee Tech Center for Rural Innovation’s is to create companies and build economic development by providing technical assistance to main street busi-
nesses and entrepreneurs within the tourism, technology, innovation, retail, and agriculture sectors. This U.S. Economic Development Administration University Center program’s inputs and outputs seek to create outcomes that increase prosperity throughout the service region, address income disparities, lower poverty levels, and reduce food insecurity. Other rural projects by the Center have included working with neighboring Fentress County Chamber of Commerce and Fentress County Executive Office to design the county’s official seal. “With the information at hand, Monterey is planning to begin an aggressive marketing campaign that highlights our natural beauty, small businesses and friendly atmosphere,” Cleary added. Alderman Alex Garcia, owner of Mountain Artworx, fashioned a metal cutout sign of Monterey’s new logo which was fixed in front of the mayor’s seat at the board table in the Monterey Municipal Building. Cleary announced that OLIN has offered their services to provide the town with a master plan to develop Meadow Creek Park. “I think this is a tremendous
opportunity for this town,” Cleary said, who added that the top design firm boasts sophisticated projects. OLIN is a company of landscape architects, urban designers and planners based out of Philadelphia, PA., that has created award winning spaces, parks, multifunctional public and private landscapes and urban waterfronts worldwide. “It’s an exciting time for Monterey and we couldn’t be in a better position to really ramp up the development of Meadow Creek Park,” said Monterey Mayor JJ Reels. The company normally charges upward of $120,000 for design projects. However, OLIN has contracted for the Meadow Creek Park master plan to not exceed $15,000. “The new marketing strategy coupled with the park master plan will allow us to leverage more agencies for grants since it clearly lays out a future vision as to what we want to do and accomplish with the park,” Reels said. The Board voted to sign the contract with OLIN and accept their Meadow Creek Park master plan. The plan would be implemented across four phases starting in May.
Familia Dios 119 W. Commercial Ave. 839-7011 First Baptist Church of Monterey 106 N. Chestnut St. 839-2971 Full Gospel Assembly 9396 Monterey Hwy. 839-6411 Hanging Limb Baptist 1421 Hanging Limb Hwy. 445-3283 Hope in Christ Fellowship 315 E. Peter Ave. 833-315-4673 Mill Creek Baptist 5221 Mill Creek School Rd. 520-7801 Mineral Springs First Baptist Church 4038 Hanging Limb Hwy.839-3538 Monterey Apostolic Church
1109 Buckner Rd. 839-8416 Monterey Church of Christ 308 W. Crawford Ave. 839-2660
Pilgrim Christian Fellowship 3068 Muddy Pond Rd. 445-7160
Monterey Community Church 301 E. Commercial Ave. 839-2119
Primera Iglesia Evangel Jesus Baptist Church 200 S Chestnut St. 839-3399
Monterey First Assembly of God 1050 N. Chestnut St. 839-8103
Sand Springs Baptist 9388 Sand Springs Church Rd. 839-3131
Monterey Freewill Baptist 311 S. Elm St. 839-3433 Monterey First Church of the Nazarene 110 N. Poplar St. 839-2609 Monterey Wesleyan Church 300 E. New Ave. 584-0133 Monterey United Methodist Church 124 N. Holly St. 839-2597 Monterey Wesleyan Church Pastor Ted Stepp 9315840133 330 E New Ave
445-2140
Second Freewill Baptist Church of Monterey 855 E. Commercial Ave. 839-3752 Shady Grove Freewill Baptist 2175 Stamps-Shady Grove Rd. Standing Stone Baptist Church 914 N. Chestnut St. 267-5072 Standing Stone Church of Christ 385 N. Elmore St. Victory Christian Center 125 S. Oak St. 839-6068
Monterey Worship Center 120 E. Commercial Ave. 839-2702
Vine Ridge Baptist 602 Vine Ridge Rd. 445-3414
Muddy Pond Independent Baptist Church 3449 Muddy Pond Rd.
Woodcliff Baptist Church 13100 Woodcliff Rd. 839-8465
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Mountain Times
Standing Stone Scribe
April 2021
No excuse to be ‘Clue’ less A review
There was a buzz about the theater as members of the energetic audience eagerly awaited the curtain call for the opening of the Cumberland County Playhouse’s production of “Clue” on Friday, April 2. With the COVID-19 shutdowns and an abbreviated 2020 season, the long abated breath for the regional theater to reopen had finally come to an end with the beginning of the 2021 season. Directed by Bryce McDonald, the fast-paced murder mystery based on the board game doesn’t disappoint. It resonates, bursting from CCP’s Mainstage. The storyline follows that six blackmailed strangers under the guise of pseudonyms, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, Col. Mustard, Mrs. White, Mrs. Peacock and Mrs. Scarlett, are invited to Boddy Manor for dinner where, as bodies begin to drop, Wadsworth the butler engages with them in the case which begs the question, “Whodunit?” The synchronicity of the all-star cast of Playhouse players, however not unusual, was meticulously orchestrated and choreographed. Without missing a beat, they took to the stage together as though there had been no shutdown and hadn’t spent any time apart. To see the show is to see the ease with which the cast pulls off their roles. Their abilities to fill up all the space between them and
the audience with their big personalities never ceases to amaze. CCP’s own Jason Ross was an ingenious shoo-in, nailing his role of Boddy Manor’s butler, Wadsworth. He more than rivaled the excellent performance of Tim Curry in the 1985 cult classic film. Then there was Lauren Marshall as Mrs. Peacock, the preacher’s wife who, at the pinnacle of her paranoid neuroses, wasn’t able to cover all her sins. While Mrs. Peacock isn’t usually a fan favorite of the film, Marshall managed to take Mrs. Pea-
cock’s character and make her the sweetheart of The Playhouse production. Of course, the show is made all the more brilliant with Britt Hancock as the dimwitted and uncanny Col. Mustard, Weslie Webster as the brutally honest Jezebel madam Mrs. Scarlett, Hannah Hayes as the dark creature with more than one dead husband that is Mrs. White, Grayson Yockey as the slightly narcissistic smarty pants
• See MYSTERY • Continued on 7A
Story and photos by Rebekah Beeler
Entertainment
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Spring is officially here and, with the warmer weather, most people will start getting pickier about how they spend their limited time indoors in front of the television. With so much content on network television and streaming platforms, a lot of programming can get lost in the shuffle. At the suggestion of Amazon Prime, I recently discovered a movie that was released last year and I am willing to bet that a lot of people have been streaming this same movie lately for the first time, especially since it is being offered at no charge. The movie is called “Unhinged,” starring Russell Crowe. “Unhinged” was one of the first movies to be released in theaters following the COVID-19 shutdown, so I am sure it was easily overlooked when it premiered. However, since it is an actionpacked, nail-biting film from start to finish, you are unlikely to forget about it once you’ve watched it. Crowe is virtually unrecognizable as a man who is “unhinged,” which, by the way, is the perfect way to describe his character, known simply as “Man.” Crowe’s character is a wanted man after he is seen beating his ex-wife and her new beau to death and setting their house on fire. His rage doesn’t end there and he continues his carnage, even though the police are looking for him. Shortly after killing his ex and her boyfriend, Man is stopped at a traffic light and fails to go when the light turns green. A
• MYSTERY• Continued from 6A Professor Plum, and DeAnna Helgeson as the not so maiden French maid Yvette. Multi-talented players Jensen CrainFoster and Daniel Black played in multiple roles, creating a solid foundation for the entire performance. And that leaves Mr. Green. It was more than refreshing to see Corey Clark in a spotlight role like that Mr. Green. To say he has the panache for taking even the smallest roles and making them memorable is an understateCars for sale at auction Norrod’s Garage 605 Cates Rd Monterey, Tn 38574 (931)839-3016 Sale date 4-26-2021 at 7 a.m. 2004 Ford Previous owner: Todd Edwards VIN: 1FAFP40604F210222
Standing Stone Scribe
‘Unhinged’ is the revolving door
Paula Tudor Columnist
stressed and frantic single mother gets stuck behind him and blows her horn causing him to focus his rage on her. What happens next is an extreme form of road rage that has Man using her cell phone to track her every move and endanger everyone she cares about. “Unhinged” is an eyeopening thriller that brings to mind Sandra Bullock’s “The Net,” where technology is used as a weapon to stalk and terrorize the victim. Unlike “The Net,” which premiered relatively early on in the public’s usage of the internet, “Unhinged” uses technology that most of us use and depend on throughout each day. It’s thought-provoking in that it makes one think about the personal information our phones contain and how much of that information we so readily share on social media. It’s a much-needed reminder to all of us that nothing is ever truly private. However, the writers of “Unhinged” seem unaware, as the movie unfolds, that this should be the point of the entire film. Even in the mid-90s, “The Net” did a good job of warning us about the
dangers of a virtual world. Those warnings ring just as true in “Unhinged.” The film, however, fails to really drive that point home, focusing more on how the actions of others push Man past his breaking point. This is not necessarily a bad message if you look at it from the perspective that our actions can be detrimental to man or mankind. Although, I suspect that this is not what the writers were going for either. Ultimately, “Unhinged” is a psychological thriller, meant to keep audiences holding their breath until the very end. And that is exactly what it does. While I believe “Unhinged” missed an opportunity to show how we have all become too dependent on technology, one cannot find fault in the film’s ability to entertain. So, if this sounds like your type of movie, put down your phones, pop some popcorn and start streaming. “Unhinged” is available to watch now on Amazon Prime for free and can be purchased on DVD. • • • Paula Tudor graduated cum laude from Tennessee Technological University with a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies emphasizing English and Communication. She is a freelance writer and a distinguished blogger/online correspondent, with more than three thousand followers on Twitter. The bulk of her work can be found at paulas-soapbox. blogspot.com and paulatudor.com.
ment. But, to get to see Clark featured and carry the limelight is something that Playhouse audience members have been craving and were more than satisfied. All that paired with the incredibly designed set build, as well as the epically professional light, sound and music, “Clue” is a well-produced play lending itself to be wellattended. “Clue,” sponsored by Beef and Barrel Restaurant, Family Ties Restaurant, Venture Real Estate and One Bank of Tennessee, is rated PG and runs through April 29.
Tickets are available by calling the box office at 484-5000. CCP has also added a unique viewing option for those who are not yet comfortable joining the public in-house. Purchase tickets to view CCP’s “Clue” from the comfort of your own home throughout April at broadwayondemand.com. Upcoming spring productions include “Savannah Sipping Society,” opening April 23, and “Duck Hunter Shoots Angel,” opening May 14. CCP will be announcing the rest of the 2021 season productions at the end of April.
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STATEPOINT CROSSWORD THEME: THE OSCARS ACROSS 1. Hedgehog of video games 6. And so forth, acronym 9. *Oscar-nominated black and white movie 13. Treeless plain 14. Grazing field 15. Moses’ mountain 16. Sty sounds 17. Nelson Mandela’s org. 18. Like beer at a kegger (2 words) 19. *Posthumous nominee 21. *Anthony of “The Father” 23. “What’s up, ____?” 24. Huge pile 25. Protestant denom. 28. Feed storage cylinder 30. Load again 35. Relating to ear 37. Flighty one 39. Proclaimed true without proof 40. Musician David Lee ____ 41. Ascetic holy Hindu 43. Eastern European 44. Plural of #10 Down 46. 500 sheets 47. Looking for aliens org. 48. Kitchen whistler 50. Wails
52. Bad-mouth 53. Medieval torture device 55. Pied Piper follower 57. Politburo hat fur 61. *Daniel of “Judas and the Black Messiah” 65. Raspberry drupelets 66. Fuss, to Shakespeare 68. Void, as in marriage 69. Defective car 70. Given name of Jack Kerouac’s Paradise 71. ____ of Honor 72. Adam and Eve’s first residence 73. Money in Myanmar 74. Shoemaker without shoes, e.g. DOWN 1. Undesirable roommate 2. Medley 3. Grannies, in UK 4. Tattooed 5. Universe 6. Panache 7. *Most 2021 Oscar nominations for one film, #9 Across 8. Secret storage 9. Stole fur 10. One opposed 11. Indian restaurant staple 12. U.S. customary unit of force, pl. 15. Soaked 20. DNA and RNA
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April 2021
22. Argonaut’s propeller 24. Shared work surface at an office 25. *Sasha Baron Cohen’s “Subsequent Moviefilm” role 26. Be sorry for one’s wickedness 27. Pita, in UK 29. *Like Roberto Benigni’s fictional son 31. Husband to a widow, e.g. 32. Checked out 33. Stradivari competitor 34. *”Fences” winner and “Ma Rainey” nominee 36. Poker ante 38. *”Nomadland” director 42. Shadow 45. *The Trial of the Chicago 7” screenwriter 49. Greek “t” 51. Sandwich sausage 54. Necklace lock 56. Radio receiver 57. Nutritious leafy green 58. Got A+ 59. Ice on a window 60. Happening soon, old fashioned 61. Caffeine-containing nut tree 62. Editing arrow 63. Chinese monetary unit 64. Friend in war 67. *Nominee for Billie Holiday role
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Life on the Mountain
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Standing Stone Scribe
Hop to it!
April 2021
Photos by Rebekah Beeler
Children fill the little league field, Whittaker Park and Standing Stone Monument Park to carefully and quickly collect the nearly 12,000 eggs at the annual Monterey Egg Hunt on Saturday, April 3.
Katie Matheney, right, is so excited to tell the story about how all the kids got to pick up the eggs at the Monterey egg hunt.
Above, Lakelynn Whittaker wins the toddler egg hunt grand prize wagon and shares it with her favorite gals, Amelia Medley, Everleigh Whittaker, and Lorelai Medley. Alyssa Phillips, below, wins the egg hunt grand prize bike for the 9-12 age group.
Simon Whipple fills his basket and wins the grand prize bike for the 5-8 age category.
Anna Carol Phillips looks forward to the opportunit to play Rylee Jo Vaughn’s game she just won at the Monterey Egg Hunt.
Cooper Williams picks out a fun game for his prize at the Monterey Egg Hunt on April 3.