McMinn Life Fall 2021

FALL 2021

PUMPKINTOWN FESTIVAL And Other Fun Fall Events Monroe Life Balloon Festival

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Ingles Table FALL RECIPES

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MURDERS ON MAIN STREET

Hear about the first murder in Etowah in 1908. What ever happened to the mysterious murderer Dr. Creech? Take our tour and find out....

Hear the stories about the legendary T.B. Ivins. Was it really self defense??

A HISTORIC INTERPRETATION OF MURDERS THAT OCCURRED ON TENNESSEE AVENUE DURING ETOWAH’S FIRST 50 YEARS PERFORMED BY THE GEM PLAYERS.

OCTOBER

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 21ST, 22ND, & 23RD

Show Times: 6:30 - 8:30pm • Leaving the Depot Every 15 Minutes. Tickets: $12, Reservations are Required and Tickets Are Limited. Call to Reserve Or Tickets Can Be Purchased At The Depot.

Murders On Main Street Is Written By Durant Tullock • Sponsored By The Etowah Area Chamber Of Commerce

2021 IS THE BICENTENNIAL OF SEQUOYAH FINISHING THE SYLLABARY IN 1821.

Never before or since, in the history of the world, has one man, not literate in any language, perfected a system for reading and writing a language.

Sequoyah had announced in 1809 in his blacksmith shop that the Cherokee could create a writing system to put their Cherokee words on paper.

He spent 12 years of his life trying to create a writing system. We know he tried different types of writing systems, but these different systems would not work for him.

When Sequoyah discovered the sounds of the Cherokee language, he then realized that he could take each of the syllables and give it a symbol. He then could sound out the Cherokee word and using his symbols, could write any Cherokee word.

The Cherokee speaker could spend some time learning the symbols and then could sound out and read or sound out and write their Cherokee words on paper.

February 21, 1828 was the first issue of the Cherokee Phoenix, 193 years ago. The Cherokee press and type were shipped by water from Boston in November, 1827. They arrived at Augusta, Georgia, via Savannah, and finally reach the New Echota in January, 1828 after an overland trip by wagon.

The Press, a small royal size, was like none I ever saw before or since. It was cast iron, with spiral springs to hold up the plates, at that time a new invention. We had to use balls of deerskin stuffed with wool for inking, as it was before the invention of the composition roller. . . John Candy, a native half-breed . . . could speak the Cherokee language, and was of great help to me in giving me the words where they were

not plainly written. The absence of newsprint caused a delay in the publication of Volume I, No. 1, of Tsalagi-tsi-le-hi-sani-hi, the Cherokee Phoenix. A supply finally was obtained from Tennessee and, on February 21, 1828, there appeared the inaugural issue of the father of America’s aboriginal newspapers. It was a journal of four five-columned pages measuring 21 by 14 inches. The vignette included a representation of the fabulous phoenix, the Egyptian bird which lived for 500 years, was consumed by a cleansing fire, and arose from its own ashes in all its youthful freshness. That first issue announced that the weekly Phoenix could be procured for $2.50 a year paid in advance, or $3.50 paid at the end of the year. Rates were reduced to $2 and $2.50 for non-English readers. This was a description of the press by John Wheeler, the first printer. This is from an email that Duane King, Ph.D. sent Lyn Henley, the museum exhibit designer, during the design phase.

It mentions “The absence of newsprint caused a delay...” this was due to the Press weighing so much and the newsprint was left behind. Then it mentions, “A supply finally was obtained from Tennessee....” Does anybody in Knoxville want to guess? The paper was obtained at Papermill, near present day McKay’s right off of Papermill Drive.

With the guidance and expertise of Brian Baker, owner of Striped Light, we finally have got started organizing our syllabary type.

This year Sequoyah Birthplace Museum will be celebrating Sequoyah’s achievement throughout the year. Plan to visit Sequoyah Birthplace Museum and celebrate 200 years of Cherokee literacy with Sequoyah’s creation of the syllabary in 1821. Keep checking our website and facebook page for events.

Open Year Round Monday - Saturday: 9am - 5pm Sunday: Noon - 5pm (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s)

(423) 884-6246 seqmus@tds.net www.sequoyahmuseum.org Highway 360, Post Office Box 69 Vonore, Tennessee 37885 Owned and Operated by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, it is Tennessee’s only Tribally-operated historical attraction.

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mastergardener GAYLE FISHER

BEGONIA GRANDI’S & WELCOME FALL GARDEN CLEANUP

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Contents features

10

THE MONROE LIFE BALLOON FESTIVAL

LIVE MUSIC

JIANA WEATHERSBY

High School Girl Scout Earns Highest Honor

25

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GLOW IN THE DARK COT TON C ANDY • CORN DOGS • FUNNEL C AKES

Ingles Table RECIPES

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FLO W E R S • PUMPKI N S • FALL A ND WINTER S QU A S H • DECORA TIONS • M UM S • C AT ERING

departments 6 From The Publisher 8 Message From The Athens City Manager, C. Seth Sumner SMALL BUSINESS FOCUS

19 Revival Grounds Coffee House 20 Starr Mountain Outfitters 36 East Tennessee Foundation Contemporary Works of Art

A PROMISE OF FUN THIS FALL WITH LOTS OF EVENTS!

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Briefly describe how long the Respondent has been providing the goods or services required by this RFP.

PUBLICATIONS: REACHING MORE HOMEOWNERS THAN ANY PUBLISHER IN ET

Since its inception The Bingham Group has been producing effective multi-media campaigns for clients.

As the years have progressed, more services have been added to form a full-service advertising agency including execution of market research, logo creation and development of marketing strategies.

Additional work has included annual reports, brochures, media kits, print ads, television and radio PSAs, PowerPoint presentations, video, CD-ROM, logo creation, website development, media placement, social media, digital marketing, collateral and in-house television production.

Representative clients have included Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Edfinancial, Oak Ridge Associated University, Hiwassee College, Knoxville Wholesale Furniture and government agencies such as the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI), the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) and the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

From thePublisher

The kids are back in school, football Friday nights and Go Big Orange Saturdays are upon us! It is my favorite time of year, I love everything Autumn.

2009

GOLD ADDY AND WINNER OF A

25

YEARS OF BRANDING EXPERIENCE

20

YEARS OF IN-HOUSE TELEVISION PRODUCTION

16

CUSTOM MAGAZINES A YEAR

200

The Monroe Life Balloon Festival returns “Best of Show” Award REGIONAL MEDIA EXPERIENCE • MONROE LIFE BALLOON FESTIVAL The Bingham Small Business as certified this year! We consider it a “Thank You” Group, to allInc., is a Woman-Owned by the Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise and Tennessee our advertisers, readers and supporters.

Department of Transportation.

The festival benefits the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County. The grounds of OFFICE IS LOCATED IN FARRAGUT. TBG’S MAIN the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum will play the perfect host for our Hot Air Balloons, 1 bands and vendors. The reflection from the surrounding water will create a spectacular 25 YEARS OF IN-HOUSE TELEVISION PRODUCTION: DOCUMENTARIES: KIPPY display of the balloon glow illuminating the sky each night. I am so humbled by the many businesses & restaurants supporting the event.

FOR DIRECT MARKETING

LOCAL AND NATIONAL ADDY AWARDS

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NATIONAL BROADCAST ADDY AWARDS

In this issue our master gardener, Gayle Fisher, helps us clean up the Fall garden and teaches us about Begonias.

Whether it is an agency project or a magazine story - we love what we do. From working on the Anti-Meth campaign with Sheriff Joe Guy in Athens, having the state bomb squad blow up a camper, representing 20 years of boat work, or lighting a Christmas tree farm for a Braden’s commercial - every day is a gift with new, exciting adventures! I really appreciate my team and all our clients!

TOURISM EXPERIENCE: ANAKEESTA • RIPLEY’S • ANDERSON COUNTY The Bingham Group Multi Media Campaign #2 Domestic Violence Campaign TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY 312 Rosa L. Parks Ave, Wm. R. Snodgrass TN Tower, 25th Floor, Nashville, TN 37243 Contract Number: 34901-00191 Contract Term: April 3, 2014 – April 2, 2019 Procuring state agency: Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security Megan Buell 615-251-8587 Megan.Buell@tn.gov The Bingham Group has a five-year contract with the State of Tennessee to create a domestic violence awareness campaign to include radio, television, visual print media, social media and other forms of non-traditional media.

TWENTY FIVE STATE CONTRACTS: ANTI-METH • DOMESTIC VIOLENCE • DON’T

Lisa At kins-Bingham

Hard to watch, isn’t it?

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Make The Call, 1-800-356-6767 If you or someone you know is in an abusive relationship, make the call. www.pcat.org/programs/domestic-violence-helpline

This project is funded under an agreement with the State of Tennessee, Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Criminal Justice Program supported by Award #_2015-MU-BX-0042 awarded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, USDOJ.

SUMMER 2021 FALL 2021

Monroe Life Balloon

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FALL 2021

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LABOR DAY WEEKEND

Saturday and Sunday

GAYLE FISH

ER WELCOME FALL

PUBLISHER

The Bingham Group

DISPLAY GRAPHICS • EVENTS • TRADESHOWS • WEBSITES • OTT

BROWN • THE SEAHAWKS • GATLINBURG STRONG • SOCIAL MEDIA

President Lisa Atkins Bingham Graphic Designers Jordan Graham Jason Bowers Lisa BIngham Laura Woodson Jerome Tarpley Contributing Writers Deanene Catani Kayli Martin Gayle Fisher Nancy Dalton Contributing Photographers Brandon M. Johnson Ben Gibson JoPhoto, Joe Atkins Christopher Frith

BR A N D I N G : B R Y A N T B O A T S • E D F I N A N C I A L • C L A Y T O N

Advertising Sales Mignonne Alman Tel: 865.523.5999 mignonne@binghamgroup.com

ampaign #2

Subscription or Editorial Inquiries Tel: 865.523.5999 www.farragutlife.com

RITY shville, TN 37243

meland Security

The Bingham Group, Inc. 11921 Kingston Pike, Suite 201 Knoxville, Tennessee 37934

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TEXT & DRIVE • ANTI-TOBACCO • DIABETES • TDOT • TRANSIT AGENCIES

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tion, Office of Criminal Justice Programs and is e of Justice Programs, USDOJ.

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My son and I have a favorite pastime game whenever travelling where we keep our eyes out for transformers. You are likely familiar with the popular movies, and if not, spoiler alert, the cars are actually robot aliens that can shape-shift into other mechanical forms – and superfans, please forgive me of my over-simplification.

A Letter From City Manager

C. SETH SUMNER

“Strong, beautiful, prosperous communities don’t just happen.

They require vision, determination, and years of planning.”

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It’s a simple and biological good versus evil story as old as time. The alien robots can take the form of earthly mechanical items, and it’s usually easy to identify the good, known as “Autobots,” from the evil, known as “Decepticons.” Although, again, spoiler alert – the tagline is “more than meets the eye.”

Carl Mason’s favorite Autobot has always been Bumble Bee, a protector who takes the shape of a yellow Camaro with black racing stripes.

Bumble Bee can’t speak, but communicates by switching between radio stations using bits of songs or commercials to express his thoughts. He’s also the tough defender for the good guys.

The Decepticons usually take the form of trucks and muscle cars that look menacing.

We understand that it is rare to spot an actual Transformer, but we keep our eyes peeled and usually once per long ride we can find at least one.

On a recent drive down the interstate, there were a couple transfer trucks ahead of us. Carl Mason spoke up and inquired if they might be Transformers. I replied that they could be, and asked him who he thought they may be – and that’s how the fun starts.

One of the trucks is an empty car hauler and probably an Autoboot (it has bright colors); the other is an empty heavy equipment hauler and is a dark color with lots of red lights all over, so this one is definitely a Decepticon.

I also use this opportunity to help my son learn different types of vehicles and their purposes or characteristics as he has always been inquisitive of such things.

Just as the conversation begins to wane, I spot a black muscle car shifting lanes in the rearview and catching up to us fast. I tell Carl Mason to start watching, it looks like we have a Decepticon running up on us.

SHOP, EAT, PLAY AND ENTERTAINMENT IN DOWNTOWN ATHENS The car quickly catches up to us and overtakes our position on the road – CM watches and knows that’s definitely a Decepticon.

thoughtfulness and respect, a reservation of judgment, and an understanding of a shared vision.

AUGUST 28 7:00 PM Sounds of Summer David Gerald

I love getting his reasoning on the good and the evil looking vehicles. He and I weave together our narratives on why these vehicles may be on our path, and strategize on whether we need to be prepared for a battle to break out.

As a community, and as individual citizens, we must discern the world of daydreams and fantasy from the real world and its more challenging questions. We must resist the urge to fit our neighbors, friends - and ourselves - into those archetypal roles of hero and villain.

SEPTEMBER 11 7:00 PM Sounds of Summer Kinslee Melhorn/Anna McElroy/ She’s Alaska

It’s up to us to work to see the best in all people. As we do that we must also study their intentions and motives to make our own decisions about the roles individuals play in our lives and in our community. Like Bumble Bee, it’s deeds and actions and not necessarily words that show you who the heroes are.

OCTOBER 9 10AM -5PM Annual Pumpkintown Festival

I hope this roadway game teaches my son the ability to understand that in real life it’s not so easy to pick out the good guys or the bad guys, and that sometimes the lines are blurred. The simple and humanistic, historic appeal of good versus evil makes a good movie, but it does not come close to real life.

We cannot label our friends, neighbors, and strangers so simply.

I think Carl Mason is beginning to understand the grey area. I recently asked him: “Is Robin Hood a good guy or a bad guy?” He paused and gave it some thought then replied, with a questioning tone: “a little bit of both.”

With your thoughtful help, we will continue to move Athens forward.

OCTOBER 9 7:00 PM Sounds of Summer Chris Hennessee OCTOBER 29 5PM-9PM Fifth Friday Street Fair Downtown Halloween NOVEMBER 19 5PM-9PM Old Fashioned Downtown Christmas

I was proud to see his understanding that the answer was not so simple. We see a similar story play out regularly in our modern world.

People preach about doing good all the while doing harm to their community or friends, however well-intentioned they might be.

In the real world, just as the lines are blurred between good and evil, sometimes productive conflict is necessary to come to a fruitful resolution. It just takes a higher level of

SEPTEMBER 25 7:00 PM Sounds of Summer Mending Wall

athensmainstreet@gmail.com info@friendlycityfestivals.com http://friendlycityfestivals.com

HOSTED

C. SETH SUMNER City Manager Office: (423) 744-2700 http://www.athenstn.gov

Hosted by: Main Street Athens, Athens Area Council for the Arts and Willsonthropic, Inc./ Friendly City Festivals

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CRAFT VENDORS • CLOWNS • FUNNEL CAKES • BARBEQUE • CORN DOGS • PULLED PORK

SEQUOYAH BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM, VONORE The 8th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival will return to East Tennessee at The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, Tennessee. Enjoy balloon rides, live music, food, games, an inflatable Kid’s Zone and much more all while supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County. The two-day Balloon Festival begins on Saturday, September 4th from 4pm – 10pm, and runs through Sunday, September 5th, from 4pm – 10pm. The finale each night will be a Balloon Glow set to music with colorful hot air balloons beginning at dusk. We invite everyone to come out and join in the celebration!”

LIVE BANDS!

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

SARA COLLINS

18th Season of the Voice!

A Regular at Blake Shelton’s Ole Red

THE AUSTIN ZACHARY BAND

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 4th & SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5th 4 -10pm

Voted Best Male Vocalist in Georgia for 2 Years In A Row!

TETHERED RIDES START AROUND 4 - 5PM

BALLOON GLOW AT DUSK 10

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WEATHER PERMITTING.

SANDWICHES • FRIED OREOS • HAMBURGERS • COTTON CANDY AND OTHER FUN FOODS!

ADMISSION

10

$

A PERSON KIDS 4 AND UNDER ARE FREE

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SKIP DURHAM BALLOONMEISTER and his wife, TONI DURHAM Memphis, Tennessee

Skip and Toni have been involved in ballooning since 2009, first as a private pilot flying for fun and then as a commercial pilot.

In 2010, they formed Bluff City Balloon to give others the fun and enjoyment of a private hot air balloon ride. They are one of only 6 balloons in the country specially outfitted to take up folks with any special needs. Giving and sharing is a way of life for the Durhams, they are excited to be a part of the fiesta.

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Mischief

Briar Rose

Ben Noyce Bolivar, Tennessee From flying over the deserts of New Mexico, the Noyce family brought their ballooning adventures to Southwest Tennessee for a career change after retiring from the military. Having flown around the world, they enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and people of the South.

Breaking free of the COVID slump, they are enjoying the skies of the Greater Southeast once again while sharing their adventures with folks in their Adams 90K, Briar Rose. So as you drive through Tennessee, be sure to look up as you might catch a sight of them or a small handful of other Tennessee pilots enjoying the Southern Skies.

BILL CUNNINGHAM Germantown, Tennessee

StarBird

Bill has been married to his wife Martha for 48 years. They have 2 daughters, Jenny and Maggie. Jenny is a regional manager for a fitness chain and mother of our three grandkids.

Maggie is a Delta Airlines pilot and is married to a FedEx pilot.

Bill started flying in 1978.​He currently has over 2300 hours. He was a full time balloonist from 1978 to 1991.

He sold balloons, champagne flights, corporate

tethers, banner flights and cold air inflatables.

He also flew corporate balloons for SevenUp, Red Lobster, Holiday Inn, Budweiser, Schlitz, Old Milwaukee, United Van Lines, Refco Commodities and others.

He started flying national and international competitions in 1981. He has had 17 top 5 finishes out of 25 events including #1 twice in 3 North American Championships, a 3rd and a 7th in 3 World Championships and a 5th in the U.S. National Championships.

TETHERED RIDES START AROUND 4 - 5PM

$20 PER PERSON WEATHER PERMITTING.

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MIKE WAHL Decatur, Alabama Mike Wahl of Decatur, Alabama, pilots the “Cool Ray” balloon. In May 1978, Mike spotted his first hot-air balloon, drifting overhead as he floated in a boat on the Tennessee River. That was the last time he just watched a balloon. The next year he and wife Cathy were crewing for a balloonist from Indiana. A few years later, he was offered the chance to learn how to fly the Decatur, Alabama balloon and he grabbed it.

Since earning his license, Mike has piled up more than 1,000 hours flying, flown 10 different balloons, owned 8 of them, and taught 15 students who got their pilot’s licenses.

Naughty Too

Mike has served as president of the Heart of Dixie Balloon Club and the Alabama Jubilee Hot-Air Balloon Festival (twice) and taught many balloon safety seminars. Wife Cathy and son Michael are among his students.

ROBERT GRIMES Lewisburg, Tennessee I got the bug for hot air balloons from my neighbor in 1977. He had just won the first hot air balloon championship.I was a college student at the time and didn’t have much money to spend on flight instruction until Conway Twitty the country music star from Nashville gave me a call and said he would pay for all of my training and buy my first balloon system if I would agree to dump his ashes from my balloon when he dies. I said Yes! And thank you, and that is how my hot air balloon adventure started.

BUY TICKETS ONLINE OR AT THE GATE We will have separate gates for attendees that already have tickets. www.monroelifeballoonfestival.com 14

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Mike owns a business making boxes, crates and pallets for local industry. He’s owned a miniature golf course, been a Boy Scout District Committee Chairman and scoutmaster and belongs to the Rotary Club of Decatur.

He and Cathy also have a daughter and four grandchildren.

Cool Ray

Wicked

WILLIAM RANDELL & JERIKA

After being discharged from the NASA astronaut program, William wanted to stay in aviation. After trying to fly ultralight aircrafts, he found they were too light for his tastes. Skydiving left no room for mistakes.

William also tried crop dusting and found he couldn’t get high enough. While sitting on his back porch, a balloon landed about 20 feet from him and was piloted by his future wife. William fell in love with the balloon first and then his wife. Now they are a ballooning team.

MICHAEL STINSON Louisville, Kentucky

Xclusive

Michael is from Louisville, Kentucky and has been involved with ballooning since the early 80s with his uncle. Michael is a former astronaut with NASA and has experienced flights in several states and Mexico in balloons up to 120,000 cubic feet is just a glimpse of this commercial pilot’s history. He successfully flew over the Grand Canyon in a hot air balloon in 2020. When not up in the air, Michael serves his city as Battalion Chief of the Louisville Fire Department, with 23 1/2 years of service to date. He is also the owner/operator of Louisville Tree Care.

Proudly married with two children, one of whom is currently a student pilot. The firefighting, hot air balloon pilot is looking forward to being a part of the festival.

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Eddie & Rickenbacker JOHN “ ANDY” CAYTON Black Creek, GA (Savannah area) John owns Feather Hot Air Balloons. He has 3,200 hours in helicopter, and more than 730 hours in hot air balloons, and more than 700 hours in gas balloons. He is a Former U.S. Army Special Forces pilot and aviation safety officer. Below is a few of his accomplishments: America’s Challenge Race History:

9 (2003, 2004, 2006-9, 2013, 2015, 2017).

Won in 2006 with Kevin Knapp, 2007 with Stuart Enloe as co-pilot and 2019 with Krzysztof Zapart as his co-pilot. Flew with Barbara Fricke in 2002 as a non-competitor.

Gorden Bennett History: 8 (2005,

2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2019).

Finished 2nd in 2018 and third in 2012.

Other notable flights: Holds 3 world

and 9 national ballooning records.

Including the world duration record for Class AX-6 hot air balloons (23 hours, 55 minutes, 51 seconds) and the distance record for AX-8 and AX-9 hot air balloons (1,066 miles) this is also the longest solo hot air balloon flight in history.

Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker in the cockpit of a biplane. allthatsinteresting.com/eddierickenbacker

Awards: Montgolfier Diplome:

2005 for hot air balloon and 2019 for Gas balloon.

In the last America’s Challenge in 2017, Krzysztof and Andy were one of the two teams to beat the 20+-year-old America’s Challenge record.

They flew nearly 2,200 miles (3526 km) and were only 90 miles short of winning the race before they ran out of real estate and resources.

In 2018, Andy Cayton and his co-pilot Bill Smith came very close to winning the Gordon Bennett and with it the world championships, with a nail-biter of a flight that included a water transit over the Mediterranean Sea. He’s known as a determined, gutsy competitor whose achievements transcend ballooning. Andy has a distinguished record in military aviation, earning the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (x2), Air Medal with Valor, Air Medal, Army Accommodation Medal (x2), Army Achievement Medal (x2), Senior Aviator Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Boeing Defense and Space Rescue Citation (x2). During a world record gas flight attempt, he had to avoid Area 51, the top-secret military testing installation in Nevada that some say harbors aliens. Air Traffic Control warned him he would be shot down if he didn’t keep the proper clearance.

That’ll get your attention!

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

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KEN GARDNER Decatur, Alabama Although I call Decatur home, growing up in the small town of Hartselle, Alabama, I’ve had a love of airplanes and flying since I was very young.

My Mom told me that anytime an airplane would fly over I would watch it as long as I could see it. I remember one day running out of a store in Huntsville, Alabama when I heard the roar of the engines of an airplane coming into the old Huntsville airport. I always wanted to fly, and never had any idea one day I would.

My first flight was in the back seat of a Cherokee 140 —a small single engine airplane that my brother was learning to fly. At 18, I started learning to fly myself. I got to solo and was working on building my hours for my Private Pilot’s certificate when I changed jobs and had to stop flying. I tried to fly any time I could with an old friend and started flying and building hours again. In the spring of 1984, I had my hours and passed my check ride and received my Private Pilot’s certificate for single engine land.

One day, the HR person where I was working came and found me on the plant floor to ask if I had ever thought about flying a hot-air balloon, and then said that the city of Decatur was looking for a balloon pilot. Not long after that I started training with Jim Nelan — a Delta captain and commercial balloon pilot.

I became a hot-air balloon pilot in 1986, and then after getting the required hours, I took my commercial flight test and became a commercial balloon pilot in 1987. I have flown the Decatur Balloon in rallies around the Southeast and worked with the Decatur Convention and Visitor Bureau to help promote Decatur and the surrounding area.

Since 1986, I’ve been involved with the Alabama Jubilee Hot Air Balloon Classic held in Decatur on Memorial Day Weekend. In 1987 and 1991, I was the president of the committee and have been BalloonMeister more times that I can remember.

I’ve also been on the board of directors for the Jubilee most of the years since then along with being on the board of directors for the Jubilee most of the years.

In 2010, I had the opportunity to go to the “Big One” in Albuquerque and ended up helping and flying as a safety pilot for the “Enchanted Ducky.”

I helped and flew with the owner for the next 3 years at Albuquerque.

Over the past 40 years, I’ve flown/logged over 850 hours in airplanes, and in the past 36 years, I’ve logged about 1300 hours in Hot Air Balloons.

I’ve given many hot-air balloon flights in the Northern Alabama and Middle Tennessee with my two balloons, as BlackMagic Ballooning.

My real-life job was with General Motors, retiring as a tool and die maker.

BRADEN’S

DOUG ROBERTSON

MLBF 2019 BALLOONMEISTER

1963 - 2019

Doug passed away May 31st at the age of 58, from cancer. Doug was an aviator. In 1981, he got his pilot’s license before he got his driver’s license. After flying airplanes for 14 years, in 1994 he took his first flight in a hot air balloon. That day changed his view of aviation forever. “There is nothing like it”, Robertson said, “you have a 360-degree view and it’s as peaceful in the air as it looks from the ground”. Doug shared his life with his co-pilot, Kim Richards. They met eleven years ago at a balloon event. They both enjoyed flying and meeting new people around this wonderful hobby of sport ballooning. Doug was a medical sales professional.

The Monroe Life Balloon Festival will forever be grateful for Doug and his “Peaceful” balloon team leading us in 2019 with his balloon, Candy Corn.

FLY H I G H D O U G !

Lifestyles at Turkey Creek

Candy Corn

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8th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut Contributor Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County

Vip Tent

Looking for a unique experience, join us in the VIP Hospitality Tent for savory fare from Longhorns Steakhouse, reserved parking, premier viewing of the hot air balloon glow,

Longhorn Menu Juicy Longhorn BBQ Grilled Chicken Steakhouse Mac and Cheese Fresh Cut Salad and Dressings Longhorn Strawberries and Cream Shortcake

museum admission, private restrooms, meet & greet with the pilots and so

Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut 11644 Parkside Drive Farragut, TN 37934 (865) 966-6954

much more.

VIP tickets are available online.

FESTIVAL VIP PASS RESERVED PARKING • PREMIER VIEWING ON SALE $125 A PERSON w w w.mo nr o e life balloo nfest ival.co m

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al

Written by: Nancy A. Dalton, Tennessee Overhill

The Revival Grounds Coffee House Story The idea of a coffee house brings to mind a cozy place where you can stop by for a gourmet cup of coffee or tea and lounge in a comfy chair for a few moments by yourself or a place to meet up with friends. This atmosphere is something the small town of Etowah has been lacking for many years. But now, Etowah has a coffee house!

This time last year the Hiner family was living in Tuolumne, California, a small town in Northern California near Yosemite National Park. Tuolumne is about the same size as McMinn County. Justin & Jessica Hiner were searching for a small town in the southeast to move their growing family. “It was like a God’s wink, we were called to McMinn County, TN”, according to Jessica. The Hiner plan was to start a new business. Jessica carried 27 bags of vintage clothing across country with the idea of opening a highend consignment store. This had been her dream for some time.

After moving here in November 2020, they were driving around the area & they were drawn to the old Sonic building on 411 Highway. One of their daughters said, “We are going to own that property someday”. They continued to look around the area, but they kept coming back to the Sonic property.

Jessica said she could vision the building being a gathering place for the community and people sitting on the patio having coffee. The 27 bags of vintage clothing went into storage.

We believe everyone has an opportunity to learn something new no matter the age. This is us, doing just that while building community. We want to encourage you to try something new. Step outside our comfort zone. What is one thing you have always wanted to do? Today is that day to take that leap.

So ….JUMP! Gods got you!

A few weeks later they purchased the property and the birth of “Revival Grounds” began.

Justin Hiner is a contractor and owns a remodeling business, Common Grounds. He had the knowledge for the renovation and the whole Hiner family as his crew: Emily Grace is 16, Haley Faith is 14, Chloe Hope 11, Landon Thomas is 8, Mason Robert is 5 and the newest member of the crew is little Joy that just celebrated her first birthday.

Jessica’s family had lived in Tuolumne for nine generations, leaving many family roots to move here. Justin does property management and house flipping in his business, Common Grounds. They are so happy to bring these many talents to McMinn County as they build their new life starting “Revival Grounds Coffee House” in Etowah.

What they like best about McMinn County is the kindness, warmth & hospitality of the people. “It is as if we have known these people forever and everyone has a smile on their face”, explained Jessica about their customers.

Revival Grounds has only been open a couple of mouths and it has already become an area sensation. Their menu includes gourmet coffees & teas, fresh pastries, sandwiches, salads, fresh breads & favored lemonade.

Their most popular items are Justin’s Coco-Mocha Nut drink and Avocado Toast.

Meet Me At The Coffee House!

529 Tennessee Avenue, Etowah, Tn 423.781.7096 @revivalgroundscoffeehouse

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OUR STORY In August 2015, I prayed for purpose.

I needed something to do to make a difference. I had no idea what was about to happen. An opportunity to open an outdoor store came along, and the journey began. I love my hometown and the fact that I would be able to give back to the community was exciting. I grew up in Etowah, went to Mountain View School then to Central. I can name several places that I have worked right here in downtown Etowah.

I love the outdoors. We have access to many rivers, waterfalls, hiking trails, lakes. I would consider this to be one of the most beautiful places on the planet. What better way to showcase our area than to have a store that encourages folks to get outside and enjoy it. We have many people that might be visiting or just driving through daily that stop in our store. We are eager to point them to a memorable hike or daily activity that will surely bring them back.

We are a family here at SMO. We appre-

ciate our community and strive to give back by being involved. We have several events such as “Starr Mountain Jam” (free concert). “Hang out in the Dark” (solar eclipse concert event). “A Starr Mountain Christmas” (local crafters came and set up). We look forward to many more in the future.

We have a friendly staff that is always ready and available to help with decisions such as hiking shoes, backpacks, gear, or apparel. They will even give details on local hiking trails or favorite picnic spots. We took an old bank building and turned it into a retail store. Our “stock” room is actually the bank vault. Here we are almost 6 years later and we have outgrown this building in leaps and bounds.

Recently we have had the opportunity to increase our space (double). We are extremely grateful to our community, because we are living a dream thanks to their support. You see, a small business CAN make it in a small town!. In our new

www.starrmountainoutfitters.com

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location, which is only 4 miles from our current location, we will be able to offer more. Such as boats, fishing supplies, climbing gear. We have listened to our customers and see the need to branch out a little. We will also have more space for events, workshops, and other activities.

We plan to provide an outside area for hammocks with a beautiful mountain view.

Our goal is to continue to connect the community with the great outdoors. We intend to be a place that can accommodate the amateur or the pro.

My family has been my support team, my tribe. This would certainly not be possible without them. Our friends and extended SMO family are the best! Those that have been right along side us have seen that this store is more than just a place to shop.

We are a family, we are a community, and we are making a difference.

New Store Opening Fall 2021

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2020 Business of the Year

Monroe County Chamber of Commerce

Archer’s Total Home Healthcare is committed to

providing the highest quality care, service and equipment, delivered in a prompt, courteous, and efficient manner.

We will provide our services with respect, compassion, and professionalism.

Visit our showroom

“Locally owned & operated, we are available when you need us most!”

23 Year Winner of the Best Place to Purchase Healthcare Needs!

Advocate & Democrat’s Reader’s Choice Awards

We specialize in Home Oxygen Services, CPAP/BIPAP therapy, Medical Equipment Sales and Rentals, Bathroom Safety Products, Orthotic Braces and Supports and provide many other home care related products and services. We offer convenient hours and 24 Hour On-Call Service.

DELIVERY, SETUP, SERVICE & CARE WE BILL MEDICARE, TENNCARE & MOST PRIVATE INSURANCES HOME OXYGEN CPAPS/BIPAPS & SUPPLIES HOSPITAL BEDS KNEE SCOOTERS WALKERS & WHEELCHAIRS BEDSIDE COMMODES NEBULIZERS SHOWER CHAIRS CRUTCHES & CANES COMPRESSION HOSIERY BATHROOM SAFETY ORTHOTIC BRACES & SUPPORTS POWER MOBILITY SALES & REPAIRS HARD-TO-FIND HEALTHCARE NEEDS!

Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 5:30pm Saturday & Sunday: Closed

408 Sweetwater-Vonore Road, Sweetwater, TN • (423) 337-5812 • 1-800-624-1834 McMINN LIFE FALL 2021 22

A Unique Mix of Antiques and Collectibles on Historic Main St. in Sweetwater.

OVER 10,000 sq ft Two Stores One Street Open Everyday 10am - 5pm 423-351-9480

423-271-6120

309 N Main Street 305 N Main Street Sweetwater, TN 37874 We Buy Antiques and Take Consignments.

Layaway Plans are available.

Check out Sweetwater Antiques online at sweetwaterantiques.com Find us on

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Enjoy The Experience of

Shop

E towah

Dine

Play

Etowah Area Chamber of Commerce

727 Tennessee Ave. Etowah, TN 37331 (423) 263 - 2228 info@etowahcoc.org

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Download your TN Farm Bureau Member Savings app or register at www.tnfarmbureau.org/membersavings to start saving today Find out about great savings from these partners and many more:

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DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT MORE INFORMATION ON BECOMING A MEMBER? Contact McMinn County Farm Bureau • 208 Congress Pkwy S • Athens, TN • 423-745-4521

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ATHENS RESIDENT

JIANA WEATHERSBY EARNS GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS’ GOLD AWARD High school Girl Scouts earn highest honor by addressing community issues The Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians have announced the 2021 Gold Award recipients in East Tennessee. One of the 29 recipients is from Athens: Jiana Weathersby.

Weathersby worked with the Court Appointed Special Advocates Corridor of East Tennessee to support high school-aged girls in juvenile care. With the community’s help, she created gift bags for the young women to show love and support. Weathersby also coordinated resume and job interview training to help build confidence and prepare them to enter the workforce.

Since 1916, thousands of Girl Scouts across the country have earned the Girl Scouts’ highest honor, now called the Girl Scout Gold Award, for demonstrating extraordinary leadership and making sustainable change in their communities. Nationally, only 6 percent of all eligible Girl Scouts achieve the Gold Award.

“Our communities have been positively impacted by the vision, leadership and dedication of each of our Gold Award girls,” said Lynne Fugate, CEO of the Girl Scouts of the Southern Appalachians. “This high honor required hours of hard work and the leadership skills that they have been developing during their years as a Girl Scout.”

The Girl Scout Gold Award represents exceptional achievement in leadership development, positive values and service.

Only Girl Scout Seniors and Ambassadors are eligible for the Gold Award, and before they can pursue it, they must meet prerequisites, including completing a Take Action Project or earning the Girl Scout Silver Award, which entails a girl-led project to improve the neighborhood or community.

At a minimum requirement of 80 hours, most girls spend between one and two years on Gold Award projects. A Gold Award Girl Scout’s achievements prime her for the fast track when it comes to college admissions and make her an outstanding candidate for academic scholarships and other financial awards. In addition, Gold Award Girl Scouts who join the armed services even enter at a rank above other recruits.

About Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians Girl Scouts is the preeminent leadership development organization for girls, offering programs that give every girl a chance to practice a lifetime of entrepreneurship, adventure, and success. The Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians has more than 13,000 girl and adult members in 46 counties from southwest Virginia, through eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia. Membership is open to all girls from kindergarten through their senior year in high school. Girl Scouts builds girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place. For more information, visit girlscoutcsa.org or call 800-474-1912.

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Things are about ready to start cooling down and get quite colorful. And with everyone spending a little more time in the kitchen making meals nowadays, it’s a great time to spend some time with the Ingles Table. We strive to bring you recipes that are easy, tasty, and cost conscious.

We’re pretty confident that some of them will become part of your new favorite go-to recipes.

But, if you just don’t feel like cooking, let Ingles do some of the work for you. Delicious pre-made and to-order Deli, Bakery, and Cheese Shoppe items will keep you out of the kitchen. Feel free to transfer them to your own serving plates and take the credit, we’ll keep your secret.

Finally, did you know the Ingles Table goes beyond what you see within these pages?

That’s right, head over to inglesmarkets.com where you’ll find tons more quick and delicious seasonal specialties with printable shopping lists, instructional videos, tips and tricks. From our Ingles Table family to yours, be safe and have a tasty Fall!

Cindy Mixon Vice President Deli Operations Ingles

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THESE RECIPES ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY INGLES, STARTED IN 1963 BY ROBERT P. INGLE AND COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE.

Butternut Squash Pasta

by Haley Haynes

Shopping List 1 butternut squash, cubed 1 fennel bulb, cut into small slices Salt and pepper to taste Drizzle of olive oil 1 box penne pasta 1 cup goat cheese 1 cup pumpkin seeds (or another preferred nut), toasted

Instructions Preheat the oven to 425°. Prepare the squash by cutting it into small pieces and placing them on a cooking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Cut up the fennel and add it to the cooking sheet. Pour a drizzle of olive oil over the squash and fennel and add salt and pepper. Toss to make sure everything is evenly coated. Bake for 45 minutes.

Cook the pasta reserve a bit of pasta water.

In the pot with the pasta, stir in goat cheese, pumpkin seeds, and cooked squash and fennel.

Serve immediately or refrigerate and reheat later.

Chef Haley Haynes

Haley Haynes grew up in Asheville, NC in a food-loving family who always shopped at Ingles.

Her own passion for cooking and Laura Lynn products intersected while attending law school when she started the Instagram page, @LauraLynnObsessed. Now you can find her kitchen adventures with her loyal sidekick Maggie by her side right here at The Ingles Table.

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CHILI TIME! Chili is great to make because it’s delicious, super nutritious, budget-friendly,and you can easily double or triple the recipe, freeze, and eat later.

BLACKHAWK CHILI

by Abby J

Shopping List 1 lb. ground beef 1 lb. hot pork sausage 1 large Vidalia onion diced 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped 1 medium poblano pepper, chopped 4 cloves garlic finely chopped 1/4 cup hot chili seasoning mix 1 tablespoon ground cumin 2 teaspoons paprika 1 tablespoon dried oregano 1 quart jar of preserved tomatoes 1 16 ounce diced tomatoes 1 12 ounce bottle of amber beer 1 cup chicken broth 1 cup orange juice 1 15 ounce can Dark Red Kidney Beans 1 15 ounce can Northern Beans 3 tablespoons Abby J’s Smokin Hot Sauce Shredded sharp cheddar cheese and sliced scallions

Instructions Cook the beef and sausage in a large sauce pan. Drain and set aside. Add the onion, and peppers to a saucepan and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and 1 teaspoon salt and cook 2 minutes. In a large stock pot combine cooked meat and peppers and seasonings. Stir together and add tomatoes, beans, beer, broth, and orange juice. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chili thickens slightly about 1 hour. Stir the hot sauce into the chili and season with salt.

Add some chicken broth or more beer if the chili is too thick

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JALAPENO CORN MUFFINS

by Abby J Shopping List 1 cup buttermilk cornmeal 1 cup of milk 1 large egg 3/4 cup sharp cheddar cheese 1/2 cup jalapenos 1/2 cup diced onions 1/2 cup cracklings (optional) 2 tablespoons light shortening 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/2 teaspoon salt

Instructions Preheat oven to 375° and lightly grease an 8 x 8 muffin pan. Whisk together the cornmeal, baking soda and salt in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl, beat together the egg and milk. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and start adding the milk.

Chef Abby J Owner/Chef, Blackhawk Flyfishing Abby J’s Gourmet

Abby Jackson, the Sales Executive-turned-flyfishing outfitter-turned celebrated chef, is Hailed across the Southeast for her line of Hand Crafted Gourmet goods called Abby J’s Gourmet. When she’s not running Blackhawk Flyfishing she can be found in her kitchen using the skills passed down from her grandmother to create Award Winning Flavor of Georgia products like her Field to Fork “Sweet Fire Pickles” which can be found in the deli at your local Ingles. Abby loves being a part of The Ingles Table creating delicious recipes for everyone and most of all she makes it FUN!

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FALL AND WINTER

SQUASH If you haven’t tried the many types of squash on the shelves before, don’t be scared, give them a try.

Squash is an affortable food that is easy to prepare and packs alot of taste and nutrition. When choosing Fall/Winter squash, what to look for can seem the opposite of what you think. Most Fall/winter squash is harvested in the Summer and then “cured” to harden their exteriors. You’ll want to look for vivid and deep skin colors with a matte skin. A shiny skin is an indication that it was hurried through the curing process.

Also, look for stems that are dry, even fibrous or frrayed. A fresh green stem means that it was harvested before it was ready.

A C ORN Dark green, ribbed, with a shape that resembles an acorn, this tender-firm squash will keep its shape when cooked.

The mild flavor makes the perfect choice for stuffing, mashing, and baking.

BUT T E RNUT This yellowish-beige skinned squash is named for its peanut-like shape. It has dense vibrant orange flesh that is sweet and slightly nutty. Butternut will get very soft and fall apart as it cooks. The skin is edible but most people choose to peel before cooking. Great for soups, pies, purees where a little sweetness is wanted.

DELICATA Yellow with green stripes in the shallow ridges from top to bottom. The skin is thin and edible which makes them difficult to store for long periods of time. The yellow flesh is rich and sweet with a taste compared to chestnuts, corn, and sweet potatoes. This quick-cooking squash is delicious baked or broiled with a bit of olive oil or butter.

P I E P UMP KI N The smaller “pie” pumpkins differ from the later “carving” pumpkin in that it has been bred for sweetness and not size. You will find this small orange-skinned squash to be mildly sweet with a rich pumpkin flavor making it perfect for pies, soups, and stews.

S P A GH E T T I About the size of a football, this bright yellow squash is very different from most squash. After baking, use a fork to pry out strands of dense flesh. Its name comes from the similar look and application as spaghetti. The flavor is mild allowing it to pair well with any sauce (e.g. marinara or pesto) you may serve with pasta.

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Honey Roasted Butternut Squash & Spinach Salad

By Lindsay Moore

Shopping List For the Salad: 1 Butternut Squash, peeled, seeded and cut into bite sized pieces 2 Tbsp Honey 1 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt 8 oz Spinach, chopped {about 9 cups} 1 Avocado, cubed 1/2 Cup Pecans, toasted To Taste Goat Cheese {optional} For the Vinaigrette: 1/4 Cup Pomegranate Juice {POM} 2 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar Juice of 1 Meyer Lemon 1 Tbsp Dijon Mustard 1 Tbsp Honey 1/8 tsp Cayenne Pepper To Taste Kosher Salt & Pepper 2/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

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Instructions Preheat oven to 400. On a parchment lined baking sheet, toss squash with honey, olive oil and salt.

Spread squash evenly onto one layer. Cook for 30 minutes {or until fork-tender}, tossing occasionally.

Remove from oven and let cool for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette. In a small bowl, combine pomegranate juice, vinegar, lemon juice, mustard, honey, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil to emulsify. Set aside.

In a large bowl, toss spinach and cooked squash to combine. Drizzle with about 1/4 cup of vinaigrette and toss again.

Divide spinach and squash mixture among 4 plates. Top each with avocado, pecans and goat cheese.

Drizzle more vinaigrette on each, if desired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwnE2-3KnYE

Stuffed Butternut Squash

by The Chef’s Kitchen Shopping List Butternut squash 1 package of quinoa 1 cup cranberries 1 bag kale 1 can chickpeas 3 oranges 1 Tbsp olive oil Instructions 350 degree oven. Cut and roast butternut squash until fork tender. Cook quinoa according to package. While quinoa is still warm add kale, chickpeas, cranberries. Juice the oranges in the quinoa stir in olive oil. Stuff butternut squash and serve.

INGLES FLORAL Ingles Floral is a convenient way to shop for beautiful cut stems or full bouquets. Choose from a variety of balloons and ribbons and even plants that will keep on saying “you’re the best” for a long time to come. And, all of our floral departments are stocked with only the freshest and most colorful varieties.

https://www.ingles-markets.com/department-floral https://www.ingles-markets.com/recipes

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As East Tennessee Foundation celebrates our 35-year anniversary during 2021, we have partnered with Tri-Star Arts to host an exhibit of contemporary art by 23 East Tennessee based artists in our office at 520 W. Summit Hill Drive in Knoxville. Thirty-five works representing our 35 years of “thoughtful giving for stronger communities and better lives” have transformed our office environment into a temporary art gallery and are now on virtual view.

Brian R. Jobe of Tri-Star Arts, along with Guest Curator and East Tennessee native Ashley Layendecker, have curated a collection of contemporary works that will be on display until December 31, 2021. As circumstances permit, we plan to host in-person viewing opportunities.

Further details will be provided once available.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS INCLUDE: Ashley Addair Eleanor Aldrich Nuveen Barwari Brianna Bass Joshua Bienko Eric Cagley Nick DeFord Lynne Ghenov Michael Giles Spencer Grady Daniel Hughes Quynh Lam Mary Laube Marta Lee Paul Lee Nyasha Madamombe Erica Mendoza Althea Murphy-Price Jing Qin Kayla Rumpp Jered Sprecher Megan White David Wolff

To access the virtual gallery, visit easttennesseefoundation.org/knoxville-local.

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Begonia

Grandis

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egonias hardy/ winged begonias

L

ooking out the sunroom windows I have beautiful hardy begonias blooming. The graceful arching clusters of this begonia (Begonia grandis) add an exotic touch to the shady gardens in summer and early fall. The plants grow two feet tall.

They can be germinated from seeds but usually a friend will give you some of the small tubers in the early spring. Plant them in partial to full shade in rich soil that is evenly drained. They are ideal companions for hostas, ferns and other woodland plants. They thrive without any attention except for watering during a dry spell. Cut the plants to the ground after a hard frost. These begonias can be left in the ground undisturbed for years. These are easy care plants and I have not seen any pest or disease on mine in the last 20 years; even Japanese beetles and snails don’t bother them.

My begonia appears to be evansiana.

They have light pink blooms on red stems. The leaves are a pale green, with a notched wing shape. The leaves are colored a beautiful red on the back. They go dormant in the winter, so remember where you plant them. I dug up several last spring before I remembered that I had moved them.

the ubiquitous wax begonia that is grown as an annual; it rewards us with a continuous summer display. We also can recognize the showy tuberous begonias, which produce large flowers from tubers.

But the hardy begonias are grandmother plants. We remember seeing them as a child in the shady spots of the garden. I haven’t seen any in the local supercenters or in standard mail order catalogs, but I’m sure a quick search on the internet will give you the location of a grower.

In researching this article I discovered how begonias can be grown from seeds.

Begonias bear separate male and female flowers, usually on the same plant. The female flower has swollen winged seed capsules, directly behind the petals. The flowers are usually carried in cluster of three, one male flower between two females. I have the hanging seeds now but I’m not sure when they are ripe. I think

I’ll let them get a little browner before harvesting. My directions are to collect the seeds in late summer or fall and plant them outdoors where they are to grow. You should plant shallowly, barely covering the seed with loose soil. That is definitely my kind of planting, one that doesn’t require much effort.

My favorite joke for this month is from the comic strip Shoe by Gary Brookins and Susie MacNelly. The picture shows the old bird, Roz, tending bar and a younger girl sitting on the stool. Roz asked how her love life is going and she replies “not so good, I am dating a horticulturist.” “What’s the problem?” replies Roz. The girl’s caption reads “Well, being a horticulturist, all he thinks about is getting into my plants.”

GayleFisher MASTER GARDENER

There are several cultivars of begonias with 1,300 various species. We all know FALL 2021

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WelcomeFall I

t’s time to start cleaning up and putting the garden to bed. Soon we’ll have the cool nights and lots of luscious, soft rain, just in time for fall maintenance. Nobody needs a garden clean up more than me. Hopefully you have continued to deadhead your annuals and prune your roses; in addition to watering and fertilizing, so that you will be rewarded with a final spectacular bloom in the fall. Here are some suggestions of jobs to do before winter arrives:

40

SUGGESTION 1:

SUGGESTION 2:

Clean up herbaceous perennial borders.

You can dig and divide and replant any perennials that have become overgrown.

This includes those daylilies and iris.

Foxtail lily, moss phlox, oriental poppy, peony, sweet woodruff, all want to be divided in the fall. Iris should be lifted and divided every four years.

Garden centers now have spring flowering bulbs. Go ahead and buy them now but wait until late October to plant. It is ideal to plant your tulips and daffodils in the fall so that their roots can become established before winter arrives.

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SUGGESTION 3: Do not prune plants you like in the fall.

Pruning at this time of year will encourage new growth which will then be killed at the first hard freeze. This applies to flowering shrubs. Pruning now will cut off flower buds that have formed for next spring. I had the garden club at my house for a picnic in September and in my efforts to get the garden back into shape I trimmed the boxwoods in front of the house, only to have the new growth freeze and turn brown. The entire winter I had to look at brown boxwoods.

SUGGESTION 4: Bring in the outside houseplants if they have been enjoying the summer sunshine. Now is a great time to bring them back into house before the nighttime temperature drops to 50 degrees.

Check for insects that are on containers.

A light solution of Malathion on leaves and soil will prevent whiteflies, scale, spiders, aphids, mites and mealybugs from spending the winter with you.

SUGGESTION 5: Lawn grasses always need attention.

Lawns are like small children they can’t do anything for themselves. Always wanting you to water, fertilize, weed, or reseed. If you have cool season grasses, (fescue) now is the time to overseed for a thicker lawn. Then fertilize with a 10-10-10 and while you’re at it I’m sure your soil test said you need some lime.

If you don’t need to reseed, just fertilize and drop your pre-emergence herbicides.

These will stop germination of weed

seeds, or else you’ll have to fight winter weeds. Some of my favorite winter weeds are dandelion, chickweed, henbit, plantain, buckhorn and spurge. ***Important you can’t do both: either you reseed or you drop a pre-emergence.

SUGGESTION 6: What to do with falling leaves? Some leaves are good for your perennial borders but not knee deep. Little leaves like ash and locust will melt away quickly.

It’s the big leaves like: maples, sycamores, and oaks that smother the grass and plants. If you have lots of big leaves chop them with a mower and use as mulch.

You probably have a neighbor who keeps a perfect lawn. She will wait until all the leaves fall, then she will blow the leaves into a corral, rake all the leaves into bags and then cart them away.

After two days of work her lawn will have the eerie sight of being in June condition again: green, smooth and unmarked by a single leaf. I chop some leaves with my fancy lawnmower and then wait for a really big gust of wind.

GayleFisher

MASTER GARDENER FALL 2021

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Need something to do? Here are some events coming up for you and the family to enjoy! Some spooky, some cozy, but all claim the promise of fun this fall.

FARRAGUT:

FREAKY FRIDAY FRIGHT NITE

ART FEST 2021

Friday, October 29th, from 5 to 7 p.m.

Bob Leonard Park, 301 Watt Road.

Sunday, September 12th 1 to 3 p.m.

Farragut Community Center, 239 Jamestowne Blvd.

Create a masterpiece in this event including both indoor and outdoor interactive activities.

All activities are catered to children, but anyone can join and create! The event is free, and it is sponsored by the Farragut Arts & Beautification Committee.

For more information about the Art Fest, contact Special Event and Program Coordinator Brittany Spencer at 865-218-3376 or bspencer@townoffarragut.org.

30TH ANNUAL FREE DAY OF PUTT-PUTT

Monday, September 20th Noon to 9 p.m.

Putt-Putt Golf & Games of Farragut, located in the West End Center Care to test your skills in mini golf? Come enjoy a day of free putt-putting and see if you get a hole-in-one. This is a first come first serve event. The last rounds to start at 8:15 p.m.

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LAWN CHAIR CONCERT SERIES

(MamaJam Productions) Saturday, September 18th and Saturday, October 2, at 5:30 p.m.

Founders Park at 405 N Campbell Station Rd. Kick back and relax with some family-friendly tunes at either of the dates mentioned with a picnic basket and, you guessed it, your own lawn chairs. Pets are also welcome to listen! Food trucks will be present nearby.

For more information about the upcoming events, check out the Lawn Chair Concert Series’ Facebook page.

It’s time to trick or treat! Children 12 years of age and younger can fill up their Jack-o-Lantern buckets with some Halloween sweets along the walking trail of the park from local businesses, community groups, and Town of Farragut volunteers. Games with prizes are also included with an area for cookie decorating.

This event is free and open to the public, however, guests are asked to send it forward through donation items to benefit the local Ronald McDonald House. A list of needed items and supplies will be posted closer to the date of the event. If you would like to keep up with future updates and events, go to www.farragutparksandrec.org.

For more information about Freaky Friday Fright Nite, contact Special Event and Program Coordinator Brittany Spencer at 865-218-3376 or bspencer@townoffarragut.org.

LOUDON COUNTY: RIBFEST LOUDON 2021 GOLD FESTIVAL

Saturday, Octoberr 9th through the 10th 10 a.m. to 5p.m. each day.

Coker Creek Elementary School Arts & Crafts, music, gold panning, and a Queen & Princess contest. Call 423-261-2286 for more information.

Saturday, October 2nd 917 Pond Road Loudon, TN 37774

BALLOON GLOW AT DUSK

This 9th annual event gives barbeque teams the place to test their skills while allowing visitors to enjoy their ribs! Teams also cook sausage and wings to be judged alongside the ribs to a national standard. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Loudon County Habitat for Humanity. Local, live music will be playing, and local vendors will be selling their products.

For more information, or to see ticket pricings, visit www.ribfestloudon.com.

MONROE COUNTY: THE MONROE LIFE BALLOON FESTIVAL

Saturday, September 4th Sunday, September 5th The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum Highway 360, Vonore, TN To order tickets, check out www.monroelifeballoonfestival.com.

CHEROKEE FALL FESTIVAL

Saturday, September 11th through the 12th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum, Highway 360 , Vonore, TN Tennessee’s only tribally owned museum will host its 30th annual festival this year!

This year, the theme will be focused on celebrating 200 years of Cherokee literacy.

Visitors will be able to engage with Native American cuisine, Cherokee music and dance, art, the museum’s 1800’s Acorn Printing Press, and so much more! Adult tickets are $10.00, children ages 13-18 are $5.00, and children 12 and under are free.

A $25.00 family rate is also available.

Cherohala Skyway 4th annual

F E S T I VA L

Saturday, October 23rd 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Charles Hall Museum 229 Cherohala Skyway Tellico Plains, TN 37385 Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the festival will have music, southern foods, handmade arts and crafts with demonstrations in pottery, weaving, and much more. There will also be horse drawn carriage rides, a petting zoo, and a children’s barrel train.

To register, visit www.visitmonroetn.com/ events/cherohala-skyway-festival-2

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KNOX COUNTY: The Tennessee Valley Fair Friday, September 10th through the 19th Chilhowee Park 3301E. Magnolia Ave Knoxville, TN 37914

SINCE 1916 “Knoxville simply must have a Fair!” From these words - more or less - the Tennessee Valley Fair was born. In our humble beginnings over 100 years ago, the Fair scene was quite different – attire, technology, transportation, entertainment. At the same time, the Fair scene was quite familiar to today – agriculture, rides, food, fun, and making memories. That’s the magic of the Fair: it’s a place that is new yet familiar. A place where you make memories and reminisce all at once.

Over 100 years ago, Knoxvillians dreamed of having a Fair spectacular showing off our East Tennessee heritage and talents. To this day, the Tennessee Valley Fair has kept that dream alive. Thousands of people have their hands in making a wonderful event happen while thousands of fairgoers set their sights on enjoying a September day.

Join us in celebrating East Tennessee’s heritage with us. We look forward to celebrating another 100 years!

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There is so much to do on the grounds including: rides, live music, shows, competitions, food, and much more.

For more information, and to learn about ticket prices, go to www.tnvalleyfair.org.

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THE WATER LANTERN FESTIVAL

PAWSITIVELY SPOOKY 5K

Saturday, October 2nd from 5 to 9 p.m.

Chilhowee Park 3301E. Magnolia Avenue Knoxville, TN 37914

Friday, October 15th from 6 to 8 p.m

Experience the glow of lanterns touching the night sky at this family-friendly event. Fun and peaceful, create memories full of awe as the stars shine brightly next to your lantern.

Food trucks and music will also be provided in the area.

For more information, and ticket prices, please go to www.waterlanternfestival.com/ knoxville.

Victor Ashe Park 4901 Bradshaw Rd. Knoxville, TN US 37912 Get out your craziest Halloween costumes and go for a run! This event benefits The Arc Knox County. An organization which helps individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities thrive. On top of both a doggy and human costume contests, there are two races. The 5k is a professional race with medals to be handed out. The 1 Mile fun walk is for leisure with family, friends, or your doggo!

For more information, or to sign up for the race, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/TN/ Knoxville/PawsitivilyTacky5K

Thursday, October 7th through the 24th 5:30 to 8 p.m. each evening.

3500 Knoxville Zoo Drive Knoxville, TN 37914 Attend Knoxville’s largest Halloween event with your little ones this season. This event is family-friendly and perfect for elementary school children and younger —although, the older kids are welcome! Little trick-or-treaters will be able to grab some candy for their collection along the Boo Trail while seeing the sites of the zoo.

For more information, including ticket prices, see the Knoxville Zoo’s website at www.zooknoxville.org.

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CHEROKEE CAVERNS PRESENTS~ TRICK OR TREAT IN THE CAVE 2021

October 22nd through the 31st Cherokee Caverns 8524 Oak Ridge Hwy, Knoxville, TN 37931 Nothing is spookier than trick-or-treating in a cave! Lit up purple and orange for the occasion, visitors will be able to move around the stalagmites to get treats inside and outside the cave’s path. Coffee and cocoa can be enjoyed by a bonfire alongside local shops nearby. Parking is free, and the cave is handicap and stroller friendly. Tickets will be for sale at the booth during the event.

For more information, check out the Cherokee Caverns presents~ Trick or Treat in the Cave 2021’s Facebook page.

MCMINN COUNTY:

Saturday, October 9th from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Downtown Athens The 18th annual Pumpkintown Festival comes back to honor and promote the city of Athens and McMinn County. Come experience the Pumpkintown Pow Wow held in memory of Scott Crisp, or take a historical walk through the city’s long history through Native American and colonial settlements to the impact of the African American community in the region.

Don’t forget to catch the doggy costume contest — The Famous Mutt Strut! End the day with Chris Hensey performing live to close out the 9th annual Sounds of Summer.

For more information, check out the Pumpkintown Facebook page.

ETOWAH ARTS & CRAFTS FALL FESTIVAL

Saturday, October 2 & 3rd At the L & N Depot Sat 10-5, Sun 12-5 Sponsored by the Etowah Chamber of Commerce. Entry Forms for the Cookie Baking Contest: call 423-263-7232 – Sponsors Etowah Chamber, Tennessee Overhill & Food City Etowah MURDERS ON MAIN STREET

COSTUMES FOR CASA 5K AND AWARENESS WALK

Saturday, October 21st, 22nd, & 23rd Starting at the Etowah L & N Depot 6:30 - 8:30pm Tours Depart at 15 Minute Increments.

Saturday, October 30th 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The Eureka Trail, Athens TN.

DINING WITH THE DEAD

Call Gail Anderson 423-507-3625 - CAGE Community Access Group of Englewood FIFTH FRIDAY DOWNTOWN ATHENS HALLOWEEN

Friday, October 29th, 5:00 -900pm

Benefiting the work of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA,) this event invites adult and child participants to dress up and hit the path for a good cause. There is a costume contest and a raffle between the run and mile walk. Water, protein bars, and fruit will be provided on top of candy. Price discounts will be given to groups of 10 or more.

For more information, or to register for the event, go to www.casacorner.org. You can also visit the CASA Corridor of East Tennessee’s Facebook page. **This magazine was printed on August16th.

All events are subject to modification at the organizations’ discretion and may have changed since publication. Check online for any updates and COVID-19 procedures for these events.

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Celebrating Over 30 Years Fueling Our Region Since 1988 WHOLESALE PETROLEUM MARKETERS

LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED

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WWW.VALLEYOILCO.COM

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(423) 337-6671

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