McMinn Life Spring 2021

SPRING 2021

SPRING GARDENING

Life

Ingles Table

RECIPES

EXCELLENCE IS...

ATHENS CITY SCHOOLS

The Little Airport That Could A TRIBUTE TO

ROBERT BURLESON

ANAKEESTA WILL BE IN FULL BLOOM THIS SPRING AS THEY LAUNCH

‘BLOOMS AND TUNES’

Beginning April 2nd, Anakeesta’s Spring Event Will Host Live Music, Grand And Colorful NatureThemed Art Installations, Chef’s Specials And An Array Of Colorful Blooms Throughout Vista Gardens.

Anakeesta is ushering in spring with “Blooms and Tunes,” a brand-new event to heighten the anticipation of the season.

Beginning April 2nd and running through May 23rd, the mountain will feature largerthan-life, spring-themed art installations, live music four days a week, chef-inspired seasonal menu items and thousands of new blooms at Vista Gardens.

“It is important for us to offer new and unique experiences to our guests every season, many of whom visit us throughout the year,” said Karen Bentz, Partner. “With many people visiting us over their Spring Break, we wanted to create an environment of celebration. Bright colors, spectacular art sculptures and music filling the air create an atmosphere of cheer that we can’t wait to share with our guests.”

Artistry will be on full display with several whimsical sculptures scattered around

the park designed to celebrate the beauty of nature. The fun begins at the parkway entrance of Anakeesta where you can take a photo with a stunning 20’ long blooming daisy and even take a seat on the big green couch, part of Tennessee artist Topiary Joe’s ‘living sculptures’ series. On the mountain you’ll find several grand and colorful flower sculptures as well as an oversized paint pallet complete with 10’ tall paint brushes designed specifically for Anakeesta by the locally based Brainchild Creative.

“We have always celebrated art here in the park and we’re excited to feature commissioned art pieces for this event,” said Bentz.

Putting the tunes in Blooms and Tunes, Anakeesta will feature live music four days a week by local bands at Black Bear Village.

Free with admission, bands will perform every Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon.

Spring will be on the menu at each of Anakeesta’s four dining venues. Enjoy seasonal cocktails infused with the flavors of spring and chef-inspired dinner specials including the Bleu Ridge Ribeye, the Creole Burger and Smoky Mountain Short Ribs.

As the sun sets over the Smokies, guests can enjoy the warmer e venings on the mountain. The park comes to life at night with twinkling lights and colorful light displays throughout Vista Gardens. The Treetop Skywalk transforms into Firefly Forest with lights projected above and below the canopy giving the sensation of being surrounded by thousands of shimmering fireflies!

For more information about Anakeesta and their brand new Blooms and Tunes Spring celebration visit www.Anakeesta.com.

EIGHT ANNUAL

Labor Day WEEKEND A Benefit For The Boys & Girls Club Of Monroe County

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore

Sara Collins 18th Season of The Voice Opened Shows For Major Artists: Kane Brown, Sam Hunt, Hunter Hayes, Aaron Watson, John Schneider

A Regular At Blake Shelton’s Ole Red

Sara Collins

TO HEADLINE THE MONROE LIFE BALLOON FESTIVAL Her audition: Sara Collins, 18, of Baton Rouge, La., performed “Johnny and June” by Heidi Newfield. She displayed a nice country tone and strong vocals, but was nearly twothirds of the way through her performance before Kelly Clarkson turned her chair. Nick Jonas followed. Blake, perhaps fearing a Kelly Clarkson block, stayed put. Nick called it an incredible performance and compared her voice to Maren Morris. Kelly pitched her country connections and said she loves Sara’s voice. Sara decided to join Team Kelly.

Don’t miss this opportunity! Buy tickets now.

Sara brings high energy and a ton of fun to all her shows.

You can see Sara on Season 18 of the voice (search on Youtube).

Order Tickets

NOW!

The Finale each night will be a Balloon Glow set to music with colorful hot air balloons beginning at dusk. http://monroelifeballoonfestival.com

FOOD TRUCKS • TETHERED RIDES • CRAFTS • BALLOON GLOW SPRING 2021 MCMINN LIFE

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Gayle Fisher MASTER GARDENER DAISY’S & ZIENNA’S

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spri n g garden cl e anup 14 Contents features

The Little Airport That Could

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MAYOR AUGUSTA DAVIS From Segregation To Mayor

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Ingles Table RECIPES

ATHENS CITY SCHOOLS

Building The Future

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Easter Earthquake 4

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21

Gulf Blau

60 departments

THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE Comes to Atlanta

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6 From The Publisher 9 From The City Manager Small Business Focus 38 The Painted Perch 48 East Tennessee Foundation

PURSUIT SCHOOL OF DANCE Opens New Studio

NEW CONTRIBUTOR LISA McCLUNG

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A TRIBUTE TO

ROBERT BURLESON

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THE LAMP POST

HAS NEW OWNERS

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Molly and the Angel Dog

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W

From the Publisher The daffodils are blooming, the cold air is fading and the season of renewal is here.

Spring is a time to heal, grow and be reborn. Our Savior rose from the grave to give us hope for all these things and for so much more. After a long winter filled with uncertainty and a pandemic, I love to see the bright colors of the new season alongside the hope for better days for all.

In this issue, our master gardener, Gayle Fisher, prepares us for the breathtaking flower gardens soon to come with tips and tricks to make your own garden just as beautiful.

We also have some fantastic day trips to Anakeesta and more for you and your family to enjoy this Spring. Then, there will be local new shops to explore with some stories about the Madisonville Airport and the earthquake at Easter. End the day with a special treat from one of sponsors. Ingles Market has amazing recipes to try and taste for the spring and summer days.

You will also get to meet the Mayor of Madisonville Augusta Davis, and his journey from being segregated from the local elementary school to later being principal. Gus and I go way back. He was my teacher back in middle school, and I’m so thankful to have him a part of my life and our community. Not only will you hear some of his personal achievements and life, but we also pass on some wisdom from him too.

We also commemorate our beloved friend Robert Burleson who we lost this year. His work as a dedicated and talented photographer provided a face for many of the stories and family.

There are so many fantastic stories for you here in this issue that I am excited for you and your family to see. I hope you will enjoy the warm weather and have a Blessed Easter!

From the Publisher

Lisa Atkins-Bingham Publisher, Monroe, Farragut & McMinn Life Magazines President of The Bingham Group arm weather has finally arrived! Beautiful blossoms wrap their trees in splendor,

birds sing a harmonious new tune, and beautiful flowers brilliantly color the great outdoors.

6 is a reminder MCMINN LIFEnew.

SPRING 2021 pringtime of all things It is commonly thought of as a time for new

Life PUBLISHER

The Bingham Group President Lisa Atkins Bingham Graphic Designer Jordan Graham Laura Woodson Lisa Atkins Bingham Contributing Writers Gayle Fisher Leslie Fox Lisa McClung Lon Shoopman Contributing Photographers Brett Hawkins Jim Johnson Robert Burleson Tammy Lee Advertising Sales Mignonne Alman Tel: 865.523.5999 mignonne@binghamgroup.com Subscription or Editorial Inquiries

Tel: 865.523.5999 www.monroelife.com

The Bingham Group, Inc. 11921 Kingston Pike, Suite 201 Knoxville, Tennessee 37934 www.binghamgroup.com www.monroelife.com

THE IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCE MEET THE ARTIST LIKE NEVER BEFORE EXQUISITE STORYTELLING, CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY The Immersive Experience is a 20,000 square foot light and sound spectacular featuring two-story projections of the artist’s most compelling works. Encounter the brilliance of one of history’s greatest artists in 360 degrees.

The Immersive Experience features a one of kind Virtual Reality interactive, which guides

you on a ten-minute journey through “A day in the life of the Artist.” Walk alongside Van Gogh during this peaceful, visually rich journey to discover the inspiration behind eight of his iconic works, including: Vincent’s Bedroom at Arles, and Starry Night Over The Rhone River. The Immersive Experience welcomes guests of all ages.

This rare and cutting-edge experience is the perfect discovery for couples as well as larger groups, for individuals and for the whole family.

There is even a surprise at the end for young artists! Plan for your immersive experience to last 60 to 75 minutes.

From May 19th, 2021 Location: Pullman Yards, Bldg 1. Atlanta, GA 30317

As the historic core of Atlanta’s Pratt-Pullman District, Pullman Yards is one of Atlanta’s largest historical sites. First developed in 1904 by the Pratt Engineering Company in the newly established town of Kirkwood, the site created manufacturing equipment as well as liquid carbon dioxide that powered the country’s soda fountains. In 1926, the site became one of the Pullman Company’s strategically located repair and maintenance facilities, and it was a major train car service hub well into the 1970s. Throughout its rich history of innovation, Pullman Yards has been an economic driver for Atlanta and its surroundings. The 27-acre site has more recently become one of the most sought-after locations in the Southeast for major film productions, and continues as an active film production location. Pullman Yards is opening its gates to the public for the first time in nearly a quarter-century as it welcomes the equally iconic Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience.

https://vangoghexpo.com/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYld-Dn-PtI&t=9s

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of Etowah

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A Letter From City Manager A Letter From City Manager

C. SETH SUMNER C. SETH SUMNER Howdy Friends!

A few yearsyears ago, ago, I charged Howdy Friends!

A few I We myhave staff with the remarkable all thatcelebrating special person in our lives stories of helped their service to us ourmore community, that has shape than to identify and highlight the incredible any other. For some of us it is a best difference Team Athens ais cousin, making here friend, anthat aunt, a parent, or in our hometown.

From that now challenge, maybe a coworker.

Pause and an info-graphic was developed now think of that person for youand andis say deliveredyou.” annually ourmy fellow citizens. “thank Fortome, maternal I am pleased to share latest Annual grandfather was thattheperson.

We Year-In-Review Info-graphic for the Fiscal shared a bond that was incredible; Year ending Junewe30,never 2020 with on looking back, reallyyou talked theeach City of Athens’ pageof(www. to other, butFacebook had a way facebook.com/CityofAthensTN).

Withinother understanding and enjoying each the pages of the review you will see the without words. Some of my fondest culminationwas of the my staffinhas memories hehard andwork I cruising his accomplished this past yearrough and the success old Ford pickup down country storiesin thatSouth our community can share roads Georgia, windows togethercold sinceCoca last summer. down, Colas, and just cruising – no need for words. Which Ourplenty McMinnofCounty Economic left time for thought and Development Authority has scored reflection, even at a young age. our

second Tax-Increment Project My grandfather was Financed a southern in three yearsand withanyone the up-and-coming gentleman, who ever Athens Marketplace. firstmild TIF project met him can attestThe to his and three years ago was the of the fun-loving nature.

Heinstallment was successful new Food City in downtown as a businessman, startingAthens. and The Athens Marketplace be a businesses multi-venue growing numerouswill small retail encompassing overand in hisdevelopment lifetime – from gas stations 100,000 squarestores feet ofto new retail space convenience jewelry.

His love and anticipating cosmetics, was his family, apparel friends,shops, and horses. discount retail, bath & beauty, and He also had success raising and racing restaurants. quarter horses. Growing up on my family’s farmlands taught me many Early in the fiscal year,and weallowed were paidmy a important lessons specialplenty visit by of Tennessee Lee mind room toGovernor expand Bill in the as we brokeheat. ground what willthing become Southern Theongreatest that thedid statefor model for higher education with he the completion me, looking of the McMinn County Higherwas Education back, to Center. This center willme house Cleveland State let be TCAT-Athens, me Community College, the University of and to let me Tennessee’s Agricultural Extension Services, unknowingly and Adult Education all under one roof. This learn from his center will drive workforce development example. in collaboration with local industries and is wellOctober, underwayI inlost construction the entire In my most for special region. Athens become center for person.

It waswill a time thatthe I had feared workforce southeast my entiredevelopment life. I knew in it the would be Tennessee corridor. devastating.

As a City Manager, it is very difficult to get away, even for the The Main Street Athens program, most important things in our that lives: mergedevents. with theItDowntown Business family is something that Association thechildren, year prior,and has made great my wife and our closest strides inhave the revitalization our historic friends come to liveofwith, even core district, downtown, the ifcommercial not completely understanding the heart of our community.

Alongon withmy responsibilities that are placed the development of an Historic Walking shoulders.

At one point a few years Tour,itMain Street Athens with ago, occurred to me partnered too late that Southeast Development Ithe had went anTennessee entire year without Districtmy to complete grant funded facade seeing grandfather.

This hurts my improvements for downtown businesses. heart still today. In late September I

Main Street Athens also embarkediton a went to visit my grandfather, was process on andnumerous is developinglevels, new avisioning homecoming plansI to reinvigorate but was happy todowntown. see him, although in ill health, but of sound mind and On to city finances, Fiscal marked spirit.

I spent those fewYear days2020 caring 28 years Excellent Financial Reporting, for him ofand coming to terms with the an award presented the Government inevitable.

He wasbylooking grizzly so Association IFinance shavedOfficers his face, he lovedheralding westerns ourI exemplary taxpayer so made suremanagement that’s whatofwas on the funds and the transparency of our financial television. I spent those precious hours stewardship of the public’s trust.and Thislove makes tending to the man I know Athens one ofthat the best fiscally managed in the ways I knew meant the cities intothe entire United Athensforis most him.

I am mostStates. thankful in a very stable and him sound“thank fiscal position, being able to tell you” for maintaining among always taking carethe of lowest me. tax rates in Tennessee for our service level.

As we enter the second spring of Finally, another success story that has been the pandemic, as the bulbs push more than and fifteen in the making, the upwards, theyears forsythia begin to Athens City Council and the Athens Board shout “spring” in their early golden of EducationI hope worked to reach grandeur, you’re ableantoagreement pause on approaching the needswith of ouryour school and share thankfulness most system and the future of our children special person and others that have regarding ourthe school buildings.

TheThere citizens influenced making of you.

Athens voiced theirforward desire and isofso much to look towillingness in the to pay forahead, the consolidation our fourTeam months and pleaseofknow, elementary schoolsatbywork approving theand Athens remains for you referendum to raise person. the local Together, option saleswe your most special tax bymove 0.75%Athens last summer.

Groundbreaking will forward. on the new school building is set for December 21, 2020.

Genuinely, All in all, we have had a tremendous year C. Seth Sumner here at the City of Athens and we look forward to another year of progress in the Friendly City. May God bless you and may God bless the City of Athens!

Genuinely, C. Seth Sumner City Manager

www.CityofAthensTN.com www.CityofAthensTN.com SPRING 2021 MCMINN LIFE

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zinnia ZINNIA ZINNA ELEGANS

Gayle Fisher, Master Gardener

One of the most popular, and easiest, annual flower to grow is the zinnia. A native to Mexico, this species is comprised of hundreds of zinnia cultivars and hybrids. There is such a dizzying array of zinnia varieties that it’s almost difficult to decide which zinnia to plant. These old fashioned beauties are of the sunflower tribe within the daisy family. The Aztecs called them “plants hard on the eyes” due to their brilliantly colored blooms.

These exuberantly colored blooms were named after the German botany professor, Johann Gottfried Zinn, responsible for their discovery and subsequent import to Europe in the 1700s. The original zinnia has come a long way due to hybridization and selective breeding.

Today, zinnia plants come in not only a wide array of colors, but height can vary from 6 inches to almost 4 feet. I like the tall ones.

If you wish to start growing zinnia plants from seeds indoors, plant the seeds in peat pots, poo pots (pots made from cow dung,) or other biodegradable containers that can be planted directly into the garden later.

Start seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area. Zinnias begin to show growth outdoors when temperatures are above 50 degrees F. You can buy plants in stores, but seeds are an inexpensive way to have all the plants you want.

Even though they can be started indoors, I usually wait and plant seeds in the garden noting that the back of the packet says “Sow seeds in the garden as soon as the weather is warm and all danger of frost is past.” I ignore the part that says, “Seed can also be stated indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting.”

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Germination should take place in 7-12 days. Make sure that the seeds you buy are dated for the current year. I also like the seed packets that have a picture of what the seedling looks like though most packets appear to use the same plant photo.

throughout the growing season will enjoy a colorful display of bright, vibrant blooms.

With the introduction of new hybrids and specifically bred open pollinated varieties of zinnias, these plants offer an option for nearly any landscape application.

As a beginning gardener, I started some zinnias years ago using good rich barn dirt.

I placed the container in the sunroom, sowed the seeds, and watered. Now I waited for the miracle to happen. Boy did it happen!! I had all manner of green growth starting up; in two weeks, the entire planter was a verdant green mass. The problem was that I did not know what zinnia seedlings looked like, and all the plant material looked equally healthy. On the third week, like most young gardeners, I called my mother. Her solution was perfect, don’t water the planter for a few days and then pull out all the plants that do not wilt. Mom was correct again, barnyard weeds are always stronger than any wanted seedlings.

Space the seeds for growing zinnia plants properly, usually several inches to a couple of feet apart, depending on the size of the mature plant. This allows for adequate air circulation around the plants as they grow. Powdery mildew and other diseases can attack zinnia flowers that are planted too close together or remain wet from overhead watering. Zinnia care should include watering at the base of the plant. A soaker hose is ideal for keeping foliage and petals dry while providing much-needed irrigation. You can also water in the early morning, which allows the foliage and flowers ample time to dry off before nightfall.

Hummingbirds love zinnias and you can choose varieties ranging in appearance from dahlia-like, cactus flower, or beehive shape, and they may be single or double blooms. They are a colorful and long lasting addition to the flower garden. Plant these annuals in a sunny area. Gardens which receive ample sunlight and warmth

As I said earlier, they make a wonderful cut flower. I had an arrangement of them on the breakfast table. They had been there almost two weeks. One day my daughter said, “Mom I am tired of looking at the same flowers every day. Even though they are still pretty let’s bring in some different ones.”

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Field daisy O X E Y E D A I SY

leucanthemum vulgare

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he loves me, he loves me not!

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had a friend tell me that she had to run out and cut all of her daisies quickly since the hay cutters had arrived earlier than she expected. She had several beautiful vases of flowers in her home. I also have these common daisies growing in my flower beds, they have been very reliable. Apparently, they can be a pest. I found them on the invasive weed website.

About Oxeye Daisy: The old name, Chrysanthemum Leucanthemum, means “gold flower, white flower.” The new name, Leucanthemum vulgare, means “common white flower.”

It is also known as bull daisy, button daisy, dog daisy, field daisy, marguerite, midsummer daisy, and the shocker…. white weed. Oxeye daisy is a beautiful flower, one that is both loved and hated.

It has been a plague on pastures and crop fields across Europe. In Scotland, the farmer with the most daisies in their wheat field had to pay an extra tax. Now, this European plant has invaded our continent from coast to coast.

This dainty flower has escaped cultivation and now crowds out other plants.

A vigorous daisy can produce 26,000 seeds per plant, while smaller specimens produce 1,300 to 4,000 seeds per plant.

Tests have shown that 82% of the buried seeds remained viable after six years, and 1% was still viable after 39 years. Oxeye daisy requires cold winters to initiate blooming. The plant also reproduces vegetatively with spreading rootstalks.

These daisies are also resistant to many herbicides; no wonder it is on the invasive weed list.

This new view is a far cry from when I was a child, and we did ( he loves me, he loves me not ) with the white petals of a daisy. After finding if he loves you, then the seeds were pulled from the yellow head. Next, you threw them up in the air catching a few seeds on the back of your hand since this was the scientific method of seeing how many children you would have. You didn’t count the seeds that fell in the cracks of your fingers. Sometimes it could be over 50, not believable, but still exciting.

The lower leaves are spoon-shaped, while the upper leaves are narrow and clasp the stem. They can be confused with Shasta daisy, but Shasta’s have a root ball, while oxeye daisy has a creeping root system. Oxeye likes rights-of-way, rangeland, mountain meadows, abandoned homesteads, and the edge of waterways.

We have them along the highways and

field here, and they are so common that our color for the University of Tennessee orange and white started out being the color of the common field daisy.

Sheep, goats and horses eat the oxeye daisy, but cows and pigs do not like it. The plant spreads rapidly when cattle pastures are managed with a low stock density and continuous grazing regime. Under these conditions, cows repeatedly select their preferred plants, while ignoring unpalatable species like the oxeye daisy. So if you see this plant growing it would be a kindness if you picked them and brought the bouquet inside, you get to enjoy the beautiful flowers, and you have lessened the number of seeds available.

Gayle Fisher MASTER GARDENER

Gayle Fisher is a Master Gardener for the state of Tennessee, an accredited Flower Show Judge. A student consultant for landscape design, and a member of the American Horticultural Society.

A published gardening wrtier and a member of the Garden Writers Association.

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Gayle Fisher, Master Gardener

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spring garden cleanup

have tall trees around my home so I have lots of leaf litter and sticks on the ground.

I also have an abundance of winter weeds.

All those dried leaves, branches, and debris are not good for your garden. You don’t want to invite pests, diseases, and weeds into your landscape. That’s why you need to do a spring cleanup and get rid of these unwanted debris.

Spring is the best time for your plants to start growing and you can encourage that by pruning branches and stems. But before you go hunting for your tools, hold on a second. Wait until the daytime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s because beneficial insects like native bees, lacewings, and parasitic wasps hibernate in the branches and stems of plants during winter, and they’ll come out once the weather is warm enough in spring.

You can prune your perennial plants to ground level so they can start growing again. If you have flowering shrubs and trees, it’s best to wait until after they bloom before pruning, since you will be cutting off your spring flowers. Trim evergreen plant branches so they grow in the right direction.

Spring is the best time to remove weeds like tap-rooted dandelions and invasive violets from the garden. They may pull up easily if the roots are not too deep.

But for deep-rooted weeds, it’s best to use a tool to get the roots out. Otherwise, you’ll slow down the growth of the weeds but not eliminate them. Keep a small bucket nearby and throw the weeds into it as you pull them out. You could add the weeds to your compost pile if you know the temperatures will kill them. But if you don’t, it’s best to be safe and throw the weed plants away. Once you’re done removing the weeds, it’s good to cover the soil with mulch.

This will help prevent any remaining weed roots and seeds from growing out of the soil.

Mulch is number one if you want a garden that’s easy to maintain. Mulch is a thick layer of organic or inorganic material that you add on top of your soil. The main idea is that it creates an environment that is good for the soil and the plants.

Adding a layer of mulch to your garden helps regulate the heat in the soil. When it’s hot, it’ll keep the soil cool and when it’s cold, it’ll keep heat trapped in. Mulch will help keep the moisture in the soil

and prevent it from quick evaporation. It also helps smother the weed seeds that might be present in the soil. If the mulch is organic, it’ll add nutrients and organic material to the soil when it breaks down.

You can use several organic and inorganic materials as mulch. This includes leaves, grass clippings, wood chips, bark chips, straw, hay, cardboard, newspaper, rocks, gravel, plastic sheets, landscape fabric, and even rubber mulch.

A garden is not only about the plants. There are a ton of other things you need to take care of as well. This could be walkways, patios, flagstones, pavers, fences, drip lines, and irrigation systems. Check the drip lines and irrigation systems in the garden to make sure they are working fine.

If you have furniture on the patio, wash it using a hose then brush with soapy water to remove scum. Clean leaves and debris from your deck, patio, and porch and remember to check the corners and crevices.

Spring cleanup sounds like a lot of work but it’s not as bad as having to wash windows, clean rugs or tidy cabinets. At least you get to be outside!

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A TRIBUTE TO

Robert “Bobby” Brient Burleson A great friend of Tennessee has passed on. On New Year’s Day 2021, Robert Burleson passed away from COVID-19. To say that Robert left his mark on us all would be an understatement.

Robert was an electrician by trade, but his two greatest passions were photography and classical guitar. (Did you know he was good friends with Mason Williams, writer of the 1968 hit “Classical Gas”?) “He always had a camera or guitar in his hands,” says his son Andy.

Robert’s photography included portraits and fine arts prints of flowers and a notable photo of the eclipse. “He would always brag that one of his photographs was in an office building two blocks from the Vatican. He also spoke of prints hanging in Hong Kong,” adds Andy.

Robert was also a proud and long-time Boy Scout. In fact, Robert won the Silver Beaver Award as an adult, an award similar to Eagle Scout for boys. The Silver Beaver recognizes “registered Scouters of exceptional character who have provided distinguished service within a council.” That was Robert, as he was deeply committed to the Boy Scouts for years. “One of his regrets was not having been awarded the Eagle Scout award. He pushed my brother David and me to get our Eagle Scout.”

Guitar

Robert Burleson’s life was filled with family, friends and his work. He touched the lives of many in Sweetwater and well beyond, and will be sorely missed.

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Photo by Tammy Lee

Augusta Davis:

From Segregation to Mayor of Madisonville Augusta “Gus” Davis remembers his childhood fondly—he was raised around “white folks” with many white best friends, playing, swimming in creeks, eating, and just having a good time. He didn’t see color then—or now—and never had a feeling of segregation. Yet back then, he was banished from the Houston Park swimming pool. It was that pool in which Gus later became the Manager. He’d pass by the big brick elementary school on Monroe Street and wonder why he wasn’t allowed in. It is that school at which Gus became the first black teacher and later, principal. “I wanted to be a servant. I made sure the kids knew Mr. Davis cared about them.” He’s proud that he had a little part in their lives. Some became doctors, lawyers, and one even flew the Vice President Air Force One airplane.

Today, Gus Davis wears the “hat” of Mayor of Madisonville. He was sworn in after the town’s beloved Mayor Glenn Moser died from Covid-19 in December 2020.

The “white” Madisonville Primary School and the Park City School, the segregated school located in Circle Park, downtown Madisonville.

Mr. Davis taught at Madisonville Middle School from 1972 - 1992. Mr. Davis’ became Principal of the Madisonville Middle School in 1992 and served until 2012. He served as a Madisonville City Alderman from 2012 - 2020.

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Doing Good for Citizens Mayor Davis has great plans for Madisonville, with the help of a Board and the citizens of Madisonville. His vision is for people to come into town, shop and eat, and enjoy themselves.

It all starts with a Downtown Board. “We’ve started a Board and the grant process to revitalize the downtown area.”

Mayor Davis would also love to see a museum.

“We have history here, but no museum.” The parks are also on his agenda, with a Recreation Board looking at improving Houston and Kefauver Parks. Recently, surveys were sent out to get input from the citizens—what do they want to see and happen. Among the many “asks” were playgrounds, a swimming pool, and equipment in the parks.

Doing Good for Business Mayor Davis also has his sights set on an industrial park. Currently, the city is looking at property off Highway 411. The Chemical Lace Plant has 56 acres of farm. The Fort Loudon Electric Co-op wants to build a substation there; the city would buy the rest of the land and turn it into an industrial park.

That could bring in jobs—which would be especially good for business and Madisonville.

Personally Speaking Mayor Davis and his wife Linda are just a year short of their Silver anniversary.

Together, they have three adult childrenTodd, Tim and Natasha. Mayor Davis is an elder at Mt. Cumberland Presbyterian Church of America in Sweetwater. That’s no surprise when you consider he credits his success to his mother and his faith.

“Me and the Lord can do it,” he said. He adds that the love he was given at home, the encouragement and help he got from his mother, are responsible for him being where he is today. “We went to church.

A few months before my mother died, I recommitted myself to God.” Living Proof You Can Make It The foundation upon which Mayor Davis built his success was laid by the love and respect he was taught at home—a love and respect for himself and for his fellow man, regardless of color said Mayor Davis, “God doesn’t see color.” The Mayor espouses hard work and the love of God, family and his fellow man. Today, while many voices are saying you can’t make it in America if you’re black and/or poor, Mayor Davis is living proof you can.

“The love I was given at home, the encouragement and help I got from my mother, are responsible for me being where I am today. I had a good home life. ”We went to church. Mother didn’t take us there and set us out, she went with us. A few months before she died, about seven years ago, I recommited myself to God. That’s the best thing I ever did. Mother died with the peace of knowing where I stood for ethernity.”

Pearl Davis McClendon, worked at Town and Country Restaurant and the Hitching Post Restaurant in Etowah.

WISDOM FROM MAYOR GUS DAVIS: “The odds were stacked against me as a young black man in the mostly white world of Monroe County, Tennessee.

I have reached a pinnacle at a time when many so called “community leaders” on a national basis are telling your black men that they have no chance in America unless the government cares more about them.

This perception that the government is supposed to take care of all the needs and wants of its citizens is fostered by those who derive power and monetary gain from such a concept.

These “community leaders,” whether they be politicians or Hollywood personalities, are displayed and touted as role models for our youth by the national media.

The empowerment and influence of these “community leaders” and “role models” can be maintained only so long as they keep the urban poor in the ghetto, the illiterate unable to read, and the welfare families away from self sufficiency.

Think nothing of what the self appointed national leaders tell you about what society owes you. Listen to me. Forget those who espouse disharmony. Look to men like me who espouse hard work and the love of God, family and his fellow man.

Many voices are saying you can’t make it in America if you are black and or poor. I am living proof you can!”

THE LAMP POST HAS NEW OWNERS

Home of the Famous Surfer Burger!

The Lamp Post reopened it’s doors Wednesday, January 18th, after being closed for three months. Kathy Deakin and her husband, Keith, purchased both the building and property and are now sole owners of the Lamp Post restaurant in Madisonville, Tennessee.

The Lamp Post has been in Deakin’s family for almost 50 years since Deakin’s father, Curly Roberts, started the business back in 1969.

“Monroe County is my home,” Deakin said. “I think we have a great county and great restaurants; we just don’t have many of them.”

Deakin’s decision to purchase and reopen her family’s business was not only to continue her father’s legacy, but to offer the community a familiar comfort to

locals. “These coffee drinkers are just so glad to be back and drinking coffee,” Deakin said.

“There is nowhere else for them to go to just sit and drink coffee.”

Before reopening, Deakin repainted, redecorated, and dedicated a military wall for her daughter, who is currently deployed in the Navy.

Since reopening, Deakin has been overjoyed by the outpour of support from longtime customers and fellow businesses. Bert’s restaurant even sent her flowers opening day.

“Its been so so busy. We have people lined out the door trying to get in,” Deakin said.

Deakin has future plans to put in a drive through window for people who do not feel comfortable coming in. The Lampost currently offers curb-side pick up. .

The Lamp Post is open six days a week from 7a.m. to 8p.m and closed on Sundays. Breakfast is served all day as well as always fresh never frozen comfort food from surfer burgers to catfish.

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MCMINN LIFE SPRING 2021

WELCOME TO INGLES COUNTRY. Spring flowers and warmer weather are on the horizon.

That means you’ll be seeking out meals that are filled with healthy, fresh, and vibrant ingredients. Our Ingles Table family has come up with an exciting selection of recipes to reflect the season in the tastiest ways. The chefs, while making the dishes delicious, strive to also make them user-friendly and budget-conscious.

But who wants to always prepare a meal from scratch after having to deal with all the challenges of day-to-day life? We suggest you take a look at what the Ingles Deli has cooking up. You’re going to find an incredible assortment of in-store prepared, ready-to-eat, mouth-watering dishes that you and your family are going to love.

By the way, have you ever checked out the hundreds of local and imported cheeses in the Ingles Cheese Shoppe?

It’s always fun to try something new to put a twist on a family favorite. And don’t forget to head over to the Ingles Bakery. Fresh In-store baked breads galore and tantalizing desserts a plenty are the perfect compliment to any meal.

ingles-markets.com

Visit ingles-markets.com to find more incredible recipes with instructional videos, printable shopping lists, tips and tricks, and more.

Cindy Mixon Vice President Deli/Bakery/Starbucks, Ingles Markets

Ingles strives to provide one-stop shopping convenience to its valued customers. Ingles supermarkets offer customers a wide variety of nationally advertised food products, including grocery, meat, produce, deli and bakery departments. In addition, the company offers pharmacies and fuel at the majority of its 200 plus locations.

The same customer focus and commitment to quality and convenience on which Robert Ingle founded the business in 1963, continues today throughout the organization.

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HALEY HAYES @lauralynnobsessed

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

Shopping List: 1 butternut squash, cubed 1 fennel bulb, cut into small slices Salt and pepper to taste Drizzle of olive oil Josh comes from a deeply rooted Italian1 box penne pasta American family, and he grew up around 1 cup goatfamily cheese meals and bringing folks together at the dinner table. Now excited to preferred nut), toasted 1 cup pumpkin seeds (or he’s another share some of those family favorites with you. Listeners have come to know Josh as he has been on Asheville radio for 10 years, finding his home on Star 104.3 at its inception on St. Patrick’s Day of 2005. Josh lives in Asheville, NC with his dog Maverick.

Josh loves food, helicopters, our beautiful mountains, and playing radio!

ITALIAN LADY BUGS Josh Michael

Shopping List fresh basil mozzarella cheese cherry tomatoes or grape tomatoes black olives from the salad bar balsamic vinegar Instructions Cut your mozzarella into squares.

Place a basil leaf on top.

Slice your tomato almost in two, lengthwise.

Place the tomato on top of the basil leaf.

Place the olive in front as the head.

Decorate with a little Balsamic vinegar.

Cooking Instructions: Preheat the oven to 425°. Prepare the squash by cutting it into small ABBY J’S CHEESE BOARD pieces and placing them on a cooking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Cut Abby J up the fennel and add to the cooking sheet. Pour a drizzle of olive oil over Shopping List 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 1 bunch kale Red pepper roasted hummus a bit of pasta water. In the pot with the pasta, stir in goat cheese, pumpkin Salted pumpkin seeds seeds, and cooked squash and fennel. Serve immediately or refrigerate Brie Cheese Slices and reheat later.

Blue Cheese Cheddar Cheese Slices Green Olives Mixed Nuts Grapes & Pears Apple & Orange slices Dried apricots Hot capicola Prosciutto Pecan raisin bread Pumpkin oat crackers

ingles-markets.com

Abby Jackson, the sales executive-turned-fly fishing 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 Fly Fishing 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!

Instructions Lay kale out on the board to balance all of the ingredients.Put the hummus in a bowl, top with salted pumpkin seeds, and place on the board.

Place bowls of olives and nuts on the board.

Add your cheeses, fruits, and meats and arrange as you like. Lay your bread and crackers in a separate bowl and serve.

1-HOUR BBQ RIBS Mark Keady

Shopping List This recipe requires a pressure cooker device like an Instant Pot, or similar device.

1-2 racks of baby back or spare ribs 1 cup of your favorite bbq rub or store bought rub (good recipe below!)

1/4 cup liquid smoke 1 cup chicken broth or stock 1-2 cups of your favorite bbq sauce Cooking spray Instructions Pre-prep: Remove the membrane along the back of the rib rack. Discard.

Slice ribs in 1/3 rack pieces and cover ribs in dry rub and place in a plastic storage bag.

Remove air from bag as you seal it. Let sit in fridge overnight, or at least 5 hours…no more than 24.

1-HOUR RIBS: Pour 1 cup chicken stock/broth and the liquid smoke (1/4 cup max) into the pressure cooker.

Using a trivet, place the racks on their side into the pressure cooker. Attach lid, secure, and make sure release valve is set to seal.

On medium pressure, set the pressure cooker for 24 minutes. After the pressure cooker heats up, the timer will begin. Once the timer reaches zero, allow the pressure cooker to vent a natural release. (in other words…don’t touch it) Allow ribs to natural release for 20 minutes. This is a good time to start the broiler in your oven.

After 20 minutes, release the rest of the steam from the pressure cooker (caution) and baste ribs liberally with your favorite bbq sauce. If you want naked ribs, this is a good time to baste the ribs with some butter or bacon grease.

Spray a cookie sheet with a non-stick spray and place ribs under oven broiler. Keep an eye on them. An unwatched broiler is a recipe for, at best, a burnt meal. Turn ribs halfway through cooking making sure both sides get a little bit of burnt tips.

Once ribs are broiled to your liking, remove from oven (about 8 mins per side) and add a thin coat of bbq sauce. Slice into individual bones, or eat by the rack. Ribs in one hour!

https://ingles-markets.com

Mark Keady is the host of WLOS News 13’s Spotlight Carolina, Road Trippin’, and local television broadcasts of high school football in North and South Carolinas. He is also an aspiring actor, director, and writer as well as a marathon runner. But, his mainjob is being a stay-at-home dad on the go of two young daughters. Mark got his first job in a restaurant when he was 12 years old, and has enjoyed cooking ever since. His recipes are flavorful, comfortable, and most of all easy to put together when you’re a busy parent on the go managing work and family.

BONUS RIB RUB RECIPE (makes 2 cups): 1/4 cup cumin 1/4 cup paprika 1/4 cup granulated garlic 1/4 cup granulated onion 1/4 cup chili powder 1/4 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup kosher salt 1/2 tbs cayenne pepper 1/2 tbs black pepper Store in a cool dry place.

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HALEY HAYES @lauralynnobsessed Butternut Squash Pasta

Shopping List: 1 butternut squash, cubed https://ingles-markets.com 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

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Cooking Instructions:

PICO DE GALLO Michael McMurtrey

Shopping List

MEXICAN STREET CORN Joe Lasher Sr.

Shopping List 5 ears of corn, shucked Olive oil 1/2 cup mayonnaise 1/2 cup sour cream 1 tbsp chili powder Queso Fresco Chili powder Cayenne pepper Cilantro Instructions Submerge the corn cobs in a pot of water and let the corn soak for 2 hours. Brush the corn with oil, and place on a charcoal grill on high heat. Turn every 2 minutes for 14 minutes.

While the corn is cooking, make the spread by combining the mayonnaise, sour cream, and chili powder. Take the corn off of the grill and coat generously with the spread. Top with queso fresco, chili powder, cayenne pepper and cilantro, and serve.

Juice of 1 lime 1 onion, chopped 1 jalapeno, chopped 1 tomato Chopped cilantro 1 cup chopped pineapple Fresh corn 1 avocado Garlic Cumen Salt & pepper Instructions Stir lime, onion, and jalapeno. Let bowl sit.

Remove membrane and seeds of tomato.

Food and hospitality are my life. For over 20 years I have co-owned and operated one of Western North Carolina’s favorite special events and catering company. I’m surrounded by great food all the time. Two years ago, I found that all of that delicious food led to one overweight guy and I had to make a change.

By concentrating on my Ingles shopping list, I began to eat right and move more and I was able to drop over 40lbs of unwanted weight.

Now I want to share recipes, tips, and tricks to help and inspire others that might have the same lifestyle goals as me.

I’m Michael McMurtrey, and I’ve been a graphic designer for over 30 years. When not working at the computer, I enjoy hanging out in the kitchen and I like to consider myself an amateur chef. A few years ago my love of cooking and my passion for design merged when I was introduced to the world of food styling. Food styling is the art of presenting food so that it looks as appealing, tasty, and fresh as possible, usually for the camera. See, you eat with your eyes before you take your first bite, so I really enjoy finding creative and clever ways to present my dishes to family and friends.

It doesn’t take a lot of extra time but it shows and makes a big impression on my guests. I hope that I can inspire you to tap into your creative side with my simple yet effective ideas.

https://ingles-markets.com

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HOMEMADE DOGGIE TREATS

by Haley Hayes

NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER PIE

by Haley Hayes

Shopping List 1 graham cracker pie crust 1-8 oz package cream cheese 1 cup peanut butter 1 cup heavy cream 2 tbsp powdered sugar 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar 8 oz thawed whipped topping Hot fudge sauce and peanuts for garnish Instructions Beat together the cream cheese and peanut butter.

Make the whipped topping by combining the heavy cream, 2 tbsp powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a mixer with the whisk attachment.

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.

https://ingles-markets.com

Add the powdered sugar and whipped topping and combine until smooth, scraping the sides as needed.

Pour the filling into the crust and even out the top with a knife or spatula.

Chill for at least one hour before serving.

Garnish the pie with the hot fudge sauce and peanuts.

Shopping List 32 oz plain yogurt 3 Tbsp plain peanut butter 1 large banana Instructions

In a blender or food processor, combine the ingredients.

Spoon the mixture into a silicone mold or ice tray and freeze for at least 2 hours.

Once frozen, store in an airtight container in the freezer for several weeks.

Enjoy The Experience of

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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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TDOT Releases The 2019 Aviation Economic Impact Study

“The Little Airport That Could”

TDOT RELEASE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5TH, 2021

Monroe County Airport $248

million

ON-AIRPORT IMPACTS

thousand

VISITOR SPENDING IMPACTS

$2.6

TOTAL ECONOMIC IMPACT

MNV

$2.3

MILLION

JOBS

PAYROLL

VALUE ADDED

BUSINESS REVENUE

employed

thousand

million

million

16

$763

$1.3

$2.6

The Monroe County Airport Contributes $2.6 Million To The State’s Economy!

The Tennessee Department of Transportation has completed a year-long Statewide Aviation Economic Impact Study, finding Tennessee’s public-use airports contribute $40 billion to the state’s economy and support 220,936 jobs in Tennessee.

2.6

$

The study analyzed the economic impacts at Monroe County Airport and MILLION found the airport contributes $2.6 to the state’s economy. The study analyzed the economic impacts of onairport activities, off-airport activities, multiplier impacts, and freight/cargo.

Examples of on-airport activities include economic impacts from business tenants,

airport construction spending, and airport employment. Off-airport impacts include visitor spending.

Visitor spending at Monroe County Airport generated $248 thousand in revenue to the state in 2019. Analysis found that on-airport impacts generated 16 jobs, $763 thousand in payroll, and $2.6 in business revenue.

This Economic Impact Study represents the 2019 annual economic impact of the aviation system on the state’s economy. Therefore, the study is a good representation of the annual economic impact of the aviation system during a non-pandemic world.

“We are all very proud of our airport.

We have seen a lot of growth in past few years. The state told us instead of calling us “Tennessee Airport of the Year” they refer to us as the “Little Airport That Could”. We are grateful to everyone that has been and will be a part of all the growth.” said Tom McCosh airport Mrg.

Monroe County Airport is an asset to our local community and Tennessee’s $40 billion aviation industry. Airports serve as a catalyst for people to conduct business, serve clients, and ship cargo. Having a well maintained and diverse aviation system supports a robust economy.

View the Executive Summary, including the breakdown of each Tennessee airport, at https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/

MONROE COUNTY AIRPORT TOM McCOSH: Leading The Way To Excellence When Tom McCosh was recruited to direct the Monroe County Airport in 2014, no planes took off or landed within his first three weeks of work.

“We took them up flew them over their houses flew them over the school give them a tour of the county from the air,” McCosh said.

In five years, McCosh earned the Excellence Awards for Airport of the Year and Airport Manager of the Year in 2019 from the Tennessee Aeronautics Commission.

The airport has seven flying instructors teaching anyone 16 years or older to fly a plane. Classes are conducted at the students pace, and one can earn a pilots license in as little as six weeks.

“I knew nothing about airports when I first started,” McCosh said. “It’s not me. It’s the instructors, the mechanics, the great people of Monroe county who have built our airport.”

Starting out, McCosh began calling around the county and inviting people over for breakfast and barbecues.

He hosted training events, speaking engagements, and incorporated aviation into the school systems.

“We had a fly the teacher event and I invited all the Monroe County teachers.

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MCMINN LIFE SPRING 2021

The airport offers the lowest prices in flight instruction, gasoline, and repair costs making Monroe County one of the few profitable airports. The airport sells on average 50,000 to 60,000 gallons of aviation fuel each year.

“We have pilots come from Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia to have their planes fixed at our airport because

our aviation mechanics have such a great reputation,” McCosh said. “They are keeping their prices low!”

Mayor Mitch Ingram proclaimed April 13, 2019 as Airport Director Tom McCosh Recognition Day for the tremendous growth the Monroe County Airport has seen and has “become a model airport for expansion.”

“Tom McCosh has played a vital role in the success of our hometown airport,” the Proclamation said. “Mr. McCosh goes above and beyond to ensure our airport, pilots, and guests have the best service and care.”

Monroe County Airport was awarded 5.9 million dollars in federal grant money to renovate the land. Already, construction completed digging up and filling in a valley and leveling the land to add more hanger spaces.

Above: The Total Eclipse Event is a huge success.

Left: Mayor Mitch Ingram recognizes Tom McCosh for his leadership in growing the Monroe County Airport.

The Monroe County Airport Was Awarded

5.9 MILLION

In Federal Grant Money To Rennovate The Land.

McCosh plans to add 50+ new hangers and tie down spots. There are currently 20 individual hangers, 6 community hangers, and 15 tie down spots. With the added hangers and tarmac expansions McCosh will be able to accommodate his already 150+ waiting lists of pilots looking to store their planes.

The Monroe County Airport sits on a seven-acre lot with 3,643 feet of runway.

In March, construction begins to add a parallel road for the planes to safely access and exit the runway. McCosh’s budget does not include a runway extension.

“Honestly, I do not want our airport to have an extended runway because it would bring jet traffic in. Jet traffic will disturb our neighborhoods,” McCosh said.

Jet engines are loud and often what you hear overhead near a large commercial airport. The current single engine planes that currently fly in an out of the Monroe County Airport make little to no sound at all.

“Right now we have people who walk from the neighborhood to have breakfast with me. We have people who have come an walk around the airport for the joy of it,” McCosh said.

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McCosh plans to install a five mile walking trail around the airport. Walkers, joggers, bicycles, strollers, and animals are all welcome to enjoy the loop with up to 20ft of walkway to pass by one another.

“I’m going to make what’s called a forest garden, that way as you’re going down the trail there will be some blueberries, they’ll be some blackberries for you to pick. that way you can enjoy and participate whats in season,” McCosh said.

While McCosh has earned national recognition and favor with the state, it is community who is his main priority.

McCosh serves the community by being the ultimate tour guide. When you fly into Monroe County Airport expect a tour of the county’s main attractions, a curtesy vehicle, and often times McCosh making food in the kitchen.

“I try to promote our county because it is our county,” McCosh said. “We have everything right here in Monroe County. It is a great place to be.”

McCosh has multiple raving reviews on AirNav, an airplane navigation website, from pilots who have flown in an out of the Monroe County Airport.

“We thank God for the Monroe County Airport. We couldn’t have asked for better accommodations, hospitality, or gas prices. Tom and everyone we came in contact with were so friendly and helpful.

Our trip was a family adventure we’ll always remember.”

Air Nav Review from Ortis Burns.

McCosh has many big plans for the Monroe County Airport with one main purpose: recruiting people to make a stop and experience the beauty of Monroe County.

On your way to visit McCosh at the airport, follow the white airplanes painted on the road, and be sure and wave to Carlos, a 12 pound muscovy duck, McCosh rescued.

Carlos lives at the entrance of the airport pond in a dog house igloo.

AWOS Automated Weather Observation System There are 74 airports in the state of Tennessee and 40 AWOS systems.

Currently, TDOT is doing a 2.5 million update on all 40 systems. Monroe was one of the first to be updated. https://youtu.be/JrlARiUoZs8 st

Aviation in Tennessee Schools Elysia Schaffer, “I fell in love with taking off and landing, it is just such a rush!”

There are ten aviation and outreach programs in Tennessee. Tom McCosh would love to see this in Monroe County.

Cleveland High School currently has a Aviation Academy with three aviation programs. They are currently receiving a share of $200,000 in grants by TDOT Aeronautics.

Landen Beaty, “At first we had computer simulators, now we have a real simulator.”

The students get an introduction to the flying experience, get to do specific manuvers, and prepare for the flight exam and their private pilot written test.

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MOLLY AND THE ANGEL DOG I will never forget the day our sweet Molly came to us. It was November of 2012. My husband Mark and I were doing some yard work. We looked up and saw a very old looking black dog coming down our driveway. It was not uncommon for people to drop dogs and cats out on our road. We live in a rural area, and it has happened before. The strange thing was, there was another dog following just a little behind the black dog.

The black dog crept down the driveway.

She was so skinny you could count every rib.

But the dog following behind her looked very well taken care of, well fed, and very healthy.

It was a very strange scene. I wondered if someone had put both of these dogs out on our road. Why did only one of them look so bad?

Mark put some dog food out on the driveway. I said “I wonder who she belongs to? She looks like a hunting dog”. We didn’t really think the dog could belong to someone she was so malnourished. While the black dog ate the food hungrily the other dog watched, not making a move to try and get any of the food. We thought it was very strange the way the other dog just sat on the driveway straight and tall

and didn’t bother to come down and eat or let us pet it.

The black dog let us pet her and we gave her some water. She was in such bad shape.

The other dog on the driveway continued to stare. Never making a move to come down.

Almost like it was just observing the scene.

We checked the black dog over and decided she must be really old; she could barely walk. We made a little bed for her and put out some more food. I looked up and the dog on the driveway was gone. It’s almost like he brought her to us and then left.

The next day we took the black dog to the vet. The vet checked her out thoroughly.

Her tail had been cut off. He told us she was a plot hound; they are primarily known for

hunting bear. He said she was probably gun shy and not a good hunting dog, and someone had just let her go. She was not chipped. He surprised us by saying she was only about a year old. The reason she couldn’t walk very well was because she was starving. Surprisingly, she did not have any parasites inside or outside of her body.

Other than being under nourished she was in pretty good shape. This is probably because she was so young.

We named her Molly Rose– don’t laugh we always give our dogs middle names.

My grandmother’s name was Rose. I had always planned to name my daughter Rose.

Since I never had a daughter, I decided I would give the name to our precious new baby. We called her Molly, and she fit right in. She never left the property except to go on our walks that we would take. She would visit my father-in-law’s house next door to see what delicious scraps he may have thrown out. It was as if she was home and she knew it. She got along very well with our basset hound Patches, and she was happy.

Through the years, of course Molly has aged. She has gray in her muzzle but she still kicks her heels up like a young girl.

She still goes on all of the walks with us but sometimes she comes back early and that is o.k. She stays outside most of the time but we always bring her in at night because of the C word, coyotes....Molly suffers from allergies. She itches like crazy starting in the spring through the fall. We have to get her an allergy shot from time to time.

She also has the worst ear infections. We have to deal with her ears on a daily basis.

But oh, how we love our Molly girl. She is the sweetest, gentlest baby you could ever hope for. She doesn’t like a lot of petting, it’s only on her terms. You will know if she wants petting, because she will come up and lean against your leg.

of her. What a relief. Whenever we take Kitty Kitty, or our other baby Scruffy to the vet, Molly paces and whines and tries to get them out of the car. She hates for them to leave. She’s such a good big sister.

Recently, Mark took Molly for her yearly exam. Because of the COVID restrictions, he was not allowed to go into the Vet clinic with her. I knew she would hate that. She is so timid. When he pulled into the parking lot, they came out and got her. She hates being around people without us nearby. But she was a good baby.

When the vet came out to talk to Mark, she said that Molly has a heart murmur, a tumor on her side, and two tumors in her legs. The tumor or lump in her side has been there forever so we will continue to watch that. The other two in her legs we will need to get a biopsy. The murmur we will watch for signs of distress. Anyway, she is an old girl starting to have old girl problems. It seems like our times with these babies goes by so quickly.

A few years ago, we got a kitten and named her Kitty Kitty. We weren’t sure how Molly was going to react to her. She had never cared much for small animals.

We brought the kitty home in a crate and as soon as I opened the back door of the car, Molly jumped in and grabbed the crate in her teeth and started shaking the crate like she was trying to shake Kitty Kitty out of it. We moved the kitty to my father in law’s next door until we could get Molly adjusted.

After several visits between the two, we discovered that Molly didn’t mean any harm to Kitty Kitty. She just wanted to get her out of the crate. She is very protective

We never saw the other dog again. We watched for it. We told Poppy, my father in law, about it and that it might show up at his house. It never did. The only thing that we can figure is that it truly was an angel dog.

It knew exactly where to bring Molly for her to be cared for. He sat on the driveway and waited for her to be fed and watered and loved on, and then he left. It was almost like he was saying, my job here is done. I brought you this precious girl and I know you will take care of her. And we have and will as long as she is here.

Lisa McClung

Lisa McClung writes a lifestyle blog where she blogs about her family including all of the fur babies, her travels and her love for photography and other hobbies.

Check it out here. www.Southernpatches.net

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Owner Colleen Brock

THE PAINTED PERCH & COMPANY Restore. Revive. Renew.

The Painted Perch began as a small paint and furniture shop just about nine years ago and expanded into The Painted Perch & Company in November 2020.

Owners Colleen Brock and Holly Sanford met through their shared love of painted furniture. Both had retail spaces of their own, but knew there was a need for a larger venue where other local individuals such as themselves could sell high quality, unique, and trendy items.

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The Painted Perch & Co. now carries furniture (including painted furniture), home decor, antiques, vintage, clothing, jewelry, handmade items, gifts, and more.

The pair strive to make their customers’ shopping experience exciting, comfortable, and a place where they want to come visit often to discover new treasures.

The spaces are filled with handpicked quality items from talented individuals in the greater Knoxville area who share the same vision as Colleen and Holly.

In addition to your home and fashion needs, The Painted Perch carries a variety of products for the DIY enthusiast. They stock three types of specialty furniture paints, including Maison Blanche Chalk Paint, Fusion Mineral Paint, and Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint. Colleen and Holly pride themselves on being a onestop-shop for your furniture and cabinet painting needs.

Painting, and arts and crafts classes will be available Spring 2021. To learn more about The Painted Perch & Co., follow them on Facebook & Instagram. Also, be sure to stop in and add your email to their contact list!

9715 Kingston Pike Across from Franklin Square and the Chop House.

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AFTER THE EARTH QUAKE, SAN FRANCISCO. Observers in chairs amid the debris on Sacramento Street to watch the city burn. Photo by Arnold Genthe.

LON SHOOPMAN

An Earthquake at Easter he Earth is always changing. Every minute.

Every second. Blistering heat at the earth’s core creates tremendous pressure which causes the surface of the earth to shift. We call that shifting an earthquake. Our planet has more than 800,000 earthquakes each year.

Fires sprang up. The fire department fought valiantly and soon brought the flames under control.

Last year, Tennessee experienced 483 quakes. Most were too small to be felt.

The greatest fear of the fire fighters was a fire south of Market Street. The quake had destroyed the water lines in that part of the city.

It takes quite an earthquake for us to notice.

A big one for us to remember. It was on Wednesday, April 18, 1906, that a massive earthquake struck San Francisco, California.

It began at 5:12 A.M. The first warning was a deafening sound that awakened the city.

Within five seconds the earth began to move. The city was struck again and again with violent jolts. Everything in the city was moved up and down by the unrelenting shocks which came four times each second.

There was another violent aftershock at 8:14 A.M. Then things seemed calmer.

At 10:30 A.M. a woman living at the corner of Hayes and Gough began to cook breakfast.

She thought the smoke and heat were going up the chimney. Little did she know, the flue had shifted and the heat went to her attic. She lived south of Market Street.

The fire she started would forever be known as the “Ham and Eggs” fire.

Flames swept through Hayes Valley and up to Market Street. A conflagration began. One of the worse earthquakes in history was followed by the worse fire any city had ever experienced. It dwarfed the famed Chicago fire. It raged out of control for four days.

When it was over, more than 3000 lives were lost. The earthquake and fire destroyed 28,188 buildings and flattened 522 blocks. Almost one hundred churches burned; as did nine libraries, thirty seven banks, The Pacific Stock Exchange and two opera houses.

At about the 25th second, something was added to the angry vertical jolts. The surface of the earth began to move back and forth.

The ground became like liquid. People, animals, and buildings began to be swallowed by the earth. The jolting grew in intensity. At the 45th second it seemed to ebb and in the 47th second it stopped.

The early morning air was filled with screams and the sound of collapsing buildings. The Valencia Hotel had been nearly swallowed whole. Just two of its five stories remained above the ground. The streets were filled with the dead, both animal and human.

The worst was yet to come. The shaking caused chimneys to collapse across the city.

The ruins of San Francisco still smoldering after the April 18, 1906 earthquake and 3-day fire. Photo of Market Street between Sacramento and Third Streets was taken from the Union Ferry Building.

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Yet this quake, powerful as it was, can’t hold a seismic needle to what happened in the great earthquake that occurred around 30 A.D. An eyewitness at the time wrote: “Suddenly, there was a great earthquake (Matthew 28:2). The earthquake in San Francisco destroyed buildings, lives, and dreams. The earthquake that first Easter morning destroyed the power of sin and death!”

When Jesus died on a cross, we read that women followed those who laid his body in a borrowed tomb. That day they entered a new and diminished world; a world without Jesus. After the Sabbath they walked toward his tomb. This tomb would be the place they would come for peace; if peace were ever to come again.

The picture of these women trudging toward the tomb is heartbreakingly beautiful and beautifully heartbreaking.

Suddenly the earth shook beneath them.

The sky lightened and the sun slid up from beneath the horizon. The earthquake at Easter had moved the stone covering the tomb. A swift glance inside the barren cavern caused their hearts to leap with joy. The tomb was empty. A whole new world had begun. Soon this day would slip off the calendar and into the past.

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But the events of that day would change the world forever.

A new electricity surged through the streets of Jerusalem. Subdued spirits awoke. They whispered it! They shouted it!

They ran from place to place to spread the astonishing news: JESUS IS ALIVE! Christianity essentially is a religion of resurrection. The good news they proclaimed was “Rejoice, The Lord has risen!”

The first sermons we find recorded in Acts, all center around the resurrection. They were not concerned with Jesus’ remarkable teaching. They never speak of His background and only casually mention His miracles.

The main thrust of those early sermons was that He who had been crucified, died, and was buried, was now risen and alive forevermore.

The Bible speaks often about the joy that sprang up in the early church. It mentions their gladness of heart. It even tells us that when they were persecuted they were filled with joy. Paul reports that he is going to Jerusalem, not knowing what might happen to him there. He adds his one desire is that he might finish his course with joy.

Why joy? Because Jesus has promised that those who believe in Him will also enjoy life everlasting. Death has been defeated. They told that story to the world.

Craig Merrimee, a 34-year-old father of three little girls, lived in Louisville, Kentucky.

Craig was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After the diagnosis, Craig and his wife Michelle, began a blog in which they wrote about their journey as they faced Craig’s illness. In the blog they spoke often of their faith. In the last entry, Craig wrote: “There is no hope left. There is nothing left for us to try that we haven’t already tried. There is nothing for us to do that we haven’t already done.” He goes on to write: “I am encouraged that my eternal life will be in heaven.”

At Craig’s funeral, his six year old daughter, Emily, read 1 Corinthians 2: 9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him.”

That is why we celebrate Easter!

The last sentence Craig wrote in a blog was. “God is good!” A dying father of three little girls doesn’t write that without Easter.

Donna’s Old Town Cafe The events that surrounded the earthquake at Easter, that Matthew remembers, destroyed the power of death.

We Cater For All Occasions.

Death has been defeated and we have life.

Downtown Madisonville across from courthouse

New life. Eternal life.

That is the wonder of Easter.

Dr. Lon Shoopman is Pastor Emeritus at The First Baptist Church were he served for 41 years. He is from Knoxville, went to Central High School, then received his Bachelor of Science at the University of Tennessee. He recieved his Doctor of Ministry at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Lon retired from the First Baptist Church in 2016 and is now pastoring Glenlock Baptist Church in Sweetwater.

Lon has been married to Pat for 53 years.

They have three children, Hilary, Jennifer and Aaron. They have 10 grandchildren.

Sun-Wed 8am-3pm

Thurs-Sat 8am-8pm

100 COLLEGE STREET, MADISONVILLE, TENNESSEE

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Athens City Schools: BUILDING THE FUTURE The Athens City Council met on Tuesday, February 2nd, and voted unanimously at the Called City Council Meeting to fund and approve the Phase 1 and Phase 2 building projects for Athens City Schools. Phase 1 includes a new PreK- 2nd grade Athens City Primary School, and Phase 2 consists

of a new Athens City Schools Intermediate School for Third- Fifth Grade, which will be constructed on the current City Park School campus. The two buildings operate as two schools under one roof. The construction for the entire Phase 1 and Phase 2 projects is expected to be completed by Fall of 2023.

The Athens City School Board met this morning, February 3rd at 9 a.m. in a Called School Board Meeting, and voted unanimously to approve the project. We are thankful for the support from our City Manager, City Council, Director of Schools, and School Board to reach this history making decision to build new schools for our students, staff, and community!

The new construction is underway at the City Park site and Athens City Middle School.

The clearing of trees, moving of dirt, and anticipation of exciting times ahead keeps everyone at Athens City Schools smiling!

The new facilities will include an outdoor amphitheater, outside classrooms, and over 100 new trees planted throughout the campus and playground areas. The unique design features state of the art technology, media centers, special education suites, nursing clinic facilities, and gymnasiums.

Athens City Middle School will also receive renovations during this time of construction. This will include a new Softball Complex, Soccer Complex, and additional parking for visitors and staff to attend these athletic events.

It is exciting times at Athens City Schools as we see the construction of the new Athens City Primary PreK- Second Grade School and Athens City Intermediate Third- Fifth Grade School being built for the future of our students and community!

Athens City Schools invites you to schedule an appointment to take a tour in one of our schools to see the great things happening in the classroom. Excellence Is…Athens City Schools.

JULIE LOFLAND Athens City Schools Supervisor of Coordinated School Health/ Family Engagement Coordinator SPRING 2021 MCMINN LIFE

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Pursuit School of Dance Brings its Moves to Farragut Michaela McAlpine couldn’t ask for a better location. Owner of Pursuit School of Dance and ballet instructor, Michaela is bringing her dancing chops to Farragut on Kingston Pike this spring—an important move considering the school has been renting space at Street Beatz Studio in Cedar Bluff since September 2019.

A space to call our own The school’s vision is to inspire students to pursue their dreams, equip them with a quality dance education, and give them a platform to express all that is on the inside of them. They strive to bring beauty and inspiration through the art of dance—from ballet to tap and jazz—to the city of Knoxville, and shortly, to Farragut.

“We’re excited to finally have a space that we can make our own and call home,” says Michaela. This means we’ll have much more freedom in our schedule, and be able to offer more classes this summer and for our upcoming 2021-2022 school year.”

A community effort The space in a beautiful, family oriented area. What better way to get involved in the community? Renovations have just begun and already, and Michaela and colleague Rebecca Collins, tap and jazz instructor, feel so welcomed and supported.

To help make this dream a reality, the Pursuit family is asking the community to help where they can. Donations for renovations can be made via Venmo @PursuitSchoolOfDance or

at pursuitschoolofdance.com. Says Michaela, “We couldn’t do this without you!”

KINGSTON WORKERS ASSISTANCE FUND East Tennessee Foundation and the University of Tennessee Medical Center are joining forces to provide complimentary evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment planning for workers who participated in the clean-up of the historic spill of coal ash at TVA’s coal-fired steam plant in Kingston, TN that occurred on December 22, 2008.

Based on reporting in the Knoxville NewsSentinel, the cost to workers and their families has been great. At least 50 workers have died and over 400 are sick. Requests by the workers that TVA or TVA’s clean-up contractor, Jacobs Engineering, to assist them in meeting medical costs have been turned down.

Mike Bledsoe passed away at the age of 35, whithin a year of working in Kingston.

Photo credit: KnoxNews.com

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East Tennessee Foundation chief executive, Mike McClamroch commented: “Through no fault of their own, these workers and their families have suffered greatly over the past 12 years and we are extremely pleased that the University of Tennessee Medical Center has stepped forward to work with East Tennessee Foundation in helping determine the medical situation of the workers,”

“It’s long overdue for the Knoxville community to extend a helping hand to these long-suffering workers,” McClamroch said.

U.T. Medical Center CEO Joe Landsman also commented: “U.T. Medical Center is very pleased to work with East Tennessee Foundation in this very worthy effort. “We take pride in our role as the principal regional hospital in East Tennessee. Helping the survivors of this terrible tragedy chart a course towards recovery directly reflects our regional mission.”

The Kingston Worker Assistance Fund is the

result of support provided by the Stewart Family Fund, managed by the East Tennessee Foundation. John and Nancy Stewart, directors of the fund, brought the proposal to the Foundation for consideration.

“Nancy and I could not be more pleased that the Kingston Worker Assistance Fund is now a reality, thanks to the full commitment and support of the East Tennessee Foundation and U.T. Medical Center. This is a great example of East Tennesseans caring about each other in time of need and doing something about it.”

Contributions to support the Kingston Worker Assistance Fund can be made at easttennesseefoundation.org.

Tamara Boyer General Counsel and Vice President for Advancement

McMINN COUNTY IS AN IDEAL PLACE TO DO BUSINESS McMinn County is located along a major transportation corridor (Interstate 75) in both the Chattanooga and Knoxville regions in Southeast Tennessee. We offer a great location, a workforce eager to tackle the demands of advanced manufacturing, low cost taxes in a debt-free county, abundant industrial properties, a favorable quality of life, and support services that are hard to match. The McMinn County Economic Development Authority works to attract new investments and jobs in McMinn County and provides life-long support to our existing industries. Please browse our business advantages and community assets to see for yourself why so many industries choose to “Make It In McMinn.”

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