McMinn Life Summer 2025

Master Gardener

Gayle Fisher & FRENCH HOLLYHOCK’S

Gems

Past DOORS OPEN AT 6:30 LECTURE BEGINS AT 7:00

Overhill Histories Lecture Series

Discover The Rich History of the Tennessee Overhill Region!

Join us for an engaging lecture series exploring the stories, people, and events that shaped our area. Each Month, a new topic brings history to life in the historic Gem Theater.

FREE ADMISSION of

GEM THEATER, 700 TENNESSEE AVENUE, ETOWAH, TENNESSEE FOR MORE INFORMATION, CALL: 423-262-7232

JULY 10TH

Life of Sequoyah

Presented by Charlie Rhodarmer

AUGUST 7TH

Life and Legacy of Harry T. Burn by Tyler Boyd

SEPTEMBER 4TH

Madoc Legend/Bat Creek Stone by Sheriff Joe Guy

OCTOBER 2ND

Sam Houston and the Jolly Island

Presented by Charlie Rhodarmer

NOVEMBER 3RD

Jack Walker Murder

Presented by Sheriff Joe Guy

From thePublisher

There’s something truly special about summer in East Tennessee, the way the river sparkles in the sunlight, the peaceful pull of the mountains, and the endless joy found on the lake.

As we flip the calendar to these patriotic summer months, I’m filled with deep gratitude for our country and the freedoms we enjoy. This time of year reminds us of the importance of community, tradition, and the spirit that binds us together.

Inside this issue, you’ll find inspiring stories that celebrate the people, places, and events that make our region so vibrant. From local heroes to exciting summer happenings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

I want to extend heartfelt thanks to you, our loyal readers, dedicated advertisers, and all those who graciously share their stories with us. Your support allows us to continue shining a light on the good in our community and bringing each issue to life.

And speaking of exciting news, I’m thrilled to announce that the Monroe Life Balloon Festival will return this Labor Day weekend with a brand-new home at the Monroe County Airport! This beloved event promises family fun, awe-inspiring hot air balloons, and meaningful moments, all in support of the Boys & Girls Club of Monroe Area. We warmly invite you to join us in celebrating the holiday and this incredible cause.

Here’s to a summer filled with sunshine, stories, and community spirit.

With gratitude,

Lisa Bingham President, The Bingham Group Publisher of Farragut, Monroe and McMinn Life Magazines

www.binghamgroup.com www.monroelife.com

ww.mcminnlife.com

www.farragutlife.com

storytelling is our strength PRINT, BROADCAST AND ONLINE

Thirty-Two Successful Tennessee State Contracts

Totaling Over $25 Million

Thirty Years Of In-House Television Production

National Award Winning Documentaries, Commercials, Long Format Corporate Videos and Reels

Publisher Of Up To Fifteen Magazines A Year

TBG Sells The Ads, Writes the Stories, Designs, Manages Printing and Has In-House Distribution

Large And Small Exhibits

Trade Show Booths, A 700 ft x 12 ft High Exhibit With Television Monitors & Many Vehicle Wraps

Founded and Manages

The Largest Outdoor Fundraising Event In East Tennessee

The Monroe Life Balloon Festival is a Two Day Event That Raises Money For The Boys And Girls Club

small, woman owned business

tdot dbe certified

GS-07F-0583W

Primary NAICS Codes:

541511 - Web Based Marketing Services

512110 - Video/ Film Production

541430 - Commercial Art and Graphic Design Services

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Media Strategy

Copy Writing

Graphic Design

TV Broadcast Production

Video Production

Corporate Identity

Market Research

Logo Design

Web Design

Social Media Management

Custom Photography

Publishing

Custom Murals

Vehicle Wraps

Trade Show Booths

Celebrate the Spirit of McMinn: Events and Happenings That Make Our County Shine

sharing its beauty with the world.

One of the most exciting developments under Brianna’s leadership is the launch of a brandnew tourism website, that will be ready early summer. This platform will serve as a go-to resource for locals and visitors alike, featuring a calendar of upcoming events, attractions, and hidden gems throughout the county. With

From street festivals to mural walks, summer concerts to historic tea parties, McMinn County is brimming with community pride, creativity, and good old-fashioned fun. Each season offers its own unique flavor, and 2025 is shaping up to be a banner year for events, small business innovation, and cultural celebration.

Here’s your guide to the can’t-miss happenings across our friendly towns, from Athens to Etowah to Niota, and a peek at the exciting developments painting our county with color and opportunity.

Sounds of Summer: Music in the Friendly City

The 14th Annual Sounds of Summer concert series kicks off on June 7, 2025, during MooFest, and continues every other Saturday through August 16, 2025. Concerts begin at 7:00 PM at the Market Park Pavilion in Downtown Athens, except for the July 4th event, which takes place at Athens Regional Park.

Bring your lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy these free concerts under the stars. Visit Friendlycityfestivals.com. For a full list of artists and concert lineup.

Etowah’s Old Fashioned 4th of July: Small Town, Big Spirit

Celebrate Independence Day in Etowah with the Old Fashioned 4th of July event on Friday, July 4, 2025. Festivities at the L&N Depot include vendors, food trucks, live music, and activities throughout the day, culminating in a spectacular fireworks display. makeitinmcminn.org

Rollin’ on the River:

Calhoun’s Waterfront Festival Returns Join the fun in Calhoun as Rollin’ on the River kicks off with a Duck Race for Charity and the ever-popular Cardboard Boat Regatta. Enjoy a scenic ride on the Hiwassee Queen, learn about the river’s rich history, and take part in paddle tours to Hidden Meadows every two hours, led by local historians. End the day with Glow with the Flow, a magical glow-in-the-dark paddle so beloved it now runs both Saturday and Sunday nights. It’s the perfect day of community, adventure, and riverfront fun in Calhoun River Town!

A Launchpad for Local Chefs: The Food Hub Opens in Athens

Main Street Athens has proudly opened The Food Hub, a new commercial kitchen space available for rent to anyone interested in launching or growing a foodbased business. Designed as a shared-use facility, The Food Hub helps remove the financial barriers that often prevent small, family-owned businesses from getting off the ground.

Available by the hour or by the day, the space is perfect for caterers, bakers, food truck owners, farmers market vendors, or aspiring restaurant owners testing their concept. This fully licensed, health-code compliant kitchen meets state and local regulations, offering a rare opportunity for food entrepreneurs to operate legally and professionally without needing to invest in a full brick-and-mortar location.

For the City of Athens, The Food Hub is more than a kitchen, it’s a community incubator. It promotes local economic development, supports creative small business ventures, and helps transform culinary dreams into sustainable reality. Whether you’re whipping up a batch of homemade jams or testing a family recipe for a pop-up restaurant, this space is ready for you. For rental information and details, contact Main Street Athens or visit mainstreetathenstn.com.

Meet BRIANNA Baker

McMinn County’s New Tourism Coordinator

So Much to Celebrate, So Close to Home

Downtown Athens is bursting with new color and character thanks to four recently added murals, each bringing its own unique story to the heart of the city. A patriotic portrait of Ronald Reagan graces the Athens Chamber of Commerce, while The Arts Center mural offers a vibrant welcome to White Street. On Hornsby Street, The Golden Rule mural, painted on The Gallery, once the Golden Rule Store, serves as a timeless reminder to treat others with kindness. At Maddi Mae’s Café, Mockingbird Rendezvous brings whimsy and musical charm to life.

These murals are more than eye-catching, they’re conversation starters. They reflect our community’s identity, honor its history, and celebrate local artistry. Public art like this doesn’t just beautify, it revitalizes.

Each piece encourages foot traffic, boosts local business visibility, and invites visitors to slow down and explore the streets of Athens. They’re already becoming photo-worthy landmarks and a source of pride for locals.

Brianna Baker, Tourism Coordinator, McMinn County Economic Development Authority (423) 745-1506 Office | (423) 453-7227 Mobile Brianna@makeitinmcminn.org

McMinn County continues to grow, evolve, and honor its roots all at once. Whether you’re enjoying live music downtown, exploring local art, launching a small business, or sipping tea in the oldest depot in the state, there’s no shortage of reasons to love where we live.

So come out and experience it all, because in McMinn County, there’s always something to celebrate.

Downtown Athens Gets a Fresh Coat of Culture

Hollyhock French

One of my strongest memories from childhood was my Granny’s hollyhocks. These giants of the flower world stood sentinel around her “pump house” and was one of the few things that was forbidden to her grandchildren during a game of hide and seek.

Hollyhock, Alcea rosea, are tall summer spires that remind us of cottage gardens and country living. The old-fashioned types have single blooms but today we also have semi-double and double flower. The erect spikes bloom from mid-summer to early fall as they grow ever taller.

Hollyhocks are biennials or short lived perennials. This means that they produce foliage the first year and flowers the second, after which the plants should be pulled up and replaced. Hollyhocks typically reseed year after year in sites where they are happy. If your hollyhocks are not coming back maybe you’re cleaning your bed too well or not giving them a chance to set and sow seeds.

You should plant your Hollyhocks in full sun or light partial shade. They should have at least six hours of direct sunlight. Average to rich soil is fine as long as it is well drained. Wet soil will be fatal to your hollyhocks. Staking is only needed when moisture is too abundant. It’s also a good idea to plant hollyhocks in a protected site since wind can damage them. Hollyhocks are taller than they are wide and look best with close spacing. They can tolerate heat but heat and humidity together leave them rangy and weak.

I don’t have the hollyhocks of my grandmother but a shorter French Hollyhock. The French hollyhocks are much smaller and are a light mauve with purple strips. This plant was around and much admired in Thomas Jefferson’s garden. These four foot plants are suited for the middle or back of a border and never need staking. Just like the standard type they are biennial and I usually see plants volunteering in the fall as well as in the spring.

This French hollyhock has given the horticulturist fits in keeping track of it through taxonomic nomenclature. That means how the scientific world classifies this plant. It has previously been known as althes zabrina, althea rosea zebrine, alcea zebrine and alcea rosea zebrine. For once the Latin name is changing but the common name is the most consistent and all plantsmen will recognize French Hollyhock.

You can add hollyhocks to your garden by starting your own from seeds or buying plants. Local nurseries usually have French hollyhocks for sale as bedding plants in the spring. Older plants tend to be less vigorous and more likely to be plagued by disease. Starting from seed is easy both indoors and outdoors, barely cover the seeds as light aids germination. It will take between 10 to 14 days at temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees. Seeds sown in early spring may bloom the first season.

Hollyhocks are a classic; try planting a large clump that can be seen from a distance. Or put them against a fence or old building for a casual county look. Gardeners and grandchildren will both love them.

MASTERGARDNER

McMinn County Historical Society & Archives

“THE FRIENDLY CITY” THE ORIGINS OF ATHENS’ NICKNAME

By Esther Nunley, volunteer at the McMinn Co. Historical Society

Athens, Tennessee has an atmosphere of friendliness that has been noticed by visitors to the community throughout the years and has earned the reputation of being a “Friendly City.” Lowell F. Arterburn (b. 1903, d. 1959), fondly called Athens “The Friendly City” in his very first Editor’s Letter in the Daily Post-Athenian. An article found in the March 16, 1981 edition which celebrates the newspaper’s 50th year as a daily newspaper tells how the community created this friendliness due to the lifestyle of its citizens. There were good schools, county fairs, and livestock sales that brought people together. The citizens relied on the local newspaper for communication, and the editors very often became the voice of the community.

The Arterburns purchased the newspaper on December 1, 1941. Lowell Arterburn, and his wife, Helen Richards Arterburn, chose to move to Athens after visiting many different cities and checking out newspaper opportunities across the country. They were looking for a place to settle where she could continue as a practicing physician and surgeon and he could publish a local newspaper. Both of them quickly became absorbed into the community both in profession and service through local organizations. Lowell became a voice within the community speaking to the citizens “…through ink” from the editor’s desk, described in a eulogy by J. Neal Ensminger, his advertising director. He is credited as helping form the local Chamber

of Commerce in 1946 and he immediately jumped in to help in the reorganization of the McMinn County government in 1946. Helen served as Chief of Staff at the Athens Community Hospital. Her name can be found on the list of charter members of the McMinn County Historical Society, which formed in 1959. She also served in many other capacities, including the Alexander Keith Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), Pilot Club, and the Athens Music Club. Through the years they also managed to raise two sons, Tom and Don.

Lowell began his relationship with the citizens of Athens from the beginning of his ownership, by writing his daily column entitled the “Editor’s Letter” that appeared on the front page of every edition. His very first letter published on December 8, 1941. It started with the statement, “This is the Friendly City.” He continued to write about how he and his wife chose to come to Athens. He told of how a man approached him two months earlier as he visited the city and engaged in friendly conversation without knowing him. He was touched by the friendliness of the gentleman. The man cautioned him on walking against the light while crossing at the southeast corner of the square. He then continued to let Lowell know that it was not as friendly a light as the other ones, being that it was a little stubborn to change. Lowell also shared how

an out-of-town businessman wrote him complimenting how Athens was a friendly city. It wasn’t long through his open letters to the readers that he became the voice of the community. Many times, he offered words of encouragement and a pat on the back to others.

He purchased the paper from Kenneth J. McKean who had purchased it from Fred Wankan. The Arterburns were natives of Vincennes, Indiana. They moved here from Pekin, Illinois. Both of them brought to the area their expertise and skills that they had acquired previously. Lowell had held many different positions for various newspapers and his latest endeavor was business manager and assistant editor of the Pekin Daily Times. He taught school and was principal at Bicknell High School for a while. He held a Master’s Degree from Columbia University and an A.B. in Journalism from the University of Indiana. He also studied business law.

Helen was a physician and surgeon with an education background as a graduate of DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana and the Indiana University School of Medicine in Muncie, Indiana. She did an internship at Ball Memorial hospital in Muncie and another at Chicago Lying-in Hospital. She practiced medicine for six years at Vincennes under her professional name, Dr. Helen Richards, (b. 1908, d. 1979).

Lowell continued to improve the newspaper by reaching out to businesses and citizens in the McMinn/Meigs County area that the paper covered. He always let the reader know annually that he and Helen had no regrets that they chose to settle in Athens.

Not long into his ownership of the paper, he changed the title of his letter to “Lowell F. Arterburn in The Friendly City of Progressive East Tennessee.” The Friendly City name eventually became a slogan which the city proudly displays today.

In November 1945, Lowell announced his plans to open a state-of-the-art radio station under the name of the Athens Broadcasting Company, that would reach beyond the borders of McMinn and Meigs Counties, and be “…worthy of a city three or four times bigger.” The station, called WLAR, opened in May of 1946 at 110 N. Jackson Street, at 1450 kilocycles with 250 kilowatts power featuring Gospel and Country music. The first manager was the late Chuck Redfern. The radio station still exists today on Oxnard Road and also operates WJSQ 101.7 FM.

Lowell found himself in the middle of the “Battle of Athens” on the evening of August 1, 1946, a conflict that took place over the handling of election ballots during a hotly contested race for sheriff and other county offices. Returning GIs who ran their own ticket in the race fired upon the jail where they believed the ballots were being wrongfully kept by deputy sheriffs there.

Lowell said he could hear the gun shots given as a volley fired upon command while he sat in his office on 125 N. Jackson Street, across from the radio station. The radio station signed on the air with the usual slo-

gan, “You’re listening to the friendly voice of the Friendly City, WLAR.” During the sign on, the “pow…pow” of gun shots could be heard in the background. The deputies eventually surrendered.

The next morning, Lowell began his column with the message that he had contemplated taking the “Friendly City” heading off the column. By 4:00 a.m. that morning, he writes that the heading would stay, “…it remains an expression of hope that Athens and McMinn County will become just that.” He then became involved in helping reorganize the county government.

Lowell died suddenly of a heart attack while at work on November 21, 1959. J. Neal Ensminger eulogized him in the editorial column as comparable to a “piece of finely woven fabric.” That piece having “…one main thread” that holds the many “patterns” together.

Helen took over as publisher of the newspaper while J. Neal Ensminger moved from Advertising Manager into the Editor position. The newspaper eventually moved to 210 White Street where it saw many equipment updates. Helen died on June 6, 1979. The newspaper has changed hands frequently through the years and has moved to 320 S. Jackson Street, then to 206 W. Washington Avenue, and now its current location at 416 S. White Street.

Today the city writes in their Athens New Resident Welcome Packet about the “longstanding reputation it has as being the ‘Friendly City,’” people are attracted to the inviting environment that has been created by our citizens.” The slogan appears on the city welcoming signs along the highways and it is part of the city seal which appears on the doors of all city vehicles.

This reputation continues to be noted by citizens and visitors alike. In a January 21, 2024 letter to the editor of the Daily PostAthenian, two employees are complimented for showing up to work at the Tractor Supply Store during bad weather on January 16. The manager and one worker said they had trucks to unload and other things to take care of as they were busily helping customers and restocking shelves. This customer was pleased at their dedication and friendliness. “It’s employees and people like this that helped the citizens of Athens to get through this winter snow and cold. I see now why Athens is called the ‘Friendly City.’”

Signed J.R. Ladieu, Athens.

McMinn County Historical

GOOD FAITH CLINIC Celebrates 30 years of Service!

The Good Faith Clinic was founded in 1995 to provide medical services to uninsured citizens originally in McMinn, Meigs, Monroe, and Rhea Counties. However, GFC roots go back several years prior to 1995.

In 1983, a young student became an EMT and volunteered for the Carter County Rescue Squad while attending East Tennessee State Medical School. As an EMT, David Byrd performed ambulance work, rescues, recoveries, and vehicle extractions. In one year alone, he worked over 1000 ambulance calls. The experience gave him a sense of mission and planted the desire to help people in desperate need of medical care. This was the first stone in the Good Faith Clinic foundation.

Dr. Byrd came to Athens Community Hospital in the late 1980s to work in the Emergency Room, while his wife, Dr. Jenny Byrd, served in the Primary Care Center in Decatur. While working the ER, the second stone was laid in the Good Faith Clinic foundation – so many people had no insurance and the ER was the only place to turn to. There had to be a better way to care for the uninsured public.

The third stone jump-started the founding process. A change in financial circumstances for Dr. Byrd enabled him to investigate what it would take to start a free clinic for his community. He studied two free clinics in the region, one, The Interfaith Health Center, in Knoxville and the other in Cleveland, on how to operate and offer free healthcare to uninsured people. With this knowledge under his belt, Dr. Byrd turned

to Carter Runyan, CPA, then Chief Financial Officer at Athens Community Hospital, to help him pull it off. It is interesting to note, that Dr. Byrd credits Carter and his mother, the late Carolyn Runyan, County Director/ Office Manager for the McMinn County Health Department, as the major reasons he was able to turn a big dream into reality. Carter Runyan, however, puts the credit in Dr. Byrd’s court. “David Byrd has an innate calling to give back to the community. He felt the financial gain he received had blessed him to be able to have the opportunity to make a difference.

Carter continued, “ The clinic was not the only recipient of Dr. Byrd’s blessings. When sons, Todd Marion and Will Byrd, played high school sports, he was always on hand when medical assistance was needed, which he continued to do for several years. He is also part of a team that provides free annual athlete physicals for students in McMinn and Meigs Counties, which he continues to do to this day. When hurricane Katrina decimated New Orleans and surrounding areas, Dr. Byrd and Dr. Clyde Martin, went with Remote Area Medical, along with several healthcare professionals from Athens Regional Medical Center, and were some of the first to arrive to offer medical assistance. David Byrd is a man with a huge heart.”

In 1995, with the help and support of Carolyn Runyan, the Good Faith Clinic opened its doors in the McMinn County Health Department. The clinic offered more than most free clinics in that it provided pharmaceutical assistance, organized by the late Pharmacist, Joe Jaquish, lab work, and x-rays. Since the clinic’s inception, the

hospital – then Athens Community Hospital, now Starr Regional Medical Center – has provided support services for the clinic. Good Faith Clinic is funded by donations from the community, churches, industries, organizations, and individuals. Its valuable service to the people of this community was recognized when it became a United Way Partner Agency.

The GFC has been located at the Health Department, Tennessee Wesleyan College, and Christ Community Church. In 2008, it relocated to 18 South Congress Parkway in a new custom-made building purchased with a grant from United Way. For several years, Athens Federal Bank Foundation has provided grants to support annual health fairs that have served hundreds of people through the years.

Dr. Byrd credits the success of the clinic to the dedication of its volunteers, many of whom have been with the clinic for years. “It’s not about me. It is about God’s blessing to receive a mission and work toward it. The volunteers are the backbone of the success of this mission.”

When asked about the future of Good Faith Clinic, Dr. Byrd replied, “it has lasted so long because people still don’t have insurance. It will continue because the need is still there.”

Photos: Dr. Byrd, Dr. David Byrd at home with best friend, Gus and last photo, Dr. Byrd credits the success of the GFC to the dedication of its volunteers. Michelle Crafton, Board Director; Steve McCaslin, Board Member; Heidi Wallace and Richelle Simcox, long-time volunteers; and Dr. David Byrd.

Senator Estes Kefauver

By 1946 Estes Kefauver had been in Congress for seven years and was contemplating a race against Tennessee’s most powerful political figure, United States Senator Kenneth D. McKellar. Although little known outside his own Congressional district, Kefauver was relatively young and energetic while Senator McKellar was seventy-seven years old and slowing down. McKellar had been in Congress since Estes Kefauver was a mere eight years old.

McKellar had defeated the cream of Tennessee political elite to get to the United States Senate and stay there; former governors Malcolm Patterson and Ben W. Hooper, Senator Luke Lea, House Minority Leader Finis Garrett, future Congressman Howard Baker, and Knoxville Mayor James A. Fowler had all lost to McKellar at one time or another.

Senator McKellar commanded an army of patronage appointees in the State of Tennessee and presided over a political organization that stretched from one end of Tennessee to the other. From Mountain City to the banks of the Mississippi River in Memphis, there were literally tens of thousands of Tennesseans for whom Senator McKellar had done a favor at one

THE GREATEST CAMPAIGNER OF THEM ALL

time or another. Despite his reputation for being irascible, McKellar could be courtly and extended every courtesy and consideration to any Tennessean who approached him. McKellar’s reputation for going to extreme lengths to help any Tennessean was well deserved.

McKellar’s own political organization was allied with that of E. H. Crump, the lord and master of Shelby County and Memphis. The two were personal friends as well as political allies and they had ruled Tennessee politics almost completely since 1932. No governor or U. S. senator had been elected since that time without the support of either McKellar or Crump.

Although aging and increasingly ill, Senator McKellar remained a formidable candidate. Widely respected by the people of Tennessee and held in affectionate regard by many of his constituents, McKellar’s personal prestige was actually enhanced with the death of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1945. K. D. McKellar was at the peak of his power inside the United States Senate. In effect Chairman of two committees due to the incapacitation of Virginia Senator Carter Glass, McKellar sat as the Acting Chairman of the Appropriations Committee and served as Chairman of the Post Office and Post Roads Committee. McKellar had also succeeded Glass as President Pro Tempore of the Senate, a largely ceremonial post, but with the death of FDR, it put him in line for succession to the presidency. President Harry Truman, a senator himself before being elected vice president in 1944, recognized the power of

McKellar and invited the old Tennessean to sit with his Cabinet, a recognition of McKellar’s influence not lost on his constituents.

Estes Kefauver and K. D. McKellar did not like one another. McKellar oftentimes derisively referred to the Chattanooga Congressman as “Cowfever”, a derision shared with Harry Truman. McKellar also gleefully informed Crump that Kefauver had claimed Thomas Jefferson, a son of Virginia, as a Tennessee president while at the 1944 Democratic National Convention.

Kefauver quickly discovered he could not obtain the necessary financial and personal support to successfully challenge the old senator. Kefauver traveled to Nashville to talk to possible supporters, including Silliman Evans, publisher of the Nashville Tennessean, which was bitterly opposed to both Senator McKellar and the Crump machine. Even Evans was doubtful about the wisdom of Kefauver running against McKellar, concluding such a race would be “almost futile.”

Kefauver’s visit to Nashville was in sharp contrast to a similar visit by Senator McKellar in January of 1946 just a few days after announcing he would run for a sixth term in the United States Senate. Virtually nobody noticed Congressman Kefauver coming to Nashville while much of Nashville’s political and business establishment gathered to welcome Senator McKellar.

As McKellar’s entourage approached Nashville by automobile from Memphis, endorsements rained down upon the old senator’s head.

Tennessee’s junior U. S. senator, Tom Stewart, issued a glowing endorsement of his senior colleague, as did Congressman Tom Murray of Jackson.

McKellar’s arrival in Nashville coincided with the senator’s announcement of federal money pouring into Davidson County for a variety of projects. It amply demonstrated the power of McKellar, as well as the benefit of his seniority to Tennesseans.

Kefauver left Nashville without any fanfare and returned to Chattanooga where he concluded challenging McKellar directly was perhaps not a good idea. Kefauver announced he would seek reelection to Congress, causing McKellar to write Crump sarcastically that apparently the demand had been such that Kefauver could not disappoint his friends and forgo reelection to the House.

The stubborn Kefauver needlessly involved himself in the Senate race by supporting Edward Ward “Ned” Carmack against McKellar. Carmack had run a surprisingly strong race against Senator Tom Stewart in 1942 and only the election returns from Shelby County had saved Stewart from defeat.

Kefauver’s open support of Carmack’s candidacy infuriated some of the most powerful politicians inside his own Third Congressional district. Hamilton County Judge Wiley Crouch was strongly for McKellar’s reelection as was Sheriff Burch Biggs, the boss of Polk County.

According to Kefauver’s biographer, Charles Fonteny, Judge Couch made his displeasure with Kefauver well known, growling, “I’m going to beat the hell out of him.”

Friends of Kefauver begged Judge Couch to talk to the Congressman.

“I never can find him,” Couch snapped. “He’s always speaking in New York or Chicago or somewhere.”

Finally Judge Couch relented, saying, “I’ll talk to him tomorrow afternoon at the Read House. He’ll have to be there, though. I’m not going to wait for him.”

Kefauver balked at the edict and it took considerable effort to persuade him to fly from the Capitol to Chattanooga to keep the appointment with Judge Couch.

The amiable Kefauver attempted to start the conversation by greeting the judge and asking how his wife was, causing Couch to snarl, “You don’t give a damn how Mable is!” The two talked for an hour and a half and left the hotel arm in arm. Still, Couch’s first loyalty was to Senator McKellar and he was not fully committed to Kefauver’s reelection. Another meeting was called and the two met at a downtown Chattanooga eatery and resolved their differences and Judge Couch signed Kefauver’s petition to run again.

Kefauver did get a primary opponent in 1946, almost entirely due to his flirting with the idea of running against Senator McKellar. Fortunately for Congressman Kefauver, his opponent was not a quality challenger, although it was a bitter campaign.

W. F. “Pup” McWhorter went so far as to denounce a member of Kefauver’s Congressional staff as a “pink”, causing the sensitive young man to walk into the Congressman’s office and tearfully offer up his resignation. Kefauver sat him down and refused to accept his resignation, telling the young man politics could be “pretty mean” sometimes.

Kefauver, cobbling together the feuding factions inside the Democratic Party in his own district, managed to gather the support of virtually all of those opposed to McKellar, as well as those politically potent enough to cause him real concern who remained loyal to the old senator. One odd endorsement of Kefauver’s candidacy for reelection to Congress in 1946 came from Memphis; the Boss himself announced he, too, backed Kefauver.

Senator McKellar crushed Ned Carmack, beating him badly without even once returning home to Tennessee to campaign in person. It was a remarkable feat, especially in light of the fact Carmack had quite nearly beaten Senator Stewart in 1942.

Estes Kefauver easily turned back the

challenge of the hapless “Pup” McWhorter and returned to Washington, but his thoughts about running for the United States Senate had not diminished; in fact, if anything, they had intensified.

Kefauver immediately began to consider running against Tom Stewart in 1948. A campaign against Senator Stewart was not so daunting an enterprise as facing the redoubtable McKellar.

Tom Stewart had first been elected to the United States Senate in 1938, a special election to fill the remainder of the term of Senator Nathan L. Bachman who had died in 1937. Stewart was urged to run for the Senate by Senator McKellar and was promptly endorsed by Mr. Crump.

Stewart was running in a three-way race against Senator George L. Berry, who had been appointed by Governor Gordon Browning, and Congressman J. Ridley Mitchell. Senator Stewart had been reelected in 1942, once again with the full support of Senator McKellar and Crump. His reelection bid had been less than impressive and the Memphis Boss was utterly appalled by the fact Stewart would

Kefauver’s family home on lookout mountain in Chattanooga.

have lost the nomination without the votes from Shelby County. Crump’s doubts about Tom Stewart were to grow over the next six years and have a major impact upon Estes Kefauver’s political fortunes.

Estes Kefauver began quietly canvassing all across Tennessee to see what his chances might be were he to challenge Tom Stewart in 1948. There was little reason initially for Kefauver to think McKellar and Crump would not support Stewart for reelection. Nor was there reason to believe Senator Stewart might not actually be in a stronger position in 1948. Stewart was a highly amiable and kindly man and tended to the constituent service that had kept McKellar in office for decades. Senator Stewart had also strengthened his relationships with many of Tennessee’s politically powerful local leaders. Stewart’s name recognition was also far higher than that of Kefauver statewide.

The Congressman’s friends were much more encouraging about a possible Senate bid against Tom Stewart than they had been about a potential challenge to the powerful McKellar.

As 1948 approached, Estes Kefauver looked more and more like a candidate for the United States Senate. He would be the beneficiary of the single greatest mistake of Edward Hull Crump’s long political career.

Preorder

Ray Hill’s Biography of

SENATOR McKELLAR

Faithful readers of the Knoxville Focus can now go online and preorder a copy of Ray Hill’s new book about Senator Kenneth McKellar from Amazon.com. The Kindle version will be released on June 20, 2025, and the hardback edition of the book will be shipped on June 10, 2025, if you order soon. The book’s title is “Senator Kenneth McKellar: Feudin’ Son of Tennessee.”

Ray Hill has been writing one of the most popular features of the Knoxville Focus for the last fourteen years. “Pages of the Past,” which focuses on history, has a wide readership not only within the metro Knox County area, but also in Nashville and Washington, D. C. Hill’s column also is a big draw with folks from states all over the country.

“I’m asked all the time when I am going to write a book,” Hill said recently. “Well, I’ve written one.”

The University of Tennessee Press is publishing Hill’s biography of Tennessee’s Kenneth D. McKellar, who served longer in Congress than any other person in the Volunteer State’s long history. McKellar served for six years in the US House of Representatives and for thirty-six consecutive years in the United States Senate for an amazing total of forty-two years.

The description of the book on Amazon reads, “In his new biography of McKellar, Ray Hill traces the political career of Tennessee’s longest-serving senator and paints a colorful, nuanced portrait of the senator’s character and convictions. He chronicles McKellar’s decades-long political contributions to Tennessee and the United States as a whole, from the beginnings of the Boss Crump political machine to McKellar’s historic victory as the first popularly elected US senator from Tennessee in 1916. Hill offers a balanced account of McKellar’s fortytwo years in office, exploring his early Democratic successes under Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, his steadfast support for the Tennessee Valley Authority, and his fierce, unwavering commitment to Tennessee and its people.

As the only full-length biography of McKellar to date, Hill’s meticulously researched volume fills a significant gap in scholarship, shedding new light on the life and career of one of Tennessee’s most prominent political figures. Drawing on articles from more than one hundred US newspapers on McKellar’s life and politics, this biography will not only appeal to both scholars and students of US political science but also offers a captivating story to all who love Tennessee and the state’s rich history.”

First elected to the US House of Representatives in a 1911 special election, McKellar served alongside seven presidents of the United States, including one which was elected to office four times. McKellar served in Congress during some of the most critical and pivotal times in American history including the First World War, the stock market crash in 1928, the Great Depression, the Second World War, and the Korean War. Kenneth McKellar was instrumental in the building of the federal highway system and the Tennessee Valley Authority might not have ever come to fruition without the Tennessee senator.

It will surprise no one who regularly read’s Ray Hill’s column that his book on the life and career of Senator McKellar reads like a Bible of Tennessee politics for the period of 1911 through 1952. No aficionado of Tennessee history or politics can do without a copy of “Senator Kenneth McKellar: Feudin’ Son of Tennessee.” With a forward written by former congressman John J. “Jimmy” Duncan, Jr., who is also a Focus columnist, it is a volume with the complete cast of colorful characters which populated Tennessee’s political stage for decades. Readers will be able to read about the rough and tumble political wars, “Boss” Crump, Luke Lea and how the State of Tennessee lost most of its money over a few days and McKellar’s reputation as Washington’s most fearsome feudist.

Be sure to preorder your copy as soon as possible, Amazon.com

RAY HILL

July 24 - 26

Fairfield Glade’s Stonehenge Golf Club Continues to Shine as Host of the Tennessee’s Women’s Open

High atop the scenic Cumberland Plateau, where cool mountain breezes whisper through the pines and panoramic views stretch endlessly, sits a golf course that has rightfully earned its reputation as one of Tennessee’s most celebrated and cherished sporting landmarks. Stonehenge Golf Club, the crown jewel of Fairfield Glade, will once again welcome the state’s elite talent as the host of the 27th Tennessee Women’s Open, a tournament steeped in tradition, talent, and timeless competition.

This isn’t just a continuation of a successful partnership, it’s a testament to the deep respect the golfing community holds for Fairfield Glade. For the second consecutive year, the Fairfield Glade Community Club has stepped forward as the title sponsor, cementing its role as not just a host, but a vital heartbeat of these championships.

“It’s an honor to partner once again with the Tennessee Golf Association and Tennessee PGA Section,” said Bill Ward, General Manager of the Fairfield Glade Community Club. “These events bring more than just great golf. They bring a spirit of excellence and community pride that resonates with every resident and visitor.”

A History Woven Into Every Fairway

While the rolling hills and forest-lined fairways of Stonehenge are enough to captivate any golfer, its true prestige lies in its legacy. Built in the early 1980s and consistently ranked among Tennessee’s top public courses, Stonehenge Golf Club has hosted the Tennessee Women’s Open since 2009. The course’s challenging layout, dramatic elevation changes, and unforgettable finishing hole have made it a favorite among professionals and amateurs alike.

Stonehenge isn’t just a host, it’s part of the history. The final green, surrounded by

gallery crowds and echoing with cheers, has become a place where careers are launched and legacies are sealed.

Last year’s Women’s Open was a shining example. Chelsea Dantonio, an East Aurora, NY native, claimed her first professional win in thrilling fashion, emerging victorious from a three-way playoff. Her win wasn’t just a personal triumph, it was a reminder of what makes this event so magnetic. The combination of a world-class field, a competitive course, and a community that embraces the tournament like family turns a golf tournament into a story worth telling.

“This course, this community, it’s unlike anything else,” said Allison Brown, Executive Director of the Tennessee Golf Association.

“Year after year, players tell us that the Tennessee Women’s Open is their favorite stop. That’s because of Fairfield Glade.”

CHAMPIONSHIP-CALIBER GOLF IN THE HEART OF THE CUMBERLAND

Photography: Steve Kraft, PGA

Stonehenge Golf Club has been ranked #2 as Golfweek Magazine’s “Best Courses You Can Play in Tennessee.” Each year, Golfweek Magazine ranks golf courses state-by-state. Stonehenge Golf Club has placed in the top five for the past several years, moving up from #5 in 2015. The course is proud to host the Tennessee Senior State Open, Tennessee Golf Association Father-Son Championship, The Golf Capital of Tennessee Women’s Open and the Challenge Cup Matches. The course gets its name from walls of native stone found throughout the 6,549 yard, par 72 layout. Natural rock outcroppings come into play on several holes, with a 15 foot layered stone retaining wall running along the left and rear of the signature downhill par 3, 14th hole. Stonehenge Golf Club is proud to feature bent grass tees, greens and fairways for prime playing conditions.

Architect Joe Lee has taken a pristine tract of land in the rolling and wooded Cumberland Plateau and made it his personal canvas for the masterpiece that is Stonehenge Golf Club.

More Than a Tournament

For Fairfield Glade, these tournaments are about more than golf, they’re about connection, celebration, and showing the world what this mountain community is all about. With over 12,000 acres of resort beauty, five championship courses, pristine lakes, and top-tier wellness and recreation amenities, Fairfield Glade isn’t just hosting events, it’s delivering a full experience for players, volunteers, and fans alike.

Last year, the tournament saw a record number of volunteers and spectators, and

organizers aim to exceed those numbers again in 2025. Jeff Houston, Director of Golf, is leading the charge.

“We want these tournaments to be more than just well-run,” said Houston. “We want them to be unforgettable. That means more volunteers, more fans, and more of the Fairfield Glade hospitality that makes these events the highlight of the season.”

Join the Tradition

As Stonehenge prepares to once again welcome the state’s finest, the invitation

Come walk the fairways,cheer on the champions, and witness history in the making, right here in the heart of the Plateau.

VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED AND APPRECIATED

For more information, contact Jeremy Jones at jjones@fairfieldglade.cc or Jeff Houston at jhouston@fairfieldglade.cc.

extends to the entire community. Whether you’re a seasoned golf fan, a proud local, or simply someone who loves being part of something special, Fairfield Glade is ready to welcome you.

7827 Peavine Road

Fairfield Glade, TN 3855 931-484-3780 • 931-484-3722

www.fairfieldglade.com

IN THE SPOTLIGHT:

JESSICA WELCH ON GOLF, GRIT, AND A SPECIAL STOP IN TENNESSEE

Professional golfer Jessica Welch may spend most of her time traveling from tournament to tournament on the Epson Tour, but one stop stands out above the rest: the Tennessee Women’s Open at Fairfield Glade.

Originally from Thomasville, Georgia, Jessica’s path in golf led her to Jacksonville University in Florida, where she blazed a trail as the first women’s golfer in program history to qualify for the NCAA Regionals during her 2014–2015 season. Her impact didn’t stop there, her record-breaking career earned her a spot in the Jacksonville University Hall of Fame.

Now a full-time competitor on the Epson Tour, Jessica still makes room in her heart, and her calendar, for Fairfield Glade.

“I absolutely love that tournament,” she says. “There’s just something different about Crossville. You don’t always show up somewhere and feel that welcomed. But there, you do. The stands around 18 are packed, and people are genuinely excited to watch. You feel like you matter, like the whole town is cheering you on.”

The challenges of the course itself only add to the excitement. “Those Tennessee hills bring it,” she laughs. “Some holes have blind tee shots, the rough can be thick, and you’re constantly weighing risk versus reward. If you can’t place your shots, you’re in trouble. It demands your best.”

And when it all comes down to the final hole, the pressure hits different. “Eighteen is no joke,” Jessica says. “When you’re paired in contention and standing on that tee box, surrounded by fans, you can feel the adrenaline. Your hands start shaking, it’s awesome. That’s what we play for.”

One of her most treasured memories from Fairfield Glade isn’t even on the course. It’s the people, especially a couple who opened their home and hearts to her during the event.

“The Scotts took me in like I was one of their own,” she shares. “They treated me like family from day one, and we’ve stayed close ever since. That kind of kindness, you don’t forget it. They made the whole experience even more special.”

While her Epson Tour schedule keeps her busy, Jessica doesn’t hesitate when asked if she’ll return to Fairfield Glade. “If there’s any way I can be there, I will be. It’s just one of those places that stays with you.”

From her historic college run to the bonds she’s built along the way, Jessica Welch is more than a rising star, she’s the kind of athlete who reminds us why the game is so special.

Chelsea Dantonio won the 2024 Tennessee Women’s Open. She won in a three-way playoff against Lynn Lim and Allie Knight. Dantonio, from East Aurora, N.Y., secured the victory with a four-foot putt for par on the first playoff hole. The tournament was held at Stonehenge Golf Course in Fairfield Glade.

Thank You Monroe County!

SATURDAY AUGUST 30th SUNDAY AUGUST 31ST 4PM - 10PM

SEQUOYAH BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM, VONORE

The 10th 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 2nd and runs through Sunday, September 3rd, 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!

NEW LARGER LOCATION! www.monroelifeballoonfestival.com

MONROE COUNTY AIRPORT

Monroe County is now a major sponsor of the balloon festival and the Monroe County Airport in Madisonville, is our new larger location. This location will allow us to grow for many years to come!

Enjoy balloon rides, live music, food, games, an inflatable Kid’s Zone and much more all while supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Monroe County. The two-day Balloon Festival begins on Saturday, August 30th and runs through Sunday, August 31st, from 4pm – 10pm. The finale each night will be a Balloon Glow set to music with colorful hot air balloons beginning at dusk.

LABOR DAY WEEKEND

We have some of the most talented balloon pilots in the country excited to entertain the community. We invite everyone to come out and join in the celebration!”

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 2nd AND SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 3rd 4 -10 pm

CAR CLUB

2019 Festival

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

FARM TO TABLE

n order to bring the freshest produce available to his customers, Elmer Ingle used to visit local farmers in the early mornings, picking up only the best. Today, the store and the people look a little different but the produce doesn’t… everywhere you look the Ingles produce department has the freshest and the tastiest produce available, from local farmers just like Elmer, and from around the world. Making sure you have the less traveled – best selection. We have an excellent variety of organic selections and a fresh produce prep area where we can core a pineapple, cut watermelon or put together the perfect combination of fresh vegetables for you, all with knowledgeable and friendly associates ready to help. Next time you visit your neighborhood Ingles, take a little more time to notice how much the tradition of the highest standards still remains with every fruit and vegetable.

INGLES….EXPECT MORE FROM YOUR LOCAL STORE.

FRIED TOMATO NAPOLEAN

S E R V E S : 4

Tomatoes

3 medium tomatoes (green, beefsteak, or heirloom)

1 cup buttermilk

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 cup cornmeal

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 egg

1 tbsp hot sauce

1/2 cup vegetable oil, for frying

1 tub Ingles pimento cheese, with or without jalapenos

Remoulade Sauce:

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 tbsp Dijon mustard

1 tbsp creole (or whole grain) mustard

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp hot sauce

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1/2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp onion powder

1 tbsp capers, chopped

1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped salt & pepper, to taste

Prep the tomatoes by slicing into 1/4 inch thick rounds.

Soak in buttermilk for 15-20 minutes.

Make the remoulade sauce by combining mayo, mustards, lemon juice, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, seasonings, capers and parsley in a bowl. Mix well and refrigerate.

Fry the tomatoes! In one bowl, mix flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, smoked paprika, and garlic powder. In another bowl, whisk egg with hot sauce.

Remove tomatoes from buttermilk, dredge in flour mixture, dip in egg wash, then coat again with flour mixture.

Heat vegetable oil in pan to 350°-375° F. Fry tomatoes 2-3 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Assemble the Napolean by starting with a layer of remoulade sauce on the plate, then a fried tomato. Add a layer of pimento cheese, then another tomato. Add another layer if you’d like! Drizzle with remoulade sauce and garnish with fresh parsley. Enjoy!

Smokin Joe

Chef Carla Figáro

ROASTED VEGGIE WRAP

Hummus

1 1/2 cups dry garbanzo beans

1 tsp baking soda

1 lemon, zested

1/2 lemon, juiced

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 tsp pink salt, (or to taste)

1/4 cup tahini

1/4 cup ice water

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Rinse and soak dry garbanzo beans in water and baking soda overnight.

Drain the beans, add to a medium saucepan and fill with salted water to cover the beans by one inch. (salt the water like you would pasta water)

Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat. Cook for about 20 minutes (until soft and mashable). Drain and let cool.

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, garlic, and lemon; set to rest 10 min.

Add the oil, beans, tahini, lemon zest, olive oil, and seasonings to a food processor; blend until smooth.

Add half of the ice water and blend until silky. Add more water if needed.

Feta Dressing

5 oz Greek yogurt

5 oz feta cheese

1 large clove garlic

1 lemon, zested

1/4 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil salt, if needed

Place all ingredients in a food processsor and blend until smooth. Add salt, if needed. You can also add lemon juice if you like more tang.

Filling

1 large carrot, thinly sliced

1 zucchini, thinly sliced

1 yellow squash, thinly sliced

1 can artichoke bottoms, sliced

1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into quarters

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1/4 tsp dry oregano

1/2 tsp pink salt

1/2 tsp granulated garlic

1/4 tsp ground black pepper

Toss all filling ingredients together; marinate for 20 minutes.

Preheat oven to 475°F.

On a parchment-lined sheet pan, spread vegetables evenly, and roast for 10 - 15 minutes (you may need two sheet pans).

Assembly

1 pack Middle Eastern flat bread (may substitute any type of bread)

1/2 cup sprouts

1 cup arugula

Warm the bread slightly in the oven or on a skillet. Spread with hummus (homemade from the recipe above or store bought), then arrange arugula, vegetables, sprouts, and feta sauce.

Shrimp:

1 lb shrimp, peeled and deveined

2 tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup tequila

2 tbsp fresh lime juice

1 tsp lime zest

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 tsp each of chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, and black pepper

1/2 tsp honey

1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

Salsa:

1 ripe mango, diced

1 ripe avocado, diced

1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped

1/2 jalapeno, finely chopped

2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

1 lime, juiced 1/4 tsp salt

Tacos:

6 small corn or flour tortillas

1/2 cup shredded purple cabbage

1/2 cup Cotija cheese, crumbled

1 lime wedge, for garnish extra chopped cilantro, for garnish crema

In a bowl, mix olive oil, tequila, lime juice, lime zest, garlic, chili powder, cumin, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, honey, and chopped cilantro. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for 15-30 minutes.

In a separate bowl, combine mango, avocado, red onion, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Gently toss and set aside.

Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until opaque. Do not overcook.

Warm tortillas on a dry skillet or directly over the flame for a slight char. Layer with cabbage, shrimp, and a spoonful salsa. Sprinkle with Cotija cheese and garnish with cilantro.

Serve with lime wedges, hot sauce, or crema.

TEQUILA LIME SHRIMP TACOS WITH MANGO-AVOCADO SALSA

MAKES : 6 - 8 TACOS

Smokin’ Joe Lasher

BRUNCH PUNCH

750ml Asheville Vodka

1/2 pint of orange sherbet

1 pint fresh strawberries

1 pint fresh blueberries

8 oz frozen peaches

1 bottle of champagne or prosecco

8 sprigs of mint

Scoop sherbet into a large punch bowl.

Add the bottle of vodka.

Stir in the strawberries, blueberries and peaches. (reserve a few of each for garnish)

Mix in the bottle of champagne.

Place punch in the freezer for 3-4 hours.

Garnish with mint leaves and more fruit.

ROASTED CABBAGE STEAKS WITH ROASTED RED PEPPER TAHINI DRESSING

S E R V E S : 4

Cut cabbage into 1 inch round steaks and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Brush both sides of the cabbage steaks with olive oil. Sprinkle salt, garlic and paprika evenly on each side.

Bake at 400°F for 35-40 minutes until tender throughout. Drizzle with roasted red pepper tahini sauce and top with fresh diced red peppers before serving.

Ingredients

1 large head cabbage

4 tbsp olive oil

1 tsp salt

2 tsp paprika

1 tbsp garlic powder

diced red peppers, to taste

Dressing

1/2 cup tahini

3 whole roasted red peppers

1/2 cup water

2 tbsp lemon juice

1 clove garlic

salt to taste

Blend all in a food processor, until smooth.

Leah Howard

Dallas McCade

SPANISH PORK CHOPS

S E R V E S : 4

4 bone-in pork chops

2 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 (14 oz) chorizo, diced

1 onion, sliced

1 red bell pepper, sliced

1 green bell pepper, sliced

1 tbsp garlic, minced

2 (10 oz) cans diced tomatoes

1 (15 oz) can pinto beans, drained

1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained

2 tsp smoked paprika

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes instant Spanish rice

Italian flat-leaf parsley, for garnish salt and pepper, to taste

Place the pork chops on a large cutting board, pat them dry, and season them with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.

In a large skillet, warm the olive oil, then add the pork chops and cook for 3-4 minutes per side until browned and partially cooked through. Transfer them to a plate and set aside.

In the same pan, add the diced chorizo and cook for 2 minutes. Then add the onions and the sliced bell peppers and cook for 3 minutes, until tender.

Add the garlic, smoked paprika, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt to the pan and cook for an additional minute.

Pour in the diced tomatoes and stir to combine with the vegetable mixture. Then add the beans and stir again to combine with the tomato sauce. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes.

Once the sauce has simmered, place the pork chops back in the pan and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve over a bed of Spanish rice.

Leah

Howard

COTTONTAIL MARTINI

S E R V E S : 1

2 oz Hazel 63 Rum

1 oz coconut cream

0.5 oz orange juice

1/4 oz lime juice

marshmallow fluff coconut flakes

Using a spoon or spatula, spread marshmallow fluff around the edges of your glass, being generous with the spread.

Dip the areas covered in marshmallow in coconut flakes to create a fun “fluffy cottontail” on your glass. Set the glass aside.

Add remaining ingredients to cocktail shaker with ice. Shake generously for 10-15 seconds and pour through the strainer into the prepared glass.

Jasmin Queen

Dallas McCade

HONEY ORANGE GLAZE CHICKEN

Ingredients

4 chicken breasts

(bone in, skin on)

2 tbsp olive oil

1 cup orange juice

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp honey

1 tbsp cider or white wine vinegar

1 fresh orange, cut into rings

Set the oven to 425°F. On the stovetop, heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat and add the chicken, skin side down. Cook 3-4 minutes per side until brown.

Remove from heat and add 1/4 cup water to the skillet then place in the oven and cook for 25 minutes or until the temperature shows 160°F on a thermometer.

Meanwhile, prepare the glaze. In a saucepan, combine orange juice, brown sugar, honey and vinegar. Reduce heat to medium and simmer until sauce has thickened for 6 to 8 minutes.

When the chicken has reached 160°F liberally baste with the glaze and return it to the oven until the chicken reaches 165°F (about 5 more minutes).

Remove chicken from the oven and place it on a cutting board to rest. Heat the skillet on the stove and add the oranges. Cook on each side for 1-2 minutes then remove to your serving dish.

To serve, set chicken along with the oranges on a serving dish and spoon sauce on top.

ONLINE RECIPE SEARCH

INGLES FLORAL

1/2 cup raspberry puree 3 instant lemon pudding cups fresh raspberries lemon slices fresh mint

ever had one of those days when you know a friend needs a little good cheer, a ds a quick pick me up or perhaps someone in the office has a birthday… But, have errands to run, kids to pick up from school and grocery shopping to do. Now have to skip anything. Visit the Ingles Floral Department for all those “you deserve special moments”

In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well combined. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan to form the crust. Place it in the refrigerator to set.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla extract. Continue beating until everything is well incorporated.

l is a convenient way to shop for beautiful cut stems or full bouquets. Choose ty of balloons and ribbons and even plants that will keep on saying “you’re the long time to come. And, all of our floral departments are stocked with only the d most colorful varieties. Need a little help saying just the right thing with flowers?

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McMINN LIF

Bingham Group Ingles Link

Our new website is the best place to keep up with articles and stories between issues so you never miss a beat of what’s going on in our community. No matter if you’re using a phone, tablet, or desktop, our new website is fully optimized to make reading our content as easy as possible

We also publish full versions of our print magazines online the same day they’re being delivered to homes!

u can ask our friendly and knowledgeable floral associates for a hand. Many of employees have years of advanced floral experience. And, our selections may look ut they are priced for value

Gently fold in the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until the filling becomes light and fluffy. Pour the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust. Drizzle the raspberry purée over the top. Using a toothpick or skewer, gently swirl the raspberry purée into the cheesecake for a beautiful marbled effect.

Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow it to set properly.

e you want to lift the spirits of a friend or you just need a lift yourself, depend on loral department. It’s convenient, within any budget and I’m sure we’ll have just

Before serving, garnish on top with a teaspoon of instant lemon pudding, fresh raspberries, lemon slices, and fresh mint for an extra pop of color and flavor.

See all the delicious recipes from current and past issues complete with step by step instructions and an integrated shopping list!

Need to Scale a Recipe?

No problem! Our online recipe system allows you to choose how many servings you want and it automatically adjusts the needed ingredients and shopping list!

www.mcminnlif e . c o m

JillWAGNER

LIFE IN THE SWEET SPOT

By Kristin West

She wore many hats long before she stepped onto a movie set, daughter, dreamer, believer. Most people know Jill Wagner as the Hollywood actress with a bright smile and magnetic charm. But if you stop there, you’ll miss the depth of her story. She’s a wife, a mother, a neighbor, a friend, a woman of deep faith, and a storyteller in every sense. Above all else, she gives God the glory for it all.

HOLLYWOOD LIGHTS & GROUNDED ROOTS

Rewind time, a young Jill moved to Los Angeles chasing something more, her next chapter. She lived the glamorous life, attended the parties, and soaked in the city lights. It was a beautiful season of self-discovery. She loved plane rides, those quiet moments of reflection in the sky where the world slowed down enough for her to think clearly.

She was raised strong, by a Marine dad and a grounded family who instilled values that would shape her for life. Humility, hard work, respect for others, and the grit to grind through challenges weren’t just taught, they were expected. It’s funny how you don’t fully grasp the depth of your upbringing until adulthood, how much those early lessons become your anchor. In a city that often praises flash over foundation, hers kept her steady, walking tall but always rooted in something real. Her story is just beginning.

WHEN GOD WHISPERS THROUGH PEOPLE

Sometimes the Lord speaks loudest through quiet nudges and crossed paths. Jill began to feel the shift, life was no longer just about her. She started praying more intentionally, asking God to guide her steps. And He did, often through the people He placed in her path.

One of those people was David Lemanowicz, a city boy with an unexpected mix of titles: professional hockey player and Military Intelligence Army officer. Their paths had crossed more than once over the years, from different cities to a military base in Afghanistan. It was as if God kept “bumping” them into each other, gently nudging Jill toward what was meant to be, until she finally listened. In 2017, the two married, moved across the country, and built a life together, one rooted in faith and family. Jill learned that coincidences often aren’t coincidences at all; they’re God’s fingerprints. Life, love, and family began to bloom when she learned to live for others and trust the One writing her story.

Lioness was Jill’s Idea and Taylor Sheridan’s vision brought it to life.

BECOMING THE WOMAN WHO LEAVES A LEGACY

Jill Wagner is no stranger to the spotlight. With a career spanning decades, she’s earned her place as a respected actress and storyteller. But her role in Lioness was different. It wasn’t just another line on her résumé, it was a spark. A shift. A calling. This wasn’t about fame or credits. For Jill, Lioness was a battle cry. A personal mission. A declaration to herself, to her daughters, and to an industry long overdue for change: Women don’t expire with age; they evolve, deepen, and roar louder.

In an industry that often whispers, “You’re done at age 40,” Jill chose to speak louder. She didn’t just take the role, she became it. “I shaved my hair off and savaged this role,” she says. “I wanted to make a statement, not just to Hollywood, but to every young woman watching, especially my girls. Don’t let anyone else write your timeline.”

Lioness is deeply emotional for Jill, not just because it honors the military community she holds close to her heart, but because it mirrors her own path. A journey marked by persistence, obedience, and bold,

unshakable faith. “This role wasn’t just a part I played,” she says. “It was a stand. A way to push back against the narrative that tells women to slow down, sit back, and disappear. It’s not the world that decides when we’re done. That call belongs to God alone.”

The idea for Lioness began with a simple conversation. She asked her husband, “Tell me about the women you worked alongside.” That conversation became research. Research sparked vision. And vision gave birth to a story, a raw, powerful tribute to the strength, sacrifice, and soul of military women.

She knew it had to be real. No glamor, no stereotypes. Just truth. And with the help of her longtime acting coach, Taylor Sheridan, that vision came to life.

While Lioness has opened many new doors, Jill remains deeply focused on her calling. She’s praying for that one special role, the one that will help define the legacy she longs to leave. “I’m praying for a human story,” she says. “One that makes people laugh, cry, and reflect. One filled with faith and redemption. I believe God will bring it to me. And when He does, I’ll know, it’s the role I’ve been waiting for. The one that fulfills me as an actress.”

Then came Homestead, a challenge in every sense of the word. In it, Jill plays an atheist, a character dramatically different from who she is in real life. Still, she saw divine purpose in the project. “Some people questioned why I would take on a role so opposite of my beliefs,” she admits. “But if you can get to the other person’s side of the fence and look at life through their eyes, God will give you the tools to reach them. That’s discipleship. That’s the mission.”

To Jill, acting is far more than a career. It’s an art, a sacred space where truth and creativity collide. A platform to live out the calling God has placed on her life. “Living out your calling doesn’t always look the way people expect,” she says. “Sometimes it’s messy. Sometimes it’s raw. But when God is guiding the story, it’s always worth it.”

Her daughters will grow up knowing their mother wasn’t just an actress. She was a warrior of purpose. A woman who prayed, trusted God’s timing, and walked boldly into the unknown. She never bought into the lies of the world, instead she lived in obedience and patience.

“I’m not perfect. I never will be. Only the Lord is perfect,” Jill says. “But the closer I draw myself to Him, the clearer my purpose becomes.” With every role she steps into, she’s not just telling a story, she’s writing her legacy.

Homestead is an intense post-apocalyptic family survival drama. Ex-Green Beret Jeff Eriksson takes a job as head of security at an elaborate prepper compound, “The Homestead,” as the world crumbles. Inside, they face resource wars and ideological conflicts, while outside, chaos reigns.

Jacq Reynolds (Played by Jill Wagner) Jacq’s strength and determination make her a guiding force within the community. Her relationships, particularly with Claire and Tara, highlight her wisdom and emotional resilience as she helps others navigate their own challenges.

The Homestead Movie and series are now streaming on Angel.com, mobile devices, and connected TVs via the Angel Studios App.

What can we say about her experience with Hallmark. I believe she has been in at least 21 Hallmark movies. How did she get started and how old was she?

THE SWEET SPOT

The Sweet Spot isn’t a destination, it’s a feeling. And for Jill, it looks a lot like 200 acres of rolling hills, an old mansion full of history, and a porch swing overlooking the Cherokee National Forrest.

Looking to escape the pace of city life, Jill and David spent months searching for more than just a house, they were searching for the home. A place that felt right in their hearts. One that offered peace, purpose, and a connection to something deeper. It wasn’t about square footage or curb appeal; it was about finding where their story was meant to unfold.They searched for something very specific; land, character, views, and a warm, welcoming community. Then, almost like a divine surprise, the Scott Mansion property appeared, seemingly out of nowhere.

Nestled in the mountains of East Tennessee, in a small, quaint town called Tellico Plains. When they pulled up to the property for the first time, everything changed.

The mansion looked haunted. Truly. Weathered wood, peeling paint, all from years of neglect. But Jill saw through it. She saw the bones, the beauty, the future birthdays and bonfires. “It looked like something from a storybook,” she says. “It was a huge risk, but I saw family. I saw something special.”

They moved into a small log cabin on the property while renovations began. “It was magical,” Jill recalls. “We were sleeping in this tiny cabin on hundreds of acres, watching the fog rise over the fields in the morning. That’s the kind of stuff that feeds your soul.”

Jill is drawn to the charm of the past, especially vintage pieces that carry stories of their own. She’s drawn to anything that’s lived a little, worn but wise. David, on the other hand, is drawn to what’s new. He values efficiency, simplicity, and the clarity of a clean slate. Their dynamic worked beautifully. Restoring the mansion became a labor of love, one of

the most rewarding experiences of Jill’s life. Every room they touched was a way of saving history, one paintbrush stroke and floorboard at a time.

For Jill and David, their farm isn’t just a home, it’s a place with purpose. A sanctuary not only for their family, but for the people around them. Each year, they open their gates to the community through two beloved events that reflect their hearts for giving, gathering, and glorifying God through it all.

The Patriotic Pick, hosted each September, is more than just an event, it’s a tribute. Nestled in the beauty of early fall, the vineyard becomes a gathering ground where families come together for a cause that hits close to home. Proceeds go to the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, a nonprofit that ensures children of fallen special ops soldiers receive full educational support, from preschool through college.

Jill and David pour their hearts into the details: hayrides that wind through the hills, live music echoing off the trees, food trucks serving Southern favorites, and local vendors showcasing handmade goods. And of course, grape picking in the vineyard, a hands-on, joyful reminder of growth and harvest.

“It’s about honoring the families who’ve given so much,” Jill says. “The men and women who served, and especially the kids they’ve left behind. We want to be a small part of helping them build a future.”

Then comes Merry Movie Night, a December tradition that could warm even the coldest winter heart. Inspired by her years of starring in Christmas films, Jill had a vision: what if you could step inside one of those movies for a night?

The farm transforms into a winter wonderland. Twinkle lights drape from the trees. Bonfires crackle. Santa makes an appearance. Mugs of cocoa pass from hand to hand, warming fingers and hearts alike. A giant tree lighting ceremony kicks off the evening with live caroling followed by an outdoor screening of one of Jill’s holiday films. After the movie, Jill and her co-star take the stage for a cozy Q&A, sharing behind-the-scenes stories and heartfelt reflections.

Last year’s event raised funds for a family who had lost everything, including their home, in Hurricane Helene. “That’s what this is really about, bringing people together.” Jill says. “Faith, food, film, community, and using it to make a real impact.”

Prayer is always woven into the night, a reflection of Jill’s deep belief that God’s presence should be part of every celebration. “It’s one thing to play roles where you bring people joy,” she says. “But it’s another thing entirely to live a life that brings people hope. That’s what these events are for us. They’re the heartbeats of this place.”

Through the vineyard, the log cabin, the mansion, and every inch of their land, Jill and David are cultivating more than just a beautiful farm, they’re creating a legacy of light. One that reminds others to give, gather, and never stop dreaming.

One day, there will be chickens in the yard, horses in the pasture, and a quiet hum of life unfolding, as her family and the farm evolve together. At some point, Jill envisions letting life slow down, not being in an airplane every other week, and relishing in her flower garden. But for now, she is rooted in the simple joys, soaking up as many slow mornings and making memories every chance she is able with her sweet family. She maintains a quiet hustle, still chasing down new dreams, one that may even take root right here in the local area (but that’s another story…).

The latest and one of the greatest restorations on the farm has been the guest house, which Jill completely redesigned and reimagined. The light yellow exterior perfectly blends with the majestic backdrop of the farm; warm, happy, and inviting. Inside, the atmosphere is organic and clean, with a refreshing sense of calm that effortlessly blends modern comfort with timeless farmhouse elegance. “It honors the history of the original cottage while feeling fresh, new, and naturally inspired,” she explains. It’s a space that reflects Jill herself, rooted in tradition, yet continuously evolving with jaw-dropping design moments and a spirit of quiet sophistication.

Jill isn’t new to country life. She grew up in Wallburg, North Carolina, a rural town where the values of smalltown living were woven into her upbringing. Coming back to a rural community felt like a return home. “There’s just something about the pace, the people, the way of life,” she says. “It’s grounding.”

As new owners of one of Tellico Plains’ most historic homes, Jill and David were met with open arms. The town embraced them, and they’ve embraced it right back. Locals who had connections to the Scott family and farm, such as Lee Anne Burris, welcomed Jill with stories, photos, and pieces of the past that brought deeper meaning to the restoration. “That meant everything,” Jill says. “They helped us connect with the spirit of this land.”

“The community as a whole has welcomed our family with open arms and has made this truly feel like home. That means everything

to us.” Jill says. It’s not just a home; it’s a story. And Jill’s playing her part beautifully. “The whole experience, from finding the property to restoring the mansion, moving to a new town and falling in love with the people, has felt like being part of a movie,” she says. “People often believe that movie moments only happen on screen, but when

you live in a small town, those moments actually come to life.”

And maybe, just maybe, the Sweet Spot is exactly that: a quiet little corner of the world where real life feels like a beautiful film, and you finally realize, you’re living your best role yet.

For those eager to experience its charm firsthand, the Cottage will be listed on Airbnb for select dates, offering guests a chance to soak in the farm life.

LIVING IN THE LIGHT

Jill Wagner’s life is layered with beauty, grit, and grace. From Hollywood lights to Tellico sunsets, from missed connections to lifelong love, from self-seeking to soul-serving, she’s walked each chapter with courage. She wishes she had found her relationship with the Lord earlier, but now knows that timing is part of the testimony. Her faith didn’t arrive on a mountaintop; it was built in the valleys. And today, she walks with God not out of duty, but out of deep, abiding love. It’s no longer “work,” it’s friendship. It’s presence. It’s peace.

Jill is living in her Sweet Spot, not because life is perfect, but because she’s grounded in what matters most: purpose, faith, and family. In a world obsessed with the spotlight, she shines differently, light from within. The kind that doesn’t dim with age or change with applause.

And while she’s built a beautiful life, her story is far from finished. The vision is still unfolding. The work is not done. Whether it’s through the roles she takes, the stories she tells, or the lives she touches in her community, Jill knows there’s more to come. She’s still praying. Still trusting. Still dreaming.

Because when you’re living the life God has called you to, the best chapters are often the ones still being written.

To be continued…

ScottMansionFarms.com

Coming this June, we’re excited to launch ScottMansionFarms.com, a place where you can stay up to date on upcoming events and learn more about how to experience the farm for yourself. In addition to seasonal happenings, the property will be available to host a limited number of private events each year. “I hope people get to experience the farm. It’s such a magical place,” Jill shares, and this new platform is just the beginning of sharing it with the community.

In front of Schoo home, Cornelia Le, Charles Scott, Mrs. John (Bell) Sheets and Mayme Scott in the background and the little dog Jack in the foreground.

The Scott Mansion is being restored to its original grandur. We will bring that story to you in the future.

SEPTEMBER

6TH

THE PATRIOTIC PICK AT SCOTT MANSION FARMS IS A FAMILY FRIENDLY EVENT BENEFITING SPECIAL OPERATIONS WARRIOR FOUNDATION.

ELEMENTS OF OUR AMERICANA EXPERIENCE:

GA BUCKET PASSES INCLUDE...

Admission price covers parking, allowing for up to the number of people per ticket type purchased, and all activities

A scenic hayride from parking area to venue

One (1) bucket for picking muscadine grapes per vehicle

Local vendors showcasing products for sale

Food trucks (a portion of proceeds from meal sales directed to SOWF)...and more

VIP BREAKFAST PASSES INCLUDE... ALL GA BUCKET PASS BENEFITS, PLUS..

Admission for up to four (4) guests to the VIP breakfast

A group breakfast with Jill Wagner (pastries and coffee to be provided)

An intimate meet & greet with Jill

Guaranteed photo with Jill (no purchasing of a photo donation add on required)

A signed commemorative gift.

VIP BREAKFAST GUESTS MUST BE ON-SITE AND PARKED BY 9:45AM TO GUARANTEE REDEMPTION.

PHOTO DONATION ADD ON INCLUDES...

A guaranteed photo opportunity with Jill Wagner during the event.

Guests MUST have purchased a VIP Breakfast or Bucket Pass for entry to the event grounds. If you would like to make a donation to Special Operations Warrior Foundation but are unable to attend the event, please go to the website.

For questions regarding this event, please contact SOWF’s event manager, Alex Gordon, at AlexG@specialops.org.

www.specialops.org/pick2025

Summer HAPPENINGS

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Meeting Weekly

E.G Fisher Public Library 1289 Ingleside Ave. Athens, TN

Join us for an exciting adventure into the world of Dungeons & Dragons! Whether you’re an experienced player or new to the game, all are welcome to participate. No prior experience or materials are required!

Dates Vary All Summer Adventures Unlimited 522 U.S. 64 Ocoee, TN 37361

https://adventuresunlimited.net

DATE NIGHT POTTERY

June 20th

7 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Arts Center

320 North White Street Athens, TN, 37303

No prior experience required!

This one hour class is perfect if you’ve never tried the pottery wheel before, or want a to have an adventure with your partner in crime. In this class, each of you will create a one of a kind object on the pottery wheel!

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

VISUAL ART MINI CAMP

July 21st to July 25th

The Arts Center

320 North White Street Athens, TN, 37303

Grades K - 2 9:00 to 11:00 AM

Grades 3 - 5 12:00 to 2:00 PM

Enroll your child in this engaging visual art camp that will teach them about the arts and help them learn to express their creative side.

Camp is from July 21st to July 25, and students must enroll by July 7th.

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

MATILDA: THE MUSICAL

August 15th - 24th

Showtimes Vary

The Arts Center

Inspired by the twisted genius of Roald Dahl, the Tony Award-winning Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical is the captivating masterpiece from the Royal Shakespeare Company that revels in the anarchy of childhood.

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

WHITE WATER RAFTING

ATHEN’S SOUNDS OF SUMMER

June 7th - August 16th

A live, outdoor concert series featuring regional talent and a variety of music genres in the beautiful green space of Market Park in downtown Athens.

https://friendlycityfestivals.com

HISTORY FOR LUNCH

June 26th 12:00 p.m.

McMinn County Living Heritage Museum

Dr. Astor, Professor of History at Maryville College, will be discussing the settlement of people in McMinn County in the early 19th century and the experience of the county’s divided population during the Civil War.

ETOWAH’S OLD FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4th

7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. 727 Tennessee Ave Etowah, TN

The Fourth of July Old Fashioned Fourth of July Celebration is just that-the area’s best food, live music and entertainment, crafts and fireworks display

www.makeitinmcminn.org

TRIPLE T RODEO

July 11th - July 12th 8:00 p.m.

McMinn County Expo Center Athens, TN

Come watch the excitement of bull riding or sign up to participate if you’ve got what it takes to compete!

www.makeitinmcminn.org

MCMINN COUNTY FARMERS MARKET

June - October Market Park

Boasting of rich agriculture in Tennessee, the Market Park Farmers Market extends to the public from late June through October with locally grown produce, along with crafts created by resident artists.

www.makeitinmcminn.org

HIWASSEE LOOP

March 28th - November 28th

Duration: 4.5 Hour Ride 9406 Highway 411 Delano, TN

Embark on the scenic Ride Through the Famous Hiwassee Loop and delight in a 50mile roundtrip journey through the stunning lower Hiwassee River gorge. Our excursion commences at 1:30 p.m. and concludes around 6 p.m., encompassing a 4.5-hour adventure that will take you to the apex of the renowned Hiwassee Loop.

Witness this incredible railway marvel near Farner, Tennessee, where the tracks intriguingly cross over themselves as they spiral up the mountain.

www.tvrail.com

MONROE

SWEETWATER BOX CAR RACE

July 19th

9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sweetwater, TN

Join us for an amazing day of derby box car racing. Build your car with a DIY kit!

This year’s event is sponsored by Sweetwater Creamery. Top three contestants will receive medals. All participants receive a commemorative t-shirt!

This is a great way to build something together with your kids and have some fun!

www.sweetwatertn150.com/events/

June 28th

10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dirt Poor Farms

Come celebrate our aggricultural roots with various fruit festivals happening during the Summer and Fall months. The next festival is our Peach Festival on June 28th!

dirtpoorfarm.com/seasonal-attractions/

FOOD TRUCK FRIDAY NIGHTS

June 13th - October 10th

Monthly, Friday Nights Dirt Poor Farms

Once a month, we will have Food Truck Friday Nights on the farm through October. Grab your lawn chair, and come out and enjoy a variety of local cuisine paired with live music from some of your favorite local musicians!

FORT LOUDOUN SIEGE WEEKEND

August 9th and 10th Fort Loudoun State Historic Park

Discover what life was like at Fort Loudoun, the western most point of the British Empire during the French and Indian War, as reenactors bring the fort back to life.

tnstateparks.com/parks/fort-loudoun

August 9th

7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

131 Fowler st Vonore, TN

Join us for Stage 1 of the 865 Anglers tournament. We will meet at Fort Loudoun on Tellico Lake and launch at 7am.

2025 FRUIT FESTIVALS

GATLINBURG

4TH OF JULY MIDNIGHT PARADE

July 3rd

Downtown Gatlinburg

Make history by attending the 50th Annual Gatlinburg 4th of July Midnight Parade, one of the most iconic Fourth of July events in the country. Recognized by National Geographic Traveler as a “Top 10 Parade to See in the U.S.”, this unforgettable celebration draws tens of thousands of visitors to downtown Gatlinburg each year.

www.gatlinburg.com

FIREWORKS & DRONE SHOW

July 4th

9:50 p.m. - 10 p.m.

Downtown Gatlinburg

Designated a Top 20 event by Southeast Tourism Society, join the celebration in downtown Gatlinburg to mark our nation’s “Independence Day” with a magnificent fireworks and drone show.

www.gatlinburg.com

UNITED TASTES OF AMERICA

May 23rd - August 10th Anakeesta 576 Parkway Gatlinburg, USA, TN 37865

We’re thrilled to announce that Anakeesta’s United Tastes of America festival is back for Summer 2025 — and it’s bigger and more flavorful than ever! From May 23 through August 10, guests are invited to take their taste buds on a coast-to-coast culinary adventure high above Gatlinburg.

www.gatlinburg.com

GATLINBURG FESTIVAL OF FLAGS

May 16th - July 6th

9 a.m. to 10 p.m. 765 Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738

In May and June, guests at the SkyPark will see a unique display of the American Flag, our Military Flags, and all 50 State Flags from the SkyBridge.

www.gatlinburg.com

GATLINBURG FARMERS MARKET

May 17th - October 18th 1222 East Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Offering local choices for healthy mountain living, the Farmers Market is open each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 1222 East Parkway across from Food City

SMOKY MOUNTAIN TUNES & TALES

June 27th through July 26th Gatlinburg, TN

Over 70 performers will rotate in various groupings I.e. Solo, duets, trios, and quartets to bring our guests the 20th Anniversary Season of this most popular, family oriented program. Check our Facebook page daily during the season for a list of performers for each night.

Gatlinburg.com/handsongatlinburg

FARRAGUT

BLUEGRASS SUMMER SOLSTICE CONCERT

June 20th

6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

101 N Campbell Station Rd Farragut, TN 37934

Save the date and help us celebrate the longest day of the year with one of Tennessee’s oldest musical genres at the Bluegrass Summer Solstice concert at Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza!

No need to worry about dinner plans – we’ll have a variety of food trucks onsite, serving up delicious bites so you can focus on the music and fun.

VisitFarragut.org/events

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

July 4th

9:30 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Kingston Pike/Stadium Dr to Boring Road

Join us at our annual Independence Day Parade! Enjoy floats, dancers, bands, antique cars and more!

VisitFarragut.org/events

August 15th - August 17th

Village Green Shopping Center 11435 Kingston Pike Farragut, TN 37934

There will be over 400 jumps with 150 competitors and new this year will be “DUELING DOGS!” We start Friday Night with canine water racing! “GENTLEMEN, start the Barking!”

VisitFarragut.org/events

KNOXVILLE

TUESDAY TRIVIA

Every Tuesday

7:00 p.m. to 8:15 p.m.

Xul Beer Company Downtown 213 East 5th Avenue Knoxville, TN 37917

Join us at Xul Beer Co for trivia every Tuesday at 7 pm hosted by Not Rocket Science Trivia. Gift card prizes are awarded to the top three teams every week and we will have rotating food trucks available every Tuesday. Cheers!

www.xulbeer.com

FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK

First Friday of Each Month 5 p.m.

Downtown Knoxville

Explore galleries, studios, and artist collectives; roam through shops hosting open houses and local artist exhibits; enjoy performance art and live music in the streets and a variety of venues; drop in restaurants along the way and treat yourself to drinks and great food.

DOG DAZE

FANBOY EXPO 2025

July 11th through 13th

Friday: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Saturday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Knoxville Convention Center 701 Henley Street Knoxville, TN 37902

Don’t miss Tennessee’s Largest Pop Culture Event, Fanboy Expo on July 11-13, 2025 from the Knoxville Convention Center. Come see why over 30,000 fans have attended our Summer events featuring Celebrity Guests, Comic Industry Pros, Cosplay, Vendors, Live Entertainment and much more!

https://fanboyexpo.com/knoxville/

Last Friday of Each Month

5 p.m. - 7 p.m. Chilhowee Park

On the 4th Friday of each month from 5 - 7 PM, Muse Knoxville in Chilhowee Park is open FREE to the public. Come connect with community and make new discoveries in our museum.

www.themuseknoxville.org

FAMILY QUEST & VILLAGE FEAST

June 21st, 11 a.m.

Ancient Lore Village 7107 Sevierville Pike

Looking for things to do in Knoxville that bring the whole family together? Step into the whimsical world of Ancient Lore Village for a Family Quest designed for adventurers ages 5 to 75! This one-of-a-kind experience is all about strengthening bonds, sparking creativity, and creating lasting memories — all in the enchanting surroundings of the Village.

PIGEON FORGE

JURASSIC ADVENTURE

May 21st - November 2nd

The Island in Pigeon Forge

Jurassic adventure awaits as 22 life-sized animatronic dinosaurs, each with interactive elements, have taken over The Island!

www.mypigeonforge.com

DOLLYWOOD’S SMOKY MOUNTAIN SUMMER CELEBRATION

June 14th through August 3rd

Dollywood, Pigeon Forge

Join us for a night of fun for the whole family with good food, great vibes, and exciting rides like Big Bear Mountain.

Dollywood.com

July 24th through 26th

7:30 a.m.

Stonehenge Golf Course at Fairfield Glade

Tennessee Women’s Open starts July 24th. Registration is currenly open so enroll today to secure your spot. The tournament will be crowned on the 26th.

FairfieldGladeResort.com

FREE FAMILY NIGHT AT MUSE KNOXVILLE

TENNESSEE WOMEN’S OPEN