Summer 2012, Tennessee Connections

tnconnections summer 2012

An Official Publication of Your Locally Owned Municipal Electric System

tnconnections.com

Happy Campers Pitch your tent in a Tennessee park this summer

Funnel Cakes & Ferris Wheels

Fairs delight spectators with an irresistible combination of education and fun

tn almanac

Travel, tips and tidbits at a glance Wine All You Want In Millington (located 14 miles north of Memphis), the place to be on summer Sunday afternoons is the Old Millington Winery. From March through October, the winery hosts live music Sundays from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. with a small admission charge and chilled wine available for sale.

Established in 2000 by Carrie and Perry Welch, Old Millington Winery has won multiple awards for its wines, which include dry whites, dry reds, semi-dry whites, semi-dry blushes, ports and fruit wines. Chambourcin grapes are grown in the adjacent vineyard.

Check the music schedule online at www.oldmillingtonwinery.com or call (901) 873-4114. Bring a lawn chair and picnic basket for the perfect laid-back summer afternoon.

It’s Independence Day Calling All Backyard Gardeners If you’ve ever wanted to supplement your table with fruits grown in your own backyard, don’t miss the University of Tennessee’s Fruits of the Backyard Field Day on Tuesday, June 12. Held at the Middle Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center in Spring Hill, the free event will provide attendees with tips on garden design, growing healthy plants, and demonstrations on grape and blueberry production.

You can attend formal presentations led by UT experts and have them answer all your gardening questions. Local farmers will also be on hand to share their experiences and answer questions.

Whether your yard is big or small, you’ll take home strategies to make your outdoor space more productive and enjoyable. The event starts at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 p.m.

Call (931) 486-2129 for more information.

The Fourth of July conjures up memories of fireworks, backyard barbecues and small-town celebrations. Towns big and small across Tennessee celebrate our nation’s birthday with everything from boat races and parades to food and live music. (And of course, fireworks!) Check out these annual celebrations: The Freedom Festival in Hendersonville takes place Tuesday, July 3 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and features craft booths, live music, children’s play area, food and fireworks.

Call (615) 824-2818 for more information.

The Fourth of July Midnight Parade in Gatlinburg begins at 12 a.m. on Wednesday, July 4. The first Independence Day parade in the nation marks its 37th year with members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard. Call (800) 568-4748 for more information.

Also on the Fourth, the Freedom Festival in Cottage Grove is a 32-year tradition featuring a parade, barbecue, carnival, turkey shoot, music, dancing and fireworks. Call (731) 782-3692 for more information.

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tnconnections Summer 2012 Edition Managing Editor Jessy Yancey Contributing Writers Roben Mounger, Jessica Mozo Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Creative Services Director Christina Carden Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier Senior Graphic Designers Janine Maryland, Vikki Williams Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Content Coordinators Blair Thomas, Jessica Walker Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Sr. V.P./Sales Todd Potter Sr. V.P./Operations Casey Hester Sr. V.P./Agribusiness Publishing Kim Holmberg V.P./Sales Rhonda Graham V.P./External Communications Teree Caruthers V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.P./Content Operations Natasha Lorens Controller Chris Dudley Integrated Media Manager Robin Robertson Distribution Director Gary Smith Receptionist Linda Bishop Tennessee Connections is published quarterly by Journal Communications Inc. for participating members of the Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association.

TMEPA represents 61 municipal power distributors in Tennessee, which serve more than 2 million customers.

For advertising information or to direct questions or comments about the magazine, contact Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067.

Phone: 615-771-0080.E-mail: info@jnlcom.com.

For information about TMEPA, contact: Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association Paddock 1, Suite C-13, 229 Ward Circle Brentwood, TN 37027 Phone 615-373-5738, Fax 615-373-1901 tmepa.org Executive Director Mike Vinson

4 Features 4 Happy Campers

Pitch your tent this summer at one of Tennessee’s many campgrounds

9 Funnel Cakes & Ferris Wheels ©Copyright 2012 Journal Communications Inc. and Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent.

ON THE COVER: Ferris Wheel at Williamson County Fair Staff Photo

tnconnections.com tnconnections Digital Magazine summer 2012

An Official Publication of Your Locally Owned Municipal Electric System

tnconnections.com

Happy Campers Pitch your tent in a Tennessee park this summer

Funnel Cakes & Ferris Wheels

Fairs delight spectators with an irresistible combination of education and fun

Summer 2012

Flip through the pages of the magazine without leaving your laptop.

Print and email articles and instantly link to advertisers.

Tennessee fairs delight spectators with an irresistible combination of education and fun

10 Meet Me at the Fountain

Dandridge drugstore has been filling prescriptions and whetting appetites for 101 years

12 Mad About ‘Maters

Preserve the taste of Tennessee tomatoes long past summer

Departments 2 Municipal Power Perspective 3 Tennessee in Focus 14 Summer Activities in Tennessee 17 Connect to Tennessee Products

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municipal power perspective

Summer Forecast A look at TMEPA legislation and warm-weather energy costs Mike Vinson Executive Director Tennessee Municipal Electric Power Association

Well, by the time you read this, the 107th (Second Session) General Assembly will have adjourned. Once again, more than 2,000 bills were introduced covering a wide variety of issues within the state. Our hats are off to Gov. Bill Haslam and all of our legislators for their conscientious attention to Tennessee’s needs.

Our economy is showing signs of improvement, and the governor has presented an amended budget to restore funding to some areas originally cut. Tennessee’s unemployment rate is down below the national average, and things are truly looking better.

TMEPA has spent this past session monitoring legislation that could adversely affect our member systems and their customers (folks like you).

Those who assist us have worked tirelessly to protect the interest of our members and their customers.

The bills passed, as they relate to electric municipal systems, on the whole have not been damaging.

Our friends in the General Assembly realize the Tennessee municipal power providers are doing an outstanding job, and for the most part, they really don’t care to “fix something that’s not broken.” We applaud their efforts and work hard to justify that confidence.

In July, the members of TMEPA will meet in Johnson City for our 46th annual meeting. Though our program hasn’t been finalized as of the writing of this article, it’s sure to be of great interest to our members. Don’t be 2

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surprised if your local power provider introduces new programs and services as a result of this outstanding conference.

Back on the home front, your municipal power providers are ready for summer. We’re coming off one of the mildest winters in many years, and all of us are hoping that trend will continue through the summer months.

Depending on which forecaster you prefer, the summer months will either be “mild,” “normal” or “much hotter than typical.” It will also be clear, partly cloudy, overcast, or raining off and on during each of the coming months. Daily temperatures will vary, and parts of the state (though we’re not told which parts) will see abnormal weather conditions. Our summer energy use forecast based on these remarkable predictions is as follows: Your air conditioning costs this year will be either “normal,” “less than average” or “greater than typical.”

Seriously, regardless of the upcoming summer temperatures, your hometown power provider will be there to deliver to your home or business economical and dependable electricity exceeded only by their commitment to customer service. We encourage you to be conscious of your energy usage by evaluating your home for efficiency.

Have a reliable and licensed A/C contractor do a tune up on your system, check the caulking around your windows and doors, and be sure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated. We do recommend 78 degrees as the optimal thermostat setting, and if that’s a little too warm, try turning on the ceiling fans or other fans to keep the air moving. You’ll be pleased with the result and happier with your electric bill.

Membership Alcoa Electric Department Athens Utilities Board Benton County Electric System Bolivar Energy Authority Bristol Tennessee Essential Services Brownsville Utility Department Carroll County Electrical Department Electric Power Board of Chattanooga CDE Lightband – Clarksville Cleveland Utilities Clinton Utilities Board Columbia Power & Water System Cookeville Department of Electricity Covington Electric System Dayton Electric Department Dickson Electric System Dyersburg Electric System Elizabethton Electric Department Erwin Utilities Etowah Utilities Department Gallatin Department of Electricity Greeneville Light & Power System Harriman Utility Board Humboldt Utilities Jackson Energy Authority Jellico Electric & Water Systems Johnson City Power Board Knoxville Utilities Board LaFollette Utilities Lawrenceburg Utility Systems Lenoir City Utilities Board Lewisburg Electric System Lexington Electric System Loudon Utilities City of Maryville Electric Department McMinnville Electric System Memphis Light, Gas & Water Division Milan Department of Public Utilities Morristown Utility Commission Mount Pleasant Power System Murfreesboro Electric Department Nashville Electric Service Newbern Electric Department Newport Utilities City of Oak Ridge Electric Department Paris Board of Public Utilities Pulaski Electric System Ripley Power and Light Company Rockwood Electric Utility Sevier County Electric System Shelbyville Power System Smithville Electric System Sparta Electric System Springfield Electric Department Sweetwater Utilities Board Trenton Light & Water Department Tullahoma Utilities Board Union City Electric System Weakley County Municipal Electric System Winchester Utilities

Tennessee Connections

tn in focus Photo by Jeff Adkins

Flowers at the Summer Celebration Lawn and Garden Show in Jackson

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feature

Happy

Campers

Pitch your tent in Tennessee this summer

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Tennessee Connections

story by Jessica Mozo photography by Jeff Adkins

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or many families, summer means it’s time to pack up the tents, coolers, and sleeping bags and head for the great outdoors. And the beauty of Tennessee is that no matter which part of the state you live in, there’s bound to be a scenic, well-equipped place to camp nearby.

East Tennessee Camping

Tennessee has 37 state parks that offer camping, and there are also mountains of camping opportunities (pardon the pun) within the awe-inspiring Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Elkmont Campground, the park’s largest campground, is also the closest to Gatlinburg’s amenities.

“Elkmont is great for camping and families because there are so many ranger-led activities, as well as trout fishing and beautiful hiking trails,” says Tim Cruze, a former park ranger at Great Smoky Mountains National Park who is now chief ranger at Ninety Six National Historic Site in South Carolina. “Kids can bring their bikes, and it’s a safe, family atmosphere. You’re less than an hour from Cades Cove and just 15 minutes from Gatlinburg. It’s a good place to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and get back to our roots.”

Until the 1920s, Elkmont was an actual town with a post office, general store and a church. The logging community became a popular summer resort getaway for aff luent East Tennesseans with the building of the Wonderland Hotel in 1911 and an influx of vacation homes. The Wonderland Hotel closed in 1992 and has since been dismantled, but several abandoned vacation homes remain at Elkmont, testifying to the historic town’s role in bringing some of the first tourism to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Today, accommodations at Elkmont are much more primitive than they were in the town’s heyday.

“There are 220 campsites and restrooms at Elkmont, but for showers, you have to go into Gatlinburg or Pigeon Forge,” Cruze says.

But the back-to-nature campground has its advantages – campers often catch glimpses of black bears, owls, deer and foxes, and a river runs directly through the campground.

“There are plenty of beautiful trails, like the Little River Trail, which connects to other trails,” Cruze says. “You can go two or three miles and find the remnants of a railroad logging bridge.”

The Sinks Hiking Trail, less than five miles from Elkmont, is a huge tourist attraction in the summer. Campers can also attend ranger talks at Elkmont’s amphitheater or ranger-led night hikes.

“Rangers stop at campsites and invite people, and they also list ranger-led activities in the free Smokies Guide

Park It There’s no better time to visit Tennessee state parks than 2012, as the program celebrates its 75th anniversary this year. For a complete list of Tennessee state parks that offer camping, visit www.tnstateparks.com or call 1-888-TN-PARKS.

Left: Families enjoy swimming in the Little River at The Sinks swimming hole in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park near Townsend.

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Tennessee Connections

Newspaper,” Cruze says. “The night hikes are nice because there are cooler temps and less traffic in the evenings when everyone’s settling in and fixing supper.”

Middle Tennessee Camping

Though many of Tennessee’s popular campsites are within the Great Smoky Mountains, there are plenty of other excellent choices across the state. Fall Creek Falls in Pikeville boasts the highest waterfall in the eastern United States and is blessed with thundering cascades, jaw-dropping gorges, gentle trickling streams and lush green foliage. It’s easy to see why Southern Living magazine readers voted Fall Creek Falls the best state park in the Southeast.

“Fall Creek Falls has everything – it’s the total package,” says Lesa Guy, administrative assistant to the park manager. “There’s hiking, horseback riding, natural beauty, an 18-hole golf course, swimming, a lake and a restaurant.”

The variety of accommodations at Fall Creek Falls includes cabins, villas, lodges, campsites and an inn.

“There are full hookups available with water, sewer and 50-amp electric service, and we have bath houses with hot showers,” Guy says. “There are trails connecting to the campgrounds, and our 345-acre lake is used for fishing, paddleboats, canoes and kayaks. We also have mountain biking trails, tennis, basketball, sand volleyball, softball fields and an Olympic-size pool.”

Campers can take advantage of lots of educational programs at Fall Creek Falls, too. The kids might enjoy making a pine cone bird feeder, while the teens and adults might like to take a ranger-led cave trip exploring one of the park’s two caves.

“There are pontoon boat rides, ranger-led hiking and biking tours, and guided hikes to the base of the falls,” Guy says. “Program schedules are made every week, and guests can call the nature center to find out what’s going on.”

West Tennessee Camping

In Millington, Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park is one of several camping destinations and provides cabins and 49 campsites equipped with tables, grills, and electric and water hookups. The park is home to deer, turkey, beaver and 200 species of birds. Visitors can learn about wildlife at the Meeman Museum and Nature Center, which includes a fish aquarium, live snake exhibit, stuffed animal exhibit, touch table and a Native American exhibit, and there are special programs on live birds of prey, reptiles, making bird feeders and homemade ice cream, deep swamp canoe trips and pontoon boat rides.

Clockwise (left to right): Campers set up their tent at Elkmont Campground; Blake Ruiz, 19, cooks spaghetti with a camping stove; David Michael Patchanianan carves a piece of wood next the fire.

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feature

Funnel Cakes and

Ferris Wheels

Tennessee fairs delight spectators with an irresistible combination of education and fun story by Jessica Mozo

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ew things are quite as nostalgic as a county fair, where the smell of funnel cakes and livestock mingle in the air, and excited screams of ride-goers echo from the midway.

In Tennessee, fair-going has been a well-loved tradition for more than a century, with more than 3 million people attending 62 fairs across the state each year.

At least six of those fairs have been entertaining crowds for more than 100 years.

“It’s just tradition,” says Emily Pitcock, executive secretary of the Tennessee Association of Fairs.

“People love fairs because they take us back to our roots. Agriculture plays a huge role in that because it teaches children where the food they eat and the milk they drink comes from. Fairs get back to the basics of life when people sewed their own clothes and grew their own food.”

They also provide plenty of inexpensive fun.

“My very first job was working as a ticket-taker at a fair gate, and I saw so many people come through who couldn’t afford a vacation,” Summer 2012

Pitcock recalls. “They saved up money to bring their families to the fair because that was their thing.

There’s so much for everybody – both young and old – to see.”

That includes cattle barns, sheep shows, livestock contests and farrowing displays that aren’t as common as they were a century ago.

“Agriculture is a great educational benefit because many kids these

days have never even been to a farm,” Pitcock says.

There are plenty of ways for young people to busy themselves at a fair, from 4-H and FFA opportunities to volunteer work such as weed-eating and painting.

“All county fairs exist for the benefit of their community and people,” Pitcock says. “Going to the fair – it just gets in your blood.”

Fairest of the Fairs Find a listing of Tennessee’s fairs online at www.tennesseefairs.com.

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cover story

Meet Me

Fountain at the

Dandridge drugstore has filled 101 years of memories story by Jessica Mozo photography by Antony Boshier

L

ifetime Dandridge resident Peggy Fain has fond memories of her childhood and teenage years, when the place to be on Saturday evenings was the town’s drugstore, the Tinsley-Bible Drug Co. “My parents were farmers, and on Saturday evenings, we’d take a break from farming and come to town,” says Fain, now 72. “The drugstore was always the meeting place. And after lunch on Sundays, we would do the dishes and then we were allowed to walk the two miles to town. We would come sit in the drugstore and drink a bottle of Coke. Cokes were only a nickel back then, and we always managed to come up with a nickel.”

Today, Fain works as the fountain supervisor at the drugstore, which originally opened in 1911 and continues to draw customers with its personal service and fountain favorites. Hand-dipped ice cream and milkshakes are a popular treat,

Tinsley Bible Drug Store in Dandridge is known for its Bible Burgers and soda fountain favorites.

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along with the drugstore’s famous Bible Burger, a hand-patted ground beef patty with all the fixings.

“We got the Best Milkshake award in the Tennessee Magazine’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards,” Fain says proudly. “And we got second place for our Bible Burger.”

The drugstore gets its name from its founders, Dr. P.A. Tinsley and his pharmacist partner Lloyd “Doc” Bible. Ownership changed in 1986 to the store’s current pharmacist Don Rose, but he kept the name Tinsley-Bible as a tribute to its original owners.

Lynn Hixson, the drugstore’s general manager, says working at the old-time pharmacy is like “stepping back in time.”

“A lot of our customers and guests remark that it’s just like the hometown drugstore they went to as a kid,” he says. “Besides the pharmacy and soda fountain, we have apothecary items, antiques, candles, greeting cards, cookbooks and other merchandise. We’ve been able to survive 101 years because of the personal service we give to our customers.”

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Many Tinsley-Bible customers have been coming to the pharmacy their whole lives, ever since they were children and their parents were customers.

“We know them by name,” Hixson says. “You don’t get that kind of attention at a big-box store.”

Fain has been working the soda fountain since 1990 and says she loves it because she gets to meet lots of people.

“We see a lot of tourists, and I like to talk to them and find out where there from,” she says. “Sometimes my customers send me cards and letters. It’s just a great place to come share stories and a meal with us.”

The fountain is open for breakfast and lunch Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and stays open for milkshakes and ice cream until 6 p.m.

“On Tuesdays and Fridays, we serve soup beans and fried cornbread with sliced onions and chow-chow,” Fain says. “That’s been a big seller.”

On Mondays, the fountain’s daily special is barbecue with slaw and beans. Wednesdays is spaghetti with salad and garlic bread. And

Thursdays, it’s homemade chili.

Milkshakes come in nine different flavors including chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, cherry, pineapple, peanut butter and butter pecan.

To celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2011, the Tinsley-Bible Drug Co. hosted a cruise-in for classic and collector cars in May. The entire town celebrated at the downtown landmark with food vendors and music.

In 2011, the town of Dandridge was named one of the country’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

As for Fain, even though she’s past the age of retirement, she says she has no plans to leave her job.

“I plan to die here,” she says, laughing. “As long as I’m healthy, you’ll find me at the fountain.”

If You Go ...

The Tinsley-Bible Drug Co. is located at 1224 Gay St. in Dandridge in East Tennessee.

For more information, call (865) 397-3444 or visit www.tinsleybibledrugs.com. tnconnections.com

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taste of tn

Mad About

‘Maters Preserve the taste of Tennessee tomatoes long past summer About the Author Roben Mounger, known as Ms. Cook, has a penchant for searching out locally produced ingredients for her family’s meals. For some 15 years, she has eaten year round by way of CSAs and farmers markets. In 2009, she began an organic farm internship with Arugula’s Star of Neal Family Farms. Roben writes a weekly column about food and people for The Columbia Daily Herald and blogs about eating locally at www.mscookstable.com.

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story by Roben Mounger photography by Antony Boshier

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once asked my grandfather if he could enter me in a tomato-eating contest. We had spoken of county fair competitions. The artful arrangements of 4-H canning entries, preserved for the frosty winter in jewel like colors, won my tiny heart.

The snappy slurp of the acidic fruit is among the joys that I most like to suspend in time, thanks to my grandfather.

One hot Mississippi Delta day, he stretched out his strong arm my way. “Try this, gal,” he said, holding a juicy tomato plucked off the vine.

“Right here, right now?” I said, incredulous Tennessee Connections

Mashed Tomato Potatoes 2 pounds Yukon Gold potatoes (or potato of your choice), cut into 2-inch pieces 2 garlic cloves, peeled ½ cup milk that food could be so fast and delicious.

Warm and fruity, the experience was never to be replicated, but the fresh tomato flavor is a never-ending source of my foodie dreams. This has been the story for half a century. As a tomato purist, I learned to delay gratification and dwell on the seasonal perfection of vine-ripened tomatoes.

Canning was never an option. My grandmother had the thrifty notion that the inedible pears piling up in her side yard should be ‘put up,’ but no such luck for tomatoes. Instead, a generation of grandchildren equated the canning process with a trip to the creepy basement for retrieval of jars of unfortunate pear preserves.

But the desire for fresh tomato flavor prevailed, and last year I began my quest for expert canning processes. Not that there was a lack of expertise, it’s just the experts were fewer and farther between.

The county fair reined. Two names were synonymous with canning: a mother-and-son team, whose canned tomato sauce, salsa, relish and ketchup were racking up accolades at fairs in Giles, Maury, Lincoln and Lawrence counties.

Junette Young and her son, Tracy, appreciated the beauty of a preserved tomato in all its incarnations. For them, a righteously canned tomato in winter promised a taste of summer in stew, chili and spaghetti.

They confided that the secret to canning was not in the technique. The winning ticket was labeled with a straightforward directive for anyone with a water bath canner. Grow your own favorite varieties, and then pick a few to preserve. For best flavor, process only a few jars at a time.

¼ cup unsalted butter ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped 3 scallions or 1 small onion, chopped and sautéed ½ cup grated Parmesan ½ teaspoon kosher salt 2 pounds of home canned tomatoes, chopped Place the potatoes and garlic in a saucepan and cover with lightly salted water. Bring to a boil.

Cover and simmer about 20 minutes or until a fork easily pierces the potatoes.

Drain the potatoes and garlic.

Mash potatoes and garlic until smooth. Blend in the milk, butter, parsley, onion, Parmesan and salt. Gently fold in the tomatoes.

Serve warm.

More Online Find step-by-step instructions for canning your own tomatoes at www.farmflavor.com/canning-tomatoes.

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events

Summer in Tennessee

four days and nights of live music.

CONTACT: 800-CMA-FEST, cmafest.com

Riverbend Festival – June 8-16, Chattanooga

Festivals, celebrations, activities and more

Multiple stages of diverse music, plus fireworks, 5K and 10K runs and a children’s village. CONTACT: 423-756-2211, riverbendfestival.com

15th Annual Kids Fishing Rodeo – June 9, Dale Hollow This annual free event is open to youth under the age of 15 and coincides with National Fishing and Boating Week.

CONTACT: Andrew Currie, 931-243-2443, www.fws.gov/dalehollow

City of Clarksville & TWRA Fishing Rodeo – June 9, Clarksville A free fishing event for children ages 16 and under. No license is required to participate.

CONTACT: 931-645-7476, cityofclarksville.com

International Folkfest – June 10-17, Murfreesboro

Jeff Adkins

With dance groups from around the world, the International Folkfest promises to be a week of excitement and education. Throughout the week, international groups will perform for area schools, youth and senior citizen organizations and for civic clubs.

CONTACT: mboro-international-folkfest.org

Country star Justin Moore performs at LP Field in Nashville during the CMA Music Festival.

This listing includes a selection of events of statewide interest scheduled in June, July and August as provided to Tennessee Home & Farm by the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development.

To include your local events in our listing, please contact them at www.tnvacation.com.

Due to space constraints, we are unable to list all of the events provided or accept unsolicited events. However, you can find additional information and events at the department’s website.

Events are subject to date change or cancellation. Please call the contact listed before traveling long distances to attend.

June

Jimmy Martin Memorial Bluegrass Festival – June 1-2, Sneedville

This festival will feature the best bluegrass performers, food and crafts.

CONTACT: overhomesneedville.com

Germantown Charity Horse Show – June 5-9, Memphis An exciting all-breed event with more than 800 horses including hunter/jumpers, American Saddlebreds, Roaster and 14

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Hackney ponies and Tennessee Walking Horses. CONTACT: 901-543-5310, gchs.org

Fruits of the Backyard – June 12, Middle Tennessee Research and Education Center, Spring Hill

This annual program, designed to address issues facing both homeowners and producers, features presentations, educational displays and trade show vendors providing insight into the production of fruits and vegetables, maintenance of lawn grasses and ornamentals, and control of harmful insects and weeds as well as many other areas associated with backyard production and recreational gardening. Begins at 8:30 a.m.

CONTACT: 931-486-2129, middletennessee.tennessee.edu

Secret City Festival – June 15-16, Oak Ridge

A 100-acre village brings together the best performers in rock ‘n’ roll, jazz, Americana, hip-hop, electronica and more. CONTACT: 931-728-7635, bonnaroo.com

This 10th annual citywide celebration commemorates the 67th anniversary ending of WWII and features the largest multi-battle WWII reenactment in the South, as well as tours of Manhattan Project sites, children’s festival, arts and crafts and exhibitors.

CONTACT: 865-425-3610, secretcityfestival.com

CMA Music Festival – June 7-10, Nashville

Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales – June 15-Aug. 11, Gatlinburg

Bonnaroo Music Festival – June 7-10, Manchester

Country Music’s Biggest Party brings country fans and artists together for

This 7th annual celebration features storytellers, musicians and cloggers Tennessee Connections

at different locations along the parkway.

CONTACT: 865-436-0500, gatlinburg.com

Clarksville Independence Day Celebration – June 30, Clarksville

Bell Buckle RC & Moon Pie Festival – June 16, Bell Buckle

Join us for an early independence celebration with fireworks and a special performance by the American Wind Symphony Orchestra on their custom barge. CONTACT: 931-645-7476, cityofclarksville.com

Celebrate a Southern tradition with music, cloggers, games, crafts and cutting the world’s largest Moon Pie. CONTACT: 931-389-9663, bellbucklechamber.com

The Big BBQ Bash – June 16, Maryville The event is an amateur barbecue cook-off and fundraiser for Helen Ross McNabb Center. Prize money totaling $6,000 will be awarded including a trophy and bragging rights for the top three teams in each category. CONTACT: 865-329-9120, blountbbqbash.com

Go Banana’s Day/The Zoo’s 75th Birthday Celebration – June 16, Chattanooga Celebrate the Chattanooga Zoo’s 75th birthday as we combine the celebration with our already existing Go Banana’s Day. The celebration includes a day of positively primate family fun, crafts, games, and of course banana Moon Pie cake to celebrate. CONTACT: 423-697-1322, chattzoo.org

40th Anniversary Walking Horse Show – June 30, Henderson Fun for the whole family with more than 20 classes. Held at the Chester County Fairgrounds and sponsored by the Lions Club.

CONTACT: Neal Smith, 731-989-4684

July

Lancaster Independence Day Parade – July 1, Lancaster Take part in the celebration of “One Nation Under God” as patriots from all over Middle Tennessee come to participate in this year’s 8th annual Independence Day parade beginning at 5.p.m. Stay for Bluegrass on the Greens, BBQ, apple pie and

homemade ice cream. Bring your lawn chairs and be a part of small town U.S.A. celebrating in a big way.

CONTACT: 615-683-6131, lancasterparade.org

Midnight Independence Day Parade – July 3-4, Gatlinburg

The First July Fourth Parade of the Nation kicks off at midnight July 3. Floats, balloons and marching bands pay tribute to our country.

CONTACT: 865-436-4178, gatlinburg.com

25th Annual Independence Day Parade – July 4, Farragut

Enjoy bands, floats, animals, antique cars and more in the patriotic celebration along Kingston Pike. CONTACT: 865-966-7057, townoffarragut.org

Music City July 4th Spectacular – July 4, Nashville This annual event is Nashville’s largest one-day party and features live music, family activities, food and one of the nation’s best fireworks displays.

CONTACT: 800-657-6910, visitmusiccity.com

Porter Flea Modern Handmade Market – June 16, Nashville Held at Marathon Music Works in Nashville from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., this flea market features modern handmade goods from carefully selected local and regional artisans and designers, several local food trucks, and live DJs. CONTACT: porterflea.com

Tobacco, Beef & More – June 28, Highland Rim Research & Education Center, Springfield The Mid-South’s beef and tobacco producers will want to attend this free educational event that features the state’s leading experts on topics such as animal health, forage, and burley and dark-fired tobacco production. Begins at 7 a.m.

CONTACT: 615-382-3130, highlandrim.tennessee.edu

26th Annual Trash & Treasures Community-Wide Yard Sale – June 29-30, Cross Plains Held at Main Street and Hwy. 25 from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., this yard sale is a fundraiser for the Cross Plains Heritage Commission for a museum in the “Doctor’s House.”

Booths throughout the 233-year-old town, 35 miles north of Nashville, offer all sorts of treasures and cast-offs.

CONTACT: 615-654-2256 Summer 2012

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Smithville’s Fiddler’s Jamboree & Crafts Festival – July 6-7, Smithville

45th Annual Murfreesboro Antiques Show and Sale – July 20-22, Murfreesboro

Features various state and national championships, jam sessions and juried craft exhibitors. 615-597-4163, smithvillejamboree.com

Antique show and sale highlighting over 70 exhibitors from across the United States.

CONTACT: 770-928-0052, murfreesboroantiqueshow.com

Summer Celebration – July 12, Jackson

Milan No-Till Field Day – July 26, Milan

The 2012 Summer Celebration takes place at the UT West Tennessee Research and Education Center from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission is $5. CONTACT: 731-424-1643, west.tennessee.edu

35th Annual Uncle Dave Macon Days Festival – July 13-15, Murfreesboro

This festival honors the memory of Uncle Dave Macon, one of the first Grand Ole Opry superstars and features music, arts and crafts, food, storytelling and competitions. CONTACT: 800-716-7560, uncledavemacondays.com

World Bell Festival – July 14, Oak Ridge Visit the only North American site selected to participate in this international bell ringing celebration, which will also feature hand bell choirs, bell competitions, bottle bands and international food and music. CONTACT: 800-887-3429, oakridgevisitor.com

The nation’s largest field day devoted to no-tillage crop production techniques for increasing production, reducing expenses, improving marketing skills or increasing the efficiency of crop production operations. Begins at 7 a.m.

CONTACT: 731-686-7362, milan.tennessee.edu

Q n’ Brew at the Zoo – July 28, Chattanooga

Looking for something fun and different to do during this hot summer heat?

Look no further as you are invited to join the Chattanooga Zoo at our first-ever BBQ tasting and contest. Chattanoogans old and young alike can come and taste the best BBQ the city has to offer while also enjoying the zoo. Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $20 at the door. Kids 6 and under are free. CONTACT: 423-697-1322, chattzoo.org

August

Tennessee State Square & Round Dance Convention – Aug. 2-4, Gatlinburg Square Dancing, the official Folk Dance of Tennessee. Square dancers from around the state will gather for three days of dancing, shopping, and renewing friendships.

Spectators are welcome at no charge.

CONTACT: tnsquaredance.org

Highway 127 Corridor Sale – Aug. 2-5, Jamestown The world’s longest yard sale stretches for 675 miles along Hwy. 127. CONTACT: 800-327-3945, 127sale.com

Rock-A-Billy Festival – August 9-11, Jackson The world’s largest gathering of Rock-A-Billy artists and musicians, featuring the pioneers of Rock-A-Billy music as well as new artists.

CONTACT: 731-427-6262, rockabillyhall.org

Elvis Week – Aug. 10-18, Memphis The 35th anniversary of the celebration of Elvis Presley’s music, movies and life.

The event also includes a candlelight vigil.

CONTACT: 800-238-2000, elvis.com

Pooch Pool Party – Aug. 11, Clarksville Bring your dogs to take a dip in the pool!

Register to win door prizes. CONTACT: 931-645-7476, cityofclarksville.com

74th Annual Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration – Aug. 22- Sept. 1, Shelbyville The world championship show of Tennessee’s native breed of show horse.

Division champions will be crowned with the World Grand Champion Tennessee Walking Horse being named.

CONTACT: 931-684-5915, twhnc.com

Green Travel Tips

1

Carpool whenever possible to reduce your carbon footprint – and you’ll also spend less money on gas.

2

Staying overnight? Unplug major appliances to save energy and lower your electric bill.

3

Support Tennessee’s sustainable tourism. Find green lodging, dining and attractions at tnvacation.com/green.

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Tennessee Connections

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Statewide roundup of favorite finds Chow Down on This Doris Sprecher of White House always loved the taste of a relish known to many Southerners as chow chow – a concoction of simple garden ingredients such as cabbage, bell pepper, green tomatoes and onions that livens up any dish. For years, she made big batches of chow chow during the holiday season and gave it to friends and family for Christmas.

When demand for her chow chow became overwhelming, she began selling it commercially in 1986. Today Sprecher’s Tennessee Chow-Chow Relish is shipped to customers nationwide in mild, hot and extra hot varieties. The mild has a sweet and sour flavor that enhances foods like beans, tuna, hot dogs and bologna. The hot and extra hot are great complements for barbecue or nachos.

Tennessee Chow-Chow is still made the old-fashioned way – a two-day process that includes chopping, salting, draining, cooking and canning. For ordering information, visit www.sugarplumfoods.com or call (888) 672-0319.

Tastes Fine With Swine

Right on Cue

Richard Swindell hit a home run with barbecue lovers in 2010 when the Lebanon resident began bottling and selling his homemade barbecue sauces.

A recipe 10 years in the making, Swindell’s Ol’ South Fine Swine BBQ Sauce was born from his quest to create the perfect sauce. It wasn’t long before friends and family began requesting Swindell’s sauce, and it became locally famous in Gallatin when The Cockeyed Pig barbecue restaurant began serving it to eager customers.

Swindell now cooks and bottles his sauce with his wife Rhonda. The sauce comes in mild, bold and hot varieties.

You can find out more about Swindell’s sauces at www.olsouthonline.com.

Pool is more than a game to Shane Estes, owner of Blaine Billiards in Blaine, a tiny town just outside Knoxville. It’s an art form.

Using solid hardwood logs grown right in East Tennessee, Estes creates handcrafted pool tables for homeowners, businesses and rental cabins.

The logs are harvested on Grainger County farms before being brought to a sawmill and air-stacked in barns to cure. Estes then turns the cured lumber into made-to-order pool tables, each with its own unique characteristics. Customers can choose from several design options, wood stains and felt colors for a pool table that is truly one-of-a kind. Each pool table comes with a matching wall rack, and Estes even makes miniature pool tables for kids.

For more information, visit www.blainebilliards.com or call (865) 661-7186.

Summer 2012

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Journal Communications 725 Cool springs Blvd., suite 400 franklin, tn 37067

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Lebanon Junction, KY 40150 Permit No. 222

Summer Energy-Saving Tips Use these tips to beat the heat this summer • Take a break: Suprisingly, running your dishwasher instead of washing dishes by hand actually saves water.

• Enjoy the season: Instead of putting your clothes in the dryer, take advantage of the warm weather and line-dry your garments.

• Keep it cool: Use the cold-water setting when washing clothes. This can cut your bill by 4 percent.

• Cover up: Keep windows covered during the day by closing blinds or drapes to keep out solar heat.

• Insulate it: Prevent the heat building on top of your house from filtering down into other areas by insulating your attic.

• Change it up: Switch the direction of airflow on ceiling fans. The blades should spin counterclockwise during the summertime.

• Ditch the oven: Microwaves not only get your food on the table faster, but they also generate less heat.

• Made in the shade: Keep your air conditioner shielded from direct sunlight.

• Weather-strip and caulk: Taking the time to do this around doors and windows keeps the cool air in and the hot air out.

• Try a fan: Whole-house fans work to cool your home by driving cold air through the house and draining warm air through the attic.

• Unplug: Turn off power strips or unplug devices to eliminate phantom power usage and reduce the heat these products generate.

• Let it shine: Install compact fluorescent light bulbs in your most-used fixtures for big savings.