Summer 2011 Tennessee Home and Farm

Home & Farm Tenne sse e

Sweet on the Bonnie Blue

tnhomeandfarm.com Summer 2011

Get a taste of the farm from this B&B’s cannery

Moles & Voles Learn how to keep these critters out of your garden

The Culinary Campfire Discover the lost art of cooking over an open fire

tnfarmbureau.org

Published for the 657,362 family members of the Tennessee Farm Bureau

tnhomeandfarm.com

Home&Farm 1

Home & Farm Ten n e ssee

An official publication of the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation © 2011 TFBF Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation tnfarmbureau.org

Editor Pettus Read circulation manager Stacey Warner Board of directors President Lacy Upchurch, Vice President Danny Rochelle Directors at large Jeff Aiken, Charles Hancock, Catherine Via district directors Malcolm Burchfiel, James Haskew, Eric Mayberry, Dan Hancock, David Mitchell state fb women’s chairman Jane May Advisory directors Buddy Mitchell, Jamie Weaver Chief administrative officer Joe Pearson treasurer Wayne Harris Comptroller Tim Dodd

Managing Editor Jessy Yancey Copy Editors Lisa Battles, Jill Wyatt

Editor’s note

Cast Iron & Cicadas When we featured a story about Lodge Cast Iron in South Pittsburg, Tenn., in our last issue (online at tnhomeandfarm.com/lodge-cast-iron), we never imagined so many of you would write in to tell us your strong connection to cast iron. The cookware lasts for generations, which over the years results in some great family stories like this one: “I have three pieces of Lodge Cast Iron cookware – a Dutch oven, a medium skillet and a small skillet. The Dutch oven belonged to my grandmother, it was passed down to my mother and now I have it. I would not trade it for anything.” – Marian Ridley Your memories about cicadas may not be as sentimental, but we love hearing them just the same. Share your stories and photos – and read others – at cicadacentral.com. We’re giving away a prize to the best entry.

Speaking of prizes, remember that our photo contest is still going on, and during the month of August we will kick off our readers’ choice contest for online entrants. For more details or to view this year’s photo contest entries, visit tnhomeandfarm.com/photocontest.

Content coordinator Blair Thomas

Jessy Yancey, managing editor thaf@jnlcom.com

Contributing Writers Melissa Burniston, Carol Cowan, Erin Edgemon, Kim Green, Susan Hamilton, Anthony Kimbrough, Tiffany Howard, Jessica Mozo, Karen Schwartzman, Cassandra M. Vanhooser, Jessica Walker, Bryan Wright Creative Director Keith Harris Photography Director Jeffrey S. Otto Media Technology Director Christina Carden Senior Photographers Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord

At a Glance/A sampling of destinations in this issue

Staff Photographers Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier

2/Rutledge

Senior Graphic Designers Laura Gallagher, Vikki Williams Proofreading Manager Raven Petty Ad Production Manager Katie Middendorf Ad Traffic Assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan Web Content Manager John Hood Web Design Director Franco Scaramuzza

4/Unicoi

3/Smyrna 1/McMinnville

2/Ripley 5/Shiloh

Web Designer Richard Stevens Media Technology Analysts Chandra Bradshaw, Yamel Hall, Alison Hunter, Marcus Snyder Integrated Media Manager Robin Robertson Chairman Greg Thurman President/Publisher Bob Schwartzman Executive Vice President Ray Langen Sr. V.P./SALES Todd Potter, Carla Thurman sr. V.P./operations Casey Hester V.P./Visual Content Mark Forester V.p./external communications Teree Caruthers V.P./custom publishing Kim Newsom Holmberg v.p./content operations Natasha Lorens controller Chris Dudley Advertising sales Manager, Custom division Tori Hughes

1/ Take home a jar of preserves after spending the weekend at Bonnie Blue Inn & Cannery in McMinnville. page 12 2/ Celebrate summer at Tennessee tomato festivals, held on either side of the state in Ripley and Rutledge. page 6 3 / Send your kids to a history-themed camp at Sam Davis Home in Smyrna. page 6 4 / Stock up on fresh summer produce at Scott Strawberry & Tomato Farm in Unicoi. page 7 5 / Enjoy a delicious dinner overlooking the Tennessee River at Catfish Hotel in Shiloh. page 29

Distribution DIRECTOR Gary Smith office manager Shelly Grissom receptionist Linda Bishop Tennessee Home & Farm is produced for the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation by Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080.

All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reprduced in whole or in part without written consent.

Member

Association of Magazine Media Member

Custom Content Council Please recycle this magazine

2 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

Tennessee Home & Farm (USPS No. 022-305) Issued quarterly by the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, 147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401, (931) 388-7872. Periodical permit paid at Columbia, TN, and additional entry offices.

Postmaster Send address corrections to: Tennessee Home & Farm Executive Offices, P.O. Box 313, Columbia, TN 38402-0313.

Subscribe or change address Contact your county Farm Bureau office. TH&F is included in your $25 Farm Bureau annual dues; no other purchase necessary.

Advertising Policy For advertising information, contact Robin Robertson, (800) 333-8842, ext. 227, or by e-mail at rrobertson@jnlcom.com.

All advertising accepted is subject to publisher’s approval. Advertisers must assume all liability for their advertising content. Publisher and sponsor maintain the right to cancel advertising for nonpayment or reader complaint about service or product. Publisher does not accept political or alcoholic beverage ads, nor does publisher prescreen or guarantee advertiser service or products. Publisher assumes no liability for products or services advertised in Tennessee Home & Farm.

tnfarmbureau.org

Table of Contents Features 8 / The Culinary Campfire Johnny Nix shares the lost art of cooking over an open fire

12 / Sweet on the Bonnie Blue

B&B gives guests a taste of the farm through its cannery side business

16 / Carving His Niche

Woodworker uses hobby to show appreciation, gratitude

18 / A Place for Everything Learn easy and fun ways to organize kids’ rooms

22 / Taste of Tennessee

Farmers markets, roadside stands provide bounty for summer recipes

22 Departments 5 / Read All About It

Change isn’t always a good thing

6 / Short Rows

Tomato festivals span the state

27/ Country Classics Strawberry Sheet Cake

29 / Restaurant Review

Hagy’s Catfish Hotel in Shiloh

30 / Gardening

Moles and voles in the garden, oh my!

8

12

33 / Farmside Chat

Fifth-generation farmer John Butler

35 / To Good Health

The importance of thank-you notes

36 / Farm Bureau Almanac

Connecting consumers with farm food

38 / Travel

Farm camps make a great getaway

42/ Events & Festivals

Things to do, places to see

48 / View From the Back Porch

18 tnhomeandfarm.com

Nostalgic for Southern summers

On the Cover Photo by Antony Boshier, Johnny Nix’s Crescent Apple Tart

Home&Farm 3

tnhomeandfarm.com FOOD

Tr avel

Home & Garden

Agriculture

TN Living

From Our Readers A Trip Down Memory Highway I live in Atlanta but grew up in Etowah, Tenn. My brothers and sisters and I have been in and out of the L&N Depot many times. Our dad retired after 47 years of working for the L&N Railroad. It is like a breath of fresh air to leave I-75 to drive north on Hwy. 411 and see those beautiful mountains! Thanks for the memories!

Dottie Pullen Thomas via tnhomeandfarm.com/highway-411

Botanic Garden Blooms Photo Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive, Bugwood.org

Cicada Central The 13-year Brood XIX cicada is the big buzz in parts of Tennessee this summer. Find cicada fun facts, tips, photos and Pettus Read’s thoughts on these big red-eyed bugs at www.cicadacentral.com, where you can also share your own cicada stories and photos for a chance to win a prize.

Online Library Read past issues and new online-only magazines simply

Summer A COLLECTION OF REFRESHING SUMMER RECIPES

CICADA

CENTRAL The buzz on the bugs of summer

Sponsored by Tennessee Farm Fresh

Connect with us online!

Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/tnhomeandfarm Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/tnhomeandfarm

We are very excited about the new Herb Garden [at Memphis Botanic Garden, Spring 2011]. Since we had such a cold winter, we held off on installation of most of the tender herb seedlings until all the chances for heavy frost passed.

Planting will be an ongoing process, as things are seasonal, and it is a massive undertaking. A good deal of the planting happened mid-April, with things really growing in and taking shape by this summer.

There are plenty of things to see at Memphis Botanic Garden, and other new projects in the works, so come on out and watch the progress as the Herb Garden, Wildlife Photography Garden and other areas spring into bloom!

Jana Gilbertson Director of Marketing/PR Memphis Botanic Garden Editor’s Note: Flippens Fruit Farm, which we mentioned in the peach tree pruning story in our Spring 2011 issue, no longer has a year-round market.

They do still have a peach orchard and operate seasonal markets from May through October.

Visit us on YouTube at youtube.com/tnhomeandfarm Share with us on Flickr at flickr.com/groups/scenictn Sign up for the e-mail newsletter at tnhomeandfarm.com

4 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

Questions, comments and story ideas can be sent to: Jessy Yancey, 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, or email us at thaf@jnlcom.com. tnfarmbureau.org

Read All About It

Just Leave It Alone Run-ins with the changers of what makes sense in life

I

t never fails that when I find something that works the way I want it to, fits my body the way it should, tastes the way I like it, smells the way it should smell and costs the amount it should cost, somebody from out of nowhere will go and change it or completely do away with it. And these days, it doesn’t take long for the process to happen, either.

Just the other day I had a run-in with the “changers of what makes sense in life” when I went to buy a new gas can. All I wanted was a simple two-gallon gas can to fill up my lawnmower. You know, the kind with a cap and a spout made from plastic with a little vent in the back. But, thanks to the “changers,” our environment no longer can survive with those types of dangerous cans, and we now have the environmentally friendly cans that have no vent or caps you can screw off. Instead, to pour the contents from the can, you must push down on the back of the spout while also sliding the lever down and lifting the can.

You must also lift one leg while placing your tongue to the left side of your cheek and holding your breath while pouring.

These cans are supposed to prevent more fumes from escaping into the atmosphere than the older cans, but I wonder if anyone took into account the extra amount of gas that is poured all over the ground due to the inability of the pourer to handle these creations made for a contortionist.

Plus, if you happen to be using these new caps on a five-gallon can, then forget lifting that sucker to pour fuel into a top-loading tractor unless you happen to be made like the Hulk. The environment may be safe, but your back is going to be a goner.

The same thing happens with medicines.

They are all the time changing the size and tnhomeandfarm.com

shape of the pills I take. I have enough trouble keeping up with what pills I need to take at what time of the day without the pill companies changing the color or size on a regular basis. I even went to the extra effort of getting one of those boxes with the days of the week on them so I could remember to get the right pill at the right time. Now, I’m catching myself having to remind myself what day it is, so I’ve put a calendar up close to the pillbox.

But when the pill companies change the color to look like another pill I’m already taking, then I’m completely confused. It makes me wonder if there is some person at the pill company who gets a kick out of making life difficult for those of us who have a few extra miles on us.

I had a door-to-door preacher stop by the house not long ago inviting me to come to his church. I appreciated his visit and told him I already attended church elsewhere and thanked him for coming by. He didn’t want to leave right away and asked me, “Have you ever thought about the hereafter?”

I told him I thought about that all the time, and he looked kind of surprised. “You really think about the hereafter all the time?” he asked.

“Yes I do,” I answered. “Just this morning I went into the back bedroom and asked myself, ‘Now what am I here after?’”

Change is something that is going to happen, and we all have to get used to it, but I wonder if it has to happen as often as it does. Maybe it is important to change the color of a pill or its size, the design of the label or even do away with my favorite item on your menu. Change does keep us on our toes, but these new gas caps are literally keeping us on our toes.

About the Author Pettus L. Read is editor of the Tennessee Farm Bureau News and director of communications for the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation.

Read More About It Read has collected his favorite columns into a book titled Read All About It. Part of the proceeds of the book sales go to Tennessee 4-H and Tennessee FFA programs.

Buy a copy online at tnhomeandfarm.com/ store.

Home&Farm 5

Short Rows

1

2

3

1/ Camp Back in Time

2 / Make ’Mater Memories

Kids can travel back to the 1800s and into the world of Civil War legend Sam Davis at a series of summer camps at the Sam Davis Home in Smyrna.

The Apple Valley School camp, which runs June 20-24, allows boys and girls ages 8-12 the chance to be 19th-century students and role play as members of families from long ago.

They will enjoy authentic lessons from the 1800s, make crafts, play games, and visit the historic house and grounds. Period costumes are optional.

Other weeklong camps include the Jane Davis Academy for girls and School of the Soldier for boys.

To learn more about the Sam Davis Home and its 2011 summer camps, visit www.samdavishome.org.

Tennesseans love their tomatoes, and towns across the state celebrate the summer fruit with tomato festivals.

The Lauderdale County Tomato Festival in Ripley honors area tomato growers July 8-9. The weekend’s events include tomato tasting, carnival rides, arts and crafts and live music.

Travel to the Grainger County Tomato Festival in Rutledge July 29-31 to enjoy work from local artists and craftsmen and a wide variety of tomatoes from local growers.

Highlighting the artistic side of the summer fruit is the Tomato Art Fest in East Nashville. This annual festival is held in August and includes a tomato art show, the TomatOlympics and tomato jewelry making.

And don’t forget, Pettus Read makes

6 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

a great tomato sandwich. For links to his tomato sandwich video and all of these festivals, visit tnhomeandfarm. com/tn-tomato-festivals.

3 / Relaxing Amongst the Rhododendrons Perched between the Doe River and the steep slopes of the Appalachians, Roan Mountain Bed and Breakfast is an idyllic getaway.

Managed by Ann Campbell, Robert Morgan and their families, the B&B sits on 120 acres in Roan Mountain near the North Carolina High Country. It’s been in the Morgan family for more than a century and dates back to World War II. Guests can hike 10 miles of the Appalachian Trail between Carver’s Gap and Hump Mountain or enjoy antique tnfarmbureau.org

TN FARM FRESH

shops and restaurants in nearby Elizabethton, zip-lining at Seven Devils, and boat rentals at Watauga Lake.

The 65th annual Rhododendron Festival is June 18-19, held during the peak of rhododendron bloom.

To learn more about the Roan Mountain Bed and Breakfast, visit www.roanmtbb.com.

4/ Don’t Waste Your Energy There is wasted energy in every Tennessean’s home, and the Tennessee Valley Authority is offering a free online audit to help its customers find and reduce those wasted kilowatts.

Customers who complete the online audit or schedule an in-home audit with a TVA-certified evaluator will receive an energy conservation kit, which includes two compact fluorescent light bulbs, two faucet aerators and a hot water temperature gauge.

The online audit will ask customers to describe their house including the number of rooms, levels, and types of heating and cooling systems installed.

To start a free online audit, visit the TVA website at www.energyright.com.

This site also provides resources such as an energy calculator to compute a home’s actual energy use and cost.

TN FARM FRESH

Where the Red Fruits Grow In the beautiful mountains of Unicoi County, you can find a bounty of fresh strawberries, tomatoes and more at Scott Strawberry and Tomato Farms. The Scotts have been selling their produce to the public since 1959, when Wayne and Mary Lou Scott moved to the farm in Unicoi. They raised five children on that farm, two of whom are still full-time farmers today.

Brothers Steve and David have degrees in horticulture and agriculture, respectively, and use their experience and education to work hard and maintain the level of standards that their parents set for them years ago.

Needless to say, farming has not only been just a job but a way of life for the Scott family. Even with the changes and demands affecting farming, there’s an optimistic drive that farmers share. “When farming, you make a living and enjoy what you are doing at the same time,” Steve Scott says.

“Even with all the changes, I still enjoy farming.”

The Scotts take pride in their livelihood and strive to offer high quality, fresh and safe products for consumers. Strawberries are the first major crop of the year, beginning in May and typically lasting until mid-June. The Scotts sell their strawberries straight from the farm and throughout East Tennessee. You can find their berries at local Food City stores and roadside stands in Knoxville, Greeneville, Morristown, Elizabethton, Unicoi, Johnson City and Bristol.

Tomato season follows beginning in mid-July, with vine-ripened ’maters available to the public in addition to what they ship nationwide. The Scotts also raise sweet corn and green beans that, as with the tomatoes, are available steadily through early fall or until the first frost.

Weather willing, this July should see the inaugural harvest of the farm’s Scott Unaka Mountain Blueberries.

If you would like to enjoy these Tennessee Farm Fresh products from the Scotts, visit www.scottfarmstn.com or call (423) 743-4511 to learn about their crops, market locations and more.

– Tiffany Howard

5/ Green Your Thumb Gardeners can ask their tough plant questions and tour the UT Gardens in Jackson at the annual University of Tennessee Summer Celebration Lawn and Garden Show on July 14.

The all-day event held at the West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center begins at 10 a.m. and features workshops by regional gardeners, a variety of plants on display and homegrown recipe ideas. Guests can also purchase plants that thrive in West Tennessee at the plant sale.

Admission is $5. For more details, visit tnhomeandfarm.com/greenyour-thumb or call (731) 424-1643. tnhomeandfarm.com

Home&Farm 7

8 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

Food

The

Culinary BECOME A FIRESIDE CHEF WITH LESSONS FROM Johnny Nix

Story by Carol Cowan Photography by antony boshier

C

ooking over a campfire is a lost art, but it isn’t rocket science – at least according to Johnny Nix, who’s drawn hundreds to his fireside with this signature invitation: “Y’all eat yet?”

The folksy Alabama native shares his knowledge of cooking the cowboy way on his newly launched TV show, Cookin’ Outdoors With Johnny Nix, which airs on the Blue Highways cable network each week.

Campfire Café Nix is already known to people all over the country as the host of Campfire Café, a oneof-a-kind cooking show that aired on the RFD network between 2001 and 2006. Avid riders and campers, Nix and his wife, Wanda, had been perfecting their open-fire cooking skills for some 25 years. Their move into television came about when they met the producer of a show at a trail ride in Missouri.

“She [the producer] parked us up with

some people she thought we’d become friends with at the ride,” Nix recalls. “So we got to cooking and having everybody over to eat supper with us. One night we cooked for over 200 people. Everybody loved it. Finally we just ran out of food and had to shut the kitchen down about midnight.”

The encounter led to a pilot episode, and Campfire Café was born. From scenic locations in state parks to a backyard series filmed at the producer’s home, Nix guided viewers through the process of cooking everything from beans and biscuits to bacon-wrapped spinachstuffed turkey breast – all over an open fire.

He even did a series featuring country music stars, among them Mark Chesnutt, Aaron Tippin, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Joe Diffie and Ray Price. “We had a blast with all the country music artists,” Nix says.

“To think, the legendary Ray Price came on my show and cooked with me.”

Campfire Café was the top show on RFD during its run. And although it went off the

Win a Signed Cookbook Johnny Nix is giving away a signed edition of his cookbook, All Time Favorite Recipes, to one of our email subscribers.

Sign up for our free, monthly e-newsletter at tnhomeandfarm.com for a chance to win.

Johnny Nix teaches home cooks how easy it is to prepare a gourmet meal over the campfire. tnhomeandfarm.com

Home&Farm 9

10 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

Food

Nix crafts recipes made for an open fire, such as stuffed peppers, Tuscan roasted chicken and a crescent apple tart. The cowboy chef also uses a variety of equipment, such as a hooks and swing grills, to cook dishes at the precisely the right temperature.

air in 2006, Nix still gets recognized wherever he goes.

top chef: cowboy edition Nix has never stopped sharing his passion for cowboy cooking, and he remains busy conducting demonstrations across the country.

“I’ve had the privilege around the campfire to cook with some great chefs,” he says. “In Colorado, I cooked with the Galloping Gourmet, Graham Kerr. We did a family reunion down in Florida for Mr. Art Smith, who was Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef. He had chefs from Chicago, New York and other places come in; everybody had their own specialty foods that they were cooking. He had linen and china and crystal delivered down there in a cow pasture, and we cooked over a fire for these people.”

Essential Equipment “One of the big events we do every year is the National Cornbread Festival in South Pittsburg, Tenn., where the Lodge factory is,” Nix continues, referring to the Lodge Manufacturing Co., whose cast iron Dutch ovens and skillets figure prominently in Johnny’s demos and TV shows. In fact, the Lodge skillet and camp Dutch oven top his list of essential equipment.

With the right cookware, open-fire cooking is easier than you might think, Nix says. “The main thing is just to relax, enjoy your meal, and when you’re picking dishes to cook tnhomeandfarm.com

outside, keep it simple. Our cookbook is great because we have a lot of real simple, one-pot dishes that are easy to throw together.”

Because there are no temperature control knobs on a fire, beginners are easily intimidated, Nix notes. But his cooking setups allow people to use different length hooks to set their dishes over the fire at varying temperatures.

“I make all the cook sets by hand myself,” he says. “The hooks are different lengths, for the different temperatures, and I make the pit itself. We make the swing grills, the warming trays and all that. I want people to have a good experience when they’re cooking – ’cause cookin’s fun.”

Recipes & Resources Johnny Nix’s cookbook All Time Favorite Recipes features close to 100 dishes readers can cook outdoors. It also offers tips on building a fire, estimating temperature, baking in cast iron and adapting Nix’s methods for use with charcoal.

His two-hour DVD Cookin’ With Wood takes the process a step further and actually shows viewers how to build a fire pit, choose the right wood, set up the equipment and cook everything from coffee to pork chops and cornbread casserole.

The cookbook, DVD, campfire cooking set and cookware are available at www.yalleatyet.com.

For a chance to win a cookbook, sign up for our e-newsletter at tnhomeandfarm.com.

Cowboy Peach Cobbler “The peach cobbler is one of our most highly recognized dishes, and a lot of people ask to have us do it because it’s a real simple recipe and it’s really hard to mess up,” Nix says. “All you do is take two large cans of peaches, dump them in the pot, sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the peaches, and then dump a cake mix on top of it. Then pour a stick of melted butter on top of the cake mix and just let it boil. Once it boils, it mixes the cake mix into the peaches. Then you just put top coals on top of the lid and let it brown. Once it’s browned, it’s done.

It takes about 45 minutes.”

Home&Farm 11

Travel

12 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

Sweet on the

Bonnie Blue McMinnville B&B gives guests a taste of the farm through its cannery side business

Story by Cassandra M. Vanhooser Photography by antony boshier

W

hen Rebecca Merritt opened her McMinnville bed-and-breakfast in 20 05, she wanted to give guests something to take home, something that would help them remember their visit to the Bonnie Blue Inn. She found her inspiration on the family farm.

“Fresh produce is a byproduct of our nursery business,” Merritt explains. “I really just started canning to have something special to give my guests.”

A former University of Tennessee Extension agent, Merritt has now created her own line of jams, jellies, fruit butters and relishes.

She freezes the fruits as they ripen, then sets aside one Friday each month for canning. The Bonnie Blue Cannery is licensed, and its products have been designated a Pick Tennessee product by the Department of Agriculture.

Every guest receives a jar of something tasty as a gift when they check out and head home. It’s a homegrown, homemade gift that is a true reflection of the Bonnie Blue and its

owners. “We grow most of what we use in the cannery,” Merritt says. “It’s not a major part of our business right now, but we’re hoping it continues to grow.”

While the interest in her canning business has been a little unexpected, Merritt says she has dreamed of running her own bedand-breakfast for years. When husband Brett purchased a neighboring farm to expand his nursery business in 2003, she finally got her opportunity.

“When we bought the farm where the house sits, I immediately started trying to convince my husband that we should open a B&B,” she says. “I pictured the house just like it is today.”

What’s now known as the Bonnie Blue Inn was then just a rundown early 19th-century farmhouse with no plumbing, an outhouse and an active beehive humming away in the walls. “We don’t know the exact date the house was built, but we have found records where someone sold it in 1908,” Merritt notes.

“We tried to keep as much original as

See video

online

Jam Session Rebecca Merritt shows how to make blueberry jam topping in a video at tnhomeandfarm.com.

Rebecca Merritt runs Bonnie Blue Inn in McMinnville, which includes a tea room and cannery. tnhomeandfarm.com

Home&Farm 13

Travel possible, but it needed a lot of repair.”

Opened in 2005, the house has been updated but retains its charm and character.

Outside, there’s a tin roof, lazy porch with rocking chairs and wide green lawn. Inside, the Bonnie Blue is at once both modern and old-fashioned. Hardwood floors run throughout and fresh colors don the walls, but antiques and farm “finds” make up the décor.

Remarkably, Merritt has resisted the urge to fill every nook and cranny with keepsakes, giving the inn a clean, welcoming feel. “We tried to keep the feel of 100 years ago, but we have all the modern conveniences,” she says.

“We don’t live in the house, so it is very private. We’re not far away, but our guests really have the place to themselves.”

The inn only has two guest rooms: the Rose Room downstairs and the Esposita Suite above. Both boast queen beds and private baths, but the suite claims a daybed with trundle that’s perfect for families. Room rates include a decadent homemade dessert in the evening and a full breakfast in the morning, with both sweet and savory options.

Still, overnight guests make up only a portion of the Bonnie Blue’s business.

Merritt’s culinary skill is well known, making the inn a favored spot for staging events, from bridesmaids’ luncheons to corporate meetings. The dining room becomes a restaurant called the Tea Room from spring through Christmas and is open to the public for lunch Tuesday through Thursday. She even delivers lunch in McMinnville on those days.

Whatever the occasion, Merritt prides herself on offering only the best homemade foods. Her “special ingredient” chicken salad tops the list of favorites at the Tea Room, but the Reuben runs a close second. Specials range from quiche and stuffed pasta shells to shepherd’s pie and sloppy joes.

“My favorite thing on the menu is the ‘special’ because I don’t cook on Thursday nights,” Merritt admits with a laugh.

“Whatever is leftover, that’s what I serve my own family. The ‘special’ is something a little heartier. I try to do something men would like.”

Merritt caters locally but also hosts her own special events throughout the year. For Valentine’s, she serves dinner to eight lucky couples, with tables spread throughout the tnhomeandfarm.com

house to guarantee privacy. A Grandmother’s Tea Party highlights the spring, and there’s a luncheon the Saturday before Mother’s Day. Especially popular is the Santa Tea Party, a treat for the younger set.

No matter what brings guests to the Bonnie Blue Inn, Merritt hopes they feel at home.

“Some days we’re bustling, and some days it’s quiet around here,’ she says. “But I like for people to be able to relax and enjoy the feel of the place. To me, that’s the most important thing.”

If You Go: Contact Bonnie Blue Inn at (931) 815-3838 or www.bonnieblueinn.com.

Rates are $90-$100 per night. The Tea Room is open 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday, from March to December.

Jams, jellies and other canned goods are available at the inn or by mail order.

Can You Can? There’s a renewed interest in the old-fashioned art of home canning these days, Rebecca Merritt says. While she doesn’t allow guests to observe her canning process, she suggests contacting your local UT Extension office for guidance and free materials on how to get started.

Merritt also sends out a quarterly email that includes musings and news, as well as favorite recipes. Guests are so sweet on the blueberry topping she serves at the inn that she agreed to share her recipe and canning instructions.

Blueberry Jam Topping ½ cup sugar 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1 cup water 4 cups fresh or frozen blueberries In a large saucepan, combine sugar, cornstarch and water, until smooth. Add blueberries. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove from the heat. Topping may be processed in sterilized jars for 6 minutes.

Home&Farm 15

Tennessee Living

Carving

His Niche

Retiree uses woodworking hobby to show appreciation Story by Jessica Walker Photography by jeff adkins

Carving Artists Visit tnhomeandfarm. com/carving to find more of Tennessee’s carving artists, such as Roger Smith, who carves creations out of peach seeds in Culleoka, and H. Dee Moss, who carves wood into wildlife at his studio at Casey Jones Village in Jackson.

16 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

W

hen Dean Wyatt retired from the work force, he was hoping to find something to occupy his newly acquired free time. He found himself 15 pounds heavier – and bored – just one month into his retirement. “I had to have something to do to get me out of the house and away from the air conditioning and the television,” Wyatt says.

After working with his hands for most of his life – building cabinets and furniture, subcontracting, and performing other hands-on jobs – he found his way back to a former passion: creating woodcarvings.

“I’ve been making them off and on all my life,” Wyatt says, “but I really got into it when I retired.”

Now in his seventies, he uses poplar and red cedar wood with a little glue to create a variety of objects, including tractors, bulldozers, motorcycles, helicopters, pickup trucks and lawnmowers – and that’s just the short list. “If I see something I want to build, I try to build it,” Wyatt says.

When he spots something he wants to recreate, he takes a picture of the item and measures it. Then, he goes home to his shop and begins to fashion a new creation.

While he’s willing to take on just about any challenge when it comes to carving and building, he does admit the process – taking anywhere from 40 to 200 hours – can be pretty time consuming. “It depends on the complexity of the toy you’re building,” Wyatt says. “Most of my stuff is very detailed.”

But he’s in no hurry; Wyatt’s creations are not for sale. And don’t even think about making a request. He makes what he wants to make, when he wants to make it – and then gives it away. “I’m retired,” he says. “There’s no pressure; I can work at my leisure.”

That’s right – Wyatt is committed to being truly retired, refusing to turn his hobby into a business. “I’d rather just build something and give it to someone,” he says.

So, receiving them as gifts, a lucky few can call Wyatt’s creations their own. “I also build wooden vases and bowls and give them away at Christmas,” he adds.

In fact, Wyatt donates much of his work.

He gave the Dover Library a fire truck, complete with extending ladders, in memory of his late friend Edward Smith, who chaired the Stewart County Volunteer Firefighters.

Wyatt’s inspiration comes from individuals in his community who he feels are rarely tnfarmbureau.org

recognized for their good work, such as those serving in the Stewart County EMS or the local sheriff’s office. “They are constantly on the go,” he says. “I want them to know there is somebody in the world that does appreciate them.”

Even when he’s not carving and crafting, Wyatt can typically be found working with his hands. “I quit hunting and fishing years ago, and I’m not too much into sports,” he says. Instead, he spends time doing yard work and renovating his home.

Though his work is in high demand in his community, don’t expect Wyatt to change his mind any time soon. He has no plans to put his hand-carved creations up for sale. “If I started selling, I’d be back to working,” he laughs. “I just want to keep it as a relaxing hobby.”

For now, Wyatt simply intends to continue enjoying his retirement – with a little carving, building and designing, of course. “It keeps my mind working and active,” he says.

“To me, that’s special at my age.” tnhomeandfarm.com

Home&Farm 17

Home & Garden

18 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

A Place for

Everything Learn easy and fun ways

to organize kids’ rooms

Story by Carol Cowan Photography by brian Mccord & Jeffrey S. otto

S

chool’s out for summer, and even though those of us who are parents are thrilled to have more time to spend with our kids, some of us are less than excited about the disaster zones we know their rooms will quickly become.

Franklin-based home organization expert Liz Jenkins says it doesn’t have to be that way. With the right setup, your child’s room can provide hours of happy, focused play and stay neat and orderly during summer break and all year long.

“There are three key components to a well-organized child’s room,” Jenkins says.

“Kids need an empty area in which to play, a surface to do things on, and creative and accessible storage.”

Let’s face it: Kids are not naturally inclined to put things away. But when they are not overwhelmed with too much stuff and the toys they do play with have a clearly designated “home,” tidying up is no big deal.

What To Do Start by observing your child at play and asking directly, Jenkins says. What does he or she actually play with? What does he or she like to do? What items are precious to your child, and what items get ignored?

Take inventory of everything in your child’s room and purge all the unwanted, tnhomeandfarm.com

unused, broken and age-inappropriate items.

Rather than asking if your child wants to get rid of a particular item, Jenkins recommends asking, “Do you want this to go to Cousin Mary (for example) or donate it to the church nursery, thrift store, etc.?”

Set up play zones, and keep things where they are used. For example, if your child loves to do arts and crafts, set up an art zone and store the paper, markers and related items in open bins near the desk or easel.

Storage Solutions Use wall cubbies, open bins, under-bed storage containers, stacking trays, shelves and wall hooks to keep like items together.

Pop-up laundry hampers make great containers for stuffed animals and balls.

Storage containers are useless if your child can’t reach them. Make sure shelves, bins and cubbies are on their level.

Labels help kids remember where things go, especially when they get to do the labeling. Photos, clip art and drawings work for non-readers, and kids who can read get a big kick out of using a label-maker.

When organizing your child’s room, Jenkins says, keep in mind that it should be a space where kids can find what they want, have an appropriate place to use it, and be able to put it back by themselves.

Clutter-Free in Tennessee Many of us don’t have kids and still have trouble staying organized. Mary Pankiewicz, who runs Clutter-Free & Organized in upper East Tennessee, offers some sage words of advice: “If you can weed your garden, you can declutter your home.” Get more tips from Pankiewicz at www.clutterfree.biz.

For more of Liz Jenkins’ lessons on home organization, visit www.afreshspace.com or follow her at twitter. com/afreshspace.

Home&Farm 19

Pinpoint Plus Security

Identity Theft Restoration & Consultation Services

(800) 598-9662 Free fire, burglary and medical emergency system.

No installation charge.

$950 value.

Water leak protection also available. Save up to 20% on your homeowner’s premium. Lower monitoring rates than competition.

Available statewide.

*36 month monitoring agreement required at $29.95 per month ($1078.20). Additional charges for water system installation and monitoring. Form of payment must be by credit card or electronic charge to your checking or savings account. Offer applies to homeowners only. Local permit fees may apply. Certain restrictions may apply. Offer valid for new customers only. Other rate plans available. Pinpoint Plus, LLC is NOT affiliated with ADT Security Services.

Cannot be combined with any other offer. Pinpoint Plus, LLC Tn. Cert. #. C-0332

ADT Security

FREE security system

• Included with your Tennessee Farm Bureau membership

$850 value

• Consultation and restoration services

Plus homeowners insurance savings and savings on monthly monitoring. Available only by calling:

• If you have been a victim of ID theft, call (877) 329-3911

(877) 832-6701

*You must be an active member of the Tennessee Farm Bureau for a minimum of 60 days to be eligible. Membership eligibility and offer subject to change without notice.

*36-month monitoring agreement required at $31.99 per month ($1,151.64). $99 customer installation charge.

Form of payment must be by credit card or electronic charge to your checking or savings account. Offer applies to homeowners only. Local permit fees may apply. Certain restrictions may apply. Offer valid for new customers only.

Other rate plans available. Cannot be combined with any other offer. PowerLink, LLC TN. Cert. #C-0332.

Farm Bureau Bank Auto Loan Refinancing

Refinance your automobile loan and save!

HughesNet

High-Speed Satellite Internet • Available everywhere today • Packages starting as low as $39.95

• Save up to $1,365 in interest on a 60-month vehicle loan**

TN Farm Bureau members receive:

• Special Farm Bureau member rates*

• $50 rebate off of best available HughesNet offer

• Up to 100% financing

• Plus a FREE wireless router – $49.99 value****

• Call (866) 645-8123 or visit farmbureaubank.com/tfbf to apply today

• Call

(877) 636-2681

For a more complete list of benefits, visit www.tnfarmbureau.org/ memberbenefits or visit the TN Farm Bureau Member Benefits Facebook page.

By visiting our page you will be able to stay informed on new benefits, hear what other members have to say about these products and services, and will be eligible for give-a-ways from our affiliate partners. Prizes will include Choice Hotels vouchers, Enterprise car rentals, Farm Bureau apparel and much more.

Been hesitant to join the world of Facebook? There is no better time than now!

Looking for information on these benefits? *Some restrictions apply based on the make and model of vehicle offered as collateral. Loans are subject to credit approval. Rates and financing options are limited to certain model years and are subject to change without notice. Finance charges accrue from origination date of the loan. **Savings comparison based on a financed 60-month new vehicle loan as of June 24, 2010. Rates are subject to change without notice. To qualify for Farm Bureau Bank’s lowest loan annual percentage rates, members must have excellent credit and sign up for automatic payments. Additional discounts also apply when purchasing one or more vehicle protection plans. National average for 60-month new auto loans is 6.92% APR as quoted by Bankrate.com. Banking services provided by Farm Bureau Bank, FSB. Farm Bureau Bank, FSB is a service to member institution that provides banking services to Farm Bureau members. Services are not available in AL, IL, MI, MO, MS, OH or WY and may not be available in some counties or parishes. Farm Bureau, FB and the FB National Logo are registered service marks owned by the American Farm Bureau Federation and are used under license by FB BanCorp and its subsidiaries, including Farm Bureau Bank FSB. FB BanCorp is an independent entity and the AFBF does not own, is not owned by, and is not under common ownership with FB BanCorp or its affiliated entities.

*Available to new HughesNet subscribers only. Offers subject to change without notice. **HughesNet is available anywhere in the contiguous US with a clear view of the southern sky. Service and hardware sold separately.

24-month commitment required. Early termination fees apply. Visit legal.HughesNet.com for details. Minimum term required. Monthly service and termination fees apply. Usage is subject to a Fair Access Policy. Actual speeds may vary. Speed and uninterrupted use of service are not guaranteed. Visit www.legal.HughesNet.com for details. ***Extra rebate offer not available to customers who qualify for the recovery act. ****Wireless router available to customers after 30 days of active service. ©2011 Hughes Network Systems, LLC. HughesNet is a registered trademark of Hughes Network Systems, LLC.

Toll-Free: (877) 363-9100 Visit us online at www.tnfarmbureau.org/ memberbenefits Haven’t visited our Facebook page? Scan this QR barcode to visit our page now! *Offers subject to change without notice.

Taste of

Tenness Farmers markets and roadside stands offer a bounty of farm-fresh summer Ingredients

22 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

Food

ee

tnhomeandfarm.com

Story by K aren Schwartzman Photography by brian Mccord & Jeffrey S. otto food styling by kristen winston catering

E

njoy the freshness of your local farmers’ fare with TN a few of these FARM surprisingly easy treats.

FRESH Shopping locally and directly from your farmer is becoming easier than ever.

Farmers markets, roadside stands and Community Supported Agriculture programs (CSAs) present an easy way to partake in the trend, and crowds are flocking to take advantage of the bounty that the market scene offers.

In honor of summer and all the homegrown goodies it brings, we’ve compiled a list of recipes perfect for the health-conscious, the serious foodie or just the casual cook. It’s an easy – and delicious – way to support your local farmers. Of course, these recipes may also be enjoyed any time of the year with a trip to your neighborhood grocery store.

Give the traditional salad a new spin by trading lettuce for freshly picked zucchini.

Zucchini, Corn and Tomato Salad flavored with a sweet lemon vinaigrette is a healthy addition to any summer meal.

Gazpacho, a chilled soup, makes a tasty lunch or flavorful start to supper. Simply throw together your market favorites such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, onions and garlic, blend in your food processor, and chill overnight for a refreshing summer soup.

Finally, put those eggplants to use with our take on the classic eggplant Parmesan, in which the purple veggie is just one of many layers, along with mozzarella cheese, pesto and marinara sauce. Combine these Eggplant, Mozzarella and Pesto Gratins with garlic bread and a salad, and you have a full Italian meal.

TN FARM FRESH Find a Farmer Looking for farm-fresh fruits and vegetables?

Find a farmer online at www.tnfarmfresh.com.

Home&Farm 23

Eggplant, Mozzarella and Pesto Gratins ¼ cup + 6 tablespoons olive oil 1 18-ounce eggplant, sliced into eight ½-inch-thick slices ½ cup all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon kosher salt ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1 extra large egg ½ cup panko breadcrumbs ¼ cup + 4 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese Unsalted butter ½ cup pesto sauce 1 cup marinara sauce (can use store-bought marinara or see our recipe online) 2 8-ounce balls buffalo milk mozzarella cheese, each cut into six ¼-inch thick slices

Combine the flour, salt and pepper on a dinner plate.

Beat the egg with 1 teaspoon water on a second plate.

Mix the breadcrumbs with ¼ cup Parmesan on a third plate. Dredge the eggplant on both sides in the flour mixture, then dip both sides into the egg mixture and roll in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing lightly to coat.

Heat 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large sauté pan, and cook the breaded eggplant on medium-low for about 3 minutes on each side, until just cooked through. Don’t crowd the pan.

Add more butter and oil, and cook the rest of the eggplant. Allow eggplant to drain on paper towel.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place four slices of eggplant on baking sheet. Top each with ¼ cup marinara, three slices mozzarella cheese, 1 tablespoon pesto and 1 tablespoon Parmesan cheese.

Top with remaining eggplant slices. Bake until heated through, about 8 minutes. Serve hot.

Check out our marinara recipe online at tnhomeandfarm.com/marinara.

24 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

Zucchini, Corn and Tomato Salad

Gazpacho

1½ p ounds zucchini

1 teaspoon garlic, minced

1¼ teaspoon salt

34

1 cup fresh corn kernels (cut from 2 ears)

2 English cucumbers, chopped

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 green pepper, chopped

½ teaspoon sugar

1 yellow pepper, chopped

¼ teaspoon black pepper

1 red pepper, chopped

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

3 pounds fresh tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped

8 ounces grape or cherry tomatoes, halved lengthwise

48 ounces tomato juice / cup red onion, chopped

3½ teaspoons kosher salt

¼ cup thinly sliced fresh basil

4 tablespoons red wine vinegar

Working with one zucchini at a time, cut lengthwise into very thin (julienne) strips with slicer, turning zucchini and avoiding core. Discard core.

Toss zucchini strips with 1 teaspoon salt and let drain in a colander set over a bowl, covered and chilled, for 1 hour.

Gently squeeze handfuls of zucchini to remove excess water and pat dry with paper towels.

Cook corn in a small saucepan of boiling water until tender, about 3 minutes. Drain, then rinse under cold water and pat dry.

Whisk together lemon juice, sugar, pepper, and remaining ¼ teaspoon salt in a large bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking. Add zucchini, corn, tomatoes and basil; toss well.

Combine ingredients in a large food processor or blender, and pulse to desired consistency. Cover tightly and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.

The longer it chills, the more flavorful it will be.

See More online

No zucchini? Any summer squash will work in this recipe.

Try the crookneck or straightneck varieties of yellow squash.

tnhomeandfarm.com

Discover our twist on a Southern summer staple, stuffed peppers.

Instead of using the traditional beef and rice, our Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers call for a filling of lamb and couscous. Find a link to the recipe at tnhomeandfarm. com/farmers-market-recipes.

Home&Farm 25

Country Classics

Pretty in Pink strawberry cake is a farmers market specialty

K

tnhomeandfarm.com

Strawberry Sheet Cake Strawberry Cake: 2 cups self-rising flour 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 cup canola oil 1 cup milk ¼ cup mashed sweetened strawberries 1 small box dry strawberry jello Mix all ingredients and pour into greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean.

Icing: ½ stick softened margarine 3 to 4 cups powdered sugar ¼ cup mashed sweetened strawberries Mix all until smooth – may need to add more powdered sugar or strawberries for a spreading consistency. Mix well first before you add extra sugar or strawberries.

Store in refrigerator.

Hungry for More?

Each issue of Tennessee Home & Farm highlights recipes like those featured in Country Classics Volume II. Copies of the cookbook are available for $17 each, including shipping and handling, from county Farm Bureau offices, or by calling the Tennessee Farm Bureau home office at (931) 388-7872, ext. 2217.

Jeffrey S. Otto

aren Norton, a Mt. Pleasant baker and caterer, reads cookbooks like most people read newspapers and magazines.

Her most popular cake is a cool and refreshing Strawberry Sheet Cake that her sister-in-law, Faye Hallmark, clipped out of a magazine or newspaper around 20 years ago.

“She is like me and collects (recipes),” Norton says.

Members of Norton’s family spend time almost daily cooking up tried-and-true recipes such as the strawberry cake, a variety of cupcakes and muffins, and a unique take on chicken salad at the family’s growing business, Family Bakery and Catering in Mt. Pleasant, which does special orders for delivery or pick-up at the farm.

Norton originally began selling her culinary creations after she and her husband bought a farm in Maury County. In 2001, she set up shop at the Franklin Farmers Market at The Factory, offering vegetables grown on the farm as well as baked goods such as zucchini bread. As the number of crops grew, so did their menagerie of treats – including the strawberry cake.

Four years later, Norton started the bakery and catering service, which gave her another outlet to experiment with dessert concoctions.

“My mother never went by a recipe when she made a cake,” she says. “I like putting something together and not knowing the outcome.”

Norton’s popular Strawberry Sheet Cake isn’t a dessert that needs much tweaking nowadays. It is pretty much the same as it’s been for two decades, except the pink cake is now also baked in cupcake form as a special treat more appealing to children.

The cake is one of her staples at the farmers market. Norton says she always sells out when the strawberry cupcakes are put out in the display case.

This recipe is a symbol of spring, she says, but the pink cake with pink frosting is a fan favorite any time of the year. The cold dessert with flecks of strawberry is at its best the longer it is refrigerated.

– Erin Edgemon

Home&Farm 27

Restaurant Review

What a Catch The Catfish Hotel in Shiloh Treats Patrons Like Family

C

tnhomeandfarm.com

The Dish on the Catfish Hotel

Photos by Antony Boshier

ulinary artistry assumes many forms, from avant-garde molecular wizardry to the centuries-old farm-table cuisines of Italy and France. But whether it’s trendy or eternal, one thing holds true of all fine craftsmanship of the edible variety: love. If a meal tastes delicious and authentic, you can bet that somebody in the kitchen loves the food they prepare and the people whom it nourishes.

At the Catfish Hotel in Shiloh, the tradition of lovingly prepared whole catfish hasn’t changed much since owner Jim Hagy’s grandfather cooked meals for his fishing buddies in a roughhewn shack on the banks of the Tennessee River. Hagy says his granddad taught him his simple and (some would say) perfect method for dressing and frying whole fiddler catfish.

“There’s no written recipe,” he says.

Hagy’s family has owned this riverside travelers’ haven since before the Civil War, when riverboats plied the Tennessee and used that log shack as a storehouse. In the 1930s, the Hagys’ legendary hospitality prompted then-governor Gordon Browning to suggest that the family open a catfish restaurant there, so impressed was he by a catfish-fry fundraiser they’d hosted in his honor.

Since then, the Catfish Hotel has come to embody “family restaurant” in the broadest sense. Jim Hagy fondly recalls generations of Hagys pitching in to fry up mountains of hush puppies on an early morning. And the building itself was a constant work in progress, as ad hoc additions rose from the original shack. “It was this monstrosity, a crazy fun place,” he says.

The restaurant was rebuilt after a fire in 1975, and Jim Hagy now lives in Nashville. But he says the restaurant still connects the Hagy descendants and offers them an extended family that transcends blood relation. Manager Barbara McAfee, a 31-year Catfish Hotel

veteran, nurtures the place as her own with help from her family. And generations of regulars have found their way to these tables overlooking the Tennessee River to enjoy Hagy family recipes, old and new.

From the traditional spread – all-you-caneat whole catfish, hush puppies, French fries and cole slaw with homemade dressing ladled on – to newer menu items, such as lemonpepper broiled catfish and barbecued ribs, each recipe represents a Hagy’s creative energies … not least of which includes Jim Hagy’s grandmother’s lemon rub pie, his mother’s German chocolate pie and his sisters’ white chocolate banana cream pie.

For Hagy and the rest of the Catfish Hotel family, feeding folks delicious, traditional fare is an expression of caring for the travelers who’ve journeyed here. “It’s like having people in your home,” Hagy says. “You just want it to be good.”

– Kim Green

In each issue, we feature one of Tennessee’s tasty eateries, and you can find a collection of our favorite restaurants in the Food section of tnhomeandfarm.com.

As always, please call ahead before traveling long distances.

Hagy’s Catfish Hotel, located at 1140 Hagy Lane near Shiloh National Military Park, is open 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

Tuesday-Sunday (until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday), and closed Mondays (except Labor Day and Memorial Day).

You can reach them at (731) 689-3327 or www.catfishhotel.com.

Home&Farm 29

Gardening

Moles and Voles in the Garden, Oh My! Learn the difference between and how to combat these lawn- and garden-destroying critters

T

About the Author Dr. Sue Hamilton is Director of the University of Tennessee Gardens. The gardens are a project of the University of Tennessee AgResearch program, with locations in Knoxville and Jackson: http://utgardens. tennessee.edu.

30 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

hese mouse-like critters can wreak havoc on your lawn and garden, but control depends upon which you have.

So how do you know if you’re fighting moles or voles? Though similar in habit and size, moles and voles are really very different. They have completely different diets, and they cause different types of damage in your landscape.

to vole damage, the most obvious sign of which is a dead or dying plant.

Pine voles are active day and night, looking for food in a home range of about a quarter acre. They seldom venture into exposed places, instead using elaborate tunnel systems that create the all too familiar and unsightly raised ridges in your lawn.

Voles

Moles

Voles are rodents. They are commonly called mice, meadow mice or field mice. They are about 3 inches long, weigh 1 ounce or less and have reddish-brown fur, a short half-inch tail, tiny ears and eyes that are not visible. Of the 23 species of voles in the United States, the pine vole, the prairie vole and the meadow vole are the most common for our region.

Meadow voles (found in East Tennessee) and prairie voles (Middle and West Tennessee) mostly live above ground. They live in and feed on grasses, although they can chew saplings at ground level. Tall fescue in orchards and lightly grazed pastures are typical habitats. They are usually less troublesome than the pine vole, which loves to infest our landscaped gardens.

Pine voles spend most of their lives under the ground in burrows feeding on plant roots.

You are more likely to see signs of voles than the voles themselves, but sometimes you may glimpse one scurrying from one planting bed to another. They like living in mulch, leaf and grass piles, and tall ground covers. They love to eat roots of lawn grass, trees, shrubs, flower bulbs and hostas. Where protective cover is available, voles may girdle the main stem of plants just above the ground. On occasion they will eat bark. Vegetable gardens, ornamental plantings and young trees are all susceptible

Moles belong to the same family as shrews and bats. They have large paddle-like front feet with prominent claws designed for very efficient digging. They are about the size of chipmunks and can weigh anywhere from 3-6 ounces. Total length can be 6-8 inches. Moles are covered by a soft grey fur, and variegation in color is common with patches of orange or white. The Eastern mole and the grey mole are the most common in Tennessee.

Moles love to eat worms, insect grubs and adult insects. Moles tunnel in search of food, and in your lawn and landscape beds their tunneling raises the soil into ridges. Moles produce two types of “runways.� One type runs just beneath the surface. These are feeding tunnels and appear as raised ridges running across your lawn. The second type runs deeper and enables the moles to unite the feeding tunnels in a network. It is the soil excavated from the deep tunnels that homeowners find on their lawns, piled up in mounds that resemble little volcanoes. Moles can dig surface tunnels at a rate of about 18 feet per hour, and speed through existing tunnels at 80 feet per minute.

How to Tell the Difference Proper identification of these unwanted varmints is critical to control. If you never tnfarmbureau.org

Photo Courtesy of David Reber

come face-to-face with the pest, identification must be based on their signs and the damage they do in your landscape. Key indicators for moles are volcano-like mounds of soil. Welldefined, visible runways about 2 inches wide, at or near the surface indicate voles.

Prevention and Control Methods Methods to prevent and control damage for both pests are habitat management, exclusion, repellents, trapping and poison bait. Fumigants are generally ineffective due to the expansive

Photo Courtesy of Michael L. Kennedy

tunnels and surface holes associated with vole and mole activity. Removing their food sources (insects) goes a long way in preventing moles.

Exclusion methods for voles call for woven wire or hardware cloth fences, extending 1 foot above and 6 inches below ground. Commercial repellents are available for both, while homemade repellents range from ammonia to Juicy Fruit gum. Trapping and poison are lethal to the pests; however, they may not entirely solve your problem. Typically a combination of control methods will produce the best results.

More on Mole and Vole Control Find more detailed prevention and control methods for moles and voles at tnhomeandfarm. com/moles-voles.

Clockwise from left: A mole tunnel; dianthus, a flower that attracts voles; a prairie vole. tnhomeandfarm.com

Home&Farm 31

32 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

Farmside Chat

Meet John Butler West Tennessee resident farms corn, soybeans, wheat and cattle

A

re you doing the right thing, or are you doing it right? The key is to do both, because the gray area is what makes the difference.”

This mantra runs John Butler’s life; it’s what he strives to do on a daily basis on his West Tennessee farm.

Butler, his wife, Dana, and their three children live and work on a fifth-generation family farm in Dyer and Obion counties, where they raise cattle, corn, soybeans and wheat.

Butler, who took over the then-primarily row crop operation in 1995 when his father retired, added cattle breeding in order to remain profitable – and also because of his love of caring for animals.

Why did you choose to become a full-time farmer?

When it’s 15 degrees below zero, I have a fever and I’m still outside taking care of my animals, I ask myself the same question. It’s simple: You either love it or you don’t. I have a love for animals in my care, and although it is a job – the way I take care of my family – it’s also what I love. You spend a lot of time with them, in 100-degree heat or freezing rain, understanding what they need and providing it, be it clean water, food for extra energy or medical attention; but I wouldn’t trade it.

What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a farmer?

Start small, and ease your way in. Don’t try to hit a home run first; hit a couple of singles to get the feel of it. Take every class you can.

Dealing with livestock is a lot like dealing with children: If you say they can’t do something, they’ll figure it out. It’s like telling a 4-year-old “no” – he’s going to find out for himself anyway, so you just have to prepare for every eventuality. tnhomeandfarm.com

Antony Boshier

“

What do you want the non-farming public to know about what you do?

Those involved in agriculture, especially the animal side, have an innate sense of caring for their animals. Yes, it is a business, but many times the bottom line doesn’t matter – I do whatever I can to help those animals. I do have to make money in the long run, but sometimes you just do the right thing and hope things turn around later.

See More Online Read more of our Q&A with John Butler at tnhomeandfarm.com.

Learn more about the well-being and care of animals by visiting www.conversations oncare.com.

As a farmer, what is your biggest challenge?

To make sure that people who aren’t farming, be it legislators or someone at the corner market, have a feel for what I’m doing. We have the safest, most economical, most abundant food supply in the world, and people have forgotten that. That’s why I’m involved in Farm Bureau, because communicating our story is vital for the future of agriculture. We need to share with everyone why we do what we do and how much we love and care for all aspects of agricultural life. – Melissa Burniston Home&Farm 33

Meet the Newly Designed

The original premium residential rider.

Starting at $3,199

It is a precisely engineered, zero turn rider, crafted to satisfy the lawn enthusiast’s need for perfection. It has a 22-24HP Kawasaki engine and is available in a 42” and 50” cutting width. A three-year consumer warranty is included.

For more information or a FREE DEMO, visit our dealer locator at: www.exmark.com/blalock/magazine or call toll-free (800) 955-4655 ext. 112.

34 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

To Good Health

Meaningful Message Handwritten thank-you notes are still important today

S

mall, red-brick ranch house. Short concrete driveway ending at one-car carport, basketball goal anchored above, bordered by beaten-down bare spots on either side – testimony to endless hours of basketball.

Today, it would most likely be a garage instead of a carport, the goal on an adjustable pole and not the roof, and no bare spots because the endless hours will have been inside on the computer instead of outside with the neighborhood kids. Then, it was 306 Gibson Road. Today, it would be akimbrough@trh.com.

Most of us can probably quickly recall the physical address of our childhood home even after all these years. The mailbox meant something back then. Letters home from Dad on military duty or work travel, birthday cards from family and friends, and letters from Grandmother. Often, letters were ripped open and read before I ever reached the carport.

Sometimes a bit of translation might be needed from Mom or Dad to help read words written by an aging and less-than-steady hand.

And not to lament the technology today that allows us to talk instantly with someone across the world, there’s still something a bit special about receiving a handwritten note in the mail.

It means a little more, maybe, that they took that extra effort, that extra time. All the letters are filled in – no texting shortcuts, so ‘luv’ is love, ‘u’ is you, and ‘lol’ is laugh out loud.

Those kind of notes I can drop into my keepsake file, to where I occasionally turn and flip through notes scribbled by daughters, parents, friends; such sentimental journeys have a knack for pushing away the hard edges of life.

(Okay, I know I can print out an email or text message if I wish to keep it – and I often do!)

All this said, it caught our attention at work a while back when we received a handwritten note in the mail. It was a kind note, and insurance companies aren’t exactly accustomed to receiving lots of love letters in the mail, being that we are usually characterized as villains. For the record, we tnhomeandfarm.com

‘villains’ at TRH Health Plans today cover more than 190,000 Farm Bureau members and pay out daily an average of more than $1 million in claims payments to doctors, hospitals and other providers.

But this particular note was a thank-you note from a member, thanking us for insuring their family and for ‘staying true in trying times.’

Covered by our health plan for several years, they chose us ‘because of rate and benefits … the most bang for our money.’ Maybe we should hire them to guide our marketing efforts, because they captured perfectly what we have sought to do as a service company of the Tennessee Farm Bureau.

We have all been in the midst of a long debate over a national health-care reform law, much of which has focused on the government – and not its citizens – making decisions about what should be covered and not covered by certain health plans. Much of what we’ve done as a company in the past year has been in response to a dramatic change in the law, not in response to what you our members have suggested.

For nearly 65 years, TRH has made available to members a variety of health plans, for individuals, for families, for senior citizens, for small employers. To do so, our focus has been very narrow: to offer as wide an array of benefits as possible, for as many members as possible, at rates that are as affordable as possible. That means we’ve never tried to offer health plans with extremely rich benefits, because most of our members can’t afford that. They want a reasonable plan that will also protect them if a catastrophic health situation occurs.

It truly is about the most bang for your buck.

It has always been our belief that you should be free to make your own choices in a competitive marketplace. So thanks for choosing TRH Health Plans, or, if you haven’t, come by and see us at your local Tennessee Farm Bureau office, call us or visit our website, or even write us a handwritten note. We’ll be sure to read it.

About the Author Anthony Kimbrough is vice president of marketing and government relations for TRH Health Plans. His email is akimbrough@trh.com.

For more information about TRH Health Plans, call (877) 874-8323 or visit www.trh.com.

Home&Farm 35

Farm Bureau Almanac

The Flavor of Fresh Farm bureau program connects farmers to consumers See More Online Find a Tennessee Farm Fresh farmer in your county, learn more about the program and see the recipe of the month at www.tnfarmfresh.com.

H

ow does the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation work for you? By offering a variety of programs and services exclusively benefiting you, its members. Learn about even more Farm Bureau programs at www.tnfarmbureau.org.

What is Tennessee Farm Fresh?

Tennessee Farm Fresh is a specialized program in cooperation with the Tennessee Farm Bureau and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. This program is in place to help producers market their farm fresh products and to educate consumers on how to find them.

Buying products straight from the farm or farmers market is a growing trend nationwide, and this program’s goal is to give the local producer the ability to sell their farm fresh products – including fruits, vegetables, meats, plants and herbs – directly to their neighbors.

What is the purpose of this program?

The program offers producer identification and consumer communication. Tennessee has a variety of locally produced specialty crops and other agricultural products. It is very

36 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

important to maintain a strong agricultural community in Tennessee. Assisting producers with promotion of their farm products and providing consumers with a connection to these local products are just a few ways we can contribute to keeping agriculture viable in Tennessee.

Why should people buy locally?

Buying locally is beneficial in many ways.

Buying locally supports your local economy, area farmers and agriculture. The best benefit of all is that you get to enjoy the freshest product around. People enjoy the experience of communicating with farmers and being educated about the products they are buying and the food they are eating, and Tennessee Farm Fresh can assist with this opportunity.

How do I sign up?

If you are a producer and would like to participate in Tennessee Farm Fresh, sign up by visiting www.tnfarmfresh.com and clicking on “For TFF Producers,” or contacting Tiffany Howard at (931) 388-7872 ext. 2763 or thoward@tfbf.com. tnfarmbureau.org

Member Benefits

For Members Only use your membership card to save on prescriptions

A

s I grow older, I spend more time reflecting on those who have made an impact on my life. My grandfather, who we affectionately referred to as Pap, had a major influence on me. Pap didn’t want for many material things in life; in fact, a good felt hat, a good pocket knife and a good pair of overalls just about covered his needs. He didn’t believe in much debt, led singing at church every Sunday, never met a stranger and always had a smile. He never had a lot of money, but he was one of the richest men I have known in terms of happiness.

A while back, my dad and I were reminiscing about some of the laughs that we shared with Pap and talking about the tough times that he and my grandmother (Ma) had endured during their marriage of over 75 years. He asked me, “Do you realize how much Pap and Ma spent on doctor’s visits and prescriptions?” After a few more minutes of conversation, I understood how the cost of health care had significantly impacted the lives of my grandparents.

Maybe you can identify with my grandparents’ story. If so, you might be interested to know that prescription drug discounts are included with TFBF membership.

Savings typically range from 10 to 40 percent off of the retail price of eligible prescriptions.

Before you grab your car keys and head out the door to the pharmacy, I need to clarify a few things. This discount will not stack on top of any existing discount that you are getting through your health insurance plan; it is not insurance; it is a point of sale discount; most chain and independent pharmacies participate in the prescription tnhomeandfarm.com

discount program; and best of all it’s free.

To use the discount, simply take your membership card by a participating pharmacy and show them the numbers on the back of the card. If you need to find a participating pharmacy, check the price of a drug or reprint your membership card, go online to www.tnfarmbureau.org/memberbenefits.

If you have other questions, call us toll free at 1-877-363-9100.

Oh, I also forgot to mention that Pap also liked saving money, and somehow I think that saving a few dollars on his prescriptions would have made him smile.

About the Author Bryan Wright is the associate director of organization/member benefits for TFBF. His email is bwright@ tfbf.com.

To learn more about member benefits, visit www.tnfarmbureau.org/ memberbenefits or call the member benefits hotline toll free at 1-877-363-9100.

Home&Farm 37

Travel

Jeffrey S. Otto

Jeffrey S. Otto

38 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

Farm Camp

or Bust Tennessee farm camps provide a healthy, educational alternative to video games and iPods

Story by Jessica Mozo

Y

ou might say Tap Root Farm offers a primer on agriculture for the farm-challenged. The 300-acre cattle operation in Franklin is one of several Tennessee farms that host summer farm camps.

“We noticed many years ago that people love to come and hang out at the farm for a day,” says Susan Ingraham, director of fun at Tap Root Farm and president of the Tennessee Agritourism Association. “My dad has taught many a young man how to work on Saturdays, and we love using our farm to bring joy to other people.”

Tap Root Farm Camp Ingraham’s parents, Frank and Frances Ingraham, bought Tap Root Farm in 1961 and have been raising beef cattle, row crops and hay ever since. Today, Susan Ingraham oversees farm operations with help

from her parents, her teenage children and farm manager Russ Harkai.

In 2008, Ingraham kicked off the first summer day camp for kids from kindergarten through eleventh grade, and it has grown steadily each year.

In 2011, Tap Root Farm is offering three weeklong camps with a maximum of 50 campers at each.

“We have done school field trips and farm tours, and we still do. But I’m more of a relationship person, so I like camps because we get to know the kids, along the same lines as my dad did teaching kids how to work on the farm,” Ingraham says. “These kids experience farm life and do what we do – they don’t just come see what we do and then leave. They garden all week, planting, hoeing, harvesting and working in our orchard.”

Campers also learn about Tap Root Farm’s beef sales program. The

farm has been selling its certified Angus beef directly to consumers since 1996. “The campers get to go out and fiddle with the cows, and they learn about fencing or whatever is happening on the farm at the time,” Ingraham says. “We are on spring and well water, so we teach them about water and play tug-of-war across the creek. They ride horses every day and learn about tack, and horse and cattle feeding. And if we have any baby animals, they help take care of those.”

The farm’s beehives are always a popular topic, followed by a snack of hot biscuits topped with fresh honey.

“We do a lot of activities on our large screened-in porch,” Ingraham says. “No TV, iPods, handheld games or cell phones are allowed at camp.

But parents can always reach their kids through our camp staff.”

The week concludes with the kids

Falcon Ridge Farm in Hardeman County, top right, and Tap Root Farm in Williamson County offer summer farm camps for kids. tnhomeandfarm.com

Home&Farm 39

When you buy from local farmers you: support local economy, enjoy a fresh product and keep local agriculture viable!

(931) 388-7872 ext. 2763 www.tnfarmfresh.com

40 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

tnfarmbureau.org

Photos by Jeffrey S. Otto

cooking a lunchtime feast. “They pick, wash, snap and cook green beans they hoed earlier in the week, and we cook burgers with our beef,” Ingraham says. “We make squash casserole with cheese and cracker crumbs, and the kids love it. When they tell their moms they ate squash, the moms are just amazed.”

Friday night, parents are invited for a bonfire, and kids can camp in tents with chaperones overnight under the stars. “We always go on a night hike,” Ingraham says.

“These are life experiences many people never get to do if they don’t live on a farm.”

Falcon Ridge Horse Camp In West Tennessee, Falcon Ridge Farm offers its own version of farm camp with an emphasis on horses. The three-day camp near Jackson is held twice each summer for kids ages 6 to 16. It focuses on horsemanship basics such as riding and grooming, as well as hayrides, a petting zoo, and arts and crafts.

“In 2010, we had kids from 250 miles away,” says Ray Gilmer, who owns Falcon Ridge Farm with his wife, Mary Ellen, their son, Bart, and daughter-in-law, Becky.

“Parents will sometimes come for a minivacation and stay in a hotel in Jackson and bring their children to horse camp.”

Falcon Ridge is a working farm where Tennessee Walking Horses are trained and boarded. Bart runs the farm’s agritourism business, which includes a fall festival, Easter egg hunt, Christmas trees and country store.

The farm’s summer horse camps for kids have been so popular, the Gilmers are considering

Campers at Tap Root Farm learn to make meals with food raised on the farm, as well as ways to have fun without video games or iPods. tnhomeandfarm.com

offering a horse camp for adults in the future.

“We teach campers how to get the horse out, clean the stable and groom the horse, and we go over the anatomy of a horse – why his heart beats 40 times per minute, why his legs are so long, how his vision is different than ours,” Gilmer says. “Once we get them acclimated, we’ll put them in our indoor riding arena. By the second day, they’re usually riding by themselves.”

A world champion rider and trainer, Gilmer has been teaching people to ride horses for more than three decades. The Gilmers offer riding lessons year-round. “I got my first horse when I was 4, and I haven’t been without one since,” he says. “They are a great hobby, and if children learn the right way to handle them, it’s a really safe sport you can do all your life. I love watching a child interact with a horse – it gets them off the couch and out of the house, and they love it.”

Back at Tap Root Farm, Ingraham says her camps are all about building relationships and integrity. “We’re helping them learn to become a human being who knows how to contribute to the world.”

Camping With 4-H and FFA Tennessee 4-H offers a variety of camps geared to specific age groups from fourth grade through twelfth grade.

For more information, contact your county’s UT Extension office.

Tennessee FFA members travel across the state to attend Camp Clements in Van Buren County.

Visit www.tnffa.org to learn more.

Find links to these and other summer camps at tnhomeandfarm.com/ farm-camp.

2011 Camp Dates and Costs Tap Root Farm, Franklin June 13-17, July 18-22 and August 1-5 Limit 50 campers per session Early registration (ends June 15 for Home & Farm readers), $249/week Late registration (after June 15), $339/week Visit their website, www.taprootfarm.com, to print application Falcon Ridge Farm, Toone June 20-22 and July 18-20 Limit 12 campers per session, $200 registration fee per child Contact them at www.falconridgefarm.net or call (731) 658-5200 to request application Home&Farm 41

Events & Festivals

The 65th Annual Rhododendron Festival takes place June 18-19, 2011, in Roan Mountain in East Tennessee.

Tennessee Events & Festivals 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 (615) 741-7994 or jamielynn.thompson@tn.gov. Due to space constraints, we are unable to include all of the events provided, but additional information and events can be found online through the department’s website, www.tnvacation.com.

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

Blue Plum Art & Music Festival –

June 3-5, Johnson City

Free outdoor music and art festival spanning seven city blocks in downtown Johnson City. Features children’s entertainment, music and more. CONTACT: 423-928-3479, blueplum.org

National MooFest – June 4-5, Athens

Annual festival celebrating the important role the dairy industry plays within one of Tennessee’s most historic towns. CONTACT: 423-746-9041, nationalmoofest.com

Sycamore Shoals Native American Festival – June 4-5, Elizabethton

JUNE

arrangements of traditional folk and bluegrass music. CONTACT: 615-696-1300, smokenightriders.com

Come and discover the arts, music, dance, crafts, legends and stories of Native Americans. CONTACT: 423-543-5808, sycamoreshoals.org

Rutherford County Heritage Day Camp – June 2-3, Murfreesboro

Memphis Italian Festival – June

A Taste Of Country – June 11,

Enjoy family-oriented fun with music, food, events, games and arts and crafts. Learn about the Italian-American tradition.

Benefits the Holy Rosary Parish School.

CONTACT: 901-543-5310, memphisitalianfestival.com

This Robertson County country festival includes country cooking, arts and crafts, live music, a garden tour and plant sale, farmers’ market and more. CONTACT: 615-384-3800, robertsonchamber.org

Learn the rich history of the Davis and Maney families and their lives during the Civil War. Children tour the houses and grounds, make crafts and play games.

CONTACT: 615-893-0022, oaklandsmuseum.org

Smoke: A Ballet of the Night Riders – June 2-4, 9-11, Adams

A ballet depicting the history and the emotional struggle of the citizens of the Red River area during the time of the Night Riders. The musical score consists of original compostions and new

42 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

2-4, Memphis

Smoky Mountain Pottery Festival – June 3-4, Townsend

The festival features a variety of fine pottery in beautiful styles and exciting techniques.

CONTACT: 865-273-1242, smokymountainfestivals.org

Springfield

Rockabilly Revival Festival and Antique Car Show – June 11, Selmer

The festival features rockabilly music from old and new artists alike. Held in conjunction is an antique car show, antique tractor show and motorcycle ride & show.

CONTACT: 731-697-9149, mcnairy.com tnfarmbureau.org

Oaklands Victorian Craft Camp –

June 13-15, Murfreesboro

Children 6-12 experience hands-on materials and craft making during this new camp offered at Oaklands Historic House Museum. CONTACT: 615-893-0022, oaklandsmuseum.org

Fruits of the Backyard – June 14,

Spring Hill

This free educational event offers visitors a chance to learn about the production of small fruits like grapes and blueberries, and how they can easily be grown in the backyard. The field day also trains guests on maintaining the more traditional “fruits” of their yards, such as beautiful shrubs and lush lawns. CONTACT: 731-425-4768, middletennessee.tennessee.edu

Juneteenth Freedom Festival – June 17-19, Memphis

A three-day celebration with live entertainment featuring gospel, jazz, R&B, blues, rap, classical and neosoul music.

Food and merchandise vendors, exhibits, dancers, storytelling, picnics and more.

CONTACT: 901-543-5310, juneteenthmemphis.com

Bell Buckle RC & Moon Pie Festival – June 18, Bell Buckle

Cutting the world’s largest Moon Pie. CONTACT: 931-389-9663, bellbucklechamber.com

Living History & Militia Muster –

Tobacco Beef & More – June 23,

Antebellum Academy – June

Springfield

27-July 1, Murfreesboro

Frontier Days – June 23-25,

JULY

The Mid-South’s beef and tobacco producers will want to attend this free educational event which features the state’s leading experts on topics such as animal health, forage, burley and dark fired tobacco production. CONTACT: 731-425-4768, highlandrim@tennessee.edu

Lynchburg

Rodeo, carnival rides, games, shoot out, big parade, contests and auctions. CONTACT: 931-759-4111, lynchburgtn.com

Kuumba Festival – June 25-26,

Knoxville

Showcases local African American art and artists sharing, educating and exposing rich cultural art forms to the community.

Features more than 200 entertainers performing on three stages, live demonstrations, and more than 100 crafts people and food vendors. CONTACT: 865-546-9705, kuumbafesttn.com

Camp for girls 13 and up where they will study etiquette, dance, penmanship, music, needlework and art. Space is limited and reservations are required. Contact: 615-893-0022, oaklandsmuseum.org

Freedom Festival – July 3,

Hendersonville

Craft booths, music, children’s play area, food and fireworks at dark. CONTACT: 615-824-2818, hendersonvillechamber.com

Gatlinburg’s Fourth of July Midnight Parade – July 3-4, Gatlinburg

Beginning at midnight and stretching more than a mile in length, more than 100 decorated floats, helium balloons, marching bands and more. CONTACT: 800-568-4748, eventsgatlinburg.com

ATHS Music City Chapter Antique & Working Truck Show – June 17-18, Cumberland County Fairgrounds, Crossville

Features antique or working trucks from pickups to 18-wheelers, antique tractors and engines. Held in conjunction with Cumberland Plateau Antique Tractor and Gas Engine Show. CONTACT: 931-200-3203, www.aths.org

June 18-19, Elizabethton

Re-enactors portray a variety of characters, from hunters and farmers to land speculators and backcountry gentry. Walk among colonists and native peoples who share their past through talks, mini-dramas, and demonstrations of 18th century life. CONTACT: 423-543-5808, sycamoreshoalstn.org

Rose Mont Festival – June 18-19, Gallatin

Browse through the antique, craft, jewelry and furniture booths on the grounds of historic Rose Mont. Tour of the mansion will be available. CONTACT: 615-451-2331, historicrosemont.com

65th Annual Rhododendron Festival – June 18-19, Roan Mountain

Celebrating blooming of rhododendron gardens, crafters, folkways, musicians and food. CONTACT: 800-250-8620, www.roanmountain.com

Front Porch Pastimes Day Camp –

June 20-24, Murfreesboro

Children 6-12 have a chance to step back into the past while being introduced to period games, chores, crafts and cooking.

Limited spaces available. CONTACT: 615-893-0022, oaklandsmuseum.org tnhomeandfarm.com

Home&Farm 43

Anvil Shoot and Independence Day Celebration – July 4, Norris

Old-fashioned celebration with musicians, craftspeople and demonstrations of old-time activities such as sassafras tea brewing, shepherding, rail splitting and more. CONTACT: 865-494-7680, museumofappalachia.org

Fourth of July Celebration – July 4,

Adams

This annual celebration includes picnicking, family fun activities, food and firework display. CONTACT: 615-696-2687, adamstennessee.com

July 4th Celebration at Cherokee Park – July 4, Morristown

Free, day-long musical celebration for the family. Enjoy a variety of bands, children’s games and activities, ending with a firework display at sunset. CONTACT: 423-581-5630, citizentribune.com

Smokin’ the Water Fourth of July Festival – July 4, Kingston

Celebrate Independence Day with a parade, Miss Firecracker Pageant, drag boat races, food, live music, art show and an exciting fireworks show. CONTACT: 865-376-5572, roanetourism.com

44 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

20th Annual Great Celebration Mule & Donkey Show – July 7-9,

Shelbyville

Three days of quality mules and donkeys.

More than 25 states are represented for this fun-filled, family-oriented show. CONTACT: 931-684-5915, twhnc.com

Lauderdale County Tomato Festival – July 8-9, Ripley City Park, Ripley

A two-day celebration paying honor to area tomato growers. Festival activities include carnival rides, games, baby crawling contest, food and craft vendors, live music, tomato tasting and a beauty contest to select Tomato Festival Royalty.

CONTACT: 731-635-9541, lauderdalecountytn.org

Summer Celebration Lawn & Garden Show – July 14, West

Tennessee AgResearch & Education Center, Jackson

Colorful blooms and lush foliage spark creative ideas and offer lessons in horticulture management that can save homeowners time and money. Hear presentations from the region’s leading gardening experts. Purchase great performing plants at the Master Gardener Plant Sale. CONTACT: 731-425-4768, west.tennessee.edu

Thresherman’s Show – July 15-16, Adams

Blacksmith, mule pulls, craft fair, flea market, children’s games, pony rides and food vendors. CONTACT: 615-696-2687, adamstennessee.com

2nd-Annual Tojo Creek Gourd Gala and Art Festival – July 9, Wilson

Kingsport Fun Fest – July 15-23,

Local gourd artists provide demonstrations of their craft. Gourd art displayed and some for sale, as well as additional homemade crafts. CONTACT: 615-449-0335, gourds@tojocreek.com

Run in the world’s fastest 8K, “the Crazy 8s,” listen to national talent at concerts, visit Bays Mountain Park, watch hot-air balloons and many more activities for the whole family. CONTACT: 800-743-5282, visitkingsport.com,

County Fairgrounds, Lebanon

Kingsport

tnfarmbureau.org

White Oak Mountain Bluegrass Festival – July 16-17, Tri-State

AUGUST

Highway 127 Corridor Sale: The World’s Longest Yard Sale – August

Highly-acclaimed bluegrass bands delight crowds at this event. Antique tractors, shade tree picking and food vendors will also be featured. CONTACT: 423-476-9310, tsec.org

Tennessee State Square & Round Dance Convention – August 4-6,

Headquartered in Jamestown, the world’s longest yard sale stretches for 654 miles along Highway 127. CONTACT: 800-327-3945, 127sale.com

Exhibition Center, Cleveland

Annual WEVL FM 90 Blues on the Bluff – July 23, National Ornamental Metal Museum, Memphis

This event offers visitors a scenic view of the Mississippi River while listening to some of the best blues, soul and rhythm and blues artists. CONTACT: 901-543-5310, wevl.org

Gatlinburg

This convention has something to offer every casual or avid square, round or line dancer. Fun activities such as workshops, fashion show, sewing clinic, great shopping, prize drawings.

CONTACT: 865-654-6747, tnsquaredance.org

4-7, Highway 127

Rock-A-Billy Festival – August 5-6, International Rock-A-Billy Hall of Fame Museum, Jackson The world’s largest gathering of rock-a-billy artists and musicians, featuring the

Grainger County Tomato Festival – July 29-30, Rutledge

Free admission, food, fun, crafts, Civil War encampment, and fresh Grainger County tomatoes and produce for sale. CONTACT: graingercountytomatofestival.com

Folklife Festival – July 30, Kingsport Celebrate the good old days with traditional entertainment from the East Tennessee hills.

Enjoy a day full of old-time music, games and tales. Delight in traditional life skills demonstrations and contests. CONTACT: 423-239-6786, state.tn.us/environment/parks/ parks/WarriorsPath

Cherokee Days of Recognition – August 5-7, Cleveland This annual event celebrates Cherokee customs and culture with games, food, demonstrations, a blowgun tournament, crafts and more. CONTACT: 423-478-0339, state. tn.us/environment/parks/RedClay

tnhomeandfarm.com

Home&Farm 45

Tennessee Home & Farm presents:

Quantity: ______ @ $9.95 ____________ Sales tax Quantity: _____ x $0.92 sales tax ______ (TN residents add 9.25% sales tax) Postage: first book @ $3.99 ___________ additional books ____ @ .99 ___________ Total amount: ________________________ Make check payable to Journal Communications 1 book = $14.86

4 books = $50.44

2 books = $26.72

5 books = $62.30

3 books = $38.58

Includes shipping & sales tax

Send to: Name: _______________________________ Address: _____________________________

As author Pettus Read puts it, “country has been around for a long time.” In this book of his favorite Read All About It columns from the past 30-plus years, Read discusses pulley bones, the disappearance of stick horses, Christmases at Mop-Ma’s and the ever popular Uncle Sid and Aunt Sadie. Full of Read’s wisdom and wit, this Rural Psychology Primer will likely stir up your own feelings of nostalgia for the country way of life.

City: _________________________________ State: ________________ Zip: __________ Daytime phone #: _____________________ By mail: Journal Communications Inc. c/o Retail Fulfillment Center 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400 Franklin, TN 37067

Get the Dish on Dumplings Recipes From the World’s Greatest Down-Home Dumplin’ Cook-Off! Presented by the tennessee Farm Bureau Federation and Tennessee Home & Farm magazine Here’s your chance to own the world’s best collection of chicken and dumplings recipes!

Down-Home Dumplings is filled with more than 50 recipes entered by TFB members in the

“World’s Greatest Down-Home Dumplin’ Cook-Off” contest, including those of grand-prize winner Bea Farmer of Brush Creek, Tenn., and the other cook-off finalists. Dumpling experts and novices alike will enjoy reading the stories and trying out the different variations of these treasured family recipes!

Purchase online:

www.tnhomeandfarm.com On sale

Order FOrm Quantity: _________________ copy(ies) at $9.95 each

Book total: ________________ Tennessee residents add 9.25% sales tax (.92 per book): _________________

Order yOur cOPy tOday!

Address: _____________________________________

Make check payable to Journal Communications

City: _________________________________________

By mail: Journal Communications c/o Retail Fulfillment Center 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Ste. 400 Franklin, TN 37067

Postage: $3.99 for first book, plus $.99 for each additional book: __________

State: ___________ ZIP: ______________

Total amount: _____________

Daytime phone #: _____________________________

46 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

nOw

Send to: Name: _______________________________________

tnfarmbureau.org

pioneers of rock-a-billy music as well as new artists. CONTACT: 731-427-6262, rockabillyhall.org

Smokin’ in McMinnville – August 11-13, McMinnville Civic Center, McMinnville A state championship BBQ contest and backyard competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society. The event features money prizes plus music, food vendors, games and inflatables for kids.

CONTACT: 931-473-6611, warrentn.com

Davy Crockett’s 225th Birthday Celebration – August 13,

Morristown

In celebration of the 225th birthday for Davy Crockett, the annual event includes refreshments, music, children’s activities, re-enactors, tours of the Crockett Tavern Museum. CONTACT: 423-587-9900, discoveret.org/crockett

Appalachian Craft Fair – August 22-27, Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park, Gray

Traditional arts and crafts, bluegrass music and food. CONTACT: 423-257-2167, tnstateparks.com

Tennessee Walking Horse National Celebration – August 24September 3, Shelbyville

This event for the Tennessee Walking Horse encompasses exciting classes in competition where more than $650,000 in prizes and awards are given. Other activities include a barn decorating contest, a trade fair and a dog show.

CONTACT: 931-684-5915, twhnc.com

Charlotte Fall Festival – August 27,

Charlotte

This celebration features a parade, a variety of local musical acts, children’s rides and games, and a variety of foods. Free to the public. CONTACT: 615-789-4184, dicksoncountychamber.com

Fall Gardeners’ Festival – August

30, Crossville

This outdoor gardening festival offers 12 educational sessions, wagon tours of the UT Plateau AgResearch and Education Center and walking tours of the Plateau Discovery Gardens. Experts will be available to examine diseased or pest-infested samples brought in by participants. CONTACT: 931-707-0120, ccmga.org tnhomeandfarm.com

Samuel Hobbs

Celebrate the music, movies and legacy of Elvis Presley. Enjoy a full week of fun events. CONTACT: 800-238-2000, elvisweek.com

Shannon Cherry

Elvis Week – August 10-16,

Memphis

It’s Time to Enter the 16th Annual Tennessee Farm Bureau Photo Contest Pull out your camera and start snapping! Submit your best photos in our annual contest, and you could be named the grand-prize winner.

To enter, fill out the form below and mail your prints to us. Or, visit tnhomeandfarm.com to upload your digital photos and enter online.

Winners will be announced in the winter issue of Tennessee Home & Farm. First-place winners in each of three categories will be awarded $100 cash prizes; the grand-prize winner receives $200. Entries must be postmarked (or submitted online) by Aug. 1.

Name_ ___________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________ City ___________________________ State ________ Zip _________ Phone ____________________________________________________ County of FB Membership __________________________________ Category: ❒ Agriculture Is Life

❒ Tennessee Gardens

❒ The Animal Kingdom

Mail entry to:

Tennessee Farm Bureau Photo Contest P.O. Box 313, Columbia, TN 38402-0313 OFFICIAL RULES: Only original photos or high-quality reprints will be accepted via mailed entries. Color or black-and-white photos are acceptable in any size. Attach this entry form to the back of the photo (copies may be made of entry form if more than one is needed). No digital media storage devices will be accepted via the mailed entry option. To submit a digital photo, visit tnhomeandfarm.com and click on the photo contest entry form. Digital files must be high resolution – minimum of 5x7 inches at 300 dpi. To avoid legal entanglements, make sure permission has been given for use of photos. Online entrants are automatically entered in a webonly readers’ choice contest, which has no monetary prize.

We offer three categories: Agriculture Is Life, Tennessee Gardens and The Animal Kingdom.

Only one entry per category per person. Only Tennessee Farm Bureau members and their immediate family (parents, children, siblings) are eligible to enter. Employees of Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee Farmers Insurance Cos., county Farm Bureaus or their families are not eligible to win. This is an amateur photo contest. Professional photographers are not eligible. Entries must be postmarked by Aug. 1, 2011. Photos will not be returned and will become property of Tennessee Farm Bureau and Journal. Images may be used in TFBF publications with photo credit given. For additional information, call Tennessee Farm Bureau, (931) 388-7872, Misty McNeese, ext. 2211. For questions about the online entry form, call Jessy Yancey at (800) 333-8842, ext. 217, or e-mail thaf@jnlcom.com.

Home&Farm 47

View From the Back Porch

Southern Summers As the temperature heats up, so does nostalgia About the Author

F

or a child of the South, summer days were long and hot and lazy. Time was spent belly-down on the cool boards of a shady porch with family dogs, or in soft grass beneath mimosa trees watching butterflies and hummingbirds flit among the blossoms, viewing fluffy white clouds peeping through branches.

The road was layered in powdery dust, where one could mark out maps or wiggle toes deep into the fine, dry stuff down to the cool, damp earth. A great cloud of dust far away signaled the rare car, its passage causing much speculation.

The air was alive with the chirp of insects and the songs of birds, all interwoven with soft whispers of the earth breathing. Hollyhocks buzzed with fat bumblebees, and June bugs

Photo by Pam Lewis, 13th Annual TFBF Photo Contest Grand Prize Winner

Carole Garretson Becallo was raised on a farm in Lawrence County. She retired in Waynesboro after a long and successful career as an X-ray technician.

She enjoys gardening, reading and writing.

48 Home&Farm |Summer 2011

flew willy-nilly into tree trunks and the sides of the house, collapsing to the ground, stunned and easily caught. A long thread was attached to the hapless beetle’s leg and held as the insect buzzed around in a frantic circle.

Gardens grew ripe tomatoes, sweet bell peppers and fat green peas to pluck and eat on the spot, or young carrots and radishes to pull from soft earth, rinse, and crunch with root hairs still attached. Apple trees begged to be climbed, offering their tart green orbs to munch with a sprinkle of salt.

Late-evening four-o’clocks and moonflowers opened; the great sphinx moth came out to sip their nectar. Late suppers were served as the air cooled and the sun sank beyond the trees – fried chicken or ham, garden-fresh corn, green beans, squash and smooth, golden cornbread. A favorite dessert was biscuit pudding: crumbled leftover biscuits covered with rich, sweet pudding, topped with fluffy meringue.

As dusk settled, the adults moved to the porch, sweet tea tinkling in their glasses; kids ran about the yard catching lightning bugs to put into jars, lids pierced with small holes for ventilation. These makeshift lanterns would blink into the night in the sleeping household.

The children retreated to the porch and watched the stars come out, close and bright in the summer sky. As breezes touched the treetops, the stars danced, and the great swath of the Milky Way was contemplated by young and old.

On unbearably hot nights, heat lightning flickered along the horizon. Electric fans were moved from room to room, and pallets were spread on the floor near screen doors to capture stray breezes. A forgotten June bug tied to its string buzzed about the porch.

Mornings were mercifully cool, dew sparkling on the grass, another long day of leisure ahead.

But these easy days would soon give way to the rush of school, where the excitement was tempered with boredom of drill and repetition, the calendar marking time to the end of the year, shorter days and damp chill, the long summer becoming part of a child’s memory. tnfarmbureau.org