1 9 th E D I T I O N
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ALGOOD • BAXTER • MONTEREY
THE SOURCEBOOK
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CONTENTS 8 Where Adventure Awaits George Halford welcomes you to Cookeville.
12 Quick Facts 16 State of the Art(s) Tour Brad Sells’ woodworking studio and the thriving arts and music scene of Cookeville.
24 Quite Hospitable With care like this at home, why go anywhere else?
28 Head of the Class When it comes to education, Putnam makes the grade.
32 Do Unto Others Linda Westin talks about the community’s big heart.
38 Sweet Smell of Success Ralph’s Donut Shop shows how even small businesses can leave a national footprint.
46 Shop Around the Corner Kellie Fitzpatrick’s Caravan is just one of many terrific boutique shops in Cookeville.
54 The Beard of Beer Visit Father Tom’s pub to hear John “Beard” Darrow tell of his variety of drinking and dining options.
62 Stay Tuned See Desirée Duncan in action while she represents Cookeville’s media outlets.
68 I’d Rather Be Rich “Fittest Man” Rich Froning shows what it means to live an active life in Cookeville.
72 Take It Outside Eric Jackson kayaks his way through the Highlands.
78 Captains of Industry Jimmy and Bob Mackie of iWC describe the benefits of housing their headquarters in Cookeville.
84 The Host with the Most Ottis Phillips knows how capable Cookeville-Putnam County is as host of large events.
90 For the Family Play smart at Kristea Cancel’s Smart Play and discover more fun activities for your family.
Lucky Seven Series THE S O U RC E BO O K + No . 1 9 Sponsored by the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce To correct, delete or add information, please contact the Chamber. One West First Street + Cookeville, TN 38501 931-526-2211 + Fax 931-526-4023 + 800-264-5541 info@cookevillechamber.com + cookevillechamber.com
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
4
Claims to Fame, 15
Local Music Acts, 22
Retirement Enticements, 27
‘To Die For’ Desserts, 43
Local Outdoor Bistros, 58
Tastes of the World, 66
Views You Shouldn’t Miss, 77
Campout Must-Haves, 94
SOURCEBOOK STAFF Editor Roman Stone
Designer Meredith Purcell
Writer Margaret LeFevre
Contributing Writers Lisa Brooksbank Lori Shull
Photographers Cody Bryant Ben Corda Ron Baker
Data Chamber of Commerce Cookeville Regional Medical Center Putnam County School System Tennessee Tech University
Sales Director Heather Thomas
Accounting Adrienne Stone
Customer Service Michelle Herron
Printing Anderson Printing Solutions
Distribution Chamber of Commerce
Design/Production WDStone & Associates
114 N. Washington Ave. Cookeville, TN 38501 Phone 931.525.6020 Fax 931.525.6550 sourcebook@wdstone.com yoursourcebook.com wdstone.com contact@wdstone.com The Sourcebook © WDStone & Associates, Inc.
GO NUTS FOR DONUTS
Thomas Rodriguez of Ralph’s Donut Shop in Cookeville prepares dough in the kitchen. The staff at Ralph’s arrives in the wee hours each morning to bake donuts, fritters, muffins and more for the day’s customers.
5
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
Education that matters...
just a click away www.tn-biblecollege.edu Cookeville 526-2616
C e l e b r at i n g 4 0 Y e a r s o f e x C e l l e n C e ~ 1 9 7 5 - 2 0 1 5
Attorney-at-Law 931.526.6131 • Fax 931.372.0150 24 North Jefferson Avenue • P.O. Box 715 Cookeville, Tennessee 38503
E-mail: legal@dledbetter.com
Where Adventure Awaits CHAMBER PRESIDENT GEORGE HALFORD AND AN INTRODUCTION TO COOKEVILLE
S
ince its founding more than a century ago,
“I love watching a community grow and evolve,
Cookeville has been a sleepy town in the country
watching a community stretch itself and think more
surrounded by beautiful hills, rivers and waterfalls. It
of itself than maybe it would have before,” said George
has always been a place of quiet charm, where people
Halford, president and CEO of the Cookeville-Putnam
greet each other on the sidewalks and no one stays a
County Chamber of Commerce. “It’s the people, the
stranger for long.
region, the culture, the high quality of life but low cost, Tennessee Tech University (TTU). There’s a
In more recent years, this charming small town has begun to wake up and is even being recognized as the largest micropolitan area in Tennessee.
genuineness and a civility. It’s just the culture here.”
GETTING US ON THE MAP
George Halford, Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, talks about all that makes Cookeville grand.
The chamber boasts between 850 and 900 members, and member businesses employ 16,000 people. New businesses are opening, others are moving or expanding, and Cookeville is seeing an increase in new, large industries expressing an interest or signing deals to come to the Highlands Business Park, currently in development.
Serving as home of Tennessee Tech University, the city has grown as the university has grown and has developed an appreciation for the arts, music and education. It is, more often than ever before, becoming a travel destination, a new home or a place to start or relocate a business. Cookeville is the seat of Putnam County and the center of the 14-county Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee. Putnam County is in the top 20 of the state’s 95 counties in terms of population, but its central position in the Upper Cumberland means many from outside the county come here often to eat, shop and play. “It’s easy to be regional when you’re the capital of the region,” Halford said. “People are going to come here to eat. They’re going to come here to shop. They’re going to come here for an education.”
TTI Floor Care, which manufactures Dirt Devil, Hoover, Oreck and Royal vacuum cleaners, announced an expansion to its Cookeville plant that is forecast to create more than 200 jobs. Academy Sports + Outdoors also announced that it will locate its southeastern distribution hub — which will be the largest distribution center under one roof in Tennessee — to Cookeville, creating more than 700 jobs in the course of the next eight to 10 years.
PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME HERE TO EAT. THEY’RE GOING TO COME HERE TO SHOP. THEY’RE GOING TO COME HERE FOR AN EDUCATION.”
The Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce is the driver or partner of many of the region’s economic development efforts, and several years ago it commissioned an economic opportunity study. Since then, the Convention & Visitors Bureau and its partners have been working to spread the word about the area’s world-class music and craft, its scenic landscapes and outdoor adventure spots, and TTU.
“If one enjoys a lot of the attributes of living in a micropolitan environment, we’re it,” Halford said. “If one enjoys a more outdoors, rural environment, that’s who we are. We’re a small community, but we play more like a town of 75,000 to 100,000 people.” Part of that is keeping people healthy. Cookeville, with Cookeville Regional Medical Center, is the center for the region’s health care. There are more than 200 physicians in Cookeville, and the hospital has leading facilities for open-heart and beating-heart surgeries and cancer therapy. A variety of gyms, ranging from the YMCA to CrossFit, and dance studios, combined with plentiful opportunities and venues for outdoor recreation, means that it is easier to stay healthy and fit in Cookeville, despite our hopping food scene.
“A recent community incubator study says, if you will ever learn to play it and market it, you could be ‘Asheville West.’ These aren’t things you see in every town,” Halford said. “We’re the only nonmetropolitan area of Tennessee with a professional symphony orchestra, with its own PBS station, with a world-class arts culture. The crown jewel is TTU.” In addition to housing the Bryan Symphony Orchestra and hosting dozens of cultural and community events every year, TTU is doing its part to help the region grow and thrive economically. It houses a variety of entrepreneur-focused centers, which are growing quickly and adding to the dynamism of Cookeville.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
Cookeville is a vibrant place to live and do business and has attractions, events and a community feel that appeal to all ages.
“We feel our hospitality is key. Thirty years ago, it was just a place you passed through unless you lived here, and then it was the best place to be,” Halford said. “Visitors and business people ask all the time, ‘Are people here always this nice?’ Well yes, we are.”
10
A community like no other! A beautiful, thriving community in the heart of the Upper Cumberland, Cookeville is ideally situated between three major Tennessee cities. Located just a short drive from several state parks and two major lakes, this expanding community is also home to 10 city parks and lots of other natural beauty that is characteristic of Middle Tennessee. The city’s flourishing community of artists celebrates everything from culinary flare to the performing arts. With a business community continually strengthened by patrons from within Putnam and surrounding counties, Cookeville is the hub of activity for the region. Learn more about Cookeville by visiting ww www.cookeville-tn.org.
Quick Facts CITY OF ALGOOD
CITY OF MONTEREY
History
Algood was first settled in 1820 and was incorporated in 1901. Until rails reached the area around 1891, Algood was farmland — much of it owned by Joel Algood, and known as “Algood Oldfields.” The Nashville and Knoxville Railroad bought land from him for a depot and called it “Algood,” thus naming the community that grew up around the station.
Monterey was once the pioneer settlement “Standing Stone,” so named for a large boulder on the historic Walton Road nearby. After the railroad reached Standing Stone in 1893, officers and stockholders of the Cumberland Mountain Coal Company founded a new town and named it “Monterey,” which is Spanish for “mountain of the king.”
January Avg.
Location
80 miles east of Nashville 100 miles west of Knoxville On Highways 111 and 42
92 miles east of Nashville 85 miles west of Knoxville On Interstate 40
July Avg.
Population
3,563
2,858
1115’ above sea level
1875’ above sea level
4 square miles
3 square miles
Government
Mayor, (931) 537-9545 Ext. 2360 Five-member city council City administrator, (931) 537-9545 Ext. 2060
Mayor, (931) 839-3770 Eight aldermen
Public Safety
Fire Dept.: (931) 537-6357 Police Dept.: (931) 537-6830
Fire Dept.: (931) 839-2323 Police Dept.: (931) 839-2323
Water: Town of Algood Water, Sewer and Sanitation Dept., (931) 537-9545 Electric: City of Cookeville, (931) 520-5214 Gas: City of Cookeville, (931) 520-5214
Water: City of Monterey, (931) 839-3339 Electric: Volunteer Energy Cooperative,
COUNTY C L I M AT E
Avg. Annual Temperature
56.7ºF
46ºF high 26ºF low 87ºF high 65ºF low
Avg. Annual Precipitation
56”
Avg. Annual Snowfall
Elevation Area
7”
Prevailing Winds
SE
Mean Length of Freeze-Free Period
211 days
Avg. Relative Humidity
79% midnight 85% 6 a.m. 48% noon 62% 6 p.m.
Utilities
(931) 839-2217 Gas: Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District, (931) 836-2825
Property Management & Real Estate Consulting (931) 528-2158 (931) 372-9983 430 N. Washington Ave., Suite B Cookeville, TN 38501 P.
F.
falconrealtycookeville.com
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
12
CITY OF COOKEVILLE
CITY OF BAXTER
PUTNAM COUNTY
Chosen for its springs and central spot, Cookeville was incorporated in 1856 as the county seat and named for Richard Fielding Cooke, a state senator. The Nashville and Knoxville Railroad (the Tennessee Central) ran through Cookeville in 1890. Construction of Highway 70 in the 1930s, Interstate 40 in the 1960s, and Highway 111 in the 1990s helped make the town a commercial center.
Baxter has borne various names. Before the railroad, a post office there was called “Ai,” a name borrowed from a biblical city of Canaanites. When the Nashville and Knoxville Railroad built a depot there, it was called “Mine Lick.” To avoid confusion, in 1902, the community, post office and depot were named “Baxter” in honor of Jere Baxter, president of the Tennessee Central.
Putnam County was created in 1842 from parts of White, Overton, Jackson and Fentress counties and was named in honor of General Israel Putnam of the Revolutionary War. In 1844, a court injunction charged that the county was improperly established. But in 1854, the county was reestablished by the court, and Cookeville was named the county seat.
79 miles east of Nashville 101 miles west of Knoxville At intersection of I-40 and Highway 111
69 miles east of Nashville 109 miles west of Knoxville On Interstate 40
31,135
1,391
1133’ above sea level
1031’ above sea level
33 square miles
1.5 square miles
401 square miles
Mayor, (931) 520-1500 Five-member city council City manager, (931) 520-5240
Mayor, (931) 858-4111 Four aldermen
County executive, (931) 526-2161 24-member commission
Fire Dept.: (931) 520-5255 Police Dept.: (931) 526-2125
Fire Dept.: (931) 858-2621 Police Dept.: (931) 858-4111 Ext. 2
Volunteer Fire Dept.: (931) 528-1200 Sheriff’s Dept.: (931) 528-8484
Water: City of Cookeville, (931) 520-5214 Electric: City of Cookeville, (931) 520-5214 Gas: City of Cookeville, (931) 520-5214
Water: City of Baxter, (931) 858-4142 Electric: Upper Cumberland Electric
74,165
Membership Corp., (931) 528-5449, and City of Cookeville, (931) 520-5214 Gas: Middle Tennessee Natural Gas Utility District, (931) 836-2825
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13
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
Quick Facts
+ CONTINUED
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CONNECT
Telephone
Charter Communications, (888) 438-2427 Frontier Communications, (931) 528-0709 Twin Lakes Telephone Cooperative Corporation, (931) 858-2151
Newspaper/ Publishers
The Herald-Citizen (931) 526-9715 Upper Cumberland Business Journal (931) 528-8852
Radio
WATX-AM (1600) WBXE-FM (93.7) WGSQ-FM (94.7) WHRS-FM (91.7) WHUB-AM (1400) WJNU-FM (96.9) WKSW-FM (98.5) WKXD-FM (106.9) WLIV-FM (104.7) WLQK-FM (95.9) WPTN-AM (780) WTTU-FM (88.5) WWOG-FM (90.9)
Television
WKRN (ABC) WTVF (CBS) WSMV (NBC) WZTV (FOX) WCTE-TV (PBS)
H E A LT H
Hospital
Cookeville Regional Medical Center, (931) 528-2541
TRANSIT
Highways
Interstate 40, East/West State Highway 111 U.S. 70 State Highways 42, 135, 136 and 290
Air
Upper Cumberland Regional Airport, (931) 739-7000 Livingston Municipal Airport, (931) 823-3671
Bus
The Cookeville Area Transportation System, (931) 372-8000
Rail
The Nashville & Eastern Railroad (Putnam County) Caney Fork & Western Railroad (White County)
For more facts and figures about Cookeville and Putnam County, visit CookevilleChamber.com.
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LUCKY SEVEN
7 Claims to Fame
COOKEVILLE HOLDS SEVERAL DISTINCTIONS BOTH REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
MO’ MONEY Low Cost of Living
UP-AND-COMERS Claiming the Spotlight
Cookeville is rated as
Judah & the Lion, whose
I SAW THE SIGN Cream City is a National Neon Delight
having the seventh
lead singer, Judah Akers, was
The iconic Cream City
least expensive cost
born and raised in Cookeville,
sign was chosen and
of living in the nation
has had a hit CMT video
featured in American
by The Council for
and has played on the Late
Road Magazine as one
Community and
Show with David Letterman.
of the top 100 Favorite
Economic Research
Their debut album, “Kids
Neon Signs in the
Cost of Living Index.
These Days,” has broken into
country.
the Billboard Top 20 in two categories and counting.
No. 4
DOWN BY THE SWIMMING HOLE Cummins Falls Cummins Falls, located
GOING PUBLIC WCTE-TV
on the border of Putnam and Jackson counties, was
Cookeville is also one
listed as one of the 12 top
of the smallest cities
“secret swimming holes”
in the nation to have
in North America by USA
its own PBS station,
Today. In addition, it scored
WCTE-TV, which has
Travel + Leisure magazine’s
produced nationally
list of 20 “America’s Best
distributed shows,
Swimming Holes,” made The
including “Jammin
Adrenalist’s list of the “Best
at Hippie Jack’s,” “Tree Safari” and the Emmy Awardwinning “Bluegrass
N 5 o.
N 7
World” and was named by Fox News among the “13 Beautiful Natural Swimming Holes Around the U.S.”
Underground.”
o.
Wild Swimming Holes in the
No. 6 SURVIVAL OF ‘THE FITTEST’ Rich Froning, CrossFit Champion
WINNER, WINNER Watson and Mack Brown
Cookeville is home to Rich Froning, four-time Reebok CrossFit “Fittest Man on
In 2013, with 372 victories and counting, brothers and Cookeville natives Watson
Earth.” Recognized across the globe, Froning continues to put Cookeville on the
and Mack Brown surpassed Vince and Bill Dooley as the brothers with the most
map as a sports and fitness destination.
victories in major college football.
15
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
INTO THE WOODS
Artist Brad Sells discusses wood, art and life in his workshop at Bark Studio.
State of the Art(s) COOKEVILLE NATIVE BRAD SELLS AND HIS NATIONALLY ACCLAIMED ARTWORK
C
ookeville artist Brad Sells has searched the world over for hard-
woods, garnering worldwide acclaim for coaxing this brittle, rigid medium into forms that call to mind much more fluid things, such as dancing flames, flowing water or draped fabric. Among other exotic woods, Sells has breathed new life into koa and kiawe from Hawaii, red ivory from Africa, chocolate acacia, green-streaked olive, white cat’s whiskers, Cuban mahogany and sapodilla, which he says is “really pink and pretty to carve and has a nice, sweet smell to it.” Yes, Sells’ love for his art is even apparent in the way he names the species he’s worked, describing them as if recalling old friends.
He’s traveled far and wide to round up these friends,
Elementary in Cookeville, he used a large oak tree that
venturing to Africa and Hawaii and someday, he hopes,
was removed from the grounds when the new wing
to South America. Two of his treks to “wood destina-
was being built.
tions,” as he describes these hardwood harvesting sites abroad, have been captured by filmmaker Todd
As Sells’ reputation has grown, his work has been
Jarrell in “Tree Safari,” a documentary series that has
featured in increasingly impressive venues. His pieces
aired nationally on PBS stations.
are held in the permanent collections of 11 national and regional museums, galleries and collections, includ-
Domestic specimens call out to Sells as well, especially
ing the Smithsonian’s Renwick Gallery in Washington,
those with some sentimental value, and as he walks
D.C.; the Fuller Craft Museum in Brockton, Massachu-
you through his shop beneath his home at Bark Studio
setts; the Detroit Institute of Arts; the Museum of Arts
on Maple Avenue in Cookeville, you quickly learn that
and Design in New York; the Neiman Marcus Home
every chunk of wood has a story.
Collection; the Tennessee State Museum in Nashville; and many others.
“This is the burl from the big tree outside the university center at Tennessee Tech,” said Sells. “I had been eyeing it since I was a student there, and I’d like for this one to stay in Cookeville. The one that’s kind of up at the top there is redbud from a friend of mine’s front yard. It was one of the biggest redbuds I’d seen. It was big and burly.” He tells of a downed tree he passed on Sixth Street as he was driving his daughter home one day. He dropped her off, quickly returned and was
SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTISTS GOES A LONG WAY TOWARD MAKING BETTER COMMUNITIES .”
alarmed to find it gone.
His bowls and sculptures grace the homes of celebrities and have been exhibited in such notable settings as the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York City, the Museum of Arts and Design in New York and the American Craft Council show in Maryland. Closer to home, Sells has a large body of work on display in the Blue Spiral 1 gallery in Asheville, North Carolina. Despite his acclaim as one of the top woodworkers in the world, Sells seems to have had no desire to stay gone from his native Cookeville for very long, noting that a number of factors make the
“I took out down the road, hoping I could find it, and
Cookeville area appealing to him and many of the local
I caught them going down Jackson with it and told
artists he knows.
them, ‘I want that tree,’” said Sells. “It had burl around it and was really lumpy. I did the project for the Music
First, there’s Cookeville’s location and low cost of liv-
City Center and a few others out of it. One tree like that
ing, which have helped him professionally.
can keep me busy for a year or more.” “When I was traveling more, it was very central,” said For his large installations, he often uses wood from the
Sells. “It’s a strategic place in that the cost of living isn’t
site where the piece will be placed. He created “Peace,
as bad as some of the bigger areas, and a 12-hour drive
Wellness, Hope and Strength,” a 20-foot figural sculp-
will get you a lot of places, from New York to Kansas
ture for the lobby of the Cookeville Regional Medical
City to Atlanta or Chicago. It’s very doable logistically,
Center North Patient Tower, from a large blue spruce
and for me, flying all this stuff would be extremely
that was removed from the lot during the construction
expensive, so I really need to drive it.”
of the building. For a hanging installation at Capshaw
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
18
A SELLS SAMPLER
Above is “Robin.” Below, from left, are “Raghorn,” “Painted Wavoka” and “Ester.”
19
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
ARTS +
Then, there’s the lifestyle here, which he and his family enjoy. “It’s a great area to raise a family, and really, that’s
CHECK OUT COOKEVILLE’S AWARD-WINNING ART, DRAMA AND MUSIC COMMUNITY
what’s taking up most of my time. I hope to support them by doing this,” said Sells. “And I think this is just an absolutely beautiful area. We’ve got four seasons,
Appalachian Center for Craft
we’ve got a nice university, and we’ve got good roads we can travel easily.”
The Appalachian Center for Craft is a satellite campus of Tennessee Tech University (TTU) located
Sells especially appreciates the enthusiastic local
on more than 500 wooded acres
clientele that has allowed him to be home with his
overlooking Center Hill Lake.
family more often.
and in TTU’s Wattenbarger Auditorium. It draws professional musicians from all over Middle and East Tennessee.
gallery, workshops, exhibition galleries and a café.
The Cookeville Performing
includes spacious studios, a retail
making better communities, and it makes a differ-
times a year in Dogwood Park
Cookeville Performing Arts Center
The 87,000-square-foot facility
“Supporting local artists goes a long way toward
the orchestra performs several
Arts Center is a 456-seat live
ence when the community that you live in helps
Art on the West Side & Downtown Square
support you,” said Sells. “I’ve been very fortunate to have support and to have been a part of special proj-
A walk on the Historic West Side
ects. Because of that support, I don’t have to travel as
and Downtown Square in Cookeville
Sells says he’s also pleased that Cookeville is home
the Department of Leisure Services.
Cumberland Art Society
of art galleries and unique
Cumberland Art Society is a
boutiques create the most inspiring
to a close-knit and growing arts community. Many
City of Cookeville and operated by
historic venues. A collaboration
offers both contemporary and
much as I did in the past to make a living.”
performance theater owned by the
atmosphere.
of these artists have invested their time and talents
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that is supported by its members and generous friends of the arts. It
in forming and supporting Art ‘Round Tennessee, an
Art ’Round Tennessee
organization that promotes the arts and local artists
A nonprofit group that organizes
through shows and events such as the annual Art
the Art Prowl, an annual event held
Arts Commission.
of Cookeville, as well as locations in
Joan Derryberry Art Gallery
and around Cookeville.
Located on the first floor of the
in the West Side Cultural District
Prowl.
is funded in part by the Tennessee
“Organizations like this, and the artists who com-
Roaden University Center on
prise them, bring culture, they bring economic
Backdoor Playhouse
growth, and they help Cookeville to be more compet-
Backdoor Playhouse, one of the
itive in bringing in new people,” said Sells. “Because
best-kept secrets on the TTU campus, has been entertaining the
of this, I see Cookeville with potential to really bloom
Upper Cumberland community
and flourish. I think of Chattanooga, Asheville,
with dramatic productions for more
Nashville and Franklin and what’s happened to those
than 50 years.
cities in the last 10 to 15 years, and I see that reaching
TTU’s campus, this ever-changing art gallery is named after Joan Derryberry, TTU’s first lady from 1940-1974.
Upper Cumberland Art Alliance UCAA, an organization that
Cookeville.”
Bryan Symphony Orchestra
To learn more about Sells and his work, visit
Located in the Wattenbarger Auditorium of the Bryan Fine
bradsells.com.
nurtures, celebrates and assists individual artists and other art organizations, was founded in 1989 but was last revitalized in 2005.
Arts Building on the TTU campus, For more information and gallery listings, visit mustseecookeville.com/art.php
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
20
Putnam County N W
Algood
E S
111
Baxter 70
Monterey
Cookeville
40
Cookeville’s Central Location Cookeville is located between three of Tennessee’s four major metropolitan areas — Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga — and has excel-
Nashville
lent access to interstate systems, with Interstate 40 run-
Knoxville
ning from east to west through the center of the region and Highway 111 running from north to south. 40
These roadways provide essential access to the majority
111
of the people who live in the Upper Cumberland. Within a day’s drive from 76 percent of the total U.S. population, Cookeville and Putnam County are often
Chattanooga
referred to as the “hub of the Upper Cumberland.”
21
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
LUCKY SEVEN
7 Local Music Acts
IF YOU’RE A FAN OF LIVE MUSIC OF ANY KIND, COOKEVILLE HAS GOT A MUSIC GROUP FOR YOU
No. 1
No. 2
BRYAN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
BROTHER RAINS
Cookeville is the only nonmetropolitan
the Upper Cumberland for more than 20 years
area of Tennessee to have a full symphony orchestra — Tennessee Tech University’s Bryan Symphony Orchestra — which performs regularly in TTU’s Wattenbarger Auditorium and at the
and has recently released their debut album, “Live
Dogwood Performance Pavilion.
before a loyal fan following.
Brother Rains has performed in venues throughout
from Melodie’s Bedroom.” Claiming Garth Brooks, Edwin McCain, Kiss, Steve Wariner and Run D.M.C. as influences, this three-man act performs its own songs, including the favorite “One Bullet, Same Last Name,” along with tunes as varied as Prince’s “When Doves Cry” and the Allman Brothers’ “Soulshine,”
No. 3
TENNESSEE TECH TUBA ENSEMBLE Though its members
No. 5
change every year, the Tuba Ensemble has been a staple
THE GILBERT FAMILY
at TTU and in Cookeville
BALLINGER FAMILY BAND
The Gilbert Family is a Southern
for nearly 50 years. Lead
The Ballinger Family Band mixes catchy lyrics and
gospel group composed of husband
by tuba professor R.
tight vocals with a bluegrass sound that ranges
and wife, John and Sandy, their
Winston Morris, the group
from slow ballads to up-tempo, bouncy tunes. Kris
daughter, Faith, and guitarists Seth
has performed eight times
and Dale have performed across the country with
Price and Eric Beaty. The group
at Carnegie Hall and
well-known fiddlers and, as founding members of
gives concerts regularly on
The Cluster Pluckers, recorded five albums. They
campus, including as part
perform with their son, Ethan, who has released
of the annual Octubafest
several of his own albums. His work has been aired
concert series.
nationally on PBS stations.
travels throughout the Upper Cumberland to perform, including at the Peachtree Learning Center,
N 4 o.
where Eric is a guitar instructor.
No. 6
No. 7
SPOONFUL
SHEEP TRICK
Billing themselves as “a little blues band from Cookeville,”
Sheep Trick has been around Cookeville for several
the trio that makes up Spoonful has quite the following around their hometown. They play almost every month at Crawdaddys, where they fill the West Side of town with music when they’re outside on the stone patio.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
22
years and, like many other local bands, performs regularly at outdoor festivals around town. A blend of covers and original songs feature a wide variety of instruments in beats that are easy to dance to.
Office HOurs: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed saturday
PHOne: 931-516-0060 fax: 931-526-5615
www.willowparktn.com
Quite Hospitable WITH CARE LIKE THIS AT HOME, WHY GO ANYWHERE ELSE?
C
ookeville Regional Medical Center (CRMC) quite literally adds to the quality of life in Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland. CRMC is an award-winning, 247-bed regional medical center that serves the entire 14-county Upper Cumberland region and
employs a staff of more than 2,000, with more than 200 physicians and other providers on its medical staff representing 40 medical and surgical specialties.
This level of care brings people to
done, he did it, and I’ve had great results,”
Cookeville from surrounding counties
she said. “I’m straight, I’m fused and I’m
and even neighboring states. In fact,
healed.”
PATIENT PROFILE
having such a quality facility is often a deciding factor for those who are choosing
Mills, who had had a prior back surgery
where to retire.
in Nashville, says she was much happier with her experience at Cookeville
That was the case for Karen Mills, who
Regional.
KAREN MILLS Surgery/Surgeon Lumbar Vertebrae Fusion
retired to Cookeville from Florida. When
by Dr. Leonardo Rodriguez-Cruz
searching for an ideal retirement loca-
“There’s no comparison,” she said. “Here
tion, she had requested information from
at Cookeville Regional, they treat you
Outcome
the Convention & Visitors Bureau and
as if you’re part of the family. Also, my
“I’m straight, I’m fused and I’m healed.”
found that Cookeville met her criteria,
husband was very pleased to not have to
especially where medical care was con-
drive back and forth to Nashville.”
cerned. It’s those kinds of results and that kind “Of course, we had prerequisites, and one
of care that have placed CRMC among
of them was that we have a good hospital
America’s 100 Best Hospitals in three
and that it was growing,” said Mills. “That
categories, in the Top 5% in one category
was a big part of why we decided to retire
and in the Top 10% in five categories, with
here, because at our age, we definitely
Excellence Awards in four categories in
need to have good doctors and a good
2015, according to Healthgrades®.
hospital.”
“I would definitely recommend this hos-
That decision paid off just a couple of
pital to anybody, and I have,” said Mills.
years later. When severe lower back
“We can’t say enough good things about
problems started interfering with Mills’
Cookeville Regional.”
ability to get around, some friends recommended she see Dr. Leonardo Rodriguez-Cruz. She followed their advice, and
For more information about CRMC, visit crmchealth.org.
after meeting with Dr. Cruz to discuss her options, they scheduled surgery to fuse together four of her lumbar vertebrae. “He told me exactly what I needed to have
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
24
ACCOLADES + America’s 100 Best Hospitals
One of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Cardiac Care™ (2013-2015)
One of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Coronary Intervention™ (2012-2015)
One of Healthgrades America’s 100 Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Surgery™ (2012-2015)
Cardiac Care
Recipient of the Healthgrades Cardiac Care Excellence Award™ (2012-2015)
Recipient of the Healthgrades Coronary Intervention Excellence Award™ (2011-2015)
Orthopedic Care
Recipient of the Healthgrades Orthopedic Surgery Excellence Award™ (2009-2015)
Named among the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Orthopedic Services (2009-2015)
Pulmonary Care
Recipient of the Healthgrades Pulmonary Care Excellence Award™ (2014-2015)
Named among the Top 10% in the Nation for Overall Pulmonary Services (2014-2015)
Critical Care
Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism (2015)
Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Respiratory Failure (2013-2015)
Five-Star Recipient for Treatment of Diabetic Emergencies (2015)
cookevilleregionalcharity.org
(931) 783-2003
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
THERE’S ONLY ONE.
JUST LIKE THERE’S ONLY ONE YOU, there’s only one hospital in the Upper Cumberland* to receive the Healthgrades® 2014 America’s 100 Best for Cardiac Surgery™ designation.
Consistent, competent, compassionate and more than capable: Cookeville Regional. Right here in Cookeville – the Upper Cumberland’s only full-service heart and vascular center and one of only two hospitals in Tennessee to receive the America’s 100 Best for Cardiac Surgery™ in 2014.
931-528-2541 • crmchealth.org * Includes the following counties in Tennessee: Cannon, Clay, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Smith, Van Buren, Warren and White.
LUCKY SEVEN
7 Retirement Enticements IF YOU’RE APPROACHING RETIREMENT, SEE WHY COOKEVILLE IS THE ULTIMATE DESINATION
No. 1
No. 2
No. 3
AFFORDABLE LIVING Low Cost of Living
IF YOU’VE GOT YOUR HEALTH, YOU’VE GOT EVERYTHING State-of-the-Art Medical Care
GET UP, GET OUT Abundant Fitness Opportunities
Housing prices are low, with a median
Cookeville has a great health care system anchored by Cookeville Regional Medical Center,
You’ll find an endless variety of ways to get moving,
home cost of $135,100 in Putnam
which has been recognized nationally for excellence in many different categories. In 2015,
from our YMCA to multiple gyms and training
County and $158,600 in the city of
Healthgrades® ranked Cookeville Regional among America’s 100 Best Hospitals in three
studios. In addition, Cookeville’s Department of
Cookeville, according to the most recent
specialties, placed them in the Top 5% in one category and in the Top 10% in five categories,
Leisure Services offers a wide range of affordable
data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Plus,
and granted CRMC Excellence Awards in four categories, among a long list of other honors.
fitness classes and programs for the community,
the property taxes are low, and there is
And Becker’s Hospital Review named Cookeville Regional one of its “100 Great Community
and Cookeville has earned the No. 4 spot on Walk
no state income tax.
Hospitals” in 2014.
Score’s® “Most Walkable Cities in Tennessee” list.
CULTURE TO SPARE Arts, Music, Theater and Museums Cookeville is the only nonmetropolitan area of Tennessee with its own symphony, Tennessee Tech University’s Bryan Symphony Orchestra, and is also home to the world-famous Tennessee Tech Tuba Ensemble, a frequent Carnegie Hall performer. Several of this area’s numerous visual artists have received national and worldwide acclaim, and TTU’s Appalachian Center for Craft is located just down the road. Cookeville Performing Arts Center,
N 4 o.
a 456-seat live performance theater, produces the state, regional and national award-winning Backstage at CPAC series, an annual rotation of contemporary plays. And history buffs are sure to love the Cookeville History Museum and the Cookeville Depot Museum, one of three depot museums in Putnam County.
No. 6
No. 7
No. 5
A LOT OF HEART Outstanding Heart Care
HIGH APPROVAL RATINGS Retirement Accolades
A NATURAL FIT Outdoor Fun for Everyone
Cookeville reportedly has more automated external defibrillators (AEDs) than any other
Putnam County is one of 16 counties
If you love nature, Cookeville is the place to be. With
community in the nation, thanks to our very active Mended Hearts organization. Hundreds
that is a certified Retire Tennessee
four distinct seasons, 14 well-tended local parks,
of our citizens are trained to use the lifesaving medical devices and administer CPR. Also,
community, and we’re also an American
plus multiple nearby state parks, rivers, creeks,
Cookeville Regional Medical Center has implemented the Code STEMI protocol, which has
Association of Retirement Communities
streams and lakes, you’re guaranteed to find the
helped them attain a record-breaking average of 43 minutes for treating heart attacks, beating
Seal of Approval community. Where to
right environment to lift your mood and brighten
the 90-minute national standard by 47 minutes.
Retire magazine named us one of the
your ‘tude.
nation’s best retirement communities, with Rand McNally ranking us No. 9 in the U.S.
27
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
Head of the Class
WHEN IT COMES TO EDUCATION, PUTNAM MAKES THE GRADE
PURPLE, GOLD AND PROUD Tennessee Tech University Enrollment • 11, 300 Degrees • 40+ undergraduate; 20+ graduate
A
n educational hub for the region, Cookeville is home to Tennessee Tech University (TTU), which has garnered international acclaim and is con-
PEOPLE ARE MOVING TO THIS REGION, AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT ATTRACTS THEM TO PUTNAM COUNTY AND TO THE UPPER CUMBERLAND IS THE SCHOOL SYSTEM.” JERRY BOYD Putnam County Director of Schools
sistently ranked among the best universities in academics and value. Tennessee Tech University is one of the best public universities in the South, according to a variety of reports and rankings organizations. PAYSCALE.COM
THE PRINCETON REVIEW
Based on total cost and alumni earnings, TTU provides students with the highest return on
2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012,
investment for any public university in the state,
2013, 2014.
and TTU ranks third overall among all universities in Tennessee: 2014.
TTU is among the best in the Southeast: 2005,
TTU graduates have the highest mid-career salary potential of any public university graduates in
The College of Business is among the best 301 business schools: 2012.
TTU is a best value college: 2007, 2008, 2010.
Tennessee: 2014.
G.I. JOBS MAGAZINE U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT
TTU was included on the list of military-friendly universities: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015.
TTU is one of the top public universities: 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,
2011, 2012, 2014.
GETEDUCATED.COM
TTU is among the top regional universities in the
South: 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015.
TTU graduates leave with the least debt in the South: 2011, 2015.
The College of Business is among the best and most affordable AACSB-accredited online MBA programs: 2014. TTU was among the top 15 universities on the list and the top school in Tennessee.
TTU is among the top 10 universities in the South
DR. KATHLEEN AIRHART Deputy Commissioner for the Tennessee Department of Education
for veterans: 2015.
WASHINGTON MONTHLY
I CERTAINLY FELT A SENSE OF COLLABORATION IN THE DISTRICT, AND AS I HAVE HAD OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL THE STATE AND VISIT WITH OTHER DISTRICTS, I REALIZED HOW SPECIAL PUTNAM COUNTY REALLY WAS WITH ITS EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.”
TTU is among the universities that provide the best bang for your buck: 2013, 2014. In 2014, TTU was top in the state.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
28
GETTING SCHOOLED Putnam County Schools (PreK-12)
Enrollment • 11, 250 Schools • 10 pre-K-Grade 4; 4 Grades 5-8; 3 High Schools; 3 Nontraditional Schools (adult high school, alternative school, VITAL school)
Has a 96-98 percent success rate and an overall average
grade of 85 with all components counted
In the spring of 2011, Avery Trace Middle School (ATMS) made the decision to pursue IB World School authorization as an International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme
Includes a personal finance class offered to all high school
(MYP). Avery Trace hopes to become an authorized IB
students that is a result of a collaborative effort between
World School in 2015.
Dave Ramsey’s Lampo Group, Florida Virtual School and Putnam County Schools
HIGH ACT SCORES DUAL-ENROLLMENT CLASSES
Composite ACT score of 21.1 in 2012, exceeding the state
Students in Putnam County are able to take college-level
average of 19.6.
classes in high school, receiving both high school and
FOUR STATE REWARD SCHOOLS (schools
college credit for completing those courses.
that perform in the top 5 percent statewide for SCHOOL ADOPTION PROGRAM
Capshaw Elementary (Performance – 2012-2014)
Algood Elementary (Progress - 2014)
Baxter Elementary (Progress - 2012)
Monterey High School (Progress - 2012)
programs in the state. The adopters tend to be very involved in the lives of their schools. It’s not just a monetary donation. It’s volunteer work and providing resources to
Scholarship, which requires a high school grade point average of 3.0 or a 21 Composite on the ACT.
“Putnam has one of the most incredible school adoption
HIGH GRADUATION RATE
System for the 2013-2014 school year reached 92.6
Dr. Kathleen Airhart, Deputy Commissioner for the
percent, beating the state graduation rate of 87.2 percent
Tennessee Department of Education
and the national graduation rate of 81 percent.
Started in 1989, the School Adoption Program is the
Early Literacy Grant in conjunction with WCTE-TV
American Graduate Grant (provides resources to make
longest tenured program and is only open to chamber
sure students graduate) in conjunction with WCTE-TV
members.
Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce’s
PRO-EDUCATION COMMUNITY LEADERS
careers)
Partnership, is a partnership between leaders in business,
TENNESSEE PROMISE
industry, K-12, higher education and chambers of commerce who have forged an alliance to address the
Every student who graduates in 2015 and afterward has
challenges of a 21st century workforce. The group has
the opportunity to attend two years of community college
PATHWAYS TO PROSPERITY
7-12 education and the next steps in students’ learning and working lives
the business community in putting children on the pathway to higher education.
ADVANCED ACCREDITATION
Our entire school district is 100-percent accredited by AdvancED, the parent organization of the Southern
The Upper Cumberland region (in this case, Putnam,
Association of Colleges and Schools - Council on
White, Overton and Jackson counties), was one of only
Accreditation and School Improvement (SACSCASI).
two Tennessee regions involved in the Pathways to Prosperity pilot project, an opportunity made possible
GLOBAL LEARNING CENTER
The Putnam County School System now offers a Global Learning Center to provide an environment where newcomer students can learn the English language and American culture in an effort to help them succeed in the
Development and Education Committee.
U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT RECOGNITION
Tennessee is one of nine states involved.
by the Highlands Economic Partnership Workforce
worked to create partnerships between school districts and
or technical school tuition free.
A nationwide collaboration sponsored by Harvard University to increase or improve the connection between
The Highlands Workforce Development and Education Committee, part of the four-county Highlands Economic
Perkins Reserve Grant (exposes students to careers and helps them forge academic pathways toward chosen
The graduation rate for the Putnam County School
teachers and to administrators. It’s a real partnership.”
In 2013, 44.3 percent of Putnam County graduates met the requirements to receive the Tennessee HOPE
annual growth or academic achievement)
GRANTS/COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Cookeville High School students had an average
American school system and beyond.
Monterey High School recognized as a Bronze School
VITAL E-LEARNING NETWORK
INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE
A statewide, recognized virtual school
Offers dual enrollment and credit advancement
Uses digital integration in the classroom to personalize
that has earned the prestigious designation to grant
learning
International Baccalaureate® (IB) diplomas.
Cookeville High School has been an International Baccalaureate® (IB) World School since 2004. CHS is one of only 23 schools in the state and 1,575 in the nation
29
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
Northeast Elem. (PreK-4) Dr. Melissa Palk • 526-2978
Algood Elem. (K-4) Ms. Patience Cannon • 303-0362 Algood Middle (PreK & 5-8) Mr. Tim Martin • 537-6141
Park View Elem. (PreK-4) Mr. Bobby Winningham • 526-2516
Avery Trace Middle (5-8) Mr. Michael Meihls • 520-2200
Prescott South Elem. (PreK-4) Ms. Catherine Jones • 526-2275
Baxter Elem. (K-4) Ms. Tammy Hoover • 858-3110
Prescott South Middle (5-8) Mr. Trey Upchurch • 528-3647
Burks Elem. (K-8) Mr. Kevin Maynard • 839-7641
Sycamore Elem. (PreK-4) Ms. Tracy Nabors • 526-9322
Cane Creek Elem. (PreK-4) Ms. Emily Pierce • 520-1173
Upperman High (PreK & 9-12) Ms. Penny Nash • 858-3112
Capshaw Elem. (PreK-4) Dr. Kim Wright • 526-2414
White Plains Academy (K-12) Mr. Joe Matheney • 537-3862
Cookeville High (PreK & 9-12) Mr. Lane Ward • 520-2287
Adult High Ms. Robyn Nabors • 528-8685
Cornerstone Middle (5-8) Mr. Billy Stepp • 858-6601
Adult Education Ms. Lynda Breeden • 528-8685
Jere Whitson Elem. (PreK-4) Dr. Teri Anderson • 526-6575 Monterey High (9-12) Ms. Sonja Farley • 839-2970
1400 East Spring Street • Cookeville, TN 38506 931-526-9777 • Fax 931-528-6942 www.pcsstn.com
Director of Schools Mr. Jerry S. Boyd
Explore • Discover Be Where You Are
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Do Unto Others LINDA WESTIN AND COOKEVILLE’S NEW $2.1 MILLION ANIMAL SHELTER
W
hether it’s an individual in
people of Cookeville repeatedly step up
need, a cancer patient, a wor-
in force, always ready to lend a hand or
thy organization or a homeless pet, the
a dollar to help those in crisis.
IT TAKES A VILLAGE
Linda Westin credits caring volunteers, community members and city and county leaders with making the new animal haven a reality.
Friends of Cookeville/Putnam County Animals
“The Friends of Cookeville/Putnam County Animals
(FCPCA) president Linda Westin has seen this giv-
first had to raise the money to buy the property,
ing spirit overwhelmingly demonstrated in the pro-
and to me that was a real test because it’s a dream,
cess that has led to the opening of the new 10-acre
and you’re asking them to buy into the dream,” said
PET (Pets, Education and Training) Care Campus,
Westin. “But people did, and they did it in all kinds
located adjacent to the Hyder-Burks Agricultural
of ways, from big amounts to a little boy who came
Pavilion on Gainesboro Grade in Cookeville.
into the shelter and gave a dollar toward helping.”
The new, $2.1 million, state-of-the-art facility features
The first of those contributors, the late Gwendolyn
two off-leash dog parks; an education and training
Sawyer, started the fund 15 years ago by donating
center; and an animal shelter that is three times the
her entire estate, valued at around $480,000, to the
size of the former one at 2105 W. Jackson Street.
existing animal shelter. Those funds were set aside for capital improvements to the existing shelter, but
The shelter, designed to hold approximately 100
the funds ended up being held in reserve because
dogs and 50 cats, includes a small animal disaster
the shelter was beyond repair.
rescue facility; a free-play cat and kitten room with a live, streaming “kitty cam”; two-part cat cages with
“It was much too small and didn’t even have a real
separate, vented areas for litter pans; a “Dog of the
ceiling or heat or air conditioning,” said Westin.
Day” room where special dogs will be highlighted;
“There wasn’t any amount of money that could help
dog kennels with outdoor runs, stainless steel grills
that place, so we realized we were going to have to
and gates, windows and lights; a special puppy area;
do something big.”
“matchmaking” rooms where visitors can play with adoptable cats and dogs; a break room, laundry
With that goal in mind, the FCPCA started seeking
and grooming area; a garage where animal control
donations and hosting fund-raising events such as
officers can unload animals; dedicated animal intake
the annual Fur Ball gala, eventually adding more
and holding areas; four major air exchange systems
than $220,000 to Mrs. Sawyer’s contribution for a
to help cut down on disease and odors; and two sep-
total of more than $700,000. Those funds paid for
tic tanks with separate plumbing and drains for each
the land for the new shelter and almost all of the
cage to reduce the spread of disease.
building’s interior items, and donations are continuing to roll in.
“Our goal is to not have to euthanize for lack of space and for this to be a place where it’s a joy to
“We had a fund-raising barn dance recently, and we
come and see the animals, because when you’re
sold, almost instantly, 26 sections of fencing for the
adopting a pet, you’re adopting them for life, and it
dog park and two doggie dorms,” said Westin.
needs to be a happy experience and not just, ‘Oh, I’ll take that one because I don’t want them to be eutha-
Once they secured the land, the FCPCA approached
nized,” said Westin.
the City of Cookeville to help them with the project. Former City Manager Jim Shipley and the
She says that there’s no way a facility like this could
Cookeville City Council created a bond for construc-
have come together without the generosity of the
tion of the shelter, with the FCPCA selling the land
many, many people who helped and are continuing
they had purchased to the city for $1.
to help with the project.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
34
THE HUMANE HUMANS
Linda Westin, at top, discusses shelter plans with fellow members of the Friends of Cookeville/Putnam County Animals. Below left, the group visits the shelter site during construction. Below right, Westin admires the new PET Care Campus with a furry friend the FCPCA has helped.
35
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
“Local leaders play a vital role in a project like this,”
And then, of course, there’s the FCPCA board, which is
said Westin. “If not for the city council, the county com-
comprised entirely of volunteers.
missioners, former County Executive Kim Blaylock, and especially Jim Shipley, this wouldn’t have hap-
“This team is the most amazing group of people,” said
pened.”
Westin. “They’re creative and clever, and what I love about them is that each one of them has a great and
As construction began, Westin and the members of the
different set of skills, and if you ask them to do any-
FCPCA board were amazed to see some of the busi-
thing or they say they’re going to do something, they
nesses involved in the project making major donations
not only do it, but they do it better than you imagined
of construction materials. Louisiana-Pacific donated
they would do it.”
the roof sheathing, Cumberland Building Supply donated all of the windows plus stone
Westin herself quickly got busy
to cover the building’s columns
helping when she moved here in
and corner trim, and many others
2002 from Nashville, where she
contributed various materials. Many individuals and organizations in the Cookeville community also pitched in to help, including Debi Smith, event director for the Leslie Town Centre, who donated all of the funds raised from Mistletoe Market, a holiday shopping event held each year at the Town Centre. When the facility was nearly complete, the FCPCA issued a call for volunteers to staff it. This will be the first time the shelter has had volunteers, because the former shelter was too small to allow for
THE VOLUNTEER SPIRIT HAS BEEN AMAZING. FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT OUR GROUP DOES, WE HAVE FOUND WONDERFUL PEOPLE TO HELP.”
them. So far, the response has been
resided briefly after moving to Tennessee from California. When she became acquainted with the Cookeville animal shelter and learned they needed a friends group, she stepped up to the plate with the fund-raising experience she had gained from working on the boards of the Nashville Ballet, the Nashville Opera Association and the Tennessee Repertory Theatre. In 2004, the FCPCA was officially established as a 501c3 and has been working to help Putnam County’s animals ever since. Now 11 years later, Westin says she continues to
tremendous, with the shelter already well on its way
be impressed by the generosity she has seen here.
toward reaching its goal of around 200 volunteers. “It’s been a joy to see how a community will come “They’ve had a lot of great volunteer experience and
together to help,” said Westin. “From my experience
are just really good, solid, giving people,” said Westin.
living elsewhere, this is a very, very giving community,
“The volunteer spirit has been amazing. For almost ev-
and we’ve certainly been blessed.”
erything that our group does, we have found wonderful people to help.”
For more information about the Friends of Cookeville/ Putnam County Animals or the new PET Care Campus, visit friendsofcpcanimals.org.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
36
Sweet Smell of Success SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS CYNTHIA AND MARK PULLUM AND THE LITTLE DONUT SHOP THAT COULD
R
alph’s Donut Shop is one of the
the owners treating customers like
few things in Cookeville that
family, too.
time hasn’t changed much. Opened by James Ralph and Evelyn Smith in
“When they started the shop, my
1962, the little donut shop on Cedar
mom and dad didn’t realize how many
Avenue has been a local favorite for
hours they’d be working, and she’d
more than five decades now, a haven
cook a pot of beans or soup or some-
for coffee drinkers and stool sitters,
thing,” said their daughter, Cynthia
a place where, for the longtime cast
Pullum. “She got to where she’d invite
of regulars and all who become new
some of the Tech kids to the house if
regulars, everybody really does know
they lived away from here and didn’t
your name.
have any family here. She’d try to take care of them.”
That’s because, from the beginning, Ralph’s has been a family affair, with
GOT MILK? Mark and Cynthia Pullum continue a 50-plus-year family tradition of homemade donutty goodness.
Cynthia and her husband, Mark, took over the busi-
family when she was growing up, and they continue
ness to continue the family tradition after her father’s
to today.
passing in 2010. Cynthia was the perfect candidate to continue the legacy, having started her career at
“They’re like grandparents or uncles and aunts, and
Ralph’s at age 8.
they’ve been here since I was little,” said Cynthia. “I was adopted, and one of our longtime customers, Au-
“I would stand on one of those wooden Coke crates
drey Long, said he remembered the very first day my
and wash dishes,” said Cynthia. “And then, after I’d
mom and dad got me and brought me in here.”
been here for a couple of weeks, my dad let me start pouring coffee for some of the people we knew really
This commitment to treating customers like one of
well, in case I spilled it, but I did okay. And then it just
their own, combined, of course, with stellar donuts,
started from there, and if he ever needed help, I’ve
has gained Ralph’s an ever-wider following.
always been there. I guess I just never thought of it not being in the family.”
“We have one gentlemen who lives here part-time and in Pennsylvania part-time, and he takes 20 to 40
The family tradition extends to employees, as well.
apple fritters about four times a year to a courthouse in
Cynthia’s niece works at the shop on Saturdays, and
Pennsylvania where he used to work,” said Mark.
there are several whose families have worked at the shop for generations.
He says that another customer, who grew up in Cookeville and now lives in Knoxville, comes to the
“Bruiser is my day-shift baker, and his mother
shop two to three times a year to order 16 dozen do-
and brother both worked here before,” said Mark.
nuts to take to coworkers.
“Michelle, who works here as a waitress, her son works here as a cook. Her father used to be a donut
“We’ve talked to parents who’ve said they talked their
man here before he passed away. So we have several
son or daughter into coming to school here just so
generations of family here, and we have one woman
they could come through and get donuts,” said Cyn-
who works here for us, and her niece works here for
thia.
us, too. Then one of my wife’s friend’s kids also works here.”
Mark says the fact that Cookevillians support their local businesses has made a real difference for Ralph’s.
Mark was part of the Ralph’s family, too, even before he married Cynthia, whom he met at a junior high
“People are really supportive of the local establish-
square dance at the Veterans Building.
ments here,” said Mark.
“I was coming in here when I was a little boy,” said
Added Cynthia, “The Convention & Visitors Bureau
Mark. “Ralph and my father used to bird hunt togeth-
also brings people here if they’re showing them
er. They lived up on the same road, and they both
around town, and they tell them about us.”
grew up within just miles of each other. They were friends all their lives.”
She believes the pro-business and tourism focus of the chamber has also played a role in the shop’s
Cynthia says the regulars who came to congregate
longevity.
at Ralph’s each morning felt much like an extended
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
40
ROLLING IT OUT
Alden Carnahan of Ralph’s Donut Shop glazes giant cinnamon rolls as they come out of the oven.
41
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
“There’s somebody new in here
“We’ve had lots of people come
every day, just travelers off of
because of that show,” said Mark.
I-40,” said Cynthia. “We see inter-
“We had one couple who came
national travelers, too, including
from Virginia. They had seen us
recent visitors from Norway and
on PBS, and they got in the car on
Germany.”
Saturday and decided to drive all the way down here just to have a
Distant customers have repeat-
donut.”
edly begged Mark and Cynthia to offer mail order. While they
However, none of the recent
would love to, there’s no room
acclaim or growing pains have
for expansion in their current
changed the fact that Ralph’s has
building and lot, although they’re
always made, and will continue
considering opening a second
to make, all of their donuts by
location to allow for shipping and
hand.
MEMBERSHIP IN THE COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER OFFERS A VARIETY OF BENEFITS DESIGNED TO HELP BUSINESSES BOTH SMALL AND LARGE, INCLUDING: Advertising and promotional opportunities Meeting room rental discounts Networking
for closer proximity to I-40 travelers stopping in Cookeville.
BIZ +
“Unlike most donut shops these days, here there’s no machine
“We really don’t have anywhere
doing anything except mixing the
to set up a shipping area inside
dough,” said Mark. “It’s a dying
the building,” said Mark. “We’re
thing. You look in all these mag-
suffering some growing pains.”
azines, and they have things like the donut robot. Someone just
People are also finding Ralph’s
puts it in a hopper, and it does its
online, especially through Goo-
thing. Instead of going that route,
gle’s Trip Advisor, where they
we went from just me and an-
are currently (as of this printing)
other guy being bakers to having
ranked as the No. 1 restaurant in
five bakers, counting me.”
Cookeville. Ralph’s has recently been recognized nationally,
In perhaps the greatest testament
as well, with their apple fritter
to the quality of Ralph’s hand-
earning a spot among the top 25
made donuts, Cynthia says she’s
donuts in the nation on culinary
nowhere near being sick of them,
website The Daily Meal.
despite having been surrounded by them for most of her life.
“We couldn’t keep fritters in stock for about a week after that,”
“I still could eat a donut every day,”
said Cynthia.
she said. “In fact, I’d eat two or
Semiannual small business expos Access to business resource center Use of the chamber’s bulk mailing permit Business advocacy Preprinted labels from the chamber’s mailing list Opportunity to advertise in The Sourcebook Opportunity to showcase business at exclusive business expos Ribbon cuttings Business referrals
three if I could get away with it.”
Certificates of origin
episode of the PBS series “Ninety
For more information about
Miles with Chef Garrett.”
Ralph’s, visit ralphsdonuts.com.
Seminars, forums and workshops
Ralph’s was also featured in an
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
42
LUCKY SEVEN
7 ‘To Die For’ Desserts
IF YOU’VE GOT A SWEET TOOTH, COOKEVILLE HAS A VARIETY OF SUGARY CONFECTIONS TO OFFER
No. 1
No. 2
CHEESECAKE From Seven Senses Food & Cheer Tucked into a small brick building in the historic West
ICE CREAM From Cream City Ice Cream & Coffee House
Side cultural district, Seven Senses is still one of the
Cream City is one of the most iconic landmarks in Cookeville
newer restaurants in Cookeville. It’s open for lunch and
because of the large sign on top of the building, which lights
dinner, and the homemade cheesecakes are the best in
up the sky over the historic West Side district. Inside the shop,
town. There are usually a few different options, ranging
bright green walls and comfortable couches usher the young
from Reese’s peanut butter to key lime.
and old to the ice cream counter, where dozens of flavors and sundaes await.
No. 3
No. 4
BANANA PUDDING From Bobby Q’s
APPLE FRITTER From Ralph’s Donut Shop
They don’t make it easy, but if you can stop yourself from
Recently listed as one of America’s 25 best donut shops, Ralph’s Donut Shop
filling up on the main course at this nationally renowned
has been a Cookeville favorite since it opened more than 50 years ago. The
barbecue restaurant, the desserts are worth the self-
rankings on The Daily Meal put Ralph’s apple fritter as one of the 25 best donuts
control. The banana pudding’s rich and unexpected caramel
in the country, but buyer beware: this fritter is big enough for two. The plain and
flavor, folded around layers of whipped cream and vanilla
chocolate-covered butter twists are their most popular options, but there’s no
wafers, does a fabulous job at making you forget that all
such thing as a bad donut at Ralph’s.
those bananas, at one time, might have been good for you.
No. 5
No. 6
No. 7
SOPAIPILLA From El Tapatio
CRÈME BRÛLÉE From The Cooke House
An epic south-of-the border treat, the sopaipilla at El
On the square in an old building that once housed Maddux
CANNOLI From World Foods International Grocery & Delicatessen
Tap features a circle of gigantic, deep-fried tortilla wedges
Hardware, the The Cooke House is a popular happy-hour
Walking into World Foods International Grocery & Delicatessen,
sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, drizzled with honey and
hangout, and many of its guests end up staying for the evening
a tiny shop that is easy to miss, is like walking into another
topped with a giant scoop of vanilla bean ice cream. If it’s
meal. For those who want to satisfy a small sweet tooth, try the
country. Foods and snacks from the northern Mediterranean
your birthday, they’ll let you eat it with a sombrero on, but
crème brûlée. It is served in a thick ceramic spoon and is the
line the display cases. Come for the pizza, stay for the cannoli
unless today is the special day, you won’t want to wait that
perfect size for someone who doesn’t want to spend the next
and say hello to the sweet older couple who run the place and
long to sink a spoon into this crispy confection!
day at the gym.
keep the customers in line, sometimes out the door.
43
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
Our Story Highlands Residential Services (HRS) began construction on its first housing development in 1957. Today, HRS operates 550 public housing units, 30 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit units, and 80 projectbased Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment units for the elderly and the disabled throughout Algood, Baxter, Celina, Cookeville, Gainesboro and Monterey.
Our Mission Apart from providing safe, decent and affordable housing, HRS hosts a wide variety of programs and services to help residents prosper. Each program is designed to help build a stronger community by creating partnerships and friendships, sharing information and developing a network of support across the region. And we dedicate ourselves to helping residents find the support and services they need to build better futures.
Our Services While our mission has always been to help area residents and families find homes, HRS has grown to offer a variety of community-building services. HRS offers job-training classes, homebuyer classes, after-school activities for teens, mentoring programs for elderly and disabled residents and much more. We believe that the residents in all of our communities deserve the highest level of commitment we can offer, and we’re dedicated to continued growth as we secure the resources needed to do so.
P.O. Box 400 • 235 W. Jackson St. • Cookeville, TN 38503-0400 • Ph. 931.526.9793 • F. 931.526.5841 • HighlandsRS.com
It is the policy of Highlands Residential Services to ensure that no citizen shall, on the grounds of race, color or national origin, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial assistance.
45 years experience serving Middle Tennessee & beyond
• Extensive line of machinery to fill any corrugated need. • Warehousing & delivery capabilities. • Design and sample capacity to develop custom boxes to fit all your needs.
CONTACT CUSTOMER SERVICE
931.839.2227
1027 N. CHESTNUT ST. • MONTEREY, TN 38574
cumberlandcontainer.com
LOAD UP THE ‘VAN
Kellie Fitzpatrick peddles clothing and accessories from funky to fine in her new boutique across from the Cookeville depot.
Shop Around the Corner JEWELRY MOGUL KELLIE FITZPATRICK AND CARAVAN, HER NEW UNIQUE BOUTIQUE
G
rowing up in a small town has never stopped Kellie Fitzpatrick from dreaming big. The mother of three, a
former teacher and photographer, designed a line of jewelry at her kitchen table that is now sold to 2,000 stores worldwide through more than 60 sales reps and wholesale showrooms in Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Seattle, Denver, New York City and Canada, and she has continued to break sales records each year since she started her business in 2009.
Dubbed Lenny & Eva after two of Fitzpatrick’s
products at her factory and offices in Baxter, located
great-grandmothers, the product line features leath-
in western Putnam County.
er cuffs in a variety of sizes and colors that the wearer can personalize with interchangeable, stamped
“Our offices are here, all of the designing happens
metal plates that express various sentiments to
here, and we have a group of manufacturers – all
reflect her mood. From there, she can add dangles
of whom are located in the USA – that make the
and charms to further embellish the piece to suit her
different components and ship them to us here,” said
style. Since the introduction of the hugely popular
Fitzpatrick. “Then the bracelets are assembled here,
cuffs, Fitzpatrick has expanded the line to include
and everything that ships out to all 2,000 accounts
customizable wrap bracelets and necklaces, as well.
across the world ships out of this location.”
“When I developed this idea, my life had changed
Next door to the factory, she has recently opened
so much, and I thought it would be nice if I could
the Lenny & Eva flagship store in the space where
have a piece of jewelry that I could kind of switch out
she formerly ran the 3 Little Birds coffee shop and
according to whatever inspiration I needed that day,”
clothing boutique.
said Fitzpatrick. “This flagship store was just kind of the next step for Her idea apparently appealed to a need felt by many
us, and I think it’s fascinating to people that Lenny
other women, as well, because Lenny & Eva has de-
& Eva is made in this little small town,” said Fitzpat-
veloped a large following of devoted collectors since
rick. “Also, I think it gives me some insight into how
its founding just six years ago.
our product is performing in stores to have my own store and see that.”
“I think women have definitely connected with Lenny & Eva because of the sentiments and inspir-
She enjoyed selling clothing too much to let 3 Little
ing words, and I think as they continue to grow and
Birds go, though, so she has expanded that boutique,
change from a girl to a woman, or change as a wom-
minus the coffee shop, renamed it Caravan, and
an, that they’ll always be able to find a sentiment that
reopened it at the corner of Cedar Avenue and Broad
speaks to them at whatever point they are in their
Street in Cookeville.
lives,” said Fitzpatrick. “We love the store and the collection of clothing Another way she keeps customers coming back is by
that we have, and the public has really seemed to
keeping the product line fresh, adding new designs
welcome it,” said Fitzpatrick. “I know personally that
and innovations to the catalog each year.
the style of clothing we carry was something I would otherwise have to go to Nashville or shop online to
“We design usually about a year in advance” said
find, so it’s nice to have that Bohemian style in town
Fitzpatrick. “As our line has grown, we are learning
for me for sure.”
more who our customers are and what they like to see.”
She attributes her steady growth and her business success thus far to her determination to grow her
Fitzpatrick still personally designs most of the piec-
company organically, without acquiring debt.
es in her lines, and she and her staff of 11 create the
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
48
AS OUR LINE HAS GROWN, WE ARE LEARNING MORE WHO OUR CUSTOMERS ARE AND WHAT THEY LIKE TO SEE.”
“I’m a huge, huge fan of Dave Ramsey and of letting
Fitzpatrick. “They want to experience what it’s like
things happen at the pace that they’re supposed to
to be in the environment of Lenny & Eva.”
happen, so when we started Lenny & Eva, it was very small,” said Fitzpatrick. “I did all of the work
Although her products are sought after internation-
literally at my kitchen table. As we grew, I had eight
ally, she’s committed to keeping the Lenny & Eva
employees working out of my garage. And then, as
headquarters local.
we were able to afford to, we grew the line.” “I live here, I grew up here, I went to high school Another component in her success has been over-
at Upperman [in Baxter], and I will always be a
whelming local support, especially for her bou-
small-town girl,” said Fitzpatrick. “I love the sense
tiques.
of community and the support that we get from the community, and I love raising my children here and
“At Caravan, it’s great to see people out just walking
having my family in a small town. I wouldn’t want
around in the area and popping in and out, so the
it to be anywhere else, because this is where we
foot traffic there has definitely been great, and I
started.”
think it’s been surprising that there’s such a broad group of shoppers there in terms of the age demo-
She believes that the more successful she can make
graphic,” she said.
her businesses, the more other businesses will also be helped, and vice versa.
In addition to a loyal local following, the Lenny & Eva store, opened in the fall of 2014, is already
“The more reasons there are for people to visit an
beginning to draw tourists, as well.
area, the better business will be for all of the people who are there,” said Fitzpatrick. “I love all the busi-
“We’ve had several visitors who have come from
nesses that are on Cookeville’s West Side, and we
different areas just to visit the flagship store,” said
all just help one another by being there. It would be great if more shops were to pop up here in Baxter, as well.” She also hopes that her success with her jewelry line and her two boutiques will be an encouragement to other local women with big dreams. “I think it’s inspiring to girls and women in small towns to see that you can have a very successful idea and make it happen where you want it to happen,” said Fitzpatrick. “You don’t have to go to a big city to live that out if you don’t want to. Just make it work where you are.” For more information about Lenny & Eva, visit lennyandeva.com. To learn more about Caravan, visit caravancookeville.com.
TRENDSETTERS:
The Lenny & Eva jewelry line, created by Kellie Fitzpatrick, is available locally at the Lenny & Eva flagship store, located at 119 Broad Street in Baxter, and also online at lennyandeva.com. (The pieces are not sold at Fitzpatrick’s other store, Caravan in Cookeville.)
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
50
BOUTIQUES + CHECK OUT THESE BOUTIQUES IN COOKEVILLE AND PUTNAM COUNTY Beauty Queens Boutique
EarthWares
Matilda Jane Clothing
601 Vickers Place, Cookeville (Next to Big Lots)
37 North Cedar Avenue, Cookeville
472 East Spring Street, Cookeville
Phone: (931) 526-6576
Phone: (931) 881-7740
Phone: (931) 265-4772
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hours: Tuesday 8 a.m.-noon and 3-7 p.m.,
Sunday 1 p.m.-5 p.m.
Wednesday 8:30-11 a.m. and 5-7 p.m..
Fringe Salon & Boutique 17 West Second Street, Cookeville
Southern Traditions
560 South Jefferson Avenue, Suite 5, Cookeville
Phone: (931) 854-9394
412 East Spring Street, Cookeville
Phone: (931) 260-9503
Hours: Monday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m.-7:30
Phone: (931) 526-5751
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
p.m., Wednesday 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Thursday-Friday
Hours: Monday-Friday 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m.,
9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
18 West Broad Street, Cookeville
Hello Honey
Phone: (931) 854-9172
37 West Broad Street, Cookeville
Sweet Pea Boutique/Pink Pea Boutique
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.,
Phone: (931) 260-9123
Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday closed
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Phone: (931) 526-6668
Bella Boutique
Bless Cookeville
Broadway Boutique Mall
By appointment on Saturday & Sunday
41 West Broad Street, Cookeville
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
107 West Broad Street, Cookeville
Itsy Bitsy Boutique
The Lollipop Shoppe
Phone: (931) 528-1231
416 East Spring Street, Cookeville
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
47 North Cedar Avenue, Cookeville
Phone: (931) 528-1667
Phone: (931) 372-7767
Caravan 101 West Broad Street, Cookeville
Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-2 p.m..
Phone: (931) 854-1646
JJ Jax
The Market on the Square
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
146 South Lowe Avenue, Cookeville
6 North Jefferson Avenue, Cookeville
Phone: (931) 526-6130
Phone: (931) 372-7688
Cigi’s
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-7 p.m.
410 East Spring Street, Suite M-2, Cookeville Phone: (931) 528-2444 Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
LauRes 430 South Lowe Avenue, Cookeville
The Red Carpet Salon & Boutique
Country Bumpkin Boutique
Phone: (931) 526-3383
773 South Jefferson Avenue, Cookeville
Hours: Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Phone: (931) 525-6805 or (931) 854-9157
303 South Willow Avenue, Cookeville
Saturday 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6:15 p.m.
Phone: (931) 372-8590 Hours: Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.
Dog & Company Pet Boutique
Lenny & Eva (Flagship Store) 119 Broad Street, Baxter Phone: (931) 858-1109 Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
29 East First Street, Cookeville Phone: (931) 528-2275 Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday 4-6 p.m.
Luxe Boutique Cookeville 109 West Broad Street, Cookeville Phone: (931) 854-1844 Hours: Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 1-4 p.m.
51
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
SERVING THE UPPER CUMBERLAND AREA SINCE 1929
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Diane Herren
Senior Partner, LHIG Financial Advisor RJFS
Partner, LHIG Branch Manager RJFS
931-528-5862 or 866-528-5862 • bob.luna@raymondjames.com 440 South Lowe Avenue, Suite 29 • Cookeville, TN 38501
www.raymondjames.com/luna
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ORDER UP
John “Beard” Darrow slings drinks and lends a listening ear from behind the bar at Father Tom’s.
The Beard of Beer JOHN “BEARD” DARROW AND COOKEVILLE’S CRAFT BEER DESTINATION
M
ost Friday and Saturday nights, a small, unassuming build-
ing on a quiet side street of Cookeville bustles with activity. People trickle in as the hours go by, coming in couples or groups. Laughter and chatter drift off of the small porch on the side of the building, and when the door opens, noise from more conversations wafts into the street. Inside the building are about 20 tables and a long bar made of dark, gleaming wood. The walls are decorated with black and white photos of frequent patrons; a couple of huge paintings by local artists; and cork, in an attempt to absorb some of the laughter and chatter that resonates inside the open space.
Behind the bar, which is outfitted with a standard
of the 14 taps change two or three times a week
collection of liquor bottles and a nonstandard
and provide plenty of options for the clientele, 75 of
collection of beer taps, the bartender and a barback
whom can fit inside at any given time.
sling drinks, wash glasses and make small talk with the dozen or so people sitting at the bar.
“There are quite a few beers that you can’t get anywhere else in town,” said Beard, who also manages
Father Tom’s Pub has only
the front of the house. “Brewery
been open for three years but is
reps come straight to us now,
already a Cookeville landmark. It
rather than going through the
is a popular hangout for professionals, students and visitors who come to unite around a common interest: craft beer. The beers on tap change frequently, and usually at least one or two of the options are unknown to more than a few of the patrons. But there is one part of the bar that is always the same: The bartender, Beard, has been at his station behind it since the day Father Tom’s opened in July 2012. “We have become the craft beer destination in Cookeville,” said Beard, whose real name is John Darrow. “We try to have enough different styles so everyone can find something they like. We have people who only like porters or stouts. We have people who only like IPAs. We have people who want something like Bud Light but not Bud Light.”
WE TRY TO HAVE ENOUGH DIFFERENT STYLES SO EVERYONE CAN FIND SOMETHING THEY LIKE .... WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO ONLY LIKE IPAS. WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO WANT SOMETHING LIKE BUD LIGHT BUT NOT BUD LIGHT.”
distributors. Two or three years ago, I never thought I’d have 10 or 12 brewery reps in my phone.” Beard’s favorite beer, at least for now, is Highland Gaelic Ale out of Asheville, North Carolina. He has been tending bar for nearly 10 years, first at Players, a pool hall across the street from Father Tom’s that markets itself to college students. Beer is his passion, but he takes pride in his Manhattans and Old Fashioneds, which he tries to make the same way people made them 60 and 70 years ago. If someone asks him to surprise them with a mixed drink, he will occasionally make them pick a color and make a drink for them in the same shade. Father Tom’s also carries a wide variety of specialty wines.
But Father Tom’s is more than a place to come for a Father Tom’s focuses on regional breweries from
drink. It has a full menu, ranging from soups, salads
North Carolina, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri,
and burgers to ahi tuna, quesadillas and specials
Nebraska and, of course, Tennessee — especially
that change often.
Calfkiller Brewing Company, the Upper Cumberland’s only microbrewery. The kegs supplying each
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
56
One of Beard’s talents is reading people. Everyone
On the average Friday night, Beard and his well-
who comes in, whether they sit at the bar or at a
trained barback can pour as many as 400 drinks,
table, gets a greeting called out from his station
about 70 percent of which is beer. During the week,
behind the taps. He can help them select a drink or
they will serve a little more than half that amount.
chat with them until they wind down after a day’s
It’s not a bad number for a restaurant that seats
work. How he reads a patron even helps him decide
about 75 people. Beard says it is plenty to keep him
how to introduce himself, as Beard or John.
and his help busy, but not yet busy enough for a second bartender, which seems to suit him just fine.
He prefers to be called Beard, a nickname he’s had since he was 20 years old and there were too many
“You look at all your tickets,” he said. “If you have
people named John in his group of friends. Since he
eight drafts and four mixed drinks and two bottles,
turned 18, he says he has been clean-shaven only for
you get your glasses ready under the taps, then you
a few days. This particular beard is about three years
get the liquor ready and the glasses and just start
old, and he cares for it with shampoo, conditioner
pouring.”
and beard oil. And no, he says, his beard never sheds into anything he makes.
Beyond the usual suspects of Friday and Saturday nights, some evenings are busier than others. Once
Beard says his favorite part of his job is interacting
a month, the bar opens up a keg of a new brew on
with Father Tom’s’ patrons, both the regulars and
the patio to offer to patrons, get their feedback and
those visiting the area who find it through Yelp and
see if the beer is something that should be included
other restaurant review websites. Though he must
as part of the regular rotation. The samples are free
see and hear a lot from behind the bar, he refuses to
and serve as a way for a small-town bar to make sure
share stories, even with names omitted.
its patrons are happy. Whether they like the beer on tap or not, all are happy to give their opinions and
“I can’t tell a story. I don’t hear or see anything be-
always come back, whether it’s later in the week or
hind the bar,” he said. “The running joke is that I’m
not until the next month’s trial run.
better than Vegas.” For more information about Father Tom’s, stop by On almost any night of the week, patrons line the bar
the pub at 32 N. Cedar Avenue in Cookeville, or visit
in couples or by themselves. It is a popular destina-
fathertomspub.com.
tion for those who want to unwind after a day at the office and bump into a friend they haven’t seen for a while. Some folks come specifically to see Beard, and he takes the time to chat with them between making drinks and occasionally serving up a meal. “People come here because they want to relax after work. They’ll come out in groups occasionally. A lot of times, people just want to escape,” Beard said. “We’ve had a lot of people become friends because of this place.”
57
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
LUCKY SEVEN
7 Local Outdoor Bistros
TAKE IN SOME FRESH AIR AND LOVELY VIEWS WHILE YOU TREAT YOURSELF AT THESE EATERIES
No. 1
No. 2
CRAWDADDYS
MAURICIO’S
53 W. Broad St. | (931) 526-4660
232 N. Peachtree Ave. | (931) 528-2456
Sitting on the shaded, fenced patio of this New
Surrounded by twinkle lights on the porch of
Orleans-inspired restaurant is a favorite pastime
a historic home a few blocks from downtown,
of many Cookevillians. A cornerstone of the
Mauricio’s is the perfect place for a romantic evening
town’s historic West Side, locals love the food, the
or to catch up with friends over Italian margaritas.
ambiance and, of course, the cocktail list. On the
Inside, the rooms of the home have been maintained
weekends, there is often live music starting up as
and decorated with antiques to create an intimate
the stars come out and the fireflies dance, and
and cozy atmosphere. Known for its Italian-style
Crawdaddys brunch is one of the best in town.
dishes, it also has one of the best steaks in town.
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
No. 6
CHAR
THE LIGHTHOUSE RESTAURANT
SPANKIES
THE GALLEY RESTAURANT AT EDGAR EVINS MARINA
14 S. Washington Ave. (931) 520-2427
203 E. Ninth St. (931) 526-3344
sections indoors and a
13800 Cookeville Boat Dock Road (931) 858-4008
University, Spankies is a
Edgar Evins Marina is home to The
patio that, though not far
Accessible by land or
popular hangout not only
Galley Restaurant, another local
from the sidewalks and
water, the Cookeville
for college students, but
favorite along the 415 miles of Center
several heavily traveled
Boat Dock has a
also for their professors
Hill Lake shore. The restaurant is
streets, feels quiet and
restaurant open
and other professionals.
open seasonally, with indoor and
secluded because of the
seasonally for lunch and
The restaurant offers a
outdoor seating and a menu of steak,
high evergreen shrubs and
dinner and rents boats
wide variety of entrées
seafood, hamburgers, sandwiches and
many strands of twinkle
at its marina on Center
and beverages and has a
locally brewed Calfkiller beer.
lights that surround it.
Hill Lake. The lake is
large tented front porch
Char frequently has live
one of the most popular
from which guests can
bands performing inside,
boating and hiking
enjoy the outside air
especially in the summer,
destinations around, and
without being rained on or
when the garage door
the restaurant’s family-
tousled by the wind.
opens and the sound
friendly atmosphere
carries through the streets.
and down-home style
Just off the square, Char has two fairly large seated
from Tennessee Tech
2100 Edgar Evins State Park Road | (931) 858-5695
Across the railroad tracks
No. 7
79 E. Spring St. | (931) 646-4610 This family-owned restaurant smokes all of its meat on-site, as the massive woodpile can attest. The drive-thru-or-sit-down barbecue
burgers, salads and sweet
spot has a few picnic tables out front and makes some of the most
tea make it a perfect stop
tender, and smokiest, wings and sandwiches in Cookeville.
after a day on the water.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
MOOGIE’S BBQ
58
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Stay Tuned DESIRÉE DUNCAN AND WCTE’S COVERAGE OF THE UPPER CUMBERLAND UNIQUE
T
he Upper Cumberland has many things that
set it apart from the rest of Tennessee and the rest of the South — the cultural, the beautiful and the quirky. It is the job of the producers, cameramen and interns of Cookeville’s only local television station to find those jewels and tell their stories.
DIRECTOR DUNCAN Director of Content Desirée Duncan keeps the (now digital) reels rolling at WCTE-TV.
Cookeville is one of the smallest towns in the nation
And the content the station disseminates is anything
to have a public television station, but WCTE’s mis-
but standard. In addition to “Live Green Tennessee,”
sion is anything but small.
which focuses on the past, present and future of the region’s agriculture industry, the station hosts
“WCTE is the pulse of this community,” said De-
shows about bluegrass musicians that have aired
sirée Duncan, the station’s director of content. “This
nationally, as well as programs about TTU athletics,
station opened my eyes to a world I never would
previews for Bryan Symphony Orchestra concerts
have known. It gives you the opportunity to go off
and many others.
the beaten path that you otherwise never would have heard of and to share that with the rest of the
One of the stories that stands out most notably in
community.”
Duncan’s mind is the story she did shortly after she returned about Short Mountain Distillery in the hills
Originally from Nashville, Duncan came to Cooke-
of Woodbury, Tennessee. Duncan was unsure of the
ville about a dozen years ago to study journalism
reception she would get going to cover the distill-
at Tennessee Tech University (TTU). As a student
ery, which uses some traditional methods to make
worker in the TTU Athletics Department, her boss
moonshine. When she got there, she says she was
directed her to WCTE to help her achieve her goal
surprised how different it was from her expecta-
of gaining experience in television. She volunteered
tions.
until shortly before she graduated, when she was hired to work on a show called “TTU Sports Weekly.”
“Hearing the history of the moonshiners in Cannon County and hearing from the people who learned
She left to take a position at a public television
how to make moonshine from their fathers and their
station in Las Vegas and stayed out west for six
grandfathers, that really opened my eyes,” she said.
years. Her former boss and the station’s president
“I realized I needed to explore more.”
and CEO, Becky Magura, contacted Duncan to try to convince her to return to WCTE. It’s been a few years
Exploring is one of the things that WCTE’s staff
now since she came back, and she is confident she
members do best, to bring stories that matter to the
made the right choice, in part because of the impact
community. Because WCTE is the only television
the station has on the community.
station in the region, its staff can be found at many of the annual events that make the Upper Cumber-
“We are sandwiched between Nashville, Knoxville
land special, interviewing and broadcasting to reach
and Chattanooga,” said Duncan. “These stations
those unable to attend. They regularly cover the Put-
don’t cover us. That’s where the local media can
nam County Fair, the Smithville Fiddlers’ Jamboree,
step in and tell the story of all the cool stuff going on
Jammin at Hippie Jack’s, the Cookeville Christmas
here. And, because we’re a PBS station, we can dis-
Parade and the TTU homecoming parade, to name a
seminate this content nationally. People know us all
few, as well as TTU football home games and many
over the world because of the reach of this station.”
of the NCAA Division-I football and men’s and women’s basketball games from the TTU campus.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
64
MEDIA +
And WCTE’s president and CEO, Becky Magura, regularly hosts an interview show — “One on One with Becky Magura” — where she talks on camera with the movers and shakers of the Upper
COOKEVILLE STAYS CONNECTED
Cumberland. Past “One on One” guests have included TTU’s president; local artists, activists and
News Media
athletes; and nationally known journalists and writers, among many others.
The station also works to organize fun events for
Herald-Citizen (931) 526-9715 Upper Cumberland Business Journal
the community that double as fund-raisers for
(931) 528-8852
the station, including the Great TV Auction, a live auction supported by community donations of
Radio
auction items and time, and Blues & Brews, a fall
WATX-AM (1600)
festival of local craft beers and music.
WBXE-FM (93.7)
WGSQ-FM (94.7)
WCTE staffers do not have typical work sched-
WHRS-FM (91.7)
ules, and there is no such thing as a typical day
WHUB-AM (1400)
WJNU-FM (96.9)
WKSW-FM (98.5)
WKXD-FM (106.9)
WLIV-FM (104.7)
WLQK-FM (95.9)
That variety is part of what makes the job so
WPTN-AM (780)
much fun for Duncan, and the people she has met
WTTU-FM (88.5)
through her job and through events have added to
WWOG-FM (90.9)
or week. Duncan says she might go from an event-planning meeting to covering a story, including dragging camera equipment around and hauling cables, to editing that story to get it ready to air.
her happiness in living here.
Television
“Everyone is so welcoming,” said Duncan. “No
WKRN (ABC)
matter where you go, someone will introduce
WTVF (CBS)
themselves. That is unexpected and cool. You
WSMV (NBC)
could be sitting having dinner next to the mayor
WZTV (FOX)
or TTU’s president or former president, and it’s no
WCTE-TV (PBS)
big deal. Somewhere else, you don’t even know who these people are, and you’ll never see them again.” To learn more about WCTE, visit wcte.org.
65
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
LUCKY SEVEN
7 Tastes of the World
TREAT YOUR TONGUE TO TASTES FROM AROUND THE GLOBE RIGHT HERE IN COOKEVILLE
No. 1
No. 2
FRENCH-INSPIRED Crawdaddys
ITALIAN Mamma Rosa’s
From New Orlean’s po’boys on Gambino’s French
Owned and operated by the same family for more
bread to etouffee, jambalaya, gumbo, blackened
than 23 years, Mamma Rosa’s chefs serve up freshly
salmon, red beans and rice, and so much more,
prepared, generous portions of authentic Sicilian-style
Crawdaddys is set to fill your every Creole craving.
dishes using top-of-the-line imported ingredients.
Start your meal with gator bites and finish it off
Local favorites include the massive stromboli, the
with their saucy bread pudding while listening to
lasagna, the New York-style hand-tossed pizza and
jazz on the open-air patio. You just might not be
the Sicilian-style thick-crust pizza. Don’t forget the
able to resist letting out an “ahee!”
cheese bread!
53 W. Broad St. / (931) 526-4660
200 S. Lowe Ave. / (931) 372-8694
No. 3 IRISH Father Tom’s
32 N. Cedar Ave. | (931) 854-9484 Father Tom’s is an Irish pub with an awesome selection of local and regional craft beers plus some imports, and the better-than-bar-food menu is fun and
N 4 o.
JAPANESE Taiko Noodle & Sushi Bar 125 W. Broad St. (931) 528-0345
Set in a softly lit, vintage
phenomenal. The Pearl Burger, which comes topped with Brie, bacon, sliced pear, onions and garlic aioli, is a perennial favorite.
No. 5
building with exposed brick walls on Cookeville’s historic West Side, Taiko Noodle & Sushi Bar delights customers with a menu that includes a terrific selection of sushi hand rolls, nigiri and sashimi that a master sushi chef makes by hand while you watch. Taiko specialties include the Trump Roll, the Tennessee Roll, the TTU Roll and the Cookeville Roll, a customer favorite that’s shaped like a giant “C.”
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
No. 6
No. 7
MEXICAN El Tapatio
THAI House of Thai
900 S. Jefferson Ave. (931) 372-0246 190 S. Willow Ave. (931) 520-4393
MEDITERRANEAN World Foods International Grocery & Delicatessen
22 N. Cedar Ave. | (931) 528-5090
208 E. 8th St. (931) 526-2478
House of Thai serves a full slate of authentic Thai specialties, including
A favorite for more than two
pad thai, panang curry, prik pow
This charming little bistro on Cedar Avenue has been a Cookeville
decades, El Tapatio serves up
shrimp and many more in a cozy,
favorite for years, offering outstanding homemade pizza along
plentiful portions of flavorful
warmly lit atmosphere. Many of the
with other Mediterranean and Middle Eastern specialties such as
Mexican staples, including some of
dishes are lightly spiced for more
muffaletta, shawarma, dolma, tabouli, falafel, lahmacun, kefta, cannoli,
the best fajitas around, in a cheerful
tender palates and then served with
baklava, tiramisu and sfogliatelle. For the less culinarily adventurous,
atmosphere where customers marvel
a spice tray for those who want more
they also serve standard sandwich fare as well as the Cheese
as the servers dash about with rows
kick to their Thai.
Pamwich, which contains a blend of provolone cheese and fire-roasted
of hot plates balanced from shoulder
peppers.
to hand.
66
Smart sets us apart.
Bigger isn’t always more knowledgeable.
A
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HERITAGEPOINTESENIORLIVING.COM
I’d Rather Be Rich CROSSFIT CHAMPION RICH FRONING AND ACTIVE LIVING IN COOKEVILLE, TENNESSEE
N
ear the center of town is a
working on a computer or doing
large, boxy building that,
some of the most extravagant-
except for the necessary doors and
looking sit-ups imaginable.
access ramp, is almost completely featureless. Inside is another decep-
The space is CrossFit Mayhem, and
tively simple space full of what looks
it is Rich Froning’s business and
almost like industrial scaffolding
home away from home.
and more free weights than seem to be entirely necessary. It is decorated
Froning, to those in tune with the
mostly in black, gray, red and blue.
CrossFit world, is no minor celebrity. He is the Fittest Man on Earth™,
A few people, mostly men in work-
four-time winner of the Reebok
out gear, and a handful of dogs roam
CrossFit® Games, a competition for
about the space. The dogs stay
more than 80 of the top CrossFit®
mostly out of the way of the people
adherents in the world.
who are organizing equipment,
4-PEAT
Rich Froning prepares himself and coaches others toward ultimate fitness at his CrossFit gym in Cookeville.
Whether they belong to his gym or not, many of
on two walls. A couple dozen boxes to jump on and
Cookeville’s residents know Froning. He grew up
off of and a collection of “Satan’s tricycles,” which
here, went to school here, earned his degree from
increase resistance the faster they are pedaled, line
Tennessee Tech University (TTU) and now has start-
the third wall. Then there’s a massive touch-screen
ed a business and a family here.
computer for members to track their workouts and progress toward their goals.
“This is where I grew up. I’ve traveled a lot, but I always enjoy coming home a lot more,” he said.
“What’s really cool about CrossFit is that it’s shared
“Cookeville is small, but it’s big enough. It’s got ev-
suffering,” Froning said. “You learn a lot about peo-
erything you need.”
ple. You connect a lot with people you train with and suffer with. It sounds kind of twisted, but it has this
Froning is more than Cookeville’s favorite athlete.
community effect.”
His gym, which has about 150 members, is part of the fabric of the community. CrossFit Mayhem reg-
That companionship, Froning said, is what sets
ularly sponsors and hosts charity events to benefit
CrossFit apart from other workouts and other gyms.
veterans of the U.S. military, local police, fire depart-
Each new member has to take a monthlong introduc-
ments and the Mustard Seed Ranch, a residential
tory course, and trainers are available to keep an eye
program in Cookeville that gives children a second
on progress.
chance and helps them rebuild their lives. Froning discovered CrossFit while he was studying “We know a lot of people at Mustard Seed, and our
exercise science, physical education and wellness at
church is partners with them, so we want to support
TTU.
them,” he said. “I dabbled in CrossFit for a month or two, but when I And Cookeville returns the favor. When Froning re-
went for my certification course, I got hooked,” said
turned from his fourth win at the CrossFit Games in
Froning, who also spent some time working in the
2014, the town threw him a parade to welcome him
TTU Fitness Center.
home. Froning is the only athlete who has ever won the games more than once.
Since then, he’s never looked back. Froning has been doing CrossFit for more than six years, and between
Though he says he will not compete again as an
his corporate sponsors and running CrossFit May-
individual, he is working out and working to build a
hem with his management team, he has more than
team to take to compete in the 2015 team event. The
a full-time job. But it’s a job he loves in a place he is
new father says it will help him learn to be more pa-
proud to call home. Though it will likely be years,
tient and give him another way to challenge himself.
if ever, before Froning stops traveling, either to compete or to coach, Cookeville will be the place he
Challenges in CrossFit Mayhem are not hard to find.
comes back to.
The scaffolding-like contraption is a rig that runs across the width of the gym and allows 12 people to
“Whatever happens,” he said, “I’ll be here.”
do squats, 24 to do chin-ups and others to do muscle-ups all at once on rings suspended between the
For more information about Froning, visit
bars. The facility also has about 50 kettlebells of vari-
games.crossfit.com/athlete/11435.
ous sizes lining one wall and stacks of other weights
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
70
IT’S SHARED SUFFERING .... YOU CONNECT A LOT WITH PEOPLE YOU TRAIN WITH AND SUFFER WITH.”
Take It Outside OLYMPIAN ERIC JACKSON AND KAYAKING THE UPPER CUMBERLAND
E
ric Jackson likes kayaking in
business or training for kayaking.”
the Upper Cumberland region
more than anywhere else in the
Jackson’s love for paddling started
world. And Jackson knows a thing or
when he was a young boy in Penn-
two about kayaking.
sylvania.
A former member of the U.S. Olym-
“My dad and I started together when
pic team, Jackson has won four
I was six. At that time, we did mostly
world championship titles as well as
whitewater canoeing.”
many national championships. Oh, and he’s also the founder and pres-
As Jackson grew, so did his love for
ident of Jackson Kayak, a leading
paddling. In the late ‘90s, Jackson
manufacturer of kayaks, which has
and his wife, Kristine, and their two
distributors all over the world.
young children lived in a motor home for several years, traveling
“I have been on the USA Kayak Team
around the country as Jackson
since 1989, traveling the world com-
continued to train and compete at
peting and training for my sport,”
the highest level as a professional
Jackson said. “I spend most of my
freestyle kayaker.
time with my family, working on my
FREESTYLING When he’s not winning competitions, you can usually find Eric Jackson engaged in any number of outdoor pursuits with family and friends in the Upper Cumberland.
“The cost of living here is very reasonable, and the
In the United States, Jackson says his favorite place to
outdoors are unspoiled for the most part,” said Jackson.
kayak is Rock Island State Park, which straddles the
“This is a wonderful place to hang your hat, and I am so
border between Warren and White counties in Tennes-
very happy I brought my family here in 2002. Of all the
see, followed closely by the Hood River in Oregon and
places in the world, this was our favorite.”
the Gauley River in West Virginia. Internationally, he enjoys paddling the Zambezi River in Africa every year
During their early years, Jackson’s children, Emily
and has favorite places on the Nile and in Mexico.
and Dane, began to make a name for themselves in the sport, eventually showing their prowess as chips off the
In the fall of 2014, he competed in the Extreme Kayak
old block. However, despite searching the world over for
World Championship in Austria, where Emily came in
kid-sized kayaks, Jackson came up empty. That’s when
fourth place, Dane fifth, Nick 20th, and Eric placed 21st
inspiration struck, and he and design
out of 150 competitors. He points out that
partner David Knight designed a
in freestyle competitions, they typically
kids’ boat called the “Fun 1” to ac-
get first place.
commodate children as young as 5, along with another freestyle kayak for himself, the “All-Star.” “Since it costs a lot of money to make a plug, mold, and a boat, I couldn’t really afford to do it without selling some to pay for Dane’s boat, Emily’s boat and my boat,” said Jackson. “I
THE CUMBERLAND PLATEAU IS RICH IN EVERYTHING OUTDOORS.”
decided to start Jackson Kayak at that
One of the most well-known names in professional paddling, Jackson continues to compete with much younger athletes and stays very active outside of the competitive arena, as well, often joining family and friends in kayaking; fishing; hiking; jumping on the trampoline; or playing boccie ball, cornhole or ping-pong.
time in 2003. I already had a big following on my blog and knew I could sell boats.”
His accolades notwithstanding, Jackson seems the most proud of his role as a teacher and trainer. In addition to
Thus Jackson Kayak was born, and Jackson’s dedication
teaching his own children to kayak, he has produced
to his and his children’s “hobby” has clearly paid off.
several instructional books and DVDs over the years. He truly epitomizes a person with tremendous passion for
“Both [Emily and Dane] were on the U.S. team as juniors
his sport and for the great outdoors.
— Dane at 10 and Emily at 13,” Jackson said. “Both are now multi-world champions.”
“The Cumberland Plateau is rich in everything outdoors,” Jackson said. “Caving, whitewater, hiking,
Emily’s husband, Nick Troutman, also competes, and
biking, amazing foliage. If you’re an outdoor enthusiast,
Jackson admits with some disappointment that his son-
except for winter sports, this is a great place to be. This
in-law beat him in the 2009 World Championships.
is my favorite place to be in the outdoors.”
Even with that loss, Jackson has some bragging rights
For more information about Rock Island State Park, visit
in the family. He has won more than 100 events, the
tnstateparks.com/parks/about/rock-island.
most of any kayaker in history. He attributes much of
For more information about Jackson Kayak, visit
that to the fact that he has been doing it for so long.
jacksonkayak.com.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
74
Did You Know?
OUTDOORS
There are over 150 documented
+
waterfalls within a 44-mile radius of downtown Cookeville.
COOKEVILLE AND THE UPPER CUMBERLAND ARE HOME TO WONDERFUL PARKS AND NATURAL AREAS Large Parks and Natural Areas
scenic overlooks, waterfalls and pools.
Big South Fork National River and
the state’s early hydroelectric plants.
Recreation Area 125,000 acres • 85 miles from Cookeville
11,000 acres • 24 miles from Cookeville
Features an abandoned coal mining town that
Sits on the Cumberland Plateau and takes
was part of the Stearns Coal and Lumber Co.
its name from an 8-foot-tall rock that was
from 1937 to 1962.
reportedly used as a boundary between two Whitaker Park.
200 acres • 11 miles from Cookeville
waterfalls along one-and-a-half-mile trail, the
Noted for its unique geological features,
tallest at 136 feet.
including the 110-foot Virgin Falls, other waterfalls, caves and sinkholes. The Caney
Cummins Falls State Park
wooded natural refuge, which Travel and
City Parks
Leisure magazine named one of the 10 best
Edgar Evins State Park 6,000 acres • 26 miles from Cookeville
Features unique species of wildlife and mixed hardwood forests near the shores of Center Hill Lake. An observation tower at the Visitor
20,000 acres • 43 miles from Cookeville
Miles of waterfalls, streams, gorges and recreation facilities. The park is one of the most popular in the Southeast. At 256 feet,
eastern United States.
Dominated by the Great Falls of the Caney
Center Hill Lake 29 square miles • 20 miles from Cookeville A 64-mile-long reservoir near Smithville with 415 miles of shoreline and 18,200 acres species of fish. Popular activities include
Cane Creek Park
fishing, hunting, camping, picnicking, boating,
CC Camp Rd. • Cookeville
canoeing and hiking.
Capshaw Park
City Lake
S. Maple St., Stevens St. and Elm Ave. •
35 acres • in Cookeville
Cookeville
Features a 35-acre natural park with hiking trails, a waterfall overlook and a fishing pier.
Cinderella Park
City Lake Natural Area
Fish include catfish, bass and bream.
Cordell Hull Lake 19 square miles • 23 miles from Cookeville Flows in and out of the Cumberland River in
Dogwood Park
Smith County with 381 miles of shoreline and
E. Broad St. • Cookeville
22 boat launching ramps.
Ensor Sink Natural Area
Dale Hollow Lake 43 square miles • 32 miles from Cookeville Voted #4 Lake in the Nation to “Float Your
Fantasy Park Main St. • Algood
Rock Island State Park 883 acres • 36 miles from Cookeville
Lakes
of deep, pure water that is home to many
Clover Hill Dr. and Foutch Dr. • Cookeville
Fall Creek Falls is the highest waterfall in the
Whitaker Park E. Commercial Ave. • Monterey
Bridgeway Dr. • Cookeville
Fall Creek Falls State Park
West End Park West End St. • Cookeville
Mitchell Ave. and Cinderella Lane • Cookeville
Center offers a spectacular view of the lake and surrounding hillsides.
and the Caney Fork River 900 feet below.
Home to Tennessee’s eighth-largest waterfall
Walter L. Bilbrey Memorial Park Fourth Ave. • Algood
Fork Overlook provides a view of Scott’s Gulf
211 acres • 9 miles from Cookeville
swimming holes in the U.S.
1,157 acres • 36 miles from Cookeville
Walnut Park S. Walnut Ave. • Cookeville
Virgin Falls Trail
forest and a native butterfly garden. Four
at 75 feet. Fish for bluegill and bass in this
Indian nations. It now stands in Monterey’s
Burgess Falls State Natural Area
Park View Park Scott Ave. • Cookeville
Standing Stone State Park
Miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs.
Features sheer bluffs, narrow ridges, mixed
Features a 19th century textile mill and one of
Franklin Avenue Park
Boat” by USA Today, and boasts 620 miles of shoreline and more than 14 commercial marinas.
Franklin Ave. and Sixth St. • Cookeville
Fork River — a limestone gorge that provides
The State of Tennessee has certified Cookeville as an Adventure Tourism District.
75
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
Use yoUr knowledge
“My group designed a device to help a special needs infant learn to crawl.” Corbin Paul
Madison, Tennessee Senior, Mechanical Engineering
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LUCKY SEVEN
7 Views You Shouldn’t Miss FROM SCENIC CLIMBS TO WATERFALLS, WE’VE GOT IT ALL
No. 1
No. 2
MILLIKAN’S OVERLOOK
BURGESS FALLS
Three valleys stretch in different
Heading down Burgess Falls State Park’s three-quarter
directions, and the hills of the
mile path, each of the four waterfalls is bigger than the last.
Cumberland Plateau nestle against
An overlook above the falls provides an impressive view of
one another for miles, gently fading
the falls and the steep cliffs that surround them like a deep,
from green to a soft blue. Find this spot
smooth bowl. Even Southern Living took notice, naming the
on the driving loop around Fall Creek
park among their “Five Ways to Stay Cool in Tennessee.”
Falls State Park, about an hour from Cookeville.
No. 3 CUMMINS FALLS Dedicated in 2012, Cummins Falls is one of Tennessee’s newest state parks. Its showpiece, like many of the parks in the Upper Cumberland, is a massive
No. 4
waterfall. Accessible via a two-mile hike, the waterfall is shaped in a shallow U with a variety of levels.
N 6 o.
N 7 o.
CENTER HILL LAKE Center Hill Lake at Edgar Evins hosts a variety of hiking trails and boating opportunities, from kayaks to pontoon
VIRGIN FALLS
BLACK MOUNTAIN
This 110-foot waterfall flows out of an
Just a 15-minute drive from I-40’s
underground stream and then vanishes
Crab Orchard exit, Black Mountain
back into a cave. Geologically, the
— a 10.8-mile loop trail along the
waterfall is one of the only of its kind
Cumberland Trail — is a maze of
in the state. The Caney Fork Overlook
scenic wonders, from towering bluffs
provides a view of Scott’s Gulf and the
to chimney rocks and fluted corridors.
Caney Fork River 900 feet below.
Don’t miss the breathtaking overlook
No. 5
boats. A great place to get a feel for the
ROCK ISLAND STATE PARK
scale of the lake is from an overlook
Rock Island is a perfect spot for a picnic. The rivers that
on state Route 56, about three or four
feed the area have, over the centuries, cut long ledges into
miles from Interstate 40. The view
the rock for children, families and others to scramble across.
changes every season, and it’s a great
Easier to get to than many of the other swimming spots in
place to pull off the road on the way
the area, Rock Island also has one of the most unique rock
to or from the Appalachian Center for
ledge formations around.
Craft and admire the beauty of the Upper Cumberland.
onto scenic Grassy Cove.
77
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
Captains of Industry iWC’S JIMMY AND BOB MACKIE AND BIG BUSINESS IN THE UPPER CUMBERLAND
W
hile he has turned over the day-to-day operations to his son Bob, Jimmy Mackie, founder
and CEO of Institutional Wholesale Company (iWC), Inc., continues to go to work every day, to the job he’s had for almost 60 years. The 81-year-old Jimmy fondly recollects the details that led to his eventual success in the food distribution business.
FATHER AND SON iWC founder Jimmy Mackie, left, and sons Bob, right, and John, not shown, now run the largest independently owned food service distributor in Tennessee.
In the late 1950s, after graduating with two degrees
Bob, now the company’s president, attributes some of
from Tennessee Tech University (TTU) and spending
iWC’s success to its location.
two years in the U.S. Army, Jimmy had a wife, a child and no job. And he was unsure what he wanted to do.
“I think there are a lot of pluses to our location in Putnam County,” Bob said.
Then a chance meeting between his dad and a friend in 1957 set off the chain of events that eventually be-
First, the central location is a plus. Within close
came Jimmy’s profession and a major local business.
driving distance to major Tennessee cities, Cookeville offers easy access to the major markets, according to
He bought into a small food distribution business that
Bob. With Interstate 40 and Highway 111 intersecting
delivered groceries from a distributor in Knoxville to
close by, it is an ideal location for any distribution
restaurants, schools and hospi-
business.
tals in Putnam County. “Secondly, the labor pool is very Business flourished over the coming years, and iWC joined the Frozen Food Forum, a national food buying cooperative that’s now called Frosty Acres. iWC is now the No. 1 distributor in the Frosty Acres organization. Jimmy’s son Bob joined the business in 1997. He came to the
good in the area,” Bob said. Moving
I THINK THERE ARE A LOT OF PLUSES TO OUR LOCATION IN PUTNAM COUNTY.”
heavy food and other items around in a warehouse and delivering them is hard work, requiring a strong workforce. According to Bob, employees with good work ethics and people who are willing to work hard are invaluable in a business such as iWC, and this area is home to such individuals.
company with an engineering degree from TTU, an MBA from
Lower expenses are also a plus in
Vanderbilt and 11 years of work
Putnam County. The metro areas
experience. He and his brother, John, who lives and
within a 150-mile radius have higher expenses, ac-
works in Nashville, are now co-owners of the com-
cording to Bob.
pany. “Expenses in general are better in a rural area,” he iWC moved into its current warehouse and distribu-
said.
tion facility in 2000, increasing its building size by more than five times. Eight years later, they added
Bob also cites the local vendors and small community
more square footage and now have 170,000 square
as being a positive for business. It is more efficient to
feet.
buy locally, and vendors are responsive and fair.
With such strong and steady growth over 58 years,
“Everything here is small enough,” Bob said. “You
Jimmy could have headquartered iWC in a more met-
can call someone up, and they know you. The small
ropolitan area if he had wanted to. But that thought
community is good for relationships.”
never crossed his mind.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
80
INDUSTRY +
The small community also means that local government is helpful and proactive, according to Bob. He attributes the cities of Cookeville and Algood, along with local law enforcement and fire
PUTNAM COUNTY’S LARGEST MANUFACTURERS
department personnel and the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, with facilitating
Perdue Farms
iWC’s growth and the growth of all business in the
Meat processing
area.
985 employees
And last, but certainly not least, Bob credits the
Cummins Filtration, Inc.
local education system with providing a quality
600 employees
Air, lube and water filters
workforce and contributing in many ways to the
TTI Floor Care (Oreck)
company’s success.
Vacuum cleaners and home care products 330 employees
Now, 58 years after the humble beginnings of what is now iWC, it is the largest independently
Transtar-DACCO
owned food service distributor in Tennessee. Un-
Auto transmission parts
der the leadership of the Mackies, iWC has grown
310 employees
from a few workers and two trucks to about 200
Flowserve
full-time employees and more than 50 distribu-
Three-way valves 310 employees
tion vehicles.
Tutco, Inc.
The senior Mackie credits this growth to a her-
Heating elements for appliances
itage of honesty, trustworthiness, dependability
270 employees
and a great location. His commitment to his com-
Identity Group
pany and to his community continues as iWC gets
Stamps, signs and ink marking devices
closer to celebrating its 60th year in business. A
250 employees
true Cookeville native, he has lived in Cookeville
iWC
all of his life except for a couple of years.
Food distribution 179 employees
Not only is it a great place to raise a family, according to the senior Mackie — it’s also a great place to
ATC Automation
raise a business.
175 employees
Special automated machinery
Aphena Pharma Solutions
For more information about iWC, visit goiwc.com.
Repackaging of pharmaceuticals 150 employees
81
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
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The Host with the Most ENTHUSIASTIC HOSPITALITY PUTS COOKEVILLE ON THE MAP FOR A GROWING ROSTER OF EVENTS
A
fter spending a few minutes
its volunteers, Phillips believes that
with Cookeville native Ottis
Cookeville is seamlessly using both
Phillips, you know it’s no accident
to make the Upper Cumberland
that he’s drinking coffee from an
area a coveted destination for many
“I j CKVL” mug. It becomes obvious
different types of events.
pretty quickly that this business owner and involved community
And Phillips should know. He has
volunteer truly loves his city.
served the community in many ways and been instrumental in enticing
Raised in a region known for its
some of the city’s most lucrative and
hospitality and a state known for
visible events to town.
AT THE STEERING WHEEL Ottis Phillips, shown here at TTU’s Tucker Stadium, says an army of generous and hospitable people make Cookeville a great place to host an event.
A past chairman of both the Cookeville-Putnam Coun-
As a local business owner and community leader/vol-
ty Chamber of Commerce and the Convention & Vis-
unteer extraordinaire, Phillips has a unique perspec-
itors Bureau, Phillips has also been directly involved
tive on the Cookeville community as a great place to
in two of Cookeville’s most recent event successes.
host events and accommodate groups.
He was the founding steering committee chairman of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association
“It’s like any business,” Phillips said. “The success is
(TSSAA) BlueCross Bowl state high school football
related to the people.”
championship games and a steering committee member of the Tennessee H.O.G. (Harley Owners
When reflecting on his involvement with the
Group) Rally. Both of these events have enjoyed tre-
BlueCross Bowl, Phillips credits people for the suc-
mendous success, with each returning to Cookeville
cess of the inaugural event in 2009.
again and again. “If I did anything right, it was picking “Here’s the thing about
the right people,” Phillips said. “Nobody
Cookeville,” Phillips said. “We’re
was trying to protect their little turf.
unique versus some other
Tech said, ‘What do you need?’ The city
communities because of the willingness to cooperate between government bodies, the City of Cookeville, the county commission, Tennessee Tech and local businesses.” Phillips credits the success of events such as the state football championships and the H.O.G. Rally with the people who live here.
WE HAD 600 VOLUNTEERS IN THE POURING RAIN, SMILING AND WELCOMING FANS TO THE GAMES.”
said, ‘What do you need?’ Everything was taken care of. “Outstanding individuals made it fun and made it a joy to be involved. It’s the best job I ever had. I was surrounded by the most competent people, and I didn’t have to do anything. I almost felt guilty.” Phillips attributes the success not just to the volunteers in charge of the event, but also to all the volunteers who
“We’re so blessed to be in this
help throughout the three days of the
community where people have
games.
this attitude they have,” he said. “They want visitors to enjoy being here.”
“We had 600 volunteers in the pouring rain, smiling and welcoming fans to the games,” Phillips said.
A soft-spoken man who’s quick to smile and slow to
“People were blown away by our hospitality.”
talk about himself, Phillips exudes great pride when he talks about his city and the people in it. After earn-
With an economic impact of more than $2.5 million,
ing two degrees at Tennessee Tech University (TTU)
Phillips realizes the significance of the BlueCross
and working in engineering and business in Ten-
Bowl to this community, and he hopes the event is
nessee, Texas and Colorado, Phillips returned to his
here to stay. With Cookeville volunteers running the
hometown in 1990 and eventually purchased bever-
now well-oiled machine, he is confident the state
age distributor SEC Enterprises. After years of growth
championships have found a home for quite a while.
and a 2013 merger with a Miller/Coors distributor in Tullahoma, Tennessee, Phillips’ business, Mid-South
Not to sound like a broken record, but Phillips attri-
Distributing, is now geographically one of the largest
butes the success of another local event, the Tennes-
beer wholesalers in Tennessee.
see H.O.G. Rally, with — you guessed it — the people.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
86
“The key behind the success of the H.O.G. Rally, like
strategy.
all our events, is having the right people,” Phillips said. “We were able to make this a community event because the people of Cookeville are hungry.”
media.
branding.
These people, hungry for successful events, have bragging rights after the 2012 H.O.G. Rally. For the 2012 event, Cookeville, 1) was the smallest metro area to ever host a state rally, 2) was the only city to
print.
host consecutive years, and 3) set a record for firstday attendees. “When the H.O.G. Rally is in a large city like Nashville,” Phillips points out, “no one knows they are there. We do a parade in Cookeville! That’s the kind of hospitality this area shows.” Phillips noted that there is a domino effect that continues to impact the area in a positive way every time an event is well received. “We know for a fact that other groups have come back to Cookeville for weekend motorcycle rides,” Phillips said. “And Tech has gotten a number of students and blue-chip players from the state championships being held here. There’s a ripple effect when you have successful events.” In addition to these two major events, Cookeville plays host to a number of other tournaments and sporting events each year, including baseball, softball, basketball, soccer and youth football.
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While his involvement has been primarily with athletic events, Phillips also sees great opportunities for other regional and national events such as concerts and art exhibits. There is no limit to what Cookeville can offer, and he sees all kinds of events
WDStone &
on the radar.
A S S O C I A T E S
“We’re blessed to have a great place to live, with a great community spirit,” Phillips said. “It’s a winwin for everybody.” For more information about the H.O.G. Rally and other events, check out visitcookevilletn.com.
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
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SMART COOKIE Kristea Cancel says Cookeville’s family-friendly environment brought her here and continues to provide just what she and her family need at each stage of development.
For the Family SMART PLAY’S KRISTEA CANCEL AND COOKEVILLE’S FAMILY-FUN OPPORTUNITIES
W
hen Atlanta-raised Kristea
Once they visited Cookeville, a place not
Cancel and her physician hus-
at all on their radar, they never looked
band, St. Louis-raised Quinton Cancel,
back.
were looking for a place to live and raise their young sons, Cookeville won out over
“We fell in love with the place,” Cancel
a number of other options available to
said. “All the other places paled in com-
them.
parison. It wasn’t fast-paced – it wasn’t slow. It seemed like it was too good to be
“We were looking for smaller family towns,” Cancel said, “and we visited a lot of different places.”
true!”
Ages 3 and 1 when they relocated from Durham,
The center also offers creative movement, sign lan-
North Carolina, the boys were quickly introduced
guage, cooking, outside play and, of course, good
to all the area had to offer for children, Cancel said,
old-fashioned free playtime.
including story time at the library, the Kiwanis Cookeville Children’s Museum, CityScape’s Fall
“I totally believe in creative play,” Cancel said. “Let
FunFest and Cane Creek Park.
them be a kid and learn at the same time!” Cancel credits the staff with making Smart Play
“Every single phase we were in with the boys,” Can-
such a great place for children to be. More than
cel said, “all the resources were here.”
80 percent of the staff are Tennessee Tech students, according to Cancel, most of them studying
After living in Cookeville a few years, Cancel began
education, childhood development or other majors
to seriously pursue opening a drop-in child care
pertaining to children.
center. She realized there were a lot of mothers who had doctor appointments, work conflicts and other
Word of the center has spread after being open for a
situations where they needed care for their chil-
short time, and Cancel hopes to see Smart Play add
dren, but not necessarily on a regular basis.
more children and more activities as it meets the demands of parents in the community.
“I thought, ‘How many moms are in this situation?’” Cancel said, and thus began her goal to open Smart
Smart Play is available for times when parents need
Play, Inc. “The whole concept was important to
to be away from their children, Cancel points out,
me. I wanted the children to be somewhere where
but Cookeville is a great place for parents to enjoy
they felt loved, felt valued, where they could learn
with their children, too.
something.” “Cookeville’s a great place to live – a great place to And from the looks of things, a child can’t help but
raise your children,” she said. “There’s everything
be genuinely happy while he is learning something
you need here. There’s something to do for every-
at the brightly hued center.
one. If you want to get involved and be active, you can be.”
From the time you walk through the door of Smart Play, your senses are gladly overloaded with vivid
The Cancel family now calls Cookeville home and
colors, sparkling playthings and the cheerful
would recommend the area to anyone looking for a
sounds of happy children. There are areas for
family-friendly environment.
dress-up and imaginative play, areas for active play and areas for art and reading. There’s even a
“I can’t explain it,” Cancel said. “People who
colorful climbing wall, which can be adjusted to the
don’t know Cookeville can’t understand. It was a
needs of the climbers.
no-brainer to decide to move to Cookeville. We love it here. And we haven’t looked back.”
The center is open Monday through Friday and by reservation on Sunday. Children ages 1 to 12 may
For more information, visit smartplaykidz.com
attend, and the center also offers after-school care, either on a regular or drop-in basis. The regular daily schedule includes everything from Spanish and music to story time and art.
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
92
KID TESTED
Kristea Cancel’s sons, Jackson (on the mat) and Quinton (on the wall), are all too happy to help her test out her ideas and designs for Smart Play and have offered a few ideas of their own.
93
COOKEVILLE-PUTNAM COUNTY CHAMBER
LUCKY SEVEN
7 Campout Must-Haves
COOKEVILLE’S OUTDOORS IS A CAMPER’S DREAM, SO DON’T FORGET TO STOCK UP ON NECESSITIES
No. 1
No. 2
BUG SPRAY
TENT
With all the water around,
Even if you’re the camper kind of person, we recommend that you try a
bugs come with the territory.
tent just once. The Upper Cumberland is full of great places to spend a
Sometimes we wish they didn’t,
night outside with friends or family, especially in one of our many state
but the Upper Cumberland is
parks. Don’t have one? There are several outdoor stores around that
too pretty to let them have all
will rent them out for reasonable day or weekend rates. Some of those
the fun. Get the strong stuff
stores will also help you plan excursions, or plan them for a community
and apply early and often.
group that you can join.
No. 3
No. 4
No. 5
S’MORES
SUNSCREEN
KAYAK
The Upper Cumberland does
The Tennessee sun gets pretty
With all of our wonderful lakes and rivers, no camping trip is complete without some time
not have as much light pollution
hot from May to September,
spent on the water. Around here, we’re partial to kayaks because one of the world’s premier
as other parts of the state, so
so it’s always a good idea to
companies, Jackson Kayak, is just down the road in Sparta. Don’t own one? There are lots
build a campfire for s’mores
have sunscreen stashed away
of places to rent kayaks, canoes and other boats for the day or weekend.
earlier in the evening. As the
somewhere, especially if you’ll
stars come out, lie down on
be spending a lot of time
some blankets and look out for
outside. SPF is not something
the Big and Little Dippers.
to forget!
No. 7
No. 6 FISHING POLE AND EQUIPMENT Lakes and rivers abound in the Upper Cumberland, and there may be no better
CAMERA
19 TH ED. SOURCEBOOK
or the shore, seeing what you can catch.
cell phone camera may not be enough to do justice to the
The waterways of Tennessee are some of
natural beauties of the region. Capture the moment so you’ll
the most diverse in the world, and many a
remember forever the beautiful sights you come across and
championship fisher has spent time here
the silly moments with your friends.
honing his craft.
94
PHOTOS from Amazon.com
way to experience them than from a boat
For those with even a passing interest in photography, your
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The journey starts with a call. 931-526-2190 or 888-593-2190
1330 Neal St. | Suite A | Cookeville, TN 38501
www.compassadvisorygrp-cookeville.com Advisory services offered through Compass Advisory Partners, LLC (CAP), a registered investment advisor. Securities offered through FSC Securities Corporation (FSC), member FINRA, SIPC. CAP is independent of FSC.
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It is our mission to improve the welfare of the communities we serve by providing quality natural gas service at competitive rates in a safe, environmentally clean and efficient manner. Serving Baxter, Monterey, & North Putnam 606 West Bockman Way. Sparta, TN 38583 Phone: (931) 836-2825 / 800-344-1614 Fax: (931) 836-3435 E-mail: mtng@mtng.com
ADVERTISING INDEX
WE ARE GRATEFUL TO OUR ADVERTISERS. WE INVITE YOUR PATRONAGE OF THEIR PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. Alpine Lodge and Suites, 52
Cumberland Container, 45
Kiwanis Cookeville Children’s Museum, 82
Swallows Insurance, 67
American Bank and Trust, 82
David W. Ledbetter, Attorney at Law, 6
Lakeland Electric, Inc., 45
Tennessee Bible College, 6
American Way Real Estate, 59
DelMonaco Winery and Vineyards, 95
Leslie Town Centre, 37
Anderson Printing Solutions, 61
D. T. McCall and Sons, 45
Luna & Herren Investment, 52
Tennessee College of Applied Technology Livingston, 82
ATC Automation, 89
Express Signs, 6
Middle Tennessee Federal Credit Union, 23
Back to Health Holistic Wellness Center, 82
Fairfield Inn and Suites, 31
Middle Tennessee Natural Gas, 95
Billings Crane, 83
Falcon Realty, 12
Mustard Seed Ranch, 23
Bilyeu CPA Group, 23
Farm Bureau Insurance, 83
Myron B. Stringer, D.D.S., 13
Bradley Furniture Company, 88
First National Bank, 1
Nick’s Restaurant, 88
Carwile Mechanical Contractors, 95
First Realty Company - Susan Johnson, 83
Norrod Builders, 6
Cavender’s, LLC, 12
First United Methodist Church of Cookeville, 60
Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, 31
Chartwells, 6
Habitat for Humanity ReStore, 52
Outdoor Experience, 31
Chick-fil-A Catering, 2
Heart of the Cumberland, 60
Plateau Mental Health, 60
Citizens Bank, 52
Herald-Citizen, 45
PM Environmental, 88
City of Cookeville, 11
Heritage Pointe Senior Living, 67
Putnam County Board of Education, 30
Compass Advisory Group, 95
Highlands Residential Services, 44
Putnam County, Tennessee, 7
Conner Brothers Wood Flooring, 2
Hill Realty, IFC
Reliable Healthcare Clinic, 83
Wilson Bank and Trust, 96
Cookeville Christian Academy, 67
HomeCORR, 53
Cookeville Electric Motor, 60
Home Instead Senior Care, 14
RidgeBrooke Investment and Retirement Planning, 60
IFC - Inside front cover
Cookeville Regional Medical Center, 26
Hooper Huddleston and Horner, 2
Self Stor Solutions, 60
IBC - Inside back cover
Crest Lawn Funeral Home, 60
Irby, 31
Sentry Shred, 83
OBC - Outside back cover
CRMC Charitable Foundation, 25
J&S Construction, 3
Tennessee Tech Athletics, IBC Tennessee Tech University, 76 The Original Gondola Pizza House, 31 The Realty Firm, OBC Twin Lakes, 2 UC Regional Airport, 13 Upper Cumberland Urology, 52 Victory Sports Center, 31 WDStone & Associates, 87 William F. Roberson, Attorney at Law, 31 Williams Wholesale Supply, 31 Willow Park Apartments, 23
Signature Healthcare of Putnam County, 60
Bank On Us Ask about our loans... and financial services to help your business grow and prosper! Kelly Perdue, (NMLS #447452) Business Development Officer (931) 260-4241
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