Hundreds of FALL EVENTS NEW BALLOON: 110 DAZ FEET TALL! Life Starting With The Best Balloon Festival Ever
KEEP McMINN BEAUTIFUL 6 E. Madison Avenue • Athens, TN 37303 DID YOU KNOW? AT ANY GIVEN TIME IN THE STATE, THERE ARE 100 MILLION PIECES OF LITTER ON TENNESSEE’S ROADWAYS. Keep McMinn Beautiful - Do your part to help pick it up!
1FALL 2022 McMINN LIFE allows us to offer opportunities have some great draw outdoor days ahead and the exciting things to come! Follow us on Instagram or Facebook for updates! Photos by Monica Belcher Starr Mountain Outfitters 2230 Highway 30 East - Athens, TN www.starrmountainoutfitters.com 423-781-7695
2 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022 Contents features Ingles Table Recipes and Tools For Schools 28 36 Tour Beautiful Homes While Raising Money for Charity A LETTER FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE Mark Cochran 26 MASTERGARDNER Elaeagnus Hiwassee River& the Scenic Railroad 39
3FALL 2022 McMINN LIFE departments House 4 From The Publisher 33 Letter From City Manager Sumner Happenings 6 MOONSHINE FLIERS Return To The Balloon F E S T I V A L 20 ENTERTAINERS EXCLUSIVE www.mcminnlife.com 23 HALLOWEEN TREATS
4 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022
Sometimes “thank you” seems like an insufficient phrase, as if it lacks the power to express the gratitude I feel to the people of MicMinn County. I wish I had a stronger phrase, but lacking one, I’ll just have to do the best I can. Thank you to the local businesses who sponsor this magazine. Thank you to our readers. I hope you enjoy this issue. Thank you to East Tennessee for being such an incredible place. And thank you to all the sponsors and attendees of our annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival. I cannot express how important this festival has been to me over the years. It’s a duty for all of us to support and care for the kids of our community, and one of the ways I do this is through the festival which raises money for the Boys and Girls Club. Thank you to everyone in East Tennessee but especially to the Boys and Girls Club for all you do for our children. This festival is our gift to you. Perhaps it’s stronger than a “Thank you.”
Have you always wanted to go in a few of those beautiful houses in Rairty Bay or Tellico Village? Another great event is the Tellico Village Women’s Club’s Home Tour, which also raises money for charities. You’ll tour beautiful homes, asking questions, and getting inspiration for your own interior décor. You can get a sneak peek at the featured homes in this issue. Wow, are they stunning! We are thankful for all our sponsors who make the Balloon Festival possible, and we’re thankful for our advertisers who keep our magazine going. But most of all, we’re thankful for our readers. We’ve put a lot of time and care into this issue. I hope you enjoy it. A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child. –Forest E Witcraft, teacher/scholar Kathryn, Alyssa, Kelsey Bingham with friend Lukas Hake at Mayfields Corn Maze and my girls in jail for charity at Roll Arena on Halloween last year.
PUBLISHER The Bingham Group President Lisa Atkins Bingham Graphic Designers Cris Littleton Jason Bowers Lisa Bingham Contributing Writers Matt Hollingsworth Gayle Fisher Nancy Dalton Linda Humphrey Contributing Photographers Megan Brackett The Moonshine Fliers Advertising Sales Mignonne Alman Tel: 865.523.5999 mignonne@binghamgroup.com Subscription or Editorial Inquiries Tel: 865.523.5999 www.mcminnlife.com The Bingham Group, Inc. 11921 Kingston Pike, Suite 201 Knoxville, Tennessee 37934 www.binghamgroup.com www.monroelife.com www.mcminnlife.com www.farragutlife.com Life From thePublisher
Tennessee, June 29, 2022—Less than half of justice-involved individuals leaving jail are successful with reentry.
ngiseD beW Dse i ng Scep i a l E f f e c t s An i mat i on Interactive CDs Broadcast Design TVCommercials Corporate Videos PHONE 865-523-5999 • FAX 865-523-0999 W W W B I N G H A M G R O U P C O M PHONE 865-523-5999 • FAX 865-523-0999 W W W B I N G H A M G R O U P C O M
The Bingham Group full-service advertising agency established in 1989. Our clients encompass all aspects of industry from tourism to water sports to state and local governments. Utilizing state-of-the-art industry tools, equipment, resources and applications, we provide our clients top-notch creative services and media placement.
Recently, we entered a contract with the State of Tennessee to promote the Office of Reentry. Resources, Contact Lisa Bingham, CEO (865) 523-5999 Lisa@BinghamGroup.com
We Are Here To Help. www.tn.workready.com It s okay We Are Here To Help. Been Arrested? . ‘
Less than half of justice-involved individuals leaving jail are successful with reentry. Governor Bill Lee created Office of Reentry in 2021. creates and coordinates who have been arested, in jail during the reentry office prvides a key resource reentry services, helping find eduction classes and help and treatment for services, locate housing, work-related expenses, care, transportation, and The Office of Reentry coordinates organizations—such as Centers—that provide help individuals, so it’s a great who are reentering society, and friends who are supporting been estimated that the Office of Reentry its programs could save Tennessee taxpayers to 74 million dollars every year. Justice-involved individuals can use the online resources TNWorkReady.com or stop by their local Job Center to find help. TBG created floor stickers, posters, transit posters, and three television commercials and is placing the media statewide.gnisitrevdA egakcaP
Governor Bill Lee’s Office of Reentry Seeks to Help Justice-Involved Individuals
To change this, Governor Bill Lee created the new Tennessee Office of Reentry in 2021. It is a central source that creates and coordinates opportunities for those who have been arrested, been in prison, or been in jail during the reentry process. This new state office provides a key resource for people in need of reentry services, helping them locate employment, find education classes and job skills training, get help and treatment for addiction, find healthcare services, locate housing, and even get help with work-related expenses, such as uniforms, child care, transportation, and more. The Office of Reentry coordinates with numerous organizations—such as Tennessee’s American Jobs Centers— that provide help to justice-involved individuals, so it’s a great starting point for people who are reentering society, along with family and friends who are supporting them. In fact, it’s been estimated that the Office of Reentry and its programs could save Tennessee taxpayers up to 74 million dollars every year. The director of the office is Dr. William Arnold, and his team includes Sophia Young, Luke Fulton, Jeremy White, Marsheka Dunn, and Trevor White. Justice-involved individuals can use the online resources at TNWorkReady.com or stop by their local American Job Center to find help.
About The Bingham Group
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The Bingham Group Wins Reentry Contract With The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development GOVERNOR BILL LEE’S INITIATIVE SEEKS TO HELP JUSTICE-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS
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SEQUOYAH BIRTHPLACE MUSEUM, VONORE TETHERED RIDES START AROUND 4 - 5PM BALLOON GLOW AT DUSK WEATHER PERMITTING. CRAFT VENDORS • FUNNEL CAKES • BARBEQUE • CORN DOGS • PULLED PORK THE AUSTIN ZACHARY BAND Voted Best Male Vocalist in Georgia for 2 Years In A Row! LABOR DAY WEEKEND SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 3RD & SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 4th 4 -10pm
The 9th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival will return to East Tennessee at The Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, Tennessee. Enjoy balloon rides, live music, food, games, an inflatable Kid’s Zone and much more all while supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County. The two-day Balloon Festival begins on Saturday, September 3rd from 4pm – 10pm, and runs through Sunday, September 4th, from 4pm – 10pm. The finale each night will be a Balloon Glow set to music with colorful hot air balloons beginning at dusk. We invite everyone to come out and join in the celebration!”
6 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022
$10 A PERSON KIDS 4 AND UNDER ARE FREE ADMISSION SANDWICHES • FRIED OREOS • HAMBURGERS • COTTON CANDY AND OTHER FUN FOODS! 2021 Festival
Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut Contributor Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County Menu
Longhorn
Grilled Chicken Florentine Cavatappi Pasta Firecracker Chicken Wraps
Peach Cobbler Englaise Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut 11644 Parkside Drive Farragut, TN 37934 (865) 966-6954
Peach Cobbler Englaise Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut
Menu
Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut Contributor Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County
Peach Cobbler Englaise Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut 11644 Parkside Drive Farragut, TN 37934 (865) 966-6954
Longhorn Menu
Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut 11644 Parkside Drive Farragut, TN 37934 (865) 966-6954
9th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival
Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County 11644 Parkside Drive Farragut, TN 37934 (865) 966-6954
Longhorn Menu
11644 Parkside Drive Farragut, TN 37934 (865) 966-6954 Description:
Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut Contributor Benefiting Longhorn Menu
8 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022 TICKETS: BEST SEATS AT THE FESTIVAL Dinner Steakhouse Hospitality Tent Best Seats At The Festival! Reserved Parking Buy Your Tickets Online: $125 PER PERSON www.monroelifeballoonfestival.com Limited Seating
Cavatappi Pasta Firecracker Chicken Wraps
Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut Contributor
Grilled Chicken Florentine Cavatappi Pasta Firecracker Chicken Wraps
Cavatappi Pasta Firecracker Chicken Wraps
Grilled Chicken Florentine
9th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival
Grilled Chicken Florentine
Peach Cobbler Englaise
9th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival
Longhorn Steakhouse of Farragut Contributor Benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County
9th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival
9th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival
9FALL 2022 McMINN LIFE TETHERED RIDES START AROUND 4 - 5PM $20 PER PERSON WEATHER PERMITTING. CRAFT VENDORS • FUNNEL CAKES • BARBEQUE • CORN DOGS • PULLED PORK SANDWICHES • FRIED OREOS • HAMBURGERS • COTTON CANDY AND OTHER FUN FOODS! Juried Arts & Craft 40Vendors! $10 A PERSON KIDS 4 AND UNDER ARE FREE GENERAL ADMISSION LOTS OF KIDS ACTIVITIES • BOUNCE HOUSES
In 2010, they formed Bluff
Skip and Toni been involved in ballooning since first a private pilot flying fun a commercial pilot. City
Balloons to give others the fun and enjoyment of a private hot air balloon ride. They have one of only 6 balloons in the country specially outfitted to take up folks with any special needs. Giving and sharing is a way of life for the Durhams. They are excited to be a part of the festival. SKIP DURHAM BALLOONMEISTER and his wife, TONI DURHAM Memphis, Tennessee Mischief BUY TICKETS ONLINE OR AT THE GATE We will have separate gates for attendees that already have tickets. www.monroelifeballoonfestival.com Mischief is 120,000 square feet, 9 stories tall and was made in 2019. The basket has a door and is handicap accessible.
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10 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022
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BILL CUNNINGHAM Germantown, Tennessee When he started ballooning 44 years ago, Bill, not knowing any better, thought he could get rich and have fun doing it. He has met exactly half of those goals. Ballooning may not be a great way to get rich, but it’s certainly a great way to make friends and memories. Bill has flown in 40 states plus Mexico and Canada, and he has logged over 2,300 hours in the air. He says it’s difficult to pick a favorite flight because all these places are beautiful in their own way. Bill has been married to his wife Martha for 49 years. They have two daughters, Jenny, who is the mother of his three grandkids, and Maggie, who is a Delta Airlines pilot. The highlight and most treasured memory of his ballooning career is last year on Father’s Day when his daughters, grandkids and sons-in-law all crewed for him at a balloon event in Memphis, and for the first time in 44 years, he got all his girls (wife and daughters) in the basket with him for their first flight together. In 1981, Bill started flying in national and international hot air balloon competitions, and since then he’s had 17 top 5 finishes in 25 events plus 2 more 7th place finishes. He would love for you to come to take a ride in his balloon at the Monroe Life Balloon Festival.
www. LVaHotAir.com Daz: The Whirling Rascal NEW BALLOON:
WILLIAM
12 McMINN LIFE
Will’s enthusiasm for ballooning first began when his father took him to The Shawnee Mountain Hot Air Balloon Festival as a young boy. He has always had a passion for everything “flight,” and fixed wing is where he really began his journey into aviation. As a student fixed wing pilot, he began logging hours intending to become a commercial airline pilot. One day, he happened to stumble across a small ad on Craigslist for a balloon chase crew, which instantly ignited that spark he’d felt as a young child. He spent a few weeks driving over an hour each way to crew for a local hot air balloon ride company, and even before his first ride in a hot air balloon, he just knew that he wanted to fly one! With no family history of ballooning, and being turned away by a few local pilots who just didn’t take him seriously, he tracked down world renowned commercial pilot Stan Hess of the US Hot Air Balloon Team and began his journey toward his private ballooning license. In 2018, he completed his commercial license as well. Back in his hometown of Coopersburg Pennsylvania, Will, his wife Jerika—who is currently a student pilot herself—and their 6 children currently own and operate Lehigh Valley Hot Air, a ride company flying with several local pilots. They also hold corporate contracts for Wicked, the Broadway musical, and Meineke Car Care Center. Will and his family enjoy traveling around the US and Mexico offering tethered hot air balloon rides at festivals and flying their special shape balloon “DAZ—The Whirling Rascal.” Weighing 480 pounds and measuring 110 feet in height, this balloon is a behemoth. It has two turning vents allowing it to spin during flights. The Monroe Life Balloon Festival is one of only a handful of events where Daz has appeared this year. RANDELL & JERIKA Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania WEIGHT: 480 LBS STANDS: 110 FEET TALL Daz has two turning vents allowing it to spin during flights!
JOHN STRAUSS Somerset, New Jersey into ballooning as a teenager started by crewing, but later on, friend bought their own 2000, John got his commercial crewed on over 100 specially including ones in the a sailing ship, and even the Egypt. Over the years, he’s memories, including seeing six proposals in his basket. company where he eliminated his department, allowing himself to ballooning fullcommercially, giving rides, and now works for Lehigh owned by Will Randell who attending the festival with his Whirling Rascal. ballooning,” John said. “It’s the only can land in someone’s people hop out and have a yard and they’re happy “Please tell me that’s actually happened,” our interviewer responded. “Oh, it happens all the time,” John said. “We pop open the champagne, do a toast with the landowner—love it.”
Wicked F E S T I V A L WEIGHT: 257 LBS STANDS: 64 FEET TALL
14 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022
JOHN “ ANDY” CAYTON Black Creek, GA (Savannah area) Andy Cayton’s gas balloon drifted over the vast, barren expanse of the Nevada desert as part of his world record attempt. It was the middle of the night and for the last several hours, he'd been on the radio with Air Traffic Control of Area 51, the top-secret military testing installation. His planned route avoided the installation's no-fly zone. Unfortunately, the winds weren't cooperating and he was in danger of drifting to close. Finally, Air Traffic Control warned him he would be shot down if he didn’t land or avoid the area. Immediately, Andy changed course, forfeiting the world record attempt. This wasn’t his only strange experience. During another race, he ended up landing in a Canadian polar bear reserve where he had to be rescued by the Canadian Air Force. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to take their balloon with them and had to go back for it another time, but by then, the polar bears had ripped it to pieces. At least Andy won the race, though! Andy owns Feather Hot Air Balloons. He has 3,200 hours in helicopter, more than 730 hours in hot air balloons, and more than 700 hours in gas balloons. He is a Former U.S. Army Special Forces pilot and aviation safety officer. When he retired from the military after 22 years, ballooning seemed like a good way to keep flying. He holds the world record for longest solo hot air balloon flight in history. This involved flying over 1,000 miles over the course of 17 hours from Minot North Dakota to Arkansas. His countless other accomplishments speak for themselves: America’s Challenge Race History: 9 (2003, 2004, 2006-9, 2013, 2015, 2017). Won in 2006 with Kevin Knapp as co-pilot, 2007 with Stuart Enloe as co-pilot and with Krzysztof Zapart as co-pilot. Gordon Bennett History: 8 (2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2019). Finished 2nd in 2018 and third Awards: Montgolfier Diploma: 2005 for hot air balloon and 2019 for gas In America’s Challenge in 2017, Krzysztof and Andy were one of the two teams the 20+-year-old America’s Challenge record. They flew nearly 2,200 miles km) and were only 90 miles short of the race before they ran out of real estate and resources. In 2018, Andy and his co-pilot Bill Smith very close to winning the Gordon Bennett and with it the world championships, a nail-biter of a flight that included a transit over the Mediterranean Sea. Andy has a distinguished record military aviation, earning the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal Air Medal with Valor, Air Medal, Accommodation Medal (x2), Army Achievement Medal (x2), Senior Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and Boeing Defense and Rescue Citation (x2).
Eddie & Rickenbacker
Andy is The Record Holder For Longest Solo Hot Air Balloon Flight In History!
Photo: Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker in the cockpit of a biplane. Andy Cayton's balloon is named after Capt. Eddie Rickenbacker. To learn more of this heroes story go to: allthatsinteresting.com/eddie-rickenbacker
15FALL 2022 McMINN LIFE
MIKE WAHL Decatur, Alabama Wahl releases the small helium balloon watches carefully as it twists and turns currents. He needs to know what the wind is blowing at all different The information is critical if he’s win the balloon rally. boards his hot air balloon with his crew and fires his burners, causing it to the ground. Their target is a tall pole distance with a key on the top. competing balloonists will go one at a whoever grabs the key wins the gets one step closer to the rally’s prize. Navigating a hot air balloon is not easy. There’s no way to directly control where it is going as the balloon will always travel in the same direction as the wind. Fortunately, the wind is often blowing in different directions at different altitudes, so pilots can raise and lower the balloon to reach air currents moving in the direction they want. This is why Mike released the balloon earlier. Navigating this way takes experience, intuition, and some luck. Eventually, Mike and his crew member reach the pole, but precision flying in a balloon is difficult, and they have trouble getting low enough to grab the key. Fortunately, there’s another option. Each balloonist in the rally was given a numbered bean bag to throw at the X at the base of the pole. The bags that land are scored from the pole at the X outward, with the closest three winning descending cash prizes. Unable to reach the key, Mike and his crew member look for the bean bag… only to realize that they’ve somehow left it behind, meaning they have no way to win the competition. Panicking, they begin throwing random objects overboard instead—gloves, bags, whatever is loose in the basket. Finally, the wind carries them away from the pole and they have to land. At the end of the competition, when all the results have been measured, the judges return with a handful of bean bags dropped by other pilots… and a pile of random objects from Mike’s balloon. “Here’s all the stuff you dumped,” the judge says. Mike asks if their creative solution still counts, and the judges inform him that he has won second place. Over the years, Mike would go on to win countless other rallies but never in quite so unique a way as this.
Cool Ray is a blue and yellow balloon built by Aerostar in Iowa in 2000. It’s a smaller and lighter-weight balloon that can carry up to 2 passengers with a pilot, although they normally fly 1 normal-sized person because of the summer’s higher temperatures. We call it “Cool Ray” because of the happy face on top with sunglasses. It’s been flown in Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Tennessee. It’s about 90 feet tall. Mike Wahl was up close at last year’s Balloon Festival. The crowd loved asking him questions and getting to know him. You are welcome to walk up to any of the pilots on the field, take pictures or purchase a ticket for a tether ride to see what it ballooning really feels like.
Bandit is classified as an AX7 balloon. It is 55 ft wide and 60 ft tall, with a volume of 77,000 cubic feet. It can carry up to 3 people with a maximum payload of 750 pounds. It was built in 1994.
Around here, our event [the Alabama Jubilee] is held right next to the Tennessee River. Flying over that is just a great sight.”
BRIAN DIAL Decatur, Alabama Brian Dial leapt from the plane into the open air, parachute on his back, thousands of feet between him and the ground. The wind whipped past his ears, and the Earth seemed to charge towards him. This was Brian Dial’s old hobby—skydiving. His new hobby
Bandit also involves the sky but in a much more relaxing—and less terrifying—way. As a teenager, Brian Dial helped crew hot air balloons, but it wasn’t until he was 45, eight years ago, that he decided to pursue his pilot’s certificate. balloon, Bandit, used by a previous record for highest female balloonist balloon—32,000 Brian said, “Ballooning is a lot different than other forms of aviation because it’s so quiet and slow-moving. You can drift at treetops and see deer and animals running around, or you can go to a much higher altitude and see long distances, kind of get a panoramic view. But what I really like about it is you have time to look and study and find things, whereas in an airplane or even a helicopter, you’re usually moving really fast and you just catch glimpses of things.”
16 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022
Brian loves to take his family out flying, including his wife, Beth, and their children— Brady (who is also Brian’s crew chief), Abbi, Savanna and Shianna—as well as his sisters and their families. Brian said, “That’s one of the things I really enjoy about ballooning is it gets the family together.”
He also said, “My favorite time flying is balloon events because… the crowd just really enjoys it, and they’re in awe. Especially flying out of an event, seeing the event as you fly away from it, is just an amazing experience. Seeing the crowd’s amazement, as well as hearing the bands…
He learned his craft from his mentor, Keith Sproul, who sold him his first sewing machine. Maximillian is currently working on rebuilding a 110-foot-tall balloon shaped like a penguin with a bow tie. He has other ideas for balloon designs including a silhouette of a kiss and a balloon with 2,000-3,000 panels designed to look interwoven.
MAXIMILLIAN BODENBENDER Louisville, Kentucky Maximillian Bodenbender took his first hot air balloon ride when he was only five months old. He wasn’t scared by the fire, so his parents kept taking him to every balloon festival, and soon he’d fallen in love with ballooning. H+e started getting to know the pilots and joining flight crews. He began flight training when he was only 14. His favorite time to fly is at dawn. He described the beautiful scene: “Dawn patrol flights are the greatest thing I have ever experienced while flying, seeing the world wake up as the sun rises. You’re flying in total darkness. It’s unbelievably serene and surreal to have no vision of anything on the ground, except for a few flickering lights of cars passing [under the] trees as you’re flying over, and to watch the sun come up and break through little bits and pieces of the fog and valleys and create shadows through the trees, and [to] start to hear the roosters out in the countryside calling out, and hearing birds start to chirp, and seeing the world wake up around you—there is nothing that I’ve ever experienced that is that beautiful.”
But Maximillian doesn’t just fly balloons—he creates them. He hand-sewed both of the balloons that he’s bringing to this year’s festival, one shaped like a tetrahedron and the other a breast cancer ribbon. Both were immensely challenging to engineer, with complex internal panels. The tetrahedron took about 450 hours to make. Warrior
One great way to help them is by attending the Monroe Life Balloon Festival during Labor Day Weekend, a non-profit event raising money for the organization.
He described the wide eyes of kids approaching his balloon, just staring in amazement. “This is why you do it,” he said. “You do it for the smiles. You do it for the folks to make them happy.”
In 2011, Ben Noyce attended a balloon festival, not as a pilot but as a public safety official. He was stationed near the balloon pilots with whom he became quick friends, and one day, they offered him a ride. The pandemic was hard on a lot of organizations, including Boys and Girls Club of the Ocoee Region which provides after-school care and academic help to young people. For the first months of the pandemic, they had to shut down in-person classes, and for another year, they were restricted to half-capacity. But now, the students are returning, and they’re on track to exceed pre-pandemic levels. “We, this year, have enrolled 809 kids,” said Staci Dean, North Director of Operations. “We are averaging about 300 kids after school and about 250 in the summer per day… and that’s just Monroe County.”
Money Raised Goes To The Monroe County Boys and Girls Club
BEN NOYCE Bolivar, Tennessee Briar Rose
“Well, you know what they say about doing that is you’ll get hooked,” Ben said, chuckling. That’s exactly what happened, and by 2012, he was in the process of getting his pilot’s license. “I always liked flying,” Ben recalled. “The only problem is I’ve always gotten air sickness when I’m up in the pilot’s seat of small planes. But flying a balloon is totally different. I keep telling all of our passengers, if it’s done right, you’ll never even feel yourself coming off the ground, and if it’s done right again, you’ll never even know you’re back on the ground. It’s something completely different. You don’t feel the forces… It’s quiet except for when the burner is going, but as a pilot, the only real reason I do it is for the kids and the smiles. When you see the kids and the passengers take that awe-inspiring look—that does it.”
Director of Finance Carly Armstrong explained the importance of their work: “The Boys and Girls Club, for a lot of parents, is a lifeline because it allows them to stay on their jobs up until 7 O’clock if they need to… They know [their kids] are in a safe, caring environment, and they don’t have to worry about them.”
18 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022
The students have returned, but unfortunately, the donations have not, at least not fully. During the pandemic, Boys and Girls Club had to cancel most of their fundraisers. Now, the world is back open, but their donations have yet to fully recover to previous levels.
Not quite death defying but highly satisfying, is the opportunity to fly like a bird with no walls or windows. It’s the shared world of powered paragliding for The Moonshine Fliers of East Tennessee who look forward to the uncommon opportunity of watching the ground disappear below their feet while leaving the ordinary behind. And each one within the group of 24 men and one woman, lives for the opportunity to have their heads—literally—in the clouds as opposed to their feet on the ground while still living lives anchored in principle and passion. PPG offers freedom to the fliers who range in age from 22 to 60. In the Knoxville suburbs, surrounded by majestic mountains and hills, are a variety of air parks that provide perfect spots for powered paragliding. Usually in groups of ten or less, the fliers meet, greet, fly and land, fly and land again, and when they are ready, they sit and talk about their flights and enjoy the camaraderie, some laughs and a cold beverage. Often, the fliers will have driven more than an hour to reach the airpark. They agree that the effort is always worth the experiences which never disappoint.
“The experience of running, running and then suddenly not touching the ground is amazing,” said flier Jean Bilheux. “I have the same feeling each time I take off, excited about every flight I make.” Jim Neubert, a retired law enforcement officer and involved grandfather, agrees with Bilheux. “I soloed in December, 2006, so I have been flying almost 14 years,” recalled Neubert. “I love paramotoring for the freedom it gives. You can fly along inches above the ground or fly up thousands of feet. There are very few rules or limitations.” Neubert said he doesn’t fly for the adrenaline rush, it’s quite the opposite for him. “Flying is the most relaxing thing I do. I call it sky boating. I usually fly around 400 to 500 feet. I will drop lower if I want to see something on the ground or will climb if I want a better view. There is nothing quite like it. I usually fly with no agenda or plan. I just get up and see what piques my interest.”
The Moonshine Fliers Return To The Monroe Life Balloon Festival This Labor Day Weekend!
If God has a waiting room, veteran flier Dr. Ken Strike, M.D., said he found it while suspended 2,000 feet in the air recently on his Mac Para Eden 5 over Mountain City. Strike caught a little glimpse of heaven, captured between fog and clouds. “I was wishing I could reside in that area,” said Strike, a radiation oncologist. “There are no words to describe it other than magical. If there is a waiting room for God, that is it. I just wish everyone could experience it.”
Axel Caban Fernandez came up with a logo for the group several years ago. Some may Moonshine fliers over the Monroe Life Balloon Festival, 2021.
By Linda Humphrey
Gossett said he has experienced five “engine outs,” which is when the engine quits while flying. “That can be concerning,” he recalled. “The first time that happened, I ran out of fuel and it was only my third flight. I was having so much fun, I forgot to get gas!”
Happy Landing by Tom
Zoraida Reyes, is currently the only female flyer in their group. She and Fernandez are married. “The feeling of that first flight was mixed between intimidating and risky and at the same time exciting,” said Reyes. “I ran and saw the mountain ground disappear under my feet, soon to feel the sensation of floating in the air as if I were inside a bubble. At that moment, I felt closer to God, the feeling I was seeking with flying.” Bilheux has been paramotoring for almost four years but thinking about flying since he was a child. He has a single-engine pilot’s license but wanted an easier way to fly. He gained interest in PPG while watching a random YouTube video. Bilheux is also a musician and has a PhD in physics. “Since I started to walk, I wanted to fly,” he said. On his bucket list is flying the Loire Valley countryside in France, his homeland, with a breathtaking view of many castles below. Strike is a serious paraglider with about 13 years of experience under his glider wing. He first heard about paramotoring on the Internet. He and Neubert are charter members of the group. When Strike was in his thirties, he had a pilot’s license but stopped flying because of a heart issue. His grandfather and father told him as a young boy to say “yes” to everything in life. “I’m not disappointed that I can’t fly planes. Paramotoring is a lot more exciting without the restrictions,” he said. Strike climbed Mount Elbert (elevation 14,433 feet) in Colorado with friends in 2019 and just recently climbed Cinnamon Pass, Lake City, Silverton, CO at an elevation of 12,640 feet. “My first flight was kind of an accident,” he recalled. “I promised my instructor if he would let me take the equipment home, I’d never try to fly without him present. About 30 minutes after I got home one day, I fired it up and was able to fly in my front yard. Like any good pilot, I crashed on landing and had to fix all my equipment so my instructor would never know. Every flight is still as thrilling as that first one. I have flown the beach and the mountains and still get excited to fly all the local fields in East Tennessee,” Strike said. Tommy Gossett, has been paramotoring for six years. The graphic designer works from his home office. “Your first several flights are probably the most exciting, as your body and brain are experiencing something you’ve only dreamed of,” Gossett said. “Talking shop with the other pilots is half of the fun for me. There is a degree of safety in numbers as well, not to mention having help if anyone has an emergency landing and needs to be picked up.”
21FALL 2022 McMINN LIFE think it has to do with consuming alcohol, Fernandez said. Tennessee is known for its homegrown vegetables such as corn; corn being the most important grain crop in the state. For many decades, a select group of Tennesseans used corn to make illegal whiskey, referred to as “shine.” They would work mostly at night under the light of the moon—thus acquiring the titles of moonshine and moonshiners. Moonshine is now legal and sold throughout the state. “Some members were concerned that the name Moonshine Fliers might send a message that we were all drinkers!” said Fernandez.
“I listened to the guys talk about how they would love to fly ‘over the moon’ at night and the logo took on a different meaning. It seemed to fit. Whether we fly every day or once a week, we love sharing the sky.”
“The last flight was amazing as we could see the entire hot air balloon lighting.” Should Hollywood ever create a sequel to the 1965 hit film, Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines, perhaps they will visit East Tennessee and meet the Moonshine Fliers.
Miller said he was terrified on his first flight. He felt his heart racing. “Luckily, it was a short flight and I didn’t have long to think about how I was going to get that thing back on the ground. Now, I have made more than 30 flights. I hope the thrill never goes away.”
Gossett agrees with those who say that the magic of flying only gets better with time. His highest altitude was 3,500 feet, but he prefers to stay under 500 feet to see the wildlife. “I can feel the wind’s subtle temperature changes, the smell of freshly cut crops, and the amount of lift change as I fly over different surfaces like water or pavement,” Gossett observed. “I have seen hundreds of deer and flown beside several groups of geese in just one evening.” Tom Miller has been a “thrill seeker all [his] life… Motorcycles mainly, but the roads are getting busier, and they are filled with drivers using phones and not paying attention,” said Miller. “Flying is a great way to get the adrenaline flowing without having to worry about getting run over.”
Garab’s longest flight so far was two hours. He flew 27 miles all around his home town. His top altitude is 4,000 feet. He has acquired the nickname of “Spiderman” within his fellow fliers. Cody Bock is the certified instructor within the Moonshine Fliers and owner of Smoky MTN PPG training school. Bock has been flying since 2012 and has been instructing for more than six years. Bock said there is no better way to take in those early morning sunrises and breathtaking sunsets than paragliding. “It’s been so much fun helping folks achieve their life-long dream of flight. Sharing passions with passion-minded individuals in powered paragliding is what we do,” said Bock. “Our primary goal is to make sure folks learn how to fly safely and know the laws to make this pleasant for ourselves and the community.”
Miller works as an instrumentation technician for the Tennessee Valley Authority. He said he flies as often as possible. “If my home chores are caught up and the weather is good, I will be in the air.” “I’ll be honest, the guys I fly with are all Type A personalities. They are not dreamers, they are doers,” Miller added. Tom Miller’s brother, Bill Miller, is also a member of the group. The youngest member of the group is Ben Garab, 22. Garab works in his family’s lawncare business and has been paramotoring since the beginning of 2020. He said, “My first flight was probably rather boring from the outside looking in. Go up, make a few gentle turns, come down and make a nice soft landing. But, from my perspective it was just the opposite. It was a scary experience— but so incredibly worth it.”
Moonshine Flier, Jean Bilheux, gives young admirer, Bruce, a feel for the glider seat at Sweetwater Air Park.
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Moonshine Fliers Tommy Gossett, Bill Miller, Cody Brock, Axel. L. Caban Fernandez and his wife, Zoraida, the only female flier of the group.
Last Labor Day weekend, five members of the group made an appearance in Vonore at the 8th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County. “We flew around the event,” said Bilheux.
53FALL 2022 MONROE LIFE November 12 at 5:30 p.m. Cemetery in Englewood Museum at 423-887-5455 for more information.
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he fall light has been beautiful lately; mornings are dawning soft and golden with the sun at a lower angle. The moon at night is a florescent white which makes sitting on the porch after the day has cooled down a pleasant pastime. I am still waiting for the rain. I have mums that have dropped blooms sitting in pots that are not planted. I have a rule that I cannot buy new plants until the old ones are in the ground. I am so glad that I did plant Elaeagnus about three years ago; it blooms in October. Its sweet smell fits in with the fall season and dry weather. Common Elaeagnus called Silverberry is deciduous, but most cultivars that you will find today are evergreens. The plants that I have are silver-green, but you will also find elaeagnus in variegated forms of yellow or pure silver. If you purchase one of the variegated cultivars, you will need to prune out any growth that reverts to its nonvariegated color. Some of the beautiful varieties available to us today are ‘Gilt Edge’, ‘Maculata’, ‘Frederici’, and ‘Limelight’. A native to Asia, Elaeagnus grows wild in thickets and dry places. This thorny evergreen has an erratic growth pattern and produces fronds similar to forsythia. It makes a great ungainly thicket of a hedge and needs frequent pruning unless you start out by giving them lots of room. Small one-gallon pots can grow to cover a ten-foot square in a few years. Without pruning it rapidly can become a rigid, sprawling, angular shrub. The back of the leaves are crinkly and uneven with a silver blush. They are not as dramatic as glossy evergreens, but in autumn the tiny blooms give a sweet smell from the bell-like flowers. Bees love the nectar of this plant, and birds love the fruit. Another added plus for choosing this plant is that it prefers poor, infertile soil. I have a garden structure that needs the back covered. When I told a friend about my plan, she asked why I didn’t plant hydrangeas, since they are so pretty. I explained that I wanted the structure to disappear not draw attention to it. This plant is my choice since it grows quickly; it is not showy so your eye will not be drawn to it. Once established, Elaeagnus can tolerate problems such as wind, heat and drought. They prefer full sun but can do well in partial shade. Pest and disease include canker, dieback, and rust, also fungal leaf spot and root rot can occur. Another member of this family is Russian Olive, E.angustifolia. A few years ago while touring a Plantation in Charleston, a wonderful sweet aroma kept tickling my nose. I had a hard time identifying where the fragrance was coming from because the blooms are so small. This deciduous shrub or tree blooms in the summer. It has willow-like lance shaped leaves with spiny branches. This Russian Olive is another plant I would love to have if I can only find a location; maybe out by the garden or down at the pond. Leaves have started turning. Nights are cooling off. Silage has been cut and the walnuts and acorn crops are abundant this year. Slow down and smell the Elaeagnus and wait for the rain.
Elaeagnus
T By Gayle Fisher MASTERGARDNER
Native to Central America, it is probably the most beautiful salvia plant you’ll see thanks to its stunning purple flowers and height. I am amazed that it’s a close relative to culinary sage. Yes, that little herb that is prized for its strong aroma and earthy flavor. We use it in savory recipes and it is a common ingredient in holiday stuffing. This culinary herb is sold both fresh and dried and is available year-round. Even though Mexican sage won’t be on the table this Thanksgiving your stuffing will have a close family member.
have lots of sages in my garden. Some I have grown and enjoyed over the years like my Anise Scented Salvia. This year I have several new ones. I mentioned to my neighbor that I love salvias because they were so carefree and the hummingbirds and bees love them. Weeks later she surprised me with a gift: a box of Salvia plants. Included was the old favorite that your grandmother grew, Scarlet sage or red salvia. In addition she gifted me Texas sage a pink bloomer and pineapple sage, which is yellow leafed salvia that has the smell of pineapple when the leaves are crushed. My Black and Blue plants have been blooming since June. The masterpiece which I am most excited about is Mexican salvia, leucantha. Salvia is quite a large genus of plants that includes annuals, perennials, and even shrubs. There are more than 1,000 species in the genus, many of which carry the common name “sage” and dozens of which are garden plants we enjoy. The Salvia genus fits into the mint (Lamiaceae) family of plants and predictably, many of these species have a strong, pleasant scent, making them attractive to bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. While most salvia species are technically perennials, some of the most popular are more often planted as annuals in colder regions. The majority of salvia plants are known for their long bloom period, which sometimes can extend from late spring all the way into fall. These plants are guaranteed to inject dependable color into your garden design. My Mexican salvia is more commonly known as Mexican bush sage, Mexican sage, purple velvet and velvet sage. The blossoms are unusually attractive and profuse, making this salvia a favorite for late-season container gardens. They have velvety, grayish-green leaves. It has a shrubby growth habit, and blooms for us from late summer until frost. Like I said earlier hummingbirds love this plant. It is blooming at the right time for them to feed on before they start their migration. Hummingbirds need lots of calories in the fall. Mexican sage is an evergreen perennial, but not in our area. It winters in zones 8-10, but we are zone 6, so our winter will kill it.
Mexican Sage Salvia
By Gayle Fisher MASTERGARDNER I
It is no secret Tennessee has become one of the hottest places in the country to live. Hundreds of people each week are leaving their former homes to make the journey to the Volunteer State. But why are people choosing Tennessee? Is it for the picturesque landscape? The four distinct seasons? The laid-back southern culture? While I believe all of these are contributing factors, the glaringly obvious reason for Tennessee’s meteoric rise is the freedoms enjoyed here. People want to live in a place where they can pursue their lives in the way they see fit. They want to keep more of their own money to enjoy and reinvest into new opportunities. They want to start businesses and create new products without being regulated into oblivion. And they want to spend their sunset years in leisure with their families rather than worrying about their savings and retirement being devoured by high taxes and an exorbitant cost of living. For those seeking liberty, Tennessee has become a Mecca. Tennessee’s unprecedented success, however, did not occur by accident. The economic opportunities and accomplishments enjoyed here are possible only because of specific policies and a philosophy grounded in the belief that people should control their own destinies without government interference. This concept is certainly not new and is in fact the very principle on which our nation was founded. But while leaders in states like California, New York, Illinois, Colorado and others have forgotten the tenets which propelled our nation to greatness, Tennessee has embraced them. Our state understands that spending future generations’ money for today’s needs is not only fiscally irresponsible, but it is also morally wrong. That is why Tennessee has the lowest public debt per capita in the United States, and our highway fund is completely debt-free. Furthermore, we subscribe to the basic notion that taxing production stifles creativity and fails to incentivize entrepreneurship. We have enshrined our commitment to that principle with a state constitutional amendment prohibiting an income tax. The tax on investments was also ended with the repeal of the Hall Income Tax. With no income tax and generally low property taxes across the
A Letter From State RepresentativeMARK COCHRAN Freedom Creates Economic Opportunity
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27FALL 2022 McMINN LIFE 27FALL 2022 McMINN LIFE state, Tennesseans enjoy the second lowest overall tax burden in the country. Since 2018, Tennessee’s commitment to economic freedom has generated 524 new industrial projects that encompass nearly $28 billion in new capital investments and 92,895 job commitments statewide. Industries that have histories deeply rooted in other states have realized that their future success will be found in Tennessee. In 2021, Ford Motor Company announced it will locate its $5.6 billion electric vehicle division not in Detroit, but in West Tennessee. This expansion alone will create 5,800 new jobs. Likewise, gun manufacturer Smith and Wesson, which has been based in Springfield, Massachusetts, since the company’s founding in 1852, will be moving its headquarters and operations to Maryville. That will bring 750 jobs to East Tennessee. This economic growth also hits close to home. McMinn and Monroe counties alone have seen over $300 million in new capital investments in the last four years with hundreds of new positions created. While the nation and the global marketplace face great challenges from inflation, debt, and over regulation, maybe it is time for the federal government to look to Tennessee for answers. During the recent pandemic, Tennessee was one of only seven states whose economy grew and was recently named the number one state in the nation for post-pandemic economic recovery. By largely staying out of the affairs of individual citizens and businesses, our state allows freedom to take its natural course which ultimately leads to financial and economic success. Ronald Reagan once said that conservatives are often accused of having simple answers to complex problems. To that accusation Reagan would respond by saying, “There are no easy answers, but there are simple answers.” Our world is facing complex problems, but perhaps the simple answer in this instance is to let people be free and watch the amazing things that will happen.
Sincerely, Mark Cochran
28 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022 THESE RECIPES ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY INGLES, STARTED IN 1963 BY ROBERT P. INGLE AND COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE. 2022-2023 TOOLS FOR SCHOOLS SHOP AND GET FREE SCHOOL EQUIPMENT LINK YOUR ADVANTAGE CARD TO YOUR FAVORITE SCHOOL NOW! Use The Ingles Advantage™ Card and help your local school. When you make purchases using The Ingles Advantage™ Card, Ingles will give back to the school a portion of those sales. The portion can be used by the school to purchase computers and school supplies. Over the past 20 years, Ingles Markets has contributed over 17 million dollars to schools in towns where Ingles stores are located. These dollars have been used for valuable learning tools and equipment. Public schools, private schools and home school associations are welcome to participate in this program, grades K-12. Ingles and our Tools for School program are committed to helping thousands of schools and students achieve their education goals. 17 MILLION DOLLARS OVER THE PAST 20 YEARS! INGLES….EXPECT MORE FROM YOUR LOCAL STORE. Present The Ingles Advantage™ card to the cashier before they begin to ring up your order. Ask the cashier to scan your card. Your purchase amount is electronically recorded for your school. It's that easy! https://www.ingles-markets.com/icurbside Programs Runs from August 4th, 2022 to June 30, 2023
29FALL 2022 McMINN LIFE https://www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/roasted-butternut-squash-and-apple-bisque
The Chef's Kitchen Instructions Cut butternut squash in half lengthwise. Drizzle olive oil, salt, and pepper. Place in a 350 degrees F oven for 45 minutes or until tender. Scoop out flesh and set aside. In a stock pot saute onions, carrots, and celery. Deglaze pan with apple cider and bring to a rolling boil. Add butternut squash. With an emersion wand or blender, blend all ingredients together and return to pot on medium-low heat. Add heavy cream and let thicken. Finish the soup with butter and oregano.
ROASTED
Shopping List 8 oz. of diced yellow onion 6 oz. of diced carrots 6 oz. of diced celery 1 lb. of butternut squash 2 qts. of apple cider 1 pint of heavy cream 4 oz. of butter 1 oz. fresh oregano (minced) BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLE BISQUE
30 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022 www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/pumpkin-polenta-with-roasted-vegetables The Chef's Kitchen Shopping List 4 slices bacon 1 Tbsp butter 1 leek 2 cloves of garlic 2 Tbsp flour 2 cup milk 4 cup chicken stock 3/4 lb red potatoes 6 sprigs of thyme 2 cup chicken 1 cup corn Instructions Render bacon and remove and reserve grease. Sweat butter, leeks and garlic. Add flour and make a roux. Add milk, stock, and potatoes and bring to a boil, then reduce. Cook until potatoes are tender. Add the rest of the ingredients. ROTISSERIE CHICKEN AND POTATO CHOWDER Shopping List 1/2 lb Brussel sprouts 1/2 lb butternut squash 1/2 lb parsnips 4 cup water PUMPKIN POLENTA WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES 2 cup milk 1 cup polenta 1 can pumpkin 3/4 cup Parmesan 2 Tbsp butter 2 Tbsp sage Instructions Preheat 400 degree oven. Toss vegetables in olive oil, salt and pepper and roast until golden brown. Bring water and milk to a simmer. Whisk in polenta and bring to a boil then reduce heat. Stir until creamy. Whisk in pumpkin. Remove from heat. Add Parmesan, butter, and sage. Drizzle olive oil and assemble. The Chef's Kitchen www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/ rotisserie-chicken-and-potatochowder
Cook
BEEF MARABELLA Shopping List 1-3 pound beef tenderloin 1 qt white wine 1 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup red wine vinegar 1/2 cup olive oil 1 cup Spanish olives 1/2 cup capers 1 cup figs 1/4 cup dried oregano 1/4 cup garlic 1/2 bunch parsley 5 bay leaves Serves: 6 Instructions Marinate meat by adding capers, olives, red wine vinegar, garlic, olive oil, dried oregano, parsley, bay leaf, red pepper flakes, brown sugar, and prunes.
The
PERFECT
Bring marinade to a boil, and cool down before adding to meat. Let meat refrigerate overnight. for 2 hours at 350 degrees F. Chef's Kitchen Shopping List 3/4 cup milk 3/4 cup water 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp salt 2 eggs beaten 1 Tbsp + 2 tsp yeast 5 cup AP flour 1/2 cup melted butter Instructions Preheat 350 degree oven. Bloom yeast for 10 mins in water, milk, and butter. DO NOT EXCEED 120 degrees. Add salt to the bottom of the bowl.Add flour then the rest of the ingredients. Dough hook for about 8 minutes.
Let proof 1 1/2 hours. Punch dough and form. Double in size and bake. The Chef's Kitchen ROLLS www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/ beef-marabella www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/ perfect-rolls
32 McMINN LIFE FALL 2022 Shopping List Butternut squash 1 package of quinoa 1 cup cranberries 1 bag kale 1 can chickpeas 3 oranges 1 Tbsp olive oil Instructions Cut and roast butternut squash until fork tender in a 350 degree oven. Cook quinoa according to package. While quinoa is still warm add kale, chickpeas, and cranberries. Juice the oranges in the quinoa stir in olive oil. Stuff butternut squash and serve. STUFFED BUTTERNUT SQUASH The Chef's Kitchen The Chef's Kitchen Shopping List 1 package of crepes 1 tub cool whip 9 oz. dark chocolate 1 1/2 cup heavy cream 6 oz undiluted orange juice 1/4 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. salt Instructions Heat heavy cream and place into bowl. Mix heavy cream with chocolate. Add salt, and undiluted orange concentrate to the mixture in bowl. Paint chocolate mix onto crepe, and add another on top. Separate crepes with whip cream, and chocolate. Continue adding desired amount of crepe layers. Place into the refrigerator overnight. Crepe Cake www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/ stuffed-butternut-squash www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/ crepe-cake
The kids wanted to explore the area around us, and secretly, this childlike curiosity still thrives within me. We ventured down the stream to find rhododendron, Saint John’s Wort, and Paw Paw. We also found non-native, invasive species of bamboo and privet. We noted for the children the uniqueness, beauty, and dangers of each. Then, without warning of a thunderclap, a gentle drizzle came and swiftly turned heavier and heavier. We edged under a canopy of maple leaves, not minding playing in the rain — neither kids nor adults. Once the rain slowed, we returned to our exploratory wading. We saw minnows, birds of all types, and even a small snake who was clearly more afraid of us than we were of it.
The kids let their curiosity lead them along the snake’s slithering escape route, creeping toward holes and peeking around roots but at a safe enough distance to simply observe. We all shared this space: this bend of river, this piece of ground, this time of life. I returned to my notebook to scratch the hope I have for my children and my friends’ children. That they grow and continue to respect each other, respect our environment, and uphold our duty to protect nature’s beauty. That they help preserve her bounty for their children. Fog began to rise as the cool water met the blanket of warm air settling atop the stream, and my chair unexpectedly began sinking. They had let the dam, so I moved the chair to higher ground and paid close attention to the change in the water, speed and temperature. As a diver, I have been aware of the thermocline, that space where the water temperature drastically changes from one place to the next, but I hadn’t experienced it mid-calf – it was exhilarating. An appropriate rush to wrap a day of cooling off. This day in our blessed backyard would not have been possible without the care of our predecessors preserving this place that we share in their own time. Our generational duty remains not to disturb or infringe upon each other or our spaces, but to transmit them not only not less, but greater, and more beautifully than they were transmitted to us.
TAKE THE HOLIDAYS TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL
Friends: be kind, care for each other and our special places so we may remain the Athens that is blessed beyond measure.
Genuinely, C. Seth Sumner T www.cityofathenstn.com
A Letter From City Manager C. SETH SUMNER he past few months have been quite warm, but I don’t mind the heat. In fact, being from the Deep South, I rather enjoy it. We are blessed here in southeast Tennessee with a special way to cool off when the temperature becomes too much to bear. On one of those hot mid-summer Saturdays, I loaded up my family and a few friends, and we headed over to the Hiwassee River to cool off. We visited a newly opened store in Athens to acquire provisions, checked the weather — which was iffy — decided we would brave it, and got on the road. Once we staked our claim to a small piece of shoreline on the Hiwassee River, we quickly found more than just cool running water. The shore wasn’t cool enough under the shade of a Paw Paw tree, so I took my folding chair out into the stream. Lost in thought, I sat staring at the majesty of the foggy knobs carved out by nature’s most powerful force. Then without warning, the kids came running, splashing river water on the open pages of my notebook. Without comment, I watched the ink smear into blue and purple. Making sure I didn’t lose any thoughts, I blotted the pages and considered my fault of being out of place, making notes and sketches in the middle of a creek, as the kids splashed and played around me. What we found beyond the cool running water was a day of discovery and excitement.
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35FALL 2022 McMINN LIFE ATHENS MEDICAL GROUP A Member of Summit Medical Group Wallace F. Burroughs, II, MD Chris L. Maynard, MD C.Richard Sharpe, MD Kim Borris, PA-C Julie Haney, MSN, FNP-BC Carley Knight, FNP-C Natasha Richesin, PA-C 423.745.6575 Athens Medical Group Same Day AppoinbnentsAvailable. WeacceptmostinsuranceplansincludingMedic.are,BlueAdvantageandHumana�� 1031 WestMadisonAvenue,Athens WHOLESALE PETROLEUM MARKETERS
The Home Tour sales from the tickets will be donated to charity. Last year, the tour raised approximately $19,000, and around 500 guests attended. FROM 1PM TO 4:30PM. Raising Money for Charity
For More Information: gfwctellico.org NOVEMBER 6
Tour Beautiful Homes While
On November 6, the General Federation of Women’s Club - Tellico Village will be holding their 26th annual Home Tour which will raise money for local charities. Beginning September 1st, you can buy tickets for $16 from their website. On the self-guided tour, guests can visit four gorgeous homes in Tellico Village and Rarity Bay, all culminating in a reception at the Yacht Club. It begins at 1pm and lasts until 4:30pm. This is a great way to get inspiration and ideas for decorating and remodeling your own home, and each house you visit will have a hostess who can answer questions about the design and decoration. At the Yacht Club, visitors can meet with sponsors who donated to the event and ask them questions on home décor, landscaping, and finance. This is the first tour with houses from Rarity Bay. “It’s a fun day,” said the event’s publicity chairman, Nancy Gregg. “Whether it’s a couple or whether it’s a group of ladies, they seem to have a wonderful time going through together—getting new ideas and enjoying a day when they can be out and about.”
Our new website is the best place to keep up with articles and stories between issues so you never miss a beat of what’s going on in our community. No matter if you’re using a phone, tablet, or desktop, our new website is fully optimized to make reading our content as easy as possible. We also publish full versions of our print magazines online the same day they’re being delivered to homes! Never Miss an Issue Read McMinn Life Online! Features Everyone Can Enjoy • Read online exclusive articles • Online articles are published regularly between issues • Read full digital magazines at any time - even archived issues • Download copies of our magazine at any time • Get access to online recipes from Ingles Table • Keep up with events in our community published online We Also Made The Website Better For Businesses • Track CTR and conversions that come from your ad in McMinn Life • Digital copies of the magazine can link to your website • Featured articles will appear in more places throughout the site • Print Advertisers get special pricing for online ads WWW.MCMINNLIFE.COM
The Tennessee Overhill publishes a book on the complete history of the “Old Line Railroad” for a copy call the Overhill 423-2637232. For train tickets and more information call Kelly at the L&N Railroad Museum in Etowah 423-263-7232 or TVRail.com.
By Nancy A. Dalton, Tennessee Overhill
The Hiwassee River has its headwaters on the north slope of the Rocky Mountain in northern Georgia. It flows northward into North Carolina before turning westward into Tennessee, flowing into the Tennessee River a few miles west. The river is about 147 miles long. It is dammed by the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) in four locations, Chatuge Dam, Hiwassee Dam, Mission Dam & Apalachia Dam. Water is diverted from the stream bed at Apalachia Dam and sent through a pipeline, which is tunneled through the mountains for eight miles; then it flows through the Apalachia Dam and Apalachia Powerhouse to generate electricity. The John Muir Trail in Tennessee’s Cherokee National Forest goes along this part of the Hiwassee River. The 23 mile stretch of river that flows from North Carolina/Tennessee state line to U.S. Hwy 411 near Delano, TN is designated as a Tennessee State Scenic River. After exiting the mountains through a spectacular gorge, the Hiwassee broadens, meandering through rural southeast Tennessee. Many marshes and wetlands surround the main channel, providing rich habitats for wildlife and opportunities for hunting and fishing. You can also view the beautiful Hiwassee River and gorge and the Apalachia Dam on the scenic train excursion “Hiwassee River Scenic Railroad”, the most scenic excursion in this part of the country. The train travels alongside the Hiwassee and circles around the famous “Hiwassee Loop”. The Loop corkscrews up the mountain passing over a bridge 62 feet above the tracks on which the train just traveled. This is truly a unique railroad experience and has several features that set it apart. The Loop is one of the most unique railroad structures in the nation. It is reputed to be the third longest rail loop in the world. The train travels across the “Old Line”, a rail that was carved into the mountains and river gorge in 1890 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hiwassee River Gorge is another striking feature.
Hiwassee River& the Scenic Railroad
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Tucked into a wilderness area, this natural wonder is only accessible by rail. This gorge has received the USDA National Forest’s highest ranking for scenic beauty.
The Tennessee Overhill along with TVRail offer two train trips; one is a half day trip (Hiwassee Loop) traveling around the Loop and Farner, TN, then returning. The Copperhill Special, day trip, takes the same route but after Farner continues into Copperhill/ McCaysville at the Tennessee/Georgia state line where passengers have a stopover for dining and shopping. All trips begin at the loading stations in Delano, TN on Hwy 411.
202 E Washington Avenue, Athens TN (423)404-329737303 Cute Dresses • Tops • Skirts • Jewelry ACCESSORIES • Home Decor • and more! Dale Kennedy, D.D.S. Jamie Muscari, D.D.S.
Saving Money Has Never Been Easier For Farm Bureau Members! DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR WANT MORE INFORMATION ON BECOMING A Contact McMinn County Farm Bureau • 208 Congress Pkwy S • Athens, TN • 423-745-4521 McMinn County Access all your discounts in one convenient location Search o ers by name, nearby, popular, new, or categories Find up-to-date directions for how to redeem each o er Farm Bureau Members Save on Travel Save $10 on Adult or Child One Day Tickets $500 Bonus Cash for Farm Bureau Members SaveFarm $500 Bonus Find out about great savings from these partners and many more: Download your TN Farm Bureau Member Savings app or register at www.tnfarmbureau.org/membersavings to start saving today
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