McMinn Life Summer 2023

JOHNNY PAYNE

Pilot of Air Force Two

In the Front Seat of History

Events: Dozens of Local Events & Fourth of July Festivities!

Life

SEA RAY

CELEBRATES 40 YEARS of Building Luxury Boats

Right Here in Tennessee of Building Luxury Boats

David’s Abbey Carpet & Floor has been owned and operated by David Hayes since 1973. He and his experienced and knowledgeable staff are committed to providing customers with superior quality products and installations, from start to finish.

David’s daughter, Barbie Moore, and son, Mike Hayes continue in their father’s footsteps to drive their business with a commitment to maintaining their business tradition of excellence for years to come.

David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors take pride in giving back to the East Tennessee area. Their derived employee charity fund has contributed to over forty local organizations and charities since 1998. David’s Abbey Carpet & Floors is committed to serving the community.

David Hayes, Owner

FINEST QUALITY FURNITURE

INTERIOR DESIGNERS

From the Publisher

Since its inception The Bingham Group has been producing effective multi-media campaigns for clients. the years have progressed, more services have been added full-service advertising agency including execution of market creation and development of marketing strategies. work has included annual reports, brochures, media kits, television and radio PSAs, PowerPoint presentations, video, creation, website development, media placement, social marketing, collateral and in-house television production. clients have included Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Oak Ridge Associated University, Hiwassee College, Knoxville Furniture and government agencies such as the Tennessee Transportation (TDOT), the Tennessee Department of Insurance (TDCI), the Tennessee Department of Health Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

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YEARS OF BRANDING EXPERIENCE

It is hard to believe my twins are graduating high school! May has been filled with parties, cheer banquets and all the activities that Farragut High School puts together for the kids. Like all Moms, I am a little bit sad.

20 YEARS OF IN-HOUSE TELEVISION PRODUCTION

This spring, the girls and I took a road trip to the largest antique show in the country in Round Top, Texas. Everyone needs to experience this massive antique show. Be sure to wear your cowboy hat and boots. We saw lots of them.

PUBLISHER

The Bingham Group

President

Lisa Atkins Bingham

Summer is the perfect season for fun and adventure with your family. See pages of exciting local events and Fourth of July celebrations. And for our locally made feature we are celebrating 40 years of manufacturing Sea Ray boats in Vonore, Tennessee.

Group, Inc., is a Woman-Owned Small Business as certified Governor’s Office of Diversity Business Enterprise and Tennessee Transportation.

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We are proud to share the story of Johnny Payne who, as pilot of Air Force Two, had the opportunity to fly Hilary Clinton, Al Gore, Dick Cheney, and Laura Bush, just to name a few. Johnny Payne enjoyed a front-row seat to American history, and he tells us all about it in this issue. I was in high school with Johnny, and this small-town guy really makes all of us proud.

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Thanks to Ingles and all our advertisers for helping us do what we love—tell the stories of the good people in McMinn County. I hope you enjoy this issue and have a little fun this Spring.

MAIN OFFICE IS LOCATED IN FARRAGUT.

Graphic Designers

DoctorSid

Jason Bowers

Lisa Bingham

Contributing Writers

Matt Hollingsworth

Gayle Fisher

Contributing Photographers

DoctorSid

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.farragutlife.com

www.mcminnlife.com

www.monroelife.com

Lisa Atkins-Bingham

Ialways enjoy hearing stories about the legendary basketball coach Ray Mears, especially when the talk goes to how he was a thorn to the University of Kentucky. Not only was he a successful coach, he was also known as a great promoter. Most fans do not know that the term “Big Orange Country” was developed by Coach Mears for basketball. His entire focus was to make Tennessee basketball the best it could be. Pregame warmups were a show and were designed to promote the basketball program wherever they played.

When I first started coming to Athens, I heard about a strange character known as Kenneth Higgins. Mr. Higgins was the City Attorney for more than forty years, and it seems as though I heard a new Higgins’ story every year I came to audit the City. As time went on, I came to spend more time with Chief as we called him. I love history and reading about it, but Mr. Higgins lived history. He travelled to the Pacific, participated in eleven battles and returned to prepare for life after the war. He knew what this part of the world had to offer and over time became the promoter of Athens. He talked about all of the good things in Athens and everywhere he went, he made sure that everyone knew where he lived. It is hard to say if Ray Mears learned from Ken Higgins or vice versa.

There are many other people that I could list in this article that have been or are great promoters of Athens. The point of this article is to hopefully show everyone the importance of promoting our City and County. One of the things that every citizen of Athens can do is promote our City to your friends, family and people that you meet when going to places outside of Athens. I have found that most everywhere we go on vacation, we come across people who know some of the same people that we know. I find this to be especially true when attending church services away from home. These interactions with others provide a great opportunity to tell others about our City and encourage them to come and visit. When we promote Athens, we promote McMinn County. When we promote McMinn County, the City of Athens benefits.

I encourage all of our citizens to look for the good things in our community and spread the word about them. Become an active promoter of our City and County. We all understand that there are things that we can improve upon, but I would like to start focusing on the good and positive things. Do not sit back and say, “ I will let someone else take care of that because they are much better at it than I am.” Take the initiative and accept it as your personal responsibility to promote our area to others. We do not hesitate to promote our favorite teams. As

I finish this article, the Atlanta Braves and the Volunteer baseball team are on a good roll and that gets a lot of people excited. Let’s use that same type of motivation in promoting our great City.

Sincerely,

Mike Keith Interim City Manager/Director of Finance

www.athenstn.gov

New Public Works Building

Did you know that the world’s top manufacturer of luxury recreational boats is headquartered here in East Tennessee? Brunswick Boat Group which makes 18 boat lines including Sea Ray Boats has an office in downtown Knoxville with a manufacturing facility in Vonore. Sea Ray is one of the world’s largest boat manufacturers of superior quality sport boats, bowriders, cabin cruisers, deck boats and more.

At Sea Ray, we believe that richer moments on the water lead to a richer life. That’s why everything we do is designed to make each moment exceptional.

At Sea Ray, we obsess over the details to ensure our owners don’t have to. Sea Ray standards mandate high-quality materials, strict testing protocols and obsessive attention to fit and finish, guaranteeing the best possible craftsmanship.

When you see a Sea Ray, you know it. And it’s love at first sight. That’s because every Sea Ray is designed with classic, yet current, Sea Ray styling. But a Sea Ray is more than just style. It’s also designed with a deep understanding of consumer needs and an anticipation of their desires. Our staff of naval architects, engineers and designers strive to make every interaction on a Sea

Ray feel natural and seamless. And we continue to set new industry benchmarks for thoughtful and modern design. It’s all in the pursuit of creating an experience that’s perfectly, distinctively Sea Ray.

A Sea Ray always performs with grace. Every ride is engineered to be agile, responsive, intuitive and as powerful as you want it to be. You won’t sacrifice experience for maximum horsepower. On a Sea Ray, your ride is smooth and quiet, with everything controlled but the adrenaline rush. It’s built to handle with confidence, whether you’re towing a wakeboarder or effortlessly maneuvering up to the dock. Escape and adventure. Both are seamlessly delivered.

No one else in the industry is as committed to keeping you out on the water, living in the moment. That’s why you’ll find a level

of support and commitment to customer satisfaction that’s unmatched by any other marine manufacturer. With dealers in more than 80 countries, an industry-leading warranty and 24/7 call support, you can be confident that Sea Ray stands beside you.

Buying a Sea Ray is more than buying a boat; it’s embracing a lifestyle. From the very first moment you become part of the Sea Ray Owners Club, you’ll experience everything life on the water should be. You’ll get access to exclusive events in fantastic settings around the world, where you’ll socialize with fellow enthusiasts. You’ll be granted premium benefits and incentives. And you’ll be part of a passionate online and onboard community that’s all about celebrating life on the water.

Sea Ray is continuing the evolution of its premium SLX® Series with the official launch of the SLX 280 Outboard. The brandnew vessel offers unmatched performance, an optimized layout, convenient storage and innovative technologies for an exceptional day on the water.

“The SLX 280 Outboard is the latest new model from our SLX Series”, said Keith Yunger, Sea Ray president. “Last year we introduced the SLX 260, which received accolades for design and innovation. Our latest model maintains the sleek styling and premium features found on the 260, but with more space and additional amenities that help boaters enjoy a day on the water.”

With athletic hull-side sculpting and headturning elegance, the SLX 280 Outboard features an impressive overall length of 31 feet 5 inches, and is meticulously crafted from bow to stern to provide maximum space and comfort. Its luxurious cockpit includes an enhanced layout for improved functionality and more room. Deeper seating promotes ergonomics while seamless storage spaces, like the cockpit floor compartment, keep gear secure when not in use. For convenience and flexibility, the cockpit can be upgraded with a drawerstyle refrigerator and an end table equipped with an inductive charging station, drystorage compartment, and cup holders.

Perfect for socializing under the sun, the U-shaped bow showcases lounge-style seating and foldable armrests. A teak table and a filler cushion that converts the bow into a sunpad can be added with the Comfort Bundle. Delivering coverage from the sun with a touch of style, the sporty optional Power Tower can be electrically lowered or raised and features an extendable sunshade. The Power Tower can also be enhanced with Fusion® Signature Series speakers, part of the Entertainment

Bundle’s Premier Audio package, and LED RGB-W color-changing lighting with a Sea Ray logo projection is available with the Lighting Bundle. At the transom, the expanded sunpad offers waterside relaxation along with an integrated cooler and a large compartment to stow inflatables and water toys.

For superior performance, the SLX 280 Outboard is powered by twin Mercury® 250 Verado® engines with Joystick Piloting, integrated SmartCraft® technology, Digital Throttle & Shift (DTS) controls and optional Dynamic Running Surface™. Outfitted with the latest technologies for effortless captaining, the helm includes a Dual Digital Dash™ with standard 9” Simrad® touchscreen displays, Mercury Marine® engine data, Active Trim control & monitoring, CZone® digital switching and a Fusion® stereo system.

The SLX 280 Outboard is available now for order in North America. For more information about Sea Ray, and to view the complete lineup, visit SeaRay.com.

www.searay.com/us/en/models/slx-series/slx-280-outboard.html

PRECIOUS TIME

When you’re spending time on the water, every moment should feel like a reward. At Sea Ray, we believe that richer moments on the water lead to a richer life. That’s why everything we do is designed to make each moment exceptional. Every detail is crafted for excellence. Style is elevated. Comfort is heightened. Technology is advanced. Performance is fine-tuned. From the perfect cradle of the cushioned seats to the guest-friendly cockpit, you’re treated to a luxurious experience worthy of your precious time.

The Sea Ray Vonore Facility manufactures boats from 23 feet to 32 feet from the SPX, SDX, SLX and Sundancer model families. The Vonore facility will celebrate its 40th Anniversary in August.

Combining the next-level luxury of the SLX 260 with innovative wakesurfing technology, the SLX 260 Surf is crafted to deliver elevated experiences. A Mercury Marine® propulsion system and intuitive user interface provide exceptional performance for watersports while improved seating and easy-to-use amenities ensure comfort and fun out on the water for everyone. Whether you prefer a thrilling day wave riding or a carefree evening watching the sunset, the SLX 260 Surf presents a host of bright features for the best of both worlds.

With head-turning elegance, the stylish Sea Ray SLX 280 Outboard offers a modern and athletic design along with powerful propulsion and innovative amenities that elevate the boating experience. Showcasing more room, improved seating and seamless storage, the SLX 280 Outboard is luxuriously outfitted for any adventure with friends and family. The U-shaped bow creates a spot for socializing, the next-generation Power Tower provides sun coverage, and the expanded cockpit features plush, inviting comforts. Everything aboard the SLX 280 Outboard is optimized for space and function, so you can focus on fun.

SLX 260 Surf

SLX 280 Outboard

Summer AT THE ARTS CENTER IN ATHENS

Exciting Events from the Arts Center in Athens

Jr. Musical Theatre Camp 2023

Camp Dates: June 19th through 30th

Show Dates June 30th through July 1st

AACA’s 2nd Jr Musical Theatre Camp for grades K-6 is for students who will have completed the grade in the 2022-23 school year. Campers enjoy two weeks of theatre games and classes in acting, music, movement, and stage craft with director Michael Webb. The camp ends with three performances of Disney’s Winnie the Pooh KIDS. The registration deadline is June 5th.

Youth Theatre Camp 2023

Camp: July 10th through 21st

Show: July 21st at 7 p.m.

AACA’s annual Youth Theatre Camp for ages 11 – 17 is an area favorite. Campers enjoy two weeks of classes in acting, improvisation, stage combat, music, movement, and stage craft with directors Bob Borwick, Kelly Borwick, and Pam Thigpen. The camp ends with a performance of the original musical The Feather on Friday, July 21 at 7:00pm. The registration deadline is June 26th.

Visual Arts Mini Camp 2023

Camp: July 24th through 28th

Kids ages 5-12, join us for five days of visual arts projects in a variety of mediums and styles. The camp ends with a collective exhibit on the Friday during the last 30 minutes of camp at The Arts Center. The registration deadline is July 5.

The expanded Arts Center is slated for completion in 2023 thanks to the generous support of our Capital Campaign donors.

Bicentennial Park Renovated

Perhaps the true test of a good gift is the length of time for which it is enjoyed.

When the county’s 200th anniversary rolled around in 2019, county leaders joined together to plan the best way to celebrate the milestone. Numerous events, historic walking tours, and festivals were branded with the bicentennial logo. Shirts and other keepsakes were distributed, and there was even a giant birthday cake and fireworks display in Downtown Athens to mark the momentous occasion in our county’s history. While the celebrations were grand, the people of McMinn County deserved a gift that could be used and could have positive implications for decades to come.

At that time, discussions had already been underway regarding McMinn County’s Cooke Park. The park was constructed in the 1970s and in its heyday had been the

epicenter of church and corporate softball leagues. In recent years, however, the venue had become outdated and underutilized. The decision had to be made to either scrap it entirely or bring it into the 21st century. We realized an investment to renew the park was our opportunity to offer a Bicentennial gift that would provide a lasting effect on the people of McMinn County, especially on its young people.

After a $1.6 million renovation, William G. Cooke Park was converted to Bicentennial Park. What had been home to four obsolete softball fields with rusty fences and dilapidated concession stands was transformed into a modern park with state-of-the-art turf fields and new facilities. Because of McMinn County’s debt-free philosophy, money from the county’s capital fund was allocated and leveraged with corporate and individual sponsors to bring the project to fruition.

Today, the park is one of the most popular amenities in McMinn County. Field One is the most coveted as it is entirely turf and multipurpose. This field contains a regulation baseball and soccer field and two youth soccer fields. Thanks to the new modern lighting system, usage of the facility often starts as early as 5 a.m. with Tennessee Wesleyan University soccer and lacrosse practices. The park serves as the home of Central Knights baseball and is also used as the backup homefield for both high schools’ baseball and soccer teams when

their respective fields are too wet for play. Throughout the week, teams from a number of sports utilize the new fields for practice and games. Whether it is flag football and rugby leagues during the week or multi-day baseball, softball, and soccer tournaments on weekends, Bicentennial Park is teaming with people on a daily basis.

While the old Cooke Park was once home to local baseball and softball, Bicentennial Park has become a regional hub for soccer, softball and baseball travel league tournaments as it houses the most centrally located turf fields for Knoxville and Chattanooga area teams to face off.

McMinn County enjoys one of the lowest costs of living in the nation, but it is important to couple that with comforts to enhance quality of life for residents. As hundreds of spectators fill bleachers and tailgate tents each Saturday, it is apparent that life has returned to a once abandoned venue of local recreation. The echoes of metallic bats and screaming fans are evidence that Bicentennial Park will be a gift that is not only remembered but also enjoyed for generations to come.

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

FARM TO TABLE

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

INGLES….EXPECT MORE FROM YOUR LOCAL STORE.

by Kaitlyn Baker Serves:

BLACKBERRY CAKE

Ingredients

1 box moist yellow cake mix

4 large eggs

1 (3 oz). box raspberry or blackberry jello

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup water

2/3 can blackberry pie filling

1 (8 oz.) package cream cheese

1 lb. box confectioners sugar

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1 (8 oz.) tub cool whip fresh blackberries, for garnish

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix cake mix, eggs, jello, oil, and water in a large bowl until

well blended. Gradually stir in blackberry pie filling. Pour into two well greased 9 inch pie pans. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Beat softened cream cheese and butter until light and thoroughly combined then add box confectioners sugar, vanilla, and cool whip. Mix until this is well incorporated. Assemble cakes by frosting bottom layer then add top cake and frost all over.

www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/blackberry-cake

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EGG SALAD LETTUCE WRAP

by Jasmin Queen Serves: 6

Ingredients

6 hard boiled eggs*

2 green onions, thinly sliced

4 tbsp. Greek yogurt

2 tbsp. mayonnaise

12 romaine heart leaves

12 slices bacon, cooked

24 grape tomatoes

1 tsp. dill weed

salt and pepper, to taste

*To save time, pick-up hard-boiled eggs at Ingles.

Directions

Dice the eggs. Combine eggs, green onions, yogurt, mayonnaise, and salt and pepper. Slice the grape tomatoes in half. Divide egg mixture over lettuce leaves. Place one slice of bacon onto each lettuce leaf. Top with tomatoes and dill weed.

www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/ egg-salad-lettuce-wrap

BUFFALO CHICKEN WRAPS/PINWHEELS

by

Clark and Suzy Neal with Unicoi Preserves Serves: 4

Ingredients

BUFFALO-BLUE CHEESE SAUCE

1/2 cup Buffalo wing sauce

1/2 cup Laura Lynn blue cheese salad dressing

1/4 cup smoked blue cheese crumbles

SANDWICH WRAP

4 spinach herb sandwich wraps

8 oz. cheddar and jalapeño pub cheese spread

1 lb. buffalo chicken sandwich meat, thinly sliced

12 oz. broccoli slaw

8 oz. fresh spinach

1 cup roasted red bell pepper strips, drained and dried with paper towels

Directions

In a small bowl, mix together Buffalo wing sauce, blue cheese dressing, and smoked blue cheese crumbles. Set aside. Spread pub cheese over sandwich wrap. Build your wrap by adding 3 slices of buffalo chicken meat, then some broccoli slaw.

Drizzle slaw with Buffalo-blue cheese sauce, then add spinach and roasted red bell pepper strips. Roll up sandwich tightly and as neatly as you can. Use a long bread knife to help hold ingredients in place while you roll.

To serve, cut in half on the diagonal. Alternately, cut wraps into pinwheels, and serve on a platter.

www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/buffalo-chicken-wraps-pinwheels

CHILLED MINTY GREEN PEA SOUP

by Martha Vining

Serves: 6

Ingredients

2 tbsp. butter

1/2 cup onion, chopped

3 cups chicken stock

4 cups frozen peas, thawed

1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped

1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped salt and pepper

sour cream

fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Directions

In a medium stock pot, melt butter over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook until onion is softened but not brown, 6-8 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add stock and bring to boil. Add peas, turn down heat and simmer 3-4 minutes, until just tender. Remove stock pot from heat and add parsley and mint. Puree with immersion blender, thinning with water if too thick. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate and serve chilled. Garnish with sour cream and fresh mint leaves.

Make it vegan: Substitute butter with vegetable oil and chicken stock with water.

www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/ chilled-minty-green-pea-soup

Ingles carries a large selection of sandwich wraps to fit your dietary needs. Keto, low carb, high fiber, and cheese wraps are all available at Ingles.

SMOKED PEACH COBBLER WITH VANILLA ICE CREAM

by Smokin’ Joe Lasher Serves: 8

Pie Topping

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1/2 tsp. sea salt

8 tbsp. unsalted butter, cold

1 1/3 cups buttermilk

Pie Filling

1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar

1 tbsp. vanilla extract

2 tbsp. dark maple syrup

2 tbsp. all-purpose flour

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tbsp. lemon juice

3 lb. yellow peaches, pitted and sliced

Topping

Laura Lynn Vanilla Ice Cream

Directions

Preheat smoker (or oven) to 350°F. Prepare the topping. Combine flour, baking powder, baking soda, granulated sugar, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Cut butter into 12-14 slices and press into mixture. Stir in the buttermilk with a wooden spoon and set aside. Prepare the filling by thoroughly whisking brown sugar, vanilla, maple syrup, flour, cinnamon and lemon juice, then add peaches. Add filling mixture to a greased, 12” cast iron skillet, then drop dollops of topping over the top. Smoke (or bake) 40-45 minutes, rotating occasionally, until golden brown and bubbly. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream!

www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/smoked-peach-cobbler-with-vanilla-ice-cream

MEXICAN STREET CORN CASSEROLE

by Kaitlyn Baker Serves: 5-6

Ingredients

24 oz. frozen corn, thawed

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1/3 cup sour cream

1 tbsp. lime juice

1 tsp. chili powder

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

4 oz. crumbled queso fresco or cojita cheese

2 tbsp. cilantro, chopped for garnish

pinch cayenne pepper salt and pepper, to taste

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 2-3 quart casserole dish. In a large bowl, mix together corn, mayonnaise, sour cream, and lime juice. Add chili powder, garlic salt and cayenne then mix well. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in half of the queso fresco or cotija. Bake for 30-35 minutes. Before serving, sprinkle with remaining cheese and chopped cilantro.

Serve as a side dish or a dip for chips!

www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/mexican-street-corn-casserole

Coral-

Bells

MASTER GARDENER

GayleFisher

Summer time and the living is easy. If you are looking for as easy plant to grow, try Heucheras, also known as coral-bells or alumroot. These plants are North America native wildflowers. This perennial can live through our drastic winters and hot summers.

In the past they have been grown for their spray of tiny long lasting flowers borne on erect spikes. The effect is an airy delicate look. Flowers appear from late spring to early summer. Heucheras are mound shaped with low semievergreen to evergreen leaves. These leaves can last through winter but mine look usually look like they would have been better off to have shed their foliage and started over. They are tattered, brown and ragged at winters end.

The leaves are three to four inches long and the plants stay about six inches in height. In today’s garden I use this plant for the foliage colors in planters. They have returned for the last 3 years. The foliage can be a strong, bronze, reddish purple, light green and even a green with gray or silver overtones and veins. The maplelooking leaf has more intense color when grown in the sun and takes a greener tint when given some shade.

I bought two flats of ‘Palace Purple’ years ago and put them out in the broiling sunshine where only Bermuda grass is growing. At first they seemed to make a small but noticeable display; by the end of summer they had all but disappeared. When fall came they perked back up. Now I am growing them in shade and they are much happier.

Alumroot flowers which are very long lasting though not showy come in an array

of shades from red, carmine, pink and coral to white. These spiky blooms range from one and half to two and half feet tall. The hybrid coral-bells seem to do better in the Southern heat. Look for (H.x brizoides) when ordering. This includes ‘Chatterbox’, ‘Firefly’, ‘June Bride’ and ‘Regal’.

You should plant Heucheras in evenly moist soil that is well drained. I keep a water hose close. A site with morning sun and afternoon shade seems to work best here in Tennessee. Spring is the time to plant although they can be moved or planted in the fall. Plant the crowns about one inch below the soil surface. Alumroot takes a season or two before it settles into its new home. Keep them mulched and well watered especially the first year. Heucheras need only minimal care to look their best, but since they form clumps of shallow woody roots, they are frequently heaved out of the ground in winter by our usual freeze and thaw weather. Reset if necessary or cover the crowns with mulch.

Division and propagation should be done regularly every four or five years. Dig in the spring and discard the oldest and woodiest part of the plant. Most Heuchera cultivars need to be propagated by division because they don't come back true from seeds.

You can use Heucheras as an edging plant along a path or formal walkway or in large drifts as a ground cover. They look great grouped with Hostas, spring bulbs and ferns. They are also a good choice for containers since they have year round foliage.

For All of Gayle’s Gardening tips:

www.mcminnlife.com

UNPRECEDENTED DURABILITY

Our proprietary, Color Lock® technology makes Aura® exterior paint unlike any other. Aura’s superior, one-coat performance is like applying two coats of conventional paint. Plus, it dries faster and delivers a smooth, durable finish that lasts year after year, even in the most challenging outdoor environments.

Come

Paints, Hardware, Plants & More... Served With A Smile.

Growing your own garden should be simple, accessible, and attainable. With over a century of experience growing fresh, quality plants, we want to be your go-to partner in successfully growing delicious, fresh food, right at home.

Athens City Schools… Excellence is

Athens City Primary School welcomed the first students to class on Monday, March 20, 2023. It was an exciting day for the students and staff of City Park. The City Park staff moved to the new Primary school over Spring Break. The quick move was necessary so that the existing City Park school could be prepared for demolition to prepare for the new parking lots and bus lanes for the start of 2023-2024 school year. Ingleside school will make way into the Primary School when the school year ends in May.

Athens City Primary School will be for all PreK – Second Grade students at Athens City Schools beginning in the fall of 2023.

The Athens City Intermediate School is anticipated to open July 2023. All students in grades 3rd- 5th grade will attend the Athens City Intermediate School. This will include the closing of North City and Westside Elementary Schools.

Both Athens City Primary and Athens City Intermediate will have approximately 200 students for each grade level KindergartenFifth Grade. It will also include 7 classrooms for PreK students. The buildings include the following specialty areas for students to utilize throughout their academic day.

• 2 Gyms (Primary and Intermediate)

• STEM Classrooms

• Library

• Art Classroom

• Music Classroom

• Kids Connection Extended Learning

• Increased security and technology measures

• Outdoor Walking Track in Corridor

• Outdoor Classroom and Amphitheater seating

• Special Education Suite

• Staff Wellness Rooms

• School Nurse Clinics

• Playground for PreK

• Playground for Primary/Intermediate

Athens City Primary and Intermediate School will be hosting a grand opening for parents and the community to visit and tour the school in the coming months. At this time, parking is limited so once the parking lots are completed this will be scheduled, promoted, and shared with our families and community to come and celebrate the new schools.

Athens City Middle School will open the 2023-2024 school year with two additional STEM classrooms. The Athens City Middle School athletic complex will be completed in the coming

months which will include a soccer field, baseball/softball field, and resurfacing of the tennis courts.

Athens City Schools invites you to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and our website www.athenscityschools.net for the latest updates and announcements at Athens City Schools. For more information on our schools or to schedule a visit, please contact 745-2863.

Excellence Is… Athens City Schools.

Athens, is a charming historic Tennessee town nestled between Knoxville and Chattanooga. Established in 1822, Athens is home to Tennessee Wesleyan College, Mayfield Dairy Farms and the Eureka Trail, a 4.3–mile trail that follows the path of a former rail line.

This historic town, which features more than 30 structures dating back to the early 1800s, has been revived in recent years thanks to investments in new boutiques, eateries and an arts scene that are bringing the community back to life.

Enjoy learning more about the history of the town with a downtown historic walking tour map, which will guide you to informational plaques in 32 locations along the square.

Maps are available here: athensmainstreet@gmail.com

www.mainstreetathens.org

LOTUS THAI CUISINE

420 South White Street, Athens, TN 423.453.2152

Indulge in rich Thai food served at Lotus Thai Cuisine, a family-owned restaurant in Athens, TN. Enjoy a wonderful dining experience with authentic Asian food. From zesty appetizers to refreshing beverages, your satisfaction is guaranteed.

JENKINS GRILLE & MARKET

411 S. Jackson Street, Athens, TN 423.745.7388

Jenkins Grille & Market is known for their American Style cooking, family dining, and unique dining experiences. Jenkins has been recognized by National Geographic, Southern Living, and many local and regional publications for outstanding cuisine, service, hospitality, and community involvement.

5 W College Street, Athens, TN, (423) 252-0097

The raddest coffee shop located in Downtown Athens, TN near Tennessee Wesleyan University. Come hang!

MADDI MAE’S

10 S. White Street, Athens, TN 423.649.3627

Serving lunch Monday through Saturday. Maddi Mae’s offers a variety of sandwiches, wraps, and salads. Known for their service and quality, try Maddi Mae’s famous Chicken Salad or house cooked prime rib & roast beef.

BlUE FRONT COFFEE COMPANY

MEXI-WING

112 North White Street, Athens, TN 423.745.9978

We proudly serve delicious chicken wings and authentic Mexican food in seven southeastern Tennessee locations. Whether you’re hungry for hot wings, tacos, burritos, fajitas, or south-of-the-border seafood specialties, there’s something on our menu for you! And of course, you’ll always enjoy friendly service! Order online for the ultimate in convenience. We look forward to serving you.

SHOP

GREEKS BEARING GIFTS

11 North Jackson Street, Athens, TN 423.745.2642

Greeks Bearing Gifts is a gift shop located in Athens which features a variety of exclusive product lines ranging from bath/body to literature and dinnerware to fine jewelry.

WHITE STREET MARKET

216 North White Street, Athens, TN 423.252.0006

Founded in 2018, White Street Market believes in community and connection…in local artisans, local shops and exceptional customer service. White Street Market believes in revitalizing small-town downtowns, and creating opportunities to bring people together.

ALL THINGS NEW

DBL is a woman owned business; the owner is 21-year-old Laken Farris. In her spa, she offers hydrafacials, geneo facials, skinpen facials and a variety of other skin care.

202 East Washington Avenue, Athens, TN 423.404.3297

All Things New is a ladies clothing boutique in the Athens community.

SWEET & SASSY TOO

202 North White Street, Athens, TN 423.453.5035

Sweet & Sassy is a two-generational family boutique offering stylish and modestly priced clothing and accessories for all ages and sizes. Sweet & Sassy also offers monogram and vinyl designs.

SLIGER’S JEWELRY STORE

116 East Washington Avenue, Athens, TN 423.745.4774

Sliger’s Jewelry Store is the oldest jewelry store in Athens with more than 73 years in business. Sliger’s Jewelry Store is an expert with in-house jewelry and watch repair. Sliger’s sells fine jewelry, watches, and personalized gifts.

LIEUTENANT COLONEL JOHNNY PAYNE

Johnny Payne is from Madisonville. He attended the University of Tennessee at Knoxville where he met his wife, Peggy Hunter Payne. Johnny graduated in 1982 and served in the United States Air Force for more than 20 years and was involved in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In 2003, his family returned to Madisonville. Johnny still flies planes to this day. Johnny and Peggy have four children Corbin, Matt, Sophia, and Roger.

Front Seat To History: Four Years

Piloting Air Force Two

October, 1999

THE DOVE BAR DEBACLE

by Matt Hollingsworth

MAndrews Air Force Base

onroe County native Johnny Payne sat in the cockpit of the meticulously shined Boeing 757, staring at the clock. Even though the flight was supposed to be scheduled down to the minute, his passenger was late, but Johnny was getting used to that. During the first month of his job as co-pilot of Air Force Two, his main passenger, Vice President Al Gore, was almost always late, sometimes by over an hour. Finally, a helicopter appeared in the distance—Marine Two—carrying the Vice President. Upon landing, he was escorted to the stairway leading up to the plane. As soon as he stepped on the stairs, Johnny started the engine on the opposite side of the plane, and the moment Gore was on board, Johnny activated the other engine, and the plane began to move.

Johnny had flown several politicians besides Gore, and while he hadn’t had much chance to meet them, he’d been close enough to form impressions. Senator Joe Biden was outgoing, laughing and joking with the crew. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright was friendly, stopping by the cockpit to thank him after flights. Al Gore, however, came across as wooden, never personable unless there was a camera in his face.

Gore was in the middle of his campaign for President, and Johnny suspected the stress was getting to him. There was a state room near the cockpit where Gore and his wife would often stay during flights, and Johnny had sometimes heard them arguing, tempers running high. Johnny thought about his own wife, Peggy, and tried to imagine how much strain they’d feel if they had to endure the Gores’ grueling schedule.

During the flight, the crew enjoyed a delicious meal of barbeque ribs catered by a popular local restaurant and a Dove Bar for dessert. It wasn’t until after the plane landed that Johnny learned from the rest of the crew that these ice cream bars had caused a stir in the back. Al Gore was on the Atkins diet at the time, so the crew hadn’t ordered a Dove Bar for him. And when he saw everyone else eating one but not him, the Vice President of the United States left his plate of ribs and went to the back galley to yell at the head flight attendant in front of the whole crew until he got a Dove Bar.

Johnny had to laugh when he heard the story—one of the most powerful men in the world throwing a hissy fit over an ice cream bar. Welcome aboard Air Force Two. This was going to be an interesting job.

November, 1999

SCARE ‘EM I

ohnny’s extended family back in East Tennessee were so proud of him for his job, although being staunch Republicans, they were less thrilled about who he was flying. His Aunt Ress specifically gave him some interesting advice, saying, “Johnny, I’m sure proud of you getting this assignment and flying those important people up there in Washington. But, if you have those Democrats on your plane, I don’t want you to hurt them, but if you could scare ‘em every now and then, I sure would appreciate it.”

Johnny had to laugh at that. And while he may not have scared any of his passengers, one of those passengers did scare the staff. That passenger was Hillary Clinton, and one particular trip with her remains vivid in his memory.

If Al Gore was wooden, Hillary Clinton was a nightmare. Years later, Johnny Payne recalled, “Hillary was very difficult to deal with. Our people in the back really did not like dealing with Mrs. Clinton at all.” On that trip, they had just flown the First Lady eight hours to Israel.

Johnny began the plane’s descent, but as he prepared to land, he got a message—Mrs. Clinton wasn’t ready. Johnny’s brow furled; this was very irregular.

“We gave them plenty of warning,” he said. Indeed, he had been sending updates to Mrs. Clinton’s staff when they were two hours away, one hour, 30 minutes, beginning descent.

“She needs 20 more minutes,” the flight attendant insisted. The plane already had the landing gear down and they were running low on fuel.

“We can do one loop,” Johnny said, “and then we’re landing.” On the ground below, high-ranking Israeli government officials watched the plane pull up and circle. After the loop, Air Force Two finally landed, but Hillary Clinton still kept the officials waiting for another 15 minutes before she was ready.

After she left, Johnny asked the flight attendants what had happened. Had her staff not gotten his updates?

“We told them,” one of the attendants answered. “Every update you gave us, we gave to them… Even when we were descending, they wouldn’t go in and wake her up.” Finally, one of the attendants had woken the First Lady.

“Why?” Johnny asked.

“Because they’re scared of her.”

Over his career, Johnny would hear other negative stories about both Bill and Hillary from people who worked with them. One friend whose retirement papers were signed by Bill Clinton said, “I’m not even sure if I’ll keep them.”

Promotion ceremony for Johnny to Lieutenant Colonel. A single silver oak leaf serves as the rank insignia for the United States Air Fore Lieutenant Colonel. Shoulder marks with the single silver leaf are being installed to his uniform. In the United States Air Force, lieutenant colonel is a field-grade officer rank, just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel.

Johnny with General Colin Powell, 2003, flying to Cambodia.

Visiting Lenin's tomb on a flight to Russia, summer 2000.

Left: Johnny holding a model of Air Force Two and Peggy and Johnny at their home in Madisonville, 2023.

October, 2000

Normally, to schedule a flight, Johnny would simply contact the country’s embassy, but North Korea didn’t have an embassy in the United States. Instead, an American ambassador from the South Korean embassy had to travel across the Demilitarized Zone to the Swiss embassy in North Korea where he worked with Johnny to schedule the trip. Unfortunately, there was no way to call, so they had to communicate over the internet, and the internet in North Korea only worked for about four hours a day—often during the middle of the night in America.

Late at night, bleary-eyed, Johnny and the ambassador messaged back and forth working out details—what type of fuel the North Koreans would have, what kind of security they’d need, what runway to use. This last one was almost a big problem. The ambassador had to personally drive out to inspect the runway they’d chosen, only to discover that it was full of holes and unusable. They had to locate another one in better shape. Finally, the day of the flight arrived. Just hours before takeoff when everything was scheduled, a member of Albright’s staff asked what time the sun would rise in North Korea. They looked it up and found that it would rise about three hours after they landed.

“That’s not going to work,” said the staff member. “We’ve got to take off later.” He explained that they needed to land at sunrise in order to get the best pictures.

“Is there nothing you can do?” the staff member asked.

“Dude, it’s Sunday evening in Russia. You know the embassy isn’t going to be able to get anyone that counts.”

Nevertheless, they wanted the pictures. In the end, Johnny flew over Russia at the scheduled time then slowed the plane down as much as he could the moment they left Russian airspace. This added a few extra hours to the flight, and they landed just in time for the perfect photo op.

While Madeline Albright met with Supreme Leader Kim Jong-Il, the North Koreans offered to take the Air Force Two staff on a tour of the capital city, but they were so exhausted from the 19-hour flight they asked if they could go tomorrow instead. They were taken to North Korea’s “best” hotel where Johnny collapsed into a twin bed that was too short for him. Wanting to relax, he flipped on the TV. All three channels were showing the American baseball world series with Korean-speaking commentators. As Johnny drifted to sleep, he wondered what they were saying.

Of all the members of Bill Clinton’s cabinet, Madeline Albright was Johnny’s favorite; she was always polite to the staff, often visiting the cockpit to thank him after flights. Nevertheless, planning her upcoming trip was becoming quite a headache, but that wasn’t too surprising—Albright’s trip would be the first time a United States politician had visited North Korea.

“We cannot take off later,” Johnny responded. Their flight took them through Russian airspace, and they had a strict timeframe where the Russians were allowing them to cross. If they crossed outside that window, they would literally risk being shot down, as happened to a plane carrying a U.S. Congressman that accidentally drifted into Russian airspace in 1983.

Johnny slept for over 18 hours before waking for their handlers’ grand tour of the capital city. As they walked among stark and ugly utilitarian buildings, the group watched bicyclists wearing coats and ties swarm the streets in place of cars. The handlers led them to the Grand People’s Study House, North Korea’s national library. Inside, citizens typed away at computers. Johnny thought back to his trouble scheduling the flight, how the internet only worked for a few hours a day in North Korea. He wondered if the computers were even working or if this was all meticulously staged, like Albright’s sunrise photo shoot. The people

in the library were well dressed and never looked up from their computers, like actors intently studying their lines.

Next on their agenda was a subway with a whole three stops followed by a mosaic mural depicting socialist symbols. Finally, the day concluded with an acrobatic circus in a local stadium. They entered through a long corridor featuring a 20-foot statue of some North Korean official. But when they finally entered the stadium, Johnny’s blood froze. Around them, five thousand North Koreans sat in complete silence, staring at their feet, motionless as statues.

“There’s not a sound being made…” Johnny later recalled. “Nobody’s sneezing, coughing, sniffing.” It felt uncanny; he’d never seen this many people all dead quiet.

Elsewhere, Madeline Albright was facing a similar sight. She stood alongside Kim Jong-Il in the largest stadium in the world, and among the hundred thousand silent faces, every last pair of eyes was fixed solely on the Supreme Leader.

What Johnny experienced was similar, although on a smaller scale. The moment he and the other Americans took their seats, the lights dimmed and the curtains drew back. Suddenly, the crowd sprang to life, clapping and cheering for the duration of the show, just like an American audience. When the acrobatic circus was over, the crowd stood up to applaud then sat down and returned to complete silence.

Years later, that image still haunts Johnny. What had the North Korean government done to their citizens to keep such a large crowd so perfectly, horribly disciplined? Shaking his head, Johnny remarked, “That’s control.”

September, 2001

n the morning of the 11th, Johnny Payne was stationed at Andrews Airforce Base near Washington D.C. He had just finished a meeting with the staff when someone told him a building had been hit by an airplane. And suddenly, all the world had changed. He was watching the horrific news coverage when he got a call from a higher-up saying they needed to put the whole base on lockdown.

Johnny called his wife Peggy and said, “Turn on the TV.”

“Why? What’s up?” she asked.

He repeated: “Turn on the TV.”

It took a moment after she turned it on to realize what she was seeing—one of the Twin Towers was burning. Listening to the reporters, Peggy asked herself why a plane was even flying over Downtown New York. As a pilot’s wife, she knew they weren’t supposed to fly over cities like that. She was asking herself how a mistake like this could have happened when suddenly the second plane hit.

Every moment of this day would be seared into their memories.

Twenty-two years later, when asked how he had felt, Johnny Payne said, “I’d been in the Air Force, at that point, almost 19 years. We had gone through the Cold War, and supposedly, we had won the Cold War. And then we went off to fight for Kuwait, and we won that war. We freed the Kuwait people and hamstrung Saddam Hussein… So, I thought, maybe I’m going to be leaving this place a in little bit better shape to show for my 20 years in the military. And then that happened, and… now I’m questioning are we really any safer now than we were during the Cold War?” But in the moment, what filled him was fury—he wanted to find the people who did this.

Likewise, Peggy recalled, “You realize at that moment, we’ve lived history.” At the time, Johnny was only a year away from retirement, but suddenly, he and Peggy found themselves facing an uncertain future—no one can retire during times of war. In the end, he would only have to stay one extra year, but at the time, they had no idea what would happen.

At the end of the day, Johnny was allowed to go home. As he waited for the traffic to clear, he went to the top floor of the base and looked towards Washington D.C. Ten miles away, plumes of smoke rose from the Pentagon.

December, 2001

GODSPEED

Johnny was in Pakistan when the United States suffered its first casualty in the War on Terror. He was flying CIA director George Tenet when they received the news—American CIA officer Johnny Mike Spann had been killed while interrogating prisoners.

Immediately, Director Tenet asked if they could escort Spann’s body back to the U.S. After a few calls, they were able to alter the flight plan to land at Ramstein Air Base where Spann’s remains had been transported.

The next morning, they began their flight to the United States. Somehow the word must have gotten out that they were returning the remains because whenever they checked in, the air traffic controllers would say, “Godspeed, John Spann.”

When they landed, Spann’s parents and wife were waiting. They were led to the casket where they could have a private moment with their loved one. As they entered the plane, Payne saw the wife’s little child, younger than his own kids, and a baby in her arms. “It was really emotional,” Payne later recalled. “Now it’s hitting home.”

The flight attendants were instructed to serve the family, but several attendants would become overwhelmed with emotion and retreat to the cockpit to cry.

Thousands of Americans would die in the War on Terror. Here was the first.

STARBUCKS COFFEE, NO CHEESECAKE.

If the world had grown darker over the past few years, at least his passengers were kinder. The Bush Administration had left a profoundly different impression on him than had the Clinton Administration.

It started while he was waiting on Laura Bush to arrive for her first flight aboard Air Force Two, when one of the flight attendants told him, “Colonel Payne, she doesn’t really want to tell us what she wants for meals. She just says, ‘Whatever you do, I’ll be fine with.’”

Johnny had to smile at that. It was certainly an easier problem to deal with than Gore’s Dove Bar debacle. When Mrs. Bush arrived,

Johnny said, “Ma’am, our people are very serious about making sure you get what you want, and if there’s anything you want or don’t want, you need to let us know.”

The First Lady looked at him and said, “Well, I’ll tell you what, I prefer Starbucks coffee to anything else, and I really detest cheesecake. If you give me Starbucks coffee and no cheesecake, I’ll be very happy.”

It was the only request she ever gave them.

After the flight, Johnny checked the State Room where Mrs. Bush had been staying. A devotional book and Bible lay open beside

Johnny, Peggy, Laura Bush, Corbin, Matthew, Sophia and Roger. A letter and photo to Matthew from the President and Laura Bush when Matthew was twelve.

ohnny’s family stood together on the runway of Andrews Air Force Base, the wind whipping by, as the Marine Two helicopter approached. It descended, and Vice President Dick Cheney stepped off with his entourage. As usual, he was ten minutes early; you could have set a watch by him.

Today was Johnny’s final flight as pilot of Air Force Two, and as a thank you, he’d been allowed to bring his wife and four kids to meet the Vice President.

A few days before, they’d also gotten a chance to meet Laura Bush, and to Johnny’s horror, his son Roger had tried to hold up bunny ears behind the First Lady’s head. Thankfully, she had just laughed and said, “He’s too cute.” Needless to say, Roger’s mortified parents had reminded him many times not to do that to Cheney.

LAST FLIGHT

As the Vice President approached, he peered forward over the top of his lowered glasses in an intimidating glare. But as soon as he reached them, the glare melted into a warm smile that so contrasted with his public image.

Johnny later contrasted him with his predecessor: “If you only had the public perception on TV to go by, you would think Al Gore was just a Tennessean, big ‘Aw shucks,’ kind of guy that would come and say ‘hey,” and Cheney was this monster, but it was not that way. Cheney was a very warm, nice guy, and his staff loved him… I met Cheney a number of times.” He’d gotten to meet several members of his family including his daughter, Liz Cheney, who had left the same impression.

Cheney thanked Johnny for his service and asked where he was going now that

he was retiring. “Going back to Tennessee,” Johnny answered, “make good Republicans out of my kids.”

“There you go,” Cheney said, smiling. “That’s the place to take them.”

They talked for a few minutes before he moved on to Johnny’s wife and kids, shaking their hands, talking to each one in turn. Their youngest, Roger, was bad about not looking people in the eye, and they’d had to prep him. When it was his turn, Roger looked him right in the eye and resisted the urge to make bunny ears.

As soon as they were finished talking, Johnny said goodbye to his family and hurried up the steps and into the cockpit of the meticulously shined Boeing 757 for his final flight as pilot of Air Force Two—the conclusion of four years in a front seat to history.

Vice President Dick Cheney, Lt. Colonel Johnny Payne, Peggy Payne, Matthew, Corbin, Roger, and Sophia

This Spring the Bingham girls traveled to Round Top, Texas. Twice a year, in the spring and fall, the small Texas town of Round Top swells from its population of 90 to a few hundred thousand during this festival that they’ve hosted since 1968.

The antiques show is the largest of its kind in the country, stretching over 11 miles on either side of Texas State Highway 237. Visitors drive down the rural highway of TX-237 to shop barns, tents, and hayfields for authentic antiques, fine art, home decor and more.

It is just a short 15-hour drive from Knoxville.

Round Top Antiques Festival October 23rd through 28th, 2023

roundtoptexasantiques.com

The Round Top Antiques Show is more than dusty relics and shabby chic signage. It’s over two weeks of people flocking to Round Top, Texas, from across the U.S. It’s treasure hunts and a festival of epic proportions. It’s food, fun and friendships formed over shared searches for one-of-a-kind finds. It’s a level of insanity rarely seen in the Texas countryside — and it happens twice a year.

The Round Top Antiques Show has over 65 venues in about a 20 mile radius in the communites of Round Top, Warrenton, Carmine, Burton and Fayetteville.

Round Top has several permanent shops, attractions and galleries that call Round Top home. They also have unique restaurants and coffee shops. While they may be small, they have restaurants at the big-city level.

MONROE COUNTY

PRO RODEO WEEKEND

June 2nd through 3rd 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Monroe County Fairgrounds, 5240 Highway 411 Madisonville, TN

Through partnerships with the Monroe County Government, City of Madisonville, Hedrick Rodeo, and the Monroe County Department of Tourism, we are proud to bring you the Monroe Rodeo!

VisitMonroeTN.com/monroerodeo

CHEROHALA CHALLENGE

June 3rd

7 a.m.

Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center

Try one of the Southeast’s premier bike rides along the beautiful Cherohala Skyway. The event offers three distinctive rides—35, 62 and 115 miles—so almost anyone can find a ride that will fit their skill level.

SMWBikeClub.org/Cherohala-Challenge

MonroeCountyFriendsofAnimals.org

STATEHOOD DAY

June 4th

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum

On June 1, 1796, Congress approved the admission of Tennessee as the sixteenth state of the Union. Our 1809 Blacksmith shop will be open with demonstrations going on throughout the afternoon. Come out and share the afternoon with living history in our 1800’s dog-trot log cabin.

Our Acorn Printing Press will be demonstrating throughout the day. All Statehood Day activities are free along with free admission to the museum.

SequoyahMuseum.org/events

SKYWAY OUTDOOR FESTIVAL

June 3rd

10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Charles Hall Museum & Heritage Center

RED, WHITE & BOOM

July 1st

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Historic Town Square, Tellico Plains

The Town of Tellico Plains 4th Celebration sponsored by the Tellico Plains Kiwanis is a fun-filled family event with free admission. The Town of Tellico Plains and People’s Bank Stage will feature Riley Wear and River Jennings from 6 to 7 p.m. and our headline band, Highway 33 will perform from 7 to 10 p.m. At the Volunteer Federal Kids Zone (adult supervised area) kids can enjoy a water slide and bounce house by BB’s Bouncers (wristband $5).

A spectacular fireworks shows will immediately follow sponsored by the Tellico Plains Police Department.

Facebook.com/ TellicoPlainsKiwanis2016

ANNUAL INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION: SWEETWATER

MCFA FIRST ANNUAL BARK IN THE PARK

June 3rd 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kefauver Park, Madisonville

Enjoy fun activities for dogs and humans— vendors, food trucks, and a parade! There are dog adoption opportunities.

This festival will host vendors, food trucks, outdoor specialists, and more, while also promoting safe cycling skills and driver, cyclists, pedestrian safety. Enjoy a full KidZone with bicycle giveaway for area youth, fishing instruction, pedestrian and bicycle road safety, waterway safety plus lots of things for grownups too with vendors galore!

VisitMonroeTN.com/skywayoutdoorfestival

July 4th

3 p.m. to dark

Historic Downtown Sweetwater

Celebrate America’s independence with food, live music, Dancing in the Streets, a 5k race, and fireworks!

VisitMonroeTN.com/allevents

See special guest Bill Landry from the Heartland Series.

SEQUOYAH REMEMBRANCE DAY

August 6th 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum

Sequoyah Birthplace Museum in Vonore, TN will be celebrating Sequoyah Remembrance Day and Sequoyah’s contribution to the Cherokee people by creating a writing system, the Cherokee Syllabary, with free admission to the museum from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The 1809 Cherokee Blacksmith shop will be up and running with demonstrations all through the afternoon. Local demonstrators will also be set up demonstrating pine needle baskets and Gary Holt will be talking about the Cherokees in the Civil War in our 1800’s dog-trot log cabin.

SequoyahMuseum.org/events/

LOUDON COUNTY

LENIOR CITY ARTS AND CRAFTS FESTIVAL

June 3rd 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and

June 4th 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Lenoir City Park, 6707 City Park Dr

Their Artists and Crafts people come from the southeast and beyond, bringing you the very best of their unique wares. Many fine artists working in various media including oils, water color, acrylics, pastels, charcoal, and pen

and ink. Our craftspeople specialize in the traditional crafts as well as those which have developed more recent appeal: woodworking and carving, stitchery, pottery, stained glass, leather-work, and fiber arts where common materials are skillfully transformed into objects of great beauty and distinction.

LenoirCityArtsAndCrafts.com

NIGHTS ON BROADWAY IN DOWNTOWN LENOIR CITY

June 16th

4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

A great Summer evening event with music, food, arts and crafters! Bring your lawn chair and enjoy listening to music.

LoudonCountyChamberofCommerce.com

Enjoy entertainment on three stages, 200 food and craft vendors, local shopping, and Mayfield Dairy Contests.

FriendlyCityFestivals.com/moofest/

2023 ATHENS SOAP BOX DERBY

June 3rd

Soap Box Derby racing is an event that the whole family can enjoy.

Each participant will use Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to prepare their car to race.

SoapBoxDerby.org/athens.aspx

MCMINN COUNTY

MOOFEST

June 3rd

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Downtown Athens, TN

PINE NEEDLE BASKETRY

June 17th

10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

McMinn Living Heritage Museum

Learn the ancient craft of pine needle basket making with Tonya Dockery. Bring a sack lunch.

Class size is limited to 10. Cost is $25 for nonmembers/$20 members

LivingHeritageMuseum.org/ upcoming-programs-events

18TH CENTURY FASHION

June 24th 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. McMinn Living Heritage Museum

18th Century Fashion with Keith Bester. $5.00 or free with membership.

LivingHeritageMuseum.org/upcomingprograms-events

THE HISTORY OF FORMER GOVERNOR DEWITT CLINTON SENTER

July 15th

11 a.m. to noon McMinn Living Heritage Museum

Dr. William Hardy of Lincoln Memorial University will be sharing the history of Dewitt Clinton Senter (March 26, 1830 – June 14, 1898) an American politician who served as the 18th Governor of Tennessee from 1869 to 1871.

LivingHeritageMuseum.org/upcomingprograms-events

FARRAGUT

INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE

July 4th

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

Kingston Pike/Stadium Dr to Boring Road

This annual 4th of July parade features floats, bands, dancers, animals, antique cars and more!

VisitFarragut.org/event/ independence-day-parade/

ETOWAH OLD FASHIONED FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

July 4th

L&N Depot Museum 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.

3RD ANNUAL BATTLE OF ATHENS FESTIVAL

July 29th

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Athens Market Pavilion

Come to the 3rd Annual Battle of Athens Festival. They say the 3rd time is a charm! Bigger, better, more food trucks, vendors, community games and entertainment!

Facebook.com/BattleofAthens75

FARRAGUT FREEDOM RUN ONE-MILE & TWO-MILE

July 4th

9 a.m.

11408 Municipal Drive, Farragut, TN 37934

Race in front of the Farragut Independence Day Parade on July 4th at the annual Freedom Run 1 Mile & 2 Mile! Runners and walkers of all ages are welcome to enjoy a relatively flat/fast 1- and 2-mile course.

FleetFeet.com/s/knoxville/races/ farragut-freedom-run

DOG DAZE

August 11th through 13th

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Village Green Shopping Center, 11435 Kingston Pike, Farragut, TN 37934

This 3-day festival of fun, food, and shopping is highlighted by the Smoky Mountains Dock Dogs canine diving competition. Watch dogs leap through events such as big air and speed retrieve while enjoying food from local restaurants and food trucks. Shop from a wide variety of vendors and visit local merchants throughout the Village Green Shopping Center. This event is free to all canines and their owners!

VisitFarragut.org/event/dog-daze-2

FUN WITH THE FLEET

August 19th

9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Mayor Bob Leonard Park, 301 Watt Road, Farragut, TN 37934

Kids have the opportunity to see, touch and climb on big trucks and equipment at Farragut’s Mayor Bob Leonard Park. this family-friendly free event in East Tennessee brings out the kid in all of us!

VisitFarragut.org/event/fun-with-the-fleet

KNOXVILLE MARKET SQUARE FARMERS MARKET

Every Wednesday through November 15th 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Every Saturday through November 18th 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Market Square Farmers’ Market is an open-air farmers’ market managed by Nourish Knoxville. Everything at the Market Square Farmers’ Market is grown, raised, and/or made by our vendors within a 150mile radius of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Products vary by season and include fresh fruits & vegetables, eggs, honey, pastureraised meats, edible & ornamental plants, cut flowers, bread & baked goods, jams & jellies, coffee, artisan crafts, and more!

NourishKnoxville.org/market-squarefarmers-market

FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK

First Friday of Each Month

Downtown Knoxville

On the first Friday of each month, the streets of Downtown Knoxville come alive for one of our favorite events! A casual evening of connecting with friends and family—and experiencing art in all forms.

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

The thriving arts community is one of the things we love most about Knoxville. So come take a walk through our vibrant main streets and side streets, and experience the warmth and community of the neighborhood.

VisitKnoxville.com/knoxville-first-friday

OLD CITY MARKET

2nd Sundays through December 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4th Thursdays (night market) through October 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. West Jackson Avenue

The Old City Market transforms the historic Old City into a curated, outdoor market showcasing artists, crafters, and creative makers. Plus enjoy restaurants, coffee shops, and shopping for a day Downtown!

OldCityKnoxville.org/market beautification project—the Dogwood Trails.

SUMMER IN THE SMOKIES

June 10th through September 4th

Anakeesta

Enjoy a mountain of family fun at Anakeesta this summer. The Summer in the Smokies celebration begins June 10th and will feature Artist Sean Kenney’s Nature Connects, sculptures built with LEGO bricks, and an exhibit with whimsically-themed sculpture installations located throughout the park. Enjoy flavorful summertime menus and cocktails while taking in the very best live music at Black Bear Village where parents can relax and take in the views while kids cool off in the Splash Pad. This event is included with admission.

Anakeesta.com/summer-in-the-smokies

SMOKY MOUNTAIN TUNES AND TALES

July 1st through 31st

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Smoky Mountain Tunes & Tales returns this summer to entertain Gatlinburg visitors!

Tunes & Tales is a summer-long street performance festival featuring costumed musical performers, dancers, and storytellers portraying characters from time periods as far back as the 1800s.

Gatlinburg.com/event/smokymountain-tunes-and-tales/13

FIRST INDEPENDENCE DAY PARADE IN THE NATION

July 4th

12:01 a.m. to 2 a.m.

Gatlinburg’s award-winning Fourth of July Midnight Parade will step off at the intersection of East Parkway and Baskins Creek Bypass turning south onto the Parkway at traffic light #3. The parade continues through town ending at Ski Mountain Road. Parade-goers are encouraged to arrive early on Sunday, July 3, to avoid traffic and secure a place to watch the Midnight Parade along the Parkway.

Gatlinburg.com/event/first-independenceday-parade-in-the-nation/35

First needle biopsy, so women didn’t have to go to the hospital or operating room

1985

First multidisciplinary conference, which brought all the physicians involved in treating breast cancer together to customize and personalize every patient’s treatment

1997

First Hologic digital mammography, which allows for more clarity when reading mammograms

2005

Freezing small breast cancers in the instead of the operating room which lessens recovery time and surgical scars

2017

1983

Opened the breast center in Knoxville, which was woman owned, independent, and the only one within 700 miles

1988

First mobile mammography program in East Tennessee. KCBC’s mobile drives to surrounding areas for women who don’t have access to quality breast imaging

2002

First dedicated breast MRI, designed exclusively for diagnosing breast cancer and women’s comfort

2018

The to offer “no compression” breast imaging, it’s 3D mammography bu t better

2023

40 years of excellence to become the most trusted name in early detection