Issuu

FALL 2026

Life

ESTES KEFAUVER Series, Part 7 Sullins Eye Care: A Legacy Worth Seeing Monroe Life Balloon Festival 13 Years of Family Fun

FALL HAPPENINGS

Jen’s Jen’sLuxury Luxur Holidays y Holiday

t Jen’s Luxury Holidays, we transform Knoxville’s finest residences into seasonal masterpieces. From the first design conversation to the quiet morning we take it all down, every detail is handled with the discretion and craftsmanship your home deserves. No packages. No menus. Every project is designed and priced individually after your in-home consultation, so the investment reflects your home, your style, and the scope you envision. While each project is unique, all jobs begin at a $500 minimum. Book a complimentary Discovery Call directly on the calendar below. We respond to every inquiry personally within one business day.

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VIP SPONSOR OF THE MONROE LIFE BALLOON FESTIVAL

13th Annual Monroe Life Balloon Festival

With Woods This Beautiful Lining Our Fairways, You Just Might Be Tempted To Aim For Them. If you are a Tennessee resident, you know how beautiful it is throughout our state this time of year. Tee a ball up on any of our five Championship Golf Courses and you can get up close and personal with that beauty liked nowhere else. Especially out of bounds. The pace is relaxed here. And thanks to our 2087 feet of elevation, our cool dry fall air makes golf, hiking, tennis, pickleball, fishing, boating or swimming especially comfortable and fun. Stay & Play packages make a fall getaway to Fairfield Glade beautifully affordable too.

Now the fun begins.

For information or reservations, call 888-334-5233 www.fairfieldglade.com Located between Knoxville and Nashville, just a few miles from I-40 (Exit 322)

Master Gardner

Melampodium GAYLE FISHER

WHY ARE MY FLOWERS NOT BLOOMING?

Contents features

SWEET & SASSY: The Restoration Artist Has Expanded Her Shop!

FROM A LIFETIME ON TWO WHEELS TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PODIUM

Senator Estes Kefauver

10 departments

Bleu:

6. From The Publisher 32. Uncommonly Common

A LOVE STORY AND A LASTING LEGACY

62. Fall Happenings & Festivals

RENNESPORT The Most Exciting Roads In America

INGLES TABLE RECIPES

Work Here. Live Here. Build Something Real Here.

TBG

From FromthePublisher the Publisher

PUBLISHER

The Bingha here’s lot to love about football season, here is asomething special aboutfall—the fall in Eastbeautiful Tennessee.leaves, The mornings become a littleHalloween— PUBLISHER the mountains green forBalloon brilliant shades of redIt’s andhard gold, to believe this The Bingham GroupPresident butcooler, for me, the best begin part to oftrade fall istheir thesummer Monroe Life Festival. and before long, Saturdays are filled with the sounds of college football. Around our house, Lisa Atkins Bingha is our eleventh year! Each year, we work our hardest to throw a great festival for the people of President you’ll hear plenty of “Go Vols!” as another season of Tennessee football brings family and Monroe County and, more importantly, to raise money for the local Boys and Girls Club. We Lisa Atkins Bingham Graphic Designe friends together. donate all of our time and multiply the sponsors money with the event. Kathryn Bingham Graphic Designers

Fall also means one of my favorite weekends of the year, the Monroe Life Balloon Festival, Kathryn Bingham SENATOR ESTES held each Labor Day weekend at the Monroe CountyKEFAUVER Airport. As a board member of the Jason Bowers Helen Mullins Boys & Girls Club, it is an incredible privilege to help bring this event to our community In this issue, we start a 6-part series on Estes Kefauver. As some of Lisa Bingham each year. While the colorful hot air balloons may fill the sky, the true heart of the festival you may know, I purchased the Kefauver house in Madisonville, has always been the children we serve. Every ticket purchased, every sponsor, every vendor, Contributing Writers every volunteer, and every and attendee helps supportfor the two Boys & Girlsto Club 100%National of we’ve worked years getbecause it on the Registry Kristin West the festival’s profits go directly to the ClubPlaces. and the kids serve. Around here, we often say,be approved onJoe Guy of Historic ThisweSeptember, we will finally Gayle Fisher “It’s all about the kids,” and it truly is. Ray Hill

the state level. It will go on to the National Park Service for the official approval which about 45you days - finally! As we celebrate another beautiful season, I also want to saytakes thank you. Thank to our

Jim Edmunds

Jason Bowers Cris Littleton

Contributing W Gayle Fisher Ray Hill Matt Hollingswo Linda Humphrey Jenni Veal

Contributing Ph

Kelsey Bingham Contributing Photographers advertisers who believe in supporting local businesses and community storytelling. Thank Megan Brackett Brandon Johnson you to the individuals, families, organizations who open their doors and allow won the ViceDr. Trey Sullins The Moonshine F Inbusinesses, the 1956 and Democratic National Convention Kefauver us to share their incredible stories each month. East Tennessee is filled with remarkable Brett Rothmeyer Joey Exum

Presidential nomination, beating John F. Kennedy in the only Carlos Reveiz election JFK ever lost. Links to footage of the convention and the Advertising Sales Cover Cherohal first ever televised debate onfind oura quiet site.moment It was very As the leaves begin to change over the coming weeks, I hopeare you’ll to interesting to Tel: 865.523.5999 Shane Hawkins settle into your favorite chairme withtoa warm cup of coffee enjoy Tennessean the stories waiting inside actually see thisand famous in action. Subscription or Editorial Inquiries people, and it is our honor to tell those stories.

these pages. Take in the beauty of God’s creation as the mountains come alive with autumn color, and enjoy the stories of neighbors, families, traditions, and the people who make this community such anwww.farragutlife.com/kefauver extraordinary place to call home.

From to yours, thank for your Yellowstone, continued support. Next, join us formya family breathtaking tripyou through Grand Teton, and Glacier National We wish you a wonderful fall season, a happy Labor Day Parks. These three beautiful sites are perfect for nature lovers. weekend, safe travels, cherished time with those you love, and as always...Go Vols!

Also in this issue, read about fun events, mouthwatering Ingles Table fall recipes, and more. Withgreat gratitude, Looking for places to take your kids for Halloween? Look no further than our events section! And make some time to enjoy our beutiful Cherohala. Additionally, read Master Gardener Gayle Fisher’s advice on yellowjackets, poppies, and Ginkgo trees.

Kristin West 423-994-2946

Advertising Sale kristin@binghamgroup.comTel: 865.523.599 info@binghamgr

Angelica Durko Tel: 570-442-1015 Angelica@binghamgroup.com Subscription or Ed

Tel: 865.523.5999 www.monroelife.com

Tel: 865.523.599 www.monroelife

The Bingham Group, Inc. 11921 Kingston Pike, Suite 201 Knoxville, Tennessee 37934

www.binghamgroup.com Promoting my home region has always been a passion of mine, so I hope you enjoy our latest www.monroelife.com ww.mcminnlife.com President of The Groupwho make it all possible. Oakley Mae The Bingham Gro issue. Thank you to ourBingham advertisers www.farragutlife.com

Lisa Bingham

Publisher of Monroe, Farragut and McMinn Life Magazines

Lisa Atkins-Bingham 6 FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

MY GRANDBABY

11921 Kingston Knoxville, Tennes

www.binghamg www.monroelife

storytelling is our strength PRINT, BROADCAST AND ONLINE

Thirty-Two Successful Tennessee State Contracts Totaling Over $25 Million

CORE COMPETENCIES:

Thirty Years Of In-House Television Production National Award Winning Documentaries, Commercials, Long Format Corporate Videos and Reels

Media Strategy

Publisher Of Up To Fifteen Magazines A Year

Graphic Design

TBG Sells The Ads, Writes the Stories, Designs, Manages Printing and Has In-House Distribution

TV Broadcast Production

Large And Small Exhibits Trade Show Booths, A 700 ft x 12 ft High Exhibit With Television Monitors & Many Vehicle Wraps Founded and Manages The Largest Outdoor Fundraising Event In East Tennessee The Monroe Life Balloon Festival is a Two Day Event That Raises Money For The Boys And Girls Club

Copy Writing

Video Production Corporate Identity Market Research Logo Design Web Design Social Media Management

small, woman owned business tdot dbe certified

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11921 KINGSTON PIKE, SUITE 201, KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE 37922 865-523-5999 865-469-4946 LISA@BINGHAMGROUP.COM

Building Tomorrow Together This is what the American energy future looks like. What tomorrow holds depends on what we do today. That’s why we’re working with you. Together, we’ll create a cleaner environment. We’ll make sure communities can grow sustainably and electricity needs are met. And we’ll keep protecting the region’s land, water, and air. Learn more about how TVA is building tomorrow together at tva.com. 25-174223_09-2025

The engagement of Susan and Erik Ainge, a football player for UT from 2004-2007 Ainge was also the quarterback for the New York Jets. He is currently host of the Erik Ainge Show on FM 99.1 Sports Radio WNML in Knoxville, TN.

e have been serving this community since 1986, and we pride ourselves on creating the highest quality custom jewelry designs in the greater Knoxville area. We have been blessed to see our small business grow to manufacture, on average, 400 custom in-house designs per year. Using a variety of new and old techniques to accomplish the customers' goals, we are eager to help tailor our shop's abilities to each special moment. Traditionally, a wax carver would create your item by hand, then it would be cast into gold. The customer would rarely be involved in viewing the item before the casting process. Today's newest technology allows us to rely on the much more accurate and efficient form of milling machines to carve the wax. We can take the same file we send to the milling machine and also 3D print

11320 KINGSTON PIKE

the prototype into a plastic model, which allows the customer to view the design before we move into the milling or casting processes. These new additional steps give our customers the ability to make changes, edit, and view photorealistic renders from the design software. While this is becoming a standard practice in our industry, we have been using these softwares, milling machines, and printers in our shop since 2004, giving us possibly one of the largest databases of pre-designed custom items in the area. Our archive is growing every day with new versions of projects, so we currently keep a database of images, prototypes, and photos of finished items in the showroom for new customers to discuss or see the level of work we do on a daily basis.

at our West Knoxville location is something we take much pride in. Without outsourcing the work or purchasing products that were not manufactured to our standards, we can assure our customer base that the priority of our entire team is the quality and workmanship we can provide. While there are many reputable manufacturers in our industry, we truly believe we are able to provide our customers with the same quality, materials, manufacturing, and workmanship that is available at any premier retail establishment in the world."

All jewelry is manufactured somewhere in this world, so why not here in Knoxville, and why not exclusively for you? The ability to look past our register, through the glass into our shop, and see your items being created

•

KNOXVILLE, TN 37934

•

865.777.3793

farrag ut

Knoxville’s Best Jeweler!

SATURDAY SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 5TH SEPTEMBER 6TH 4PM - 10PM

Enjoy balloon rides, live music, food, games, an inflatable Kid’s Zone and much more all while supporting the Boys & Girls Club of Monroe County. The two-day Balloon Festival begins on Saturday, September 5th and runs through Sunday, September 6th, from 4pm – 10pm. The finale each night will be a Balloon Glow set to music with colorful hot air balloons beginning at dusk. We have some of the most talented balloon pilots in the country excited to entertain the community. We invite everyone to come out and join in the celebration!

MONROE COUNTY AIRPORT, 350 AIRPORT ROAD, MADISONVILLE

AIRPLANES, CLASSIC AND EXOTIC CAR CLUBS ON DISPLAY www.monroelifeballoonfestival.com This is a rain or shine event. No Refunds. Balloons will fly weather permitting.

BRING YOUR LAWNCHAIR OR BLANKET, HAVE DINNER AND STAY FOR THE BALLOON GLOW AT DUSK

TETHERED RIDES

CLASSIC PLANES

FUN FOOD

BUY TICKETS ONLINE OR AT THE GATE www.monroelifeballoonfestival.com Photo By Joey Exum

GENERAL ADMISSION ADULTS: $15 CHILDREN UNDER 4: FREE

VIP TICKETS $125

A FUNDRAISER FOR THE BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF MONROE COUNTY Photos are from previous years,

CRAFT VENDORS • CLOWNS • FUNNEL CAKES • BARBEQUE • CORN DOGS • PULLED PORK SAN

SKIP DURHAM BALLOONMEISTER and his wife, TONI DURHAM

Mischief

MISCHIEF

Memphis, Tennessee Skip and Toni have been involved in ballooning since 2009, first as a private pilot flying for fun and then as a commercial pilot. In 2010, they formed Bluff City Balloon to give others the fun and enjoyment of a private hot air balloon ride. They are 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. Mischief is 120,000 square foot, 9 stories tall, birthday is 2019. Basket has a door handicap accessible. I asked for the height in feet, and he said, “90 feet? Never been asked and that is not part of the specs.”

STAINED HORIZON

Marshall Grower Hatton, Alabama Marshall Gower, 32, is an Asset Reliability Leader at Constellium, where he ensures the efficiency and reliability of the company’s assets. He is married to Tesa with two daughters Sadie and Emma and balances his professional career with his passion for aviation. In June 2021, Marshall earned his fixed-wing pilot’s license, and in 2023, he furthered his aviation credentials with a lighter-thanair license.

BUY TICKETS ONLINE OR AT THE GATE We will have separate gates for attendees that already have tickets.

www.monroelifeballoonfestival.com 12

FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

NDWICHES • FRIED OREOS • HAMBURGERS • COTTON CANDY AND OTHER FUN FOODS!

CALYPSO

DELTA BELLE

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 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,

“π IN THE SKy”

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.

Tabatha Rainwater Knoxville, Tennessee Tabatha Rainwater flies "π in the sky" hot air balloon. She will be joining us from Knoxville, Tennessee. Go Vols! Fun fact: Tabatha has previously attended this event with her family before becoming a hot air balloon pilot!

Mike Hanson Greenville, Mississippi Mike has owned and operated a successful small ride operation since 1992 to present. He has been a commercial hot air balloon pilot for Bryan Foods, Sara Lee, Mossy Oak and Mississippi Printng. He has flown for several high-profile passengers including, President Bill Clinton, Al Gore, Brooks and Dunn, 38 Special and User. He has also been a pilot for the Make-A-Wish foundation. He was a LTA pilot for charity fundraiser for Palmer Home for Children and Peavey Electronics Orphan relief project. In 2016 he was the BFA Rookie of the Year. Mike is the organizer and speaker for Canton Mississippi Hot Air Balloon Safety Seminar from 2018 to present. He is the Balloon Meister for Grenada Lake Thunder on Water and Greenville Mississippi Aviation Days from 2018 to present. He is the Competition Director and assist the Balloon Meister for the Mississippi Balloon Championship. He has 2700+ hours as pilot of command of Hot Air Balloons.

FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

CALYPSO I have been flying hot air balloons since 1978. When my wife took her first ride in 1977 she landed and screamed “we gotta get one!” Of course I said “ sure”. She bought me a ride for Christmas and when I landed I said “we gotta get one!’ We bought our first balloon that night. My first ride cost $100, my second ride was $9000. I have flown at events around the country since.

KODACHROME

I have been a member of the BFA and two term president of the Balloon Society of Kentucky. I am also the recipient of the “Ed Yost Master Pilot Award” given by the BFA. Most notable winnings from balloon events are a $10,000 and a new car. I am currently instructing my youngest daughter for her own pilot’s certificate.

Frank Stevenson Kentucky Frank started helping with Balloons in the 1980’s and fell in love with the sport. He continued as a crew member until the pilot he was helping decided to stop flying. He then received his pilot’s license in 2008 and he has enjoyed every minute of it. He usually flys around his hometown of Frankfort, KY, but he has flown in Albuquerque, New Mexico and several other events in the southeastern states.

STINKY

Mark Epperson Kentucky John Hitron Kentucky

FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

DANCES WITH CLOUDS

My love for hot air balloons traces back to the 2017 Albuquerque NM fiesta event. Many wonderful adventures led to acquiring our balloon, named ‘Dances With Clouds’, my private pilot’s certificate in August 2024 and commercial certificate in May 2026.

SUNSET DREAMS

Fred Poole Meridian, Mississippi

Tom Steinbock Crestwood, Kentucky

Fred Poole has a long history in aviation. He is a skydiver with over 700 jumps, a fixed wing pilot with a seaplane rating and of course a commercial hot air balloon pilot.

Tom has loved balloons ever since he was seven years old. At that age, his next-door neighbor hired someone to fly the very first Kentucky Derby Balloon Race and Tom got involved with chasing and helping crew balloons. “ I fell in love with it when I was really young and I’ve been doing it ever since.” Tom said.

His company Champagne Sunrise operates out of Meridian Mississippi and has taken hundreds of passengers for rides over the years. No stranger to adventure his wife Lori is a certified skydiver with over 200 jumps and his son Devon is a Open Water certified SCUBA diver, both are an integral part of the balloon crew and support Champagne Sunrise every flight.

This year was the 50th anniversary of the race and Tom has been involved every single year, with the sole exception of 1982 when he was building a house. But Tom didn’t feel too left out that year, because the finish line for the race just so happened to be his front yard!

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.

In 2016, he completed a childhood dream by winning the Kentucky Derby Balloon Race. “The goal to be one of my top favorite memories of all time.” Tom said. “ I was just at the right place at the right time when I won.”

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.

Mike Wahl Decatur, Alabama

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.

Mike Wahl releases the small helium balloon and watches carefully as it twists and turns in the air currents. He needs to know what direction the wind is blowing at all different altitudes. The information is critical if he’s going to win the balloon rally.

JOURNEY

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.

Mike boards his hot air balloon with his crew member and fires his burners, causing it to rise off the ground. Their target is a tall pole in the far distance with a key on the top. The competing balloonists will go one at a time and whoever grabs the key wins the event and gets one step closer to the rally’s $10,000 prize.

“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

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Ben Eakes Meridian, Mississippi My name is Benjamin Eakes, a hot air balloon pilot from Meridian Mississippi. I fell in love with aviation as a young child and always found myself looking to the skies. I graduated college with my FAA Airframe and Power Plant license in 2014 and started a career in general aviation specializing in corporate and business jet maintenance. During my time in college I had the opportunity to haveHot my Air firstBalloon exposure to ais The Alabama Jubilee Classic hot airitballoon fell in love!At the age of where all beganand forIJohnathon. 13, Johnathon started to crew for local pilots One evening in 2018 I was approached and that attended the annual Alabama Jubilee in asked if I wanted to wake up early and come Decatur, Alabama. help crew for a balloon. I was immediately excited because it had been some years since the last time I was continued around one. Theat His affinity for ballooning while pilot I met that morning was Fred Poole. Auburn University, graduating in 2016 with aHe was very instructedFrom me on2023 the degree in patient Electricaland Engineering. operation of his balloon and what I needed through 2025,did childhood friends Joseph and to do. Little I know that would be the Dustin with Marshall Gower, start ofCole, a lifealong long journey for me. I found added Johnathon’s diverse myselftocrewing for him morecrewing and more and one day he during told metheir “getindividual in!” Shocked at thein experiences journeys opportunity, I hopped right on in the basket aviation.

and before I knew it we were gracefully floating through the air. I knew from that moment I wanted to be a hot air balloon pilot! After crewing for several years off and on, Fred told me to get a log book and he would teach me to fly as long as I crew for him. I did not even have to think about that because it was a great opportunity. I dedicated my time to crewing every weekend, traveling the country when he had different events or festivals. Finally, in August 2025, Johnathon started his Onepersonal thing I learned crewing own aviationquickly journeyisasthat a student is not for the faint of heart! My flight pilot under commercial pilots, Marshalltraining Gower began in spring of 2023, and I worked hard. (Stained Horizon) and Jeff Maddox (Jubilee I gained flight hours every chance I couldand Heaven Bound). get. During these flights I tried to absorb as much information as possible. After many lessons a Kubrickreceived 120 I washisfinally Inflight August 2026,inJohnathon LTA told it’s time for me to really look at getting a private pilot certificate. balloon of my own. Remembering howIhis own journey began In the fall of 2023 purchased my first hot21 years ago, Johnathon encourages in With his air balloon a, Thunder and Colt youth AX8-90. own communityoftomy crew for instructor him and local the assistance great and familyknowing of friendsit will the foster nameaoflove “Silver Switch” pilots, of this was decided. I had more lessons flying magical sport we call many ballooning.

SILVER SWITCH BLUE KALEIDOSCOPE my balloon and gained more confidence with every flight. I received my private pilots license in June of 2024. I am a firm believer that crewing before you learn to fly is the best way to learn. My journey from crewing for the first time to now being a pilot has given me so much more respect for the crew. Our sport of flying is not possible without a dependable crew. I am looking forward to a life full of flights and adventure. I highly encourage anyone who is interested to get with a pilot and start the journey for themselves. The sky is the limit!

Tim Hoffman Tellico Plains, Tennessee ATTACK AT DAWN

Attack at Dawn was built by Tim Hoffman in Tellico Plains the spring of 2024, more than 600 yards of ripstop fabric being used in the construction. The balloon is registered as an experimental aircraft and flown for non commercial purposes. A native of Monroe County, Tim earned his pilots license in February 2025. Tim’s interest in Ballooning started with his love for aviation, and especially anything lighter-than-air, including balloons and airships. On still mornings, Tim and Attack at Dawn are often seen in the skies over Monroe County.

RESERVED PARKING • GOURMET SOUTHERN FARE

VIP PASS ON SALE $125 A PERSON

FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

Dinner Provided By Longhorn Steakhouse

THANK YOU TO ALL OUR VOLUNTEERS AND SPONSORS

The Civil Air Patrol (Crew) With The Pilots

Calypso Paul Wilson

Cummudgeon

C H A R I TA B L E F U N D

MEDIA SPONSORS The Advocate The Buzz Knoxville News Sentinel WGSM

The Daily Post Athenian The Maryville Daily Times Cleveland Daily Banner

WBIR WATE WVLT

FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

STOWERS: Power, Purpose And A Piece of History! A longtime East Tennessee business helps bring something unforgettable to the Monroe Life Balloon Festival. For more than six decades, Stowers Machinery Corporation has built its name on hard work, service, and relationships. Founded by the Stowers family in 1960, the company grew alongside East Tennessee, adapting through changing industries while holding tight to one principle: take care of your people and the community you call home. That same spirit of stewardship extends beyond the walls of Stowers Machinery and into the communities they proudly support, including the Monroe Life Balloon Festival. For festival guests, the Stowers name will once again be connected to one of the weekend’s most unforgettable and loudest attractions… a P-51 Mustang. Wes Stowers grew up around the family business, but long before he became president of Stowers Machinery, he dreamed of becoming a fighter pilot. After graduating from the Air Force Academy, he spent 12 years in the United States Air Force, serving as a fighter pilot with assignments around

the world before returning home to East Tennessee in 1988. Flying Never Left Him. Today, one of Wes’s great passions is preserving vintage aircraft and sharing them with others- not simply as machines, but as pieces of American history. Among them is “Ain’t Misbehavin’,” his beautifully restored P-51 Mustang, a type of long-range fighter flown by the U.S. Army Air Forces during World War II. Restored in 2010, the aircraft carries the exact paint specifications of the original Ain’t Misbehavin’, flown by Capt. Jesse Frey during the war. And this year, Wes and the Mustang are coming back to the Monroe Life Balloon Festival. Those who experienced it last year already know: this is something you don't simply see. You hear it. You feel it. And you remember it. Against a sky filled with colorful hot-air balloons, the unmistakable sound and raw power of the Mustang create a moment unlike anything else at the festival. Its polished beauty is breathtaking on the

THE MUSTANG IS COMING BACK! 18

FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

ground, but when that historic aircraft takes to the East Tennessee sky, history suddenly feels very much alive. Bring the whole family and experience something truly extraordinary. See the Mustang up close, hear the unmistakable roar of its engine, and imagine the young pilots who climbed into aircraft just like it more than 80 years ago. For Wes, sharing the Mustang fits naturally with a life and career centered around stewardship. His commitment to taking care of people, giving back, and “paying it forward” reflects the values that have shaped him personally and continue to guide Stowers Machinery. That same generosity helps make experiences like the Monroe Life Balloon Festival possible. Thank you to Stowers Machinery and Wes Stowers for continuing to invest in our community-and for bringing a little horsepower and a whole lot of history to the Monroe Life Balloon Festival. This Labor Day weekend, as the balloons fill the sky, keep your eyes up and your ears open.

A PROUD SPONSOR OF THE MONROE LIFE BALLOON FESTIVAL

Gayle Fisher

MASTER GARDENER

Melampodium

OR CUSHION ZINNIA

ne of my favorite plants this time of year is Melampodium. It is almost three feet tall, and the plants are covered in beautiful yellow flowers. This neighbor from south of the border is sometimes known as cushion zinnia here in America. In Mexico, this plant is a perennial, but here in Tennessee it is an annual. They die at the first hint of frost. These sunny yellow daisies prefer full sun, warm weather, and good drainage but can tolerant poor, dry soils. The plants have very dense foliage with a mound shape. The foliage itself is a very bright green with rough hairy, pointed leaves. The one inch, daisy-like flowers, cover the plant all summer. The yellow in the Melampodium is a clean, clear yellow with no hint of orange so that it looks great growing alongside blue flowers. Melampodium is a cinch to grow from seed. You can sow directly in the garden after all danger of frost in the early spring, or you can start them indoors eight weeks prior to outdoor

FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

planting. This tidy little plant allows the yellow flowers to drop away quickly and cleanly as they fade, leaving behind only a calyx ring of little brown seeds. No dead heading is necessary. Cushion Zinnias will continue to grow in an ever-widening globe shape expanding up to three feet wide. They will take over smaller nearby plants. They can self-seed but never where you want them. I always find myself digging or pulling them up from the pathway between beds or the surrounding area. They have a long taproot but if you are diligent, they can be transplanted. They also do well in containers, the larger the pot the better. When I first started gardening, I planted Melampodium that I had bought from a local nursery. I never had any luck in getting it

to self-sow. I had a friend who was enjoying great returns from her plants. In fact, she treated them like a thug plant and was always pulling them up, being surprised at where the birds or wind had sowed them. I expressed an interest in having some of her cushion zinnias and she asked that I wait until fall. After the first hard frost she brought me a large trash bag filled with dead Melampodium. After seeing the quizzical look on my face she said, “Just shake them out wherever you want plants next year”. Naturally, I let them sit in the garage for another three weeks. Guilt finally caught up with me, and I took the trash bag of dead plants out into the gardens. She was correct. Late the next spring I had a profusion of lime green plants sprouting. I was not sure at first what they were, but the green was a different color from my usual assortment of weeds. Fast forward ten years. My friend has moved twice since then so this year I got the great privilege of returning a trash bag full of dead plants to her so that she can again enjoy this sunny yellow puff with bright green leaves.

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE MONROE LIFE BALLOON FESTIVAL

FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

THE MOST EXCITING ROADS IN AMERICA! The Cherohala Skyway is a 43-mile National Scenic Byway from Tellico Plains Tennessee to Robbinsville North Carolina. The Tail of the Dragon is a twisting serpent of a road on the TennesseeNorth Carolina state line, famously said to have 318 curves in 11 miles. It can be dangerous as testified by the tree at the beginning of he route decorated with pieces of crushed cars and bikes but it’s also exciting. It’s a beautiful road that we covered in our Summer 2024 issue that you can find on our website. DRIVING EVENTS: September 11th-13th Vettes Versus the Dragon Three-day event open to all Corvettes www.smokymountaindrives.com September 19th Dragon Rally® LVII by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all makes of sports cars)

October 17th Dragon Rally® LVIII by Smoky Mountain Drives (open to all makes of sports cars)

October 23rd-25th Rennsport Dragon Rally

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Bleu:A LOVE STORY AND A LASTING LEGACY

Some people restore old trucks.

Michael Szilvagyi restores memories.

Step inside Michael's workshop and you'll quickly discover that his beautifully restored 1951 Chevrolet 3100 is far more than a classic pickup. Every bolt, every polished piece of chrome, every carefully routed wire, and every piece of handcrafted hardwood tells a story. The truck is affectionately known as Bleu, named for Michael's beloved wife, Laurie. More than a beautiful shade of blue, the name represents a life they built togetherone rooted in love, creativity, faith, family, and an appreciation for the little details that make life meaningful. Long before Michael ever turned the first wrench, Chevrolet trucks were already part of his story. Growing up in Michigan, his father owned a pickup just like it. A treasured photograph from 1956 captures a young Michael proudly standing beside his dad's truck- a childhood memory that quietly became the inspiration for a project decades in the making.

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Over the years, Michael built a life around solving problems and creating with his hands. He worked in landscaping, engineering, served in the Army, became a gunsmith, repaired appliances, worked as an electrician, and ultimately retired from DTE Energy in 2006. After he and Laurie built their home, Michael designed a workshop where he could continue doing what he loved most. After inheriting a little money, he decided he wanted something more meaningful than another home project.

He wanted to build something with history. So he bought an old Chevrolet. Then he completely took it apart. At one point, every piece of the truck lay scattered throughout the shop. "There was a time," Michael laughs, "when I honestly wondered how this thing was ever going to go back together. It felt like trying to eat an elephant." Like every worthwhile journey, it came together one piece at a time. BUILT WITH PURPOSE

Bleu is far from a stock restoration. It’s what enthusiasts call a restomod- a timeless Chevrolet thoughtfully updated with modern engineering while preserving the character Michael fell in love with as a boy.

Its deep dark metallic blue paint took nearly two years to find, inspired by the color of a Grand Sport Corvette Michael discovered in Scottsdale, Arizona. But Laurie gave Bleu its signature touch with one simple suggestion. “Paint the fenders black.” That one decision transformed the truck from beautiful to unforgettable. Walk around Bleu once and you’ll admire the gleaming paint, whitewall tires with classic Chevrolet hubcaps, and vintage artillery wheels. Walk around it a second time and you’ll begin noticing the craftsmanship- the varnished hardwood bed built from premium lumber sourced from North Carolina furniture makers, the black bed strips framing every board, and an engine bay where every detail is meticulously finished. Michael completed nearly all of the wiring himself, carefully modernizing the truck while preserving its classic soul. He sourced the engine from Arkansas, worked with a local craftsman on the upholstery, and personally refinished the dash, panels, shifters, trim, and countless interior details. Underneath its timeless appearance lies a professionally built drivetrain producing roughly 350 horsepower, complemented by Wilwood power brakes, heated seats, updated steering, modern electronics, and countless thoughtful improvements that make Bleu every bit as enjoyable to drive as it is to admire. Even the gas tank tells a story. Rather than leaving the fuel tank inside the cab as Chevrolet originally designed, Michael installed an earlierstyle, 1947-48 tank configuration, creating a cleaner, safer interior while maintaining the truck’s classic lines.

Every decision had a purpose. Even the vintage curb feelers mounted beside the whitewall tires carry family history. Passed down from Michael’s father, they protect the tires by making that familiar scratching sound just before the whitewalls touch a curb. Some might call them outdated. Michael calls them tradition. The craftsmanship borders on artistry, but Bleu was never built to sit behind velvet ropes. It was built to be driven, enjoyed, and shared- to create new memories while honoring old ones. Walk around Bleu one more time and something remarkable happens. You stop seeing a truck. You begin seeing a lifetime. A LOVE STORY THAT KEEPS ROLLING

Bleu has earned top honors at the Brushy Mountain Car Show and a coveted Triple Crown title in Nashville. Yet for Michael, the awards have never been the destination. The true reward has always been the journey. Friends describe him as a man of few words but countless acts of kindness. His workshop has become a place where fellow enthusiasts gather to lend a hand, share ideas, and keep old trucks- and lasting friendships- alive. Although Michael built Bleu with his hands, Laurie’s heart is woven into every mile. An accomplished painter, Laurie’s awardwinning artwork reflected extraordinary beauty, unwavering faith, and an eye for details most people overlooked. Every brushstroke carried intention. In her later years, the ginkgo leaf became a meaningful symbol of endurance, hope, resilience, and God’s

faithfulness. Those same qualities quietly live on throughout Bleu. Even today, Laurie remains part of every drive. A custom light bearing her name shines from within the truck- a gentle reminder that she’s still riding along. Michael and Laurie were two remarkable artists who simply chose different canvases. Laurie painted with brushes and color. Michael paints with steel, wood, and chrome. Together they built a life filled with creativity, humor, craftsmanship, and faith. Every time Bleu rumbles to life, their story continues. This isn’t simply a restored Chevrolet. It’s a rolling family album. It’s a son honoring the memories of his father. It’s a husband honoring the love of his life. Beyond the gleaming blue paint, polished chrome, and beautifully finished hardwood lies something no trophy can measure. A lifetime of memories. A lifetime of purpose. A lifetime of love. Because the greatest restorations aren’t about bringing old trucks back to life. They’re about preserving the people who gave them meaning in the first place.

Michael and Laurie Szilvagyi, along with their family, pose with the 1951 Chevrolet pickup shortly after bringing it home. Years later, that same truck would be transformed into Bleu, an award-winning restoration built with craftsmanship, purpose, and love. The second photo is their family after restoration

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National Champions Lynn and Jeff Sims proudly wear the Stars and Stripes jerseys reserved for U.S. National Champions- Lynn earning hers in XCO in Roanoke, Virginia, and Jeff in Downhill at Big Bear Lake, California. When those jerseys show up at the starting line, fellow competitors know exactly who has arrived: “Here come the Stars and Stripes.”

By Kristin West

Chasing Mountains FROM A LIFETIME ON TWO WHEELS TO THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PODIUM

I magine flying down a mountainside at

nearly 25 miles per hour, navigating rocks, jumps, and drop-offs- or battling through a grueling course carved into the side of a mountain, with an active volcano rising in the distance. For most of us, that sounds a little crazy. For Jeff and Lynn Sims, it sounds like an adventure.

After decades of experience and nearly eight years of focused training and racing, they had built something worth testing on the world stage. When the opportunity came, they didn’t hesitate. This time, the trail led to Chile. Five hours south of Santiago, Jeff and Lynn arrived at Nevados de Chillán for the UCI

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Masters Mountain Bike World Championships, where riders from around the world compete in five-year age groups. The setting made the championship especially memorable: a ski resort high in the Chilean Andes, with courses carved into the slopes of an active volcanic complex rising more than 10,000 feet. Lynn won her age group in XCO (cross country), becoming a UCI Masters World Champion, while Jeff took third in his age group in Downhill. Both reigning U.S. National Champions, they now stood together on a World Championship podium.

Lynn - The Rainbow Jersey More than a jersey, it’s one of cycling’s greatest honors. Lynn earned the coveted rainbow jersey with her World Championship victory in Chile, marking her as a UCI Masters World Champion and giving her the honor of racing in the rainbow stripes during her year as reigning champion.

USA Cycling athletes delivered strong performance at the 2026 Masters Mountain Bike World Championships in Nevados de Chillan, Chile, March 25 - 29, earning eight podium finishes across Downhill and XCO, including four World Titles! The Sims were two of the eight! A Family Built on Two Wheels

Long before Chile, cycling was part of the Sims’ life together. Jeff and Lynn both grew up on bicycles, and more than 60 years later, they’re still riding- a love that naturally found its way to mountain biking when they discovered the sport in the 1980s. Their roots trace back to Michigan, where they grew up, attended Michigan Tech, and developed a love for cycling that followed them through 40 years of marriage, three children, and countless miles together. That love found its way into the next generation. Their daughter Sierra developed a passion every bit as strong as her parents’ and has helped both continue growing as athletes. Today, Sierra is a professional cyclist racing for Winston-Salem and also serves as her mother’s coach. She and Lynn have shared cycling adventures through Iceland and Europe- experiences that capture what Lynn loves most about cycling: the freedom to explore places you might never see from a car. Sierra also introduced Jeff to the sport that would eventually take him to a World Championship podium. While she raced for the University of Tennessee club cycling team, an event at Windrock gave Jeff his first taste of downhill. With a childhood history

of dirt bikes and a love for speed, challenge, and adrenaline, downhill was a natural fit. He was hooked. Different disciplines may bring different thrills, but cycling has remained one passion their family has spent a lifetime sharing- and now, it had carried Jeff and Lynn all the way to Chile. Learning The Mountain

At a World Championship, there isn’t much time to get comfortable. Riders have limited opportunities to learn unfamiliar courses, so Jeff and Lynn arrived early and made every practice run count.

For 56 minutes, Lynn battled through three punishing laps filled with difficult switchbacks, wooden boardwalks, technical drop-offs, that dreaded rock garden, and narrow sections along the mountainside where rope netting offered at least a little reassurance between riders and the drop below. She never surrendered the lead. Lynn crossed the finish line more than a minute ahead of her closest competitor, leaving her doubts somewhere behind her on the course- and adding World Champion to her already impressive résumé of titles.

For Lynn, one feature quickly became the enemy: the rock garden. It’s a technical stretch filled with rocks where riders must choose a line while maintaining balance, momentum, and control- an especially difficult feature for an XCO course. Lynn hated it, but she kept practicing. The day before the race, she finally cleared it, giving her the confidence boost she needed. Even with four national titles behind her, Lynn wasn’t convinced she could win at this level. Then the race began, and she charged to the front.

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THREE MINUTES AND FOUR SECONDS Jeff's race-day experience looked a lot different than Lynn’s. His approximately 1.25-mile downhill course dropped through the woods, over rocks, jumps, and technical features, and even after two final practice runs that morning, some of the toughest sections still tested his confidence. “ In fact, he didn’t feel comfortable until the actual race runa reminder….” that sometimes confidence doesn't come before you do the hard thing. Sometimes you start anyway and let it catch up. Jeff's World Championship run lasted just 3 minutes and 4 seconds, but those 84 seconds demanded everything. He crossed the finish line seven seconds faster than his seeding time, averaging 24.4 miles per hour while flying down a mountain… literally. His time earned him third in the world, just 0.04 seconds behind second place. Four hundredths of a second. Less than the blink of an eye separated Jeff from the next step of the World Championship podium. Eight Americans reached the podium at the championships. Two were Jeff and Lynn Sims. BEYOND THE FINISH LINE The medals were earned, but with nine more days in Chile, the adventure wasn't over. Jeff and Lynn headed to Pucón and the Villarrica Lake area, where Villarrica Volcano towered over the landscape. With the stopwatch put away, it was time to 30

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explore. Lynn, the route maker of the pair, mapped out their next adventure- a ride closer to the volcano. Despite a few interesting turns and terrain that occasionally made them question their route, they found their way and continued climbing toward Villarrica, eventually riding all the way to the edge of the snow. Above them, the glacier-covered summit of the active volcano rose to more than 9,300 feet, while behind them stretched the forests, mountains, and lakes of southern Chile. As unforgettable as the scenery was, Jeff and Lynn say the people they met along the way were just as memorable. The locals were incredibly friendly and welcoming, although the couple quickly discovered there was one thing they probably should have packed- a little more Spanish. Whether they'll return to Chile remains undecided, but one adventure is waiting if they do: trading their bikes for hiking boots and taking the guided trek all the way to the top of Villarrica Volcano. Because apparently looking up at the summit and saying, “Good enough,” isn't really their style.

ONE LIFE. RIDE IT WELL. Chile wasn't the end of Jeff and Lynn's cycling story. Lynn is already preparing for the Gravel National Championships in Minnesota in September, and the couple hopes to return to Copper Harbor, Michigan- one of their favorite places to ride and a destination that takes them back to their roots. Their story is a reminder that taking care of your body isn't only about adding years to life. It's about what you're able to do with those years. Challenge yourself. Explore somewhere new. Do something difficult enough that you're not completely sure you can. Climb the mountain, take the unfamiliar trail, and, when necessary, push the bike through the jungle. The medals from Chile will forever mark an extraordinary moment in Jeff and Lynn's lives. But just as meaningful is the journey surrounding them- 40 years of marriage and a life built together, one mile, one mountain, and one adventure at a time. There is only one life to live. The Sims are making theirs count!

Uncommonly Common

Local author Karla Lewellyn shares the story behind her book -Uncommonly Common- heartfelt memoir of breast cancer, faith, humor, and hope.

“YOU HAVE CANCER.” Three words that instantly divide life into before and after. Maybe you’ve heard them yourself. Maybe your mother has. Your sister. Your wife. Your best friend. Maybe you’ve sat beside someone you love while a doctor delivered the news, wishing there was something, anything, you could say to make it better. The truth is, cancer has quietly found its way into almost all of our lives. Doctors often describe breast cancer as “common.” In fact, when Powell author Karla Lewellyn was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma, she was told exactly that. It’s Common. Medically speaking, perhaps. But when you’re the patient sitting in the chair hearing the word cancer, statistics aren’t particularly comforting. How are you supposed to feel any less afraid because what is happening to you happens to a lot of other people? Common doesn’t feel very common when it’s happening to you. Karla’s diagnosis was triple-positive breast cancer, an aggressive form requiring a lumpectomy, twelve weeks of chemotherapy, a month of radiation, and targeted therapies. Along with the treatments came an entirely new vocabulary. One day you’re discussing football, grocery lists, and weekend plans.

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The next you’re casually tossing around phrases like invasive ductal carcinoma, HER2-positive, margins, ports, and neuropathy as if you’ve secretly enrolled in medical school. Cancer has a funny way of making you fluent in words you never wanted to know. As a lifelong English teacher and writer, Karla did the one thing that felt natural when life suddenly didn’t. She started writing. Not for a publisher. Not because she planned to write a book. Simply because putting words on a page helped make sense of days that often didn’t. “I wrote most of it in real time,” she says. “Getting those thoughts onto the page helped me realize that even in those dark days, I was okay...and I was going to be okayno matter the outcome.” Her blog posts weren’t polished. They weren’t written with a memoir in mind. They were honest. Some days thoughtful. Some days emotional. Some days downright funny. And sometimes, as Karla admits, just “very random.” Page by page, they became a record of what cancer actually feels like- not only physically, but emotionally and spiritually. Nearly one year after becoming cancer-free, those reflections evolved into Uncommonly Common, a memoir written not simply to tell her own story, but to help someone else survive theirs.

If you’ve ever met Karla, however, you know this isn’t a book filled only with tears. It’s filled with laughter, too. She introduces readers to unforgettable characters she affectionately nicknames Dr. Sad Sack, No Bedside Manner, M.D., and Dr. Grim Reaper. She wonders why every doctor’s office requires the same stack of paperwork that no one ever seems to read. She perfectly describes the infamous “brain fog” that leaves you walking into a room fifteen times a day wondering why you went there in the first place. Then there’s chemotherapy. Most people wouldn’t compare months of cancer treatments to a relaxing afternoon at the spa. Karla did. “It’s kind of like a spa day,” she jokes. “You’re in a recliner wrapped in a warm blanket, taking a few naps...with a couple of painful procedures sprinkled in.” Five stars for the heated blanket. Perhaps a few deductions for the needles. Even medical terminology isn’t safe from her wit. “’Invasive’ cancer?” she writes. “Cancer is already invasive. It’s unwanted- like kudzu, pleated pants, or dad jokes.” She laughs about losing her hair, the endless search for new synonyms for the word journey, and even the mystery of why an eighteen-team conference is still called the Big Ten. Somehow, humor became one more tool for healing.

Roughly 13% of us will face a breast cancer diagnosis, but when it’s you, you feel very alone. You’re not alone, friend.

Karla Lewellyn’s journey through diagnosis, treatments, and what follows includes

Karla Lewellyn

Filling out medical forms that no one ever looks at The subtle differences in pricks, pokes, and prods Dealing with Dr. Sad Sack; No Bedside Manner, M.D.; and Dr. Grim Reaper Ferocious family, stubborn friends, prayer lists, and precocious pink ribbons Dealing with “Brain Fog” (a/k/a “Why did I walk into this room?”) Surprising perks of the infusion room Football, driving, and hurricane cancer analogies The mystery of why an 18-team conference is called “The Big Ten” When people tell you “You look good!” they really mean “You don’t look good; you just don’t look as bad as I thought you would” Ringing the bell, even if you don’t want to Treatment bait and switch (a/k/a “You can’t handle the truth!”) Finding beauty in the ordinary The never-ending quest for synonyms of “journey” How truly beautiful the word negative can be

Uncommonly Common

Uncommonly Common: On Resilience, Waiting Rooms, and Breast Cancer Levity is for those who’ve received that unwanted diagnosis, love someone facing cancer, or enjoy reading about infusion waiting rooms, handling unsolicited advice, and offending large groups of people. It’s about living with a common cancer, yet living uncommonly with resilience, hope, and humor.

Uncommonly Common On Resilience, Waiting Rooms, and Breast Cancer Levity

Karla Lewellyn

Throughout her memoir and blog, she also points readers toward the resources that helped carry her through treatment. She speaks with heartfelt gratitude for the physicians, nurses, and staff at UT Medical Center, whose compassion transformed frightening treatment days into moments of genuine comfort. She also highlights the incredible support available through The Cancer Support Community of Tennessee in Knoxville, where patients and caregivers can find free wigs, books, exercise classes, support groups, personal care items, and countless other resources. For Karla, connecting people with these organizations became just as important as telling her own story.

Lef tto Right: Three months out, (wig) Charles, my Dad, Bryan (husband) me, Emily (daughter and her husband and their dog. Right: Six Months

Beneath the humor, however, is something even deeper. Faith. “My friends and familybut ultimately my faith in Jesus Christguided my journey,” she says. “Whether you’re religious or not, we all have faith in something.” She believes life’s hardest seasons have a way of revealing exactly where we’ve placed that faith. Cancer changed Karla’s life. It also strengthened her faith, sharpened her humor, deepened her compassion, and gave her a story she never expected to tell. Left to Right: Ten Months and Last day of chemo, 8-19-24

Today, her book is far more than a memoir. It’s a companion for the woman waiting on biopsy results. The husband sitting quietly beside her. The daughter searching for answers. The friend who desperately wants to help. Because while breast cancer may be medically “common,” hope never becomes ordinary. And sometimes the most powerful words a person can hear are….”You’re not alone.”

About the Author Powell native Karla Lewellyn is an author, former high school English teacher, and lifelong East Tennessean. She earned her master’s degree in education from the University of Tennessee and spent more than two decades inspiring students in the classroom before turning her attention to writing relatable fiction and heartfelt nonfiction. She and her husband, also an East Tennessee native, have been married for 32 years and share a daughter who followed in their footsteps to the University of Tennessee. When Karla isn’t writing or checking another item off her ever-growing to-do list, she’s likely walking in the woods with her beloved German Shepherd, admiring her husband’s cooking, or cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers.

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water. This nutrient also improves disease resistance, helps plants make carbohydrates and regulates metabolic activities.

WHY ARE MY PLANTS NOT BLOOMING? By Gayle Fisher When I was younger, I would buy plants without paying attention to what they needed for success. I was only concerned with my color scheme or if I thought the plant was pretty (or in my case on sale). I have been known to plant Marigolds in the shade. The first week everything still looked OK. As the weeks went by the blooms disappeared and the plants grew tall and leggy, I continued to water and fertilize but with no success. Finally, by the first of August both I and the marigolds were tired. I ignored the final days of my marigold life and obviously she never got to be a showstopper since she was always dreaming of the sun. We are all frustrated when our plants fail to flower. What are the reasons? Poor growth could be poor soil, or the soil could have been too hard, too wet, or too dry. I know this sounds like ‘goldilocks’ and the three bears. We want the plant to be just right. Therefore, we must know what growing conditions are best for each individual plant. I once planted roses in an area in the yard that was so barren even Bermuda grass was not interested in this soil. Fortunately, it was in full sunlight and the heavy clay soil proved to be rich so that the roses succeeded. Improper fertilization, or over feeding plants is just as bad as under nourishment. This is why professionals always stress that you should start with a soil test. Nitrogen is what grass craves. Plants that produce flowers or fruit need a more balanced diet. Fertilizers are to plants what vitamins are to humans; they provide supplemental nutrients and minerals that might not otherwise be obtained. Fertilizers may be organic or synthetic, and you can purchase fertilizers formulated to promote the growth of a particular plant like azaleas. Fertilizer has 3 numbers 6-12-12. The first ingredient listed on a box or bag is Nitrogen content. This is necessary for leaf growth and supplies plants with the proteins needed to create tissues. Nitrogen is abundant in the atmosphere but exists in a form that plants cannot use. Fertilizer is necessary to give plants the nitrogen they need. Phosphorus is the second item listed and it helps plants grow roots and increases seed size. It aids plants in energy transfer and gives them a head start when it is time to produce flowers and fruit. Third is Potassium, it strengthens the stems of plants which helps with transporting 34

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Too much fertilizer is detrimental, and causes burn due to the high concentration of nitrogen. I just experienced this summer when I dropped a bag of 34-0-0 on a grass path, the rain never came and now the grass tops are brown. I don’t think I have killed the grass, but I have hurt my cause. Another problem is insufficient light. This is where my marigold story started. If you put a sun loving plant in shade don’t expect the flowers to continue. If the label instructs you about the care of your new plant and has a picture of the sun or “I love the sun.” It needs six to eight hours of sun per day. The reverse is true of putting a shade plant in the sun. The leaves will burn and growth will be stunted. Too wet or too dry is a hard decision. If a plant wilts during a summer day but then perks back up during the night and looks fine in the morning your plant could be suffering from heat wilt, not water wilt. I watch my hydrangeas lay down and wilt each afternoon, but they look fine in the morning light. I hope you have had a goldilocks summer. If not, don’t despair. The good thing about plants is that you get to try again next year.

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By Ray Hill

Senator

Estes Kefauver

A side from the dislike he endured from

his senior colleague, K. D. McKellar, Estes Kefauver’s first few years in the United States Senate were reasonably pleasant. Kefauver, like McKellar, tended to constituent service and attending committee meetings. The two Tennessee senators frequently disagreed over patronage, with McKellar coming out ahead to the point where Kefauver complained to the White House, which irritated President Harry Truman. The famous Kefauver hearings might never have happened, had it not been for the Tennessean’s own driving political ambition. When first approached about chairing the hearings into organized crime, Senator Kefauver was disinterested. The publisher of the Washington Post, Phil Graham, put it to Kefauver much more simply, asking, “Estes, don’t you want to be Vice President?” Kefauver promptly introduced a resolution in the Senate Judiciary Committee for an investigation of gambling. Considering that the Chairman of the Judiciary Committee was Pat McCarran, who represented Nevada in the Senate, it is hardly surprising Kefauver’s resolution went nowhere at first. The Kefauver resolution only emerged from

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The Kefauver Committee: Special Committee on Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce Left to right: Senator Charles Tobey, Senator Herbert O’Conor, Rudolph Halley, Senator Estes Kefauver, and Senator Alexander Wiley

committee after McCarran had amended it to make the probe national in scope and apply to racketeers who went across state lines in operating their illegal businesses. Kefauver hit another roadblock as Colorado Senator Edwin C. Johnson, Chairman of the Senate’s Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, had his own resolution to investigate gambling. Kefauver received some surprising support for his resolution when he attracted the backing of several Republican senators. Missouri Senator Forrest C. Donnell wanted investigations

made into crime organizations in St. Louis and Kansas City, which were connected with powerful Democratic machines in President Truman’s own state. Yet it was Pat McCarran who managed to pry Kefauver’s resolution lose, as he was opposed to the idea of allowing a senator from a neighboring state investigate gambling, as Johnson proposed to put Arizona Senator Ernest McFarland in charge of the probe. Even after McCarran had helped Kefauver to move the resolution along, there was some resistance on the part of the Democratic leadership in brining the resolution to a floor vote.

It was then that good fortune smiled upon Estes Kefauver.

As a measure of his importance during his time in office, Estes Kefauver was on the cover of Time Magazine at least 3 times. He rose to fame as the Chairman of the Special Senate Committee on Organized Crime in Interstate Commerce. This committee became better known as the Kefauver Committee. Coming along during the ‘new era of television’, Kefauver held public hearings in 14 cities across the USA... naming names and calling witnesses. Mob bosses and local politicians were forced to testify. It was sensational!

Charles Binaggio, a gang boss and Democratic Party leader in Kansas City was gunned down along with one of his underlings, just a few days after Kefauver had unsuccessfully appealed for a hearing on his resolution. A Republican Congressman from Missouri, Dewey Short, loudly proclaimed Binaggio’s murder had less to do with organized crime than politics. According to Congressman Short, Binaggio had been killed because of his affiliation with the Democratic machine in Kansas City and hinted there would likely have been some curious revelations just prior to the senatorial primary. Senate Majority Leader Scott Lucas of Illinois decided to create a special investigating committee composed of members of both the Judiciary and Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committees. It was a decision that would later cost him his seat in the United States Senate.

Frank Costello

Bugsy Siegel’s Girlfriend .Virginia Hill

The Senate appropriated $150,000 for the special committee and Senator Estes Kefauver was named chairman. The first hearings did not receive much publicity, but eventually the Kefauver Committee held meetings all across the country, including Cleveland, Detroit, New York, Los Angeles, Tampa, St. Louis and Kansas City. A parade of odd and fascinating witnesses appeared before the Kefauver Committee, frequently with unusual nicknames given by fellow members of the underworld. Jacob “Greasy Thumb” Guzik, Anthony “Joe Batters” Accardo, Louis “Little New York” Campagna, and Paul “The Waiter” Ricca were but a few of the witness heard by the Kefauver Committee.

Michael “Trigger Mike” Coppola Mugshot

Frank ‘Blinky’ Palermo Mugshot

Kefauver speaks with Nevada Lieutenant Governor Clifford Jones, right, who was called as a witness before the committee. Jones was a part owner of the Thunderbird, Golden Nugget and Pioneer Club. The committee’s chief counsel, Rudolph Halley, asked Jones about Meyer Lansky, the Jewish mobster who allegedly was a secret fiancier of the Thunderbirdl

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More than one law enforcement official came before the Kefauver Committee to nervously explain his sudden and unexpected wealth. Dade County Sheriff James A. Sullivan had to account for an increase in his assets, which appeared to have come about due to providing protection for gambling interests in Miami. Sheriff Sullivan was suspended from his office and indicted, but the indictment didn’t stick, being dismissed due to a technicality in the law. Florida Governor Fuller Warren reinstated Sheriff Sullivan, which caused a firestorm, both in the press and in Florida’s legislature. Governor Warren was roundly denounced in editorials all across Florida and it came to light that the owner of a horse and dog track and helped to raise some $400,000 for Warren’s campaign in 1948, an enormous sum for t he time. An outraged Warren bitterly assailed Kefauver for his political ambition and dismissed the hearings as merely Kefauver’s attempt to position himself to be the vice presidential candidate in 1952. Kefauver soon ran into difficulties with colleagues. Congressman Thomas Hennings, Jr. was the Democratic candidate for the United States Senate and was facing incumbent Republican Forrest Donnell. Hennings sought out Senator Kefauver and asked him to delay the hearings to be held in St. Louis and Kansas City until after the 1950 election. Congressman Hennings believed he had an agreement with Senator Kefauver and was horrified when Kefauver and his committee arrived in Kansas City in late September. Kefauver sheepishly explained he could not overrule the other members of the committee, who he claimed insisted upon coming to Kansas City. 38

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augmented his good fortune through tips from friends who apparently gave excellent advice on buying select stocks and bonds.

Tom Hennings was not the only Missouri Democrat angry with Kefauver. President Harry Truman was positively enraged by Kefauver’s insistence upon going to Kansas City right before the elections. Kansas City was also Truman’s home and any evidence of wrongdoing would likely reflect upon the president’s own reputation, as well as embarrass Missouri Democrats. Truman, having been a senator himself, dismissed Kefauver’s lame explanation he had no control over his own committee. Missouri Governor Forrest Smith came before the Kefauver Committee to deny he knew the slain Charles Binaggio well, despite testimony quite to the contrary. The Kefauver Committee also heard allegations that organized crime had squeezed more than $34 million from the coffers of Kansas City. Tom Hennings defeated Senator Forrest Donnell for reelection despite the revelations of corruption in Missouri, but President Harry Truman was no happier with Estes Kefauver in spite of the Democratic victory. The Kefauver Committee moved on to Chicago and the nation was riveted by the testimony of several police officers who were apparently rather wealthy. Daniel A. Gilbert, the chief investigator for the U. S. Attorney’s office in Cook County, was hard pressed to explain how he had accumulated a net worth of some $360,000, the modern day equivalent to almost $3,500,000. Gilbert, who was christened as “the world’s richest cop” by newspapers, claimed he had been quite lucky and had increased his assets through a little “honest gambling”. He

Pressed by committee members, Gilbert reluctantly confessed some of his gambling was in the form of enormous bets on the outcome of elections. Gilbert’s testimony caused him to lose the election for sheriff to a Republican, unthinkable in solidly Democratic Cook County. Worse still, the revelations affected the entire Democratic ticket in Illinois. Majority Leader Scott Lucas had lost to Republican Everett McKinley Dirksen that fall. According to Kefauver’s biographer, Charles Fontenay, the Tennessee senator visited Lucas’s office to extend his condolences over the Majority Leader’s defeat, as well as explain just precisely how Dan Gilbert’s testimony reached the public. Lucas, bitter at Kefauver, snarled, “I don’t want to talk about it” and turned his back on the Tennessean, ending the conversation. Kefauver, shocked, mumbled, “All right, Scott” and departed. The enmity of Scott Lucas, as well as other powerful Illinois Democrats would come back to haunt Estes Kefauver in the future. Kefauver had won considerable name recognition all across the country from the committee hearings and he certainly succeeded in raising his political profile, but he had made some influential enemies in the course of conducting his probe. President Harry Truman believed Kefauver was merely ambitious to the point where the Tennessean cared little if he ruined the Democratic Party, so long as Kefauver promoted himself.

The Kefauver hearings were the first Congressional hearings watched by millions of television viewers. Still largely in its infancy, television allowed some 20 to 30 million Americans to watch the Kefauver hearings live. Frank Costello, reputedly one of the most important bosses in the world of organized crime, sat before the Kefauver Committee, well tailored and unsmiling.

KEFAUVER BOOK ON NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLAR LIST Estes Kefauver’s best-selling book is Crime in America, published by Doubleday in 1951. Co-authored with Sidney Shalett, the 333-page book expanded on his famous televised U.S. Senate investigations into interstate organized crime and spent 12 weeks on The New York Times best-seller list. Left: R.C. Kefauver, Estes Kefauver’s’ Father.

Yet again, the testimony reflected upon the Democratic Party and a former Mayor of New York City, William O’Dwyer, was called back as Ambassador to Mexico as a witness about Frank Costello’s supposed influence with the Tammany Hall organization. O’Dwyer was asked to explain a visit he made to Costello’s apartment in 1942, as well as why he chose not to prosecute Albert Anastasia while O’Dwyer was district attorney. The wily Ambassador tried to turn the tables, accusing New Hampshire Senator Charles W. Tobey, a Republican, of having received contributions from mob interests in his last campaign. KEFAUVER WINS AN EMMY!

Kefauver realized his newfound national popularity might lead to higher office, but the biggest question facing Democrats in 1952 was, would Harry Truman seek reelection as President of the United States of America? Estes Kefauver was ready to take the plunge regardless of Harry Truman’s personal and political plans. Kefauver turned his experiences into a best-selling book, “Crime In America,” which only increased his national visibility.

Fourth Annual Emmy Awards • February 18, 1952 A special achievement award went to Senator Estes Kefauver who investigated organized crime nationwide and opened Congressional hearings to the television audience. About the Kefauver Hearings

One of 27 congressional hearings held nationwide across 14 cities, the Las Vegas Kefauver hearing commemorates a pivotal time in the federal fight against organized crime, as well as events that influenced the development of Las Vegas. Well-known Las Vegas residents who testified included Moe Sedway, manager of the Flamingo Hotel; Wilbur Clark, front man for the Desert Inn; and Clifford Jones, Nevada’s then lieutenant governor. The Kefauver hearings entranced the public. They followed their revelations in newspapers and magazines, in the popular newsreels of the time, on the radio and, most of all, through the technology of television. Though not the first televised congressional hearing, and even with only half of American households having televisions at the time, nearly 30 million people tuned in to watch the historic congressional hearings. Some movie theaters installed televisions to bring the hearings to the public live. One researcher reported that daytime viewership of television grew 20 times higher in New York during the hearings — “that twice as many viewers watched the hearings as watched the 1950 World Series.” The Kefauver hearings revealed extensive evidence of organized crime’s infiltration of American business and politics and inspired an array of law enforcement initiatives to bring down the Mob.

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The Mob Museum: A Historic Building The building was the setting for a pivotal event in organized crime history. In 1950, the U.S. Senate’s Kefauver Committee held a hearing in the courtroom to question individuals about organized crime in Las Vegas. It is largely because of this significant event that the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. But this is just one part of the building’s rich history. Kefauver Day is an annual observance held every November 15 at The Mob Museum in Las Vegas, commemorating the historic 1950 U.S. Senate Special Committee to Investigate Organized Crime hearing led by Senator Estes Kefauver. The day features free or discounted admission and special historical programs.

Crime & The Committee: The Kefauver Hearings (1958) Watch The Hearings: www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT-TlQ3CymQ www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kq8QrqhciW www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDPbFJk1Y9Q g

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https://themobmuseum.org Read About The Mob And Notable Names: https://themobmuseum.org/notable_ names/frank-costello/

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FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE SUMMER 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

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PAINT • JEWELRY • FURNITURE • CANDLES • FLORALS

GIFTS • LAMPS • SEASONAL DECOR

THE RESTORATION ARTIST Cheryl Willhoit’s Hand Painted Furniture and Beautiful Gift Shop, Sweet and Sassy, Has Expanded and Is Now Offering Classes!

ne mark of good artists is the ability to make you care about something in which you had no prior interest, drawing you in with their passion for their work. Cheryl Willholt searches out old pieces of furniture- something you would walk past in a store without a second glance- then restores and paints them, transforming them into something eyecatching and beautiful. This is my happy place.

“Cheryl said “To me, sitting down with that piece right there, figuring out what color it wants to be... Furniture kind of tells me how it wants to look. It’s like an outfit with jewelry. She continued saying, “When you first start painting something, it’s just paint; it’s ugly. But once you start adding all the little details and the embellishments and gold foils or silver foil... You just hear that piece singing; it’s happy again.”

To create a beautiful piece, Cheryl first has to find the right canvas- that is, the right piece of furniture to paint. Her search begins in thrift stores or on websites like Craigs list or Facebook Marketplace where perhaps one in a hundred catch her eye. Usually, she and her husband have to pick it up themselves. Sometimes that means renting a U-Haul, and sometimes that means driving as far as Montgomery Alabama and back with half a desk sticking out from the bed of their truck.

PAINT • JEWELRY • FURNITURE • CANDLES • FLORALS

GIFTS • LAMPS • SEASONAL DECOR

This armoire was in pretty bad shape when she purchased it, now it is a secret door to the new area of her store. Sweet and Sassy carries extraordinary home accessories. Decor that transforms a basic room into a stylish space. Wall art, throw pillows, candles and candleholders, rugs, lamps and mirrors.

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PAINT • JEWELRY • FURNITURE • CANDLES • FLORALS

GIFTS • LAMPS • SEASONAL DECOR

For example, Cheryl showed me a cedar chest she was working on that was originally airtight and locked automatically when closed. This means that a child could get trapped inside and be unable to escape. To prevent this, Cheryl always pops the lock out of pieces like this. "Cedar chests, if you ever pick one up at a yard sale, pop the lock out, especially if it's a Lane cedar chest, " she recommended. "You can call Lane and they will send you a new lock." A dresser was bought by a couple from Phoenix, Arizona. The man saw this piece and was immediately enraptured. His wife asked Cheryl if she'd take a lower price for it, but before Cheryl could answer, the man responded, "No she. Will not. That is art." The couple bought it and rented a U-Haul to take it back to Phoenix. A few months later, the man called Cheryl and asked if she wanted to paint a China cabinet. She said sure and two or three week later, he brought her the most beautiful China cabinet she'd ever seen. Cheryl asked what color he wanted it, but he wouldn't give instructions, she'd done well on the other pieces, and he wanted to leave the virtuoso to her work.

Cheryl had been painting furniture before opening Sweet & Sassy. She would sell it to an antique store, when the pandemic hit, that store closed. This was a problem as she had a huge investment in paint and wasn't particularly excited to tell her husband how huge an investment, so on March 1st of 2021, she convinced him to open a store selling her furniture. Despite opening in the middle of the pandemic; Sweet & Sassy was a huge success, and within five months, they had to expand to a larger store. 48

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Cheryl has expanded again, doubling the size of her store and this time she has added a teaching area. She will offer classes on painting furniture. She carries Dixie Belle Paint and Black Wax. Cheryl encourages people to buy restored furniture pieces instead of new ones. Not only is this often cheaper but old furniture is usually made from real wood where as new pieces are often not. Occasionally however older pieces require some modifications for safety.

To truly appreciate her work you have to see it in person. Stop by today or call to register for a class. It is worth the drive, just 40 minutes from Farragut.

FOR CLASS INFORMATION: www.sweetandsassystn.com (423) 545-9350 205 Tellico Street, Madisonville

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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.

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SPINACH MANICOTI

Clark and Suzy Neal with Unicoi Preserves Serves: 6 Shopping List

Instructions

1 (5 oz) pkg crepes (Ingles produce, each pack contains 10 crepes) 1 (32 oz) container ricotta cheese 3 cups shredded Italian blend cheese, divided 16 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated 2 large eggs 2 tsp garlic, minced 1 tsp kosher salt 1 tsp red pepper flakes 2 cups marinara sauce, divided Non-stick cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick spray. In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, 2 cups Italian blend cheese, spinach, Parmesan, eggs, garlic, salt, and red pepper flakes. Pour 1 cup marinara sauce in the bottom of the baking dish. Spoon a heaping 1/2 cup of filling onto a crepe, forming it into a log, then roll up without folding in the sides. Place the manicotti in the prepared pan, seam side down. Repeat with remaining crepes. Top with 1 cup sauce down the middle of the manicotti, then sprinkle with 1 cup Italian blend cheese. Cover the pan with foil and bake for 25 minutes, or until hot, bubbling, and the cheese is melted. Cool slightly and serve with salad and garlic bread.

https://www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/spinach-manicotti FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

PUMPKIN SPICE ESPRESSO MARTINI SLOW COOKER RIBS WITH MAPLE CHIPOTLE BBQ SAUCE Clark and Suzy Neal with Unicoi Preserves

Shopping List 2 (3 lb) racks baby back ribs BBQ rub seasoning (your favorite) 1/2 cup low-sodium chicken stock 3/4 tsp hickory liquid smoke

Stack the ribs in a slow cooker. Stir together the chicken stock and liquid smoke; pour over the ribs. Cover and cook on LOW for 5–6 hours, or until tender.

Sauce 1 (18 oz) bottle Laura Lynn honey barbecue sauce 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/8 cup apple cider vinegar 1 tbsp yellow mustard 1/2 tsp coarse ground black pepper 1/4 tsp chipotle powder

Meanwhile, make the sauce: combine all sauce ingredients in a saucepan and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cool and refrigerate until needed.

Directions

Adjust the oven’s broiler rack to 5–6 inches from the element; preheat on HIGH. Broil ribs ~5 minutes per side, until bubbly and the glaze is set.

Remove the membrane from the ribs with a paper towel; pat dry. Cut the rack into 3 portions between the bones and coat generously with BBQ rub.

When ribs are tender, line a sheet pan with foil and transfer ribs to the pan. Brush one side with the BBQ sauce.

Serve immediately with coleslaw, mac and cheese, and Texas toast.

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Cultivated Cocktails Shopping List 1 1/2 oz Cultivated Cocktail vodka 1 oz fresh espresso (optional) 1 oz Cultivated Coffee coffee liqueur 1 oz pumpkin spice syrup Dash of cream or oat milk (optional) Espresso beans, for garnish Pumpkin pie spice, for garnish Directions In a shaker filled with ice, combine the vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, and pumpkin spice syrup (add cream, if using). Shake vigorously for about 15–20 seconds, until frothy and chilled. Double strain the mixture into a chilled coupe or martini glass. Garnish with three espresso beans and a light sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice. Serve and enjoy a cozy, caffeinated fall treat that’s equal parts indulgent and energizing. https://www.ingles-markets.com/ recipes/pumpkin-spice-espressomartini

CRABCAKES ON CROSTINI WITH LEMON DILL SAUCE Chef Derek St. Romain Serves: 4-6

Cultivated Cocktails

Shopping List

Instructions

Crabcakes 1 cup Laura Lynn mayonnaise 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 2 tsp Cajun seasoning 1/4 cup sm rib celery, minced 1 lb fresh lump crab meat 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs 2 tbsp butter 1 (10 oz) pkg pre-made crostinis

Add all the ingredients of the sauce into a bowl and mix together. Add the sauce to a small squirt bottle and set aside.

Dressing 1 cup Laura Lynn mayonnaise 2 tbsp dried dill 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 /2 tsp cayenne pepper 1/2 cup candied almonds, chopped 1/2 red onion, sliced

SMOKED MAPLE OLD FASHIONED

To begin the crabcakes, add the first 5 ingredients to a medium bowl and mix well. Add the panko breadcrumbs and gently fold them in to incorporate. Form 12–15 patties small enough to fit on the crostinis. Spread the crostinis out on a serving platter and place 1 crabcake on each crostini. Use the sauce in the squirt bottle to drizzle over each crabcake. Serve immediately, or cover and place into the refrigerator if making ahead.

Shopping List 2 oz bourbon or rye whisky 1/2 oz pure maple syrup 2 dashes cherry bitters 1 dash orange bitters Orange peel, for garnish Amarena cherry, for garnish Directions In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine the bourbon, maple syrup, and both bitters. Stir gently for about 20 seconds until well-chilled and balanced. Strain the mixture into a rocks glass over a large cube of ice. Express the orange peel over the glass, then add it in along with a cinnamon stick. For an optional flair, smoke the glass with cherry or maple wood after pouring. Serve and enjoy slowly, savoring the rich, cozy fall notes.

www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/crabcakes-on-crostini-with-lemon-dill-sauce FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

EGG NOG CREME BRULEE Scott Culpepper Serves: 4-6

Shopping List 2 cups eggnog (store-bought or homemade) 1 cup heavy cream 6 lg egg yolks 1⁄2 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 1⁄4 tsp freshly grated nutmeg Pinch of salt

2. In a medium saucepan, combine the eggnog and heavy cream. Heat over medium heat until warm but not boiling. Remove from heat. 3. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, 1⁄2 cup sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, and salt until pale and slightly thickened.

TOPPING: 6–8 tsp granulated sugar

4. Slowly pour the hot eggnog mixture into the yolks while whisking constantly to temper the eggs and prevent scrambling.

Instructions

5. Strain the custard through a fine-mesh sieve into a pitcher or large measuring cup. Pour evenlyintotheramekins.

1. Preheat the oven to 325oF. Place 6 ramekins in a large roasting pan or deep baking dish.

6. Carefully pour hot water into the roasting pan so the water comes about

halfway up the outsides of the ramekins, creating a water bath. 7. Bake for 35–45 minutes, until the centers are set but still slightly jiggle when tapped. 8. Remove the ramekins from the water bath, let them cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 9. Just before serving, sprinkle 1–1 1⁄2 tsp sugar evenly over each custard. Use a kitchen torch to melt and caramelize the sugar until golden brown. Alternatively, place the ramekins under a broiler for 2–3 minutes, watching closely. 10. Let the caramel harden for about 1–2 minutes. Sprinkle with fresh nutmeg or cinnamon for extra holiday flavor. Serve with whipped cream and a cinnamon stick garnish.

https://www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/eggnog-creme-brulee 54

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ONLINE RECIPE ONLINE RECIPE SEARCH SEARCH

EASY DELMONICO POTATOES Kaitlin Baker Instructions

Shopping List

1. Preheat the oven to 375oF. Grease a 1 (30–32 oz) pkg frozen shredded 9×13-inch casserole dish. hashbrowns, thawed 4 tbsp unsalted butter 2. Melt the butter in a saucepan over 1 sm onion, finely chopped medium theaonion andcheer, cook until Have you ever had one of those days when you know aheat. friendAdd needs little good a 3 tbsp all-purpose flour inoffice the flour, whiskBut, in the relativemilk needs1 acup quick pick cream me up or perhapssoftened. someone Stir in the has a then birthday… 2 cups whole heavy milk and cream until smooth and thickened. you still have errandscheese, to run, kids to pick up from school and grocery shopping to do. Now 11⁄2 cups shredded cheddar divided you have powder to skip anything. Visit the Ingles Floral Department for all those “you deserve 1⁄2don’t tsp garlic 3. Stir in 1 cup cheddar, garlic powder, something moments” 1⁄2 tspspecial paprika paprika, salt, and black pepper. salt and black pepper, to taste 1⁄2 cup grated Ingles Floral1⁄2is cup a convenient way to shop for beautiful cut stems or full bouquets. Choose Parmesan cheese breadcrumbs 4. Spread thewill hashbrowns in the prepared fromfresh a variety of balloons and ribbons and even plants that keep on saying “you’re the 2 tbsp chives, chopped dish. Pour the sauce over and toss gently best” for a long time to come. And, all of our floral departments are stocked with only the to coat. freshest and most colorful varieties. Need a little help saying just the right thing with flowers? At Ingles you can ask our friendly and knowledgeable floral associates for a hand. Many of Topexperience. with the remaining cheddar,may look our floral employees have years of advanced5.floral And, our selections Parmesan, and breadcrumbs. exclusive but they are priced for value.

INGLES FLORAL

Introducing the new

Monroe Life website! FARRAGUT LIFE WEBSITE!

Our new website is the best place to keep up between Ourwith new articles websiteand is thestories best place to keepissues up you with never articlesmiss and stories issues so a beatbetween of what’s going so you never miss a beat of going on in our community. Nowhat’s matter if you’re on in our community. Noor matter if you’re using a phone, tablet, desktop, our new using a phone, or desktop, our reading new website is fullytablet, optimized to make website is fullyas optimized make reading our content easy as to possible. our content as easy as possible. We also publish full versions of our print We also publish full versions of our magazines online the same dayprint they’re magazines online the same day being delivered to homes! they’re being delivered to homes! See all the delicious recipes from current See all the delicious recipes from current and past issues complete with step by and past issues complete with step by step instructions and an intergrated step instructions and an integrated shopping list! shopping list!

6. Bake uncovered minutes, So next time you want to lift the spirits of a friend or you just needfor a lift30–35 yourself, depend on until bubbly and golden. Let rest 5–10 the Ingles Floral department. It’s convenient, within any budget and I’m sure we’llfor have just minutes, then garnish with chives. the thing.

Needtoto Scale a Recipe? Need Scale a Recipe? No problem! Our online recipe system No problem! Our online recipe system allows youtotochoose choose how many servings allows you how many servings you want and it automatically adjusts you want and it automatically adjusts the the needed ingredients and shopping needed ingredients and shopping list! list!

https://www.ingles-markets.com/recipes/easy-delmonico-potatoes INGLES….EXPECT MORE FROM YOUR LOCAL STORE.

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FARRAGUT LIFE SPRING 2024

Work Here. Live Here. Build Something Real Here. INSIDE JTEKT’S COMMITMENT TO PEOPLE, PURPOSE, AND MONROE COUNTY Every day, more than 1,000 associates walk through the doors of JTEKT's manufacturing facility in Vonore with a shared purpose. Whether they're manufacturing world-class automotive components, engineering innovative solutions, or supporting operations, every associate plays an essential role. Together, they're not only building products trusted around the world- they’re building meaningful careers, lifelong friendships, stronger families, and a stronger Monroe County.

Competitive pay, outstanding benefits, Jet Dental services during the workday, and numerous wellness initiatives reflect JTEKT's commitment to caring for its people.

JTEKT is a global leader in precision steering systems, driveline components, bearings, and advanced automotive technologies. But ask the people who work here what makes JTEKT special, and chances are they won't start by talking about automotive parts. They'll tell you about the people.

And one thing new associates quickly learn: where you start isn't always where you'll finish.

Start Here. Starting a new job can be intimidating. New faces. New routines. Hoping you’ll remember a few names by Friday. From day one, associates are welcomed into a culture built on teamwork, encouragement, and genuine support. Whether you're beginning your first job or changing careers, you'll quickly discover that work is important- but so is enjoying it. Cookouts, holiday meals, Mother's Day and Father's Day celebrations, golf tournaments, family outings, and the occasional donutand-coffee morning (because let's be honest... donuts make almost everything better) remind associates that the best workplaces are built on more than just hard work. 56

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That investment starts early. Through JTEKT's internship program, students and young adults gain hands-on experience, mentorship, and an inside look at advanced manufacturing- giving them a head start on tomorrow's workforce.

Grow Here. At JTEKT, growth isn't just encouraged- it’s expected. Through tuition reimbursement, apprenticeships, scholarships for employees' children, and language education, JTEKT invests in its people and their futures. Associates are encouraged to explore career paths, job shadow departments, and gain hands-on experience before opportunities even arise. After all, career paths don't always come with turn-by-turn directions. For one associate pursuing an accounting degree, opportunity arrived before graduation. JTEKT invited her to shadow the accounting department, sit in on financial meetings, and gain real-world corporate finance experience. By graduation, she wasn't just qualified on paper- she had the experience that helped lead to a full-time accounting position at JTEKT.

Cynthia's journey took another turn. After nearly a decade on the production floor, she discovered a passion for Human Resources. Turns out, sometimes the career you didn't plan for is the one that fits you best. With mentorship, training, and new opportunities, she found a path she never imagined when she first walked through JTEKT's doors. Leadership grows here, too, through programs including Leadership Monroe, Leadership East Tennessee, Women on Point, speaker series, and internal leadership development. At JTEKT, growth isn't just about moving up. It's about discovering what you're capable of- and sometimes ending up somewhere even better than you planned.

Stay Here. Anyone can offer a job. Very few companies become part of someone's life story. At JTEKT, long-term careers aren't the exception- they’re part of the culture. Some associates probably walked through the doors thinking, "I just need a job." Then somehow they blinked, a few decades passed, and there was a cake in the break room celebrating their 30-year anniversary. It's common to meet associates celebrating 20, 30, and even 40 years with the company. For many families, JTEKT isn't simply where they work- it’s where they built a life, raised children, planned for retirement, and created financial security.

Jeff is one of those stories. After 33 years with JTEKT, he has grown alongside the company, embracing new opportunities while proudly providing for his family. His journey reflects what JTEKT is all about- hard work, opportunity, loyalty, and the chance to build a meaningful career close to home. Friendships formed on the production floor often last decades. Coworkers celebrate weddings, welcome new babies, and honor retirements together. New associates are welcomed by experienced mentors who remember exactly what their own first day felt like. That's the kind of culture people don't leave behind. Live Here. If you've ever found yourself behind a tractor on a back road, stayed a little too long catching up at the grocery store, or planned your Friday night around high school

football, you already understand the charm of Monroe County. And chances are, you've seen the JTEKT name around town, too. At local parks, community events, school programs, fundraisers- you name it, JTEKT has probably shown up. Giving back to Monroe County and the surrounding region is simply part of the culture. Through the Volunteers in Place (VIP) Program, associates receive paid time to volunteer for causes they care about, while JTEKT also donates to their charity of choice. Employees serve organizations including The Boys and Girls Club, CASA Monroe, the Monroe County Arts Council, and United Way, while others mentor students and introduce young people to careers in advanced manufacturing. Go ahead, name another workplace that gives back quite like that.

More Than a Workplace Thousands of associates have started their journey at JTEKT. Many planned to stay only a few years. Quite a few are still here decades later- and they wouldn't have it any other way. Maybe it's because when you enjoy coming to work, laugh with your teammates, trust your leaders, and feel appreciated along the way, Monday mornings don't seem quite so bad. JTEKT's products may travel around the world, but its heart remains firmly rooted in Vonore. Proud to call Monroe County home, JTEKT looks forward to continuing its story- investing in its people, giving back, and strengthening the communities it proudly serves.

Work Here. Live Here. Build Something Real Here.

Above: Soap Box Derby Champions: Innovation, teamwork, and a little friendly competition! Congratulations to JTEKT’s Soap Box Derby champions for racing their way to the top. Below left to right: JTEKT Dollywood Picnic. A favorite family tradition! The annual JTEKT Dollywood Picnic brings associates and their families together for a day of fun, laughter, and lasting memories. Santa at JTEKT . Women In Business Gala sponsored by JTEKT.

Work Here. Live Here. Build Something Real Here.

National Intern Day: Celebrating the hard work, enthusiasm, and fresh ideas our interns bring to JTEKT. Thank you for making a difference—we’re proud you’re part of the team!

Without Limits All-Star Game: JTEKT associates were proud to volunteer at the Without Limits All-Star Game, supporting incredible athletes and making memories throughout a day filled with fun and community.

Friendsgiving at JTEKT: Sharing a meal, celebrating friendships, and giving thanks. JTEKT’s annual Thanksgiving luncheon is one of many traditions that make associates feel like family.

FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

PROUD SPONSOR OF THE MONROE LIFE BALLOON FESTIVAL

FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

FALL BRANCH

BABY FALLS

- 15 feet -

CONASAUGA CREEK FALLS

- 35 feet -

35.30422,-84.3315.

- 90 feet -

35.324,-84.17761.

BALD RIVER FALLS Considered among the most remarkable and piCturesquewaterfalls in east tennessee!

TRAIL: CNF Trail 170 DISTANCE: 1-Mile Round-Trip DIFFICULTY: Moderate - Difficult BLAZE: White DIRECTIONS: Starting from Tellico Plains, TN, head South on TN-68 for about 2.9 miles. Make a right turn onto FS Road 341, drive for 2.33 miles,veer right onto FS Road 341A for about .54 miles, and then you’ll reach the beginning of Trail 170.

FALLS

- 55 feet -

35.3267,-84.1765.

35.35479,-84.0644.

DISTANCE: The waterfall is situated downstream, located around 320 feet below the parking area.

TRAIL: FS Trail 87

DIRECTIONS: Starting from Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center take Hwy 165 S about 5 miles where you veer right onto FS road 210 (Tellico River Road). From that point, it is about 6 miles to Bald River Falls, from the Bald River Falls parking , proceed up FS Road 210 for 0.33 miles; there is a parking area situated on the left side of the roadway.

BLAZE: White

Pick up a brochure with all the directions from the Monroe County Chamber office in Madisonville, or use the qrcode on the preceding page to start your journey!

DISTANCE: 2.6 Miles Round Trip DIFFICULTY: Moderate - Difficult

DIRECTIONS: Starting from Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center, travel TN-165 East up the Skyway for 22.3 miles. Parking is at West Rattle Snake Rock Overlook. Walk to the right from the road and you will arrive at trail head FS Trail 87. HEED: Trail goes straight down a really steep hill. It’s not too hard to go down, but getting back up is a challenge. The last 75 feet is steep. It’s not a great trail for people who are not in good physical health.

MIDDLE DOUBLECAMP

CREEK

-middle cascade-

HOLDER COVE

- 15 feet -

35.423,-84.0704.

35.268301,-84.084958.

Middle Doublecamp Creek features a series of three cascades that invite us to experience their beauty from a breathtaking view right off the road.

TRAIL: The trail head is located at the west end of the campground, on the right side of the road across from the restrooms. It is not marked and you must look for it between trees.

DIRECTIONS: Starting from Vonore on TN 360 S, head south about 13.4 miles and then make a left onto Chestnut Valley Road (504) for about 1.6 miles. After that, go left again on Buck HWY (506) and keep going for about 3.4 miles until you reach Citico Creek Road (FS Road 35-1) keep right on Citico Creek Road then go about 6.6 miles until you reach Double Camp Road. Make a left and continue for about 1.3 miles until you see the middle cascade on your right.

DISTANCE: >.25 miles DIFFICULTY: Easy DIRECTIONS: Starting from Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center take Highway 165 S approximately 8 miles. Make a right onto FS Road 210 (Tellico River Road) and continue for about 13 miles until you reach Holder Cove Campground.

Fall

HAPPENINGS FARRAGUT

FARRAGUT FALL TRAIL

FREAKY FRIDAY FRIGHT NIGHT

October 1-31, 2026

Friday, October 30, 2026

Farragut, Tennessee

5:00 to 7:00 PM Mayor Bob Leonard Park | Farragut

Savor seasonal flavors and explore unique shops while enjoying family-friendly activities. Each participating location will feature a window cling with a special challenge code. Complete the full trail to receive an exclusive trail pin and sticker. Finishers will also be entered into a raffle at the end of October for a grand prize! FARRAGUT ART FEST

This family-friendly event features booths of local businesses passing out candy to costumed children. Donations to benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Knoxville will be accepted; a wish list from RMHC will be provided soon. www.townoffarragut.org

www.visitfarragut.org/events

Saturday, September 12, 2026 9:00 to 11:00 AM Farragut Community Center | Farragut Bring your budding artist. Sponsored by the Farragut Arts & Beautification Committee, to enjoy a variety of art stations and crafts. This is an outdoors event; painting clothes are suggested! All ages. FREE

HOWL-O-WOOF

www.visitfarragut.org/events

Thursday, October 22, 2026

HARVEST JAM

5:00 to 6:30 PM McFee Park | Farragut

Located inside Farragut Town Hall. Hours are 11 AM to 2 PM Tues through Sat. For information about upcoming events, please follow the Farragut Museum on Facebook.

FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

Friday, October 23, 2026 6:00 to 8:30 PM 11251 Parkside Drive | Farragut

Bring your furry friend to this hound Halloween event! Vendors, treats, activities and a costume contest will be available for participating pups. Costume contest registration will open September 1.

Harvest Jam is a festive fall celebration bringing the community together for a day of seasonal fun, live entertainment, and local vendors. Enjoy a lively atmosphere filled with autumn-inspired activities, great music, and unique shopping experiences perfect for all ages.

www.townoffarragut.org

www.visitfarragut.org/events

PIGEON FORGE

GATLINBURG OKTOBERFEST AT OBER MTN.

October 2 – November 1, 2026 Opening Time: 10:00 AM Ober Gatlinburg Adventure Park VETERANS SALUTE 5K/10K

Sunday, November 8, 2026 Start Times: 10K 7:30 AM / 5K 9 AM 239 Jamestown Blvd. | Farragut

NATIONAL QUARTET CONVENTION

Join us to honor our military. A portion of proceeds will be donated to The United Veterans Council of East TN in support of its Wreaths Across America program. The last section of the race will be the Veterans Salute Corridor in Founders Park. Signs will be displayed in the corridor to honor the service and sacrifice of our military.

Gospel Music’s largest annual event drawing attendees and participants from all over the world. Featuring the top artists in traditional Southern Gospel Music!

www.visitfarragut.org/events

www.natqc.com

September 27 – October 3, 2026 Visit Website for Schedule & Times LeConte Event Center | Pigeon Forge

Experience the sights, sounds, and flavors of the world’s most famous beer festival right in the heart of the Smokies. Ober will transform into a Bavarian-style festival grounds, complete with blue-and-white checkered decor, mums, fall leaves, oversized steins, and festive photo-ops. Enjoy live bands on the outdoor sound stage. Relax in the mountaintop biergarten and sip on five different German beers from Yee-Haw Brewing, with authentic favorites such as chicken schnitzel, sausages, turkey legs, giant pretzels, and plenty of sweet treats including apple strudel, pumpkin fudge and more. VETERANS DAY CELEBRATION

Tuesday, November 11, 2026

CAMPBELL STATION SKATE

November 24 – December 31, 2026 Tuesday-Thursday – 4 to 8 PM Friday-Sunday – 1 to 8 PM 101 N. Campbell Station Rd | Farragut This year we will have a food truck stationed at the Ice rink on the weekends. Tickets will be available for purchase. The festive ice rink will be open through the end of year, closed on holidays. www.visitfarragut.org/events

GREAT PUMPKIN LUMINIGHTS AT DOLLYWOOD

September 14 – October 31, 2026 Park Hours: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Dollywood | Pigeon Forge Great Pumpkin LumiNights, presented by Covenant Health, is just one of the fun things to see and do at the annual Dollywood Harvest Festival. It features spectacular lighted pumpkin displays throughout the Dollywood park, which glow with the fire of fall. www.mypigeonforge.com

11:00 AM to 12:00 PM Gatlinburg Convention Center Gatlinburg proudly hosts its Annual Veterans Day Celebration in Mills Auditorium at the Gatlinburg Convention Center. This community-wide event will honor the courage, dedication and sacrifice of America’s military veterans and their families. There will be FREE PARKING at 309 Reagan Drive in Gatlinburg. Guests are encouraged to arrive early and join the community in showing gratitude to those who have bravely defended our nation’s freedoms. FREE www.gatlinburg.com

FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

MONROE COUNTY

MACA WORLD OF WINE 2026

Thursday, August 27, 2026 5:00 to 7:30 PM 400 Kahite Trail | Vonore Presented by the Monroe County Council for the Arts, join us for an evening of wine, food, music, art, and community in support of arts education and cultural programming throughtout Monroe County. Cost: $100, must RSVP.

TELLICO PLAINS KOA LINE DANCING

SWEETWATER FARMER’S MARKET

Thursday, August 27, 2026

Saturday, August 29, 2026

6:30 to 8:00 PM The Porch | 1225 Mecca Pike | Tellico Plains

9:00 AM to 1 PM Historic Downtown Sweetwater

Come kick up your heels and have a blast while learning the basics of line dancing. No experience necessary – for all ages. Just bring your smile and a willingness to have fun. Campers get in FREE. $5 for noncampers. Open to the public.

Join us in Historic Downtown Sweetwater for the Main Street Farmer’s Market! Shop from local farmers, bakers, and artisans offering farm fresh products, handmade goods, baked treats, and more while supporting your local community.

www.visitmonroetn.com/eventspage

TELLICO ART WALK

ETSHA SPORTSMAN’S DINNER & BANQUET

4th Friday of Every Month

Saturday, August 29, 2026

4 to 7 PM Historic Downtown Tellico Plains

Vonore Baptist Church | 714 Church Street

www.visitmonroetn.com/eventspage

FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

Grab a bite or drink and stroll the streets of historic Tellico Plains and visit our unique shops and enjoy featured artwork from our Artists in our Art District and sample our wonderful Restaurants.

Cornhole Tournament at 11 AM and dinner at 6 PM. Brodie Swisher, world champion game caller and host of the Hunting Roots podcast is our guest speaker. Contact Tim Tipton at 423-519-6969 or visit our website for more info.

www.visitmonroetn.com/eventspage

GOLF TOURNAMENT

SWEETWATER FESTIVAL

MADISONVILLE FALL CRAWL

Saturday, September 12, 2026

September 18-19, 2026

Thursday, September 24, 2026

Pre-Regisration at 8:00 AM Kahite Golf Course | Vonore

Saturday: 12 to 8 | Sunday: 10 to 8 Downtown Sweetwater

5:00 to 8:00 PM 214 Industrial Park Rd | Madisonville, TN

Hole challenges will be as fun this year as always with fantastic prizes. Plus win quality items and services from scores of local businesses. So don’t wait! Call Caylen Matoy at 423-37-7690 for more information.

Enjoy live bluegrass music, kids zone, some of the best BBQ around, beautiful blooming topiaries, and lots of vendors. Held annually the 3rd weekend in September. Visit our website for a schedule of events and for more information.

The Downtown Madisonville “Fall Crawl” is the perfect way to kick-start your fall season! Hayride shuttle service to and from downtown shops (enjoying the Scarecrow Stroll & new fall decor). Snacks, door prizes, and entertainment. Tickets are $20.

www.visitmonroetn.com/eventspage

www.visitmadisonvilletn.com

www.visitmonroetn.com/eventspage

35th ANNUAL CHEROKEE FALL FESTIVAL

September 12-13, 2026 10 AM to 4 PM Sequoyah Birthplace Museum | Vonore

MONROE LIFE BALLOON FESTIVAL

September 5-6, 2026 4:00 to 10 PM 350 Airport Road | Madisonville

CHEROHALA SKYWAY FESTIVAL & JOSH GRAVES MUSICAL TRIBUTE

Saturday, October 24, 2026 10 AM to 5 PM @ Charles Hall Museum 122 Bank Street | Tellico Plains

Step back in time to experience Native American food, Cherokee arts and crafts demonstrations, music, dance and see Cherokee life in the 1700’s & a Civil War reenactment. For more info see visit our website.

A Labor Day weekend event full of hot air balloons, fair-style food, live music, a dedicated Kids Fun Zone, and tethered balloon rides. Each night ends with a Balloon Glow where pilots light their balloons to the rhythm of the music on stage. Proceeds go to the Girls & Boys Club.

Join us for our 10th Annual Cherohala Skyway Festival and Josh Graves Musical Tribute with lots of living history, food, kids train rides, pony rides, tractor pulled hay rides, Bluegrass music and much more!

www.sequoyahmuseum.org

www.monroelifeballoonfestival.com

www.skywayfestival.com

FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

McMINN COUNTY

ATHENS ARTS TABLE READ

ATHENS ARTS PLAY MEAN GIRLS

Fridays, August 21 & 28 @ 7 PM Saturdays, August 22 & 29 @ 7 PM Sundays, August 23 & 30 @ 2 PM 320 N. White Street | Athens Presented by the Athens Area Council for the Arts, join us for the play “Mean Girls.” This is a high-energy stage musical based on the 2004 film. A former homeschooled student from Africa navigates the vicious social hierarchy of public high school. She infiltrates the “Plastics.” Will she lose herself to popularity before learning the importance of friendship and being true to herself? www.athensartscouncil.org

Tuesday, August 25, 2026 @ 6 PM “The Fantasticks” Tuesday, September 15, 2026 @ 6 PM “Les Miserables” 320 N. White Street | Athens Athens Community Theatre hosts several opportunities to read plays and musicals for fun each season. Participation in a table read is a great way to “dip a toe in” to see what working with ACT is like. The play is read casually: you can let us know if you want to participate or just listen in. FREE.

FARM TO TABLE Courtyard on Jackson | Downtown Athens

www.tn250.com/events

Saturday, September 12, 2026 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Main Street | Niota Join us in the heart of Niota for a our annual celebration that’s as crispy, tangy, and unforgettable as fried green tomatoes! You will have a day full of Southern charm, mouthwatering eats, toe-tapping music, lots of local vendors and family-friendly fun. www.discovermcminn.com

www.athensartscouncil.org

Friday, September 11, 2026 | 5 PM

Tennessee is celebrating our Nation’s 250th birthday all year long. Visit the website below to see what events will be in your area.

FRIED GREEN TOMATO FESTIVAL

THE CRUCIBLE

October 2-11, 2026 Fridays & Saturdays at 7 PM | Sundays at 2 PM The Arts Center | 320 N. White St | Athens

You will enjoy a dining experience crafted by the talented Chef Kit Housley, whose menu will highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced directly from McMinn County farms and producers. Sponsored by the McMinn County Economic Development Authority.

The Crucible is an exciting drama about the witchcraft in old Salem. The story focuses upon John Proctor, his wife, and a young servant-girl who maliciously causes the wife’s arrest for witchcraft.

www.discovermcminn.com

www.athensartscouncil.org

Gems of the Past OVERHILL HISTORIES LECTURE SERIES

MURDERS ON MAIN STREET ETOWAH FALL FEST

October 3 & 4, 2026 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Etowah Depot Lawn | Etowah Etowah’s long running traditional fall fest is growing and expanding this year. We are so excited to present to you a wonderful experience of the harvest season on the historic L&N Depot lawn. As usual, there will be many vendors, incredible food, games, and live entertainment!

October 22-24, 2026 Tours every 15 minutes beginning at 6 PM Historic L&N Depot | Etowah The Gem Players presents Durant Tullock’s “Murders on Main Street.” A historic interpretation of actual murders that occured in Etowah’s first 50 years. Reservations are required and tickets are limited. Call the Etowah Chamber of Commerce to reserve your tickets. www.enterpriseetowah.com

Discover the rich history of the Tennessee Overhill Region through our Overhill History Lecture Series on the first Thursday of every month! “OLD LINE RAILROAD”

Thursday, September 3, 2026 7:00 to 9:00 PM The Gem Theater | Etowah Join us for the “Old Line Railroad,” presented by Linda Caldwell. This featured lecture will explore the history of the Old Line Railroad and its place in the Tennessee Overhill’s story. FREE “THE CHEROHALA SKYWAY”

www.enterpriseetowah.com

Thursday, October 1, 2026 7:00 to 9:00 PM The Gem Theater | Etowah Join us for the “History of the Cherohala Skyway,” presented by Pam Mathews. FREE PUMPKINTOWN FESTIVAL

DINING WITH THE DEAD

Saturday, October 10, 2026

Saturday, November 7, 2026

10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Historic Downtown Athens

Tours Begin at 5:00 PM The Cochran Cemetery | Englewood

Join us for our 24th year. Pumpkintown celebrates the rich cultural heritage of our area with Native American traditions, dances, and arts – with lots of vendors, entertainment, activities and food – something for everybody. FREE

CAGE’s annual interactive play which includes a fireside Southern meal followed by a graveyard ghost tour with local actors from the Gem Players portraying historical veterans of the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Tickets are limited.

www.friendlycityfestivals.com

www.facebook.com/cagetn

“DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE”

Thursday, November 5, 2026 7:00 to 9:00 PM The Gem Theater | Etowah Join us for the “Declaration of Independence,” presented by Mark Stephenson. A presentation on the history and meaning of the Declaration of Independence. FREE www.tennesseeoverhill.com

FALL 2026 FARRAGUT LIFE

FARRAGUT LIFE FALL 2026

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