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“HE IS RISEN”

DR. LON SHOOPMAN

THE REDEMPTION STORY OF JEREMY HELTON

FUN SPRING EVENTS

For nearly 90 years, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital has delivered transformative and expert pediatric care. In a region where neighbors show up for one another and roots run deep, Dolly Parton is reinforcing a longstanding commitment to children and families in a bold new era for the hospital — one centered on compassion, innovation and access.

Driven by excellence and grounded in its commitment to families, Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital will continue advancing its mission to improve the health and well-being of children through exceptional, comprehensive, family-centered care — deepening its impact of pediatric excellence across the region.

A Shared Promise to the Children of East Tennessee and Beyond —

Reinforcing

Hope, Healing and Access to World-Class Healthcare

A Shared Promise to the Children of East Tennessee and Beyond — Reinforcing Hope, Healing and Access to World-Class Healthcare

In a landmark moment for pediatric healthcare, East Tennessee Children’s Hospital today announced it is officially becoming Dolly Parton Children's Hospital, marking a powerful new collaboration designed to elevate children’s healthcare across East Tennessee and beyond.

“Being fortunate to have grown up in the mountains of East Tennessee, I learned early on what it means to take care of one another,” said Dolly Parton. “Every child deserves world-class care, wrapped in kindness and love. I’m so honored to stand alongside this hospital and do my part to help bring more hope, more comfort and more healing to children and families.”

“This is more than a name change,” said Matt Schaefer, President and CEO of Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital. “With Dolly’s support, we are strengthening our mission to deliver world-class pediatric care to families, ensuring every child who walks through our doors receives the treatment they deserve.”

Everyone is invited to be part of this historic moment by contributing to the future of pediatric care at Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital.

To learn more or get involved, visit DollyChildrens.org.

Spacious Skies, Purple Mountain Majesties, Waves of Buttercups and Bluebells. Discover America’s Most Beautiful Golf Experience. Fairfield Glade Resort.

If you’ve never played mountain golf, you’re missing out on one of the game’s most exciting forms. We offer five Championship Golf Courses with dramatic mountain vistas, colorful blooming flowers, still and running water hazards. Plus challenging elevation shifts and unforgiving woods that can swallow up hooks and slices.

Now is the perfect time to experience Fairfield Glade Resort. Everything is in bloom. Deer and other wildlife encounters are not uncommon. And temperatures and humidity are mild.

So pack your golf clubs, hiking boots, your tennis and pickleball racquets and your fishing gear. Come to Fairfield Glade for a day, for a week or more. There’s more fun here than most anywhere else from sea to shining sea.

We’re an easy drive from Knoxville and Chattanooga or anywhere in east Tennessee. Go to www.fairfieldglade.com/golf-packages for details on booking. Or call us at (888) 334-5233.

Now the fun begins.

Spring has always been one of my favorite seasons in East Tennessee. There is something about watching the hills come back to life, the flowers beginning to bloom, and the fresh air of a new season that reminds us just how beautiful God’s creation truly is.

As Easter approaches, it also brings a deeper kind of renewal. In the middle of busy schedules, deadlines, and the many responsibilities life places before us, I often find that the quiet moments reflecting on the life and grace of Jesus help me slow down. Easter reminds us of the greatest gift ever given, the hope, mercy, and redemption found through Him. It is a season that gently calls us back to the true meaning of life: faith, gratitude, and the love we share with others.

Here at McMinn Life Magazine, we are incredibly thankful for the opportunity to share the stories of our community. Each issue is made possible by the readers who welcome us into their homes, the local businesses who support us through advertising, and the many individuals who believe in what we are building together. Because of your support, this publication continues to grow as we celebrate the people, places, and moments that make East Tennessee so special. As we step into this new season, we look forward to the year ahead, sharing inspiring stories, highlighting remarkable people, and celebrating the strength, beauty, and faith that make our community shine.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us. We look forward to sharing many more stories with you in the months to come and celebrating all that this wonderful year will bring to our beautiful hometown.

Wishing you and your family a joyful and blessed spring.

Lisa Atkins Bingham

Publisher of Monroe Life, Farragut & McMinn Life Magazine President of The Bingham Group

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Life FromThe Publisher

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Lisa Atkins Bingham

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Kristin West

Gayle Fisher

April Edmonds

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He Is Risen!

It began at dawn. Women rushed through well-remembered streets in Jerusalem, carrying with them a rumor. A rumor of resurrection which they brought from the place of death. The disciples of Jesus were hiding in someone’s house, cowering behind bolted and barricaded doors. Bounding up the steps the women talked excitedly and began pounding on the door, prompting fear in the darkened room.

“Keep that door locked,” someone shouted. In time, their voices recognized, the women gained entrance.

Mary blurted out, “He is risen!” Her words prompted mockery.

The women insisted, “He is risen, indeed!”

“They crucified Him.” “He is risen!”

“They put him in the grave.” “He is risen!”

They continued to insist that one who had died was no longer dead.

The notion of life being stronger than death is an old one. Death comes to all creatures, but human beings are unique in realizing they will die. They are unique, as well, in being able to consider the possibility of life after death. It is a universal notion found in all cultures. We possess mortal bodies and immortal souls.

Twenty-five hundred years ago the Scandinavians set huge boulders around graves in the shape of a ship to carry the souls of the dead to Valhalla. The American Indians placed arrowheads by the side of their dead for use in the happy hunting grounds. The Egyptian pyramid represented a staircase to heaven for their Pharoah.

The Greeks placed a coin in the mouth of their departed that they might pay the ferryman to cross them over the river Styx. The Celtic people believed they were destined for eternal youth, beauty, and abundance. Rumors of immortality.

A rumor is defined as a piece of information, or a story, passed from one person to another without any proof that it is true. The early church insisted that the resurrection brought immorality to light. Life after death was no longer a rumor, it was a reality. After Easter, the disciples left their place of hiding to boldly proclaim, “We have seen the Lord!” Not just the disciples. Five hundred people, in and around Jerusalem, insisted the risen Savior had appeared to them. Fifty days later the followers of Jesus began to preach. All their sermons were about the resurrection. The resurrection is the central theme in every Christian sermon reported in the book of Acts. The resurrection was the good news which the Christians brought to the world. Their preaching convinced thousands. It is a simple fact of history that it was the resurrection that brought the church into being.

When the Church swept out from Jerusalem to the conquest of the earth, it was the resurrection message that was the driving power.

Multitudes Have Died For Their Faith

The greatest news that ever broke upon the world; the news which was to change the life of humanity; shake down thrones and overthrow kingdoms, was given first to humble obscure people who had nothing to distinguish them but their forgiven hearts. Many paid an awful price for their resurrection faith, which they steadfastly refused to abandon or renounce. The blood of the martyrs stains every era of history. In the past two thousand years it is estimated that more than seventy million Christians have died for their faith.

On a December day in 1666, Hugh Mackail, a young preacher was brought before a judge in Edinburgh and condemned to death. He was given four days to live. As he was led back to prison, many watched and wept. So young he seemed. But in his own eyes, no tears were seen. “Trust in God!” he shouted to the crowd. Catching a glimpse of a friend, he cried, “Good news! I am within four days of seeing the face of our resurrected Lord!”

Death? What is death, if in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord?

Multitudes Have Died

Clinging To Their Faith

John had trouble conveying the wonder of Jesus. His frustration was revealed when he wrote: “Jesus did many other things. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written” (John 21:25). John simply said of Jesus, “In him was life.” Others saw the wonder. This explains the astounding daring of the requests brought to him. Leprosy, for instance, was indisputably incurable; but “Lord if thou wilt,” said the leper, “thou canst make me clean” (Matthew 8:2). The truth remains, however, apart from the resurrection, Jesus of Nazareth would be a mere footnote in history. Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth, “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and your faith is in vain” (1 Cor. 15:14). The resurrection is central to our faith.

Craig Meerimen, 34-year-old father of three little girls was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Craig and his wife Michelle began a blog to write about their journey as they faced Craig’s disease. The blog was deeply moving. In his last entry, Craig wrote in part, “Just looking in the mirror. I can tell my downward spiral has begun. I am at an all-time low of 118 pounds. My yellow eyes remind me the jaundice is settling back in and this pretty much means that things are going to start shutting down. There’s really nothing left for us to try that we haven’t tried. There is nothing for us to do that we haven’t already done.”

He goes on to write, “I am very motivated about what the future has to offer me. The encouragement I have that my eternal life will be in heaven puts a smile on my face.”

The last sentence that Craig wrote was just three words followed by five exclamation points. He wrote, “GOD IS GOOD!!!!!” A dying 34-year-old father of three doesn’t say that without the resurrection.

At Craig’s funeral, his six-year-old daughter, Emily, got up in her pretty dress and her pigtails and read from 1 Cor.2:9

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived, What God has prepared for those who love him.”

That’s why we celebrate Easter.

Multitudes Walk By Faith

In this matter of Easter and resurrection, we all have a stake. We are on a journey that leads from the cradle to the grave. For some it is a long journey, while for others it is a short walk. The infant sleeping serenely in its crib has already begun this journey. Others, whose limbs are too feeble to bear them across the room, are nearing journey’s end. On and on we go. Peter says we have been given a “Living Hope” through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. He means that wherever we might be on the journey, we can and should live in hope focusing on the eternal.

Peter Jenkins wrote: A Walk Across America. It is an amazing story. Peter Jenkins walked, with his dog as his companion, from New York to New Orleans. There he met Barbara his future wife. They took up the trek from New Orleans, heading northwest across Texas, Utah, Idaho and into Oregon.

As they approached the end of their journey, they wrote to several family members and close friends inviting them to meet them in Florence, Oregon and walk with them on their last mile to the Pacific Ocean. One of those who joined them was Barbara’s 83-year-old grandmother who was little and frail, weighing only 85 pounds. As they walked the last mile, she took their hands and led them toward the sea. As she walked, she began to sing an old gospel song, The Last Mile of the Way.

If I walk in the pathway of duty, If I work till the close of the day; I shall see the great King in His beauty When I’ve gone the last mile of the way. When I’ve gone the last mile of the way, I will rest at the close of the day, And I know there are joys that await me When I’ve gone the last mile of the way.

The awaiting joy is that you will see the one who died on a cross, lay in a grave three days, and came forth alive forevermore.

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed!

This is the message of Easter.

Spring InFull Bloom:

Discover the Season in McMinn County

As winter fades and the hills of East Tennessee burst into shades of green, spring arrives in McMinn County with a fresh sense of energy. Dogwoods bloom, farmers begin preparing their fields, and the sound of laughter returns to town squares and community gatherings. Warmer days invite families outdoors, neighbors reconnect after the quiet of winter, and the calendar quickly fills with festivals, local events, and exciting community happenings. • From historic train depots and carnival lights to river adventures and one of the region’s most beloved agricultural celebrations, McMinn County offers plenty of reasons to get out and explore this season. • Whether you’re planning a weekend outing or simply looking for something new to experience close to home, spring in McMinn County promises something for everyone.

New Adventures Along the Hiwassee River

Outdoor recreation continues to grow in McMinn County thanks to recent improvements along the Hiwassee Blueway.

The Cherokee Crossing boat landing in

Calhoun has undergone exciting upgrades after receiving grant funding to enhance access to the scenic Hiwassee River. The project includes a new dock, kayak launch, picnic areas, and shaded spaces for visitors to relax and enjoy the riverside setting.

Expected to be completed before the

spring boating season, Cherokee Crossing will serve as a beautiful gateway for kayaking, fishing, canoeing, and leisurely days spent along one of East Tennessee’s most picturesque waterways. As the weather warms, locals and visitors alike will find it the perfect place to launch an adventure or simply enjoy a peaceful afternoon by the water.

Carnival Fun Returns to Etowah

April 3-5

The town of Etowah is kicking off spring with the return of its beloved Etowah Spring Carnival, taking place April 3-5.

This multi-day celebration brings the nostalgic charm of a classic carnival to town with rides, games, food vendors, and family-friendly activities throughout the weekend. Organizers are expanding the event this year by welcoming additional vendors and offering even more food options for festival-goers.

A highlight of the weekend is Etowah’s community Egg Hunt, held that Saturday and drawing families from across the county. With strong attendance last year, the carnival is quickly becoming one of the season’s most anticipated gatherings and a joyful way to welcome spring.

Athens Gets Ready for National MooFest

June 6

Downtown Athens will once again come alive on June 6 as it hosts the iconic National MooFest.

Celebrating the region’s rich agricultural heritage and the legacy of Mayfield Dairy Farms, MooFest attracts more than 16,000 visitors each year. The lively festival features dairy-themed contests, interactive exhibits like the Wheel of Agriculture, and even live cows that give visitors a hands-on look at Tennessee’s farming traditions.

More than 300 food and craft vendors line the streets of downtown Athens, while children’s activities and entertainment keep families busy all day. Music fills the air, the smell of festival food drifts through downtown, and the entire community comes together to celebrate one of McMinn County’s most beloved traditions.

A Historic Stop for Train Enthusiasts

April 25 - 26

Train enthusiasts and history lovers alike will enjoy the Niota Model Train Show, returning April 25-26 at the historic Niota Depot, proudly recognized as Tennessee’s oldest standing railroad depot.

During the event, the depot is filled with elaborate model train layouts and miniature landscapes carefully crafted by hobbyists from across the region. Tiny locomotives wind through detailed mountain passes, towns, and countryside scenes while visitors learn about the rich railroad history that helped shape East Tennessee. The show has become a favorite spring tradition, drawing visitors from across the Southeast who share a passion for trains, craftsmanship, and the charm of this beautifully preserved historic depot.

New Flavors in Downtown Athens

Visitors exploring downtown Athens this spring will also find some exciting new dining options.

Drip Kitchen & Coffee has quickly become a favorite gathering place for locals seeking great coffee, creative breakfast options, and a welcoming atmosphere.

Nearby, Pie Hound Pizza Company is serving handcrafted pizzas that have already developed a loyal following. With bold flavors and a relaxed vibe, it’s the perfect stop after a day spent exploring festivals, shopping downtown, or enjoying the beauty of McMinn County.

A Season Worth Exploring

Spring in McMinn County is more than just a change in the weather, it’s a time when communities come alive. From small-town festivals and outdoor adventures to new local businesses and longstanding traditions, the season is filled with moments that bring people together.

As the days grow warmer and the events begin to unfold, there’s no better time to get outside, explore your community, and experience the welcoming spirit that makes McMinn County such a special place to call home.

Choose a rug for its feel underfoot and the emotions it evokes — not just its pattern.

Let’s wander through the curated world of room adornments — fro m cozy textiles to captivating curios — and explore how each adds texture , emotion, home. These pieces don’t just ground space — they ground us.

April Edmonds

The Soul In The Details: How Accessories Bring a Room To Life

They say a house becomes a home when it begins to feel familiar — that warm, inexplicable sense that you belong there, that every corner whispers a story only you can tell. And if that’s true, then the soul of a home doesn’t come from the architecture, the square footage, or even the color on the walls. It comes from the accessories, those unassuming heroes that subtly shape how we move, feel, and breathe in a space.

In living rooms, they pull sofas and chairs into conversation. In bedrooms, they cradle your steps. In dining rooms, they offer visual warmth beneath plates and shared meals.

Think beyond matchy-matchy. A room that feels curated has throw pillows that play off different textures and tones. Velvet next to linen. Earthy neutrals beside bold jewel tones. Subtle embroidery beside high-contrast prints. And throw pillows are not static. They change with the seasons and moods of life. Summer brings breezy cotton and linen. Winter invites plush velvet and cable-knit warmth. In spring, florals and pastels sing. In fall, rich amber and rust echo the turning trees . Pillows are the easiest way to tell a story — your story — without saying a word.

They say a house becomes a home when it begins to feel familiar inexplicable sense that you belong there, that every corner whi you can tell. And if that’s true, then the soul of a home doesn architecture, the square footage, or even the color on the wall the accessories, those unassuming heroes that subtly shape how and breathe in a space. A room without accessories is like a sentence without punctuati on: technically complete but missing its voice. Accessories are the laughter in quiet rooms, the punctuation marks in lived-in spaces, the visual warmth that ma kes a space feel

A room without accessories is like a sentence without punctuation: technically complete but missing its voice. Accessories are the laughter in quiet rooms, the punctuation marks in lived-in spaces, the visual warmth that makes a space feel like you.

The Soul In The Details: How Accessories Bring a Room To Life

Let’s wander through the curated world of room adornments — from cozy textiles to captivating curios — and explore how each adds texture, emotion, and story to the spaces we inhabit.

Area Rugs: Anchors for the Soul

But rugs are more than decor; they are memory-keepers.

A Persian runner inherited from a beloved grandmother. A handwoven jute rug discovered in a tiny coastal caravan. The shag rug you bought on a whim because it felt like home. These pieces don’t just ground space — they ground us.

If rugs are the heartbeat of a room, throw pil lows are its exhalation — soft, expressive, and delightfully tactile. They invite you to sink in, curl up, relax, and stay a while.

The Comfort of Expression

Let’s wander through the curated world of room adornments — from cozy textiles to captivating curios — and explore how each adds texture, emotion, and story to the spaces we inhabit.

Throw Pillows:

In living rooms, they pull sofas and chairs into conversation. In bedrooms, they cradle your steps. In dining rooms, they offer visual warmth beneath plates and shared meals. Choose a rug for its feel underfoot and the emotions it evokes — not just its pattern.

Throw Pillows: The Comfort of Expression

If rugs are the heartbeat of a room, throw pillows are its exhalation — soft, expressive, and delightfully tactile. They invite you to sink in, curl up, relax, and stay a while.

And throw pillows are not static. They change with the seasons and moods of life. Summer brings breezy cotton and linen. Winter invites plush velvet and cable-knit warmth. In spring, florals and pastels sing. In fall, rich amber and rust echo the turning trees

— they ground us. your story — without saying a word. emotions it evokes — not just its pattern.

Pillows are the easiest way to tell a story — your story — without saying a word.

Throw Pillows: The Comfort of Expression

— they ground us.

Walking into a room barefoot on a cold morning and feeling the softness of an area rug under your feet is one of life’s small, sacred pleasures. Area rugs are architectural poetry — they define zones, establish rhythm, and anchor furniture in a way no single piece of wood or tile ever can. But rugs are more than decor; they are memory-keepers. A Persian runner inherited from a beloved grandmother. A handwoven jute rug discovered in a tiny coastal caravan. The shag rug you bought on a whim because it felt like home. These pieces don’t just ground space

Choose a rug for its feel underfoot and the

In living rooms, they pull sofas and chairs into conversation. In bedrooms, they cradle your steps. In dining rooms, they offer visual warmth beneath plates and shared meals.

Vases & Floral Arrangements: Poetry in Still Life

There’s something primal about flowers in a vase — a reminder that even in stillness, life blooms. Vases are the quiet curators of a room’s seasonal pulse.

They reflect light like tiny sculptures, catch shifting shadows, and celebrate nature’s fleeting brilliance. Whether it’s a single stem of eucalyptus in a tall ceramic vase or a lush arrangement of wildflowers fresh from the market, blooms anchor moments in time. And don’t underestimate dried botanicals. Pampas grass, preserved ferns, or delicate eucalyptus can lend organic texture yearround. These aren’t just plants — they are mood makers.

April Edmonds

The Soul In The Details: How Accessories Bring a Room To Life

Place a vase on a coffee table, a console, a bathroom shelf, or even a stack of books. Let it be unexpected, let it be joyful. Let it remind you that beauty is often transient — and that’s part of the grace.

Let’s wander through the curated world of room adornments — fro m cozy textiles to captivating curios — and explore how each adds texture , emotion, and story to the spaces we inhabit. Area Rugs: Anchors for the Soul

If rugs are the heartbeat of a room, throw pillows are its exhalation — soft, expressive, and delightfully tactile. They invite you to sink in, curl up, relax, and stay a while. Think beyond matchy-matchy. A room that feels curated has throw pillows that play off different textures and tones. Velvet next to linen. Earthy neutrals beside bold jewel tones. Subtle embroidery beside high-conAnd throw pillows are not static. They change with the seasons and moods of life. Summer brings breezy cotton and linen. Winter invites plush velvet and cable-knit warmth. In spring, florals and pastels sing. In fall, rich amber and rust echo the turning trees Pillows are the easiest way to tell a story —

— that warm, spers a story only ’t come from the s. It comes from we move, feel, on: technically quiet rooms, the kes a space feel

How Accessories Bring a Room To Life

From Madisonville to Athens, Jim’s Mattress & More is popping up year-round - bringing comfort, style, and a little hometown fun wherever they go!

Wall Art: The Visual Pulse

visage you found tucked away in an antique market. These pieces are more than decoration; they are conversation starters.

Walls are the blank pages of our homes, waiting to be written on.

Let’s wander through the curated world of room adornments — from cozy textiles to captivating curios — and explore how each adds texture, emotion, and story to the spaces we inhabit.

Books: Old, Colorful, Vintage The Unscripted Guests

Area Rugs: Anchors for the Soul

Throw Pillows: The Comfort of Expression

Books are the gentle rebels of home décor. They are functional, yes — but also deeply personal. Their spines are roadmaps to who we are, what we’ve loved, and what ideas have echoed in our minds.

A stack of vintage books can be art. Their faded dust jackets, quirky fonts, dog-ear marks, and handwritten notes in the margins carry a sense of history no new shelf filler can mimic.

But rugs are more than decor; they are memory-keepers.

Great wall art doesn’t just fill space — it resonates. It can be bold and brash, soft and understated, whimsical or profound. It reflects our tastes, our influences, our inner worlds. A framed family photo can be as powerful as a gallery-worthy painting. A vintage poster can be as moving as abstract expressionism.

Don’t be afraid to mix mediums. A woven textile beside minimalist prints. A photograph beside a sculptural wall piece. Rhythm and contrast — these are the keys to visual life.

And remember: the wall art you love today might change tomorrow. That’s okay. Let your walls evolve as you do.

Unique Statues & Sculptural Accents: Silent Storytellers

Place them in unexpected nooks. Let them surprise guests on a bookshelf. Let them hover beside a vase. Let them be that tiny heartbeat that pulses in an otherwise minimalist corner.

These are the objects that nod to the vast world beyond our walls.

Throw Pillows: The Comfort of Expression

If rugs are the heartbeat of a room, throw pillows are its exhalation — soft, expressive, and delightfully tactile. They invite you to sink in, curl up, relax, and stay a while.

Place books horizontally to use as risers for vases, candles, or curios. Place them vertically between bookends that feel like tiny sentinels. Books are mood makers and story keepers. Their presence says: “This is where thoughts linger and time is valued.”

Statues and sculptural pieces are the quiet philosophers of home décor — objects that don’t say much, yet speak volumes.

A carved figure from a distant land. A modernist abstract form that seems to shift when the light changes. A tiny terracotta

Pillows are the easiest way to tell a story — your story — without saying a word.

Lamps & Lighting: The Drama of Shadows and Glow

Choose mirrors with interesting frames — brass filigree, aged wood, bold shapes. Let them be visual echoes of identity.

Lamps & Lighting: The Drama of Shadows and Glow

Light doesn’t just illuminate a room — it performs it.

Tables: The Stages of Life

A well-placed lamp can transform atmosphere the way music transforms mood. Lamps cast shadows that dance, soften edges, and draw attention to the things that matter: a cozy armchair, a treasured sculpture, a stack of favorite books.

Tables are the stages where life unfolds. Dining tables hold shared meals and conversations. Coffee tables gather our magazines, cups, and curios. Side tables catch the books we’re reading at 2 a.m. and the glasses we nearly forget there. Console tables usher keys, mail, and morning intentions.

Lighting is emotional. Bright overhead lights feel utilitarian. Warm lamps feel inviting. Dimmed sconces feel intimate.

In cooler months, they wrap us in comfort. In warmer seasons, they introduce breezy layers without weight. They add visual warmth even when unused.

Textiles can be table runners, wall hangings, floor cushions, or window scarves. They soften hard edges, bring in pattern without rule, and remind us that a room should feel lived in.

Metal Accent Pieces: Shine with Purpose

behind a sofa with whispered secrets shared over wine. An ottoman that invites morning coffee and late afternoon naps.

Accent furniture is freedom. It doesn’t have to match anything. It just has to respond — to light, to flow, to your life.

Unique Chairs: Invitations to Sit, to Stay

Chairs are invitations.

Unlike sofas (which say “gather here”), unique chairs say “sit with me.”

Think of lighting as poetry:

A table doesn’t need to be grand to be meaningful. But when chosen with care — with attention to scale, material, and story — it becomes the locus of daily life.

Think of lighting as poetry:

A soft glow beside a reading nook,

A tall lamp by a listening chair,

Let tables be functional. Let them be expressive. Let them be where the mundane becomes memorable.

A cluster of light overhead like stars

Guiding footsteps in evening air.

In Closing: Curate, Don’t Decorate

Metal accents are those punctuation marks that lift a space from soft to striking.

Brass candlesticks. Copper bowls. Iron sculptures. Polished stainless—each carries its own energy: some warm and glowing, others sleek and cool.

A mid-century modern piece with elegant lines. A cozy accent chair with tufted velvet. A rustic woven seat you found at a roadside market. A bean bag that refuses to be serious.

Your choice of bulbs matters too — warm or cool, crisp or soft. And the fixtures themselves? They are accessories in their own right: sleek brass, hand-blown glass, woven rattan, or sculptural silhouettes that echo light as art.

Accessories are not afterthoughts. They are the heartbeat of every room. They are where memory, texture, and story intersect. They are how a space learns to breathe.

When you decorate a room with intention — not just with objects, but with meaning — you create not just beautiful spaces, but places that feel irrevocably yours.

Throws & Textiles: Comfort You Can Wear

Throws are the warm embraces of the décor world. They are tactile love letters draped over armrests, folded at the end of beds, tossed casually over chairs. A throw introduces texture — woolly, woven, cashmere-soft, fringed, chunky knit — and asks nothing more than to be used.

In the end, the best rooms are not the ones that look perfect — they are the ones that feel like home. If you need a little help in the process, feel free to visit us at Jim’s Mattress & More with two locations to help you find the perfect pieces to add a little flare and character to your space.

Use metal judiciously. Let it be the breath between heavier textures of wood and textiles. A shiny tray atop a coffee table, a sculptural brass form on a shelf, iron candle holders glowing in evening light — these moments of shimmer catch the eye and hold it.

Metal accents are confidence. They are the details that say, “I noticed this, and I wanted it here.”

Accent Furniture: The Unexpected Guests

A room’s major pieces — the sofa, the bed, the dining table — are like the foundational chapters of a book. Accent furniture are the footnotes that make the story richer.

A petite chest beside a window. A sculptural side table in unexpected color. A console

Each chair has a personality. Each asks something different of us: to read, to think, to talk, to be still.

Spread them throughout a room. Let them face one another. Let them face the window. Let them become the quiet hosts of moments you might not expect.

Mirrors: Reflection With Intent

Mirrors are magic makers.

At their simplest, they reflect light. But at their most profound, they reflect life. A mirror can make a room feel larger, brighter, more alive. It can frame a view, echo a window, or capture a flicker of candlelight.

Placed mindfully, mirrors are invitations — see ourselves, to see the room from new angles, to feel connected to the space in ways flat walls never allow.

Placed mindfully, mirrors are invitations — to see ourselves, to see the room from new angles, to feel connected to the space in ways flat walls never allow.

Choose mirrors with interesting frames — brass filigree, aged wood, bold shapes. Let them be visual echoes of identity.

Tables:

Tables: The Stages of Life

The Stages of Life

A table doesn’t need to be grand to be meaningful. But when chosen with care — with attention to scale, material, and story — it becomes the locus of daily life.

Let tables be functional. Let them be expressive. Let them be where the mundane becomes memorable.

In

In Closing: Curate, Don’t Decorate

Closing: Curate, Don’t Decorate

Accessories are not afterthoughts. They are the heartbeat of every room. They are where memory, texture, and story intersect. They are how a space learns to breathe.

When you decorate a room with intention — not just with objects, but with meaning — you create not just beautiful spaces, but places that feel irrevocably yours.

Dandelions

D Gayle Fisher Master Gardner

andelion (Taraxacum officinale) is the most common and easily identified perennial weed in the United States. Dandelions have beautiful clear yellow blooms from spring to fall. The flower stems grow two to ten inches above the plants, and the medium green lobed leaves are about six inches long. They also enjoy a deep healthy taproot that looks like a member of the carrot family. If only this plant could be put into a flower bed and stay, we would love them but the seed can be carried by the wind for miles and they love our lawns.

Dandelions have two ways to reproduce. They produce seeds and send off shoots from it’s fleshy taproot. The taproot grows two to three feet (yes, I said feet deep) in the soil. They can obviously survive the coldest winters. As the yellow flowers mature and ripen, they form white puff balls that contain the seeds. The top dies back in late fall and the taproot winters over to start the cycle again in the spring.

Years ago, we had a diet coke commercial featuring a gorgeous hunk of a man (without his shirt) clad only in a pair of skintight blue jeans. This handsome guy was on his hands and knees removing dandelions from a small plat of lawn, while a beautiful woman in the window next door was seen blowing more dandelion seeds in his direction.

I accept that we all have dandelions, some of us just have more than others. Now for the solution there are manual tools like the “weed hound” which pops the dandelion out of the ground and claims to get the entire root, or you can use any broadleaf

killer such as 2-4-D, weed-be-gone, or even a Weed and Feed. For best results you will need to make at least two applications, early summer and then again in early fall. Do not mow or water for two days after the application. I have a friend who chooses to always pick the dandelion before they bloom. Then she would just slip the little flower in her pocket. This way she had only to fight the already established plants not new seedlings. Mowing before the seed heads form also helps to slow this aggressive plant.

If you don’t want to fight dandelions you can eat them - they are good in salads, both the leaves and the blooms. I had a friend who made dandelion wine, and it is also used in herbal remedies. I found an ad for dandelion extract on the web for $19.95 I’m not sure what it’s trying to cure.

One Mother’s Day I had the rare treat of having all my children and grandchildren home. We had a lovely “French picnic” walked the yard and enjoyed being together. When I saw a dandelion blooming, I bent down, picked the bloom and put it in my pocket only to have my six- year- old grandson excitedly run to the next plant, pick the puff ball and blow hardily, “Oh, Fisher” I said “let’s pick them and put them in our pockets.” “Why?” he asked, I replied “so that they don’t spread the seeds.”

“Mama Gayle” he asked with a hurt look on his face, “don’t you like wish-ers?” Wish-ers! Of course I like wishers. Every grandmother will gladly give a child this simple fuzzy ball to blow across her lawn because we all have so much to wish and be thankful for.

RESCUED

RESCUED The Redemption Story of Jeremy Helton

The Redemption Story of Jeremy Helton

By: Kristin West

BEFORE YOU READ THIS

Somewhere in Tennessee, a man is driving toward the worst decision of his life, with absolutely no idea that God is already waiting for him on the other side. • God leaves the 99 at this moment, all to rescue the 1 that needs him the most. • By the time this story is over, that same man will be standing inside a prison, not as an inmate, but as a messenger of hope. He will be teaching Sunday school, feeding the homeless, and helping to rescue a missing grandfather. • None of that was his idea. This is what it looks like when Jesus refuses to let go of a soul.

JJA BOY WITH NO GROUND TO STAND ON

A BOY WITH NO GROUND TO STAND ON

eremy Helton never got a normal beginning.

His mother was fifteen years old when she learned she was pregnant, not at home, not at a clinic, but in a hospital bed, her stomach being pumped from an overdose of pills. That night is frozen in time: no answers, only fear and the fragile possibility that both of them might survive it.

They did. But what came next wasn’t stability. His father wanted nothing to do with a child. He fled to Texas, fell into drugs, and spent most of Jeremy’s life behind bars. In the spaces left behind, others stepped in, his Nana, his Papa, an uncle who helped raise him. For a season, there was something solid

to hold onto. Something that felt like love. Something that felt like home.

But grief doesn’t wait for a child to be ready. By twelve, Jeremy had already been introduced to alcohol and marijuana. And then, as if God was testing how much one boy could bear, the floor gave way entirely.

His Nana, the steadiest presence he’d ever known, died after a season of deep family pain. Then his uncle, another anchor, was struck by lightning in a parking lot and killed instantly. Gone. Just like that. No warning. No goodbye.

“I just watched everything I loved disappear and crumble.”

Loss did what loss always does when there’s no one to help carry it. It hardened him. Anger moved in like a tenant. And the world, which had never felt particularly safe, stopped feeling worth trusting at all. He was still just a boy. But he was already learning to survive like a man with nothing left to lose.

RUNNING TOWARD THE FIRE

His mother eventually found her way back to him and remarried. But at fourteen, after a violent argument with his stepfather, Jeremy walked out the front door and didn’t look back. No plan. No destination. Just the street, and whatever it offered. Couch to couch. Hustle to hustle. In that instability, a darker kind of family found him first.

By sixteen, Jeremy had joined a white supremacist organization and caught his first criminal charge, distribution of marijuana. What started as survival quickly became identity. Power. Reputation. Control. The deeper he went, the more those things felt like the only things worth having.

Then, in January of 2000, Jeremy became a father.

One month later, his daughter died.

Whatever was left of the soft places inside him, whatever grief had not yet hardened, shattered.

The next twenty years looked like this: gang leadership. Drug trafficking. Prison. Violence.

Fifteen years inside the Georgia prison system, rising to become a high-ranking enforcer within his gang, coordinating brutality, moving methamphetamine and heroin, living with absolutely no intention of ever becoming anything different.

We’ve all seen the face. The mugshot we scroll past. The name we assume will never change. The man we’ve quietly written off without ever saying it out loud.

It’s easy to dismiss someone. It’s much harder to believe a soul is still worth rescuing.

We’ve all seen the face. The mugshot we scroll past. The name we assume will never change. The man we’ve quietly written off without ever saying it out loud. It’s easy to dismiss someone. It’s much harder to believe a soul is still worth rescuing.

It’s easy to dismiss someone. It’s much harder to believe a soul is still worth rescuing.

But God doesn’t scroll past. He never has. Scripture says it with one word that changes everything: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Whosoever.

Even this man. Even Jeremy Helton.

THE NIGHT GOD WOULDN’T LET GO

Jeremy had lived a scarlet life. Every syllable landed somewhere deep.

On February 5, 2019, Jeremy walked out of prison.

He didn’t raise his hand. He didn’t say a word.

Six months later, on August 12, 2019, he was behind the wheel, driving toward Georgia to pick up drugs. Near the Tennessee state line, just before Copperhill, a police vehicle came into view on the side of the road.

But that night, alone in a community bathroom, he got down on his knees on a cold concrete floor. And here, he cried out to God to save his life.

In that instant, something inside him made a decision. He was not going back to prison. He has been open about what he intended that night, he planned to kill those officers and force them to kill him in return. He was ready to die. He was ready to take lives. As far as Jeremy Helton was concerned, it was over.

This is what grace looks like. Not cleaned up. Not reformed. Not ready. Grace is God moving toward a man while he is still wrecked, still guilty, still dangerous, still in the mess. Romans 5:8 doesn’t stutter. ‘While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

But God had already gone ahead of him.

Scripture tells us the Shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to go after the one. On a cold floor in the Polk County Jail, Jesus went after Jeremy Helton.

The blue lights came on. Jeremy had instructed the girl with him to hand him the weapon, but instead of following his instructions, she quietly placed the gun in her purse. The weapon Jeremy expected to have was never placed in his hand. No shots were fired. He was arrested and taken to the Polk County Jail without a single drop of blood.

Surrender didn’t mean instant perfection. But something was different, permanently, unmistakably different. Back in his cell, Jeremy cracked open a Bible. He read it every day. He prayed. He wrestled. He sought. “That’s where I fell in love with Jesus Christ,” he says.

Standing there in the noise and the chaos of that booking room, something in Jeremy broke open.

Then came the legal blow. His attorney had offered hope, a possible three-year sentence. Then, without warning, that changed. Forty years. Served at one hundred percent.

For the first time in years, he wept.

Three days later, a jail chaplain named John Miles walked into the pod. He began speaking about Jesus, about forgiveness, about grace, about a Savior who makes the filthiest life clean again. Isaiah 1:18 says it like a promise, ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.’

The old Jeremy, the enforcer who had ruled by violence and rage, would have torn that room apart and anyone in his way.

Instead, Jeremy says simply: “I opened my Bible.” He turned to 1 Corinthians 10:13: “God is faithful, and He will provide a way of escape.”

Peace replaced rage. Not a peace Jeremy manufactured, Philippians 4:7 calls it ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.’

A peace that made no earthly sense and could only have come from heaven.

Peace replaced rage. Not a peace Jeremy manufactured, Philippians 4:7 calls it ‘the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.’ A peace that made no earthly sense and could only have come from heaven.

Behind the scenes, God was already engineering what Jeremy could not. Chaplain John Miles went to bat for him with prosecutors. Conversations took place with the arresting officer. A door opened to a Christian rehabilitation program called Miracle Lake.

Then came four words Jeremy never expected to hear in this lifetime: “time served.”

Freedom stood in front of him again. This time, he knew he couldn’t waste it.

“I can’t go back to the streets,” he said. “Can you help me?”

The answer was Miracle Lake.

MIRACLE LAKE

MIRACLE LAKE

Tucked into the rolling hills of Etowah, Tennessee, is a place where broken stories get rewritten. It sits on 134 wooded acres surrounding an 11-acre lake, quiet, unhurried, and completely unlike anywhere Jeremy had ever been.

Miracle Lake Christian Training Center opened its doors on December 7, 1980,

and since that first student walked through the gate, 2,813 men have followed. Its mission has never changed: a biblical approach to recovery built not on willpower or a twelve-step chart, but on a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

The man who built it heard God speak when he was nineteen years old.

Jack Bryan was studying building construction at Southern Tech in Georgia when the voice came clearly one night: “Jack, go back home and preach.” He got up, put on a raincoat and an old hat, walked out into the October rain, and started the 120-mile journey home to Etowah, Tennessee, with a single quarter in his pocket and nothing else.

He arrived at his mother’s house at seven in the morning. She barely looked up from the stove. “Son,” she said, “I knew God was working on you.”

Though Jack faithfully pastored churches, God continuall drew his heart toward a different mission, the men behind bars. On the first Sunday of October 1973, he walked into the McMinn County Jail and never really left. His prison ministry eventually reached all fourteen state prisons in Tennessee. what he witnessed broke his heart: men released, returning to the same streets and the same habits, cycling right back into cells.

The property he believed God was calling him to use for a training center seemed out of reach. Every bank in McMinn County turned him down. The property had ten different owners, and while the deals stalled, interest rates continued to climb. But Jack pressed on, and in December 1980, the doors of Miracle Lake opened.

For over forty years, he stood watch as God transformed thousands of men in that quiet corner of East Tennessee. He retired on his ninetieth birthday, leaving behind a legacy no institution could have built.

One of the most stunning things God does is take the man He rescued and hand him the keys to rescue others.

Byron Goodman arrived at Miracle Lake on September 7, 2006, frail, malnourished, fresh off six months living under a bridge. His oxycodone addiction had cost him everything. A few weeks into the program, Jack stood before the class and talked about repentance. Byron raised his hand, tears running down his face.

“You’re talking about repentance,” he said. “And repentance is a willingness to change. I want to change. How do I get saved?” Jack invited him to the front. They knelt together. Byron gave his life to Christ, and nothing was ever the same.

“You’re talking about repentance,” he said. “And repentance is a willingness to change. I want to change. How do I get saved?”

Jack invited him to the front. They knelt together. Byron gave his life to Christ, and nothing was ever the same.

When Jack Bryan retired, he chose one man to carry the mission forward: the former student who had walked in barely alive. Byron Goodman is now Executive Director of the place that saved him.

“I’m just paying it back,” Byron said, “for what happened to me here.”

That is the world Jeremy Helton stepped into. Not a program administered by professionals who had read about addiction in a textbook. A ministry led by men who had knelt on the same kinds of floors he had. Men who knew what it felt like to be that far gone, and to be found anyway.

For the first time in his life, someone invested in who Jeremy was becoming instead of cataloguing who he had been.

He learned how to work with integrity. How to serve without expecting anything in return. How to sit quietly before the Lord and actually hear His voice. He moved into Phase Two of the program, began working in the woodshop, and eventually became certified to walk back into the prisons and jails that once held him, this time carrying hope instead of a weapon.

Today, Jeremy Helton is a project manager and Chaplain at Miracle Lake, walking alongside whose stories look exactly like his used to.

HANDS EXTENDED

Jeremy’s transformation didn’t stop at the Miracle Lake gate. It spilled out into the streets.

At Maple Street Baptist Church, he began serving quietly, then faithfully, then boldly. He now teaches Sunday school and leads a homeless outreach ministry operating in Cleveland, Tennessee, that has grown from a couple of wagons into dozens of volunteers showing up week after week with food, water, hygiene supplies, jackets, tents, and sleeping bags. A food pantry. Blessing boxes. Hands extended instead of fists clenched.

One afternoon while serving the homeless in Cleveland, Jeremy came across an elderly man, injured and alone near a construction site - covered in mud. The man was battered and bruised, confused, and lost. Jeremy stayed with him until help arrived, he could not believe the cars and people that were ignoring this man.

The man was eighty-two years old. He was missing. He was the subject of a statewide Silver Alert, and authorities across Tennessee had been searching for him.

God used a former gang enforcer to rescue a missing grandfather.

Today, Jeremy is happily married, and one of the greatest privileges of his new life has been witnessing and being a part of his wife’s and two stepchildren’s baptisms, a moment that would have been unimaginable to the man he once was.

NO ONE IS TOO FAR GONE

This is not a story about willpower. It is not about a program, or a turning point, or a man who finally decided to get his act together.

This is a story about Jesus. About what He does when everyone else has given up. The man who once plotted the murder of police officers now teaches Sunday school.

The man who once ran one of the most violent drug operations in the Georgia prison system now distributes food to the homeless.

The man who once sprinted away from the law now walks voluntarily into prisons, carrying the only thing that ever changed him. The Bible.

Jeremy had no intention of changing his life. None. God changed it anyway.

Ephesians 2:4-5 says it plainly, ‘But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive in Christ even when we were dead in transgressions.’ Jeremy wasn’t struggling. He wasn’t searching. He was dead: spiritually, morally, completely. And God, rich in mercy, made him alive.

That is not self-improvement. That is resurrection. He left the ninety-nine for the one. He made a way of escape where there was none. He turned a prison cell into a sanctuary. He turned a gang leader into a shepherd.

So before we dismiss the man on the corner. Before we shake our heads at the headline. Before we decide in our hearts that someone is simply too far gone…

What if they’re just waiting for rescue?

The evidence, standing right in front of us, is clear. No one, no one, is beyond the reach of Jesus Christ.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” - Ephesians 2:8

And He is still in the business of miracles.

A

A LEGACY BUILT TO LAST Years of Sloan’s Hardware Serving East Tennessee 125

LEGACY BUILT TO LAST Years of Sloan’s Hardware Serving East Tennessee 125

In a place like Monroe County, a hardware store is rarely just a hardware store. It’s where neighbors run into each other in the aisles, where weekend projects begin, and where someone behind the counter can usually help you figure out exactly what you need, even when you walk in saying, “I’m not really sure what this part is called.”

In a place like Monroe County, a hardware store is rarely just a hardware store. It’s where neighbors run into each other in the aisles, where weekend projects begin, and where someone behind the counter usually help you figure out exactly what you need, even when you walk in saying, “I’m not really sure what this part is called.”

For more than 125 years, Sloan’s Hometown Hardware has been that kind of place. Built on family tradition, hard work, and deep community roots, Sloan’s has grown from a small general store into one of Monroe, McMinn & Loudon County’s most trusted destinations for hardware, home improvement supplies, outdoor gear, and practical advice, always delivered with the kind of service that feels like home.

From a General Store to a Community Staple

The Sloan story began shortly after the Civil War when William Henderson Sloan returned to Monroe County and opened a small general store along the Tellico River in the Ball Play community. The store carried everyday essentials for local families and quickly became a gathering place where neighbors picked up supplies and shared conversation.

That legacy continues with the next generation. Megan Salaciak serves as operations manager alongside her husband Aaron Salaciak, Vonore Hardware store’s general manager. Tafton Sloan also works as an operations manager helping oversee daily operations and continued growth.

Together, this extended family team shares a common goal: to keep improving the stores while continuing to serve the community that has supported Sloan’s for generations.

In the early 1900s, William’s son, Key Anderson Sloan, opened another store in the Gudger community, continuing the family tradition of serving rural Monroe County. By the 1940s, the Sloan family expanded into downtown Madisonville, operating during a time when bartering was still common. Eggs, produce, and livestock were often traded for goods from the shelves, a reminder that small-town business has always been built as much on relationships as transactions.

A Store for Every Project

Today Sloan’s Hometown Hardware serves homeowners, contractors, farmers, and outdoor enthusiasts alike. The stores offer everything from hardware, plumbing, and electrical supplies to lawn and garden products, farm equipment, sporting goods, and home improvement materials.

As the community grew, so did Sloan’s. Today the Madisonville store operates from its location on Highway 411, continuing its role as the flagship store for the Sloan family business.

A Family Legacy Continues

More than a century later, Sloan’s remains proudly family-owned and operated. T.K. Sloan and Lynne Sloan have helped guide the business through years of growth while staying rooted in the same values that built it.

Mr. & Mrs. William Henderson Sloan and Bill Sloan, Below, the Sloan Family: from left to right: Tafton Sloan, Ayda-Jo Sloan, Ariana Sloan, TK Sloan, Lynne Sloan, Megan Salaciak, Aaron Salaciak.

One of the store’s standout departments is paint. As an authorized Benjamin Moore dealer, Sloan’s provides trusted, highquality paint products along with trained staff who help customers choose the right finishes, match colors, and start projects with confidence. It’s the kind of guidance that often turns a frustrating project into one done right the first time.

That helpful expertise is part of what keeps customers coming back. At Sloan’s, employees take the time to listen, answer questions, and help solve problems, whether someone brings in a mystery bolt, a worn-out mower part, or a plumbing challenge they can’t quite explain.

Rooted in Community

Sloan’s connection to Monroe County extends far beyond the store walls. Each year the business hosts a Customer Appreciation Event, welcoming families and longtime customers to celebrate the relationships that have sustained the store for more than a century.

Throughout the year, Sloan’s also supports youth sports, school programs, and local events, and is known for quietly stepping in to help neighbors in need. It’s simply part of the Sloan family philosophy: a hometown business should give back to the community that supports it.

Looking Ahead

While Sloan’s proudly honors its past, the family continues looking ahead with excitement. With multiple generations involved and a loyal community behind them, the stores continue evolving to meet the needs of modern customers while holding onto the hometown values that built their reputation.

Because in Monroe County, Sloan’s Hometown Hardware has never just been about tools or supplies.

It’s about neighbors helping neighbors, and that tradition shows no signs of slowing down.

Many customers stop in for one item and leave remembering two or three more things they needed along the way. That’s part of the charm of a hometown store that seems to have a little bit of everything.

Beyond the hardware aisles, Sloan’s has grown to include convenient store locations, gas stations, and propane refill stations, making it even easier for customers to take care of several errands in one stop. Whether someone is fueling up for the day, refilling a propane tank before grilling season, or grabbing supplies for a weekend project, Sloan’s has become a true one-stop shop for everyday needs.

Madisonville location of Sloan’s Hardware

MASTER GARDENER

Gayle Fisher

Bradford Pear

THE LADY GAGA OF SPRING

THE LOVE—HATE RELATIONSHIP

The recent warm days and mild nights have finally coerced even our standard giant trees into showing new tender leaves, leaves as delicate as a newborn baby’s fresh pink skin. Our scaffolding of trees has taken on the soft haze of new leaves.

One tree that never hesitates or needs coaxing is the Bradford pear (Pyrus calleryana) the Lady Gaga of flowering trees. This tree reaches its peak in March. At the first of the month, it begins to have a dirty brown look, then the white buds unfurl and for two to three weeks we have a spectacular display

of blooms that appear to be white puffy clouds from a distance. These blooms are even more intense since other trees have not even thought about spring. When the blooms are gone shiny chartreuse leaves take their place.

The Bradford pear is also called the Callery pear and in the same family are other varieties including ‘Cleveland Select’ also sold as ‘Chanticleer’, Whitehouse’ and ‘Capital’. The Calleries grow to about 30 feet tall and spread up to 20 feet wide. They grow best in full sun and can accept most soil. They have a formal upright branching form. This deciduous tree has glossy dark

green leaves in the summer that turn a bronze, scarlet red in the fall. It is one of the last trees to shed its leaves before winter. It is also blessed (or unblessed) with small ornamental fruit that is hidden by the leaves that birds love.

The Bradford or Callery pear is also highly disease and insect resistant especially to fire blight. This medium size tree (despite its name) is a native of China. Landscapers in the Southeast have loved this tree. We can find it being used extensively in cities, around public buildings, along golf courses and in new developments. It has a classical pyramidal shape that works well with most garden designs.

New real estate developments also love this tree because it has a quick growth pattern reaching maturity in as little as 20 years.

If this tree had been described 50 years ago, we would all be excited. What is not to like about the Bradford pear? It has beautiful spring blooms, dramatic fall color, and small fruit for the birds. It grows quickly, has a symmetrical shape, thrives in urban areas, and is resistant to disease. Then the other shoe drops, because of its rapid growth Bradford pears put out multiple branches at each crotch. These multiple branches make the wood at these points weak. Instead of being solid wood most of the material between the branch and main trunk is called “included wood” making a very fragile junction. Now we have a tree with weak limbs and dense foliage so that when a storm arrives the branches

act like the sail in heavy winds and these trees will split in half. After storm damage occurs the trees look awful with a ruined shape. They are also becoming mundane from over-use and the average life without pruning is an estimated twenty-five years. Another common complaint is that they have an extremely odoriferous aroma when in bloom.

Everywhere you go you see these trees planted and not just by people. The birds help to deposit the seeds, and you end up with Bradford pear trees in wild areas where they shouldn’t be. Driving along the interstate you see them sprouting when the land is left fallow. This tree has landed itself on the Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council’s watch list of invasive plants. That’s reason enough for me not to plant it in my yard!

There are lots of beautiful small trees that you can plant and enjoy other than Bradford pears among them are”: Serviceberry (Amelanchier), Flowering Dogwood (Cornus florida), Redbud ‘Royal White’ (Cercis Canadensis) and Yoshino cherry. Like Lady Gaga’s meat dress I don’t want to see this tree anywhere. I hope you will choose a native tree for your gardens.

MCMINN

HAPPENINGS

MONROE

ARTS ON THE SIDE

5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

123 South Jackson Street

ARTS ON THE SIDE

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 123 South Jackson Street

5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 123 South Jackson Street

Dinner is at 5:30 PM and is followed by a premiere performance of “The Great Space” in the Sanctuary at 6:30 PM. Composed for string quartet by Ben Jones, with choreography by Becca Hoback, this is a work uses sound and movement to explore the physical spaces we inhabit.

ARTS ON THE SIDE

5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 123 South Jackson Street

CARNIVAL AT THE PARK

April 11th

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kahite Community Center

LIVE DRAWING STUDIO

Save the date and join us for this year’s Spring Open Golf Tournament. Check our website for more information and registration.

MARCH 20TH GEM THEATER

FORT LOUDOUN SIEGE WEEKEND

MCMINN AUTHOR’S BOOK FAIR

April 2026 Fort Loudoun State Historic Park

March 21st

Gem Theater 727 Tennessee Avenue Etowah, Tennessee,

MCMINN AUTHOR’S BOOK FAIR

March 21st Gem Theater 727 Tennessee Avenue Etowah, Tennessee,

See soldiers and Cherokee going about their day, training, firing cannons, working about the fort, and demonstrating professions of the time. There will be blacksmiths working the forge, a surgeon in the infirmary, and soldiers living in the barracks.

March 21st Gem Theater 727 Tennessee Avenue Etowah, Tennessee,

MCMINN AUTHOR’S BOOK FAIR

Come show your support for the wonderful authors in McMinn County and discover their stories available for purchase. Meet local authors from McMinn County TN! Book Sale - Author Meet-N-Greets - Book AutographsSelfies With Authors!

April 23rd - 25th Times Vary Madisonville, TN

Madisonville’s favorite carnival returns this year. Join us at Kefauver Park.

Begins April - May Adventures Unlimited

522 U.S. 64 Ocoee, TN 37361

www.visitmadisonvilletn.com

https://adventuresunlimited.net

April 8th

DRAWING STUDIO

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

March 21st Gem Theater 727 Tennessee Avenue Etowah, Tennessee,

April 8th

The Arts Center

LIVE DRAWING STUDIO

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

www.monroearts.com

320 North White Street Athens, TN, 37303

April 8th

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The Arts Center 320 North White Street Athens, TN, 37303

The Arts Center

Self-Guided Session

320 North White Street Athens, TN, 37303

Self-Guided Session

April 8th

Self-Guided Session

A donation of 10% from all book sales will be donated to the Etowah Carnegie Public Library!

Practice gesture and live drawing portraiture. It is free to participate but cash contributions to our model are appreciated. All clothed models, bring your own drawing supplies.

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

Practice gesture and live drawing portraiture. It is free to participate but cash contributions to our model are appreciated. All clothed models, bring your own drawing supplies.

5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. The Arts Center 320 North White Street Athens, TN, 37303

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

Self-Guided Session

Practice gesture and live drawing portraiture. It is free to participate but cash contributions to our model are appreciated. All clothed models, bring your own drawing supplies.

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

Practice gesture and live drawing portraiture. It is free to participate but cash contributions to our model are appreciated. All clothed models, bring your own drawing supplies.

YOUTH ART CAMP

May 26th - May 29th

A donation of 10% from all book sales will be donated to the Etowah Carnegie Public Library!

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

PROOF

March 26th - 29th. Showtimes Vary

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Madisonville Middle School

A chance for rising 6th to 12th grade students to take a deep dive into art. Check our website for more information and registration.

www.monroearts.com

March 26th - 29th. Showtimes Vary The Arts Center

The Arts Center

This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play is an intelligent and compelling story about fathers and daughters, the nature of genius, and the power of love

PROOF

This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play is an intelligent and compelling story about fathers and daughters, the nature of genius, and the power of love

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

March 26th - 29th. Showtimes Vary The Arts Center

AthensArtsCouncil.org/upcomingevents

WHITE WATER RAFTING

2026 MACA SPRING OPEN

MOOFEST

June 6th

Stroll through downtown Athens during Tennessee’a favorite ag festival and enjoy live music, 300+ vendors, rides and games for kids, food vendors, a milk chugging contest, ice-cream eating contest, and even a moo-ing contest. It’s a blast for the entire family and one of Athen’s biggest festivals of the year.

You wont want to miss this! www.friendlycityfestivals.com

April 2nd - April 5th

10 a.m. - 8 p.m. L&N Depot

Come check out Etowah’s Spring Carnival. This year we are expanding our Spring Carnival with MORE RIDES and the addition of Arts & Crafts Vendors AND Food Trucks!!

www.enterpriseetowah.com

SPRING MARKET AT THE COVE

March 21st

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 838 Highway 39 E Athens,TN.

Mark your calendars and come out and shop all the small business vendors that will be here with different products, handmade items, homemade baked goods, jams, jellies and more along with food trucks.

www.makeitinmcminn.org

J BAR K RODEO

May 23rd - May 24th McMinn County Expo Center Athens, TN

Come watch the excitement of the rodeo or sign up to participate if you’ve got what it takes to compete!

www.makeitinmcminn.org

MIDWAY MILKSHAKE MONTHLY CRUISE IN

Happens Monthly, Check Facebook Midway Milkshakes

Come enjoy some delicious food, milkshakes, mini golf plus see some cool cars and meet some amazing folks. These cruise ins happen each month so be sure to check social media for updates or how to get involved.

www.makeitinmcminn.org

March 29th - November 22nd

Duration: 4.5 Hour Ride 9406 Highway 411 Delano, TN

Embark on the scenic Ride Through the Famous Hiwassee Loop and delight in a 50mile roundtrip journey through the stunning lower Hiwassee River gorge. Our excursion commences at 1:30 p.m. and concludes around 6 p.m., encompassing a 4.5-hour adventure that will take you to the apex of the renowned Hiwassee Loop.

Witness this incredible railway marvel near Farner, Tennessee, where the tracks intriguingly cross over themselves as they spiral up the mountain.

www.tvrail.com

ETOWAH’S SPRING CARNIVAL AND EGG HUNT

HIWASSEE LOOP

FORT LOUDOUN SIEGE WEEKEND

April 2026

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park

April 11th

CARNIVAL AT THE PARK

April 23rd - 25th Times Vary Madisonville, TN

April 23rd - 25th Times Vary Madisonville

April 23rd - 25th Times Vary Madisonville, TN

Madisonville’s favorite carnival returns this year. Join us at Kefauver Park.

Madisonville’s favorite carnival returns this year. Join us at Kefauver Park. Get ready for 3 days filled with laughter, excitement, and unforgettable memories. This family-friendly event promises a fantastic time for everyone. Immerse yourself in a world of thrilling rides, delicious food, and on Saturday, shopping with local vendors. There’s something for every age group.

www.visitmadisonvilletn.com

April 11th

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

FORT LOUDOUN SIEGE WEEKEND

8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Kahite Community Center

Kahite Community Center

Save the date and join us for this year’s Spring Open Golf Tournament. Check our website for more information and registration.

2026

www.monroearts.com

2026 MACA SPRING OPEN

FORT LOUDOUN SIEGE WEEKEND

April 2026

2026 MACA SPRING OPEN

www.monroearts.com

April 11th

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

April 11th

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

CARNIVAL AT THE PARK

www.visitmadisonvilletn.com

CARNIVAL AT THE PARK

April 23rd - 25th Times Vary Madisonville, TN

Madisonville’s

I t’s only here once a year, and for a very short time, so don’t miss it!

Madisonville’s favorite carnival returns this year. Join us at Kefauver Park.

www.visitmadisonvilletn.com

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park

April 2026

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park

Fort Loudoun State Historic Park Vonore

Kahite Community Center

8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Kahite Community Center

Save the date and join us for this year’s Spring Open Golf Tournament. Check our website for more information and registration.

www.monroearts.com

May 26th - May 29th

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Madisonville Middle School

A chance for rising 6th to 12th grade students to take a deep dive into art. Check our website for more information and registration.

www.monroearts.com

YOUTH ART CAMP

Every Thursday 5p.m - 8p.m Downtown Madisonville

May 26th - May 29th

FARMERS, CRAFTERS, BAKERS

May 26th - May 29th

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

May 26th - May 29th

Madisonville Middle School

8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Madisonville Middle School

8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Madisonville Middle School

A chance for rising 6th to 12th grade students to take a deep dive into art. Check our website for more information and registration.

Come check out a weekly assortment of local farmers, crafters, and bakers ready for business with handmade items, fresh fruits and vegetables and plenty of delicious baked goods. Each week features new and unique items.

www.monroearts.com

Look for our “Roots Partner” vendorsseasonal vendors commited to being at the Market every week for your convenience!

2026 MACA SPRING OPEN

YOUTH ART CAMP

MACA SPRING OPEN

2026 MACA SPRING OPEN

YOUTH ART CAMP

GATLINBURG

FESTIVAL OF FLAGS

May 15th - July 5th

GATLINBURG FARMERS MARKET

SPRING WILDFLOWER PILGRIMAGE

ST. PATRICK’S DAY CELEBRATION AT VISTA GRILL

Gatlinburg SkyPark

Starts May 2026

1222 East Parkway

March 16th - March 17th

April 22nd - April 25th

12 p.m. - 10 p.m.

2 p.m.

GSMNP, Gatlinburg

705 Cherokee Orchard Road Gatlinburg, TN 37738

The 76th Annual Spring Wildflower Pilgrimage is a four-day event in Great Smoky Mountains National Park consisting of a variety of wildflower, fauna, and natural history walks, motorcades, photographic tours, art classes, and indoor seminars.

Vista Grill and Firefly’s will be honoring this fun, annual celebration by offering appetizer, entree and drink specials on the 16th and 17th – so grab some friends and come enjoy some great food and drink!

www.gatlinburg.com

www.gatlinburg.com GATLINBURG

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE

April 5th

Guests at the SkyPark will see a unique display of the American Flag, our Military Flags, and all 50 State Flags from the SkyBridge. This will be a sight to see as all flags will be displayed above the city from the SkyBridge, and it should be a great new way for us to honor our nation for both Memorial Day and Flag Day.

Starts May 2026 1222 East Parkway Gatlinburg, TN 37738

Gatlinburg

Offering local choices for healthy mountain living, the Farmers Market is open each Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at 1222 East Parkway across from Food City

April 5th

6:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m.

Gatlinburg SkyPark

6:45 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. Gatlinburg SkyPark

This is a free event where guests will be able to enjoy the SkyPark at no cost, watch the sunrise from the top of Crocket Mountain, and hear a brief gospel presentation, all from the top of the mountain, on Easter morning!

www.gatlinburgskypark.com

www.gatlinburg.com

www.gatlinburgskypark.com

GATLINBURG WINEFEST

March 14th, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

March 14th

Nantahala Outdoor Center

12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts

Camp Critter is a fun-filled family event featuring live local music and lots of activities for kids. Explore the Ice Cream Social, live music, LL Bean Family Camping Kit giveaway, Critter coloring station, swinging bridge, climbing wall, scavenger hunt, and more.

Experience Arrowmont and the Great Smoky Arts and Crafts Community demonstrating their craft while you enjoy sipping wines from regional wineries and food pairings from local Gatlinburg restaurants.

www.gatlinburg.com

SKYPARK HIGHLINE SHOWS

March 13th - March 14th

Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg, TN

Feel your heart race as elite highliners from Rucksack Circus dance with the sky above downtown Gatlinburg! For two thrilling days, the SkyPark transforms into a gravity-defying stage as pros step onto a thin line high above the mountains—walking, bouncing, and spinning with jaw-dropping control.

www.gatlinburgskypark.com

www.gatlinburg.com

SHAMROCK BALL: FATHER DAUGHTER DANCE

March 21st

Two Time Slots 239 Jamestowne Boulevard Farragut, TN 37934

This annual father-daughter dance will return to the Farragut Community Center on Saturday, March 21! There are two time slots to choose from: 3-5 p.m. or 6-8 p.m. There will be music, light refreshments, crafts, and photos.

Tickets are $30 for a couple and $5 for each additional family member. Ticket sales open on Wednesday, Jan. 14 and close on Sunday, March 15. Tickets must be purchased online and will not be sold at the door.

VisitFarragut.org/events

CHALK THE PLAZA

May 16th

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

101 N Campbell Station Rd Farragut, TN 37934

Join us for Chalk the Plaza, a celebration of creativity, community, and fun! Enjoy delicious bites from food trucks, browse unique pieces from local art vendors, and let the little ones have a blast in the kids’ zone— all while watching talented artists transform the sidewalks into stunning masterpieces.

VisitFarragut.org/events

PB&J MIXTAPE

Xul Beer Company Downtown 213 East 5th Avenue Knoxville, TN 37917

Join us at Xul Beer Co - will be releasing 8 flavors of PB&J Mixtape in cans and draft. There will be a live DJ, food trucks and guest taps. Stay tuned for more details.

www.xulbeer.com

BLUEGRASS SUMMER SOLSTICE CONCERT

June 21st

Mayor Ralph McGill Plaza

Save the date and help us celebrate the longest day of the year with one of Tennessee’s oldest musical genres at the Bluegrass Summer Solstice concert!

FIRST FRIDAY ARTWALK

First Friday of Each Month 5 p.m.

Downtown Knoxville

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

KNOXVILLE

FARRAGUT