Sewanee Christmas Tree Lighting

Sewanee’s third annual Tree Lighting will be on Friday, Dec. 5. 

The University will again join with the community for this year’s event. Students and community members will gather at 4 p.m. in the Quad for music and snacks. The tree lighting will be at 4:30 p.m.

Music, cookies and cocoa will begin in Angel Park in downtown Sewanee at 5 p.m. 

A Sewanee fire engine will carry Santa Claus and friends from the Quad to the village around 5:15 p.m. The tree lighting at Angel Park will be at 5:30 p.m.

Santa and the Grinch will be available for photos. 

The Sewanee Chorale will lead Christmas caroling. Everyone is encouraged to bring food and/or unwrapped new toys. All donated items will go to the Community Action Committee or Operation Noel. 

In case of inclement weather, the post-tree-lighting activities will move inside to the Blue Chair Bakery & Tavern.

This event is cosponsored by the University and the Sewanee Business Alliance.

Civic Association Learns Ways to Save Resources

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Representatives from the Sewanee Utility District, Elk River Public Utility District and Duck River Electric Membership Corporation were on hand at the Nov. 19 Sewanee Civic Association dinner meeting to offer timely advice on how to save energy and water.

Sewanee Utility District (SUD) provides water for the mountaintop regions of Franklin and Marion counties. SUD manager Ben Beavers offered tips on how to keep water bills low. Simple things like turning off the water while you brush your teeth and limiting the time you spend in the shower can add up to huge savings, Beavers said. 

He recommended composting rather than using the disposal, using a rain barrel to catch water for gardens and yards, and running the dishwasher and clothes washer only when full. Dishwashers and clothes washers using far less water are now available, Beavers added. He suggested using unsweetened Kool Aid to check for a leaky toilet flapper: pour the colored drink mix in the tank and wait overnight to see if colored water seeped into the toilet bowl. If a leak exists, get it repaired.

In preparation for cold weather, Beavers advised insulating pipes and making sure the water was turned off and spray nozzle removed from outside garden hoses. A burst pipe or hose can leak eight to fifteen gallons per minute, costing the customer $11 or more per hour.

Elk River Public Utility District (ERPUD) is a nonprofit business that supplies natural gas to Franklin and Coffee counties. Marketing representative Levoid Baltimore said the present abundant supply of natural gas has some very positive consequences. 

ERPUD can buy one-third of its capacity in the summer when the cost is low and can lock in low prices with long-term contracts. On the commercial side, the low cost of natural gas is bringing companies that moved overseas back to the United States, creating jobs. Baltimore offered several tips for saving energy in the cold weather: set the thermostat lower; purchase a programmable thermostat that can be set to turn down the heat when no one is home; invest in energy-efficient windows and seal windows and doors with weatherstripping; install a dual-fuel heat pump; and buy energy-efficient appliances. A tankless water heater can save customers 30–50 percent on their natural gas bill. For customers struggling with paying their bill, financial assistance is available through numerous agencies, including South East Tennessee Human Resource Agency (SETHRA), Good Samaritan and the Salvation Army.

Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) is a nonprofit, member-owned cooperative with more than 71,000 members in a six-county area. Patrick Hannah, manager of the Decherd/Sewanee district office, provided an overview of DREMC’s Beat the Peak program, designed to encourage customers to use less electricity during high-demand periods when the cost to DREMC is high. DREMC notifies participants of expected high-demand periods by text or e-mail, and the customer can take energy-saving measures like turning down thermostats. 

Another DREMC program offers customers an opportunity to buy shares in the DREMC Community Solar Farm. Participants’ electric bills are credited with a proportion of the solar farm’s production each month, with the initial investment recouped in 10–12 years. DREMC energy advisor Pat Garrett announced a new rebate program beginning Dec. 1 that will help customers recover the cost of making energy-saving home improvements and purchasing energy- efficient appliances. See details online at  <www.DREMC.com>.

In the business portion of the meeting, Civic Association President Kiki Beavers updated members on the Community Chest fund drive. Donations of $48,000 have been pledged toward the goal of $101,000.

Parks committee chair Stephen Burnett reported the committee had chosen a playground equipment company for the planned renovation of Elliott Park. The company is preparing a mock-up showing proposed equipment and facilities. 

The Civic Association’s next meeting is Dec. 17.

Tennessee Craft–Southeast Holiday Tour Dec. 6–7

The annual 2014 Holiday Tour of Fine Craft will be 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, and 11 a.m.–4 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 7. The studio tour features art by members of the Tennessee Craft–Southeast (formerly CAST-TACA) and members of the St. Andrew’s-Sewanee faculty.

As in past years, the St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Art Gallery will host a full exhibit featuring the work of artists in the Tennessee Craft-Southeast through Thursday, Dec. 11. Most works featured in the exhibit, as well as SAS student-designed holiday cards, are for sale. Art will also be for sale in the Spencer Room, located on the SAS campus, and in the SAS art studios.

Also participating in the tour are numerous local artists including Bob Askew, oils and watercolors; Anne Griffin, fiber arts; Jasper King, chain saw-carved wooden bowls; Bill Mauzy, wood; Mary McElwain, silverplate flatware jewelry; G. Sanford McGee, metal/mixed media; 

Christi Ormsby, clay; Ben Potter, cut metal figures; Claire Reishman, clay; Archie Stapleton, clay; Jeanie Stephenson, bronze; and Merissa Tobler, pottery.

Maps for the studio tour are available in the SAS Art Gallery, as well as at other stops along the tour. Follow the bright yellow signs across the Mountain and beyond to see the unique variety of artist and artwork on the tour, including works in pottery, jewelry, glass, wood, textiles, paintings, prints and much more.

The SAS Art Gallery is located in the center of Simmonds Hall. Gallery hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m., and by appointment. For more information about the holiday tour go to <www.tennesseecraft.org/southeast>.

CAC Celebrates 40th Anniversary : Four Decades of Caring for the Greater Sewanee Community

The Community Action Committee turns 40 years old in 2014. In 1974 community members who worshiped at Otey Memorial Parish formed the CAC as an outreach ministry of the church. In the ensuing years, other local churches joined Otey to provide food and assistance to members in the Sewanee community. 

There will be a luncheon celebration to commemorate this achievement at noon, Sunday, Dec. 14, in Claiborne Parish Hall at Otey. All are welcome to attend.

From the beginning of CAC, the first Sunday of the month was designated Pantry Sunday. Church members were asked to bring canned goods so that groceries could be distributed once a month to the CAC clients. CAC also purchased food from Kroger to ensure that the bags of food would be nutritionally balanced. For 26 years the CAC offered groceries once a month to about 20 families. 

In 2001 CAC began its partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee in Nashville. Second Harvest is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to serve food banks and soup kitchens with high-quality food at a low cost to its partner organizations. CAC regularly orders between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds of food every two to three months. This partnership with Second Harvest continues and has proven to be CAC’s best ongoing source of non-perishable foods for clients. Pantry Sunday continues, as well, offering people the opportunity to donate food items and toiletries. Fresh produce has also been available through local gardens and from a distribution center in Winchester. 

CAC also provides assistance with utility bills, housing, education needs and dental care. CAC serves the greater Sewanee area (including Midway and Jump Off) and the Sherwood community. 

CAC is an outreach ministry of Otey Parish. It is governed by a board composed of community members, representatives of local churches, the University and the School of Theology. Partner churches include St. James Episcopal Church and Cumberland Presbyterian Church. 

The Rev. Betty Carpenter is the CAC director; volunteers from across the community and area schools help keep the office open, bag groceries and assist with new projects. The University also provides the CAC with students in the Bonner Scholars Program. Community lunches, container gardens and the quilting project are programs that have recently been launched. For more information about CAC or its anniversary event call 598-5927.

—by Pixie Dozier,
Special to the Messenger

Housing Sewanee’s New Home Uses Upcycled and Donated Materials

Housing Sewanee, Inc. will host an open house and dedication of its 16th home on Saturday, Dec. 6. The open house will be from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; the dedication ceremony will be at 11 a.m.

The recipient of this house is a lifelong resident of the Mountain. As a grandmother raising grandchildren, she is very excited about the house’s completion. She has been active in the building process, and her grandchildren have enjoyed meeting the Sewanee students and community members who have volunteered on the project. 

For this project, Housing Sewanee was dedicated to “building local.” Many of the materials used in the project have come from the local community. Unlike the previous houses, this project has incorporated building practices that align with the goals of the University’s Sustainability Committee. 

Some of the unique features of the new home are: framing lumber was harvested and milled within a 30-mile radius of Sewanee to reduce the carbon footprint; recycled materials were used as often as possible, including recovered paneling from the old Sewanee Inn, second-grade flooring from the new Sewanee Inn project (used for flooring and milled into baseboard, crown molding, window and door trim); windows, door units, shower units, vanities and excess wire were donated from various job sites; and construction includes highest-grade insulation and special insulation techniques.

Dixon Myers, head of HSI, estimates that 300–400 volunteers worked on the project, compiling several thousand hours of free work, minimizing labor costs.

Housing Sewanee Inc. is a nonprofit organization modeled after Habitat for Humanity. Since 1993, Housing Sewanee has built homes for area families in need, including the elderly, the sick, the physically or mentally disabled, and grandparents raising their grandchildren.

To get to the project: From the Sewanee airport, travel south on Highway 156 for five miles. After Taylor Road, there will be orange traffic cones on the right and a sign directing parking in a field. 

The driveway and housing site are about 50 yards from the field. The address is 18535 South Pittsburg Mtn. Hwy. 

For more information call Myers at 598-1156.

Sewanee EMS Will Integrate With Grundy EMS in January

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Sewanee Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) will be integrated into Grundy Emergency Medical Service (GEMS) under a new plan outlined by University Provost John Swallow in a press release on Nov. 18. At present, both SEMS and GEMS offer transport with ambulances docked on campus. Under the new policy, which goes into effect in January, SEMS emergency medical technicians (EMTs) will travel with the GEMS unit. The 12-member SEMS team consists entirely of EMT-certified student volunteers.

In 2011, under the tenure of Police Chief Jim Parrott, the service area of SEMS was reduced from the greater Sewanee area to on-Domain calls, according to Doug Cameron. Cameron retired after 30 years of service as an EMT with SEMS. At the time of the policy change limiting SEMS to on-Domain calls, many of the EMTs were community volunteers who lived off campus.

No community members participate as SEMS volunteers currently, making the service unavailable during holidays and summer vacation, when the students are gone. Backup support from GEMS dates back to 2007 when the University entered into an agreement with GEMS to improve response time in the Sewanee area when SEMS volunteers were not available or in limited supply. GEMS began parking an ambulance on the Domain. Previously, when SEMS was not available, Sewanee residents waited for an ambulance to travel 13 miles from Winchester. The GEMS on-campus unit now operates out of and docks its ambulance at the Mabel Ward building next to Southern Tennessee Medical Center/Emerald-Hodgson Hospital.

When the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office Communications Center (known as Franklin 911) receives a call requiring an ambulance, they notify the Sewanee Police Department.

“The Sewanee Police Department dispatches GEMS first on all calls,” said Sewanee Police Chief Marie Eldridge. “SEMS is paged as secondary service for on-campus emergencies. Both services work together while responding to calls.”

The SEMS ambulance is a Basic Life Support (BLS) unit. The GEMS ambulance is an Advanced Life Support (ALS) unit with more sophisticated medical technology and a paramedic on board.

“We have a responsibility to send the service that can offer the highest level of care, and that is the ALS unit,” Eldridge said.

Provost John Swallow agreed, stressing the importance of “making sure patients receive the best level of care available.”

Eldridge heads up the SEMS. According to her, there are no plans to replace the aging SEMS ambulance.

The decision to modify the role of student EMTs was the recommendation of a committee chaired by retired professor of mathematics Laurence Alvarez. The committee included community members with EMT backgrounds and former student Taylor Stavely, C’13, who served as SEMS director.

The committee formed to address concerns regarding changes made by the State of Tennessee for certification of ambulance EMTs, which will require student EMTs to commit to 400 hours of coursework, twice the number of hours previously necessary for certification.

The current SEMS director, Seth Burns, C’15, said all 12 student EMTs participated in a bridge course to acquire the necessary advanced EMT certification. For incoming students, the advanced certification will take three semesters to complete instead of two, Burns said. He does not expect the increased courseload to deter prospective student EMTs.

Burns worries, however, about the consequences of integrating SEMS into GEMS.

“The way things are moving could end student involvement,” he said.

At the present, on-call student EMTs are paged in class and return to class after responding to a call. The SEMS ambulance is docked on central campus at the police station, and students can be on the road in two minutes after being paged.

Under the new system, on-call student EMTs will be required to be on site at the Mabel Ward building, forcing students to “remove themselves from other activities,” Burns said; he said he could probably only commit to one weekend a month. With the new certification requirements and new University policy, new enrollees in the SEMS program will encounter both greatly increased training time and greatly increased barriers to active participation.

“We’re one of the few collegiate EMSs in the country that run a full ambulance service,” Burns said. “We provide a very vital and important service to the community, and we would like to see that continue. It’s the essence of community involvement.”

University Expects High-Level Care

The University of the South and Grundy EMS have formed a new partnership that will assure that Sewanee residents will receive the highest level of emergency medical care locally available, and that Sewanee undergraduates will be able to train to deliver, and participate in delivering, that standard of care.

Months in the making, work on the partnership began following a report from the Committee on Emergency Medical Service, which was appointed by University Provost John Swallow.

The committee was chaired by Laurence Alvarez and included members Ronnie Hoosier (Sewanee resident and member of the Sewanee Fire Department), Dennis Meeks (Sewanee resident), Taylor Stavely (former Sewanee student EMS director and current medical student), and Adam Tucker (Sewanee resident and former EMT). The committee recognized that the State of Tennessee has mandated a higher level of initial training for EMTs, which will require a greater commitment of student time in order to participate.

The committee determined that “having an ambulance service that provides the benefit of Advanced Life Support (ALS) rather than Basic Life Support (BLS) is a desirable goal… The ability of ALS to provide medical treatment that cannot be provided by BLS at the site and in transit could be critical in the case where transit to the hospital takes a substantial amount of time, as would be the experience and training of the paramedics who must travel with the ALS ambulance.”

The committee also desired to involve students in the delivery of this care as much as possible, and affirmed that “the experience Sewanee EMT students have is so valuable that we think any arrangement for EMS in the area should utilize their training and participation and preserve this service opportunity for students in the future.”

The University agreed, and remains committed to enabling students to participate in the service. With the committee’s goals in mind, the University and Grundy EMS have developed a partnership to achieve both purposes.

The University and Grundy EMS will share in the renovation of a portion of the Mabel Ward building near Southern Tennessee Medical Center/Emerald-Hodgson Hospital, enabling professional personnel and students to be jointly stationed at the ambulance departure site. From that location, Grundy EMS and Sewanee students will be able to deliver Advanced Life Support care to students, faculty, staff and residents of Sewanee and its environs.

“This remarkable partnership,” said Swallow, “demonstrates how, by working together with local communities and organizations, we can accomplish far more than we could by ourselves. The University thanks Sewanee Chief of Police Marie Eldridge and Grundy Emergency Medical Service Director Don Hutchinson for working closely together on this strong partnership to maintain medical care, and medical education, at the highest levels.”

Community Chest Update

The 2014–15 Sewanee Community Chest fund drive is underway. Approximately $48,000 has been raised to date; this year’s goal is $101,000. This year’s fund drive organizers, Marilyn and Tom Phelps, hope to complete the campaign by February 2015.

Since 1908, the Sewanee Community Chest has kept this community strong and vital. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money for local charitable organizations that work to educate and nurture children, aid the community, and improve the quality of life. In setting the goal for the Community Chest, the Sewanee Civic Association board and membership approved funding for 27 organizations and initiatives in Sewanee and surrounding communities, assuming the goal is met. 

The Sewanee Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) organization, and donations are tax deductible. To make a donation or for more information, go to <sewaneecivic.wordpress.com>.

Operation Noel: Providing Bountiful Holidays for Families

In just a few weeks, it will be Christmas. While many are already planning ahead about the gifts to buy or the food to eat, there are those not so fortunate. In our area, there are children who may not get presents and families that may not have an abundant holiday meal.

Each year the Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department (SVFD) in conjunction with FROST (the department’s Fund Raising Operational Support Team) organizes the purchasing and distribution of food and toys for these families. All items are delivered the morning of Dec. 23 by the SVFD and FROST.

But this important program cannot happen without help from the community. Please consider making a donation of money, nonperishable food items or new toys to Operation Noel this year and give back to the community this Christmas season. 

Every family needs to fill out a new application, even if they have received from Operation Noel before. An application ensures that organizers have all the pertinent information so they can provide for everyone in need. Families eligible for Operation Noel must live in the following communities: Sewanee, Midway, Jump Off and Sherwood Road to the top of Sherwood Mountain, (but not into Sherwood). The deadline for returning applications is Friday, Dec. 12. The form is on page 3 of this week’s Messenger and will be in the next three issues.

To make a donation of money, nonperishable food items or new toys, please take items to Fire Chief David Green’s office, located in the Fire/EMS building or to Print Services in Van Ness Hall. For more information call 598-3400 and leave a message.

Homeless Now Have Advocates, Shelter

by Casey Willis, Messenger Intern

Most of us are fortunate to have never been without a home for an extended period of time. Someone who has not been in that situation can only imagine the life-altering effects it can have. Franklin County and the surrounding areas have a large number of people who have experienced homelessness.

About three years ago, a small group of people set up shop in the Franklin County Courthouse with a mission to “provide both individuals and families with transitional housing while networking with other agencies to obtain permanent housing.” Known as the Almost Home Transitional Housing Program, this nonprofit organization has no paid staff, with 100 percent of workers volunteering without pay.

In 2014, Almost Home already has received more than 1,000 calls for assistance.

Betty Pinkerton, a board member of Almost Home, said during an interview, “We just want to help people who find themselves unable to provide shelter for themselves and/or their families. We are just now beginning to recover from some very difficult economic times, and folks are finding it harder to afford what they need.”

The search for places to live for homeless people is the major focus of Almost Home. They do so by meeting with families by appointment, as well as by responding to emergency situations. They also help by looking beyond a place to live: helping people find employment and developing the necessary skills to sustain homes and jobs, as well as provide assistance for substance and alcohol abuse patients.

Almost Home recently purchased a duplex as a temporary housing option for families in the area. This facility broadens the group’s ability to assist families locally, while still being able to offer aid to individuals and families stretching out to Chattanooga and Nashville. The high volume of calls for help in 2014 has surprised everyone.

“It is overwhelming the number of homeless individuals and families in Franklin County who are trying to find jobs and provide for themselves and their families but do not have the resources to even get started,” said County Mayor Richard Stewart.

“Almost Home and the homeless shelter being constructed will help those people, and that is remarkable,” he said.

This program, Stewart said, “is an invaluable asset to our community and the proof is not only in the numbers but also their mission. The organization assisted approximately 591 homeless individuals last year and provided 723 critical needs services, including emergency motel stays, utility assistance to prevent homelessness and food to feed the hungry due to extreme cold weather resulting in higher-than- average utility bills. Not only does Almost Home provide these services; their ultimate goal is to successfully place people in full-time employment and in permanent housing through skills training.”

According to the Franklin County Community Assessment, housing ranked second on the list of top community needs in Franklin County in 2012, following only the mental health and substance abuse category.

Being a not-for-profit organization, Almost Home raises its support from individual donors, churches, the Franklin County United Way and the Chattanooga Homeless Coalition. Almost Home also holds special events to raise money and awareness of the issue of being homeless.

A benefit concert featuring local talent, as well as country music star Jimmy Wayne, will be on Saturday, Nov. 22 at North Middle School in Decherd. Doors open at 6 p.m., and the entertainment begins at 7 p.m. Concessions will be available, and a silent auction will be held. General admission tickets are $10 per person; floor seats are $20.

The work done by Almost Home Transitional Housing has lessened the number of homeless citizens in Franklin County and the surrounding areas, as well as increased the number of the employed. With Almost Home continuing to grow, citizens in unfortunate situations can be confident that they will have a place to turn for assistance.

For more information, contact Pinkerton by email to <pinkerbee@gmail.com> or <almost.home.thp@gmail.com>, or go to the Almost Home website <almosthomethp.org>. Donations can be mailed to P.O. Box 906, Winchester, TN 37398.

DREMC Calls for Reduced Electricity Use on Nov. 18 and Nov. 19 mornings

A blast of frigid weather over the next two days brings with it projected high demand for electricity. Duck River Electric Membership Corp. (DREMC) will activate its 

Beat the Peak™ program on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings between the hours of 6 a.m and 8 a.m.

Temperature and load forecasts show that a system peak will occur one of the two mornings, when thermometers could register in the low 20s and upper teens. Beat the Peak email alerts and radio ads encourage co-op members to conserve electricity during the projected peak hours when demand is expected to be the highest.

“A degree one way or another will determine whether the peak happens Tuesday or Wednesday,” said Director of Member Services Steve Oden. “So we are asking our Beat the Peak participants and all members to take some simple steps aimed at reducing power demand and helping us avoid peak penalties that can reach $9.50 per kilowatt-hour.”

The price of wholesale electricity from the Tennessee Valley Authority can become very expensive during a peak demand period. DREMC launched the voluntary Beat the Peak program in 2013 to enlist the membership’s help in controlling demand and stabilizing the cost of energy. Almost 14,000 members receive email and text alerts when load peaks are projected.

Over the next two mornings during the two-hour alert periods, co-op members are asked to:

Dial down the heat

If you normally set the thermostat at 68 degrees, turn it back to 65 before the peak event. Also, make sure your heating system’s filter is clean. Filters clogged with dust and debris can cause your system to operate inefficiently, wasting energy.

Fireplace dampers should be closed so heated air inside the home doesn’t go up the chimney.  Turn off portable electric space heaters. These units can use a lot of power. Keep outside doors closed and curtains pulled shut over windows.

Delay use of appliances

Postpone certain household chores that involve major appliances such as washing machines, clothes dryers and dishwashers. Wait until after the peak period before doing laundry or washing the dirty pots and pans. Electric water heaters use a lot of power. Avoid taking showers and baths when a peak alert has been issued.

Cooking on the electric stove or oven also can increase household demand.

Remember all the ways that electricity is used around your home for entertainment, communications, grooming – and the recharging of batteries. Make an effort to shift demand to non-peak times.

Flip light switches

Turn off lights in rooms that are not occupied or being used. Because lighting is responsible for about 11 percent of a household’s energy bill, it is a wise conservation practice to flip the switch, especially when peak demand looms. And if you haven’t installed energy-saving compact fluorescent light (CFL) or light-emitting diode (LED) bulbs, this would be a great way to help.

If you haven’t signed up to receive Beat the Peak emails or texts, you can do so by going to www.dremc.com.

Franklin County Schools Get Report Card : Tucker Calls Results “Disconcerting”

by Kevin Cummings,  Messenger Staff Writer

Franklin, Grundy, Marion and Coffee counties all spend about the same amount of money on public education, but there are differences in the outcomes. On the state’s annual “report card” for schools, the Tennessee Department of Education gave Franklin County schools a grade of “A” in social studies and “Bs” in math, reading/language arts and science. The rating is based on a three-year average of TCAP scores for grades 3–8. The state’s scale for an “A” is between 55 and 99 percent and for a “B” it is from 50 to 54 percent.

Grundy County earned the lowest grades in the area, with “Cs” in three subjects and a “B” in math. Marion and Coffee posted marks similar to Franklin County. 

Adam Tucker, a member of the Franklin County Board of Education, said he is concerned that Franklin County is below Tennessee averages in state-mandated test scores and student growth/improvement.

“While some of this may be due to the district’s implementation of certain curricular requirements earlier than other districts across the state, this fact is still disconcerting,” Tucker said.

Rebecca Sharber, director of Franklin County schools, gave a presentation on the state’s report card at the school board meeting on Nov. 10. She said in an interview on Nov. 11 that she was pleased that “we are holding our own” in academic achievement, but is also concerned with academic growth. “We’re not as good as we want to be, but people are working hard,” she said.

The report card also measures improvement on TCAP scores from previous years. In this area for grades 4–8, the state awarded Franklin County “Ds” in science, reading/language arts and social studies. The state gave a “B” in math, which was the only subject that reflected a slight increase in the report.

The other three counties posted better grades for improvement, with Coffee County earning the top score with a “C” in reading, a “B” in science and “As” in social studies and math.

The state did not award letter grades at the high school level, but a comparison of graduation rates shows Franklin County at 89.1 percent for 2014. Both Coffee and Grundy counties had slightly higher graduation rates than Franklin County. Marion County had the lowest rate of the four, at 84 percent. 

In a comparison of the average composite ACT scores for the last three years, Franklin County scored an 18.6, with Marion and Coffee slightly higher. Grundy County’s average ACT score was 17.6.

“Ultimately, the report card presentation addressed how students are performing on the various state-mandated assessments,” Tucker said. “It did not address the more important questions of why these scores are what they are and what interventions are needed to improve student performance on these tests and, more importantly, overall student learning.”

Tucker asked Sharber to make a presentation at the Dec. 8 school board meeting to look at what district administrators and teachers are doing with the report card data to improve learning and achievement.

Last school year Franklin County schools spent an average of $9,030 per pupil, with 31.3 percent of that amount from local funding, 57.4 percent from the state, and 11.3 percent was federal money. In 2012–13, Franklin County spent $8,891 per student. The state average for 2013–14 was $9,346, according to the report card.

Grundy County averaged $9,280 per pupil, Coffee County spent $9,160 per student, and Marion County spent $8,687 per pupil. The state’s school report card is available at <www.tn.gov/education/data/report_card/>.

Otey Parish Dedicates Parish House & Claiborne Portrait

Otey Memorial Parish will celebrate the renovated Claiborne Parish House at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 15. The Rt. Rev. John Bauerschmidt, Bishop of Tennessee, will conduct a dedication and consecration service. A light brunch will follow in the new St. Mark’s Hall of the parish house.

A new portrait of the Rev. William Sterling Claiborne will be dedicated at 5:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 18, in the Claiborne Hall. This portrait by Claude Buckley, C’81, will be hung in the entrance hall of the building. A reception will follow the dedication. STHP members John Bratton and David Bowman will be on hand to answer questions about Claiborne.

Otey’s rector in the early 20th century, Claiborne initiated or promoted many local institutions: the parish, St. Andrew’s and St. Mary’s schools to educate the local population, and the first infirmary/hospital. 

Claiborne’s ministry and vision continue. The building houses many community services and ministries. 

St. Mark’s Hall, the largest room in the building, honors the 1968 merger of the St. Mark’s and Otey congregations into Tennessee’s first fully integrated Episcopal Church. Bauerschmidt will consecrate a new small chapel in Claiborne as St. Paul’s-on-the-Mountain. In choosing this name, Otey seeks to honor and remember its precursor church. 

Also in the building are Sewanee Children’s Center, the Community Action Committee, meeting rooms and gathering spaces.

CAC: Changing Lives One Stitch at a Time

by Gabriella Valentine C’17, Special to the Messenger

The Community Action Committee began a new program in October in Sherwood. A new quilting group is now meeting once a week in the Sherwood Community Center. The group is taught by Louise Garner, a lifelong resident of the community and avid quilter. For almost her whole life Garner has been making quilts entirely by hand. 

One of the goals of the group is to foster a sense of accomplishment in women. The first quilt made from the group’s efforts will be sold and its proceeds given to the CAC. After that, all of the profits will be given to the women who worked on the quilts. 

The quilting group meets at 8 a.m., Wednesdays, in the Sherwood Community Center. To learn more about the program contact the CAC at 598-5927. 

CAC is located behind Otey Parish in the new Claiborne Parish House. Along with giving weekly grocery bags and the new quilting group, the CAC has started two new programs this year. The CAC offers small garden containers and has given away chicken coops to members of the greater Sewanee community.

The CAC will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Dec. 14. Watch for more details about plans for the event.

Town Hall Meeting on Healthcare

National Rural Health Day is Nov. 20. To celebrate the occasion, there will be a town hall meeting on healthcare at 7 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Sewanee Community Center. The event will include a discussion of Medicaid benefits and eligibility, followed by a reception with the panelists. 

Representatives from the Tennessee Justice Center, the Tennessee State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) office and Folks at Home will participate. Assistance enrolling in the Affordable Care Act (ACA) state insurance exchange will also be offered.

The meeting is sponsored by the students in a University course on medical ethics taught by Jim Peterman, professor of philosophy and director of community engagement.

During the meeting there will be discussion of the possible Medicaid expansion in Tennessee. The federal government has funded an expansion of this program, which provides healthcare for families and individuals with limited resources. Federal funds cover the full cost of the expansion until 2017; in 2020, the state must pick up the balance. Tennessee, with 118,000 uninsured residents, has not agreed to accept the Medicaid expansion offer.

The Sewanee Community Center is located at 39 Ball Park Rd., behind the Sewanee Market.

Four Hands, Two Feet

Organist Robert Delcamp and pianist Bernadette Lo will perform at 4:45 p.m., Friday, Nov. 21, in St Luke’s Chapel. This is a unique opportunity to hear an unusual repertoire written for two instruments whose timbres are both contrasting and complimentary.

The program includes “Sinfonia Op. 42” by Marcel Dupré, “Colloque No. 2” by Jean Guillou, “Hymne Op. 78” by Joseph Jongen and the “Concerto for Piano and Organ” by Flor Peeters.

Delcamp is a professor of music and University organist at the University. He also directs the University Choir. Under his direction the Choir has made eight recordings and 11 tours of England, including residencies at York Minster, Wells, Salisbury, and Canterbury cathedrals, as well as the American Cathedral in Paris.

Lo is a visiting assistant professor of music at Sewanee. She joined the department in 2011. She also serves on the faculty for Viola Winter Intensive. Lo is a much sought-after collaborative pianist, with extensive experience in both vocal and instrumental music.

Nutcracker Arrives in Sewanee

The AYB-Sewanee Dance Conservatory and Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre of Huntsville will be performing the fourth annual presentation of the traditional classic holiday treat “The Nutcracker” at 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 15, in Guerry Auditorium. The program is directed by David Herriott. 

There are 36 dancers in the cast from Sewanee, Monteagle and Winchester, with about 70 more coming from Huntsville. 

Returning to the cast as Mother and Father Stahlbaum are Lisa and Eric Hartman with their daughter, Sophia, dancing the Animated Doll and son, Harrison, as the Animated Soldier. 

Clara will be Verena Pate in the afternoon, and McKynze Gilliam in the evening. Two instructors at the Sewanee Dance Conservatory will perform the Sugar Plum Fairy solo: Elizabeth Layman for the matinee and Claire Hill for the evening. 

The costumes and scenery are provided by Alabama Youth Ballet Theatre. 

Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for children, students and seniors.

To preorder tickets for will-call pickup, email <wigginscreek@yahoo.com> or ask a cast member. Advance tickets are available for purchase from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., today (Friday), Nov. 14, at Guerry Auditorium. Tickets will also be sold at the door one hour before each performance. More information is available at <http://life.sewanee.edu/engage/nutcracker>.

2014 General Election Results

Tennessee voters approved all four amendments to the state constitution on Nov. 4 in the general election. In Franklin County, all four amendments were overwhelmingly supported. In the Sewanee precinct, voters rejected Amendment 1 about abortion and Amendment 3 about a state income tax. The local results, however, had no impact on the statewide outcomes.

Bill Haslam (R) was re-elected as governor. Lamar Alexander (R) will return to the U.S. Senate for his third term representing the state.

Scott DesJarlais (R) defeated Lenda Sherrell (D) of Monteagle in the race for the 4th Congressional District seat of the U.S. House of Representatives; DesJarlais will return to the House for his third term. David Alexander (R) will return to the Tennessee House of Representatives for the 39th District.

Turnout at the Sewanee precinct was 44.6 percent, with 841 voters. In the county, turnout was 36.6 percent; there were 9,980 voters.

In local elections, the only contested race for Sewanee Community Council was in District 3. The new representatives for this area will be Annie Armour and Pixie Dozier. Armour received 62 votes; and Dozier, 55 votes. Paul Evans received 41 votes.

In Monteagle, voters approved the sale of wine in grocery stores. Voters in Tullahoma voted in support of a similar measure.

For the full Franklin County precinct reports, go to <www.franklincotn.us/election_results>.

Hastings Mobile Seeks New Home

Artist Jack Hastings is remembered for his extraordinary sculptures, paintings and drawings, much of it in public spaces. But now, his partner, Arlyn Ende, must find a new home for one of Hastings’ largest creations: a 40-foot by 25-foot mobile, “Homage to Calder,” which presently hangs in the TVA southeast headquarters in Chattanooga.

“This is a unique opportunity to have a major work of art by a local artist with a national reputation,” Ende said. The piece is available because TVA is renovating the building; as part of this process, TVA is returning major artworks to the artists it commissioned 30 years ago. 

The mobile was constructed at Hastings’ and Ende’s studio in Bradyville, Tenn., where they lived until they moved to Sewanee in 1994. The piece is made of airframe aluminum and painted with permanent acrylic colors. He named this monumental artwork “Homage to Calder” in honor of the sculptor-engineer who in 1932 created hanging sculptures of discrete movable parts powered by the wind, which Marcel Duchamps christened mobiles.

Ende recalled the creative process: “If you had gone looking for Jack 30 years ago at his studio and farm in Bradyville, you’d have crossed a creek, climbed a hill and found him back behind his studio intensely absorbed in an aerodynamic exercise that was somewhere between physics and aesthetics. He would have been at the controls of his antique Oliver tractor, hoisting with slow, deliberate precision a 30-foot-long rod, higher and higher, as he calculated and calibrated its swing and balance with a bright orange spiral icon dangling from its end. He’d pause, break concentration, and invite you into his large workroom to show you a scale model of the work-in-progress and explain what was up.” Ende recalls the process of getting the enormous piece installed in the new building.

“One night just prior to the official opening of the new TVA building, Jack and I drove to Chattanooga to deliver and install the mobile,” she said. “Our truck was filled to capacity with the carefully identified parts Jack had tested so precisely, and with tools and backup parts ‘just in case.’ 

“His well-thought-out plan was in place to finally assemble the sculpture in its entirety for the first time. A crew had already attached the master cable to the solar glass ceiling high in the five-story atrium and were there waiting for the main event to begin. 

“Jack laid out the rods, fittings, and colorfully painted aluminum icons systematically on the floor. The cable was lowered. From a balcony four stories up,” Ende said, “Jack called out instructions to the crew below to attach, and very slowly, very gently hoist the rods and icons from the floor in the proper order.”

As the piece was installed, she said, “I remember the magical, jaw-dropping suspense as we saw the air itself take shape around each moving arm and attenuated icon as it glided upward and outward to the ephemeral airspace. 

“There was a breathtaking silence when the last fitting was tightened and the crew drew back. I sensed and shared the pride, gratitude and relief that filled Jack as his ‘Homage to Calder’ was released, finally on its own.”

Hastings, who died in 2013, has two mobiles installed at the Nashville International Airport, as well as public art across the U.S., including pieces in Tennessee, as well as in Germany.

For information about being considered to receive this large and precious piece of art, contact Hastings’ art trustee, Susan Tinney, at <susan@tinneycontemporary.com>

University Welcomes Alumni for Homecoming More than 2,000 Registered for Weekend

Homecoming at the University of the South is today through Sunday, Nov. 7–9. More than 2,000 Sewanee alumni and guests are registered for the weekend. This is a reunion year for alumni with class years ending in 4 and 9, and those classes will have special events in addition to the all-alumni offerings. Other reunion events will celebrate alumni choir members and 10 years of the equestrian program at the Howell Riding Facility.

The registration desk at the McGriff Alumni House will be open today (Friday) from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, Nov. 8, from 8 a.m. to noon. The weekend will be filled with social, educational and recreational opportunities planned to appeal to all alumni.

Academic offerings include the opportunity to sit in on classes and to hear presentations on the growing scientific activity on the Domain by Kevin Hiers, C’96, the University’s director of environmental stewardship; “An Innocent Man’s Life in Prison: the Anatomy of a Wrongful Conviction,” by Bill Allison, C’67, professor at the University of Texas School of Law; on the economic costs of over-indebtedness by internationally known economist Lacy Hunt, C’64; and on Finding Your Place, Sewanee’s new first-year program, by associate professor of classical languages Chris McDonough. Returning alumni will also have the chance to hear from the new dean of the College, Terry Papillon and provost John Swallow.

Arts events include a Friday afternoon art exhibition and poetry reading at IONA; exhibitions in University Archives and Special Collections of etchings created by Joe Winkelman, C’64, and “Coming Home: The Johnson Collection,” selected works from the collection of George Dean Johnson, C’64; and the University Art Gallery exhibition “Flat Earth Unfolded” by artists Greg Pond, C’95, School of Letters alumnus Jesse Thompson and Archie Stapleton.

In addition, Americana singer, songwriter and fiddler Amanda Shires, a poetry student in the School of Letters, will perform at McCrory Hall for Performing Arts on the campus of St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School on Saturday, Nov. 8. And the Ralston Listening Library, a world-class listening facility built in memory of beloved Sewanee professor Father William Ralston, C’51, will be open on Friday for guests to enjoy music.

Active and outdoor offerings include a guided hike of the Caldwell Rim Trail overlooking Lost Cove, the annual morning fun run for alumni and friends, and Saturday’s football game against Berry College.

Vice-Chancellor John McCardell and his wife, Bonnie, will welcome alumni at events throughout the weekend, including a Welcome Home Reception on Friday afternoon at the new Sewanee Inn, and the Alumni Awards Brunch on Saturday.

A memorial service Sunday morning will remember alumni, faculty, staff and community members at St. Augustine’s Stone (outside All Saints’ Chapel).

This weekend is an opportunity for alumni to learn from faculty on a variety of topics, explore the campus and reunite with friends. The full schedule of events can be found at the Sewanee alumni gateway page: www.sewaneegateway.com/.

Veterans Day Events

Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is a celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. Federal, state and local government agency offices are closed, as are banks and the post office. Public schools, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee and the University of the South will hold classes, and their offices are open. The Sewanee Senior Center will be open. 

A Veterans Day observance will begin at 6 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11, at the American Legion Hall, 36 University Ave., in Sewanee, with a covered-dish meal, followed by a program by the Rev. Charley Watkins. 

St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School celebrates Armistice Day with an 11-minute ringing of the St. Andrew’s Chapel “Chocolate Bells” at 11:11 a.m. The ritual commemorates the sacrifices of veterans, is a celebration of peace, and serves as a token of thanks to those who provided the bells for the school.

The SAS student vestry, under the direction of chaplain Drew Bunting, will hold a service of remembrance to honor those who served in World War I. The service will be at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 11, in the St. Andrew’s Chapel and will be open to the public.

The vestry seeks names of area friends and family who served in World War I, which will be read during the service. Please send names to Lachlan Hassman at <lhassman@sasweb.org> for inclusion on the list.

Sewanee Community Chest Spotlight

The 2014–15 Sewanee Community Chest fund drive is underway. Since 1908, the Sewanee Community Chest has helped to serve its fellow community members and keep this community strong and vital. Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association, the Community Chest raises money for local charitable organizations that work to educate and nurture children, aid the community, and improve the quality of life. In setting the goal for the Community Chest, the Sewanee Civic Association board and membership approved funding for 27 organizations and initiatives in Sewanee and surrounding communities, assuming the goal is met. 

This year’s goal is $101,000; about $36,000 has been raised to date. This year’s fund drive organizers, Marilyn and Tom Phelps, hope to complete the campaign by February 2015.

For the next few weeks, the Sewanee Mountain Messenger will focus on some of the organizations supported by the Community Chest. This week we look at three of the organizations selected by the Community Chest: the Sewanee Community Center, the Sewanee Elementary School and the Animal Alliance-South Cumberland.

Sewanee Community Center. The purpose of the Sewanee Community Center is to improve the quality of life in the community by providing space for community-initiated programs and projects. These programs include the online farmer’s market and the food buyers’ co-op, yoga, tai chi, gymnastics, Cub Scouts and community meetings. The Community Center board also sponsors an annual community-wide yard sale. Each month approximately 600–800 people use the Center.

The Community Center is requesting $4,500 to be used for the general operating costs of keeping the Center open, including utilities, insurance, maintenance, a mower and the manager’s salary. The Sewanee Community Chest provides for 44 percent of the Center’s operating expenses. The rest of the Center’s funding comes from rent and other donations.

Sewanee Elementary School. The community has always helped to maintain the public school in Sewanee, from building the school in 1927, to providing financial support for enrichment programs and supplies.

Sewanee Elementary School (SES) relies on yearly funding from the Community Chest to meet the school’s needs. The Sewanee Parent Organization (SPO, formerly known as the Parent-Teacher Organization), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, requests and disburses the Community Chest funds each year for SES. The SPO works with the SES teachers and staff to find solutions to specific educational needs of the school that are not met by the Franklin County School system’s funding or services. This includes professional development, technology purchases, library books and supplies for classrooms. The SPO supports 250 children and 30 faculty and staff members.

This year the SPO is requesting $20,000 on behalf of Sewanee Elementary. The Community Chest currently funds almost 90 percent of the SPO operating expenses for the school. The SPO also receives money through annual dues and small fund-raisers such as T-shirt sales. SES receives additional money from school pictures, two book fairs and the BoxTops program. 

Animal Alliance-South Cumberland. The mission of the Animal Alliance-South Cumberland (AASC) is to reduce the number of unwanted and abandoned dogs and cats in Grundy County and the areas of Marion and Franklin counties located on the South Cumberland Plateau by providing affordable and accessible spays and neuters. The group is committed to reducing the number of unintended litters, which can lead to neglect, cruelty and euthanasia. AASC also educates the public about the importance of animal sterilizations.

Since the program began in 2008, AASC has helped to spay and neuter more than 2,800 dogs and cats. The organization also funds the sterilization of strays before foster families rehome them. Last year, three of the volunteer foster homes took in 266 puppies and adult dogs. The organization helps to transport the animals to Wally’s Friends, Paul’s Clinic and Animal Care Center. They also work with Fido Fixers, which is a mobile clinic that periodically comes to the Plateau.

AASC is requesting $1,250, which will help to sterilize 25 dogs and/or cats. The pet owners are asked for a copayment of $14, which covers $12 for a rabies vaccination and a $2 fuel fee for the transport van. AASC pays for these charges if an owner cannot afford it. 

For low-income pet owners, AASC also pays for any other services deemed necessary by the veterinarian at the time of the surgery such as antibiotics, ear mite treatment, and pain and worm medications. The AASC is entirely volunteer-led. Its largest expense is paying for the spay and neuter program.

The goal of the Sewanee Community Chest is to help our community by funding our community programs. The Community Chest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and donations are tax-deductible. 

Send your donation to Sewanee Community Chest, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. For more information, or to make a donation through PayPal, contact <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com> or go to <www.sewaneecivic.wordpress.com>.