Happy Birthday, Messenger. A Word from the Editor.

Happy 30th Birthday, Sewanee Mountain Messenger

by Laura L. Willis, Editor

Is the printed newspaper on its death bed? Will we read all our news online in the future? I’m no prognosticator, but I know one thing: I believe in community newspapers. And I believe in the Sewanee Mountain Messenger.

Thirty years ago this week, the Messenger published its first issue. Geraldine Hewitt Piccard had great writing and editing skills, plus a typewriter, so she could begin a community paper. She’d planned on it beginning in early February, but the catastrophic ice storm of 1985 slowed her plans. With the help of Mary Smalley as business manager, Geraldine sold the ads, wrote the copy, and produced that eight-page issue on 9x12 white paper. The University press did the actual printing and she distributed it to post offices and businesses in the area. 

On page 1 under the headline, “Community Spirit,” she described the many people who helped Sewanee and her residents survive that historic storm: Carl Reid, Doug Seiters, Dwight Sholey, Ernie Butner, Galon Sherrill, Jim Franklin, Dan Rather, Bob Ayres, John Kildoo, Tom Watson, Doug Cameron, John Greeter, Lisa and Tim Keith-Lucas, and the members of the Sewanee Fire Department. If you’re new to Sewanee, you might recognize only a few of these names; if you’ve been on this Mountain for awhile, reading this list of names may stir memories for you.

In that first issue there are advertisements, many of which remain the same today. For their continuing support, I want to thank the Lemon Fair, Rob Matlock Construction, Monteagle Florist, Sewanee Auto Repair, the Sewanee Inn, the Sewanee Market, Shenanigans and Taylor’s Mercantile. 

Also in Vol. 1, No. 1, were many of the very same things that appear in our paper today: a notice of the Otey Parish Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, the obituaries of esteemed community members, birth announcements and wedding announcements, descriptions of meetings and gallery openings, a call for singers to join the Sewanee Chorale in its spring production of “H.M.S. Pinafore,” reviews of the SUT movies, the St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School’s headmaster’s honors list, and a couple of letters to the editor (which are really letters to the community-at-large). The back page was, even then, devoted to the community calendar.

Looking back at its beginnings, the Messenger has always been dedicated to supporting the greater Sewanee area by providing news and information that affect residents’ lives and encourage meaningful community engagement. We are more explicit about this mission now, especially as we watch the number of newspapers decline and the news business change dramatically. Our mission hasn’t changed, but we are very clear about our role in this community. You won’t learn about the votes scheduled in the State Senate; you won’t read stories that “shout” at you or provoke you; and you won’t be embarrassed if your name appears on our pages. We are, with only the tiniest hint of irony, the Good News Newspaper.

Geraldine brought to life the Sewanee Mountain Messenger from the Sewanee Siren, the community newspaper from 1967 to 1984. We haven’t changed its name, but the paper continues to evolve. While we dabble in an online presence, we know that most of you still like to hold the Messenger in your hands and read it on paper, whether standing at the table in the post office or sitting with a cup of coffee at the Blue Chair or pushing a cart through the Piggly Wiggly. 

The printed newspaper is not dead, especially on this Mountain. I believe in our little free, weekly community newspaper. And I think you do too. May the Sewanee Mountain Messenger continue to be of service to the people of this Plateau for another 30 years. 

Council Names New Park in Honor of White

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Aug. 26 meeting of the Sewanee Community Council, council members recognized Phil White for his ongoing efforts on behalf of the Sewanee dog park. The council also took up a number of procedural and appointment changes. This was the first meeting of the academic year.

Phil White began promoting the cause of the dog park in 2010 and worked tirelessly to see his dream realized. The dog park opened just a few weeks ago. Naming the dog park in White’s honor, the council presented him with a sign that will be posted at the site. The sign reads, “Phil White Dog Park.”

White thanked the University for providing the land and water service to the site. The steering committee continues to raise money for operational expenses and amenities, White said. Donations may be made at Southern Community Bank.

Vice-Chancellor John McCardell announced the appointment of Frank Gladu to the council to fill the seat vacated by John Vineyard. Gladu recently assumed the office of vice president for administrative services at the University.

In May, the council approved meeting dates for the coming year. Provost John Swallow proposed the June 2014 meeting be changed from June 23 to June 30 to accommodate council member absences. The council agreed to the change.

Swallow also proposed by-laws and constitution changes to address a change in procedures. At the April meeting, the council decided to appoint someone who did not serve on the council to take minutes, since several council members who had served as secretary expressed regret that they could not participate fully in the meeting when taking notes. Swallow recommended removing all references to “secretary” from the by-laws and amending the constitution to read, “a secretary designated by the council shall keep a record of all meetings and conduct routine correspondence of the council.” Amendments to the constitution must be considered at the previous meetings before a vote is taken. The council will vote on the amendment change at the September meeting.

The policies of the University Lease Committee call for two council members to serve as representatives. The council approved the nomination of council members Pam Byerly and Dennis Meeks to serve on the Lease Committee.

Vice Chancellor McCardell announced the appointment of community member Adam Tucker to the Lease Committee to fill the seat vacated by John Vineyard.

Gladu introduced the new manager of the Sewanee Market, Misty Patel. The Market recently opened for business, Patel said, and plans to be fully stocked by Sept. 10. There will be a formal opening and ribbon-cutting when renovations are complete.

In response to a question from a council member, Police Chief Marie Eldridge explained that the weather alert siren only sounds for tornado warnings, not for tornado watches and severe thunderstorms. In the past, the siren sounded to announce tornado watches, but the police received complaints about the frequency of the alerts, and residents tended to ignore the siren.

The Sewanee Community Council meets on the fourth Monday of each month at the Community Center unless otherwise announced. The meetings are open to the public.