Woman’s Club Reservations Due Today

The first meeting of Sewanee Woman’s Club will be noon, Monday, Sept. 12, at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle. The club welcomes all women to join. Dues are $5 per year and are used to support valuable community programs and charities.
Reservations due by today, (Friday), Sept. 2. To make a reservation call Pixie Dozier at (931) 598-5869 or email Marianna Handler at <mariannah@earthlink.net>.
September’s program is “The Dao (Way) of Civic Engagement on the South Cumberland Plateau, 2011-16,” presented by Jim Peterman, professor of philosophy and director of civic engagement at the University of the South.
Lunch ($13.75) for this meeting will be broccoli cheese soup, chef’s salad (without spinach), soda bread with butter and dessert. A vegetarian choice is offered; please request this when making a reservation.

Handler Awarded SWC Honorary Member of the Year Award

The Sewanee Woman’s Club finished up its year of lively programs with a grand celebration of “The Sewanee Woman’s Club: 86 Years and Going Strong.” The celebration honored members 86 years and older. Marianna Handler was awarded the Honorary Member of the Year.
Marianna moved to Sewanee in 2003. Because of her compassion for animals, she has fostered a multitude of dogs through the years. Her contributions to the Sewanee community include The Red Hat Society, where she is the grand mum, the Sewanee Civic Association and the German House. Her good humor, time, energy and support has earned her immense admiration and appreciation. She is also a member of the Sewanee Book Club, Sewanee Garden Club and the Sewanee Woman’s Club board, where she serves on the Reservation Committee. Marianna additionally is known as “The Email Female” as she diligently sends out communications for the club.
Marianna was presented a gift of a lovely glass and concrete garden stone in recognition for her contributions.

Woman’s Club Lunch to Celebrate 86 Years

The Sewanee Woman’s Club will meet at noon on Monday, May 9, at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle. The deadline for lunch reservations is today (Friday), April 29.
Pixie Dozier, 2015 Sewanee Civic Association Community Service Award recipient and past Woman’s Club president, will offer a program on “The Sewanee Woman’s Club: 86 Years and Going Strong.”
This will be a grand celebration, honoring members 86 years and older, plus the Golden Girls who have been members for 50 years.
There is an optional social hour at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is served at noon. Programs begin at 12:30 p.m., with club business following around 1 p.m.
The lunch ($13.25) will be chicken divan, broccoli, tomato aspic, hot rolls and birthday cake for dessert. Vegetarian meals and child care are available; please request these when making a reservation.
Reservations can be made by calling Pixie Dozier at 598-5869 or emailing Marianna Handler at <mariannah@earthlink.net>.
The annual dues of the Woman’s Club are $5. These dues and the proceeds of the club’s fund-raising events support Thurmond Library, Sewanee Summer Music Festival, Animal Alliance, CAC food ministry and the Morton Memorial UMC food ministry. The club also sponsors the Book Club and the Garden Club.

Woman’s Club Lunch Deadline

The Sewanee Woman’s Club will meet at noon on Monday, April 11, at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle. The deadline for lunch reservations is Saturday, April 2.

Emily Partin and Katie Goforth will present the program, “Grundy County: Then and Now.” Partin is the executive director of Discover Together, and Goforth is the network director of the South Cumberland Plateau Health Network.

There is an optional social hour at 11:30 a.m. Lunch is served at noon. Programs begin at 12:30 p.m., with club business following around 1 p.m. 

The lunch ($13.25) will be stuffed pasta shells with marinara sauce, garlic bread, tossed salad, strawberry and apple salad, and cupcakes for dessert. Vegetarian meals and child care are available; please request these when making a reservation.

Reservations can be made by calling Pixie Dozier at 598- 5869 or email Marianna Handler at <mariannah@earthlink.net>.

The annual dues of the Woman’s Club are $5. These dues and the proceeds of the club’s fund-raising events support Thurmond Library and community projects.

Plan for a Razzle Dazzle Fourth of July

This year’s Fourth of July celebration in Sewanee, a “Razzle Dazzle Fourth,” will include some of the community’s favorite events.

The second annual Fourth of July Pie-Eating contest will be at 1 p.m., Friday, July 4, in Guerry Garth. Contestants will vie for $100 in cash, as well as gift certificates, services and other great prizes as they eat their way to pie nirvana. Sign up early, as there are a limited number of spaces. A small fee of $5 per contestant will be charged to cover costs. Sign up by calling Ginny at 598-5205 or show up before the contest.

Returning after its 2013 rain delay, the Fourth of July Mutt Show will be in Manigault Park. 

Registration begins at 9 a.m.; the show begins at 10 a.m. Lizzie Duncan will be back as the show’s emcee. All dogs are welcome to compete—no talent necessary. 

The categories for this year’s show have changed: best dressed, Razzle Dazzle doggie, owner/dog look-alike, best trick and judges’ choice. Entrants may register for one category or one category plus judges’ choice. An entry form will be in upcoming issues of the Messenger.

Dr. Matt Petrilla’s fabulous trophies will be awarded to winners. In case of rain this year, the Mutt Show will be held in the indoor riding arena at the Equestrian Center.

The Fourth of July Cake Contest will offer two levels of competition. There will be a youth level, to include all bakers 12 years and under, and an adult level to include all bakers age 13 years and older.

Within each level, a prize will be awarded in each of three categories: best tasting, best decorated and best representation of the theme, “Razzle Dazzle Fourth of July.”

In addition to the three categories, a grand prize ($100) will be awarded to the best all-around cake. The best all-around prize is offered by acclaimed IvyWild Restaurant owner and chef Keri Moser, who will present the prize at 12 p.m. The winner of the best all- around cake will also have the opportunity to wear the winner’s special hat and ride in the parade.

Winners of the best tasting, best decorated and best representation of theme categories in the youth competition will each receive $5 and a Blue Chair Café gift certificate for two ice cream cones.

Winners of the best tasting, best decorated and best representation of theme categories in the adult competition will each receive a $50 IvyWild gift certificate.

Cake registration and set-up will take place from 9 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. at the Blue House on University Avenue. Registration will close at 9:45 a.m., when the judging will begin. Winners will be announced at 12 p.m. Following the awards presentation, the community is invited to view and sample the cakes.

The contest is an annual event sponsored by the Sewanee Women’s Club with the generous co-sponsorship of IvyWild Restaurant and the Blue Chair Café and Tavern.

For more information call Flournoy Rogers at 598-0733 or Mandy Grubbs at (931) 691-4310.

People interested in being food vendors need to register by June 30. A limited number of spots are also available for Thursday night’s street dance festival downtown and at the Lake Cheston fireworks display Friday. All vendors must register to expedite proper placement along the parade route. Vendors not registered may not receive a placement area for either venue.

To register email <luwin@bell​south.net> with name, phone numbers, list of foods/drinks offered and email for the vendor distribution list that will provide more information. Because Sewanee is not incorporated, vendors are not required to have a business license.

Sewanee Woman’s Club Honors Gibson

The Sewanee Woman’s Club finished up its year of lively programs with Henry Hamman’s personal account of the years that he and his wife, Kathy, spent as expatriates. These were years in which they gained the insights of those who stay in place long enough to learn appreciation for the variety of mind-sets encountered in foreign settings – the difference between travel and tourism.
Connie Gibson received the 2013 Honorary Member award. Her contributions of astute judgment, good humor, time and energy for the benefit of Emerald-Hodgson Hospital, the Community Action Committee, All Saints’ Chapel, Morton Memorial Church, the Sewanee Woman’s Club and her unstinting support of the Sewanee girls’ basketball team have earned her immense admiration and appreciation.
Since 1930, the SWC members and guests meet on the second Monday of each month for lunch and a lecture, except for the summer months. The Garden Club will be arranging another tour of local gardens in June. The annual Holiday Tour of Homes is staged by the Club to raise funds and to promote awareness of  Sewanee’s charms.
Each year, grants are made to area organizations. Donations for 2013 will be given to the Sewanee Summer Music Festivals, St. Andrew’s-Sewanee Fringe Theater Group, the Community Action Committee, The Grundy County Arts Council, the Mountain Center Food Ministry, and the Franklin County Humane Society's Animal Harbor.

Holiday Music Across the Plateau

There are many special music events on the Mountain this week. All events are free and open to the public.

The second annual Jazz Night featuring the University Student Jazz Band and the Student Jazz Quartet, led by Prakash Wright, will be at 7 p.m., today (Friday), Dec. 7, at the Ayres Multi-Cultural Center.

Linda Heck will perform 8–10 p.m., today, Dec. 7, at Stirling’s. Heck is a songwriter, singer, guitar player, producer, and Sewanee local. 

The Sewanee Chorale is hosting a community sing-a-long of Handel’s “Messiah” at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, in All Saints Chapel. People may sing with the Chorale or come be part of the audience. To print the public domain music, go to <http://tinyurl.com/akzratb>. 

Sewanee Praise, the University’s gospel choir, will have its fall concert at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9, in St. Luke’s Chapel. 

Morton Memorial United Methodist Church is hosting a “Mountain Christmas” at 7 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 9. There will be arrangements of Appalachian Christmas carols. Joining the choir will be the Good Ol’ Boys Bluegrass Band, Regina Rourk Childress and April Minkler, Cricket & Snail and storytellers Jette Halliday, Diana Hague and Susan Ramsay. Morton Memorial is located at 330 Main St., Monteagle. 

The St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School Chorus will perform at 12:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 10, for the Sewanee Women’s Club’s Christmas luncheon at the DuBose Conference Center in Monteagle. 

Sewanee’s A Cappella Groups, Cadence and Cambiata, will present their winter concert at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 11, at Guerry Auditorium. Following the concert, there will be a reception in the McGriff Alumni House.

St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School middle and upper school choruses, chamber ensemble and stage band will present a holiday concert at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 12, in McCrory Hall for the Performing Arts on the SAS campus.

Finally, there is live music at a number of area restaurants this weekend, including Pearl’s Foggy Mountain Café, the Smoke House and Dave’s Modern Tavern. Check with these venues for details.

Sewanee Holiday Home Tour on Saturday

Amy Burns of Sewanee displays two of her family’s vintage Christmas hand-hooked wool pieces made by her aunt, Dorothy Loney of Chattanooga, that will be part of the Sewanee Woman’s Club Holiday Home Tour on Dec. 8. 

The Seawanee Woman’s Club is hosting its second annual Holiday Home Tour, 2–6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8. Guests are invited to enjoy five private Sewanee homes, the exclusive Templeton Library and beautiful All Saints’ Chapel, all decorated for the holiday season.

This is a self-guided tour, with hostesses at each home. The homes on the tour this year are: Marge Wagner (Templeton Library, 730 Templeton Way); Alleen Cater and Lyle Hohnke (121 Sherwood Trail); Amy and Bob Burns (39 John Allin Drive); Joan and Michael Hurst (49 Roark’s Cove Road); Virginia and Chip Craighill (97 Roark’s Cove Road); and Bobbye and Joe Ballard (290 Clara’s Point Road). The tour ends at 5 p.m. at All Saints’ Chapel, when Ken Taylor of Taylor’s Mercantile explains how he coordinates the “greening of the Chapel” for the Lessons and Carols service.

The cost for the tour is $15 per person, and proceeds will be used to benefit local charities. Tickets are available at Taylor’s Mercantile in Sewanee, Citizen’s State Bank in Monteagle and Tea on the Mountain in Tracy City. Tickets will also be available that day at each home.