Fiction Readings by Tony Earley and Randall Kenan

Fiction writers Tony Earley and Randall Kenan will read from their work at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 14, in Gailor Auditorium. The readings, book signings and reception that will follow are free and open to the public.

 Earley is the author of a story collection, “Here We Are in Paradise,” which won him recognition from both Granta and the New Yorker as one of America’s best young fiction writers, and two novels, “Jim the Boy” and “The Blue Star.” He has also published a collection of personal essays, “Somehow Form a Family.” His stories have appeared in numerous publications, including the New Yorker (most recently “Jack and the Mad Dog”), Harper’s, Granta and Esquire. Earley held a Tennessee Williams Fellowship as Writer-in-Residence at Sewanee in 1997. He is the Samuel Milton Fleming Professor of English at Vanderbilt University. In the New York Times Book Review, Ellen Currie praised Earley for his “wonderful gift for deep observation, exact and wise and often funny.”

Kenan is the author of a novel, “A Visitation of Spirits,” and a collection of stories, “Let the Dead Bury Their Dead,” which was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award, a nominee for a Los Angeles Times Book Prize for fiction and a New York Times Notable Book. He has written a young adult biography, “James Baldwin: Author,” and two works of nonfiction, “Walking on Water: Black American Lives at the Turn of the Twenty-First Century,” which was nominated for the Southern Book Award, and “The Fire This Time.” He is also the author of the text for Norman Mauskopf’s book of photographs, “A Time Not Here: The Mississippi Delta.” He teaches creative writing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. 

Author Terry McMillan said, “Randall Kenan is a genius; our black Márquez. He weaves myth, folktales, magic and reality like no one else I know, and he doesn’t miss a beat.”

This event is presented by the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and the department of English.

Sewanee Green Machine Undefeated

The Sewanee Green Machine U10 soccer team just completed an undefeated season. Coach Eric Hartman and his team went 7-0. Team members included Julian Bardi, Gus Croom, Mac Croom, Colin DeLorme, Harrison Hartman, Kalem Knight, Thomas Stapleton, Eli Wilson and McKeon Whitsett. Photo by Al Bardi

Getting Ready for the Season at Taylor’s

By K.G. Beavers, Messenger Staff Writer

In the Sewanee Village, one can always tell what season it is by looking to Taylor’s Mercantile. During the spring and summer, the front yard of the business is abloom with color and houseplants and bedding plants. During the fall, the landscape changes inside and out to oranges, yellows and browns. There are all sorts of flowers, tablescapes and rugs to decorate a home.

And, it is the start of the holiday season when Ken Taylor decorates his store for his annual open house, which is Saturday, Nov. 3, and Sunday, Nov. 4.

People come near and far for the open house, which is now in its 28th year.

“For years I was told that I could not start decorating for Christmas until after Thanksgiving. So during the Thanksgiving weekends we would spend countless hours decorating. Then somebody well-respected in the retail business told me I needed to start getting the holiday merchandise out early,” said Taylor.

For many, the open house is the highlight of their holiday tradition. “People from all over come to the store. Some come to just purchase a few items and some to just get decorating ideas. For most, coming to Taylor’s during the holiday season is the beginning of their holiday tradition,” said Taylor.

“Some come for the Santas. Some come for flowers. Some come for holiday tableware. Then there are a few who without fail come and purchase their nutcrackers every year from us,” said Taylor. “This is the highlight of their holiday.”

This year, each retail business in the Village will take part in the open house. “It is neat that everyone wants to be involved,” said Taylor.

Taylor’s Mercantile began on January 1, 1984, when he and his mother, Evelyn, bought the old hardware store owned by Jeanette and Bill Hamilton. The building was previously Brooks General Merchandise. The original building burned in 1918, and the building was completely rebuilt in 1921.

“When we purchased the building, the back half of the store was still filled with the hardware inventory,” said Taylor. “In the front of the store, I had purchased an old Coca-Cola cooler and filled it with flowers. We went to the markets in Chattanooga with about $1,000, and purchased merchandise to fill in the front part of the store.

“Obviously, I have purchased more items than that throughout the years,” said Taylor.

The hardware part of the store lasted another 10 years at Taylor’s. As big box stores replaced the smaller hardware stores, Taylor moved to offering what he liked best: unique gifts and flowers.

He did not always want to be a shop owner. As a graduate student, he was accepted to medical school at Vanderbilt. “I dropped out because I was not passionate about it. I have found that this store is my passion.”

After purchasing the building, he and his mother both continued to work at the Sewanee hospital. “We took turns running the store.” That hard work and dedication have paid off. “We have worked to grow our business into the exceptional, not just the ordinary,” said Taylor. 

In addition to the seasonal gifts, weddings and party decorating, Taylor is also known for his work in the annual greening of All Saints’ Chapel during Lessons and Carols weekend. He started this in 1982. 

“Now, the greening has grown into a huge event, with 100 –150 people helping to decorate All Saints’.” He and his wife, Lynn, still wait until the last minute to decorate the lectern and pulpit with fresh flowers and greenery themselves. He continues to volunteer his time for this annual event because “it is the right thing to do for the community. The community makes Taylor’s my favorite part of being in business. You get to share good news with people, such as their weddings or other special occasions,” said Taylor. 

“And, we always hear how we have made their day special,” he said.

Pink Out Raises Funds for Breast Cancer Fight

Britni Nunley recently had the pleasure of presenting Sheril Miller with a check for $820.75 during a St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School (SAS) chapel meeting. She is a senior day student at SAS, the daughter of Nicole and Tommy Nunley of Tracy City.

Miller is the director of development of the Chattanooga affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, an organization dedicated to trying to end breast cancer.

Nunley raised the money by organizing a “Pink Out” for St. Andrew’s-Sewanee’s final regular home football game. She designed a T-shirt, had them printed, and sold them to classmates, teachers, friends, family and neighbors. For each $10 shirt sold, $5 went to Komen. Many of the football team members sported pink socks or gloves that day to support the project.

“I’m really proud of Britni,” said the Rev. John Thomas, SAS head of school. “So often, even those of us with the best intentions wait to be asked to help a good cause. Britni showed tremendous initiative, organization and caring in putting together a wonderful way for this community to support a worthwhile organization.”

Komen is working to end breast cancer through research, community health outreach, advocacy, and programs in more than 50 countries. Most of the money raised by Nunley will be used to provide support and advocacy for those fighting breast cancer in nearby communities.

MGTA Submits Plans For Monteagle Section

The town of Monteagle and the Mountain Goat Trail Alliance (MGTA) announced Oct. 30 the conclusion of right-of-way approvals for the Sewanee-Monteagle portion of the trail. MGTA has also submitted final design plans to the Tennessee Department of Transportation. After final design plan approval, construction bidding for the section can begin.

Monteagle mayor Marilyn Campbell-Nixon said, “I am pleased to sign the last right-of-way documents and help make the next part of the Mountain Goat Trail come to fruition. The residents of Monteagle, Sewanee and the rest of the plateau will benefit from this resource.”

“It is truly exciting to be so close to construction of the next part of the Mountain Goat Trail,” said Janice Thomas, MGTA board president. “The alliance especially wants to thank our former board members, Monteagle’s Chamber of Commerce, former Mayor Rollins, Nate Wilson and our easement and financial donors and volunteers, without whom we would never have reached this point.”

The planned section will link the existing two miles of the paved trail, which ends at Highway 156, to Monteagle at the Dollar General store, adding approximately three miles. The trail will largely follow the bed of the Mountain Goat Railroad, constructed in the 1850s and decommissioned in the 1980s.

 The Mountain Goat Trail is a rail-to-trail community outdoor recreation project to convert the abandoned Mountain Goat railroad right-of-way into a multi-use recreational corridor connecting Grundy, Marion and Franklin counties. Donations to the MGTA are tax-deductible. For more information, go to the MGTA Facebook page at <facebook.com/mountaingoattrail> or email <info@mountaingoattrail.org>.

Election Night Watch Party

The Cumberland Center for Justice and Peace (CCJP) will celebrate its 25th anniversary with an election night watch party, beginning at 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 6, at the home of Linda and Clayton Rogers, at 874 Lake O’Donnell Rd., Sewanee.

The public is invited to join in watching the election returns, with several televisions offering a selection of viewing options. Beverages and light snacks will be served, and childcare will be available throughout the evening.

The charter granting CCJP official status was recognized by the state of Tennessee in 1987. The election night party is a long-standing tradition with CCJP.

For more information contact Leslie Lytle at <sllytle@blomand.net> or 598-9979.

Civic Association Meets Wednesday

The Sewanee Civic Association will meet at 6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 7, at the EQB House. Yearly dues of $10 are payable at the door. Anyone who resides in the area and shares concerns of the community is invited to attend and become a member. 

Emily Puckette will present the program on parks in Sewanee, and the efforts to refurbish Elliott Park. Register your interest in public playgrounds for the community’s children by attending this meeting.

Social time with wine is at 6 p.m., and a buffet dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. The business meeting begins at 7 p.m., followed by the program. The program portion of the evening is free and open to the public. Dinner is $12 per person.

Parking is available behind the EQB House in the lot off of Mitchell Avenue; everyone is encouraged to park there. For those who cannot manage stairs, the Sewanee police will allow parking on University Avenue.