The Sewanee Civic Association will meet on Wednesday, Oct. 3, at the Sewanee Inn. Social hour begins at 6 p.m., with dinner served at 6:30 p.m. The business meeting will begin at 7 p.m. Among the topics on the agenda for this meeting are setting the goal for the Community Chest and discussing the Sewanee Classifieds email list and if it should remain a free service. Dinner will be $11.50 per person; reservations are not needed. Guests may come for the business portion of the meeting if they choose.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Friends of South Cumberland Hold Work Day at Parks
The Friends of South Cumberland is marking National Public Lands Day, on Saturday, Sept. 29, by offering two work projects.
From 10 a.m. to noon, Margaret Woods, a local garden designer, will lead a group focused on maintenance and replanting the wildflower beds at the entrance to the Visitors Center.
Park Ranger Bill Knapp will oversee a litter pickup at the beginning of the Fiery Gizzard trail. Recent heavy rains have washed debris from upstream into the hiking area.
Volunteers should meet at 10 a.m. at the Visitor’s Center, located on US 41 between Monteagle and Tracy City. Gardeners should bring gloves, trowels and/or shovels. The litter crew will caravan to the Fiery Gizzard trail head. Trash bags will be provided, but participants should bring gloves and wear shoes that can get wet. Parents are encouraged to bring children to assist in the litter project.
More than 170,000 volunteers are expected at more than 2,100 public land sites across the country on this day. Folks in every state will visit parks, public and community gardens, beaches, wildlife preserves or forests and help these treasured places. Join the FSC and show your appreciation of the ten beautiful parks that make up the South Cumberland State Park.
For more information go to <www.friendsofscsra.org>.
From 10 a.m. to noon, Margaret Woods, a local garden designer, will lead a group focused on maintenance and replanting the wildflower beds at the entrance to the Visitors Center.
Park Ranger Bill Knapp will oversee a litter pickup at the beginning of the Fiery Gizzard trail. Recent heavy rains have washed debris from upstream into the hiking area.
Volunteers should meet at 10 a.m. at the Visitor’s Center, located on US 41 between Monteagle and Tracy City. Gardeners should bring gloves, trowels and/or shovels. The litter crew will caravan to the Fiery Gizzard trail head. Trash bags will be provided, but participants should bring gloves and wear shoes that can get wet. Parents are encouraged to bring children to assist in the litter project.
More than 170,000 volunteers are expected at more than 2,100 public land sites across the country on this day. Folks in every state will visit parks, public and community gardens, beaches, wildlife preserves or forests and help these treasured places. Join the FSC and show your appreciation of the ten beautiful parks that make up the South Cumberland State Park.
For more information go to <www.friendsofscsra.org>.
Important Election Dates
Key deadlines related to the November general election on Nov. 6 are approaching.
The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 8.
Early voting begins at the commission office on Wednesday, Oct. 17. On weekdays, Oct. 17–Oct. 30, voting takes place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 20, early voting is 8 a.m.. to noon. On Saturday, Oct. 27, early voting is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On the final two days of early voting, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, the office will be open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Precincts will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To request an absentee ballot and vote by mail, there is a required form available from the Election Commission. Application must be made by Oct. 30; absentee ballots must be returned by Nov. 6.
For a copy of the form or more information about voting, call the Franklin County Election Commission at 967-1893.
The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 8.
Early voting begins at the commission office on Wednesday, Oct. 17. On weekdays, Oct. 17–Oct. 30, voting takes place from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 20, early voting is 8 a.m.. to noon. On Saturday, Oct. 27, early voting is 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
On the final two days of early voting, Oct. 31 and Nov. 1, the office will be open 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 6. Precincts will be open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
To request an absentee ballot and vote by mail, there is a required form available from the Election Commission. Application must be made by Oct. 30; absentee ballots must be returned by Nov. 6.
For a copy of the form or more information about voting, call the Franklin County Election Commission at 967-1893.
SAS Welcomes Families
St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School welcomes parents and relatives of upper school students to campus for family weekend, today–Sunday, Sept. 28–30.
Highlights of the weekend include a number of athletic contests at home for girls’ soccer and volleyball today, and football on Saturday.
A new collaborative show is on display at the SAS Gallery, “Take Two: Altered and Re-purposed Garments,” with pieces created by a number of artists, including Natasha Brunton and Kate Clarke.
The Rev. and Mrs. John Thomas are hosting a reception at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, family members have the opportunity to take a walk-through of their children’s classes and meet with individual teachers.
The weekend culminates on Sunday at 10:30 a.m., with Holy Eucharist in the chapel. SAS senior Lucas Crossland will be the preacher. Brunch will follow.
For more information about St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School and a complete schedule of the weekend’s events visit <www.sasweb.org>.
Highlights of the weekend include a number of athletic contests at home for girls’ soccer and volleyball today, and football on Saturday.
A new collaborative show is on display at the SAS Gallery, “Take Two: Altered and Re-purposed Garments,” with pieces created by a number of artists, including Natasha Brunton and Kate Clarke.
The Rev. and Mrs. John Thomas are hosting a reception at 6 p.m.
On Saturday, family members have the opportunity to take a walk-through of their children’s classes and meet with individual teachers.
The weekend culminates on Sunday at 10:30 a.m., with Holy Eucharist in the chapel. SAS senior Lucas Crossland will be the preacher. Brunch will follow.
For more information about St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School and a complete schedule of the weekend’s events visit <www.sasweb.org>.
Convenience Center Relocating This Fall, Council Seats Open
by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer
At the Sept. 24 Sewanee Community Council meeting, John Vineyard, director of physical plant services announced that the Convenience Center will be moved to Missouri Avenue on the south side of the road, between University Avenue and Highway 41A. Vineyard said he expects the move within the next four to six weeks, depending on weather. Water, electricity and fencing will all be set up in the new location, which he said will look much the same as the current facility.
A new golf course maintenance building will be located on the present Convenience Center lot. The new golf course is projected to be open for use by late April.
The council passed a resolution honoring Robert W. White, former Sewanee chief of police, for his service to the community. White, who recently retired, served as a police officer in Sewanee for more than seven years. His career in police and security work spanned nearly 30 years.
The resolution drafted by council representative David Coe praised White for his “wisdom” and “uncommon good humor,” “acting at all times with a level head and a compassionate heart.”
Council election officer Dennis Meeks announced that six council seats will be open in January. The terms of council representatives John Flynn, Michael Hurst, Pamela Byerly, James Patrick Kelley and Phil White are expiring. These council representatives have not yet declared whether they will seek re-election. District 3 had one vacant seat.
Residents wishing to seek election to the council must submit a nominating petition with the signatures of 10 community members from their district by Monday, Oct. 15.
District 1 and District 3 both have two open seats; Districts 2 and 4 each have one open seat. Nominating petitions are available at the post office or from council election officers Meeks (598-0159) and Michael Hurst (598-0588).
Voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Sewanee Elementary School in conjunction with the general election.
Residents may vote early from Oct. 16 to Nov. 5. To vote early, contact Tabatha Whitsett in the vice-chancellor and provost’s office at 598-1182.
Representing the Sewanee Community Center board of directors, Howard Franklin asked if the community would have a voice in decisions regarding the new community center proposed in the long-range plan for downtown Sewanee. Vice-Chancellor John McCardell said the planners would be in attendance at the October council meeting, when plans for the downtown area would be discussed. McCardell encouraged community input and participation.
In other business, Vineyard announced that the AT&T cell phone communication equipment being installed in Shapard Tower was expected to be operational by the end of October.
Updating the council on concerns about the airport beacon, Vineyard said two baffles had been installed, and the beacon had been lowered five degrees to reduce light pollution.
In regard to a safety issue, Vineyard reported that a truck had “clipped” one of the school-zone warning lights. The light would be repaired, Vineyard said, and both school-zone warning lights would be raised to prevent future mishaps.
Phil White announced that plans for the dog park were finalized, and the committee would begin accepting bids for construction as soon as the plans were approved by the University.
At the Sept. 24 Sewanee Community Council meeting, John Vineyard, director of physical plant services announced that the Convenience Center will be moved to Missouri Avenue on the south side of the road, between University Avenue and Highway 41A. Vineyard said he expects the move within the next four to six weeks, depending on weather. Water, electricity and fencing will all be set up in the new location, which he said will look much the same as the current facility.
A new golf course maintenance building will be located on the present Convenience Center lot. The new golf course is projected to be open for use by late April.
The council passed a resolution honoring Robert W. White, former Sewanee chief of police, for his service to the community. White, who recently retired, served as a police officer in Sewanee for more than seven years. His career in police and security work spanned nearly 30 years.
The resolution drafted by council representative David Coe praised White for his “wisdom” and “uncommon good humor,” “acting at all times with a level head and a compassionate heart.”
Council election officer Dennis Meeks announced that six council seats will be open in January. The terms of council representatives John Flynn, Michael Hurst, Pamela Byerly, James Patrick Kelley and Phil White are expiring. These council representatives have not yet declared whether they will seek re-election. District 3 had one vacant seat.
Residents wishing to seek election to the council must submit a nominating petition with the signatures of 10 community members from their district by Monday, Oct. 15.
District 1 and District 3 both have two open seats; Districts 2 and 4 each have one open seat. Nominating petitions are available at the post office or from council election officers Meeks (598-0159) and Michael Hurst (598-0588).
Voting will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 6, at Sewanee Elementary School in conjunction with the general election.
Residents may vote early from Oct. 16 to Nov. 5. To vote early, contact Tabatha Whitsett in the vice-chancellor and provost’s office at 598-1182.
Representing the Sewanee Community Center board of directors, Howard Franklin asked if the community would have a voice in decisions regarding the new community center proposed in the long-range plan for downtown Sewanee. Vice-Chancellor John McCardell said the planners would be in attendance at the October council meeting, when plans for the downtown area would be discussed. McCardell encouraged community input and participation.
In other business, Vineyard announced that the AT&T cell phone communication equipment being installed in Shapard Tower was expected to be operational by the end of October.
Updating the council on concerns about the airport beacon, Vineyard said two baffles had been installed, and the beacon had been lowered five degrees to reduce light pollution.
In regard to a safety issue, Vineyard reported that a truck had “clipped” one of the school-zone warning lights. The light would be repaired, Vineyard said, and both school-zone warning lights would be raised to prevent future mishaps.
Phil White announced that plans for the dog park were finalized, and the committee would begin accepting bids for construction as soon as the plans were approved by the University.
The Call of the Appalachian Trail
Sewanee Elementary School second-grade student Madeline Sumpter (trail name “Flower”), and her father, Joseph, (trail name “Deep Woods Dreamer”), hiked 18.7 miles on the Appalachian Trail (AT) from north to south through the Bigelow Mountains in central Maine, Aug. 3–Sept. 2.
Sumpter began the nearly 2,200-mile trek on the AT as a through-hiker on April 15, 1995, at Springer Mountain, Ga., but heavy snowfall in late October forced him off the trail.
“I always wanted to finish the portion of the trail I missed,” he said. “Now I know it was God’s plan all along to save the finale of this lifetime goal to be able to share with my daughter. Madeline shares my love of hiking, and the time was right for us to complete this adventure together.”
Sumpter spent much of the last six months preparing for the trip, researching hiking with children, planning what to pack, fitting Madeline with appropriate gear and lots of preparatory hikes.
“I knew hiking with Madeline was going to be different, and I wanted our adventure to succeed no matter what. I couldn’t afford to leave anything to chance,” he said.
They had five gorgeous days of weather and enjoyed gazing off the many view points, quenching their thirsts from the cool mountain streams, meeting other hikers, playing games, journaling and eating Madeline’s favorite backpacking foods.
They also left messages at shelters along the trail for Sewanee resident Bruce Baird (trail name “2:30”), who was in the vicinity of the Bigelow Mountains on his own AT journey.
Joseph presented Madeline with a medal she could wear around her neck when she made it to the two highest peaks.
“To say this trip was a success is a huge understatement,” Sumpter said. “Madeline knows the joy of accomplishing a physically and emotionally demanding challenge. Alyssa and I can hardly wait to experience the next family adventure and little sister, Julia, is ready to join in the fun.”
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Blue Chair Bakery Expands with Tavern
Wilson, who graduated from Sewanee in 1973, has worked as a banker, an attorney and an entrepreneur before buying the Blue Chair from Susan Binkley. Wilson said he is thrilled with the success of the Blue Chair and now, the positive reception the Blue Chair Tavern is having in its opening days.
“We wanted to create a place where people could come—town and gown—to share a meal, have a beer, watch a ballgame, and enjoy each other’s company,” Wilson said recently.
The Blue Chair Tavern is located at 41 University Ave., in the building that formerly housed Sweet CeCe’s, the original Blue Chair Bakery, and before that, the Sewanee Mountain Messenger offices.
Wilson, along with his wife, Sarah, C’89, now owns both Blue Chair buildings, and the businesses are linked in many ways.
“I am lucky to have the very talented Michael Shrum managing all the operations,” Wilson said. “And Dave Hill is running the Tavern. We have a great team.”
The Blue Chair Tavern serves a variety of beers, many brewed by the Jackalope Brewing Company of Nashville, of which the Wilsons are part owners. Jackalope is known for its small-batch craft beers.
The Tavern is starting out with a small menu of appetizers and snacks. Three televisions in the space are usually tuned into sports events around the globe.
The restaurant features a beautiful antique oak bar that Wilson bought almost 25 years ago in Oxford, Miss. Part of the 30-foot bar is in his Brentwood home; the rest has now found a home in the Blue Chair Tavern.
Looking to the future, Wilson hopes to use the spaces of the two restaurants more fluidly. He wants to make it available for private parties and special events.
“I love the way the Village is developing,” Wilson said. “Sarah and I are really glad to be a part of it. We love the Angel Park and all the other good things going on here.”
The Blue Chair Tavern is open on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays, 4–10:30 p.m.; on Saturdays and Sundays, it is open 11:30 a.m.–10:30 p.m.; and closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
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