monroe life - holiday 2014

A Voice for the DEFENSELESS:CASA Monroe Brings Hope

to Neglected Children

Chief JusticeSharon Lee

HOLIDAY FESTIVITIES

A magazine for the people of Monroe County and those who come to visit.

WINTER/HOLIDAY 2015

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Madisonville 4233 Highway 411Madisonville, TN 37354Phone: (423) 442-2622 Hours: 8:00 am 5:30 pm, M F8:00 am 5:30 pm, Sat Sun

Tellico Plains412 Hunt StreetTellico Plains, TN 37385Phone: (423) 253-6545Hours: 8:00 am 5:30 pm, M F

Vonore1206 Highway 411Vonore, TN 37885Phone: (423) 884-7271Hours: 8:00 am 5:30 pm, M F

1WINTER/HOLIDAY 2015 MONROE LIFE

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Contentsfeatures

6812

40

46

Patsy Carsons ValentinesDay Dinner

Benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Monroe

Kendrick ShopeLives Her Dream Helping

Others Pursue Theirs

6276

The Snowfall Is So Silent

2014 WINTERFestivitiesDont Miss Out On This YearsHoliday Fun in Tellico Plains!

A Poem By Miguel de Unamuno

Chief Justice, Sharon Lee

Hiwassee College Equine Instructor, Kara Graham

Wins 2014 Lite Shod World Grand Championship

Monroe Brings Hope to Neglected Children

A Voice forthe Defenseless

20

66

Heres To Another Succesful Year!Recapping the 2014 Hiwassee HOPE Balloon Festival

34

Comforting Canines Provide Compassionate

Ministry

Rustic Living for the Holidays

50

44

6

departments

Take A Tour Through Brenda McCaslins Home

Military BoysUnited in Friendship &in Service to Our Country

28

Frerichs Sawmillof Coker Creek

16A Small Town

ChristmasIn the Perfect

Small Town

From the Publisher

Sweet Soles Contributes to the Revitalization of Main Street America

Sweetwater ValleyCitizens for the ArtsChristmas Home Tour

Boys & Girls ClubMoving Forward with New Leader Dr. Anthony Tricoli

The Bingham GroupMeth Awareness Campaign in Full Swing

HappeningsSchedule of Events

My Kind of Lovely

East Tennessee FoundationMaking A Positive Impact In Our Community

56

4

33

30

78

70

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4 MONROE LIFE WINTER/HOLIDAY 2015

As the smell of fragrant evergreen fills our homes, laughter of family and friends fills the air and beautiful lights illuminate our trees, I am reminded that this once again is a time to celebrate the birth of my Savior over 2,000 years ago. There is no greater gift I could receive than the gift of Gods only Son.

Christmas is a true season of giving, yet throughout my entire life, the people of Monroe County have given me more than I can ever imagine. My childhood is full of cherished memories of the beautiful people and places in my home county, and I am still on the receiving end of these blessings.

In this edition of Monroe Life, you will also experience some of the wonderful people and breathtaking places that help bring this wondrous season to life in our county. You will read about the tremendous success of Monroe Life Magazines 2nd Annual Celebration of HOPE Balloon Festival and see the spectacular photography provided by Lisa Amos. You will learn about the swearing in of Tennessee Supreme Court Justice, Sharon Lee, a Madisonville native. I was so honored to attend this ceremony!

You will also discover the many ways people are giving back to our community. Anthony Tricoli, a former Boys and Girls Club member, is now making a huge impact in the clubs throughout the county. East Tennessee Foundation helps aid both individuals and non-profits to help make Monroe County a more wonderful place to call home. Jodi Swiderek from CASA is training ordinary people with extraordinary hearts to be a Court Appointed Special Advocates for disadvantaged children. There are so many exciting and festive stories to read about.

Take a stroll through the McCaslin home at Christmastime, and celebrate the season by enjoying all the holiday festivals and parades our county has to offer, and be sure to sit back, relax and reflect on the true spirit of the holiday season.

May God bless you abundantly this holiday season!

Lisa Atkins Bingham

Letter from the PublisherMonroe LifePUBLISHERThe Bingham Group

PresidentLisa Atkins Bingham

Graphic DesignersSloan Burton Dustin HayesSam Morris

Contributing WritersClay CarrellMarvin HarperHalea LingerfeltJessica MorganJennifer PorterfieldMiguel de Unamuno Emily Walls

Cover PhotoRobert Burleson

Contributing PhotographersLisa AmosRobert BurlesonSloan BurtonBen GibsonDustin HayesTammy Lee

Copy EditorJennifer Porterfield

WebMelissa Hill

Advertising SalesMignonne AlmanTel: [email protected]

Subscription or Editorial InquiriesTel: 865.523.5999 Fax: 865.523.0999www.monroelifemagazine.com

The Bingham Group, Inc.11921 Kingston Pike, Suite 201Knoxville, Tennessee 37934

www.binghamgroup.comwww.monroelifemagazine.com


Rustic Livingfor the Holidays

Walking into Brenda McCaslins cozy home at Christmastime will make you feel like you have stepped back in time to a more simple and primitive era. The wood and logs that line the home from the floor to the ceiling have been carefully designed and

laid out by McCaslin herself. In fact, many of the wood casings, cabinets, cupboards and other woodwork throughout the home were crafted and built by Brenda.

corner of her homeit is all antique and all meticulously decorated throughout.

Following in her fathers footsteps, McCaslin has a great love for collecting beautiful antiques and has been a collector for 50 years. She has a passion for finding unique and timeless pieces to adorn her home, and her favorite places to buy antiques are in Ohio and Indiana, although she collects them from all over the South, as well. At Christmastime in particular, she pulls out all of her favorite timeless treasures, but the decorations she loves most were from her fathers

McCaslin designed her entire home, both the exterior and the interior. For years, she worked for a builder remodeling and designing homes. She also took many classes in the past to perfect her undeniable natural talent, and she carried out all of her design skill and building expertise by creating her beautiful home that immediately transports guests back in time. Inside the home, it feels as if you have stepped into a log cabin, but the outside of the home was designed and built with antique bricks. From the bricks on the exterior of the home to each carefully placed decoration in every

Written By Emily Walls Photography By Tammy Lee


beautiful antique ornament collection. They bring back special memories of days gone by.

Perhaps one of the most unique features of the home is that in all of the living areas on the main floor, all modern appliances and electronics have been covered by cupboards, furniture or feed sacks that serve as curtains, handcrafted by McCaslin herself. She wanted to keep the primitive feel of the home as much as possible.

From a tree full of age-old ornaments to delicately placed reindeer and fresh evergreen branches, this home is as wonderful and inviting as the person who created and designed it. The McCaslin home is where your troubles will seem miles away at Christmastime and throughout the year.

Brenda has a large collection of antique wooden mortar and pestles as well as many other antique dishes and cookware.

This dining area is on the bottom floor of the McCaslin home. She has over 100 antique wooden bowls in her house that she has personally collected.


Breezeway between house and garage on the third floor.

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The Snowfall Is So Silent2013 Snow Photography By Robert BurlesonPoem by Miguel de Unamuno

The snowfall is so silent, so slow,bit by bit, with delicacy

it settles down on the earthand covers over the fields.

The silent snow comes downwhite and weightless;

snowfall makes no noise,falls as forgetting falls,

flake after flake.It covers the fields gentlywhile frost attacks them

with its sudden flashes of white;covers everything with its pure

and silent covering;not one thing on the ground

anywhere escapes it.And wherever it falls it stays,

content and gay,for snow does not slip off

as rain does,but it stays and sinks in.

The flakes are skyflowers,pale lilies from the clouds,

that wither on earth.They come down blossoming,

but then so quicklythey are gone;

they bloom only on the peak,above the mountains,

and make the earth feel heavierwhen they die inside.Snow, delicate snow,

that falls with such lightnesson the head, on the feelings,

come and cover over the sadnessthat lies always in my reason.


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Historic Downtown Sweetwater plays host to the Small Town Christmas event every November on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For 2014, Sweetwaters Main Street will fill with visitors, performers, vendors, carolers, carriages, elves and wide-eyed children enjoying the jolly streetscape. Enjoy roasting marshmallows and hot chocolate. Send the kids off to the Childrens Gift Shop for lovely gifts for only $1.25 with free gift wrapping! Take a hayride through Historic Sweetwater, or sound the siren on the 1926 Brockway antique fire truck. We will be raffling a huge wagon filled with treasures. Be sure to get in line early for pictures with the big man himself, SANTA! New this year is a Living Nativity, Lighting of the Downtown Christmas Tree at 7 pm and a Christmas Wreath Auction. Sweetwaters A Small Town Christmas is the perfect setting to kick off your Christmas season.

Sweetwater Main Street Committee sponsors this event in coordination with the Sweetwater Merchants and Property Owners Association and the City of Sweetwater. To volunteer or for more information, contact Jane McGuire at 423-337-5976, or to become a vendor, call City Hall at 423-337-6979.

Saturday, November 29 59 PM

The Perfect Small Town Written By Jessica Morgan

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A Voice for the Defenseless: CASA Monroe Brings Hope to Neglected ChildrenWritten By Emily Walls

CASA Monroe is a local non-profit organization in Monroe County that serves as a voice for abused and neglected children in the court system. CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocates (For Children). The goal of the organization is to support court appointed volunteers to represent children who find themselves in the court system because of abuse or neglect from their parents or guardians.

A CASA volunteer, or simply CASA, gathers critical information from the childs life to be used by the court when deciding the best home for a child where they can thrive and live in safety without fear. CASA is the only non-profit that doesnt charge a fee to parents or families for their services.

Often times a child represented by CASA Monroe has suffered one or multiple forms of abuse. They are taken from

their home situation, and while they are away, the goal of a CASA volunteer is to gather as much information as they can from the lives of the children and write a report for the judge.

A CASA will experience many aspects of a childs life. They will interact with their foster parents or guardians, go to their school, talk to teachers, grandparents, family members, therapists, doctors, and anyone who may be in the circle of influence in that particular childs life in order to supply a wealth of information to the judge that the court wouldnt normally receive.

Children are often taken out of their homes and placed in several different homes before their case is closed. Many times, a CASA will be the only constant person a child has in their life when everything around them is changing. A CASA will remain with

the same child until their court case has been closed out. CASAs love to visit their children, and enjoy bringing them an occasional special treat when they visit. They typically stay for an hour with a child in their current home and go back every three to six weeks to ensure everything is going well. In addition, a CASA also helps support the family currently caring for the child by doing things such as helping families apply for TennCare or food stamps.

CASAs are unlike volunteers at other organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters, because the overall goal is to be an advocate for the child in court; however, that doesnt mean there arent amazing relationships and bonds created through the process. The stories volunteers tell about their children are incredibly moving. The following is just one example of a typical case involving two children represented by CASA Monroe:


since being removed from their father. They cried and cried, and the new foster parents felt they were disrupting their own childrens enjoyment of Christmas, so that night they were moved to a fifth home.

All during this time, the childrens CASA followed them. She brought them Christmas gifts, and when she arrived at their newest foster home, which was out in the country, Sarah said, Were so glad youre here! How did you find us way out here? Her CASA said, Honey, Ill find you wherever you are. Dont ever worry about that!

The CASA visited the children every few weeks, always bringing them a coloring book or puzzle or some little gift. Each time, the girls would run outside, squealing with delight to see her. By this time, the father was in jail for violation of probation, and the foster family was getting very attached to the girls.

In fact, they decided they wanted to adopt them. The father, who somehow knew he was not going to sober up, gave up his parental rights, and through the successful work of the Department of Childrens Services, the children were free to be adopted. Their CASA was invited to a celebration luncheon when the adoption papers were final and the girls, who once lived in great danger and

deplorable conditions, were running and skipping in the yard of their new parents. The girls ran to their CASA, jumped in her lap and said, Youll still be coming to visit us, wont you? And, in fact, she still does.

The impact a CASA makes is immeasurable in a childs life. Children who have endured heart-wrenching abuse and neglect receive a voice someone who cares for them in the courtroom.

CASA Monroe is always looking for caring advocates that love children. Requirements to be a CASA include being at least 21-years-old, passing a background check, and approximately 30 hours of training. CASA volunteers are simply ordinary citizens with extraordinary hearts.

On November 14 & 15, CASA Monroe will be holding its breathtaking, Festival of Trees, at the Tellico West Conference Center. Please mark your calendars to come out and support this wonderful organization. CASA Monroe is dependent upon the generous financial support of private individual, community, and church donors, as well as state funding. If you would like more information on how you can best support CASA Monroe, contact: [email protected] or call 423-442-2750.

Five-year-old, Sarah, and three-year-old, Ashley, were removed from the custody of their father who was a raging alcoholic. One day, a Monroe County Sheriff pulled the fathers car over after noticing the car was weaving and going over the middle line both children were in the back seat. It was then the Sheriff called the Department of Childrens Services, which then took the girls out of their fathers care. The location of the mother was unknown, as she had left the children right after Ashley, the youngest, was born. The children were placed with their paternal grandmother, and CASA was ordered by the Juvenile Court judge to advocate for the children.

When the grandmother had to go to the hospital because of a heart attack, the children were sent away to an aunt near the Tennessee-Kentucky border. CASA was also there. After several months, the aunt felt it was too emotionally stressful for her to keep the young girls, and so they were placed in foster care. During this time, the father refused to attend drug and alcohol rehabilitation. The stress of moving from place to place was showing in the girls behavior.

When Ashley bit one of the foster parents children, they asked that the girls be moved. On Christmas Eve day, they were placed in their fourth home


CASA MonroeP r e s e n t s

Festival of Trees

T H R O U G H T H E E Y E S O F A C H I L D

november 14th & 15th

Tellico West Conference Center 121 Deer Crossing Vonore, Tennessee 37885

CASA Monroe will be holding its breathtaking, Festival of Trees, at the Tellico West Conference Center. Please

mark your calendars to come out and support this wonderful organization. CASA Monroe is dependent upon

the generous financial support of private individuals, community, and church donors, as well as state funding.

Festival of Trees Annual GalaFriday, November 14th

7pm-11pm at the Tellico West Conference Center

If you would lIke more InformatIon on how you can best support casa monroe, contact: [email protected] or call 423-442-2750.

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Tellico West Conference Center 121 Deer Crossing Vonore, Tennessee 37885

Trees Wreaths Center Pieces & More Visit with Santa Childrens Crafts & Activities Holiday Baked Goods

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Browse the Trees & Silent Auction: 11am-6pmSanta & Mrs. Claus Arrive on a Fire Truck: 8:30am Pancake Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus: 8:30am-11am


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Military Boys:United in Friendship and in Service to Our CountryWritten By Emily Walls

As we approach Verterans Day, we take time to remember those who fearlessly and sacrificially serve our country both in the present and in the past. While we rightfully honor these individuals, sometimes it is easy to forget each person in the military brings their own unique story. They often have a family who loves them, ambition to pursue their dreams, and friendships that are unbreakable, yet they often give up the things they love most to preserve the many freedoms we enjoy as Americans.

The story of Elisha Moser, John Ray Roberts, and Gary Cagle is a story of three Monroe County boys who were all best friends from childhood through adulthood. As they entered high school Cody Moses would also join this strong bond of friends. All four friends currently serve or are going to serve our country in the military when they are deployed.

Their story is one told by their mothers looking back on their childhood and teenage years as they grew up together. John Ray Roberts and Gary Cagle met when they were young. John Rays mother, Robin, babysat Gary Cagle and his brother; however, it was in fifth grade that John Ray, Gary, and Elisha started

developing an unbreakable friendship. Scarlett Moser, Elishas mom states, They just clicked from the very beginning and were the best of friends.

Throughout their school years they always played sports together. The boys played both baseball and football together, and not only were they athletic, but they were also very creative and funny too. John Rays mother, Robin, states, Baseball is what really brought the boys together, but as they got older they loved to make their own movies, and they were so dumb, she laughs. I remember a few of the movies they made in high school. They did a Godzilla movie where they were ninjas; they made a Romeo and Juliet movie, and a Bigfoot movie where they spent the entire video trying not to laugh. They were hilarious!

The boys were always very creative and extraverts. Robin remembers during timeouts while playing travel baseball, the boys would dance and sing on the field to the music playing over the loud speaker.

Elisha and John Ray loved theatre, and were in the schools Snoopy production one year. They even made their own costumes for the performance. Robin

states, They were always a mess always into something!

In high school, they did other things together as well. They worked together at the local A & W, and they served as leaders at Sequoyah High School. John Ray was President, Gary was Vice President, and Elisha was Treasurer. They also were great friends with Cody Moses. The four boys spent a lot of time together in high school. Gary recalls they loved the outdoors, bonfires, and simply spending time in the mountains together.

As their time in high school drew to a close, they all four felt led in a similar direction. They all wanted to serve in the military in some capacity. Gary remembers always thinking about the military when he was younger.

Belinda Cagle, Garys mother, says, Gary always loved his country and the flag. Every morning at school, he would raise and lower the American flag at Sequoyah High School. He always had a love for his country, so it wasnt a surprise to me the path he has chosen. His grandfather was also a POW in the Army. One thing is for sure I definitely listen to the news a lot


Cody Moses, son of David and Tina Moses.

more and pay more attention to what is going on in the world.

It was after attending the American Legion Boys State that Gary decided he wanted to be an officer in the military and be equipped to lead soldiers. He decided he wanted to go into the military the beginning of his senior year. When John Ray discovered that Gary was going, he wanted more information as well. They both ended up attending and graduating from the Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina.

Gary states, It meant so much to have John Ray with me. It was nice having a familiar face helping you along while you are there. While they were at The Citadel, Elisha took a different route and went to Berea College on a baseball scholarship. He graduated from Berea College in Kentucky and is now on active duty with the Marines. Their high school buddy, Cody Moses, enlisted in the Air Force right after high school. John Ray is getting ready to attend Southern Seminary working to be a Chaplain in the Army after he graduates.

Today, the boys still keep in touch and are wonderful friends. John Ray Roberts was married over Memorial Day weekend and Elisha, Gary, and Cody were all groomsmen. They continue to keep in touch with one another and share the

laughter, memories, and stories that will be with them for a lifetime.

Elisha Moser is currently on active duty serving as a Lance Corporal in the Marine Corp. John Ray is a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army, but is not active while he is attending Seminary. Gary Cagle is on active duty and is also a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army and a Platoon Leader of the 690th Medical Company (Ground Ambulance), and Cody Moses is a Staff Sergeant in the Air Force on active duty.

As these four friends who have shared life together continue on different paths, they are united in their friendship, their memories, and their desire to sacrificially serve our great nation.

Left to Right: John Ray Roberts, son of Jeff and Robin Roberts, and Gary Cagle, son of Belinda Cagle and the late Ted Cagle, at their Graduation weekend from Army Bootcamp.

Elisha Moser, son of Peter and Scarlett Moser.


Sweet Soles, a womens shoe boutique, opened in September in Sweetwater. It was the work of many creative hands according to the owner, Mary Miller. Just six short months ago, Mary met Amy Bray, an entrepreneur in the shoe industry. Interested in opening another independent shoe boutique in a small, Main Street town, Mary asked Amy to be on the lookout for a charming spot with a fabulous womens boutique nearby, small eateries, a few good antiques stores and lovely tree-lined streets...then they laughed and agreed that this vision no longer exists...or does it? A few weeks later, on a business trip, Amy met Brenda Bryan, owner of The Lily Pad, a landmark destination for womens apparel. After a wonderful afternoon of chat and shop, Brenda took Amy next door to reveal a beautiful 19th century space with an exposed brick wall that had once, long ago, been a thriving mercantileand the rest, dear reader, is history. With phone calls flying, a charming shoe store was born right next door to a very unique and quite famous ladies boutique, right in the heart of a small town with tree-lined streets, antiques stores, an authentic hardware store and several delightful eateries.

Sweet Soles Contributes to the Revitalization of Main Street America

Handmade shoes and jewelry, home decor and handbags are just a few of the treasures you will find when you shop at Sweet Soles.

Renee joined Mary and created the overall vision for the store with custom platforms and lovely pieces of furniture that were handcrafted specifically for the space. They used wire spools, tobacco boxes, and other local items that give a nod to the past and present success of the town of Sweetwater.


Mary and her husband, Dave, moved to Sweetwater, lock, stock and barrel, and worked with Renee Fisher on the interior of Sweet Soles. Renee is not only the key figure in creating the look of the store, she designed and built with her family the cabinetry and logo elements, the beginnings of a family business. In fact, the furnishing and decor are also her concept and part of the lifestyle intention of Sweet Soles. Look for arT by Fisher when you come to visit Sweet Soles to see hand-designed

necklaces featuring antiques keys and African trade beads among other creations.

More than your typical shoe store, Sweet Soles offers unique shoes and

boots with comfort features and an emphasis on style. You will see brands that will surprise you. You will also find beautiful handbags, beauty bits, home decor and menswear. Most of the accessories come from small vendors who produce their wares in the Southeast. We like to know who we work with, says Mary, and be able to pick up the phone and talk to another owner of a small company. The trend to return to family-run businesses and living local in every sense of the word is not a dream but a dream come true.

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The Ultimate in Holiday Shopping at

The Lily Pad Boutique

Located in the beautiful Sweetwater Valley, about halfway between Knoxville and Chattanooga, lies the historic and quaint little town of Sweetwater. A shoppers delight, whether its antiques, art, apparel, shoes or home decor that appeals to you, youll find shopping a pleasure when you park and stroll around the lovely downtown area.

The Lily Pad Boutique, a ladies clothing store, is celebrating its 36th year in business, with customers enjoying the fabulous selection of ladies apparel and unsurpassed customer service the store has become famous for.

A new addition youll want to visit while in Sweetwater is an upscale shoe boutique, Sweet Soles, which is conveniently located beside The Lily Pad. The two stores complement each other, bringing you ladies shopping from head to toe!

Perfect Holiday Fashions Holiday Gift Certificates Complimentary Gift Wrap Beauty and Bath Bits Wardrobing and Make-Up by Renee Menswear Boots and Boot Sox Complimentary Alterations Accessories Galore Art by Fisher Home Decor and Jewelry Infant Gifts Purses and Day Bling for the Holidays

Let your holiday shopping begin in Sweetwater as you experience the unique, fashion forward approach that The Lily Pad and Sweet Soles brings to our area.


The Redbird Tree was done in memory of Joe Andersons grandmother, Edna Anderson Watson, who passed away last year. The redbird was her favorite bird. Natural twigs, berries and creatures adorn the tree.

Sweetwater Valley Citizens for the Arts

Sunday, December 7th from 3pm - 7pmChristmas Home Tour

For more than 25 years, Holiday Home Tour has marked the beginning of the Christmas Season in Sweetwater. The Tour, which draws guests from the surrounding area as well as Sweetwater residents, is a peek into homes that you wish you could visit. The Tour is only possible because of the generosity of our homeowners. Historic homes, such as the Gutherie Home, the two Patton Homes (Sr. and Jr.), the Biggs Home (the oldest home in Sweetwater, dating to 1820), the Carriage Home (the former library), the McClain Home, the Bachmann Home and some historic churches, have been opened to the public. In 2010, the relatively new neighborhood of Willow Creek shared with us some of the most elaborate and stunning decorations we have ever seen. Homes in the Gaut Addition and Fairlane Drive were featured in 2012. Have you ever seen rooms with just a touch of purple in each? Similarly, an orphan home was turned into a Fairyland with a neutral palette throughout and Christmas decorations in white, gold and silver. It was breathtaking!

In 2013, we featured Homes Around the Town, which included those places on our bucket list to visit. We are constantly amazed at the warmth of the homeowners, the beauty of their creativity and, in some cases, their choice of restraint. These homes are featured in this publication.

The tour, sponsored by the Sweetwater Valley Citizens for the Arts, will be held Sunday, December 7, 2014, between the hours of 3:00 PM 7:00PM. The Home Tour is a major fundraiser for the SVCA, which was founded in 1972 and is the states oldest arts organization. The SVCA strives to be a facilitator for the ARTS in the community and especially in the schools. All arts programs provided in the public schools are free of charge to all students.

Tickets are $10.00 and are available at Bobby Todd Antiques and Sweetwater City Hall in downtown Sweetwater. Tickets can also be purchased at the homes on the day of the tour. For more information about these and other scheduled SVCA programs, contact the SVCA office at (423) 337-5976.

The Second Annual Celebration of HOPE Balloon Festival at Hiwassee College took flight for a second year, bigger and better than ever! Another breathtaking blue sky behind an array of color welcomed the estimated crowd of over 6,000 guests on Saturday, September 20th.

Despite being rained out on the first day, the celebration atmosphere was alive with music, families laughing, children playing and the ever-present whiff of funnel cakes that filled the air. Of course, bringing back the bouncing houses and inflatable obstacle course was a huge hit for the children, as well as the three tethered balloons for the thrill seekers

home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education.

Heres to Another Successful Celebration of HOPE Balloon Festival!

wanting to float five stories in a hot air balloon.

The proceeds raised by the Balloon Festival go toward supporting the Hiwassee HOPE Program, a joint effort between Monroe Life and Hiwassee College. The goal of this program is to ensure children have a higher education by offering them HOPE Home. Opportunity. Possibility. Education.

Roy Smith returned as the official balloonmeister for the event. He invited fifteen new, well-experienced pilots to be a part of this years Celebration of HOPE. The pilots involved were from as

Written By Clay CarrellPhotography By Lisa Amos, Sloan Burton, Ben Gibson and Dustin Hayes

close as Tennessees own backyard to as far as the great state of Iowa. These balloon pilots have over 150+ years of experience and have flown in remote regions of the world, including Australia and Costa Rica.

Lisa Bingham, Monroe Life publisher and owner of The Bingham Group, generously donated her time, staff and resources to make this event successful. An adoptive mother of three daughters, Lisa has a heart for children especially those in foster care. It was through her journey to adoption that the idea for the HOPE program came to life. With the support of Hiwassee Board Member

Photo By Lisa Amos


home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education.


home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. ed

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OF OUR SPONSORS!

MasterCraftJTEKT

Ed & Janice StoutKahite Womens ClubWarren & TallentCarey McHugh

Tellico Vacation RentalsMountain View Cabin Rentals

Matlock TiresMadisonville Pedals & Gifts

Bentons BaconSweetwater Valley Cheese

First Baptist Church of Madisonville

MediaWIVK

WJXB (B97)WJTT - Chattanooga

WGSMWATE-TVWBIR-TVWVLT-TVWDEF-TV

The Convenience NetworkAdvocate & DemocratKnoxville News Sentinel

The Bingham GroupManagement of Event, All Creative,

TV & Radio Commercials

Photo By Lisa Amos

Photo By Dustin Hayes

and former DCS worker, Ann Barker, and Dr. Tricoli, President of Hiwassee College, they launched a vision to bring hope to children aging out of foster care. This vision would include an exceptional education where these students can continue to excel in life with the help of support parents, the college and the community. The Hiwassee HOPE program was officially born.

Through hard work and dedication from countless people, this years event went on without a hiccup, in spite of a little gift of rain from Mother Nature. A special thanks goes out to all of our sponsors and volunteers from Hiwassee College,

without whose help this event would not have been possible. Preparations are underway for next years event.

A HOPEFUL FUTURELighting up the night sky with hot air balloons is symbolic. It is a symbol of a community that came together to support something greater. It is a picture of determined students who have been given a new opportunity to grow and achieve their dreams. It is a desire from a college that is ready to love and care for every student that walks through its doors. It is a display of Gods working in every detail into our lives. It is a true Celebration of HOPE that will carry on for years to come.



home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. education. home. opportunity. possibility. ed


712 North Main StreetSweetwater, Tennessee 37874

423.337.9203

www.crescent-inc.com

Sponsored by:

TELLICO PLAINSNestled amidst the Cherohala Skyway and Cherokee National Forest, Tellico Plains is a picturesque mountain town

offering a variety of local activities and fun-filled events. From kayaking to hiking, camping to boating, the area has

so much to offer in the way of outdoor adventures. The town also has plenty of unique places to shop, offering

unique gifts, charming souvenirs and plenty of arts and crafts by local artisans. There are also award-winning

eateries, charming inns and cabins in which to spend the night and helpful places to receive information on the

area. No trip to the mountains or skyway is complete without a stop in Tellico Plains!

DECEMBER 6TH Saturday, 4pm9pm

This Christmas event in historic downtown Tellico Plains brings the spirit

of Christmas home. All storefronts will be decorated, with many serving

Christmas treats inside amid caroling in period costumes.

Christmas Candlelight Walk


When you visit Tellico Plains, expect to find smiling faces and excellent service. Here are some of the shops that make Tellico Plains so unique.

Cherohala Skyway Visitor CenterThe Cherohala Skyway Visitor Center in Tellico Plains is a must stop before starting up the Skyway. Come by between 9am and 5pm daily for free maps of the Skyway and Cherokee National Forest, Skyway driving conditions and local area souvenirs and gifts. Picnic tables and spotless restrooms are also available, with friendly staff waiting to welcome you with important Skyway and area information!

225 Cherohala Skyway, 423.253.8010 www.tellico-plains.com

MARYS MADHATTER BOUTIQUE Come in and escape reality for a few minutes and have fun trying on crazy hats, vintage clothing, wedding gowns and jewelry. Mary opened the shop because she loves to interact with people and enjoys sharing her creativity with others through her collection of vintage hats. Her creative talents can be seen in the great hats she creates and also in beautiful one-of-a-kind wreaths. Open: Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10am-4pm507 Veterans Memorial Hwy, 423-253-2623

Skyway Realty Land and HomesSkyway Realty's associates create home and land dreams for buyers and sellers. For buyers, we hone in on and help you select the places you are most likely interested in buying. Sellers have new dreams we help them find as we sell their current properties. We love being helpers in one of the most important decisions of your lives. We make the real estate experience enjoyable from the first call to the close and enjoy win-win transactions with everyone at the table talking to each other as friends...that's what we all like about Tellico Plains, its warm, friendly, peaceful and successful. Call today 423 253 7100--7770. Email us at [email protected]. We are ready to go. Stop in and see us at our office on the Skyway...where the bears are.

411 Cherohala Skyway, 423.253.7100www.tellico-tn.com

The BookshelfThe Bookshelf is a quaint little bookshop in the Historic District just off the Town Square. Celebrating 10 years as Monroe Countys only full service bookstore in May 2015, they offer new local history books and gently used books in all categories. Their friendly and knowledgeable staff also offers free out-of-print book searches.

Winter Hours: ThursdaySaturday: 10am-5pm108 Scott Street, 423.253.3183www.tellicobookshelf.com

Tellico Vacation RentalsSavor the serenity of your own cabin in the mountains! Choose from one to five bedrooms, sleep from two to ten guests. Select a cabin with a hot tub on the deck, a cozy stone fireplace or a pool table in the game room. Our cabins are ideal for a romantic getaway, a wedding or honeymoon, a family vacation or reunion. With your own kitchen, multiple bedrooms, comfortable living areas and outdoor decks, youll find cabin rentals to be a fabulous value for extended vacations for several couples or extended families. Our cabins are private and comfortable, each totally unique. A change in altitude creates a change in attitude!

206 Cherohala Skyway, [email protected]


The Good Medicine CabinThe Good Medicine Cabin is a very unique gift and antique store. We are a small store with a huge variety of items ranging from in-house turquoise and other handcrafted jewelry by Neo, as well as fine art by Neo and other artists, cabin dcor, custom-made knives, antique knives, swords, biker gear, vintage leather jackets, American Indian items, pottery and so much more. Our hours can be as odd as some of the items you will find in our store, so before you make the trip from out of town, give us a call at 423-253-2408, or if you are in Tellico Plains, stop by. Our customers are highly valued and always treated with courtesy and respect. We shop the world for you and give you the most unique, rare items at surprisingly low prices. Please do stop by and see us. As a free service to you for shopping with us this Christmas and Holiday season, we will be providing free gift wrapping for purchases made in our store beginning in December. Shipping is also available for items purchased at our store anytime.

9172 New Hwy 68 (next to KramBonz BBQ)423.253.2408

KramBonz BBQIf youre looking for some of the best BBQ in Tellico Plains, then head out to KramBonz, located at 9188 New Highway 68. From tenderbriskets to juicy pulled pork and fall-off-the-bone ribs, KramBonz BBQ is sure to delight even the most discerning palate. The establishment is motorcycle-friendly, open Monday through Thursday from 11am to 8pm, Friday and Saturday from 11am to 9pm and Sunday from 12pm to 6pm.

9188 New Hwy 68, 423.271.0199

Scott Street GalleryA visit to the studio/gallery will find the artist at work painting or carving in wood. Artwork on display in the gallery features flowers, animals, birds, beautiful mountain scenes and more. The medium varies, but the inspiration is always found in the natural world of Gods creation.

700 Veterans Memorial Dr. 423.253.7677

Tellico Arts CenterThe Tellico Arts Center hosts 79 artists of varied media who reside within 30 miles. Fabric art includes quilts, hand-woven items, hand-knit sweaters and painting on fabric. There are metal works, pottery, beading, wheat weaving, leather works, stained glass, Intarsia, local authors, local music CDs, photography, soaps, candles, paintings and mixed media represented.

113 Scott Street, 423.253.2253

TellicafeThe Leudemann family can now boast twenty years and four generations of good service and good food at the countys only sit-down restaurant employing a certified chef. The Tellicafe is open seven days a week all year round serving lunch and dinner. Our professional staff can easily serve one person or one hundred with friendly, efficient service. Specialties like Fried Green Tomoatoes, Trout Cakes, monthly Prime Rib Weekends and the Sea Food Extravaganza keep customers coming back time after time.

128 Bank Street, 423.253.2880

Charles Hall MuseumCharles Hall served as mayor of Tellico Plains for nearly 31 years and has amassed a magnificent collection of historical memorabilia, photos, equipment, guns and so much more. Admission is free, but all purchases made in the gift shop support the museum.

Open Daily: 10am5pm423.253.6767

Vacation Rentals 4UVacation Rentals 4U in Tellico Plains offers a wide selection of vacation home options for any mountain getaway experience. Our passion is to provide affordable lodging to families who are wanting to experience a new sense of adventurefrom the moment you arrive, you will know you are in the right place! From a romantic hideaway to a cabin for six, we know that there will be something perfect for you. Come stay with us in East Tennessee and make your own memories in one of our special Vacation Rentals 4U cabins. YES, we are motorcycle and pet friendly!

423.253.6060, www.tnvacationrentals4u.com

Jenkins RealtyJenkins Realty is your one-stop source for real estate, covering the counties of Blount, Loudon, McMinn and Monroe. Real estate is one of the most important investments one can make, and Jenkins Realty is your resource for listings, comparative market analyses, free real estate reports and more.

418 Cherohala Skyway, 423.253.6145www.easttennrealty.com

Crab TrapWelcome to the Crab Trap, a casual, friendly spot for lunch and dinner, with seafood and lots more! Fish lovers can select from various crab specialties, as well as shrimp, grouper, scallops, clam strips, catfish, trout and other delights - fried, grilled and other yummy preparations. Watch for live Florida blue crab and seasonal raw oysters too. Brisket and pork are smoked on the premises, served as platters and sandwiches, while burgers and po-boys round out the selections. Check out the homemade new england clam chowder and seafood gumbo, and save room for Crab Traps signature homemade key lime pie and cheese cake.

Relax with friends over a frosty mug of your favorite draft or bottled beer, hard cider or hard lemonade, ice cold soda or iced tea. Kids love the hand-breaded white meat Chicken Tenders, Fish Bites and, of course, Cheeseburgers with Fries.

Theres plenty of free parking, and Crab Trap welcomes locals and everyone who loves visiting the area. Be sure to get your photo taken with the Crab Trap Dragon.

WiFi available.

111 Main StreetOpen: May - December, Everyday 11am9pm;December - April, Everyday 11am 6pm423.253.6800

Everhart Lumber Company, LLC Everhart Lumber Company offers wood products from contemporary to rustic styling including wide wood slabs, post and beams, wood flooring and paneling and custom-made cabinets, furniture, millwork and mantels. Everharts has created a niche for Extra Wide Wood Slabs from huge trees that are carefully selected for their distinctively unique grain, coloring and textures. We build magnificent furniture and countertops from reclaimed materials and other sources such as Douglas Fir, Native Hardwoods, Southern Yellow Pine & Western Red Cedar. Please visit our Showroom in Tellico Plains and our online store.

911 Highway 165, 423.253.2323www.everhart-lumber.com

The Outpost PavilionThe Outpost Pavilion offers a wide variety of choices for food and beverages with both indoor and outdoor seating. Also enjoy choice of draft and bottled beer with our own brewery opening this winter. Biker parking and free WiFi are available, and dont forget to visit the area info center to help plan your day. Open: May - November, Every day 11am9pm;December - April, Thursday - Sunday 11am 9pm

123 Main Street, 423.253.2322

Mud Slingers PotteryFor great Christmas ideas, try our hand thrown Bacon Cookers for the microwave, which cooks bacon with very little splatter and is easy to clean up. Another great gift idea is the French butter dish or butter bells. We also have a wide selection of hand thrown mugs and bowls in beautiful colors. We also offer Handbuilding and Wheel Throwing workshops. Fall and Winter hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday 10-4, weather permitting. 109 Scott [email protected]

Mountain View Cabin RentalsIf youve ever dreamed of staying in a cabin in the mountains, Mountain View Cabin Rentals has just the spotall 38 units have unique dcor and are located on the beautiful Tellico River, at the top of a hill, in the woods or on a private pond. Amenities include hot tubs, game rooms and grills, with prices starting at $39.95. Mountain View Cabins is biker friendly and open all year. You are sure to find something to fit your dream and your budget!

133 Rafter Road, 423.519.2000www.tellicologcabins.com

Stone Cottage Shops, Gardens & Antiques Come browse this restored bungalow filled with antiques, or enjoy the colorful array of herbs and perennials in the seasonal gardens. The shop features mission oak and furnishings of the Arts and Crafts period.

121 Scott Street, 423.253.2400, facebook.

Tellico Kats DeliLocated on the river with a wonderful view for lunch, Tellico Kats Deli has daily specials as well as homemade salads, goodies and soup. Join them for gourmet coffee or Luzianne iced tea and a friendly hello.

1929 Cherohala Skyway, 423.253.3411www.tellicokats.com


charm and style to downtown Madisonville! The stores quaint and inviting atmosphere is perfect for making anyone feel welcome and is the perfect addition to downtown.

My Kind of Lovely started with Trunk Shows in the area, but with much success in their hometown, the girls decided to open up their first brick and mortar Pop-Up Shop right here in downtown Madisonville. The store is primarily womens clothing and accessories with lots of great gift options. The Pop-Up Shop is scheduled to be open four days a week through the end of November and, beginning December 2, open six days a week.

Katie Lee and Caroline Pennington Gillem started out as next door neighbors in 1989, and 25 years later, theyre not only still best friends, but theyre now business partners. The two of them dreamed up their perfect jobs and realized that with both of their creative and

business minds, there was no reason they couldnt just make it happen. Next thing you know, My Kind of Lovely was born.

The two both have a desire to make everything in their lives lovely and knew they could bring just the right amount of

The two are gearing up for the holiday season with a November open house on Sunday, November 16th. They will be debuting their new holiday pieces and offering shoppers exclusive deals and giveaways to help kick off their holiday shopping.

My Kind of Lovely is downtown Madisonvilles destination for unique, thoughtful and lovely Christmas gifts. Caroline and Katie have you in mind when shopping for their store and want to help make your Christmas shopping a breeze! And if youre in need of a new holiday dress or festive attire for the season? You have just the place to go, right here in town.

Katie Lee and Caroline Pennington.

Open House is November 16 from 12pm to 5pm

Kendrick Shope Lives Her Dream Helping Others Pursue TheirsWritten By Emily Walls


Featured on NBC Chicago, in The Advocate, Modern Achiever and other media outlets, Kendrick Shope is not only a highly successful business woman, but she is also a passionate mom and the creator of Authentic Selling. Shope daily pursues her dream of helping other professionals accomplish their greatest career aspirations and realizes anything is possible if you believe and are willing to put in the hard work to make dreams become reality.

Kendrick was born and raised in Monroe County and graduated from Sweetwater High School in 1995. She then went to college to study Psychology at the University of Tennessee (UT). She graduated from UT in 1999, and in 2001, she moved to Atlanta and worked in lumber sales.

After being married only 13 months at age 27, Kendricks husband, Blake, suffered from multiple strokes. The doctors were unsure if he would make it through the night. He miraculously recovered after receiving an essential drug given within three hours of his stroke that reversed every side effect. For Kendrick, it was a life-changing moment. She was inspired to live every single moment to the fullest, because she realized no one is promised tomorrow. It was an ah-ha moment for her as she looked at her life and said,

We arent promised we are going to live another day, and here I am in sales, and I dont enjoy it. She knew there had to be more to life, and she was motivated to go on a journey to discover her ultimate passion, but as the years passed, she still found herself in the same routine.

Fast forward seven years, and Kendrick had moved from Atlanta to Chicago, where she worked as a pharmaceutical sales rep at a Fortune 500 Company. She had a daughter named Halianna, and she recalls always telling her daughter she could be anything she wanted to be if she just believed. It was at this moment she realized she was telling her daughter she could be anything she wanted to if she just believed, but she was working a job she didnt love and didnt believe in herself. So Kendrick went through Martha Beck Life Coach Training to help her begin a path to achieve her career dreams. Beck is a well-known, best-selling author and weekly contributor to The Oprah Magazine. Kendrick trained for six months and is now a coach, as well. A year later, she decided to quit her pharmaceutical sales job, where she was one of the companys top sales professionals, to create her dream job. She wanted to get paid for doing a job she loved and cared about. Through a lot of hard work and determination, she has proven that

its never too late to give up on your dreams and follow wherever they lead.

Kendrick states, I want to help people follow their dreams and help them realize you dont have to be an icky, sleazy, slimy sales person to succeed in business. You can be authentic. Shope assists professionals with how to have sales conversations, how to follow up, how to start and run a business, what your web presence needs to look like and a wealth of other topics.

Today, Kendrick hosts her own online TV Show, K TV, where she inspires thousands of people across the globe. Her desire is to help business leaders pursue and follow their dreams, just as she did. Kendrick now lives in Bentonville, Arkansas, with Blake and Halianna. She is an inspirational speaker and has spoken to companies such as Colgate, Ruby Tuesday and Eli Lilly.

When her daughter looks at her now, she can honestly say, Mommys job is to help other people pursue their dreams, and she does it with passion.

To learn more about Kendrick Shope and Authentic Selling, visit: kendrickshope.com.


Sweetwaters Gallery on MainGifts and Fine Art

Featured Artist:

Our gallery supports more than 30 local artists. We have many kinds of art, such as wood turning, pottery, ceramics, oil paintings, acrylic paintings, colored pencil works, and hand crafted jewelry, just to name a few. We would welcome the opportunity to deliver to you some of the best art works in East Tennessee.

Sweetwater Gallery on Main | 109 E. Morris St. | Sweetwater, TN 37874 | 423.337.7400

Tuesday: 11:30am - 5:00pm | WednesdaySaturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm | SundayMonday: Closed

Cherokee JinglesThis photo was taken at a Cherokee Pow Wow the young girl told me the story of how her grandfather told that the jingles skirts during the trail of tears march were made from tobacco tins that were dropped by the British and American soldiers. He said if she was going to make a jingle dress she had to use something related to tobacco that would jingle. This is a close up of her skirt on which she attached rolled snuff can lids to create the jingle she wanted to achieve and also kept with the tradition of the tobacco related item.

4751 New Hwy 68 | Madisonville, Tennessee 37354 | 423.420.6488 | 423.420.6499 | www.blairsbokayflorist.com

Dont Miss OurChristmas Open House!

Saturday, November 1st from 9am-6pmSunday, November 2nd from 1pm-5pm


it was down to three mills, said Terry. There are very few mills left now. The downturn in the housing industry and the decreased demand for wood during the housing crisis 10 years ago certainly played a role, but the Frerichs brothers have been able to rise above the hardships every step of the way. When the home market turned sour between 2000 and 2005, they switched gears from selling logs for log home kits to selling direct. They also eventually began selling their own complete log home packages, which contained all the wood components needed to construct a log home, from floor to rooftop. The buyer would provide windows, doors and everything else needed to complete the home. At our peak, we were running about 80 homes a year and delivering them

In an industry that has left many others wondering just what happened, Frerichs Sawmill has defied the odds. In 1953, Wayford Frerichs bought a portable sawmill and went to work making usable lumber out of trees harvested in the woods of southern Monroe County. As his son Terry explains, his dad had been a timber cutter by trade and just plain liked working around wood. And more importantly, Wayford Frerichs (pronounced Frays) didnt care for the farming life he was born into.

Twenty-five years after Wayfords death, Terry and his brother Rodney still operate the mill bearing the family name, but it hasnt always been easy. Twenty years ago, we probably had 10 mills within an area of 50 miles, and up until last year,

to three states around the Southeast, says Terry.

When hard times hit again three years later with the full-blown collapse of the housing market, there was a glut of log homes on the market with no one buying. Frerichs Sawmill went from selling eighty homes a year to five. True to form, the brothers adapted. Their new customer base became professional home builders and do-it-yourselfers. And while log home packages continue to be an important part of the business, the function of a traditional sawmill goes on. The mill still turns out cut lumber for standard home construction as well as a variety of specialty wood products.The sawmill has also adapted by entering

Frerichs Sawmillof Coker CreekWritten By Marvin Harper

ILeft: Wayford Frerichs with son Rodney and daughter Marsha in the early 1940s. Right: Shaiden Frerichs, a fourth generation family member, inspects a D-log coming off the planer ready to go into a log home.


into the hardwood market, selling three different grades of oak, pine (specifically white pine), yellow pine, cherry, hickory and walnut. They even sell poplar, largely to export companies. Nothing is wasted, Terry points out. Almost 99 percent of the wood is used for something. The residue, or leftovers, from the actual milling process include vast piles of mulch sold to the gardening and landscape industries, sawdust sold for use in chicken houses and wood shavings sold to stable owners. Im still trying to find a way to sell the dust, says Terry with a grin.The chipper turns otherwise unusable pieces of wood into 2-inch blocks that can be burned as fuel. Some of the chips are sold to a nearby paper mill, while Maryville College uses the chips to power their boilers to heat the buildings. The college burns up to a tractor trailer load a day from the Frerichs mill during the winter.

While a large inventory of logs and some inventive ways to sell them off put the

Frerichs family in the log home business, the brothers were busy doing other things with the mill and their personal lives to ensure their fathers dream would live on.

Terry married his wife, Gayle, who now serves as office manager and bookkeeper, working in

an office appropriately housed in a cabin at the mill. Their daughter, Holly, is a college Junior.

Rodney, 64, and his wife, Cathy, now have three children, eight grandchildren and two great grand-children. One son and a grandson currently work at the mill. Frerichs has always been a family affair. Terry and Rodney worked at the mill as teenagers while attending schools in Coker Creek and Tellico Plains. Rod and I had always worked at the mill, and when my dad passed away, we of course just continued on, explains Terry. The business has grown to 12

A worker prepares to send freshly cut slabs of wood to the trimmer.

employees now and includes 15 pieces of heavy diesel equipment and eight trucks. Rodney heads a three-man crew of loggers in the field, while Terry handles the day-to-day operations at the 100-acre mill site off Hwy. 68 in Coker Creek.

Dried and seasoned rough-sawn wood awaits its turn to be milled into finished lumber.


Shaiden Frerichs turns out a finished D-log used in log home construction.

Terry Frerichs, left, and brother, Rodney.

And the mill has drawn the interest of both the University of Tennessee and Hiwassee College. Both schools send students and teachers to the mill each summer, where Terry hosts tours as part of their continuing education programs.

Terry and Rodney are both passionate about the business. Im one of those people who dont mind getting up to go to work, says Terry. I enjoy doing this because we take a raw product, and we make something out of it. And its a renewable product. And of the business, Rodney simply says, I love it. And with a grin, he adds, Ive been doing it for 46 years, so I have to like it. And just like his dad, he says, I love being in the woods. And when asked what his father, Wayford, would think of what he and Terry have done with the family business, Rodney replies, He would be real proud of both us boys. I think he would be smiling down from Heaven seeing all weve accomplished. Im very thankful. Wayford Frerichs, left, and son Terry shown in the early 1980s.


4656 Hwy 411, Madisonville, Tennessee | www.madisonvillepetalsandgifts.com

Madisonville Petals and Gifts offers a variety of quality floral creations both fresh-cut and silk, unique gift items for all occasions and the best in customer service.


James M. Dash, D.D.S.

423.442.3928210 Warren Street

Madisonville, Tennessee 37354

Our caring staffhas been attending

to the people of Monroe County for

over 32 years.

Independent Multi-Line Insurance AgencyJeni Seiler & Bill Moore | Agents

HOME AUTO LIFE BUSINESS

P.O. Box 338 112 W. North Street Sweetwater, TN 37874

(423) 337-5092www.insurancesweetwatertn.com


Written By Emily Walls

Making A Positive Impact In Our Community

East Tennessee Foundation (ETF) is a public, non-profit, community foundation established in 1987 that assists financial donors by providing a simple and personal way to make charitable contributions in order to make a positive impact in the community they care about most. They help donors manage and invest their assets and then award grants and scholarships to designated organizations across 25 East Tennessee counties.

ETF has an affiliate fund in Monroe County that utilizes the charitable contributions given in our county and distributes those funds with the assistance of an advisory board made up of members who live and work in Monroe County. This board determines the local organizations and people that will be receiving grants and scholarships from ETF. This year, many organizations received grants from the John D. Grubb and Louise G. Sumner Fund for Monroe County. This fund was established in 1998 through the charitable giving of Grubb and Sumner, both Monroe County natives, who desired to build a brighter future for the people who lived in the place they called home. Many organizations have been transformed through the generous donors who have

given to ETF over the years, including Branches of Monroe County (BoMC).

BoMC has opened Branches Refuge, the first and only domestic violence emergency shelter in Monroe County. BoMC Executive Director, Denise Hill, states, We are so thankful for the impact that ETF has had on our organization. The grants received from ETF in the past have helped us pay for staff and volunteer training expenses as well as many critical items needed for Branches Oakss transitional living program. This year, the money was used to help with security and surveillance systems at Branches Refuge. This will help abused women and children transition from a crisis situation to independence safely. Over the last five years since they opened, they have served over 100 families. Branches assists women fleeing domestic violence with employment, life skills training, safety plans, budgeting and parenting skills, as well as helping their children get backinto school.

Each organization supported by ETF and the Monroe County funds has a story of how lives are transformed, but it is not only organizations that receive support, but also individuals. One anonymous

scholarship recipient states, Funding of my college education was going to be a hard task to accomplish for my family. I am striving to become the first person in my family to receive a college education. Through obtaining a degree in Ruminant Nutrition, not only will I be able to pursue a rewarding career, but I can also help farmers feed their livestock to feed a hungry world. By investing my time and energy into academic training, I can make a difference on our family farm and influence the future of the agriculture industry.

Jonathan Hicks was a recipient of this years John D. Grubb and Louise G. Sumner Scholarship as well as the Craighead Limestone Scholarship, both administered through ETF. Hicks is now a senior at Middle Tennessee State University and is a Recording Industry major with an emphasis in audio production and a minor in music. In his college career, he has worked as an intern with a Billboard chart topping record label based in Los Angeles, a Grammy winning music publisher based in New York City and Nashville and a gold and platinum record producer in Atlantathree separate

Photography By Tammy Lee


opportunities he earned while a full-time college student.

At only 21 years old, Jonathan has had the privilege of working as an assistant engineer on two records that have charted the Billboard 200, a feat that many go entire careers without achieving. He gives a great deal of credit to the East Tennessee Foundation for his success. He says, East Tennessee Foundation has been an enormous contributor to my success in both academia and my career. Their continued support is a blessing to which I am eternally grateful. My story is unusual. I have abandoned the pathways of security and normality in an effort to make my wildest dreams become reality and hopefully make the world a better place in the process. Frankly, the only reason I don't crash and burn daily is that I have the support of some outstanding people such as East Tennessee Foundation.

Kim Hicks, Jonathans mother, is so grateful not only for what they have done for her son, but also what they have done for Madisonville Library in previous years. For the last 15 years, Kim has worked as Director of the Madisonville Library. The funds the library received last year from ETF helped them provide food

for Friends of the Library, who are volunteers that assisted with fundraising efforts for the new library. For over a decade, they have used these funds from ETF to help distribute 7,000 books every year to non-profits like the Boys and Girls Club, local daycares and other organizations that look out for the interests of children. It has been a tremendous need filled every year for the library.

In this edition of Monroe Life, you can also read about CASA Monroe, an organization that also receives funding from ETFs Monroe County Funds. The stories are countless of the lives changed through the help of generous donors that give to ETF.

Since 2001, more than 200 grants and scholarships have been awarded to deserving and worthwhile projects and studentstotaling more than $680,000 that have positively impacted the lives of many Monroe County children, adults and families!

Following is a list and brief description of the organizations that will be impacted in 2014 and how they will use their funds from ETF in the coming year:

Jonathan Hicks

From Left to Right: Trudy Hughes is ETFs Director of Regional Advancement, Patsy Carson, Chair of the Grubb-Sumner Fund for Monroe County Advisory Board, was hostess for the event and is an ETF board member from Monroe County, Jonathan Hicks, Kim Hicks and Alisa Hobbs of CASA Monroe.


Boys and Girls Club of the Monroe AreaThe Healthy Habits program will promote health and wellness for Club members.

Branches of Monroe County (BoMC)BoMC is preparing for the opening of the first and only domestic violence shelter in Monroe County.

CASA MonroeVolunteers will be recruited and trained to advocate for abused and neglected children.

City of SweetwaterA downtown depot replica is being built to house a visitors center and museum exhibits.

Coker Creek Economic Development Group Support will be provided for operating the Coker Creek Welcome Center and for cultural events.

Douglas-Cherokee Economic AuthorityThe Monroe County Neighborhood Center will assist low-income households with garden supplies, school supplies, fans/air conditioners and emergency services.

Douglas-Cherokee Economic AuthorityThe Senior Nutrition Program at Cora Veal Senior Center will help meet the social and nutritional needs of elderly people.

Fort Loudoun AssociationSeveral new educational exhibits will be added to the museum and to the reconstructed fort.

Good Shepherd CenterThe heating and cooling initiative will benefit clients who lack the funds to efficiently heat and cool their homes.

Hiwassee CollegeThe Hiwassee College Lecture Series will host events and speakers.

LifeSigns.usThe W.O.R.T.H. Program will provide coaching in career, life, financial and literacy skills for women facing financial and other challenges.

Monroe Area Council for the Arts Artists will provide children with instruction in music, dance, performance and other art forms at summer art camps.

Monroe County Board of EducationA Calculator Lending Library will provide high school students in need with graphing calculators.

Monroe County Senior Citizens & FriendsLow-income seniors will participate in the Physical Fitness for All program at Cora Veal Senior Center.

Second Harvest Food Bank of East TennesseeThe Food for Kids program will provide children at risk of hunger with backpacks containing supplemental food.

Senior Citizens Home Assistance ServiceThe Homemaker Program will assist the elderly and persons with disabilities with their daily activities.

Sequoyah Birthplace MuseumA free Sunday lecture series will be offered in March, and Cherokee Heritage Days will be hosted for local schools.

Spay/Neuter Assistance for PetsA multi-year spay/neuter project will ultimately reduce the number of animals euthanized at the Monroe County Animal Shelter.

Sweetwater Valley Citizens for the ArtsStudents will work with artist Alfredo Escobar to paint a school wall mural of comic strip characters.

Tellico Boxing ClubArea youth will be provided with opportunities to participate in the sport of boxing.

Tennessee Valley Coalition to End Homelessness Information about Monroe Countys homeless individuals and families will be entered into a federal database system.

United Way of Monroe CountyThe Monroe Area Services Guide will be updated, printed and distributed.

Monroe County non-profit organizations leaders and community volunteers gathered at a reception honoring the Grubb and Sumner Fund for Monroe County grant and scholarship recipients. Those in attendance enjoyed learning about the good work being done to make life better in Monroe County.


From Left to Right: Sherri Alley, Vice President of Advancement of East Tennessee Foundation, Wanda Littreal of Grubb & Sumner Fund for Monroe County Advisory Board and Dr. Anthony Tricoli, Executive Director of Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County.

Sherri Alley with Jackie Lane, Vice President of Communications of East Tennessee Foundation.

Burt Lee from Norman Lee Real Estate shaking hands with Trudy Hughes, Director of Regional Advancement of East Tennessee Foundation.

These brief descriptions provide insight into the tremendous impact ETF is having in Monroe County. Almost $75,000 was distributed to these local organizations this year to help aid them in their organizational mission.

East Tennessee Foundation is an amazing organization that is transforming Monroe County for the good of its people now and for generations to come. The John D. Grubb and Louise G. Sumner Fund for Monroe County helps better our community, and East Tennessee Foundation stands ready to facilitate by providing multiple options for supporting current and future Monroe County needs. ETF can accept gifts of many assets of value, and you can make a contribution online at EastTennesseeFoundation.org or by mailing a check made payable to Fund for Monroe County to the following address:

East Tennessee Foundation625 Market Street, Suite 1400

Knoxville, TN 37902

For more information, please contact Trudy Hughes at 524-1223 or by e-mailing her at [email protected].


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Patsy Carsons Valentines Day DinnerBenefitting the Boys & Girls Club of MonroeWritten By Jennifer Porterfield


The winners of the auction are in for a treat thanks to Patsys graciousness and skill as both host and cook. She decorates for the occasion, offering up an elegantly-appointed table with festively pink and red flowers and traditional table settings. Candles adorn the table, setting the mood for a romantic evening and delectable meal shared with loved ones and friends.

Though typically held on Valentines Day, the dates can be flexible, as can the meal served. The feast usually includes medallions of pork or beef, a vegetable, sometimes a sorbet between the salad and main course and the dessert. However, due to dietary restrictions of a couple in the

last group of winners, Patsy also served a succulent salmon. Dr. Jim Dash, Treasurer of the local Boys & Girls Club, has been on the insider end of this event for the past three or four years, and he says hes never been disappointed. According to Dr. Dash, Patsys a marvelous cook, and her presentations just simply wonderful.

Patsys dedication to providing a lovely environment for her guests is unmistakable, yet she remains humble about her contributions. The true spirit of the event lies in the charity it benefits the Boys & Girls Club. Keep an eye out for dates for the 2015 Gala; perhaps you could be the next lucky winner of this Valentines Day feast!

Charitable donations can take many forms, from money to time spent helping those in

need. For several years now, Patsy Carson has chosen to donate both her time and resources to provide a delightful Valentines Dinner to a lucky group of auction winners.

It all begins at the annual Boys & Girls Club of the Monroe Area Gala, where invitations to the dinner are

auctioned off, usually to a group of around eight or so people. Proceeds for the auction benefit this very worthy organization, which provides a safe and supportive environment for the children and youth of the Monroe County area.

Photography By Tammy Lee


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of many awards. These include the William E. Barber Equal Access to Justice Award, the Lizzie Crozier French Womens Leadership Award (East Tennessee Womens Leadership Council), Women of Achievement Award (Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachia), Spirit of Justice Award (East Tennessee Lawyers Association for Women) and the University of Tennessee Alumni Professional Achievement Award. She has also been recognized as a YWCA Knoxville Tribute to Women honoree and named as one of the YWCA Very Remarkable Woman for more than three decades running.

Clearly, Chief Justice Lee is dedicated both to her profession and to her community. But of all her accomplishments, Lee has two she considers to be her proudest her daughters, Sarah and Laura. At her induction ceremony, she made sure to introduce and thank them for their unwavering support and said she couldnt ask for better daughters. She also thanked her mother, Judy Lee, and her late father, Charles, among other family members and those who have worked with and for her.

At the ceremony, which took place in downtown Knoxville, Mayor Madeline Rogero provided an introduction, with Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam performing the oath of office and

Some people spend their lives simply living. Others choose to dedicate their lives to serving. Chief Justice Sharon Lee is one such person, and she is an inspiration to all who call Monroe County home.

Sharon Lees story began in Madisonville, where her mother worked as the Clerk and Master for 38 years. Lee grew up running around the hallways of the courthouse, where she saw lawyers in action and first gained an interest in the law. In 1978, she graduated from the University of Tennessee College of Law and began practicing in her hometown. After a quarter-century of service, she became Judge of the City of Madisonville, moving to the Tennessee Court of Appeals in 2004. In 2008, she achieved the status of Tennessee Supreme Court Judge before realizing the top honor of Chief Justice on September 1, 2014.

But Chief Justice Lees life has not been only about law. In fact, she has dedicated an enormous amount of time to serving her community. Shes been involved with a broad range of organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Monroe County, YWCA Knoxville, East Tennessee Historical Society and others.

As a result of her service to the community, shes been the recipient

Sharon Lee: Madisonville Native Becomes Chief Justice


providing some amusing stories about Lee, as well. He should know quite a few Governor Haslam and Chief Justice Lee have been friends over 40 years! According to Haslam, Chief Justice Lee truly is a person of wisdom, but more impressive than that, shes a person, to me, of compassion and humility, and she works hard to get it right. Because of that, she will serve this court very, very well. Representative John Forgety, who also spoke, noted that there are only two people who outrank the Supreme Court Justice the governor and her mother.

Lee realizes that Chief Justice is not just a title but also an incredible

opportunity to lead and serve the judiciary and all of Tennessee. When she was growing up in Monroe County, she never imagined one day serving as Chief Justice of the Tennessee Supreme Courtand she jokingly added there were probably many lawyers in the county who felt the same way. But through her own hard work and the support of

monroe life - holiday 2014

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