Sponsored by the Sewanee Civic Association (SCA), the Sewanee Community Chest (SCC) is pleased to announce the beginning of the 2025–26 grant cycle. The purpose of the Sewanee Community Chest campaign is to raise funds for local organizations that serve the common good. An important function of the campaign is to minimize the need for excessive area fundraising by many groups; therefore, organizations receiving funds are expected to acknowledge support from the Sewanee Community Chest in other area fundraising efforts.

The Sewanee Community Chest does not allocate funds to those organizations that discriminate on the basis of race, creed, sex, or national origin.

The 2025–26 funding application is available on the website <www.sewaneecivic.org> in a Word document. The application deadline is Friday, Sept. 12, 2025. This year, organizations can apply online with this form <https://forms.gle/yGvkotRneYaAgAw76;. It does require you to have a Gmail email account.

The SCC is a nonprofit organization and relies on funding from the community in order to support programs throughout the greater Sewanee area. As the 2025–26 grant cycle begins, the SCC is also kicking off its yearly fundraising campaign.

The SCA urges everyone who benefits from life in this community, whether you live, work, or visit, to give generously. Donations are tax deductible. Contributions, payroll deductions and pledges are accepted at any time at P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. You can also make a donation through PayPal Giving https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/119597;.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“I love this place. Tourism allows us to keep nature and allow people to visit it instead of tearing it down,” said Taylor Honeycutt, Grundy County native and a cave-tour guide at the Caverns. Honeycutt left the Plateau for a life elsewhere but soon returned. His comment, captured in a video created by the South Cumberland Tourism Partnership, underscores the backstory about the new name of the SCTP and the organization’s new vision, “Thirty-one Points of Light.” July 26, at Beersheba Springs Grace Chapel, SCTP President Joe Gray and coordinator Iva Michelle Russell talked about that vision and its challenges and invited a glimpse of a future where history, tourism, and economic improvement intersect. “The points of light” range from the practical to the fantastic — a business incubation center, connecting local makers to markets, world-class mountain biking, a science adventure center, kayaking and paddling on the upper Elk River, reintroducing resident elk, and an elk herd viewing site. Yet, a visitor cautioned, “You’re proposing another Gatlinburg.” Is that the case?

For years an extraction economy, removal of natural resources such as coal and timber, fueled economic growth in Tennessee. “After the extraction economy went away, [the state] had to reconfigure their economic drivers,” Russell said. At present, tourism is the biggest economic driver in the state, with agriculture as a close second, primarily because Jack Daniels Distillery falls in the “agriculture” category, Russell observed. She praised forward-thinking Grundy County Mayor Michael Brady who recognized the potential of tourism. Brady initiated a hotel-motel tax in 2015 and seized on opportunities for state financial aid for distressed counties. Russell pointed to the Mountain Goat Trail, Coalmont Off-Highway Vehicle Park, and the Caverns as among the initial tourism-powered economic drivers. “Then 2020 happened [the pandemic], and everyone found our mountain. They were escaping the cities, they were escaping where they were locked up. We had almost one million people coming to our three state parks. Once you taste freedom in our parks, you want to come here again and again.” The South Cumberland Tourism Partnership formed to guide the growth, funded by the hotel-motel tax, with the blessing of the county commission and the nine area communities, Altamont, Beersheba Springs, Coalmont, Gruetli-Laager, Monteagle, Palmer, Pelham, Sewanee, and Tracy City.

For the past two years, Grundy County has been the number one tourism region in the state. “We’re the poster child,” Gray said. The growth brought hundreds of new jobs, both in construction and “career” jobs in new businesses. But the numbers also showed something else, as well. “In Tennessee the average visitor spends $212 per day,” Gray said. “In Grundy County, they spend $83. We need more stores and retail and groceries and restaurants. There are not enough places to spend money.” Also concerning, “People on the Plateau spend 60 percent of their spending money—groceries, restaurant, retail, healthcare—somewhere else. It’s our responsibility to create more opportunities for our kids and our economy.”

The name change from the South Cumberland Tourism Partnership to the South Cumberland Partnership recognizes that responsibility, what Russell described as “to be us on purpose and protect our way of life.”

Gray acknowledged the challenge of not becoming another Gatlinburg, especially since Grundy County has no zoning or codes. As Russell stressed, “We’re freedom lovers. Don’t tell us what to do.” Taking a different tact, SCP will draft a “design guide” for builders and developers offering advice and strategies for maintaining the unique ambiance of the South Cumberland. Gray emphasized plateau communities did not meet the requirements of most franchises, “We won’t get a Walmart or Kroger. The businesses will be our own people opening stores and shops.” He cited the example of the reimagined Beersheba Spring Market which estimates 60 percent of its clientele are visitors to the area. Russell championed the idea of “creating a culture of the food closest to you” both for dining out and at home. She also insisted, due to geographic limitations to providing water and sewer service, “We can never have big development.” Russell initially opposed the state park system, of the opinion, “It took money from the property tax rolls, and they were locking us away from our land.” Her mindset has changed, “Thank goodness they did. We are blessed by our natural protections.”

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the July 28 meeting of the Monteagle Council and beer board meeting immediately prior, the council voted on two food truck issues: sale tax revenue and beer sales. In other business at the council meeting, Mayor Greg Maloof offered advice on black bears sightings in the Assembly, and the council discussed replacing the police K-9 dog.

The food truck ordinance amendment approved by the council distinguished between temporary food trucks and permanent food trucks. “We have some food trucks that are permanently set up, and we wanted to make sure we could get that sales tax coming here,” said Vice Mayor Nate Wilson. By state law, for temporary food trucks sales tax revenue goes to the town where the truck owner lives.

At the beer board hearing, the alderman voted to allow beer sales by Paco’s Tacos conditional upon the food truck being contingent with the building at 202 E. Main, the former coffee shop. “The portable kitchen, as you attach yourself to the building, would fall under a different category [from food trucks] so that [beer sales] would be allowed,” said Alderman Grant Fletcher explaining the rationale behind the decision. “Part of the discussion still going on in redoing the food truck ordinance is whether we would allow standalone food trucks to serve alcohol.” All beer sold at 202 East Main will be served inside the building. Owner Deborah Reed anticipates necessary renovations being completed by the end of August. The business will operate under the name Paco’s Cantina and Sports Bar.

Taking up the issue of black bears in the Assembly, Maloof said, “They are a protected species. Tennessee Wildlife recommended securing the garbage. The Assembly will be taking on a project to eliminate garbage cans unless they are in some kind of shelter. The bear population is coming out of hibernation, and if they are hungry, they will be looking for food. Bears won’t harm you if you don’t harm them. Don’t challenge them, don’t feed them, don’t talk to them. Just let them be bears.”

Police Chief William Raline announced the retirement of the department’s K-9 dog, Milo. Asked if the department would get another dog, Raline said, “Do I see the need for one? Absolutely. Do we have the budget for it? I have no clue. It is costly.” He estimated the cost of purchase, training, and building a kennel at $30,000-$40,000. Milo lived with an officer who is leaving the force, reducing the cost. “Milo was a tracking dog, an article search dog, and a narcotics dog,” Raline emphasized. Raline cited article search and finding lost children and elders as primary in importance, but he also stressed reduction in drug traffic as a benefit of having Milo. “Drugs were flowing through Monteagle pretty heavily for a bit. They’re not now. A K-9 makes a difference. [Drug traffickers] go around Monteagle.” Raline hopes to have more detailed information in September on the costs associated with acquiring a new K-9.

In addition, Raline alerted residents of increased law enforcement presence at the elementary school with the start of school Aug. 7. “We’re going to be focusing on child restraints.” If children are not properly restrained, the police will pull vehicles over and advise parents on child restraining measures.

The council approved initiating a contract with grant writer Gina Massey Daniels. Currently employed by Winchester, Daniels has time to assist Monteagle as well, said Fletcher who initiated the grant writer search. Payment for services will be the administrative fee designated by the grant, meaning no additional cost to the town. If there is no administrative fee designated by the grant, the payment will be based on the amount of the grant. Wilson observed Southeastern Tennessee Development (SETD) currently performed this service for Monteagle. Fletcher speculated Daniels could find additional grants. Maloof praised SETD’s grant work for Monteagle in the past, but anticipated a greater need, especially with the Imagine Monteagle planning process underway.

The council also approved purchase of a truck for the street department from budgeted funds; an emergency repair at the water plant to avoid curtailment of water service and water quality problems; and a task order for the sewer plant. Maloof explained, the task order provided for sewer line analysis to determine what sewer lines could be added onto without exceeding the capacity of the existing line and pump.

Taking up communications, Maloof urged residents to contact city hall and sign up for “master blast” email notifications. “There’s no way to reach people if they don’t reach us,” Maloof said.

Since opening in 2018, The Caverns has emerged as a powerful economic engine for Grundy County and the surrounding region, generating nearly $88 million in visitor spending and creating and supporting 146 jobs, according to a newly released economic impact report.

Located in the heart of Tennessee’s South Cumberland region, The Caverns is not only a celebrated destination for live music in a subterranean setting — it’s also a national tourism draw. An estimated 73 percent of ticket buyers come from out of state, traveling to Grundy County to experience concerts and underground adventures

The Caverns’ concert calendar features a carefully curated lineup that embraces a wide spectrum of musical expression and live entertainment — from country, Americana, rock, R&B, jam band, contemporary Christian, and electronic music to comedy shows and beyond. Showcasing Grammy winners as well as buzzworthy artists, The Caverns consistently delivers high-quality programming that draws fans eager to experience performances in a truly unique subterranean setting.

Key Economic Highlights from 2018–2025:

493,167 total visitors, with over 359,000 traveling from outside Tennessee

$87.8 million in total economic impact

$5.9 million in state sales and liquor taxes paid

$1.5 million in local sales and occupancy taxes paid to Grundy County

$1+ million in direct local wages from job creation across five counties

1.5 million invested in national and regional marketing since 2018

“The Caverns’ success proves that music and tourism can transform rural communities,” said Todd Mayo, founder and co-owner of The Caverns. “We’re proud not just to bring unforgettable experiences underground — but to contribute meaningfully above ground as well. That includes reinvesting in this iconic destination — from expanding our cave tours and building an outdoor amphitheater to opening a yurt village. Everything we do is focused on building something special in Grundy County for the long term.”

Beyond its economic contributions, The Caverns actively supports community initiatives including scholarships for Camp Caverns, the South Cumberland Community Fund (which backs the Music in Schools program in Grundy County), historic preservation efforts, and donations to organizations such as Recovery Soldiers Ministry, Blue Monarch, and Mosaic Recovery Center. Since 2018, The Caverns has contributed $150,000 in charitable giving and an additional $60,000 in concert experiences through gift certificate donations.

National exposure for The Caverns continues to grow through its acclaimed PBS television series, The Caverns Sessions, which airs on stations nationwide and is available via the PBS website and streaming app. The venue has also been featured in major national media outlets including Rolling Stone, The New York Times, and People, helping to put Grundy County on the map as a premier destination for music lovers and adventure seekers alike.

As The Caverns looks ahead to finishing 2025 strong, the venue remains committed to growing responsibly, investing locally, and helping Grundy County shine on the national stage.

To explore the full scope of The Caverns’ impact, go to https://www.thecaverns.com/eco...;.

Artists of all ages and experience levels are invited to contribute one cat- and dog-themed piece of art to support the “Hot Dogs and Cool Cats” art show, benefiting Marion Animal Resource Connection (MARC), on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Frame Gallery Gifts & Art in downtown Sewanee.

Artists should submit a digital photograph of their selected art in any medium on Frame Gallery’s website <https://framegals.com>; by Aug. 9 to participate in the art exhibit, which opens on Aug. 16 and continues through Sept. 6. In lieu of a commission fee, artists may choose a percentage of the sales proceeds they wish to donate to MARC.

On Aug. 16 at Frame Gallery, visitors can enjoy the “Hot Dogs and Cool Cats” art show inspired by our beloved four-legged friends, and participate in family-friendly, hands-on art projects, lighthearted games, and other surprises in celebration of pets, creativity, and community.

Frame Gallery is also collecting in-kind donations during the event to support the 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to improving the lives of animals and people in Marion County, Tenn. The suggested list of donations includes:

Purina puppy and kitten chow

Soft kitten food

Cat and dog toys

Paper towels

Large black trash bags

Lemon cleaner

Bleach

Bath or beach towels

Martingale dog collars, all sizes

Slip leads

MARC requests that donations do not include retractable leashes.

“Hot Dogs and Cool Cats” is Frame Gallery’s second fundraiser for MARC. The first fundraiser, Pictures with Santa Paws, on Dec. 21, 2024, raised $750 and collected in-kind donations to support the animals of MARC in time for the winter holidays.

Owner Harriet Runkle hopes to double the amount of cash donations from the proceeds of dog- and cat-themed art and increase the number of in-kind contributions with “Hot Dogs and Cool Cats” this year.

Runkle says, “‘Hot Dogs and Cool Cats’ is all about having fun for a good cause, and inviting artists to use their creativity in a meaningful way makes it even better! I am excited to see how the art show comes together on Aug. 16! It’s a chance to show some love for the homeless cats and dogs in our South Cumberland Plateau community.”

St. Mary’s Sewanee: The Ayres Center for Spiritual Development invites the community to explore diverse spiritual practices at their upcoming “Come & See” event from 1–4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 2. Located at 770 St. Mary’s Lane in Sewanee, this free community event offers visitors an opportunity to experience various spiritual practice demonstrations, meet presenters and community partners, and discover new paths for personal growth and reflection.

The afternoon will feature live performances by local musicians, food and beverages from area vendors, and guided campus tours led by St. Mary’s staff who will share the center’s rich history and mission. Information tables will provide details about ongoing programs and spiritual development opportunities.

The event welcomes people of all backgrounds and spiritual traditions. While registration is not required, organizers encourage attendees to register online at <www.stmaryssewanee.org> to help with planning and headcount estimates.

For more information contact St. Mary’s Sewanee at (931) 598-5342 or email <Reservations@stmaryssewanee.org>.

The Monteagle Sunday School Assembly in Monteagle concludes its 143rd summer season of enrichment this week with a program that features numerous visiting lecturers. Their talks are open to the public and, unless otherwise noted, take place at 10:45 a.m., and 7:45 p.m., in Warren Chapel. The public is welcome to pick up a schedule of the Monteagle Assembly’s 2025 program at the Assembly Office (tel. 931-924-2286), or to peruse the schedule on the Assembly’s website at <monteaglesundayschoolassembly.org>.

If you find yourself wondering why the Middle East always seems to be at (or on the brink of) war, you’re not alone. Nicholas Roberts, who teaches in the International and Global Studies program at the University of the South, specializes in the Middle East, Islam, and imperialism. In his lecture Tuesday morning, Roberts will draw on his extensive research and experience, including a James D. Kennedy III fellowship from Sewanee and a Fulbright fellowship to conduct research in Israel. His lecture is entitled, “What Makes the Middle East Such a Volatile Region?”

Author Peter Taylor is widely considered to be one of the finest American short story writers. Born in Tennessee, Taylor spent time studying at Southwestern (now known as Rhodes College), Vanderbilt University, and Kenyon College while developing his writing craft. He was friends with the likes of Robert Penn Warren and other significant literary figures of his time. His collection, “The Old Forest and Other Stories,” published in 1985, won the PEN/Faulkner Award. He later won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction for his novel, “A Summons to Memphis,” which was published in 1986. Taylor’s work was adapted into film by University of Memphis professor emeritus Steven Ross, who will screen that film Thursday evening in the Auditorium. He’ll then talk about Taylor’s work and his own research and filmmaking in a lecture.

While David Neil Drews is a University of Tennessee graduate (twice over) and claims that his blood has run deep orange since attending his first Vols game in 1970, he has spent years researching the legendary 1899 Sewanee football team … leading some to claim there is a tinge of purple to his complexion. He will share his research and writing through a Friday morning lecture and an afternoon reading from his book, “Iron Tigers: A novel inspired by the team that conquered Dixie and launched Southern football.” Drews will have books available for sale and will sign books after both his morning lecture in Warren Chapel and his afternoon reading, taking place at 2:30 pm at the Writers’ Grove (rain location is Warren Chapel). He says his book reflects his passion for sports, American history, and fiction.

Additional events in the next week include the following:

• Wednesday, July 30, 10:45 a.m., Warren Chapel — Dewees Berry lectures on “The Art of Fly Fishing.”

• Wednesday, July 30, 2:30 p.m., Shady Dell—Dewees Berry facilitates a fly-fishing workshop, “How to prep a rod for fly fishing.” Advance registration required with office; no fee to participate.

• Thursday, July 31, 10:45 a.m., Harton Hall—Ned Murray and Bill Harper lecture on, “The Camino Pilgrimage: Reflections and stories of personal journeys.”

The Mission of the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly is to be a welcoming community of Christian faith where people gather to engage in spiritual growth and renewal, lifelong inquiry and learning, recreational, and cultural enrichment, while being good stewards of our natural resources and our Assembly heritage.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“You have a clean audit. All of your financials are appropriately stated,” said Sabrina Mapes, principal for the MG Group, reporting on the Sewanee Utility District’s audit for 2024 at the July 15 meeting of the Sewanee Utility District Board of Commissioners. In other business the board discussed the need for new meter reading software and considered, but decided against, changes to the sick leave policy.

Mapes praised SUD for the utility’s financial health. “Your total net position which is the balance of your funds at the end of the year is 8.448 million,” Mapes said. “That’s really strong for a utility district of your size.” Mapes’ only critical finding cited “several journal entries without adequate support … They didn’t go where we thought they would go,” Mapes commented. “But all were tied to the conversion when you changed [billing] systems. The outside CPA you hired to help you with that didn’t include any of the backup, so we couldn’t validate that portion. It’s nothing we expect to go forward [as a problem]. Nothing was materially misstated,” Mapes said.

Taking up the meter reading issue, SUD manager Ben Beavers said, “Our meter reading equipment is no longer supported by Itron, the manufacturer of the radio and the endpoints on the meter. The software and equipment we use to read the meters is out-of- date.” Beavers stressed Itron had always provided good support. Switching systems would cost $300,000, Beavers said. He recommended replacing the software, which would also require a new computer to run the upgraded technology, estimated total cost $10,000-$20,000. The radio SUD uses to read the meters is also out-of-date. “If it’s not ungodly expensive, it might be worthwhile replacing the radio, as well,” Beavers said. He will research the cost of the software, computer, and radio upgrade and report to the board at the August meeting.

A change to Governmental Accounting Standards Board rules prompted the board to consider a change to the sick leave policy. The new rule requires utilities to set aside money to pay sick leave if, historically, the utility is required to pay out in wages 50 percent or more of sick leave accrued by employees. SUD employees earn one day a month and can accrue up to 720 days, Beavers said. “Three-fourths of our employees will have sick leave accrued when they leave,” Beavers said. Setting aside money to pay sick leave would lower SUD’s net position (i.e., the difference between assets and liabilities) and possibly result in a negative net position. If required to set aside money to pay sick leave, SUD could reduce the amount by reducing the number of sick leave days employees can accrue and carrying short term disability insurance to pay the wage of incapacitated employees instead. Short term disability insurance paying two-thirds of an employee’s wage costs $3,214 per year, Beavers said.

“The policy we have seems fair,” said Commissioner Donnie McBee. Commissioner Johnny Huges concurred, “To me, if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”

At this point, SUD has not been required to set aside money to pay sick leave. “Year to date, we used only 11 percent of the total accumulated balance. For the past ten years, the balance [of accrued sick leave days] has gone up for most employees,” Beavers said. The board decided to leave the sick leave policy unchanged.

The board will have a special called meeting Thursday, July 31, at 5 p.m., to review and vote on bids for the sewer rehab project funded by American Rescue Plan Act grant money. To meet the grant requirements the project must be under construction by the end of August, Beavers said.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the July 14 meeting, the Franklin County School Board approved 14 policy amendments, meaning changes to rules for cell phone use, enrollment in honors courses, and procedures for searches and interrogations. Most of the amendments were recommendations from the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA). “These are half of what we got from the TSBA” said Human Resources Supervisor Roger Alsup. “We’ll look at the other half next month.”

By the provisions of the “Cell Phones and Other Communications Devices” policy, in grades K-5 cell phones and communication devices “are not allowed unless the principal allows for special circumstances.” For grades 6-12, “Students may possess wireless communication devices so long as such devices are turned off and stored during instructional time. During breaks throughout the school day, students may use wireless communication devices … Unauthorized use or improper storage of a device will result in confiscation until such time as it may be released to the student’s parent(s)/guardian(s). A student in violation of this policy is subject to disciplinary action.” Exceptions to the policy allow for use in emergencies, when authorized by the teacher, and to manage student health. A neighboring district had a stricter policy, Alsup acknowledged, but he stressed to implement a stricter policy, “we would need to look at punishment and enforcement.” “It would be a nightmare,” observed Franklin County High School Principal Jeannie Miller.

Rachel Shields, Secondary Education Supervisor, recommended the changes to the “Enrollment in Advance Courses” policy. “I worked with our two high school principals and two middle school principals to revamp this policy,” Shields said. “I wanted it to be as black and white as possible.” By the new policy, admission to honors courses is based on TCAP scores through eighth grade and in high school on the student’s grade and end of course score the prior year, with a grade of B or higher required. “Teacher recommendations are not considered except for high school courses without an EOC score,” Shields explained, noting a difference from the previous policy. “Everything is based on data.” Board member Sarah Marhevsky expressed concern “qualitative measures can be equally important. These are just quantitative measures.” “Students can appeal their denial if they do not have a TCAP score … or if they don’t test well,” Shields noted.

Taking up changes to the “Interrogations and Searches” policy, Alsup said, “This is a terrible law, but whether we like it or not we have to abide by it … Administrators have to receive training from the state before they can conduct searches. I haven’t heard anything about that training and what that’s going to look like. We need to get that done because we’re getting ready to start school in a couple of weeks. We have to have reasonable suspicion to conduct a search, which is a little bit less of a standard than law enforcement.” Alsup gave the example of suspicion a student had vape, drugs or a weapon.

The revised “Student Wellness” policy requires middle and high school students to have 90 minutes of physical activity per week, with sports and physical education classes not counting toward the 90-minute total. “With 90 minutes of free time to exercise, what do we do with them at the high school level?” asked Board Vice Chair Lance Williams. “I plan to get very creative in helping my teachers to come up with some individualized strategies to meet this requirement,” said FCHS Principal Miller. “I’ll fill you in on how that works out.” In the past, according to Miller, the school took the entire student body to the track. “It was a nightmare.”

Per a change to the “Substitute Teachers” policy, substitutes can now teach a class for 30 days, rather than just 20 days, without certification.

The board tabled approval of the “District Goals” policy. Plans call for a workshop to personalize the policy for Franklin County’s purposes.

At the meeting’s outset, Transportation Director Doug Philpot updated the board on the new Transfinder bus routing software being implemented “to plan the most efficient routes between multiple locations.” The software updates nightly. Philpot cited fuel cost savings, shorter bus rides, and reduced overcrowding as benefits. But Philpot conceded the setup had been “challenging.” The software did not recognize dead-end roads and roads too narrow for a bus to travel, and the software could not locate some of the student addresses because the students did not reside in Franklin County. “They were not supposed to be riding the buses,” Philpot said.

Looking to the future, Philpot hopes to integrate an app into the system which would allow parents to see where the bus is and to use student ID cards to record when a student gets on and off the bus. Board member Sara Liechty pointed to the app as a critical “safety” feature addressing parents’ concerns, ‘Did my child get off the bus?’, ‘Where is the bus?’. The app would be especially useful since elementary school children cannot have cell phones, Liechty pointed out. “We don’t want to take on too much at one time,” Philpot said. “We can add the app in the future. It’s not a budget thing.”

Liechty reported on attending the Early Literacy Foundation workshop along with board members Marhevsky and Sandy Schultz. Resources available to the county include grant funding to establish a “storybook trail” and funding for a summer book van. “The Early Literacy Foundation will supply the books. It’s not a checkout and bringing it back. It’s come choose a book,” Liechty said. “For many of our families, especially those from poverty, when they go home for the summer, they don’t have books in their homes.”

Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 25, 2025, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 27, 2025. During this time clothing, school supplies and computers may be purchased tax-free. Certain restrictions apply. Items sold online are also eligible. Items must be purchased for personal use, not for business or trade.

Clothing

Exempt: General apparel that costs $100 or less per item, such as shirts, pants, socks, shoes, dresses, etc. Not exempt: Apparel items priced at more than $100; Items sold together, such as shoes, cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum; Items such as jewelry, handbags, or sports and recreational equipment.

School Supplies

Exempt: School and art supplies with a purchase price of $100 or less per item, such as binders, backpacks, crayons, paper, pens, pencils, and rulers, and art supplies such as glazes, clay, paints, drawing pads, and artist paintbrushes Not exempt: School and art supplies individually priced at more than $100; Items that are normally sold together cannot be split up to stay beneath the $100 maximum.

Computers

Exempt: Computers for personal use with a purchase price of $1,500 or less; Laptop computers, if priced at $1,500 or less, also qualify as well as tablet computers. Not exempt: Storage media, like flash drives and compact discs; Individually purchased software; Printer supplies; Household appliances.

Go to <https://www.tn.gov/revenue/tax...; for more information.

An Evening of Music and Poetry with David Newton Baker merges David’s original songs, poetry and story-telling with fresh covers of 70s folk-rock, country and bluegrass favorites from Kenny Loggins, Elton John, John Prine, Anne Murray, Bob Dylan, John Denver, Peter, Paul & Mary, Don McLean, and Donovan.

His virtual band is comprised of the finest Nashville session players who back Garth Brooks, Taylor Swift, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Brooks and Dunn, Reba McEntire, Randy Travis, Dave Matthews, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Ann Womack, Shania Twain, Alan Jackson and many more. Though their presence is virtual, David interacts with them throughout the show, making it feel like they are there on the stage.

David’s recently sold-out concert at Sewanee’s Tennessee Williams Center drew comments like these:

“David draws a multi-generational crowd, all of whom were tapping their toes, grinning, and left with a satisfying lump in their throats.”

“David has compiled an amazing piece of work backed by his "virtual band" of Nashville's first-call session players. It was all I could do not to sing along.”

An Evening of Music and Poetry with David Newton Baker: Angel Park, at 6 p.m., Saturday, July 26. Admission is free.

The Rev. Roger Speer’s team of undergraduate students and faculty from The University of the South is heading to Birmingham, England, this August to present his latest findings on rural church revitalization at an international academic conference.

Speer is a longtime minister currently serving church communities in Cowan and Beersheba Springs, Tenn.. His research, titled “Challenging the Narrative of Decline in Rural Church Communities,” will be featured at the International Association for the Psychology of Religion conference at the University of Birmingham.

Speer, who grew up in rural West Virginia and has spent his career serving churches across the American South, believes it’s time to rethink how we define health and success in rural faith communities.

“Too often, vitality in a church is reduced to numbers — how many people are in the pews or how much is in the offering plate,” Speer said. “But those metrics don’t capture what makes a church meaningful or enduring.”

His research suggests a different framework: that the presence of community engagement — not clergy salaries or building size — is a key driver of long-term church vitality. By applying scientific methods under the guidance of Dr. Christopher Silver at Sewanee, Speer’s work aims to give voice to small churches often overlooked in institutional assessments.

Unlike many studies in this field, Speer’s approach is grounded in data collection governed by an Institutional Review Board and avoids anecdotal evidence. The study is still in early phases, but its implications are already drawing attention. He hopes this UK presentation will inspire further collaboration, especially with leaders facing similar questions in rural areas around the world.

“The story we’re telling isn’t about loss — it’s about reframing what matters,” Speer explains. “Rural churches aren’t dying. They’re adapting. But we need the right tools to see it.”

As rural communities across America continue to face challenges — from school and hospital closures to depopulation — Speer believes the church can still be a force for stability, belonging, and hope. His work, he says, is ultimately about equipping leaders with ways to rediscover that role.

The trip marks Speer’s first visit to Birmingham, a city with its own deep spiritual and working-class history. While most of his time will be spent at the conference with Dr. Silver and their team of three Sewanee undergrad psychology students, he looks forward to experiencing a new place and connecting with others who care about faith, place, and people.

“My hope,” he says, “is that this research encourages ministers and communities to see their context not as a deficit, but as a sacred asset.”

To learn more or to add your rural church community to Speer’s growing list of future research sites, email <Speerra0@sewanee.edu>.

The Monteagle Sunday School Assembly in Monteagle continues its 143rd summer season of enrichment through Sunday, Aug. 3, featuring numerous visiting lecturers who will present morning and evening programs that are open free of charge to the public; unless otherwise noted, morning lectures begin at 10:45 a.m., and evening lectures at 7:45 p.m., all taking place in Warren Chapel. Anyone interested in a full schedule of the Monteagle Assembly’s 2025 program is welcome to pick one up at the Assembly Office (tel. 931-924-2286), or to peruse the schedule on the Assembly’s website at <monteaglesundayschoolassembly.org>.

Nashville counselor and author Sissy Goff works with girls and parents to help them find confidence in who they are. Along with David Thomas, she hosts the popular podcast Raising Boys and Girls, which aims to help parents care for their kids with more understanding and hope. She will lecture Tuesday evening on the topic, “Raising Worry-Free Kids.” Her recent books include “The Worry-Free Parent: Living in Confidence So Your Kids Can Too, Braver, Stronger, Smarter: A Girl’s Guide to Overcoming Worry & Anxiety,” and “Raising Worry-Free Girls: Helping Your Daughter Feel Braver, Stronger, and Smarter in an Anxious World.”

Mat Kaplan loves space — and he loves radio. When Kaplan approached the co-founder and executive director of the Planetary Society two years into his job, he floated the idea of starting a podcast to expand the reach of the Society. The resulting podcast, Planetary Radio is now in its third decade. After hosting for 20 years, Kaplan passed the microphone in November 2022 to Sarah Al-Ahmed. It shares conversations with scientists, engineers, mission leaders, astronauts, advocates, and writers who provide their unique and exciting perspectives on the exploration of our universe. Kaplan now holds a senior communications role at the Planetary Society, which is led by CEO Bill Nye. Join Kaplan Tuesday morning for a lecture entitled, “The Moon, Mars, and Beyond: A Tour of the Cosmos.”

Writer and filmmaker Aiden Ryan presents two programs on Thursday, both of which draw from his book and documentary film, “I Am Here, You Are Not, I Love You.” This project traces Ryan’s efforts to rediscover the art and lives of his aunt and uncle, the artists Andrew Topolski and Cindy Suffoletto. His website says, “A mysterious package arrived in February 2020. From an unknown sender, it contained images of Suffoletto and Topolski in Paris in the early 1990s — a little-known chapter in their lives as artists and partners. It set their nephew on a path of exploration, seeking to uncover more of his late aunt and uncle’s lives, starting with the clues they left behind in their art.” Ryan will lecture Thursday morning about this project; Thursday evening in the Auditorium, he will screen his film and sign books afterwards.

Additional events in the next week include the following:

Tuesday, July 21, 11:45 a.m., Warren Chapel — Claudia Haltom lectures on “The Secret City where Women Impacted World War II and Changed History.”

Wednesday, July 22, 3 p.m., Harton Hall — Julia Sullivan of restaurants Henrietta Red and Judith shares a cooking demonstration.

Thursday, July 24, 2:30 p.m., Writers’ Grove — Beth Riner reads from her newly released book, “Odd Job Annie.” Blackberry cobbler and ice cream will be served afterwards. Warren Chapel if rain.

Friday, July 25, 11:45 a.m., Warren Chapel — Dawn LaFon lectures on “Humanizing Antiquity: The Ongoing Saga of Pompeii.”

The Mission of the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly is to be a welcoming community of Christian faith where people gather to engage in spiritual growth and renewal, lifelong inquiry and learning, recreational, and cultural enrichment, while being good stewards of our natural resources and our Assembly heritage.

The Caverns has been named Theater of the Year by the Academy of Country Music as part of the 60th ACM Industry Awards. This marks the first time the iconic underground venue has been nominated for an ACM Award — and its first win.

The ACM Industry Awards recognize venues and talent buyers/promoters who have booked or promoted a set number of country music concerts and helped grow country music ticket sales. Winners are selected by Academy members working in venue operations, promotion, and other related fields.

“We’re honored to receive this recognition from the Academy of Country Music,” said Joe Lurgio, General Manager of The Caverns. “It’s a testament to the incredible team that makes live music happen in our unique venue and to the artists and fans who bring the cave to life night after night.”

The Caverns will celebrate the Theater of the Year award alongside fellow recipients, the industry, and country music fans at the 18th ACM Honors on Aug. 20, at The Pinnacle in Nashville. Visit ACMCountry.com for more information on how to attend the event.

The Caverns’ upcoming summer country concerts include:

Old Crow Medicine Show – July 20

Whitey Morgan & The 78’s with Sam Morrow – Aug. 7

Del McCoury Band – Sept. 7

For tickets and to explore The Caverns’ full calendar of concerts across all genres, visit <TheCaverns.com>.

From July 15-27, 2025, the University of the South will host the 35th annual session of the Sewanee Writers’ Conference. Supported by Tennessee Williams and the Walter E. Dakin Memorial Fund, the Conference provides promising writers instruction through workshops and craft lectures in fiction, poetry, nonfiction, and playwriting.

Although workshops are limited to Conference participants, lectures and readings are open to the public and free to attend. These events will be held in Guerry Auditorium on the corner of University Avenue and Georgia Avenue. Masking is required at all events.

The Conference will feature readings by fiction writers Venita Blackburn, Chris Bachelder, Kirstin Chen, Vanessa Hua, Holly Goddard Jones, R.O. Kwon, Leigh Newman, Kirstin Valdez Quade, Akhil Sharma, and Luis Alberto Urrea; poets Cortney Lamar Charleston, Tarfia Faizullah, Donika Kelly, Nate Marshall, A. E. Stallings, and Felicia Zamora; nonfiction writers Eula Biss, Jaquira Díaz, Melissa Febos, and Lacy M. Johnson; and playwrights Cusi Cram, Adrian Einspanier, Talene Monahon, and Jesús I. Valles.

Upcoming readings and lectures:

Tuesday, July 15, at 8:30 p.m., Luis Alberto Urrea & Melissa Febos, Fiction, Nonfiction Reading

Wednesday, July 16, at 2:30 p.m., Fellows: M. Datta, M. Ductan, R. Fayne, M. Fiedler, Fiction, Poetry, Fiction, Playwriting Reading

3:45 p.m., Talene Monahon Playwriting Lecture

7:30 p.m., Nate Marshall & Kirstin Valdez Quade, Poetry, Fiction Reading

Thursday, July 17, at 2:30 p.m., Staff: K. Kapur, C. Whitton, A. Farhadi, B. Antosh, Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, Playwriting Reading

3:45 p.m., Holly Goddard Jones Fiction Lecture

7:30 p.m., Vanessa Hua & Jaquira Díaz, Fiction, Nonfiction Reading

Friday, July 18, at 2:30 p.m., Fellows: C. Juyoung Ok, T. Isen, S. Páramo, J. Zhang, Fiction, Poetry, Nonfiction, Poetry, Fiction Reading

3:45 p.m., A.E. Stallings Poetry Lecture

7:30 p.m., Talene Monahon & R.O. Kwon, Playwriting, Fiction Reading

A complete Conference schedule can be found online at <sewaneewriters.org>. Authors’ books are available at the University Book & Supply Store.