Wednesday, November 05, 2025 | 08:03pm

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – On Tuesday, November 4, a rockslide occurred on I-24 West near mile marker 137, resulting in lane closures. TDOT crews responded quickly to assess the site, clear debris, and reopen travel lanes. While the middle and left lanes were restored, the right lane remained closed due to unstable rock that remained on the mountain.

Crews monitored conditions overnight, and today, it was determined that additional rockfall mitigation measures are necessary.

A contractor will need to install stronger concrete barriers and remove the remaining compromised rock. Beginning tomorrow, November 6, at 7:30 a.m. local time, I-24 West will be reduced to one lane for several hours to complete barrier installation. Afterward, the roadway will be reopened to two lanes, while crews work in the right lane and outside shoulder to perform the necessary scaling work. During this operation, rolling roadblocks may be used as needed, depending on site conditions.

Once the slope is deemed stable, TDOT Geotechnical engineers will design a permanent repair solution. The right lane will remain closed until that permanent repair is in place.

TDOT remains focused on safety and efficiency, aiming to restore full access as quickly as possible. Drivers should expect delays and use caution in the work zone. This work is weather-dependent and may be rescheduled in case of inclement weather or other unforeseen conditions.

As always, motorists are reminded to use TDOT’s motorist information tools and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before departure. Drivers should never tweet, text, or use their phone while driving. For the latest updates, visit the TDOT SmartWay Map or dial 511 for statewide travel information.

Tennessee’s Move Over Law requires drivers to move over for highway workers and emergency vehicles. Violation of this law can result in up to 30 days in jail and a fine of up to $500.

Prestigious Culinary Guide Expands to the South for the First Time
Thursday, November 06, 2025 | 08:25am

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Nov. 3, 2025) – 36 Tennessee restaurants have been recognized in the first-ever MICHELIN Guide American South, marking a milestone moment for the state’s culinary scene. The globally renowned guide debuted tonight in Greenville, South Carolina, honoring chefs and restaurants that define the South’s distinctive flavors and creativity.

“This is a proud moment for Tennessee, our cities and for the entire South,” said Mark Ezell, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development. “Our state is rooted in tradition, community and celebrated for its world-class hospitality. Every meal here tells a story. We’re honored to celebrate the talented chefs and restaurants behind these experiences as part of the first MICHELIN Guide American South.”

Tennessee restaurants recognized in the MICHELIN Guide American South:

One MICHELIN Star (3)

• Bastion (Nashville)
• The Catbird Seat (Nashville)
• Locust (Nashville)

MICHELIN Green Star (1)

• January (Franklin)

Bib Gourmand (9)

• Hog & Hominy (Memphis)
• Kisser (Nashville)
• Little Coyote (Chattanooga)
• Peninsula (Nashville)
• Redheaded Stranger (Nashville)
• Sho Pizza Bar (Nashville)
• S.S. Gai (Nashville)
• St. Vito (Nashville)
• Uzbegim (Nashville)

MICHELIN Special Award: Sommelier (1)

• Bad Idea (Nashville)

Recommended Restaurants (24)

• Andrew Michael Italian Kitchen (Memphis)
• Arnold’s Country Kitchen (Nashville)
• Audrey (Nashville)
• Bad Idea (Nashville)
• Café Roze (Nashville)
• Easy Bistro (Chattanooga)
• Felicia Suzanne’s (Memphis)
• Folk (Nashville)
• Hattie B’s Hot Chicken (Nashville)
• iggy’s (Nashville)
• International Market (Nashvile)
• January (Franklin)
• J.C. Holdway (Knoxville)
• Judith (Sewanee)
• Lunch (Sewanee)
• Main Street Meats (Chattanooga)
• Petals of a Peony (Cordova)
• Potchke (Knoxville)
• Rolf & Daughters (Nashville)
• Shotgun Willie’s (Madison)
• Tailor (Nashville)
• The Lobbyist (Memphis)
• The Restaurant at RT Lodge (Maryville)
• The Rosecomb (Chattanooga)

Tennessee is one of six states included in the MICHELIN Guide American South, a first-of-its-kind regional edition made possible through a collaborative partnership between Travel South USA, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development(TDTD), destination marketing organizations across Tennessee and participating states including Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and South Carolina, along with the pre-existing Atlanta Guide. Together, these partners helped bring the globally recognized MICHELIN Guide to the South, spotlighting the region’s flavors and culinary innovation on an international stage.

About the MICHELIN Guide

Recognized globally for excellence and quality, the MICHELIN Guide offers a selection of world-class restaurants.

• The famous one, two and three MICHELIN Stars identify establishments serving exceptional cuisine that’s rich in flavor, remarkably executed and infused with the personality of a talented chef.
• The Bib Gourmand is a designation given to select restaurants that offer good quality food for a good value – often known as personal favorites among the inspectors when dining on their own time.
• The MICHELIN Green Star honors restaurants that are pioneers in sustainable practices.
• Recommended restaurants and special professional awards are also highlighted by the MICHELIN Guide inspectors.

The MICHELIN Guide remains a reliable companion for any traveler seeking an unforgettable meal and hospitality experience. The Guide was first published in France at the turn of the 20th century to encourage the development of car mobility as well as tire sales by giving practical advice to motorists. Progressively, the Guide has specialized in restaurant and hotel recommendations. Michelin’s inspectors still use the same criteria and manner of selection that were used by the inspectors in the very beginning.

Thanks to the rigorous MICHELIN Guide selection process that is applied independently and consistently in more than 45 destinations, the MICHELIN Guide has become an international benchmark in fine dining.

All restaurants in the Guide are recommended by Michelin’s anonymous inspectors, who are trained to apply the same time-tested methods used by Michelin inspectors for many decades throughout the world. This ensures a uniform, international standard of excellence. As a further guarantee of complete objectivity, Michelin inspectors pay all their bills in full, and only the quality of the cuisine is evaluated.

To fully assess the quality of a restaurant, the inspectors apply five criteria defined by Michelin: product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavors; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu. These criteria guarantee a consistent and fair selection so a Starred restaurant has the same value regardless of whether it is in Paris, New York or anywhere else in the world.

Learn more about the MICHELIN Guide by visiting guide.michelin.com.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

Answer: “Without the painted tiger snail, we probably wouldn’t have a park,” Head of Crow Park Manager Bill Loewer told members and guests at the Nov. 3 Sewanee Civic Association dinner meeting. The Tennessee General Assembly has allocated $25 million dollars to the new park, designated as separate from the South Cumberland park system just over a year ago. The painted tiger snail is only found in a limited 10-mile radius within the park. Loewer shared highlights of the park’s features and plans for the four natural areas, Buggytop Cave, the Natural Bridge, Hawkins Cove, and the Sherwood Forest. “Building the park is going to be a long process,” Loewer acknowledged. “We have 20 years of trail construction ahead of us, 10 years to have all the parking lots and picnic areas finished, and five years for the visitors center to be fully operational.”

The challenges of managing a large park prompted the division of South Cumberland State Park into three parks, Savage Gulf, Head of the Crow, and Fiery Gizzard, Loewer explained. “South Cumberland as a park is no more. This is the South Cumberland area of parks now.” The park service is acquiring land to connect the four natural areas in Head of the Crow. Plans also call for trails connecting Crow to trail systems in the Franklin Forest and on the Domain — 45,000-acres combined, offering a two-week backpacking trip adventure. Connecting to the Mountain Goat Trail is also a possibility. The new Sewanee Welcome Center, the official Sewanee trailhead for the Mountain Goat, will serve as the Crow visitor center until a facility is constructed.

“The geology and terrain are the biggest challenges to trail building,” Loewer said. “We can construct 15 feet of trail on a good day.” Watch the Messenger for opportunities to volunteer to help with trail building.

A new trail to Buggy Top Cave will create a loop, with the new segment cutting the elevation gain in half, making for a less demanding hiking experience. The 80’ by 100’ cave entrance is one of the largest in the nation. The name of the water course in Lost Cove changes from Lost Creek to Crow Creek when it exits Buggy Top Cave, thus the park’s name, Head of the Crow. Caves are also a prominent feature in the Pack Hollow area of the park, with more than a dozen on record, according to Loewer. Park caves are closed Sept. 1 to April 30 to accommodate bat hibernation.

Another outstanding feature of the park are the trail overlooks. From one, Shelbyville is visible on a clear day. From another overlook, hikers can see the Tennessee River in Alabama. The park service embraces three goals: to conserve both the culture and pristine natural beauty of the parks; to increase resource-based recreation to stimulate stewardship and appreciation of the parks to help the park service protect them; and to help build up the rural areas of the state. “We want to conserve this property and manage it as close to natural as possible,” Loewer said. “None of us know exactly what this would have been like 200-plus years ago. We don’t know what the cultures were that were here then, but we know they left behind, and we can share that.”

Reporting on SCA business, President Kiki Beavers said the Community Chest fund drive had reached 30 percent of the $118,500 goal. The membership approved bylaws changes authorizing the SCA to manage the Welcome Center and a staff title change from Director of Sewanee Classifieds to Sewanee Classifieds Administrator.

Beavers called for nominations to serve on the Board of Directors. Nominations are due by Feb. 16. Area residents interested in serving on the board should email <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com>.

Beavers also called for nominations for the Community Service Award, recognizing those who have made outstanding contributions to the community, making Sewanee a better place to live and improving the quality of life. Send nominations to <sewaneecommunitychest@gmail.com> or SCC, P.O. Box 99, Sewanee, TN 37375. The deadline for submitting nominations is March 12. The awards ceremony is scheduled for May 4.

Beavers urged community members to make donations to the Community Action Committee’s food ministry, “Stock the Pantry.” Online contributions can be made through the Amazon Wish List https://a.co/f6TXKX4;.

by Blythe Ford, Messenger Staff Writer

The University of the South Department of Theatre and Dance will present their annual DanceWise production Nov. 13-15 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 16 at 2 p.m., in the Proctor Hill Theater at the Tennessee Williams Center. DanceWise is a collaboration between students and faculty, with students providing most of the driving force behind a production featuring many styles of dance centered around an anchoring theme. This year’s theme, “Mystique,” invites choreographers, dancers, and viewers to reach beyond reality into the nebulous world of imagination. Primarily student-created choreography interprets this theme through styles such as contemporary/modern, tap, jazz, hip-hop, contemporary Paraguayan, and modern-flamenco fusion. If you intend to attend, you are encouraged to reserve your seats with free tickets via Theatre Sewanee’s Eventbrite page; DanceWise draws a crowd and seating is limited.

Professor and DanceWise artistic director Courtney World speaks glowingly of this year’s performance. “Each year, the caliber of student choreography and performance goes up and I believe this is one of our strongest dance productions to date.” DanceWise is collaborative not just in terms of participation, but also direction and design: each dance is created by paired choreographers and designers who coordinate dance, light, sound, and costumes to, in World’s words “create cohesion within each dance piece as well as the production as a whole.” The six student choreographers (Izzy Grass, C’26, Talia de la Cruz, C’26, Lara Georgia G. Noronha, C’27, Lucas Montiel Chaparro, C’28, Nico Richards, C’28, and Phoenix Tillman, C’28) have worked since last May on their dances and contributing to the artistic vision of Mystique.

As for the theme itself, World said, “I was curious about how choreographers might explore the indescribable, ephemeral, even magical realm of possibility in their dances that takes us beyond what we understand or universally hold as true. I invited student choreographers to lean into the potential of their dances to transcend language and tangible experiences, and to embrace the world of imagination where not everything is as it seems…” This experience is enhanced by the work of student lighting designers Wayne Medley and Wesley Inman, student costume designers Ivy Francis Moore and Sophia James, and the faculty supervision of Jordan Vera, Danielle Silfies, and Jennifer Matthews, to create an overall sense of unreality in the production.

World is excited in particular by the diversity of dance styles offered this year, especially the presence of flamenco in the program. Guest choreographer Noelia Garcia Carmona visited Sewanee for a few days in early October to create a new modern-flamenco fusion dance, which will be performed by some of the 24 student dancers. Carmona is a dance educator, performer, and choreographer with more than 30 years of experience in Spanish Dance, flamenco, and contemporary dance, educated in her home city of Barcelona, Spain. She now live in Memphis, Tennessee and continues to choreograph, educate, and perform many styles of dance but flamenco in particular. Her contribution to DanceWise follows the pattern of previous productions, allowing students to be exposed to entirely new styles of dance beyond what the University normally offers. In addition to this dance and the student choreographed dances, World will be performing a tap-violin duet with guest artist Jeremy Ramos.

DanceWise: Mystique will be a unique and exciting experience for everyone involved. If you are interested in attending any of the Nov. 13-16 performances, visit the Theatre Sewanee Evenbrite page and reserve your free tickets.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

What is a cult and why does it matter? Is the phenomenon of cultism on the rise? Investigative journalist Jane Borden, Sewanee assistant professor of religious studies Kati Curts, and Sewanee School of Letters Director Justin Taylor will grapple with these questions and more at the panel discussion, “Cults in the American Imagination,” slated for 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13, at Convocation Hall. Cults — a little word with vast implications — have captured the imagination of all three panelists. Borden’s book, “Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America,” Taylor’s two novels, and Curts research all take a deep dive into the cult phenomenon. For all three, religion launched them on a journey of discovery into an unknown world.

Taylor frames a cult as “when a group becomes aware of itself as a group and develops a set of practices and beliefs.” For Taylor, the jumping off point was a longtime interest in religions and “what gets included and disincluded.” Taylor points out, some of the world’s most well-established religions began as cults.

Curts, a religious studies scholar, shies away from use of the term, “cult,” because of the “dangerous assumptions” that follow from labeling a group a cult. Religions associated with straight white men are far more likely to be recognized as “mainstream” and “socially acceptable,” Curts commented.

Borden cites a definition by the anti-cult activist Robert Jay Lifton characterizing cults as having a worshipped leader; being engaged in “thought reform” and “mind control”; and causing harm to the followers, often sexual or financial. Although a religious studies major in college, Borden pursued a career in journalism. In an assignment for Vanity Fair covering the NXIVM cult, she became preoccupied with the division in American culture and saw the same dynamics at play in popular cults and politics. She traced the phenomenon back to the founding Puritans, who “look like a cult,” but without the attribute of leader worship.

“America is built on cult-like thinking,” Borden said. She noted the First Amendment to the Constitution allows anyone to start a church and operate tax-free, while freedom of speech gives con artists free reign to manipulate followers.

Taylor maintained “a lot of our politics is cultlike … these intense devotions to figures who are concentrating power. Hardcore Trump voters to Taylor Swift fans behave in structurally identical ways.”

Addressing the question, are cults increasing in the 21st century, Taylor answered, “absolutely.” He attributed the rise in cults to technology which allows “ideas to cohere much more quickly.” In Taylor’s novel, “Reboot,” a former child actor and the voice for a video game falls prey to two warring groups trying to claim him as their cult leader. He doesn’t want the job and is both “paranoid of surveillance” and “addicted” to the attention.

Curts resists drawing a conclusion about cults increasing overtime. She urges questioning what we are paying attention to and the media landscape. Curts speculated those calling attention to a cult’s violence or mind control are often diverting attention away from the same problems in the mainstream culture.

Borden, likewise, points to technology as a factor influencing the prevalence of cults. But she also stresses the impact of crisis in a culture. Looking to the present, Borden quotes from a September 14, 2020, Time Magazine story: since 1975 “the Top 1% of Americans Have Taken $50 Trillion From the Bottom 90%.” Borden argues the circumstance has wreaked havoc on the lives of “under-resourced” lower and middle class individuals and, also, wreaked havoc on the nation. “People in a crisis crave a strong man and are easily conned,” Borden insisted.

On the positive side, Taylor observed, “Cults can be a refuge for outcasts and a safe haven.” “It strikes me people want to think about how to survive in sometimes dehumanizing conditions,” Curts said. “Religions, sometimes labeled cults, offer really important resources for people in those moments.” Borden conceded, in spite of manipulation and exploitation, cult “survivors” often reported making long-term friendships and being driven to continue their “work toward seeking enlightenment.”

Is there a way to curb the cult phenomenon, and do we want to? Sponsored by the Departments of English and Creative Writing, Politics, and Religious Studies, Sewanee School of Letters, The Lectures Committee, and the Dakin Fund, the “Cults in the American Imagination” panel will tackle questions such as these and more. “Cult groups offer the chance to think about what it means to redraw boundaries and to think anew about community and how you want to make it,” Curts said. “Why are [those things that get more clicks] the things that capture our attention now?”

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Nov. 4 meeting, the Monteagle Planning Commission revisited two ordinance questions involving Paco’s Cantina and Sports Bar, a Mexican restaurant at 202 E. Main St. The commission tabled taking action on a revised site plan and landscaping plan for the Monteagle Market, already under construction.

Building inspector Travis Lawyer said he had received questions about the restaurant being granted a beer license due to the business’s close proximity to Monteagle Elementary School. Lawyer read from the ordinance regulating beer sales which prohibits manufacture, distribution or sale of beer “within 200 feet any church, residence, or place of public gathering,” with measurement taken from front door to front door. Lawyer measured the front-door to front-door distance between the restaurant and school as 491 feet. “They are in compliance,” Lawyer said.

The ordinance, amended in 2021, changed the measurement parameters. “The measurement used to be property line to property line,” said Commission Chair Richard Black.

Travis suggested the application for a beer license require the applicant to state the distance to any neighboring property. Black agreed.

Commissioner Katie Trahan pointed out, “distance is not part of the qualification” for a license to sell liquor or wine, which is regulated by the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, not the local government.

Black read from a proposed amendment clarifying when an addition to an existing structure could be approved by the building inspector based on a sketch plan, without requiring a site plan. A proposed outdoor boardwalk/deck at Paco’s Cantina and Sports Bar led to the need for clarification.

Town planner Jonathan Rush based the amendment on regulations used by other municipalities, allowing approval of additions based on a sketch plan if the addition is less than 1,000 square feet and less than one-third the total floor area of the existing building. The ordinance also provides for the building inspector to refer any questionable project to the planning commission which may require a full site plan for the project to proceed.

The commission approved the amendment and will send it to the council for final approval.

Turning to the Monteagle Market project, Lawyer said the proposed sign on the revised site plan exceeded the 120’ limit. He also expressed concern about the structural integrity of the pylons the sign would be mounted on once the existing sign was removed. “I need an engineering report [on the integrity],” Lawyer insisted.

Liz Rodriquez, engineer for the project, said the owner had been notified about the problem with the height of the proposed sign. She asked the commission to approve the revised site and landscaping plans so the project could move forward.

“If a site plan is approved with a sign shown, that constitutes approval of the sign,” objected Commissioner Alec Mosley.

The project has been plagued with hurdles. The site plan was approved conditionally in 2023 pending a Board of Zoning Appeals variance. The variance was granted and construction moved forward without the site plan being returned to the commission for final approval. The irregularity went unnoticed when the Southeast Tennessee Development town planner assigned to Monteagle changed. The developer also made changes to the site plan without commission approval, thus the necessity for approval of a revised site plan for a project already under construction.

“I am not comfortable with approving anything that is not exactly how it is going to be,” Trahan said.

The commission agreed with Rush’s recommendation to table the site plan until the sign issue was rectified. “The site plan is what is going to be built. That is the whole purpose of a site plan,” Rush stressed.

“If there is an error on the project and the building is built, where do we go with this?” Lawyer asked.

“I don’t believe there are any other issues,” Rush said.

For the first time in school history, both the St. Andrew’s–Sewanee School boys’ and girls’ cross country teams have qualified for the state championships in the same season. While each program has advanced to state in previous years, this marks the first time both teams will compete together on the state stage.

At the TSSAA Division II-A East Regional Meet on Oct. 28, at Victor Ashe Park in Knoxville, both teams earned top finishes among 18 competing schools to secure their spots at state.

The boys’ team finished third out of 18 schools, led by senior captain Micah Moody, who placed fifth. Sophomore Timi Stefanut ran a personal best of 18:57.33 to take 14th, followed by Arthur Glacet in 15th (19:04.26) and Mason Sparacio in 18th with a season-best 19:09.84. Daniel Pastor (32nd), Guillermo Ruiz De La Herran Sanjuan (33rd), and Eoin Pate (49th) rounded out the team’s strong performance.

The girls’ team finished fourth out of 18 schools. Eighth grader Nora Jane Elrod led the team with a 14th-place finish (22:19.47), followed by Annanoel Sparacio (15th, 22:32.71), Lillian Crigger (19th, 22:54.52), and Catherine Barnett, who ran a personal best for 27th place (23:37.96). Annika Stefanut (33rd), Elowyn Pate (40th), and Beatrice Pate (41st, PR) completed the scoring effort.

In the JV race, junior Ed Smith claimed victory with a season-best time of 20:37.09. Benji Sowell finished close behind in second place (22:06.03), and Dylan Bruscato took fourth with a personal record of 22:36.98. Ayden Allen and Seanna Mainord also turned in strong performances for the Mountain Lions.

“This group has shown incredible dedication and heart all season,” said Head Coach Joe Mahler. “For both teams to qualify for state in the same year is a tremendous accomplishment and a reflection of their hard work and team spirit.”