by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“It’s astonishing how well this has been received,” said John Bloecher, Superintendent at The Course commenting on the community enthusiasm about the wildflower displays that unexpectedly appeared this spring at the Sewanee golf course and along the approach to The Course on Green’s View Road. The “why” is a perfect storm of serendipity and intentionality. It all began in May of 2025 when Sewanee resident Michael Payne tossed out a few handfuls of zinnia and other native seeds at the edge of The Course next to deadfall trees.

Payne fell in love with wildflowers in 10th grade working in a state park greenhouse. After retiring in Sewanee he took the lead in reimagining the neglected community garden on Old Farm Road, creating two planting areas: Hayseed Farms for vegetables and Old Farm Road Wildflowers. The wildflower patch was the seed source for the golf course planting. With minimal soil preparation, some rake scratching and clearing, the wildflowers thrived.

Inspired, Payne and fellow Monteagle-Sewanee Rotarian Johnny Walters reached out to Bloecher about designating areas for intentional plantings. “John was all for it,” Payne said. Out for an afternoon of golf that August, Sewanee resident Todd Mayo was awed by the stunning wildflower display born of Payne’s haphazard trial planting. “Where did that come from?” he asked Bloecher. “How can we do more of this?” Bloecher advised him wildflower seed was expensive, but the Rotary had taken on the project of wildflower plantings at The Course. Enthusiastic, Mayo signed on as a donor.

Bloecher explained some of the wildflowers observed by Mayo came up on their own because he did not spray weed control chemicals. A naturalist at heart and by habit, Bloecher said, “There are no weeds on this golf course. Everything has a purpose.”

Bloecher has embraced countering narratives about high rates of Parkinson’s disease for those who live near golf courses and golf course managers being “the bad guy when it comes to chemicals.” Challenging that opinion, Bloecher said, “Most golf course superintendents are pretty good stewards of the environment. Chemicals cost money. Golf courses are great habitats. Anything we can do to promote pollinators and butterflies and show they can live in cohabitation with the golf course helps make the public aware we are stewards of the environment, not users of the land.”

Payne stressed the importance of cold stratification, planting after a frost to promote germination of native perennials — which all the wildflowers seeded on The Course are. Last fall Payne and Walters oversaw tilling up six areas for plantings, as well as two roadside plantings along Green’s View. “The two beds along the road are for community members to see and to promote The Course as a natural habitat. Our plans to expand include more planting areas and beehives.”

“My last course in Kentucky we had beehives,” Bloecher said, “and we sold the honey in the pro shop.” So far as a location for the hives, Bloecher suggested the No. 5 hole on the bluff, which would avoid casual encounter and offered the plus of a shallow pond to attract monarch butterflies. The Course also features a dozen bluebird houses. Bloecher plans to pursue certification as an Audubon Sanctuary, a lapsed distinction The Course held in the past.

Bloecher’s mantra is about doing research “to promote what we want” and to discourage “what’s taking over.” He advocates burning to discourage invasive weeds and grasses, which don’t like the low acidity resulting from ash, and to provide cover to promote germination with the ash acting as a natural fertilizer.

In addition to adding color to low maintenance areas populated by tall grasses, Bloecher emphasized the role of the wildflower plantings as “a learning laboratory. It fits the vision of the Domain as a natural environment promoting the biological and environmental sciences.” To that end, Bloecher plans to offer a First Green class geared to third graders, a STEM type program designed to encourage young people to pursue a career in turf management. “It’s more than just mowing the grass,” Bloecher joked countering another misleading assumption.

“We’re trying to enhance a natural habitat,” Payne observed, tackling the existential question of “why” wildflowers at the golf course matter. “It’s a simple thing we can do that’s enjoyable.” “It’s a gift that gives to everybody for the simple beauty, and that’s needed more now than ever,” Mayo added. Bloecher’s advice on understanding the existential why, “take a moment out of your busy life to stop what you’re doing and look at a flower.”

A final note: Please don’t pick the flowers. Enjoy them, but leave the nectar and pollen for the bees.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“Upwards of 89 percent of people say they want to see more action from governments on climate issues,” said Katherine Wilkinson in talking about her new book “Climate Wayfinding.” “But a very small percentage of people have actually stepped up to take action.” Wilkinson made it her mission to change that. If cringing at the thought of another book with a save-the-planet “to-do-list,” shutter those expectations. This is not a book with a list of solutions. Beautifully and provocatively written, “Climate Wayfinding: Healing Ourselves and the Planet We Call Home” is a book about the missing ingredient.

At 16, on an outing in the Pisgah Forest, N.C., Wilkinson wrote in her journal, “I want to help the world. Be connected with the earth.” When she started college at Sewanee, instead of majoring in environmental studies as might be expected, Wilkinson’s focus of study was Religion. “You got to ask the big questions about how slippery dynamics like values, belief, and the stories we tell have an enormous impact on our life,” she said reminiscing about her younger self. Post college Wilkinson worked for the Natural Resources Defense Council on a project focusing on native forests in the Cumberland Plateau. She also became involved with a newly formed nonprofit, the Evangelical Climate Initiative, firing her personal interest in public engagement in climate concerns and the role of political will. The big questions drove her to pursue a Ph.D. at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. “My Ph.D. research was a mash up of public discourse, American religion, politics and culture,” Wilkinson confessed. Her first book “God and Green” followed, pushing her to the brink of an epiphany as a “climate person” —” I didn’t want to sit on the sidelines in an ivory tower and analyze other people shaping public narrative about climate and creating conditions for change. I wanted to be doing it.”

In 2016 Wilkinson joined project Drawdown, a nonprofit doing ground-breaking research on climate solutions, what she describes as “possibility grounded in real data.” She served as a lead writer for the subsequent book, “Drawdown.” But Wilkinson increasingly became aware something was wrong. “The existence of clear climate solutions was not the core problem,” she insists. “There was a leadership crisis at the heart of the climate crisis.” That awareness launched Wilkinson on a new path.

Frustrated by the role gender dynamics played in the climate dialogue and women’s leadership not being amplified enough, Wilkinson brought those voices to the table with the critically acclaimed “All We Can Save,” a collection of narratives by women climate leaders. The energy generated by the book gave birth to the All We Can Save Project, a nonprofit climate wayfinding program grounded in experiential learning. The 100 facilitators trained to guide the learning process “barely scratches the surface” of the need, Wilkinson said. The book “Climate Wayfinding,” brings access to the program onto the page for the solo reader.

Wilkinson is quick to point out the shortcomings of the “to-do list” approach to climate solutions, such as buying an electric car and eating more veggies. “The key to climate wayfinding is navigation as much as action,” she stressed. What is missing from following a to-do list is what Wilkinson calls “deep courageous climate engagement.” “What that means is different for different people and what you do in life,” she observed. Wilkinson’s best hope is that “people step up and bring their best self to the work, their gifts and talents.” Citing the book “The Artists Way” which guides her climate wayfinding strategy, Wilkinson drives home the point, “Everyone has a creative life that’s worth tending and things to offer.” What Wilkinson wants is for each of us to be a “node of possibility” and bring our creative self to the table.

Wilkerson argues the world needs a different narrative. “The new story is really the old story,” she said. “We’re not separate from the rest of life. We’re impacted by, interwoven with, and connected to all of life.” She attributes “disconnection” to the narrative of “hierarchy running roughshod over life and controlling outcomes.”

“Just about everything we care about connects to climate accelerators in some way,” Wilkinson stressed. “The primary drivers of violence in the world are related to who controls the resources. The myths of disconnectedness and hierarchy and race propose some life matters and some does not.”

For Wilkinson, climate wayfinding is about “honoring the self as a node of possibility by nature connected to all the other nodes of possibility,” a return to the narrative about “the sacredness of life and role of the human species as generous and generative.”

Bringing climate wayfinding down to the grassroots level, Wilkinson suggested for a server at Waffle House creative climate wayfinding might be pointing out to her boss customers had been asking for menu choices with plant-based protein. What Wilkinson wants that server to know is, “You are needed. You have a place in the conversation by being human.”

Tennessee’s traditional sales tax holiday on clothing, school supplies and computers begins at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, July 31, 2026, and ends at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026. 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/taxes/sales-and-use-tax/sales-tax-holiday/sth-traditional.html;.

Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026 in the Primary and General Election. Primary elections will be held for Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Tennessee Senate (odd-numbered districts), Tennessee House, and Republican and Democratic State Executive Commiftees. General elections will be held for vacant state judicial offices and applicable county offices.

Voter Registration Deadline: Tuesday, July 7, 2026

Early Voting: Friday, July 17 - Saturday, Aug. 1, 2026

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: Monday, July 27, 2026

All voters must present a federal or Tennessee state ID containing the voter’s name and photograph when voting at the polls, whether voting early or on Election Day unless an exemption listed below applies.

Any of the following IDs may be used, even if expired:

Tennessee driver license with your photo.

United States Passport.

Photo ID issued by the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Photo ID issued by the federal or Tennessee state government.

United States Military photo ID.

Tennessee handgun carry permit with your photo.

The following individuals are exempt:

Voters who vote absentee by mail (view requirements here <https://sos.tn.gov/elections/guides/guide-to-absentee-voting>)

Voters who are residents of a licensed nursing home or assisted living center and who vote at the facility.

Voters who are hospitalized.

Voters with a religious objection to being photographed.

Voters who are indigent and unable to obtain a photo ID without paying a fee.

For information on the Tennessee Congressional redistricting, go to <https://sos.tn.gov/announcements/2026-congressional-redistricting>

For more information on voting, go to <https://sos.tn.gov/govotetn>.

For more information on sample ballots, and polling locations, go to Franklin County Election Commission <https://www.franklincotn.us/election_commission.html>, phone (931) 967-1893. In Grundy County <https://www.grundycountytn.net/officials/index.html#election>, phone (931) 692-3551. In Marion County <https://marionvotes.com>, phone (423) 942-2108.

Come celebrate, support, and learn more about our new park, Head of the Crow, on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18. Friends of the Parks is hosting Something To Crow About, a Friday night info-dance party to raise awareness and support for the park. Ticket holders will have an opportunity to sign up for curated hikes and adventures in Head of the Crow on Saturday, July 18.

We have found that most everyone is aware of the new park, but few know much about it or the plans for its future, so we decided to do something about it! This is a great opportunity to learn and experience more about the incredible place where you live, work, and play, while meeting new Friends.

Join us at 7 p.m., in Cravens Hall for drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres as you mingle among a series of info-panels and chat with park rangers and key volunteers to learn about the park, future plans, and the work of Friends. Around 8 p.m., the band Upper Level will play while you dance the night away. Childcare is available for ages 5 and up.

For more information and tickets, go to <https://friendsofscsra.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F46376%3Fsource%3Demail>. Get a 20 percent discount by entering the code EARLYBIRD.

Thanks to our sponsors, 100 percent of ticket sales will go to support our work in the parks.

Join us on Friday, July 3, and Saturday, July 4, to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the 40th anniversary of the Sewanee Fourth of July celebration, and the 100th anniversary of the founding of Sewanee Elementary School. We are grateful to celebrate these milestones together as one hometown with a legacy worth honoring. Volunteers are still needed to help with the parade, road marshals, mutt show, and children’s games.

Street Dance 

The celebration will begin at 5 p.m., Friday, July 3, in Angel Park, with food vendors and all-around family fun. The Street Dance will start at 7 p.m., featuring live music by Pink Houses. This event is sponsored by the Sewanee Business Alliance.

Sunrise Yoga

The Sewanee Community Center is hosting a Sunrise Yoga session at 6:45 a.m., July 4, in Manigault Park. The class is free and for any level of yoga ability. Please bring your own mat. The rain location is in Sewanee Community Center.

Doug’s Dash, Special 5K Race

The Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department invites the community to join in remembering Chief Doug Cameron for more than 50 years of dedicated service to the citizens of Sewanee and the surrounding area.

To celebrate Chief Cameron’s remarkable commitment and leadership, a special 5K race, Doug’s Dash, will be on July 4. The race will begin at 6:30 a.m., and will conclude approximately 30 minutes before the annual 8 a.m., flag raising ceremony in Abbo’s Alley.

For over five decades, Chief Cameron answered the call to serve, helping protect lives and property while strengthening the spirit of community that makes Sewanee special. This event is an opportunity for friends, family, neighbors, and visitors to come together and recognize his lasting impact.

Participants of all ages are encouraged to attend, whether running the full 5K, walking or simply coming out to support  the Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department. Check-in and registration is open at 6 a.m. at the old ticket booth by the football field. Registration fee is $30 for the 5K and $15 for the walk. All proceeds go to the Sewanee Volunteer Fire Department.

For additional information, please contact Lieutenant Forrest McBee at (931) 691-9447.

Flag Raising

Rise and shine on July 4 with local Scout Troops 14 and 141 at the 53rd annual Flag Raising. The  Flag Raising will be at 8 a.m., at the Juhan Bridge in Abbo’s Alley as in years past. Immediately following, a potluck breakfast will be at the shady front lawn of the Centennial House. Located at 49 Roarks Cove Road, the Centennial House is a University-owned property that is rentable for events. Ample parking is available at the house and nearby football field. Please use the Texas Avenue entrance and the Ticket Booth Garden to enter and exit the Alley.

Coffee and juice will be provided by the Friend’s of Abbo’s Alley (donations are encouraged). Attendees are asked to bring a pastry or other breakfast dish to share. Individually wrapped or portioned items are encouraged. For more information, call Margaret Beaumont Zucker at (931) 598-5214. This event is open to the community.

This year’s July Fourth Flag Raising in Abbo’s Alley is dedicated to the memory of Peter Smith, a long time Sewanee professor, in recognition of his 43 years as host of Sewanee’s Flag Raising Ceremony. Through Pete’s vision, enthusiasm, and steadfast commitment, a small neighborhood  flag raising evolved into a treasured Sewanee tradition. Pete and his wife, Karen, attended all but one ceremony over those 43 years, leaving a legacy of community spirit and patriotism that will long be remembered.

Monteagle-Sewanee Run/Walk

The 47th annual Monteagle-Sewanee Run/Walk is at 8 a.m., July 4. Run 6.4 miles to Shenanigans via the Mountain Goat Trail. Walkers may begin at the trailhead at Dollar General. Celebration and awards at Shenanigans. No registration fee to participate. No advance registration required.

Arts & Crafts Fair

Join us in Shoup Park starting at 9 a.m., July 4,  to find gifts for your friends and family or a treasure for yourself at the arts & crafts fair. Browse the booths for a wide variety of artisanal artifacts that just might be exactly what you were looking for. 

Cake Contest

Calling all cake bakers! It is time to put your cakes on display. Do you have a favorite cake recipe or a talent for cake decorating? Showcase your skills by entering your cake in the Sewanee Woman’s Club annual Cake Contest. Entering is free of charge.

The categories are Best Tasting, Best Decorated and Best Representation of Theme. Let your creativity shine with this year’s theme.

Adult winners of the Best Tasting, Best Decorated, and Best Representation of theme will receive a $25 gift card from the Piggly Wiggly, the Lemon Fair and the Frame Gallery.

Adult winners of the Best Tasting, Best Decorated, and Best Representation of the Theme will be entered in the Best All-Around Category. The winner of Best All-Around category will receive $100 courtesy of The Sewanee Mountain Messenger. The baker of the best all-around cake rides in a car in the parade wearing the famous winner’s hat. The second runner up of the  Best All-Around  Adult category will receive a one night standard stay courtesy of the Sewanee Inn.

Youth (under 13) winners will receive $10 from The Sewanee Mountain Messenger and a $10 gift certificate for a baked good at LUNCH.

Visit <sewanee4thofjuly.org> under Event Registration to download and print the registration form and bring it with you on July 4. Or you can register when you bring your cake to the Kennerly Hall between 9-9:45 a.m., on Saturday, July 4.

Almost World Famous Mutt Show 

Enter your favorite pooch in the 2026 Almost World Famous Mutt Show! All dogs are welcome to compete — no talent necessary. Please check the list of categories below.

You will need to register at the table in Manigault Park on the day of the event from 9–9:45 a.m.

The show begins at 10 a.m. Ribbons will be awarded for these canine categories: Best Dressed, Owner/Dog Look-Alike, Best Theme, Best Trick and Judges’ Choice. Entrants may register to compete in two categories. The registration fee is $5 per category, and all proceeds will go to the Fourth of July Fireworks. Audience members may contribute to Animal Harbor and MARC. In case of rain, the Almost World Famous Mutt Show will take place in the Equestrian Center. 

We are looking for volunteers to help with set-up, registration and doggie line-up. If you are interested, please contact Laura Beth Merrell at <lemerrel@sewanee.edu>.

Food Vendors

Vendors along University Avenue will begin selling food and drinks at 10 a.m., on Saturday, July 4, and at the fireworks. There will be food vendors during the July 3 Street Dance, starting at 5 p.m. 

Memories at the Sewanee Ball Park

Join us from 10:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., July 4,  for Memories at Sewanee Ball Park!

All coaches, players, parents, officials, workers, and scorekeepers are invited to bring your stories, pictures, uniforms, and any other memorabilia to place on display for everyone to enjoy. Share your memories, bring your gear, and come celebrate the moments that made Sewanee Ball Park special.

Stop by, have a hot dog, enjoy snacks and refreshments, and visit with old friends and fellow ballpark families.

Come reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the history, friendships, and memories created at Sewanee Ball Park!

Children’s Games

Bring the kids to Sewanee’s Central Quad from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. to have some fun before the parade. Please bring money for tickets to play the games. Volunteers needed!

Breslin Tower Bells

At noon, July 4, the Sewanee Guild of Change-Ringers will perform at Breslin Tower.

Carillon Concert

There will be a Carillon Recital at 1 p.m., July 4. Bring a chair to All Saints’ Chapel to enjoy the music.

Parade

The parade starts at 2 p.m. Line-up begins at noon on Lake O’Donnell Road, judging begins at 1 p.m. Please enter Lake O’Donnell at the end closest to the airport. Bicycles are to be at Woody’s Bicycle Shop at 1:30 p.m., for judging. Registration is open on the website <http://www.sewanee4thofjuly.org;. Report to the Welcome Center beside the Sewanee Market to get your entry number and approximate line-up location. 

A float is not required for parade participation. Groups of individuals may walk in the parade if they wish. Registration is open on the website <sewanee4thofjuly.org>.

Parade Observers

We appreciate your help in making the parade safe and enjoyable for everyone.

Please do not park on University Avenue.

If you will be throwing candy, please be sure to throw it as close to the curb as you can. We want to keep our little ones as safe as possible by keeping them from running out into the road. It’s not an easy task, but we can try. If you have a horn or other type of loud noise, please turn it off when your entry reaches the EQB Monument. There are those who do not like to hear the sirens and they will be seated at or near the hospital. Due to insurance precautions, we will once again be asking that you sign a release form. And finally, if you will be riding a motorcycle or 4-wheeler, you will wear your helmet and be very cautious in your driving. Remember, there are children all along the parade route. Your help in this will be greatly appreciated.

Patriotic Celebration

The Sewanee Summer Music Festival is offering a free concert featuring the Cumberland Orchestra. The concert is at 7 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at Guerry Auditorium.

Fireworks & Food Truck Alley

There will be plenty of food vendors lined up along Breakfield Road, starting at 5 p.m., to feed your appetite while you wait for the fireworks to start. Visit the Munchie Map tab on <sewanee4thofjuly.org> to view all the food vendors that will be available. After dark, the Fireworks Show will be at Lake Cheston. There will be a suggested donation of $1 to contribute to next year’s fireworks. As in the past, this is a walking or biking event for most participants. Please plan accordingly to walk or bike to Lake Cheston. Parking at the Lake will be limited to disabled and special needs only. You will need to display your Disabled Driver Decal or Placard to be allowed to park at Lake Cheston.

The Sewanee Fourth of July is sponsored by the University of the South and the Sewanee Community Chest, with leadership from the Sewanee Fourth of July Committee. To volunteer or for more information, email <sewaneejuly4th@gmail.com>, or go to <sewanee4thofjuly.org>

Arnold Engineering Development Complex is celebrating a major milestone, and the community is invited to join in the festivities.

A 75th anniversary open house will be at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of AEDC, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 27. The event is free and open to the public.

“The men and women who currently work at, or have ever been part of the AEDC team, are excited to exhibit this nation’s premier scientific infrastructure to our supportive community partners,” said AEDC Commander Col. Grant Mizell.

AEDC Test Support Division Deputy Director Chad Morris added the open house is a “once-in-a-generation” opportunity for members of the public to get a look behind the gates of Arnold AFB and see where history is made.

“Bring your family, your friends and your curiosity,” he said. “This free open house is our way of saying a massive ‘thank you’ for 75 years of unwavering community support.”

On June 25, 1951, then-President Harry S. Truman dedicated AEDC in honor of the late Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold, often credited as the “father of the Air Force” and whose vision helped bring AEDC to fruition. That dedication in 1951 occurred on what would have been Gen. Arnold’s 65th birthday.

“This celebration marks 75 years of pushing the boundaries of aerospace,” Morris said. “Our theme is ‘The Future is Faster Than You Think: 75 Years of Innovation.’ From the early days of the Space Race to testing the advanced systems of today, this celebration honors our incredible legacy of aerospace innovation and the foundational role AEDC has played in national security for three quarters of a century.”

Members of the public will be able to access Arnold AFB via the Main Gate along Wattendorf Memorial Highway beginning at 8 a.m. The open house event will commence at 9 a.m., and attendees can begin taking part in activities that will take place throughout the day. These include guided bus tours of the AEDC mission facilities, hands-on STEM activities, the “Walk through AEDC History” tents, unit and mission displays, food trucks, and live music featuring Darin Jones & The Last Man Standing and Sara Jones & The Hightones.

The official open house kickoff will occur at 10 a.m. with a welcome from the AEDC commander.

“Arnold Air Force Base has been the cornerstone of testing every major air and space advancement since 1951,” Mizell said. “This base is not only a critical part of aviation history but will continue to drive America’s aerospace dominance for the next 75 years.”

A 75th Anniversary Rededication Ceremony and the sealing of a time capsule honoring former AEDC commanders will take place at noon. This time capsule will not be opened until AEDC’s 100th anniversary in 2051.

“During this event, we will follow in President Truman’s footsteps, where he stood in 1951 to dedicate this base the first time, and we will rededicate this amazing wonder of the world to continue leading America’s national defense for another 75 years,” Mizell said.

Those in attendance will also have the opportunity to observe AEDC history in the making, as a Change of Command ceremony will take place at 3 p.m.

“This is a unique opportunity for our community to witness a cornerstone of military tradition,” Morris said. “Seeing a Change of Command allows the public to share in a deeply historic moment as a new commander takes the helm of this vital complex, a transition that usually happens behind closed gates.”

During this ceremony, the outgoing AEDC commander will transfer leadership of the Complex to a new commander.

“Here is an opportunity for the public to see what happens behind the gates of America’s most high-tech development site and witness the military tradition of AEDC’s Change of Command ceremony, where I will hand off command of this Complex to our incoming teammate, Col. Wayne Dirkes,” Mizell said.

Open house events will take place in front of and near the Arnold AFB Administration & Engineering Building, where attendees will be directed after entering the Main Gate. Guests are asked to adhere to all base security protocols and instructions from security personnel upon entry.

Attendees are also asked to follow the directions of the parking attendees who will guide traffic to the designated parking areas. Guests must remain in the designated event and tour areas and follow the directions of AEDC personnel and law enforcement.

For the safety of all guests, items such as firearms, ammunition, knives/bladed tools, mace/pepper spray, tasers, coolers, glass containers, large bags/backpacks, illegal drugs, alcohol, fireworks, laser pointers, spray paint, wheeled recreational devices, drones, pets excluding service animals are prohibited. This list is not all-inclusive, and additional items may be prohibited at the discretion of AEDC Security during the vent.

All guests and vehicles are subject to search upon entry.

“We hope the public walks away with a deep sense of pride in what happens right here in their own backyard,” Morris said. “Whether it’s seeing the massive facilities on our bus tours or watching kids get inspired by an amazing array of STEM activities in our STEM Zone, we want everyone to feel connected to our mission and excited about the future.”

There is still time for local businesses to get involved in the open house, as organizers are actively accepting event sponsors and vendors. To sponsor, contact (931) 454-3128. Those interested in becoming a vendor may contact (931) 454-7425.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the June 16 meeting, the Sewanee Utility District Board of Commissioners approved service requests for two residential projects, one for water and sewer service to homes the University proposes to build and the other from Sewanee Mountain Partners for water service for a residential development across from St. Andrew’s-Sewanee School. The Sewanee Mountain Partners project calls for an onsite sewage disposal facility. In keeping with government regulations, SUD would need to approve another sewage facility operating in its district. The board did not issue a decision on the sewage dispersal question.

The University applied for water and sewer service for 20 residences, 15 on Lake O’Donnell Road and five on Hat Rock Road. The two-inch sewer force main line on Lake O’Donnell Road was at capacity, SUD manager Ben Beavers said. “I told them they will need to upgrade to a four-inch line.” Beavers suggested to the University one grinder pump could serve two homes, instead of just one. “We have plenty of water,” Beavers observed when recommending approval of the project.

The Sewanee Mountain Partners project calls for 36 single family residences and 10 townhomes, two groups of five each. The developers will increase the water service line to the property from two-inches to six-inches. For sewage disposal, each home and each group of townhouses will have a septic tank with the effluent pumped to an onsite drip field for dispersal.

“Water is not an issue. Forty units is not a huge impact, and we get a water line,” Beavers said. “The issue is the sewer.” Tennessee Association of Utility District attorney Don Scholes advised Beavers on the legal ramifications of the proposed onsite sewage disposal facility. Because SUD has a USDA loan for sewer rehabilitation, SUD has the sole right to provide water and sewer service within the boundaries of the district. SUD is also protected by a private act designating the utility as the water and sewer service provider within the district boundaries. In addition to SUD’s approval, the project would also need to be approved by the county mayor, the Tennessee Public Utility Commission, and the USDA Rural Development loan providers.

“I don’t think it’s totally a bad idea not to do the sewer for this.” Beavers said. He cited two options if SUD were to do sewer treatment for the development: the developers could pay for infrastructure upgrades to pump the sewage to SUD or the developers could construct the onsite facility and turn ownership and operation over to SUD. “The problem,” Beavers said, “is it won’t cost us anything up front, but it will cost us $40,000 a year to fund the depreciation.” To offset the additional $40,000 expense per year, the cost divided among 40 residences would mean charging each residence $1,000 per year for 30-50 years. Beavers noted another plus to not owning the on-site sewage dispersal facility was that SUD would not be liable for any Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation violations. Commissioner Donnie McBee pointed out the proposed drip field location was on high ground with the possibility of downhill leaching of dispersed effluent.

Beavers said he would advise the Sewanee Mountain Partners developers granting approval for water service “did not convey approval” of the proposed onsite sewage dispersal facility. “It’s a separate issue that will need to be taken up at a different time,” he stressed. He recommended a meeting with the project engineer before reaching a decision on the sewage dispersal proposal.

In other business, the board also approved increasing the number of paid holidays per year from 10 to 12. Suggesting the increase, Beavers said the average number of holidays was 12 for utility district and municipal government employees in the area. The additional holidays will be designated as “floating holidays” assigned annually. “Every year is different so there are days that might work better than others,” said SUD Board President Charlie Smith, citing the example of holidays falling on a Saturday. Beavers thanked the board for increasing the number of holidays. “The employees will appreciate it, and I do as well.”

Morton Memorial United Methodist Church is announcing plans to create a dedicated home for its long-standing food mission through a new space known as The Well.

Located on church-owned property immediately behind the church campus on Main Street in Monteagle, The Well will provide a permanent space designed specifically to support and expand the mission’s work of serving neighbors facing food insecurity. The project represents an important investment in a mission that has become one of Morton Memorial’s most visible and impactful community outreach efforts.

For years, the church’s food ministry has faithfully operated from the Fellowship Hall, providing food and support to hundreds of individuals and families. While that arrangement has served the ministry well, church leaders recognized an opportunity to make better use of existing church property while creating a space specifically designed for food ministry operations.

To make this vision a reality, Morton Memorial has launched the Filling the Well Campaign, a $1 million effort to fund the renovation and preparation of the property as the new home for The Well while also establishing an endowment to help sustain the mission’s operations well into the future. The campaign will ensure that both the facility and the mission it houses remain strong and vibrant for generations to come.

The new facility will allow the mission to operate more efficiently, provide additional storage, improve traffic flow and safety, and create a more welcoming environment for guests. It will also free the Fellowship Hall for church and community gatherings, allowing both ministries to flourish without competing for space.

“One of the exciting things about this project is that we already have the property,” said Melisa Derseweh, pastor at Morton. “The land is there. The mission is thriving. This project simply brings the two together in a way that allows us to serve our community more effectively while preparing for future growth.”

In addition to providing a dedicated facility, The Well will allow the mission to continue evolving toward a more personalized shopping experience that gives guests greater choice and dignity while fostering relationships between volunteers and those they serve.

The name The Well carries both historical and spiritual significance. The property that will become the mission’s new home once contained wells that provided water and sustenance for the surrounding community. Just as those wells served as a source of life and provision in an earlier time, Morton Memorial envisions The Well as a place that will continue that legacy of caring for neighbors and meeting essential needs.

“Long before this project was imagined, this property has a history of serving the community through the wells located there,” said Mike Keen, Chair, Church Leadership Board. “We love the idea that it will once again become a source of provision and care for our neighbors. The mission is different, but the purpose remains remarkably similar.”

The response from the congregation and community has been encouraging. To date, 46 percent of the campaign’s goal has already been committed through gifts and pledges, reflecting broad support for the project and confidence in its mission.

“Morton Memorial invites individuals, families, businesses, and community partners who share this vision to consider joining the effort. Every gift, regardless of size, helps create a place where neighbors can find nourishment, dignity, connection, and hope,” said Alyse Getty, Food Mission director.

For more information about The Well, the Filling the Well Campaign, or opportunities to support the project, contact Susan Askew, campaign chair at <saskew@sewanee.edu> or visit <www.mortonmemorialumc.org/thewell>.

The Appalachian Conservation Institute (ACI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit protecting nearly 11,000 acres in Tennessee’s Little Sequatchie Cove, today announced the opening of the Mountain Laurel Trail, a brand new hiking trail that runs through one of the region’s most biodiverse landscapes and features waterfall views. Access to the Mountain Laurel Trail as well as the rest of ACI’s nearly 11,000 acres is free through their online permitting system at <aci.recaccess.com>.

“With the Mountain Laurel Trail, we want to give people a chance to get out on the land and walk it, feel it, experience it,” said Rick Huffines, Executive Director of the Appalachian Conservation Institute. “The 11,000 acres we protect belong to the whole community, not just a few.”

Founded in 2023 by Michael and Karmin Pace, ACI was started with the mission of providing a new model for conservation philanthropy. The Paces privately acquired most of the land that ACI now protects, and they have been donating it to ACI over time to protect it into perpetuity. From day one, free community access has been central to ACI’s conservation efforts.

“Land protection, conservation, and research has always been a mission we support, and one that we were able to help actualize through the establishment of ACI,” said Michael Pace, ACI founder and Board member. “We bought this land to protect it from development and ultimately, to give it back to the community. We envision this to be a place of discovery and learning, and an important part of that is making sure it’s accessible to the public.”

The Mountain Laurel Trail is ACI’s first-ever dedicated hiking trail, an approximately 3-mile moderate loop through the South Cumberland Mountains in Marion County, Tennessee. The loop runs between Avary Point and a nearly 60-ft waterfall that swells to a roar after big rains. A picnic shelter situated at the top of the waterfall gives hikers a scenic place to eat lunch while enjoying the views. Mountain laurel blooms in the late spring along the path, giving the trail its name.

The trail was entirely community-funded. A grassroots giving campaign in December 2025 raised $7,730 from 68 individual donors, reaching 154 percent of its original $5,000 goal. That funding paid for the trail, the picnic shelter, and the waterfall overlook platform. The entire build was completed in just three weeks by ACI’s facilities crew. The trail opened to the public in late May 2026, following a private ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by more than 40 of the donors who made it possible.

“Sixty-eight people funded this trail because they wanted to be part of something bigger than themselves,” said Huffines. “At ACI, we are companions to this land, and we invite the community to join us in our efforts. It takes all of us.”

The Mountain Laurel Trail is the first in the planned build-out of ACI’s public trail network. To find the trail, navigate to 1900 Pryor Ridge Road, Tracy City, and follow the signs to the trailhead.

Alongside its public access mission, ACI conducts scientific research across its property, as well as large-scale land restoration projects. Little Sequatchie Cove has rare cave systems, unique geological formations, and ecologically significant habitat that several threatened and endangered species depend on. The land ACI protects is some of the most scientifically and ecologically significant in the southeastern United States.

Visitors can access the Mountain Laurel Trail and all of ACI’s property by obtaining a free permit at <aci.recaccess.com>. Permits are available online, free of charge, and are required for all visitors. ACI property is open for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, and climbing.

Founded in 2023 by Michael and Karmin Pace, the Appalachian Conservation Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization protecting nearly 11,000 acres in Tennessee’s Little Sequatchie Cove, just outside Tracy City. ACI’s mission is to serve as a leading example of conservation philanthropy through proactive land protection, restoration, and scientific education. For more information, visit <appalachianconservation.org> or follow @appalachianconservationinst on Instagram and Facebook.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the June 8 Franklin County School Board meeting, board member Sarah Marhevsky asked the board to revisit the policy governing enrollment in high school advanced placement and honors courses. A policy change last year resulted in what Marhevsky called “a shift in how students could get in.” Previously teacher recommendation weighed in the decision. At present, to qualify for an honors course a student must have received a grade of B or higher in the non-honors section of the course and must also meet or exceed the grade level standards on the TCAP or OEC assessment. “We all know students who aren’t great testers,” Marhevsky said. “My goal is to find different ways to approach this.”

Marhevsky argued being denied enrollment in an honors or AP class could hurt a student’s college admission prospects. “Colleges look at the kind of courses a student is taking based on what their school offers,” she explained. The college the student hoped to attend would give less weight to the significance of receiving “all A’s” if the student did not take honors courses when they were available.

Marhevsky pointed to other school districts which used criteria in addition to the TCAP benchmark in weighing a student’s qualification for honors course enrollment: a grade of 80 percent or higher; a grade of C or higher and teacher or parent recommendation; a point system where a student was scored on a combination of grades, TCAP assessment, and recommendation. She cautioned against giving too much weight to middle-school TCAP scores when determining eligibility for a high school honors course, arguing middle-school scores “don’t accurately reflect a students’ ability.” She cited statistics showing district-wide middle school TCAP scores were significantly lower than elementary school and high school TCAP scores.

“We can give this to our committee, to reassess, and then get back to us,” said Board Chair CleiJo Walker. “It needs to go before the ones who deal with these programs in the schools, because they’re the ones who came up with the rubrics for this policy.”

In other business, the board approved the Fees List for Franklin County and Huntland high schools for the 2026-2027 school year.

Board member Sara Leichty questioned the $750 fee for cheerleading. “That’s a lot of money,” Marhevsky said. “I don’t want any child to feel they can’t participate.” “I don’t believe that’s happening,” replied FCHS Principal Britney Butner. Butner said parents of former cheerleaders often stepped up to help with costs. “They do a lot of fundraising,” Walker said. The fee includes $650 for cheerleading camp.

Asked about the $100 Marching Band fee at Huntland High School, Principal Lisa Crabtree said, “Our fee in the past had been $60.” She attributed the fee increase to the increase in the cost of repairing instruments and purchasing music.

The Legislative Update included information on several bills recently passed by the legislature which had received little attention. One new bill allows school boards to interview candidates for the position of Director of Schools in a closed executive session. Another new bill provides for a board of nine teachers who will be allowed to review the TCAP test questions. Vice Chair Lance Williams questioned the value of the practice, since no information was given on the reviewer teachers selection process and how the reviewers would share information.

A bill which did not pass would allow students to attend any public school of their family’s choice. Marhevsky said she anticipates the legislature will revisit the bill. She questioned whether the state funding would follow the child or stay with the district of residence.

The Monteagle Sunday School Assembly in Monteagle continues its 144th consecutive summer season of enrichment through Sunday, Aug. 2, 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. (Warren Chapel) and evening lectures at 7:45 p.m. (Auditorium). Anyone interested in a full schedule of the Monteagle Assembly’s 2026 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>.

Mount Vernon is best known as George Washington’s home on the Potomac River, a historic monument to our country’s first president. But Mount Vernon is also an active research site and archaeological treasure. On Thursday evening, the Assembly welcomes Adam Erby, who serves as executive director for historic preservation and collections and the Martha Washington chief curator at Mount Vernon. His lecture, “Object Lessons: Recent Discoveries from George Washington’s Mount Vernon,” will share some of his work in preserving and researching the history of this legendary figure of American history.

Two well-known figures to the Assembly host a workshop and performance on Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream this week. Each afternoon (Monday-Friday, 2:30-4:30 p.m.) in the Auditorium, Colby Henderson-Black and Lina Wellborn will rehearse, costume, set design, and prepare a performance of this whimsical play. No prior experience is required for this fun theatrical adventure! The performance will take place Friday evening at 6:45 p.m., on the Mall. Bring a blanket or camp chair to enjoy Shakespeare outdoors!

The Wayne & Virginia Jervis Bible week features four lectures Tuesday-Friday with Tom McCullough, a retired professor of religion and history at Centre College. His lecture series includes the following topics, all at 10:45 a.m. in Warren Chapel:

Tuesday: The Dead Sea Scrolls: Their Discovery, Translation, and Interpretation

Wednesday: Qumran: An Outpost of Essenes?

Thursday: Jesus, the Essenes, and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Friday: Jesus, the Essenes, and the Dead Sea Scrolls

Additional events in the week ahead include the following:

Tuesday, June 16, 8:30-10:30 a.m., Meet at Warren Chapel—Richard Candler leads a bird walk and talk. Please bring binoculars. Advance registration required at MSSA office.

Tuesday, June 16, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Shady Dell—Virginia Curry leads a make-and-take workshop: fabric garland for any season. Advance registration required as space is limited; gate ticket required; $10 workshop fee.

Wednesday, June 17, 3 p.m., Harton Hall—Harriet Plyler shares a cooking demonstration: Emergency Party Planning.

Thursday, June 18, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Pulliam Center—Brendie Mitchell and Shari Knight lead a workshop: Brain Health for Aging Well. Advance registration required as space is limited; gate ticket required; no fee.

Saturday, June 20, 7:45 p.m., Mall Gazebo—Bradley Cole Smith and Nelson Nolan share music, A Night Under the Stars.

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 Blythe Ford, Messenger Staff Writer

The 69th season of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival opens this Sunday, June 14, with a few exciting changes to the program. This season will focus on community engagement, and with the help of grants from the Tennessee Arts Commission and the South Cumberland Community Fund, the festival is now more open and accessible than ever, thanks to free tickets, a no-cost shuttle service running all over the plateau, and a finale that will include free classes and rehearsals for community members wishing to participate in the volunteer-focused Beethoven Choir.

In past seasons, the Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF) has offered educational opportunities to young classical musicians and granted the community access to their artistic talents — community involvement has always been part of their mission, but this year takes it to a new level. In the words of SSMF director Hillary Herndon, “The Sewanee Summer Music Festival serves as a premier training ground for emerging professional musicians while also creating opportunities for people across the Plateau to experience and participate in exceptional musical performances.” She added, “We believe music should be accessible to everyone.” This commitment is reflected in an expansion of the free-of-cost events and the new Bass Line shuttle service which will ferry people from all across the Plateau; not even gas money will be an obstacle for anyone wanting to experience the joy of music.

The season opens with the first of the Faculty Artist Series on June 14 at 7:30 p.m., in Guerry Auditorium, and continues through other performances by faculty and students until closing with the Beethoven Choir on July 12. For anyone new to the festival, the Faculty Series offers a look at the talents of the program’s instructors, and according to Herndon, “set[s] the artistic standard that inspires our students through the summer.” Past crowd favorites have included the OperaFest series, where opera students just beginning their careers perform excerpts from well-known works. For an experience of the best student talent, a spectator can seek out the Chamber Music Intensive or the Jacqueline Avent Concerto Showcase, in which instrumental students compete to perform. However, it is the Beethoven Choir that should draw the most community interest this year.

The Beethoven Choir that ends the season is an event that relies on volunteers to lend their voices to the performance of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, also known as the “Ode to Joy.” Community members are invited to learn, rehearse, and perform under the guidance of the program’s faculty and in collaboration with students to create an event that truly showcases the importance of the plateau and its people to the SSMF. In Herndon’s words: “The season finale of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony will be especially powerful this summer. Bringing together Festival musicians and community singers, it embodies the spirit of collaboration, shared purpose, and celebration that has made the Sewanee Summer Music Festival an important part of life on the Plateau for nearly seven decades.”

The 69th SSMF season has a lot to offer both program participants and lucky spectators; for more information about the SSMF, a full calendar of events, the Bass Line shuttle schedule, and participation forms for the Beethoven Choir, visit the SSMF website at <ssmf.sewanee.edu>. Let’s all enjoy, in Herndon’s words, “a true Summer For All — one that welcomes longtime patrons, first-time concert goers, families, students, and visitors alike.”

The University of the South is participating in the Summer Food Service Program through July 31. Meals will be provided to all children without charge and are the same for all children regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service (not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). There will be no service on July 4 or July 5. Meals will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis at the sites and times as follows:

Palmer Library, 2115 Main St., Palmer. Mondays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Grundy Safe Communities Coalition, 14399 US-41, Tracy City. Mondays, 3–6 p.m.

Trinity Episcopal Church, 213 1st Ave., NW, Winchester. Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pelham United Methodist Church, 2440 SR 50, Pelham. Wednesdays, 3– 6 p.m.

Coalmont Elementary (UT Extension), 7862 TN-56, Coalmont. Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Beersheba Springs Medical Clinic, 19592 TN-56, Beersheba Springs. Thursdays, 3–6 p.m.

Sherwood/Crow Creek Community Center, 10225 Sherwood Rd., Sherwood. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Altamont Public Library, 1433 Main St., Altamont. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Morton Memorial UMC Food Distribution, 322 W. Main St., Monteagle. Saturday June 13 and Saturday, July 11, 8–10 a.m.

To file a program complaint alleging discrimination, complete the USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form (AD-3027), found online at http://www.ascr.usda/gov/compl... and at any USDA office, or write a letter addressed to USDA and provide in the letter all of the information requested in the form. To request a copy of the complaint form, call (866) 632-9992. Submit your completed form or letter to USDA by:

Mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410

Fax:(202) 690-7442; or Email: Program.intake@usda.gov

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

The Monteagle Planning Commission tackled a long agenda at a two-and-a-half hour meeting on June 2. The commission approved the site plan for Morton Memorial United Methodist’s food pantry. Parking, group living quarters, and fencing topped the discussion list for the new rules for C-1 commercial and adjacent residential property. To deter data centers from locating in Monteagle, the commission charged town planner Jonathan Rush with drafting an amendment to Industrial Zoning ordinance.

Located across the street from the church on a lot bordered by Church Street, Catherine Avenue, Winston Avenue, half of the 5,000 square foot food pantry will be a warehouse, and half will be for food distribution. The food ministry currently operates one Saturday a month and serves 300 clients. “It’s a mad house,” said church spokesperson Rich Wyckoff. When the new facility is complete, the ministry will host two food distributions per week, eight per month. Clients will come in and shop rather than staying in their cars, observed church spokesperson David Pilcher. Plans call for 25 parking spaces.

Following up on discussion at the May meeting, the amended Downtown Zoning code drafted by Rush defined the boundaries of Primary C-1 commercial by streets, with all C-1 commercial property not within the Primary district boundary designated as Secondary, and all residential property touching the C-1 commercial corridor falling under the rules for the Residential Overlay.

Commissioner Katie Trahan took issue with no minimum parking space requirements, aside from the requirement of a minimum of one parking space for residences in the Residential Overlay district. “If parking is a problem in the future, it would be a good problem to have,” said Commissioner Nate Wilson. The rationale of no minimum parking requirement in C-I commercial was to encourage development rather than “to fill downtown with parking,” Wilson stressed. “We’re trying to lower the barriers for commercial development.” When parking is offered, the new rules call for parking at the side or in the rear. Trahan argued, “tourists need parking” and “employees need to park.” Wilson suggested private parking could be supplemented with public parking and noted the new rules encouraged shared parking. He pointed to an opportunity for public parking by narrowing College Street. “Narrow lanes would slow traffic,” commented Commissioner Dan Sargent, citing an additional advantage.

By the new rules, if a business chooses to have parking, there is no required minimum number of spaces. Currently, building size, use, and other criteria determine the number of parking spaces required, with the number of handicapped parking spaces required based on the total number of spaces. If there is no parking, a business was not required to provide handicapped parking, Wilson said.

Trahan challenged the rule calling for landscaping adjacent to all parking. “That’s a lot,” she insisted. Wilson agreed 70 percent landscaping would be more reasonable.

Trahan also questioned there being no minimum building footprint size in C-1 commercial. “What would that save us from?” Wilson asked. “To encourage small businesses, we need to lower the entry points.” On the subject of fencing, Trahan spoke for forbidding chain-link fences in front, rather than just discouraging them. By the new rules, the maximum height for fences is 48 inches and requires 50 percent transparency. Wilson commented there were no rules on materials used for building construction. “That gets into design standards we’re trying to avoid,” he said.

The rules for Residential Overly property call for a 2,500 square foot minimum lot size; 40 feet maximum width and 70 feet maximum depth residence size (allowing for a shot-gun style house); and a 9 foot minimum ceiling height. Trahan asked about the provision allowing for “group quarters and dormitories.” Wilson said the intention was to allow for “hostels,” group living with individual quarters and a shared kitchen. “It’s just so broad,” Trahan countered. “Sometimes there are things [consequences] you don’t think of.” She approved of Wilson’s suggestion to add “short-term” shared quarters. Rush proposed the rule stipulate “hostels” which had a “very specific” definition.

The commission tabled approving the new C-1 rules and Residential Overlay proposal to allow for final proofreading and incorporating the suggested changes.

Wilson introduced the discussion on data centers locating in Monteagle. “The county is wrestling with it [allowing data centers to locate in Grundy County], because they don’t have zoning. We’re silent on it. [Data Centers] are not in our zoning ordinance.” Wilson proposed including data centers under “industrial uses.”

“We can’t ban them,” Wilson acknowledged, “but we could make it use upon review.” This would enable Monteagle to refuse to allow a data center to locate there due to having insufficient water for the facility’s cooling needs. Rush will draft a zoning ordinance amendment defining data centers as an industrial use only allowed upon review.

Revisiting the May discussion about the site-plan submittal process, the commission voted to adopt a timeline delineating the steps: the developer must submit an electronic copy of the proposed site plan to the town staff and the required engineering fee must be paid no later than 30 days before the next planning commission meeting; the staff will distribute the electronic copy for review to the enforcement officer, town planner, town engineer, and other reviewing officials; once all reviewing parties have made their comments, the site plan will go back to the developer for revisions. The developer will provide reviewers with a paper copy upon request. The developer must supply a paper copy for final site plan review by the planning commission.