Every summer the School of Letters invites our acclaimed faculty and other prominent, nationally recognized writers and scholars to read their work and speak about the writing life. 

Justin Taylor and Emily Adrian will have a reading at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, in Naylor Auditorium. Reception to follow in Gailor Atrium. 

Justin Taylor is the author of the memoir “Riding with the Ghost,” published by Random House in 2020. Lauren Groff said the memoir was “gorgeously layered and deeply felt.” He is also the author of three books of fiction: the story collections “Everything Here Is the Best Thing Ever” (2010), “Flings” (2014), and the novel “The Gospel of Anarchy” (2011). His work has appeared in the New Yorker, Harper’s, BOMB, the Sewanee Review, and Bookforum, as well as many others. He is the co-author with Adam Wilson of the original screenplay “Last Days of Basic Cable.” His latest novel, “Reboot,” will be published in April 2024.

Emily Adrian is the author of the novels “Everything Here Is Under Control” and “The Second Season,” a novel about a former women’s college basketball star who becomes the first female NBA announcer, which Kareem Abdul-Jabaar called “riveting, insightful, and touching.” Her memoir, “Daughterhood,” will be published by Autofocus Press in 2024. She is also the author of two critically acclaimed novels for young adults, “Like It Never Happened” and “The Foreseeable Future.” She has published short fiction in Granta, Joyland, and Epoch. She is a co-founder and senior editor at Great Place Books, where she also runs a popular series of seminars and workshops for writers of all ages.

Join us on the second floor of Shenanigans at 6 p.m., Wednesday, July 10,  as our MFA candidates read selections of their prose, poetry, and fiction.

For more information go to <letters.sewanee.edu>.

The Monteagle Sunday School Assembly in Monteagle continues its 142nd consecutive summer season of enrichment with an interdenominational worship service at 11 a.m. in the Assembly’s Warren Chapel. The eight-week season will continue through Sunday, Aug. 4, 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. Anyone interested in a full schedule of the Monteagle Assembly’s 2024 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 <www.mssa1882.org>.

One of the most beloved times at the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly is this week as the Assembly celebrates the July 4th holiday. This year will keep beloved traditions alive, including a Patriotic Brass Prelude by the Sewanee Summer Music Festival to honor those who have served in the Armed Forces and the annual Candlelight Service on the Mall to honor those who were born, married, or died in the last year. Fireworks end the day at the North Gate Field.

Friday, July 5, will see MSSA Trails committee chair David Peacock lecturing on the status of the trails and the fundraiser to maintain and expand these trails. Peacock will lecture at 10:45 a.m. in Warren Chapel and then lead a trail walk that departs from the Auditorium at 2:30 p.m. that day. A fundraiser Saturday evening at the Gymnasium will include a dance and auction.

The following week (July 7-13), the Assembly welcomes Katherine Walters, who will offer two programs of particular interest to parents. Her Tuesday morning lecture, “Simple Strategies for Raising Kids in a Digital World,” is sure to appeal to parents who struggle to know what kinds of boundaries and permissions are appropriate for their kids. Later that day, Walters will offer a workshop, “Raising Kids in a Digital World: Learn life hacks and simple strategies” from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in the Pulliam Center. (Advance registration required, as there is limited space. Inquire at the MSSA Office.) Walters is a licensed professional school counselor and educator who has worked in school systems in Virginia and Ohio.

Beloved southern cake expert Anne Byrn will lecture Wednesday morning on “Baking in the American South,” with a cake tasting and book signing to follow. Byrn is a New York Times-bestselling food writer and author based in Nashville. She writes the weekly newsletter, “Between the Layers,” on Substack. She is perhaps best known for her bestselling book, Cake Mix Doctor, and its sequels.

Additional events in the coming two weeks include the following:

Monday, July 1, 2:30 p.m., meet at Auditorium — All-Assembly Outreach Project with Housing Sewanee. Volunteers are welcome (ages 5-99) to help create homes for those in need of affordable housing. More information at <housingsewaneeinc.com>.

Tuesday, July 2, 10:45 a.m., Warren Chapel — ”Hear Them Now: Lost Voices of the Assembly” lecture and presentation with Richard Boeth and the MSSA Archives Committee.

Tuesday, July 2, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Shady Dell — Workshop: Flower Arranging with Judy Walling, instructor. Advance registration required; $40 materials fee; limited space.

Wednesday, July 3, 10:45 a.m., Warren Chapel — Dr. Leif Torkelsen lectures on “Empires on Credit: Warfare and the Emergence of Capital Markets in Europe” (1400-1800).

Friday, July 5, 2:30 p.m., Writers’ Grove (rain location: Warren Chapel) — Susan Binkley reads from her book, “From My Front Row Seat,” with a signing to follow.

Monday-Friday, July 8-12, 2:30-5 p.m., Art Pavilion — Oil Painting Workshop with Kim Barrick. Advance registration required; limited space.

Tuesday, July 9, 7:45 p.m., Auditorium — Sewanee Summer Music Festival Performance.

Wednesday, July 9, 2:30-4:30 p.m., Pulliam Center — Beginner’s Genealogy Workshop on where to find records with Merryanne Pierson. Advance registration required; space limited.

Thursday, July 11, 10:45 a.m., Warren Chapel — Anne Monfore lectures on “Majorie Merriweather Post: The American Empress.”

Thursday, July 11, 7:45 p.m., Auditorium — Rabbi Bruce Aft lectures on “The Healing Power of Forgiveness.”

Friday, July 12, 10:45 a.m., Warren Chapel — Sewanee Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Pearigen lectures on “The Ever-Changing Trends of Getting into College and How Sewanee Has Adapted.”

Friday, July 12, 2:30 p.m., Writers’ Grove (rain location: Warren Chapel) — Rabbi Bruce Alt reads from Dr. Marc Grobin’s book, “Healing the Heart of Conflict.”

Saturday, July 13, 5:30-8:15 p.m., The Mall — Jazz Picnic with Art Four Sale Band. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.

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

Headed up by Martha Ann Pilcher and Iva Michelle Russell, Monteagle has launched a community email information service modeled after Sewanee Classifieds. At the June 24 Monteagle Council meeting, the community received information about how the service worked and how to sign up. In regular business, Mayor Greg Maloof announced July 4 parade plans. The council approved purchase of body cameras for the police department, a resolution authorizing an updated Drought Plan, increasing court costs, and a building-permit fees schedule.

The Monteagle Classifieds email service provides a central repository for information on upcoming events; weather alerts; fire, police and 911 notices; school, Monteagle City Hall, Chamber of Commerce, and local business announcements; lost dogs, cats, and people; items offered for sale or trade; items people are in search of; recommendations for physician, carpenters, plumbers — all the everyday things people want to know about. Pilcher explained people complained about not knowing about events or meetings until they had passed. “Not everyone reads the paper,” Pilcher said. “Not everyone is on Facebook.” To sign up for the no-charge email service, contact Pilcher at <maspilcher@gmail.com>. To read recent posts and post announcements without signing up for receiving Monteagle Classifieds emails in your inbox, use a search engine to visit Monteagle Classifieds-Google Groups.

Pilcher also chairs the Beautification Committee which is raising funds to purchase an electric digital sign for Monteagle Elementary School and planning a Christmas tree lighting event for the holidays. Email Pilcher to get involved.

Updating the community on the July 4 parade, Maloof said lineup would be 9 a.m. at the flea market across from McDonald’s, with the parade starting at 10 a.m. Fire Chief Travis Lawyer and Police Chief William Raline will serve as grand marshals. Clarifying a comment he made about July 4 parade sirens and horn honking, Maloof said, “I worry about all citizens, seniors, babies, even pets. Please be mindful of those as you toot your siren or horn. I’m not sure we need a blast that lasts two to three minutes, but a little wail of a siren won’t bother people. The Monteagle fire and police departments understand and will help spread the word.”

In his police report, Raline said the department was fully staffed now. “We would not be there without you,” he said making reference to the police wage increase. New officers will be introduced at the next meeting. Raline requested and received approval for purchase of five body cameras, cost $17,000.

Maloof said he worked with Monteagle engineer Travis Wilson and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) in updating Monteagle’s Drought Plan. The plan incorporates water conservation measures agreed upon with TDEC in cooperation with the other plateau water utilities, Big Creek, Sewanee, and Tracy City. “There were no significant changes in the plan,” Maloof said. He called on residents to adopt conservative water use practices now, even though no trigger points calling for restricted water use had been reached. “We haven’t had rain in many days, except for last night. I don’t know when it’s going to rain again of any consequence. The rainfall last night came to one-quarter inch I was told by our water plant people. It wasn’t enough to make a dent. There’s an increased demand on Monteagle’s water supply during the summer, August being one of the highest months.”

Monteagle raised court costs from $123 to $143. Research by the court clerk and police department prompted the change, Maloof said. “The increase puts us more in line with other municipalities.”

The building permit fee ordinance approved by the council formally adopted the fee schedule put in place by former building inspector Earle Geary. The fee schedule also assigns a fee for permit applicants seeking consultation with the building inspector.

Sewanee’s Fourth of July Parade Committee is proud to announce that Rob and Phoebe Pearigen are the Grand Marshals for 2024!

The Pearigen family’s connections to Sewanee run deep. They are no strangers to the community and are the embodiment of EQB motto, “Behold how good and pleasant it is when kindred live together in unity.”

Rob, C’76, graduated from the University Phi Beta Kappa with a bachelor of arts in political science. At Sewanee, he was a proctor and president of the University’s academic honor society, the Order of the Gown. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from Duke University.

Rob returned to Sewanee in 1987 as dean of men and as a member of the political science faculty. Over the next 23 years, he served as dean of students and then as vice president for university relations. He served as the president of Millsaps College from 2010 to 2023. On July 1, 2023, he took office as the 18th vice-chancellor and president of the University of the South.

Phoebe served for years as an adjunct professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Sewanee and made significant contributions to dance programs in the community, including founding the Sewanee Conservatory and initiating the student-led dance organization Perpetual Motion. She has degrees from Birmingham-Southern College and Southern Methodist University and currently serves on the board for the USA International Ballet Competition.

The couple’s two children, Carolyn, C’14, and Wes, C’17, are both actively engaged alumni.

Please join us on Thursday, July 4, to celebrate Rob and Phoebe, two of Sewanee’s finest!

The Sewanee Fourth of July Committee invites everyone to join us on Wednesday, July 3, and Thursday, July 4, to commemorate the formation of the United States of America and celebrate with fun, food, family, and friends.Visit our website <http://www.sewanee4thofjuly.org; for more information.

Red White Blue — Thankful for You

The Sewanee Fourth of July Committee invites everyone to join us on Wednesday, July 3, and Thursday, July 4, to commemorate the formation of the United States of America and celebrate with fun, food, family, and friends.Visit our website <http://www.sewanee4thofjuly.org; for more information.

Street Dance

The celebration will begin at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, July 3, in Angel Park, with food vendors and all-around family fun. The Street Dance will start at 6:30 p.m. featuring live music by Utopia. 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., Thursday, 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.

Annual Monteagle-Sewanee Run/Walk

The 45th annual Monteagle-Sewanee Run/Walk is at 8 a.m., Thursday, 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; purchase a commemorative race t-shirt at the Snack Shop in advance in lieu of a free t-shirt + registration fee. No advance registration required.

Flag Raising

Rise and shine on the Fourth of July with local Boy Scout Troop 14 at the 51st annual Flag Raising ceremony. This year the ceremony kicks off at 8 a.m. at Juhan Bridge in Abbo’s Alley with a pot-luck breakfast following in the shared driveway of the Smiths, Gardners, and Beaumont Zuckers. Come join us in this festive celebration and tradition of patriotic song, accompanied by the Sewanee Summer Music Festival Brass Quintet, flag raising, and fellowship. Coffee and juice will be provided by the Friends of Abbo’s Alley (donations 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.

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 gift cards from Piggly Wiggly, Frame Gallery and The Sewanee Inn.

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 and a $50 gift certificate from The Lemon Fair. The baker of the best all-around cake rides in a car in the parade wearing the famous winner’s hat. And, thanks to Ken Taylor of Taylor’s Mercantile, the baker of the best all-around cake can display the beautiful first place ribbon in the parade.

Youth (under 13) winners will receive $10 from The Sewanee Mountain Messenger and a card for ice cream from The Blue Chair.

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 American Legion Hall between 9-9:45 a.m. on July 4. If you want to write a short description of the cake, please bring it with you and we will put it alongside your entry. You may also want to take a picture of your cake and print it out so we can put it by your cake. That way, everybody will get to see your artwork after the judging.

Winners will be announced at noon.

If you have questions, please email <paulayeatman033@gmail.com>.

Almost World Famous Mutt Show

Enter your favorite pooch in the 2024 Fourth of July Mutt Show! All dogs are welcome to compete—no talent necessary.

The Mutt Show will begin in Manigault Park at 10 a.m.

You will need to register at the table in Manigault Park on the day of the event from 9 to 9:45 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 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 Bentley Cook at <bentley.s.cook@gmail.com>.

Food Vendors

Vendors along University Avenue will begin selling food and drinks at 10 a.m., on Thursday, July 4, and at the fireworks. There will be food vendors during the July 3 Street Dance. Registration is closed. The Munchie Map is located on the website <http://www.sewanee4thofjuly.or...;. Come hungry.

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 and crafts fair. Browse the booths for a wide variety of artisanal artifacts that just might be exactly what you were looking for.

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.

Tower Bells

At noon, The University of the South Guild of Change-Ringers will perform at Breslin Tower.

Carillon Concert

There will be a Carillon Recital at 1 p.m. 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.or...;.

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. I know it’s not an easy task, but we can try. Also, 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 Sewanee Festival Band. The concert is at 7 p.m., Thursday, 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.

Vice-Chancellor Rob Pearigen has announced the appointment of Scott Wilson as provost of the University, effective July 1. The Board of Regents approved his appointment at its meeting on campus last week. Wilson has been serving as acting provost since January 2022.

Scott Wilson began his work in the provost’s office in 2019, first as assistant provost for global and strategic partnerships, and then as vice provost for planning and strategic initiatives, beginning in March 2021.

“Having worked closely with Scott for more than a year and reflecting on his recent invaluable contributions to the University, I am confident that Scott will continue to provide the leadership, vision, and wisdom to help Sewanee reach its full potential,” said Pearigen.

Wilson chaired the Strategic Planning Committee that led the development of a strategic plan that was endorsed by the Joint Faculties and Staff Partnership Council. He was also instrumental in setting forth a set of operational priorities that will support the strategic plan and enable its success. He has also taken responsibility for the University’s fifth-year interim accreditation report to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Additionally, he co-led special committees to evaluate and improve access to employee housing on campus.

Along with his administrative service, Wilson has extensive experience in the classroom and supporting the University’s academic mission. He was associate dean for global citizenship, the founding director of the Asian Studies Program, chair of the Politics Department for 12 years, and has been a member of the politics faculty for 30 years, having served as the Alfred Walter Negley Professor of Politics from 2013 to 2022. He is the author of two books and several articles on Chinese politics and development.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

“This has needed done for a long time,” said Monteagle Mayor Greg Maloof following the Monteagle Council’s approval of a resolution to proceed with a sewer rehabilitation project estimated to cost more than $1.9 million. The rehabilitation work will remedy inflow and infiltration (I&I) of groundwater into the sanitary sewer system. I&I puts strain on Monteagle’s wastewater treatment plant and costs the town money. The plant must treat the groundwater in addition to the wastewater from residences and businesses.

The council voted to adopt the resolution at a Special Called meeting on June 12. The resolution awards the contract to do the work to the Goodlettsville-based underground utility contractor SBW. SBW’s $2,079,587 bid included $170,000 in sewer rehab I&I work for the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly. “The town is not on the hook for any of the work done in the Assembly,” stressed Monteagle Alderwoman Jessica Favaloro. MSSA will pay for the sewer rehab work done there.

Monteagle will receive $303,600 in grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission and $913,086 in American Recovery Plan grant money administered by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, for a total of $1,216,686 in grant allocations. Monteagle will be responsible for the remaining balance, $692,900.

The town has undertaken extensive video inspection of the sewer system to identify the flaws. At a meeting in June of 2023 Monteagle engineer Travis Wilson said most of the flaws could be repaired with cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) installation. The trenchless CIPP process costs $65-$70 per foot compared to $250 per foot to dig up the lines for repair. Wilson estimated the I&I rehab work would take a year.

The 65th annual Mountain Market for Arts & Crafts will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday, July 27 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 28, at the Hannah Pickett Park, 16 Dixie Lee Ave., Monteagle.

This event will feature more than 100 artisans and crafters displaying their handmade creations which will include: fine art; stained glass; pottery; fine, primitive and refurbished furniture; bird houses; paintings in a variety of media; quilts; woodcrafts; folk art; toys; jewelry; chain saw carving demonstrations; blacksmith demonstrations and lectures; cigar box art; metal art; soaps and lotions; local honey; embroidered baby items and doll clothing; knitted and hand sewn items; and so much more. A variety of food will be available for purchase. Go to <https://www.southcumberlandcha...; for more information.

The Mountain Goat Trail Alliance (MGTA) has been awarded a $352,000 grant under the Tire Environmental Act Program (TEAP) by the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The grant will be used to construct connector trails between the Mountain Goat Trail and the South Cumberland State Park Visitor Center and between the trail and the Fiery Gizzard trailhead in Tracy City.

“We’re excited to use this new porous pavement on two sections of the Mountain Goat Trail, and to help reduce the number of tires in Tennessee landfills. Our thanks to TDEC and the TEAP program for choosing us to be a part of this innovative initiative,” said Patrick Dean, executive director of the MGTA.

The trail sections will use Porous Pave, a 50/50 mix of stone and recycled tire rubber, instead of asphalt. Porous Pave allows water to soak through, avoiding issues such as tree root intrusion and frost heave. The sections will utilize more than 8,000 tires which would otherwise go to landfills in Tennessee.

Construction on the two sections is scheduled for later this year.

The Woman’s Association of the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly, MSSA) will host its 60th Annual Cottage Tour & Bazaar on Friday, July 19. The much-anticipated event will include tours of five representative cottages; a self-guided tour of historic buildings; the always-popular bazaar with fine art, jewelry, plus home décor and plants, clothing and much more; The Butterfly Boutique (resale); box lunches from Mercantile Cafe; and the always popular Bake Sale.

The annual event is designed to share with the public the Assembly’s unique history and mission, to showcase its representative turn-of-the-century cottages and structures, and to highlight the Chautauqua Movement and the Assembly’s association with the Chautauqua Network. The cottages to be featured his year are: Jubilee Hill (No. 43), The Alabama House & Toad Stool (No. 61 and 61B), Hemlocks (No. 41), Twin Oaks (167) and 4Fitz (159).

The Bazaar, open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., welcomes old favorites and several new vendors who will bring local arts and crafts and splurge-worthy fine art and jewelry as well as paper, ceramics, art, clothes, plants, leather and more from more than 30 selected local and regional artisans. The nearby Butterfly Boutique sale of donated items from members and friends is a bargain-lover’s dream held in the Writers’ Grove located near the Woman’s Association Winfield House.

At 10:45 a.m., guests are invited to attend a special presentation by Stephen Smith and John Ramsey who will share information about the new McCarty Galleries book on jewelry. Before there was the famed pottery, there was internationally acclaimed McCarty’s Jewelry. “McCartys of Merigold, The Jewelry,” is a book celebrating the amazing and unique jewelry created by Pup and Lee McCarty from the late 40s through 2015. Stephen and Jamie Smith, godchildren of Pup and Lee and owners of McCartys, commissioned John Ramsey Miller to produce a volume that featured examples of the jewelry that the couple produced over their 65-year careers. Smith and Ramsey will be hosting a discussion of the jewelry and their relationship with Pup and Lee as well as the book’s production, which was photographed, designed, and the printing supervised by Ramsey.

Pre-ordered, pre-paid box lunches can be ordered from MSSA office for $18 by calling (931) 924-2286 and picked up on tour day between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Box lunches include three rolls (one ham and cheese, one pimento cheese and one chicken salad) with homemade chips and a cookie, and box lunches can be enjoyed in one of the Assembly’s green spaces.

Cottage tour attendees may also choose to dine at Harton Dining Hall, which features a hot food bar, a salad bar and grilled selections such as hamburgers and hotdogs.

Guests will also enjoy the annual bake sale where the Assembly’s best cooks bring their sweet and savory specialties, and the Snack Shop will be open for popcorn, chilled candy bars, bottled water and souvenir T-shirts.

Be sure to stop in at cottage No. 9A, Little Lexington, the new location of The Gallery (take in the first circular driveway as you enter the front gate), a mainstay of the Assembly history and a must-stop shopping destination during any visit! In addition to art and gifts, the Gallery is one of a select few to carry award-winning McCarty Pottery. Created by Assembly members, the late Lee and Pup McCarty, Mississippi-based McCarty’s has earned international recognition.

Advance tour tickets ($20, $25 day of) and box lunches ($18) must be reserved and paid for in advance on the MSSA website <MSSA1882.org> using PayPal or by calling the MSSA office at (931) 924-2286 or by stopping by the office. Parking passes ($5 per car) can be purchased on the day of the tour at the North Gate entrance.

Schedule of events

• Bazaar: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Butterfly Boutique and bake sale: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• “McCartys of Merigold, The Jewelry,” Lecture: 10:45 a.m., auditorium

• Cottage tours: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Harton Dining Hall: Buffet available 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

• Mercantile Cafe Box lunch pickup 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Organized in 1887, the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly (MSSA) Woman’s Association has played a vital role in the development of the Assembly by providing hospitality, funds and meeting space for all aspects of the summer program. The Association’s cottage, “Winfield,” is the center for many activities during the Season, from Sunday School to parents’ meetings, workshops, children’s story hours, and card parties. It also houses the Assembly library and is staffed by a resident hostess/librarian. The MSSA Culinary Guild, a program of the Woman’s Association, celebrates and supports the local South Cumberland food and farming community and the production and enjoyment of great food. Members maintain the Assembly’s Humphreys-Martin Family Herb Garden and enjoy coming together for food, beverages, and fun several times during the program season. Woman’s Association Motto: Each for the other, all for Monteagle.

The Sewanee School of Letters presents a reading with authors Tiana Clark, Ryan Chapman and Jamie Quatro at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 26, in Naylor Auditorium. A reception will follow in the Gailor Atrium.

Tiana Clark is the author of the poetry collection, “I Can’t Talk About the Trees Without the Blood” (University of Pittsburgh Press, 2018), winner of the 2017 Agnes Lynch Starrett Prize, and Equilibrium (Bull City Press, 2016), selected by Afaa Michael Weaver for the 2016 Frost Place Chapbook Competition. Her next poetry collection, “Scorched Earth,” will be published next year (March 2025). Clark is currently working on, “Begging to be Saved,” a memoir-in-essays reckoning with Black burnout, millennial divorce, faith, art making, and what lies on the other side of survival, which sold to Jenny Xu at Washington Square Press/Simon & Schuster.

Ryan Chapman is the author of “Riots I Have Known” (Simon & Schuster), which was longlisted for The Center for Fiction’s First Novel Prize and named a best book of 2019 by Electric Literature and The Marshall Project. NPR praised it as “one of the smartest — and best — novels of the year,” and The Washington Post called it “a compact cluster bomb of satire that kills widely and indiscriminately.” He’s published criticism and short humor pieces at The New Yorker, The Guardian, GQ, Bookforum, BOMB, McSweeney’s, and The Believer, and interviewed writers and visual artists for Guernica, Esquire, Frieze, and elsewhere.

Jamie Quatro’s debut novel, “Fire Sermon,” published in 2018. Selected as one of the Top Seven Novels of 2018 by The Economist, and named a Book of the Year by the San Francisco Chronicle, LitHub, Bloomberg, and the Times Literary Supplement, Fire Sermon was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Book, Indie Next pick, and New York Times Editors’ Choice. Quatro’s story collection, “I Want to Show you More,” was a New York Times Notable Book, NPR Best Book of 2013, and was chosen as a favorite book of 2013 by Dwight Garner in the New York Times and James Wood in The New Yorker. Grove Press will publish Quatro’s new novel, “Two-Step Devil,” in September 2024, followed by her story collection, “Next Time I’ll Be Louder,” in 2025.

For more information go to <letters.sewanee.edu>.

The Monteagle Sunday School Assembly in Monteagle continues its 142nd consecutive summer season of enrichment with an interdenominational worship service at 11 a.m. in the Assembly’s Warren Chapel. The eight-week season will continue through Sunday, Aug. 4, 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. Anyone interested in a full schedule of the Monteagle Assembly’s 2024 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 <www.mssa1882.org>.

Local caving experts Joey Favaloro and Jeffrey Reynolds will give this week’s Plateau Talk on “Dancing in the Dark: Caves of the Cumberland Plateau” in Warren Chapel Wednesday morning. These two cave enthusiasts have been leading tours of local caves for years. Joey belongs to the Big Light Speleology group, whose motto is “No cave too far, too dark, too deep.” Jeff has been exploring the caves of the Cumberland since the 1960s. After their morning lecture, Favaloro and Reynolds will lead an afternoon excursion to Soda Straw Cave (pre-registration required; inquire at the MSSA office).

Thursday’s morning lecturer brings Nashville healthcare benefits management consultant Margaret Smith to the Chapel to lecture on, “Medicare Explained: Learning the Basics and Navigating the Maze.” The daughter and granddaughter of Nashville-based physicians, Smith has always felt an affinity for healthcare. Earlier in her career, she worked at St. Thomas Hospital, where she created an insurance program for older adults. She now works through her company, Medical Accounts Management, to provide healthcare benefits services to employers.

Later that evening, join songwriter Daniel Tashian for a performance at the Auditorium sure to delight your ears. Tashian is a two-time Grammy-award-winning artist, songwriter, and producer. Tashian has worked closely with, among others, Kacey Musgraves and Burt Bacharach. His most recent album is the critically acclaimed Night After Night, released in 2022.

Additional events this week include the following:

Tuesday, June 25, 10:45 a.m., Warren Chapel — Bill Flatley lectures on the topic, “World War II in Russia: The battles of Leningrad, Moscow, Stalingrad, and Kursk.”

Tuesday, June 25, 3 p.m., Harton Hall — Culinary Event: Cooking demonstration and tasting with Chef Tom. Advance registration required; $20 fee.

Tuesday, June 25, 7:45 p.m., Auditorium—Sewanee Summer Music Festival performance.

Thursday & Friday, June 27-28, 3-4 p.m., Pulliam Center — Dr. Mould’s Escape Room: Advance registration required; no fee; limited space available. Two sessions offered (one each day).

Friday, June 28, 10:45 a.m., Auditorium — Dr. Thomas Mould lectures on the topic, “The Power of the Humble Family Story in Three Cultures: Choctaw, Mormon, and Yours.”

Friday, June 21, 2:30 p.m., Writers’ Grove — Shao-nian Bates reads from her book, “Memoir of a Small Chinese Woman.”

Movies begin on Sunday, June 23. They are open to the public (no fee; 4-hour passes available at the gate). All are shown at the MSSA Auditorium.

Sunday, June 23, 7:45 p.m., “Journey to the Center of the Earth” (2008; rated PG)

Wednesday, June 26, 6 p.m., “Cinderella” (original from 1950; rated G)

Wednesday, June 26, 7:45 p.m., “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1996; rated G)

Friday, June 28, 7:45 p.m., “Karate Kid” (original from 1984; rated PG)

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.

Join us for the 67th season of the Sewanee Summer Music Festival.

Through July 14, the Sewanee Summer Music Festival will host more than 30 performances of symphonic, chamber, and vocal music.

The Cumberland Orchestra will perform at 7:30 p.m., Friday, June 21, in Guerry Auditorium. This is a ticketed event.

On Saturday, June 22, there will be Student Chamber Music at Guerry Auditorium and St. Luke’s Chapel. This free concert begins at 1:30 p.m. The Composer Showcase will be at 4 p.m., in the Art Gallery. This is a free event. The Faculty Artist Series rounds out the Saturday concerts at 7:30 p.m., in Guerry Auditorium. This is a ticketed event.

At 3:30 p.m., Sunday, June 23, the Sewanee Symphony will be in concert in Guerry Auditorium. This is a ticketed event.

At 7 p.m., Tuesday, June 25, the SSMF Chamber Music will perform a free concert at the Cowan Arts Center. At 7:45 p.m., the SSMF Chamber Music will perform a free concert at the Monteagle Sunday School Assembly.

The Cumberland Orchestra will be in concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday, July 28, in Guerry Auditorium. This is a ticketed event.

There will be Student Chamber Music at 1:30 p.m., Saturday, June 29, in Guerry Auditorium, St. Luke’s Chapel and the Art Gallery. This is a free event. The Faculty Artist Series will be at 7:30 p.m., in Guerry Auditorium. This is a ticketed event.

On Sunday, June 30, the Sewanee Symphony will perform at 3:30 p.m., in Guerry Auditorium. This is a ticketed event.

Individual concert tickets are $25. To reserve your tickets and for the full repertoire, go to https://ssmf.sewanee.edu/tickets/;.

The Sewanee Civic Association is inviting individuals, local groups and businesses to help collect donations of elementary school supplies. The National Retail Federation said families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $870 on school supplies.

Items Sewanee Elementary students need for the school year include four packs of 24 count Crayola Crayons, 10 count of washable Crayola Classic Color markers, Elmer’s school glue, Elmer’s glue sticks, tissues, Fiskars pointed scissors, Ticonderoga No. 2 pencils, a box of colored pencils, yellow highlighters, disinfecting wipes, and black dry erase markers.

This is where you can help. Collect school supplies and then deliver them to the bins at Sewanee Elementary School July 15–18. SES is located at 206 University Ave. Donations are also accepted at Taylor’s Mercantile, 10 University Ave., Sewanee

There is also an Amazon Wish List from the Sewanee Community Chest for those who want to order school supplies. These will be delivered to Sewanee Elementary School. The Amazon link is https://a.co/iqtF2x5;. The address will be listed as Kerstin Beavers, Sewanee Community Chest, Sewanee, TN 37375.

Sewanee Elementary will oversee the distribution of the available donations to those who need it on Friday, July 19, from 4–6 p.m.

This event is part of the Sewanee Civic Association Treasures for the Chest initiative, a campaign to help promote community-wide service of giving time, support and donations.

by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the June 10 meeting the Franklin County School Board recognized Nissan for its contributions to the Franklin County Schools and heard an appeal from Jonanne Hammer, 2023-2024 music teacher at Clark Memorial Elementary, representing Arts Ed Matter FC, a Franklin County arts-education advocacy organization. The board approved the School Fees schedule for Franklin County and Huntland high schools and authorized Huntland to move forward with plans for a regulation size soccer field on city property. Board member Sarah Marhevsky’s legislative update drew a comparison between Governor Lee’s proposed Education Freedom Scholarship Act and a controversial Indiana voucher program.

Accepting the Community Partners Spotlight award on behalf of the Decherd Nissan powertrain plant, Jimmy Stovall pointed to the “symbiotic relationship with the education system” evidenced by the Nissan Centers of Excellence program. “Franklin County and three other area schools are serving as a pilot,” Stovall said. “The program puts a Nissan employee in the schools to help develop and deliver curriculum.” Nissan also donated two Pathfinders to be used for CTE instruction in the Automotive Class at Franklin County High School. “We appreciate Nissan that’s for sure,” said Board Chair Cleijo Walker.

Hammer requested permission to address the board during the five-minute comment period. She stressed the importance of art and music education. Citing the goals of the Arts Ed Matters, Hammer said, “It’s our mission to provide support to music and arts teachers and principals ... We’ll actively recruit for open art and music positions and advocate for every school to have a certified music and art teacher.”

Since the May 28 workshop on art and music instruction in the Franklin County Schools, the district has hired a dually certified Fine Arts teacher to teach both music and art at Broadview Elementary. Human Resources Supervisor Roger Alsup acknowledged the certified art teacher hired for the Fine Arts position at Sewanee Elementary would be expected to teach both music and art. The Fine Arts positions at North Lake Elementary and Cowan Elementary remain open. Walker curtailed discussion on the unpopular decision to have a single Fine Arts instructor to teach both music and art at four elementary schools. “In all fairness, this is not on the agenda … We can put it back on the agenda at some other time.”

In the discussion about school fees, Alsup confirmed all teachers received $200 for supplies. “That does not seem like enough for PE supplies and things like art and music,” said Marhevsky. For classes such as art and band where students must pay a fee, the fee amount goes to the teacher for supplies, Alsup said. Students who cannot afford the fee receive “a waiver.” In cases where the fee is waived, the teacher receives no additional funding for the students who do not pay a fee. Marhevsky suggested the board revisit the school fees and teacher funding topic.

Taking up Huntland School’s need for a soccer field, Principal Lisa Crabtree said the school could not host tournaments because the school’s field was not regulation size. The Huntland City Council has agreed to let the school use a field behind Citizen’s Bank for a soccer field free of charge. The property would accommodate a regulation size field. The city only used the property occasionally for music events and parking, according to Crabtree. Deputy Director of Finances Jenny Phillips said the school district would have no legal liability in conjunction with student athletes the using the property for a soccer field because the city owned the property. Crabtree will pursue arranging for an MOU with the city so the project can move forward.

Although the Tennessee Legislature tabled the voucher-style Freedom Scholarship Act proposal until the next legislative session, Marhevsky called the board’s attention to an illustrative article in the publication Chalkbeat about a similar program in Indiana. Students can use state funding in the form of vouchers to attend private schools rather than public school. “Last year, the program cost the state $311 million” Marhevsky said. “This year, it cost roughly $439 million.” Not only was the program costly, but most students who took advantage of the program had never attended public school, indicating the voucher funding was assisting parents who could already afford to send their children to private school.