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Tenne sse e
tnhomeandfarm.com Fall 2011
tale tiMe
Journey to Jonesboroughs storytelling festival
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Published for the 656,682 family members of the Tennessee Farm Bureau
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Editors note
Editor Pettus Read circulation managEr Stacey Warner Board of dirEctors President Lacy Upchurch, Vice President Danny Rochelle dirEctors at largE Jeff Aiken, Charles Hancock, Catherine Via district dirEctors Malcolm Burchfiel, James Haskew, Eric Mayberry, Dan Hancock, David Mitchell statE fB womEns chairman Jane May advisory dirEctors Buddy Mitchell, Jamie Weaver chiEf administrativE officEr Joe Pearson trEasurEr Wayne Harris comptrollEr Tim Dodd
managing Editor Jessy Yancey copy Editor Jill Wyatt contEnt coordinator Blair Thomas contriButing writErs Melissa Burniston, Kim Green, Susan Hamilton, Nancy Henderson, Tiffany Howard, Anthony Kimbrough, Leslie LaChance, Jessica Mozo, Karen Schwartzman, Cassandra Vanhooser, Julie Vaughn, Larry Woody crEativE dirEctor Keith Harris photography dirEctor Jeffrey S. Otto mEdia tEchnology dirEctor Christina Carden sEnior photographErs Jeff Adkins, Brian McCord staff photographErs Todd Bennett, Antony Boshier sEnior graphic dEsignErs Laura Gallagher, Vikki Williams proofrEading managEr Raven Petty ad production managEr Katie Middendorf ad traffic assistants Krystin Lemmon, Patricia Moisan wEB contEnt managEr John Hood wEB dEsign dirEctor Franco Scaramuzza wEB dEvElopEr i Yamel Hall wEB dEsignEr Richard Stevens mEdia tEchnology analysts Chandra Bradshaw, Lance Conzett color imaging tEchnician Alison Hunter intEgratEd mEdia managEr Robin Robertson chairman Greg Thurman prEsidEnt/puBlishEr Bob Schwartzman ExEcutivE vicE prEsidEnt Ray Langen sr. v.p./salEs Todd Potter, Carla Thurman sr. v.p./opErations Casey Hester v.p./visual contEnt Mark Forester v.p./ExtErnal communications Teree Caruthers v.p./custom puBlishing Kim Newsom Holmberg v.p./contEnt opErations Natasha Lorens controllEr Chris Dudley distriBution dirEctor Gary Smith officE managEr Shelly Grissom rEcEptionist Linda Bishop Tennessee Home & Farm is produced for the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation by Journal Communications Inc., 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, (615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No portion of this magazine may be reprduced in whole or in part without written consent. Member Association of Magazine Media Member Custom Content Council Please recycle this magazine
1/ Journey to Jonesborough for the national storytelling festival this october. page 38 2/ savor the gourmet country cooking found at foglight foodhouse in walling. page 16 3 / learn about mules and more from the owners of lake nowhere mule and donkey farm in martin. page 12 4 / pick out a sweet-sounding, handcrafted gallagher guitar in wartrace. page 8 5 / chow down on brine-marinated fried chicken or macaroon pie at fehns 1891 house in dayton. page 29
Tennessee Home & Farm (USPS No. 022-305) Issued quarterly by the Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation, 147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN 38401, (931) 388-7872. Periodical permit paid at Columbia, TN, and additional entry offices. POSTMASTER Send address corrections to: Tennessee Home & Farm Executive Offices, P.O. Box 313, Columbia, TN 38402-0313. SUBSCRiBE OR CHANGE ADDRESS Contact your county Farm Bureau office. TH&F is included in your $25 Farm Bureau annual dues; no other purchase necessary.
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Customers come from miles away to the cozy, off-the-beaten-path Foglight Foodhouse
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Departments
5 / read all about it 6 / short rows
Harvest Moon sets the stage for fall Local banker pens suspense novel
2 c 7/ ountry classics
3 f 3 / armside chat
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3 t 5 / o good health
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FOOD Tr avel HOme & GarDen aGriculTure Tn livinG
Tennessee ResTauRanTs
Questions, comments and story ideas can be sent to: Jessy Yancey, 725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067, or email us at thaf@jnlcom.com.
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It reminds me of days gone by, when we depended on it to give us more time to get our crops harvested. Before farm equipment had lights, your ancestors depended on this moon to give them more time to get things done. It appears nearest the autumnal equinox. I read last night in The Old Farmers Almanac that equinox means equal night, when night and day are the same duration. He has always amazed me on his knowledge of real life and his ability to explain things in a way that anyone could understand. Do all the full moons have names? I asked. The Native Americans who lived around here used the moons to keep up with the seasons, he explained. They named them all, and each name had a meaning. Next month, we will have the Hunters Moon, which was when they would go out and hunt to prepare for the winter. After that is the Frost or Beaver Moon, and in December we will have the Long Nights or Cold Moon due to days being shorter and nights longer. But, nowadays, folks dont fool with those things. We farm when we need to, and now with tractors that operate by satellites, modern technology has taken the moon out of the farming picture. Taking a step back from the fence and looking at me, I could see a grin on his face in the moonlight and while knocking his pipe out on the heel of his shoe with little red sparks burning quickly away into the night air, he said, I guess us farmers are still looking to the skies for our answers on making a crop. The only difference now is NASA has gotten involved. But they are not as pretty to look at as the Harvest Moon, and they sure dont bring you as close to God as golden moonlight does either. Ill still keep trusting the moon. And, you know, I think I will too.
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Short Rows
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Photo Courtesy of Michael Russelle
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Photo Courtesy of Adam Thoms
1/ Trail Mix
Looking for a horse trail? Pick up a copy of the new Tennessee Equine Trail Guide, which offers a comprehensive list of state attractions for equine enthusiasts of more than 130 locations. The directory from the Tennessee Department of Agriculture is divided into easily navigable sections by region. It features listings of private trails and stables; overnight stabling; city, state and national parks and forests; and bed-and-breakfasts with stabling, camping and wagon trails. Whats more, the trail guide recently beat out 4,000 others to win an American InHouse Design Award. Request a copy of the free guide by visiting the Equine Resources section of www.picktnproducts.org.
2 / Up to Puff
Its just as reliable, just as cushioned, just as puffy. But these packing peanuts are much better for the environment. Based in Lebanon, Tenn., Puffy Stuff is a 100 percent biodegradable packing peanut made from grain protein. It has high density to protect whatever youre packing in it and wont shrink in humid conditions. But add a little water, and it will dissolve. It can be thrown away, put in a landfill or even hosed down in your garden. Puffy Stuff is safe enough to eat though it probably doesnt taste great so it poses no harm to pets or other animals. To learn more about these packing peanuts or to order, visit www.puffy stufftn.com, or call 187-PUFFYUSA.
qualities as proceeds from his book will go to two Middle Tennessee churches to help broaden their community outreach. The Bankers Greed is available in bookstores and on Amazon.com in print and Kindle eBook versions. It can also be ordered at www.pmterrell.com and www.trandystevens.com.
TN FARM FRESH
TN FARM FRESH
5/ Tennessee Turf
Which is the safer sports field, synthetic turf or real grass? A new partnership between the University of Tennessee and AstroTurf synthetic grass brand aims to figure that out. The Center for Safer Athletic Fields at UTs Institute of Agriculture Research and Education Center in Knoxville is an outdoor research facility made up of 60 small-scale athletic research fields constructed from a variety of playing surfaces. The ongoing study of these fields aims to improve athletic performance and reduce injuries. The research team is comprised of UT professors and turfgrass specialists who have experience as turf consultants to the National Football League, Major League Baseball, professional soccer and cricket teams, and Olympic venues. To learn more about the center and its research on athletic fields, visit http://turf.tennessee.edu.
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Tennessee Living
Music
Behind the
GALLAGHER FAMiLY CRAFTS GUiTARS FOR BLUEGRASS STARS
STORY BY KiM GREEN PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY S. OTTO & ANTONY BOSHiER
ehind a weathered brick storefront in tiny wartrace, tenn., the gallagher family assembles far-flung ingredients from alien landscapes to craft an entirely familiar object. for 45 years, gallagher guitar co. has connected this sleepy southern town to the wider world. the small family operation fashions exquisite handmade guitars from exotic woods such as sitka spruce and rosewood, inlaid with shining bits of coral, seashell and abalone pearl from distant seas. and the finished product reaches as deeply back into the world, shipping to customers from locales as widespread as Japan, sweden and saudi arabia. its funny how things evolve, muses don gallagher, as the secondgeneration guitar-maker shows off a custom piece hes been working on for months. hes talking about the evolution of one of his special inlay designs a popular celtic knot pattern idea that germinated when an irish customer placed an order.
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But don gallagher could just as easily be referring to his lifes work, one taken up by his father before him, and recently, by his son stephen. dons father, a fine-furniture maker named J.w. gallagher, started building guitars in 1965 a prescient career shift, just as the guitar began to transcend its second-fiddle position as bluegrass backup instrument and to sing its own solo notes in an emerging folk-music landscape. don grew up making toys in his dads woodworking shop, then worked there during his summers off from college. after graduate school and a stint as an industrial psychologist, he found his way back home and took up his fathers craft. theres something appealing about making something thats going to be here for a long time, he says, his blue irises pensive. Every few minutes, a solemn whistle wails, as a slow train rumbles through downtown wartrace a brief run of lovely old storefronts and a few blocks of shady residential streets.
that trainsong speaks of history and continuity values upheld in large measure by the gallagher family, who settled in the area in the early 1800s. don gallagher talks of the importance of leaving a legacy as he pages through one dusty ledger after another. Each ledger represents one of the 3,500 or so guitars the company has produced, recording its serial number, describing its materials and tracing its ownership as it passes from one doting musician to the next. those yellowed pages list legendary guitarists the likes of charlie daniels, doc watson and hank williams Jr. ironically, don gallaghers 31-yearold son stephen is the first company man to experience the creations as both craftsman and musician. he sees the guitars he builds with his father as more than just a product. its a tool for artists, he says, adding that building guitars opens the bluegrass world to him in a way he might not experience if he werent a gallagher. as a kid, i remember doc watson coming over to the house
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Stephen Gallagher represents the third generation of Gallaghers with a talent for crafting customized guitars.
and playing, he says. Just a legend, an icon! stephen brings a music-lovers ear and a musicians connections into the mix. he travels the festival circuit on the companys behalf and befriends touring musicians wholl become gallagher customers. and despite all that old-world heritage, father and son understand the need to innovate. they layer new techniques over the traditions theyve cultivated innovations such as using software to draw and cut out intricate inlay designs more efficiently, and employing a finish technique that uses uv light to cure lacquer. don gallagher proudly brandishes a fretboard hes labored over for uncounted hours: its a custom piece commissioned by the walnut valley festival in Kansas. the neck tells a story in miniature: tiny figures of polished stone and mother-of-pearl fiddle and pick mini-instruments; golden plumes evoke fields of great plains grain. although gallagher guitars launched with two basic guitar models, the company has adapted to a changing market, moving toward more customized instruments such as this one. used to be people would want a doc watson model because doc watson
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played it, stephen says. now what people want is something that was individually made for them. they want something with feeling, emotion, personality. if don gallaghers spreading grin is any clue, theres no shortage of feeling in this custom work-in-progress hes holding. he beams as he points out the tiny bits of color pressed into the neck and explains where each shiny puzzle piece came from. he says he loves blending the craft of building a beautiful, working instrument with the artistry of personalizing each one with its own story, from a trail of tears memorial guitar he once made to a rendering of one owner-to-bes dog. two things all gallagher guitars have in common, whether stock or custom, are bellclear sound and the trademark french curve and old English g on the headstock the mark of an unbroken line of gallaghers whose hands have for more than six decades molded fine woods into instruments of music-making. stephen feels that powerful pull of history: Just knowing that hundreds of years from now, he laughs, stuff that i worked on, somebody might pick up and try to figure out, who built this?
onlIne
see vIdeo
Tune In
To see a video interview with Stephen Gallagher at the workshop and enjoy his old-time picking skills, visit tnhomeandfarm. com/gallagher-guitars.
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Agriculture
Martins
Metropolis
LAKE NOWHERE FARM PULLS EqUiNE FANS FROM ALL OVER
STORY BY LESLiE LACHANCE PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFF ADKiNS
Mule
ont let the unassuming name fool you; if you happen to be a donkey, a mule or a person who loves them, lake nowhere in martin, tenn., is a happening place. its here that youll find owners deb and Jim Kidwell with their herd of nearly 50 mules, donkeys and horses ready and eager to greet visitors at lake nowhere mule and donkey farm. lake nowhere wasnt always a mule metropolis. when deb, a former southern florida police officer, and Jim, a retired businessman, bought the place in 2004 with the intention of raising a few horses, it wasnt in great shape. it had been a sort of local resort campground since the 1980s but had really fallen into disrepair, deb says. the 110-acre property boasted a small lake, a few tumble-down cabins, woods and fields, all being reclaimed by kudzu and brush. we
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hauled out tons of trash, she recalls, and i got a herd of goats; they were my ground-clearing crew. these days the pastures around lake nowhere are full of tasty grasses and hay, along with plenty of mules, donkeys and a few sweet mares grazing on their favorite repast. on a hot day, you might find the equines standing in the lake, munching peacefully on delicious water primrose. deb runs the day-to-day farm operations, and Jim works as a contractor, building barns, arenas and commercial buildings. But mules and donkeys werent even on debs
mind when the Kidwells first arrived in tennessee. i grew up around appaloosa horses because my father raised them, so i thought i was going to do that. i dont know that i had ever really seen a jack or a mule up close and in person, deb recalls. she loves big draft horses too, and while showing her Belgian filly at the gibson county fair in 2004, deb laid eyes on her first american mammoth, a large breed of donkey. he was magnificent; i just loved him. then i learned they are a threatened breed, only about 2,500 are left, so i decided i wanted to help
preserve these beautiful animals. soon the Kidwells acquired their own jackstock and started a donkey and mule breeding program at lake nowhere. deb proudly points out their sire, a beautiful black american mammoth jack named genesis, as he courts a couple of visiting quarter horse mares set to become mule mamas. mules are created by crossing a male donkey (jack) with a female horse (mare). to get draft mules, jacks are crossed with Belgian, percheronfriesian or clydesdale mares. for saddle mules, breeders will use appaloosa, tennessee walking horse
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and american quarter horse mares. the end result is a sure-footed, strong equine. mules are intelligent and have a steady temperament. what is interpreted as stubbornness is really just self-preservation. a mule is a thinking animal; he wont endanger himself, deb points out. the Kidwells breed their equines selectively in small numbers. farm staff handle the foals daily from their birth so that by the time the animals are ready to sell they enjoy being with humans. foals are introduced to halters two or three days after they are born. staff feed them pelleted food within a week to 10 days, giving
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the animals another opportunity to interact with people. the equines get regular veterinary and farrier care, along with visits from animal-science professors and students from the nearby university of tennessee at martin, who assist in vaccinating and deworming the animals. lake nowhere equines get around town too, making regular appearances at martins annual soybean festival (slated for sept. 3-11, 2011) and christmas parade. at least one of these equines has even paid a visit to the offices inside a local bank theres photographic evidence on lake nowheres website.
the animals are consistent prizewinners on the county fair circuit too, earning lake nowhere a reputation for excellence in equine breeding. the Kidwells emphasize equine education as well, conducting mulemanship clinics at utm and bringing animals to visit with the children at the universitys Kid college each summer. Education is key, deb says. if you are interested in mules, do your research. we ask buyers to come here in person and see our operation and ride our mules. they will find sweet, willing animals, not the incorrect stubborn stereotype.
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Food
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good food
CUSTOMERS COME FROM MiLES AWAY TO THE COzY, OFF-THE-BEATEN-PATH FOGLiGHT FOODHOUSE
STORY BY CASSANDRA M. VANHOOSER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY BOSHiER
A Beacon for
favorites that range from ribeye to fettuccine alfredo, but more adventuresome entrees include a smoked bone-in pork shank, ahi tuna and a whole range of cajun food. as diners are encouraged to enjoy a leisurely meal, ordering an appetizer is a must. freshbaked french bread and crab cakes crowd the list, but the stuffed mushrooms, oozing with parmesan stuffing and swimming in butter, are the chefs signature dish. with a water view comes a seafood section, featuring golden fried catfish, alaskan salmon and smoked lemon trout. cajun selections include etoufee, jambalaya and blackened chicken. though he was born and raised just up the road in cookeville, philpot says his authentic recipes are spicy enough to warm you up, but they wont burn you down. philpot and his two brothers opened the original foglight in 1997, less than a mile away. they have since gone their own separate ways, but the self-taught chef dedicates his restaurant to his mother, a caterer who passed away in 1996. philpot believes she would have loved what hes accomplished. people come here the first time because a friend has told them about it or theyve read about us somewhere, philpot explains. But people come back because its comfortable. its like dining at someones house. we cook for them, and we take care of them. all we want is for people to leave happy.
Food
t the end of a busy saturday night at foglight foodhouse, chef Edward philpot steps out of his kitchen, wipes his hands on his apron and smiles. his guests still linger at their tables, and the low hum of conversation fills the air. tinkling glasses, chirping crickets, and the occasional burst of laughter add to the music of happy diners. the chef takes a moment to drink it all in. i still cant believe people come all the way out here to eat at my restaurant, philpot says with a laugh. out here is a tiny, unincorporated town called walling, about 15 miles north of mcminnville. though its just a couple of miles off u.s. route 70 s., it feels a world away. the location doesnt keep people from finding foglight foodhouse. in fact, it seems to make it more enticing. the restaurant sits in the woods atop a steep bluff overlooking the caney fork river. a neon sign to the left of the front door reads, welcome to paradise. if so, philpots idea of heaven must be part fish camp, part country lodge. Burlap sacks line the ceiling, while strings of tiny lights twinkle overhead. guests who love nature often prefer a table on the wraparound porch, where lanterns grace the tables, and even at night, guests can see the hanging lights reflected on the river. still, the real draw here is chef philpots extensive menu. diners find traditional
If You go ...
Foglight Foodhouse, located at 275 Powerhouse Road in Walling, is open from 5-9 p.m. TuesdayThursday, and 5-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They close an hour earlier beginning in October. Their entrees range in price from $12 to $22. For more details, call (931) 657-2364 or visit www.foglightfoodhouse.com. As always, please call ahead before driving long distances. Find more information on Foglight and nearby Rock Island State Park at tnhomeandfarm.com/ foglight.
Charleston Fruit Juice Chicken is on the menu at Foglight Foodhouse, which overlooks the Caney Fork.
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Designing
Tennessee Living
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Woman
CHATTANOOGA ARTiST CREATES WEARABLE ART
STORY BY JESSiCA MOzO PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANTONY BOSHiER
ou might say chattanooga resident ivene webb wears her art on her sleeve. webb has been a painter for four decades, but she isnt your typical oil-on-canvas artist. she got her start doing oil paintings back in 1971, but today webb is best known for her wearable art, which includes ladies shirts and bib overalls. i paint with fabric dyes. they look much like oil paintings, but they are softer and they wash well, webb says. i do a lot of farm and country scenes, like cows in a pasture or a little tractor in a field. i also like to paint bridges, houses and lots of flowers. today im doing irises on shirts.
soon webb was teaching classes so other people could learn to paint on clothes, and she built up quite an inventory of clothing. i started selling the clothes at art shows in the nashville area and later at the national cornbread festival, webb says. my bib overalls used to sell like crazy i would paint on one leg and the bib and something coming out of the back pocket. now i mostly sell the shirts.
Win a shirt!
Were giving away one of Ivene Webbs shirts. Find out how to enter at tnhomeandfarm.com/ ivene-webb. Interested in learning more about Webbs wearable art? Call her at (423) 867-1888.
BeYond CloThIng
webb still paints 12 to 15 oil paintings each year, many of which are commissioned. ive done snow scenes and made them into christmas cards, she says. i stay busy. im not a tv person, and i dont even have a computer. But my next goal is to make a website. webb also creates nativity figurines of mary, Joseph, Baby Jesus and the wise men. i make them with styrofoam cones, porcelain heads and little clothes, she says. then i dip them in starch, let them dry, paint them and sell them at shows. the complete set of nativity figurines sells for $300 and is popular with churches. webbs oil paintings range from $150 to $500, and her painted shirts sell for around $55 plus tax. its not uncommon for customers to visit her at shows wearing shirts they purchased several years earlier. they stay bright and dont fade, especially if you wash them in dreft detergent like baby clothes, webb says. ill have people wear them five years later and tell me it still looks great.
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Pears With
STORY BY KAREN SCHWARTzMAN RECIPES & FOOD ST YLING BY KRiSTEN WiNSTON CATERiNG
Food
Flair
Pick a Pear
Bosc: These brownskinned pears with a long neck and curved stem have a sweetspiced flavor and can be eaten raw, though they are also ideal for baking, broiling or poaching. Bartlett: With a yellowgreen skin and perfect pear shape, these are what most Americans consider the classic pear. Its skin color brightens as it ripens, so the green variety is crunchy and tart, while the yellow and riper varieties are sweet. Find other pear varieties at www.usapears.com.
he age-old dilemma of delicious vs. nutritious may just find a solution in a simple pear. packed with all kinds of nutrients and a tart yet sweet taste, pears offer a surprisingly simple way to stay healthy and keep your taste buds happy. pears, as with other fruits, are natural combatants against chronic illnesses and an excellent source of dietary fiber and vitamin c, a proven antioxidant. and though there are more than 3,000 known varieties, only a few are specially grown and cultivated here, so it shouldnt be too difficult to find the perfect pear for you. one of the best parts about pears is the seemingly endless ways in which they can be cooked. while fresh and raw is always an option, the fruit can be baked, poached or even fried. weve put together a few of our favorite pear recipes to help you take full advantage
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of this versatile fruit. the first is a simple pear-cranberry chutney, which can be used to top an entree such as roasted pork or oven-baked fish. you can also use this fruity relish as a sandwich spread, a dipping sauce on a cheese plate or even to wake up your chicken salad. the refreshing arugula and pear salad is simple and satisfying. the pine nut-crusted goat cheese, sweetened with local honey, adds a little kick to the dish. next up is french green Bean salad with pears and parmesan. the fresh fruit and vegetable combination is paired with a variety of fresh herbs, making it easy to stay healthy without sacrificing flavor. End the meal on a high note with caramelized pear tarts. the surprisingly simple treat, calling for store-bought puff pastry dough but homemade whipped cream, showcases the pear in full fashion and is sure to leave your sweet tooth satisfied.
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Food
Pear-Cranberry Chutney
4 1 1 1 cups diced, peeled pears cup dried cranberries (such as Craisins) cup sugar cup apple cider vinegar
Champagne vinaigrette
This chutney makes a great topping for pork, fish or chicken. cup champagne vinegar 2 1
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to make vinaigrette, whisk vinegar, mustard, salt and pepper. slowly add oil until emulsified. meanwhile, toast nuts in small pan over medium heat until fragrant. cool and chop. divide goat cheese into eight pieces and form into button shape. roll the outside in toasted pine nuts. combine arugula, peppers and dressing in a salad bowl. add enough dressing to coat the leaves. make a small mound of arugula in center of the plate. place goat cheese buttons to the side. drizzle with honey. fan pear slices on top and serve.
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cup chopped toasted walnuts 1 ounces Parmesan cheese, shaved with vegetable peeler
cook haricots verts in large pot of boiling salted water until crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. drain, then rinse with cold water. drain well, and set aside. can prepare beans ahead and chill in refrigerator if desired. whisk together walnut oil, vinegar, olive oil, chives, parsley and shallots in large bowl. add haricots verts, basil, pears and walnuts; toss gently. season with salt and pepper. top with parmesan, and serve.
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Country Classics
2-3 teaspoons sage, rubbed 1 1 1 stick butter, melted cup chicken broth can cream of chicken soup cup half-and-half or evaporated milk
preheat oven to 415 degrees. mix together cornmeal, milk, buttermilk, 1 egg and mayonnaise. pour the mixed ingredients into a well-greased 8-inch cast iron skillet, and bake for 30 minutes until brown. remove from oven and let cool. after the cornmeal mixture has cooled, crumble the cornbread and 2-3 slices of white bread into a bowl. next, add the onion, poultry seasoning, salt, pepper and sage. mix well. add melted butter, the other egg, half-and-half or evaporated milk, chicken broth and of a can of cream of chicken soup. mix well and pour into a greased 10 -inch square cast iron skillet. spread the rest of the can of soup on top of the dressing ingredients mixture, and bake for 45 minutes in a 350-degree preheated oven until lightly browned. Makes 16 servings.
2-3 slices white bread onion, chopped 1 1 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning teaspoon salt teaspoon black pepper
Jeffrey S. Otto
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Restaurant Review
set up for a restaurant, Don says. Even more irresistible was the view of cattle grazing on 160 acres of pasture at the foot of Lone and Dayton mountains. (Sweetie the cow often waits outside the kitchen for leftover potatoes.) When it debuted in 2005 following renovations, Fehns looked much as it did in the 19th century, when three nuns ran it as a Catholic school for the children of the 2,500 workers at the Dayton Coal and Iron Company. Even the chalk rail remains in the classroom, now a dining area. Today, patrons flock here for the Angus prime rib and seafood specials, such as pan-seared halibut. All sauces and salad dressings are made from scratch, but its the brine-marinated fried chicken that gets star billing. Its fried with a cornflake crust, something my grandmother started in the early days with their restaurant, says Don. A lot of people that had it years ago will still drive up and want that. Herbs from a patio garden often garnish Dons culinary creations, while fresh fruit often ends up in Colleens sumptuous desserts, including her favorite, raspberry trifle. Fehns Famous Macaroon Pie, by the way, contains no coconut. A family mainstay since the 1950s, it features dates, pecans and soda crackers, held together with fluffy meringue. Nancy Henderson
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Gardening
go wild
Turn Your garden InTo a WIldlIfe haBITaT
ardening for wildlife is a great way to enhance your landscape, create a fun project for you and your family, and contribute to local conservation efforts. Any age can enjoy the benefits of attracting wildlife to your garden, but for my young children, our backyard wildlife habitat has been a wonderful window into the natural world. I know it has boosted their understanding and appreciation of nature. To get started on making your yard a haven for wildlife, you need to know the basic wildlife habitat necessities. Cover: Plants provide wildlife with protection from weather and predators, as well as a place to rest and eat. Your landscape should contain an assortment of plants to include trees, shrubs, perennials and grasses. Include some evergreen trees and shrubs to provide year-round refuge. Food: All wildlife feed on plants or other animals. By purposely planting a variety of plants that have varying times of flower, fruit and seed, your yard can be a year-round food source for a range of wildlife. Purposely placing different types of feeders throughout your landscape will help support wildlife as well. Water: Fresh drinking water is essential for wildlife. Some animals need bodies of water for bathing, egg laying and early development, and some live partially or entirely in water. A lake, river, stream or spring would be ideal for supporting wildlife, but most folks dont have these elements in their backyard. Ponds and water gardens are popular and a good way to support wildlife, but simply placing a birdbath or a large saucer filled with fresh water can supply the needs of a variety of wildlife. If you particularly desire butterflies, consider creating a butterfly puddling area. Rain gardens, which help capture, hold and filter rainwater, can be really beautiful and also support the habitat of various wildlife. The
leaves of some plants will collect rainwater for drinking, too. Nesting: Creating a wildlife habitat is about creating a place for the entire life cycle of a species to occur, from tadpole to frog, from caterpillar to butterfly. Many of the plants that can provide cover for wildlife also double as locations where they can raise their young. Butterflies and moths love a sunny flower area where they can lay their eggs. Constructed birdhouses, bat houses and owl boxes will attract each to raise their young in your landscape. A pond or water feature in your garden will support the life cycle of amphibians and fish. One way to start your own backyard wildlife habitat is to determine which bird, butterfly, amphibian, reptile and mammal species live in your area and which you would like to attract to your garden. Learn more about them and their habitat needs so you can increase the likelihood they will visit your yard. Keep in mind that a diversity of habitats in your garden often means diversity of animal visitors. Plan a variety of features if possible, such as a pond area, a grassy area, a wooded area and a flower area to support a diversity of wildlife. A great resource I used in developing my own wildlife garden was the University of Tennessee Extension publication called Improving Your Backyard Wildlife Habitat (see links). You can have your efforts rewarded by the National Wildlife Federation. I speak from experience. Just two years ago my family decided that we wanted to make our own backyard attractive to more wildlife. We turned to the National Wildlife Federation and UT Extension for information and guidance on just how to do this. As a result of our efforts, Im proud to say that my home landscape has officially earned the distinction as a National Wildlife Federations Certified Wildlife Habitat. I have the sign to prove it!
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Gardening
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Farmside Chat
Q: How has social media helped you be an advocate for agriculture? Vanessa: Having a respectful discussion through social media channels about agricultural practices allows us to better understand concerns and questions consumers have about food production. It allows us to dispel rumors and inaccuracies, and it allows us to share our way of life with those who dont get to experience agriculture on a daily basis. We have a Facebook page for our farm, and through it we share what happens on the farm throughout the different seasons. I think being part of the discussion is important so that those not in agriculture can feel more connected to their food supply. It also helps take the mystery away from what a farmer is. Melissa Burniston
More online
Find a link to the Barrs Facebook page and read their answers to other questions at tnhomeandfarm.com/ barr-farm.
Jeff Adkins
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When you buy from local farmers you: support local economy, enjoy a fresh product and keep local agriculture viable!
To Good Health
U.S. each year on health care, and diagnostic imaging costs are one of the fastest growing components of that total. Those costs are understood and even appreciated when they produce positive outcomes. Yet the hard part of this story is that studies consistently show us that as much as one-third of imaging procedures may be inappropriate, and one report estimated that about 20 percent of hospital radiology tests are duplicates. Billions of dollars are being spent unnecessarily. Why? Theres enough blame to go around, and this is where someone will probably get mad and call my little self all kinds of nasty words. Often, its our fault as patients, the worried well who demand our physicians check us out because they can and because someone else (an employer or insurer) is paying the bill. Its the fault of a society that sues itself at every corner, forcing doctors to practice defensive medicine to avoid a lawsuit. A group of orthopedic surgeons recently indicated that defensive imaging not clinical care accounted for one-fifth of their total tests. And though we cant broad-brush physicians, studies have also shown that doctors with an ownership interest in imaging equipment refer patients for such tests at a greater rate. All this points out again how complicated and costly the health-care industry is today, and how hard we must work at TRH Health Plans to continue offering health coverage to Tennesseans at affordable rates. The answers are difficult, far more difficult than simply snapping a picture with a cell phone.
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I care beca use I wou ldnt feed anythin g less tha n the safe st food s to my fa mily and to you rs.
Member Benefits
There are plenty of other benefits and discounts associated with membership that range from $500 savings on the purchase of a new Ford to 20 percent off your reservation with Choice Hotels to a 10 percent discount at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Your membership also provides home security and prescription discounts. Farm Bureau membership in Tennessee is a heck of a value, and you wont even need to look for a place for that gallon bucket of ketchup when you use your benefits.
Farm Bureau Insurance www.fbitn.com Customer Service Center 1-877-876-2222 Priority Claims Service 1-800-836-6327 TrH HealTH Plans www.trh.com 1-877-874-8323 HOTel/mOTel DIscOunTs Choice Hotels - ID# 00800606 20% DISCOUNT 1-800-258-2847 Comfort Inn & Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, Rodeway Inn, Cambria Suites, Suburban GraInGer InDusTrIal suPPly 10%-35% off TFBF Acct# 854398591 1-800-255-0955 www.grainger.com
VIsIOn DIscOunTs Farm Bureau Insurance Doctor's ValuVision, Dr. Bizer's VisionWorld www.fbitn.com 1-800-340-0129 www.ecca.com Customer Service Center 1-877-876-2222 Priority Claims Service 1-800-836-6327 enTerPrIse renT-a-car 10% DISCOUNT TrH HealTH Plans Corporate rate plan code 56MFARM www.trh.com 1-877-874-8323 PIN# TEN HOTel/mOTel DIscOunTs 1-800-736-8222 Choice Hotels - ID# 00800606 20% DISCOUNT aDT HOme securITy 1-800-258-2847 1-877-832-6701 Comfort Inn & Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, PrescrIPTIOn DIscOunTs Clarion, MainStay Suites, Econo Lodge, Bin#: 009265 Rodeway Inn, Cambria Suites, Suburban PCN#: AG Group#: TFBF GraInGer InDusTrIal suPPly Member ID#: TNFB69108 10%-35% off TFBF Acct# 854398591 Help Desk 1-800-847-7147 1-800-255-0955 www.grainger.com
enTerPrIse renT-a-car 10% DISCOUNT Corporate rate plan code 56M PIN# TEN 1-800-736-8222 aDT HOme securITy 1-877-832-6701
PrescrIPTIOn DIscOunTs Bin#: 009265 PCN#: AG Group#: TFBF Member ID#: TNFB69108 Help Desk 1-800-847-7147
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Tale Time
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Travel
ome 10,000 listeners will pull up a chair and settle back for three days of yarn-spinning fun at the 39th annual national storytelling festival, oct. 7-9, in historic Jonesborough, tenn. the festival showcases a wide range of storytellers with diverse repertories, says susan oconnor, the festivals director of programs. theres sure to be something for everybody. the event started in 1973 with five storytellers and an audience of perhaps 60. the inaugural festival featured grand ole opry comedian Jerry clower, whose ribsplitting stories were the inspiration for the event. clower told his stories in a local gymnasium. the second day of the festival featured five storytellers telling tales from the back of a hay wagon parked in front of the courthouse, and that became the prototype for todays event. today, the festival is held in large, circuslike tents spread throughout the town of Jonesborough, and is produced by the international storytelling center (isc). iscs facility includes the 14,000-square-foot mary B. martin storytelling hall, 200-year-old chester inn, retail shop, welcome/information
If You go ...
39th Annual National Storytelling Festival What: Professional and amateur storytellers from around the nation converge to tell tales and spin yarns before audiences When: Oct. 7-9, 2011 Where: Jonesborough, about 90 miles northeast of Knoxville Admission: Prices vary according to combo or single-day passes Phone: (800) 952-8392 Website: www. storytellingcenter.net
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Above: The International Storytelling Center is said to be the only place in the world exclusively devoted to the art of storytelling. Right: Tales told by Sparks and other performers are often accompanied by music.
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area and surrounding 3-acre park. Believed to be the only facility in the world devoted exclusively to the tradition, art and power of storytelling, the center hosts more than two-dozen tellers-in-residence from may to october, with a variety of storytelling events and workshops held throughout the year. it all started when high school journalism teacher Jimmy neil smith heard clowers famous coon hunting tale on the radio and decided to hold a storytelling festival in smiths hometown of Jonesborough. he thought it would be fun and would also have a positive economic impact. the event was an instant success, attracting media attention across the country and sparking a national storytelling renaissance. the appeal is simple: people enjoy listening to a good story, oconnor says. the stories can be funny, sad, poignant or historical the possibilities are endless. our festival lineup is very diverse, featuring lots of different styles. most of the festivals early storytelling revolved around appalachian themes, but oconnor says nowadays they range from cowboy stories to folk tales and personal accounts. twenty-five professional storytellers will be featured. story lengths vary from 10 minutes to an hour, and tellers are scheduled for appearances on multiple stages.
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there are no prizes or awards. our festival is not a competition but a showcase for excellence in storytelling, oconnor says. it is also an opportunity for storytelling producers to see a wide array of talent. a swappin ground tent is reserved for amateur storytellers, where listeners squat on hay bales a throwback to the original event. the storytelling festival is promoted as a family affair, and oconnor says all of the prime-time material is family friendly, though ghost stories are for children 7 and older, and a midnight cabaret is billed as adults only. a sacred telling also takes place on sunday. what qualities make a good storyteller? its hard to figure out, says storyteller donald davis, a festival favorite. when i was growing up in the north carolina mountains, i had an uncle who was a great storyteller. Everybody wanted to listen to him. maybe i have his gift or talent or whatever it is. when i grew up, folks wanted me to tell stories and so i started doing it. it was either that or hide out. while there are a variety of approaches to his trade, davis does elaborate on the first rule of successful storytelling. the key to a good story is a surprise ending, he says. no matter what the story is about, it needs something unexpected to happen at the end. some stories are humorous and some
take a serious turn. there is no set formula. another acclaimed storyteller, Kim weitkamp, mines material from conversations with her folks. i call my parents on a regular basis and interview them, she says. i could spend hours gathering stories about my relatives. as for her key to success, weitkamp says, Be prepared, with good, well-crafted stories. have a good stage presence and have a give-and-take with your audience. old-fashioned storytelling might seem antiquated in this era of digital, high-definition entertainment, but oconnor says its appeal is enduring. its important to preserve our oral tradition of storytelling, she says. whether its at our festival or sitting around the family dinner table, we all should share our personal stories. its a way to preserve our heritage, our family, our culture, our community. its a way to pass all of that on to our children. weitkamp agrees: humans can surround themselves with all sorts of gadgets, but the state of the art will never replace the state of the heart. when i tell a story i want to touch peoples own memories, says davis, whose stories are based on personal experiences. we all have an interesting character in our family or know about something interesting that has happened. Everybody has a story to tell.
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The Memphis Music & Heritage Festival takes place at the Center for Southern Folkore over Labor Day weekend.
west tennessee and specifically the city of martin. festival features several locally oriented events, various concerts and a street fair. contact: 731-587-3126, tnsoybeanfestival.org
celebrate labor day in style on the banks of the Emory river and enjoy crafts, concessions, kids activities, live entertainment, antique cars, contests. contact: 865-376-5572, roanetourism.com
September
activities include a 5K run, food, craft vendors, live music, fastest man in adamsville race, motorcycle fun races, line dancing lessons. contact: abiz.org
Tennessee Civil War sesquicentennial signature event: Civil War in the Borderland
sept. 6-7, Tennessee Tech university, Cookeville
presenters will discuss the battles, events and stories of the civil war, as well as offer brief dramas, musical performances, and living history demonstrations by the u.s. colored troops and sons of confederate veterans. Events are free. contact: register online at tncivilwar150.com.
two days and five stages of the best music, art, crafts, cooks, heritage talkers and storytellers the memphis/mid-south region has to offer. contact: 901-543-5310, southernfolklore.com
find some rare, one-of-a-kind antiques. good food and great music. contact: 423-323-4660, historicsullivan.com
the music festival honors the towns earliest settlers dating back to 1783. families will enjoy this all day main street music festival on the shores of loch (lake) douglas in the foothills of the beautiful smoky mountains. contact: 865-397-7420 ext.17, scots-irish.org
October
Enjoy food, fun and music on two stages, arts, crafts, games, puppet shows, lots of kids stuff, and of course loads of really good banana pudding. compete in the national Banana pudding cook-off or enjoy tasting. contact: 931-994-6273, bananapuddingfest.org
oct. 1, Centerville
craft booths, childrens play area and games. contact: 615-822-3898, festivalbythelake.com
heritage days
clogging, bluegrass and gospel music, demonstrations of mountain arts and crafts, vendors with handmade products, a benefit auction, genealogy records, historical re-enactments, and authentic southern cooking. contact: 865-436-5499, pittmancentertn.com
reminisce days gone by with home tours, folk art demonstrations, arts and crafts, refreshments and music. contact: 901-476-9727, covington-tiptoncochamber.com
annual BBQ-festival held every fall in downtown henderson. three days of BBQ, fried treats, childrens fun, games, vendors and entertainment stages. contact: 731-989-5222, chestercountychamber.com
oct. 1, greeneville
Pinson
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oct. 1, McMinnville
crafts festival, entertainment, parade, car and motorcycle show and the weigh-off of giant pumpkins for world record consideration. contact: 800-327-3945, allardtpumpkinfestival.com
heritage days
one of the nations largest folk, music and craft festivals featuring some 400 musicians on five stages and includes scores of artisans making authentic appalachian pottery, baskets, carvings, musical instruments, quilts, artwork and countless other hand-crafted wares. contact: 865-494-768, museumofappalachia.org
of appalachia, norris
rogersvilles historic town square with its quaint shops and historic homes provide a warm, welcoming setting for heritage days, a traditional community celebration of rogersvilles unique heritage. the festival showcases traditional music, storytellers, dancers, demonstrations of pioneer skills, antique quilts, food and a juried craft show. contact: 423-272-1961, rogersvilleheritage.org
farmflavor.com
Events are subject to date change or cancellation. Please call ahead.
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franklin
chili cook off, corn hole games and live music. contact: 931-243-2161, dalehollowlake.org
fall festival on franklins historic main street features arts and crafts, a childrens costume contest and activities, chili cook-off and music. contact: 615-591-8500, historicfranklin.com
over 120 traditional folk artists, local bluegrass and gospel groups. demonstrating traditional skills such as soap making, black smithing, weaving, quilting and more. contact: 731-686-8067, milan.tennessee.edu
local and regional entertainment, childrens activities and crafts, food, and contests. contact: 731-780-5144, hatchiefallfest.com
a juried art and craft show featuring clay, metal, basket weaving, and more. includes food from around the world, storytellers and musical entertainment. contact: Bell Buckle chamber of commerce, 931-389-9663, bellbucklechamber.com
this fundraiser for Books from Birth of middle tennessee will be a casual event featuring great food, live entertainment, a silent auction, and an evening of fun from 7-10 p.m. on property shared with the loveless cafe. contact: (615) 776-4230
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ghost in the grove and a quilt show featuring civil war quilts. contact: (615) 443-2626, fiddlersgrove.org
a weekend folk life festival celebrating the traditions of appalachia through music, dance, fine art, juried crafts, storytelling, demonstrations, regional authors, childrens activities and food. contact: 423-581-4330, rosecenter.org
hill lake. reserve your seat on pontoon boats for this 1 to 2 hour ride. take in autumn colors and see homes of some of the country music stars. contact: 800-250-8619, foeesp.ne1.net
November
Candelight Christmas open house
holiday shopping and browsing in victorian downtown paris. holiday scents, sights and tastes highlight downtown paris. take a wagon ride through beautifully decorated historic downtown. contact: 731-642-9271, visitdowntownparis.com
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chores of gratitude
aT daYs end, TIdY uP a lIvIng rooM fIlled WITh love
about the author
Julie Vaughn is a farm wife and mother to two wannabe cowboys in Middle Tennessee. Her days are filled with farm work, boy stuff and a long list of housework that never seems to get done, and she is terribly happy.
ts the end of a fairly typical day of my life here on the farm. Greenhouse work, cattle milking, gathering eggs, a few errands, a little breakfast, a little lunch, and before you know it, the day is coming to a close. Days end means supper on the table, baths for the boys, pajamas and a little cleanup around the house so no one breaks a limb if they venture out of bed after lights out. My job tonight is the living room, and I cant help but think there might not be another living room in the whole world with the same contents as my own. First, there is a pair of tiny cowboy boots, hat, holster, gun and rope all lovingly sprawled about by my 3-year-old, who just happens to be the cutest little cowboy this side of the Mississippi. He is not truly a cowboy without all the above, and he is adamantly not a sheriff unless he has his badge on. I didnt find a badge, so today he must be a cowboy. House shoes make me think of my oldest son. Theyre in the living room because I banned him from wearing boots in the house. (One can take only so much clomping while trying to prepare the bank deposit.) Under a blanket lies a pile of books, because early this morning he sleepily walked into the living room, grabbed his books and blanket, and crawled onto the couch to wake up. This is the same routine he has performed each morning since before he could walk, only now he does it without the sippy cup. Last but not least is the tractor manifold on
the floor. I think this is the item that truly sets my living room apart from any other. This of course reminds me of my dear husband, who works hard every single day to provide for this family of ours. This part was ordered for a Farmall Super A before the engine started leaking oil so badly that it was pronounced unworthy of said new manifold. I dont really know what a manifold does, only that I need to find a box to fit this one so I can send it back to the parts supplier for a refund. Tonight I happily picked up all of these items and put them where they belong. I cant say that I always go about this chore with joy in my heart. Everyone knows where things belong (and I dont mean the kitchen table, either!), but they dont take the time to put them away. However, tonight each and every article I touched was a sweet reminder of the loved ones I touch daily in my life. Indeed, I am living in a precious moment when my boys still give me hugs and want to give me a goodnight kiss. It is a season of our lives when my husband and I share every detail of every day, right down to the tractor manifold. I cant say all of our marriage has been this close. So it is with great thanks that I know him well enough right now to know what that tractor part on my living room floor is and why it is there. Yes, indeed I am thankful for all the contents of my living room tonight and the love that fills my heart as well.
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