Home Farm Spring 2009

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CAMPING WITH

THE CLYDESDALESLodestar Farm lets kids interactwith rare breed of horses

Win a trip to Huntsville

SEE TENNESSEE

NEIGHBORS

tnfarmbureau.org Published for the636,344family members of the Tennessee Farm Bureau

tnhomeandfarm.com

Spring 2009

Home&Farm

STATEFLOWER

POWERNashville agricultural center

showcases 40 varieties of irises

Tennessee

SEE GARDEN VIDEO ONLINE


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Tennessee

Home&Farm

TENNESSEE HOME & FARM(USPS No. 022-305)Issued quarterly by the Tennessee Farm BureauFederation, 147 Bear Creek Pike, Columbia, TN38401, (931) 388-7872. Periodical permit paid atColumbia, TN, and additional entry offices.

POSTMASTERSend address corrections to: Tennessee Home &Farm Executive Offices, P.O. Box 313, Columbia,TN 38402-0313.

TO SUBSCRIBE

TH&F is included in your $25 Farm Bureau annualdues. (No other purchase necess ary.) Stop by anycounty Farm Bureau office to join!

ADVERTISING POLICYFor advertising information, contact KellyMcBrayer at (800) 333-8842, ext. 277, orby e-mail at [email protected].

All advertising accepted is subject to publishersapproval. Advertisers must assume all liabilityfor content of their adver tising. Publisher andTennessee Farm Bureau Federation maintain theright to cancel advertising for nonpayment or read-er complaint about advertiser service or product.Publisher does not accept political or alcoholicbeverage ads, nor does publisher prescreen or

guarantee advertiser service or products.Publisher assumes no liability for products orservices advertised in Tennessee Home & Farm.

An official publication of the Tennessee Farm

Bureau Federation 2009 TFBF

EDITORPettus Read

CIRCULATION MANAGER

Stacey WarnerASSOCIATE EDITOR Jessy Yancey

COPY EDITOR Joyce Caruthers

ONLINE CONTENT MANAGER Matt Bigelow

CONTRIBUTING WRITERSDan Batey, Carol Cowan,Catherine Darnell, Rebecca Denton, Susan Hamilton,

Laura Hill, Anthony Kimbrough, Leslie LaChance,Kevin Litwin, Jessica Mozo, Ryan Vaden, Julie Vaughn

DATA MANAGERRanetta Smith

SENIOR PHOTOGRAPHERBrian McCord

STAFF PHOTOGRAPHERSJeff Adkins, Todd Bennett,Antony Boshier, Ian Curcio, J. Kyle Keener

PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANTAnne Whitlow

CREATIVE DIRECTORKeith Harris

WEB DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR Brian Smith

ASSOCIATE PRODUCTION DIRECTORChristina Carden

PRODUCTION PROJECT MANAGER Katie Middendorf

SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNERSLaura Gallagher,Kris Sexton, Candice Sweet, Vikki Williams

WEB PROJECT MANAGERS Andy Hartley, Yamel Ruiz

WEB DESIGN Ryan Dunlap, Carl Schulz

COLOR IMAGING TECHNICIAN Twila Allen

AD TRAFFICJessica Childs, Marcia Millar,Patricia Moisan, Raven Petty

CHAIRMANGreg Thurman

PRESIDENT/PUBLISHER Bob Schwartzman

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTRay Langen

SR. V.P./CLIENT DEVELOPMENTJeff Heefner

SR. V.P./SALESCarla H. Thurman

SR. V.P./OPERATIONS Casey E. Hester

V.P./SALESHerb Harper

V.P./SALESTodd Potter

V.P./VISUAL CONTENTMark Forester

V.P./TRAVEL PUBLISHINGSybil StewartV.P./EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Teree Caruthers

MANAGING EDITORS/BUSINESS Maurice Fliess, Bill McMeekin

MANAGING EDITOR/COMMUNITY Kim Madlom

MANAGING EDITOR/CUSTOM Kim Newsom

MANAGING EDITOR/TRAVEL Susan Chappell

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Natasha Lorens

PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTORJeffrey S. Otto

CONTROLLERChris Dudley

ACCOUNTINGMoriah Domby, Diana Guzman,Maria McFarland, Lisa Owens

ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER, CUSTOM DIVISIONBeth Murphy

INTEGRATED MEDIA MANAGERKelly McBrayer

RECRUITING/TRAINING DIRECTORSuzy Waldrip

DISTRIBUTION DIRECTORGary Smith

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTORYancey Turturice

NETWORK ADMINISTRATORJames Scollard

IT SERVICE MANAGERRyan Sweeney

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGERPeggy Blake

CUSTOM/TRAVEL SALES SUPPORTRachael GoldsberrySALES/MARKETING COORDINATOR Rachel Matheis

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY/SALES SUPPORTKristy Duncan

C U S T O M M A G A Z I N E M E D I A

Tennessee Home & Farm is produced for the TennesseeFarm Bureau Federation by Journal Communications Inc.,

725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400, Franklin, TN 37067,(615) 771-0080. All rights reserved. No port ion of

this magazine may be reproduced in whole orin part without written consent.

Member Magazine Publishers of AmericaMember Custom Publishing Council

Please recycle this magazine

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

PRESIDENTLacy Upchurch(Columbia)

VICE PRESIDENTDanny Rochelle(Nunnelly)

DIRECTORS-AT-LARGE

Jeff Aiken(Telford)

Charles Hancock(Bumpus Mills)

Linda Davis(Rutherford)

DISTRICT DIRECTORS

Malcolm Burchfiel(Newbern)

James Haskew(South Pittsburg)

Eric Mayberry(Hurricane Mills)

Dan Hancock(Smithville)

David Mitchell(Blaine)STATE FB WOMENS CHAIRMA N

Jane May(Newbern)

ADVISORY DIRECTORS

Dr. Joseph DiPietro(UT-Knoxville)STATE YF&R CHAIRMAN

Mark Klepper(Greeneville)

OTHER OFFICERS

AND STAFF PERSONNEL

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER

Julius Johnson

TREASURER Wayne Harris

COMPTROLLER Tim Dodd

Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation

Tennessee

Farm BureauFederationtnfarmbureau.org

Contest CentralIts that time of year again the flowers are blooming, the birds arechirping and everything is finally turning green. Spring is an inspiring

season for shutterbugs as illustrated in our photo essay on irises on

page 16 and we hope it motivates you to grab your camera and

capture a picture-perfect moment for our 14th annual photo contest,

which kicks off in this issue.

This year, were tweaking two categories to add Tennessee Churches

and Things on a Fencepost along with the ever-popular Just Kids. We

bet you amateur photographers can expand your creativity with these

ideas. Learn more about the contest on page 7, and find our official

rules and entry form on page 45 or on the Web at tnhomeandfarm.com.

Speaking of contests, how would you like to win a trip to Huntsville,Alabama? In addition to the fascinating exhibits and exhilarating

rides at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, the city also has botanical

gardens, living history museums and much more. Read the story on

page 28, and then be sure to fill out an entry form or register online for

a chance to win one of two vacation packages up for grabs. Good luck!

Jessy Yancey, associate editor

[email protected]

2 Home &Farm|Spring 2009 tnfarmbureau.org

Editors note


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ON THE COVER Photo by Antony Boshier

Ellington Agricultural Centers iris garden

168 28

Departments

4/From Our ReadersMembers tell us what they think

5/Read All About ItNew tiller turns garden into a rodeo

6/Short RowsIts time again for the photo contest

26/Country ClassicsMason jar magic with pickled peaches

27/Restaurant ReviewA little taste of heaven in Halls

28/See Tennessee NeighborsHuntsville mixes high-tech, history

34/GardeningHorticulture is good for your mind

37/Family SecurityMaking a stand for common sense

39/To Good HealthHealth-care costs can add up

40/Events & FestivalsThings to do, places to see

49/View From the Back PorchSpring lambing brings a guest inside

Features

8/Camping Withthe ClydesdalesLodestar Farm lets kids interactwith a rare breed of horses

12/A Trip Down Memory LaneOur Backyard Town B&B re-creates

a simpler, gentler time

16/State Flower PowerWalk among the irises atEllington Agricultural Center

20/Hide & SeekLynnville craftsman makes luxurygifts from American leather

22/Eating GreenGo green for the environment,

but also for good health

22

tnhomeandfarm.com Home &Farm 3

Table of Contents


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Questions, comments and story

ideas can be sent to: Jessy Yancey,

725 Cool Springs Blvd., Suite 400,Franklin, TN 37067, or e-mail us at

[email protected].

TENNESSEE LIVINGHOME & GARDENTRAVELFOOD & RECIPES

onlineTennessee

Lodestar Farm

Check out our video section to

learn more about the unique

black Clydesdale horses and a

great summer camp for children

in Buchanan, Tenn.

Only OnlineWatch videos, find recipes, enter contests and more.

Food & RecipesPlan a Sunday brunch with our unique

breakfast recipes. You can also print or

e-mail recipes, and add comments for

making these dishes tas te even better.

TravelSign up for our See Tennessee

Neighbors giveaway to Huntsville, Ala.,

at the homepages online entry form.

tnhomeandfarm.com > PHOTO CONTEST

In Search of ImagesUpload your best shots of Things on a Fencepost, Tennessee Churches or

Just Kids with our online photo entry form. See page 45 for more details.

Stick Horse ManiaMy Old Trusty Steed [Winter

2009] by the enjoyable Pettus Readbrought back many fond memories.

I, too, was reared on a tobacco farm

and rode the trusty steed. But my

greatest pleasure with the tobacco

sticks was to build a playhouse by

stacking the sticks log-cabin st yle.

Mud pies and cucumber dolls were

made and played with there.

I feel stick horses and houses are

now obsolete because they dont

require batteries.

Marjorie WadeClarksville, Tenn.

Stick horses may be on the

extinction list, but I assure you

theyre not in our family. Our grandson

Jaxson has been riding a stick horse

for over a year now. He loves riding so

much that when he comes to visit us,

he is usually not here more than five

minutes, and he has already gone to

the toy room to retrieve Midnight, his

trusty black stallion stick horse that

resides at Gran and Papas house.

Jaxson spends a lot of time staying

with us and literally rides him from

sunup to way past sundown when

here. He also has Misty that lives at

his home, and he enjoys watching old

DVDs of Bonanza, The Lone

Ranger and The Man from Snowy

River. His mommy says he thinks he

is truly supposed to be in a Western.

Wayne and Tina Hopkins

McMinnville, Tenn.

Editors note: Many readers wrote us

in response to Pettus column in our

Winter 2009 issue, both reminiscing

about their own stick horses, as well as

reporting that active imaginations are

still alive and kicking. We appreciate

your comments, so keep them coming!

Home & GardenFind more spring gardening tips from

past Dr. Sue columns, including rose

varieties that require minimal care.

Tennessee LivingDiscover why Laura Hill thinks we

should celebrate the new year in

spring. Read this and more seasonal

musings from our regular columnists.

Jacki Turner


From Our Readers


7/52

About the Author

Pettus L. Read is

editor of the Tennessee

Farm Bureau News

and director of

communications for

the Tennessee Farm

Bureau Federation.

Read his weekly

blog of country

wisdom and wit in

the Tennessee

Living section at

tnhomeandfarm.com.

SEE MORE ONLINE

Ahh! Spring has arrived with the beauty

of its flowers and the sounds of garden

tillers in the distance. Every backyard,

open space and whiskey barrel is being filled,

tilled and planted all across the state.Gardeners are releasing all of their built-up

stress from a long winter of reading seed

catalogs and watching HGTV. These green

thumbs are finally planting Big Boys,

Beefsteaks and other b-named varieties

of tomato plants.

I, too, have had that same desire this year.

Along with my fellow gardening friends,

I spent the winter months seeking just the

right place on my property to sink hundreds of

dollars into the ground to grow $20 worth of

produce over the summer. But, I also use thesame reasoning used by other gardening

enthusiasts as we write another check for more

miracle dirt. I reason that it keeps us outside,

and the soil is therapeutic.

This year I have gone even more in the

therapeutic area of enjoyment by ordering

one of those little tillers. After two deliveries

by UPS and three big boxes, I prepared to

assemble the last garden tool I would ever

need. I could have paid $30 more to have them

assemble it, but not old country conservative

me. I have tools, and Im a man.So, one Saturday morning in my garage I

opened the boxes and poured tiller parts out

for hours. It is amazing what those folks can

pack in a cardboard box! The instructions had

plenty of pictures, thank goodness, but the

packaging was all vacuum-sealed and encased

in bulletproof plastic. Why do they do that?

After using the Jaws of Life to open all the

packaging, I began to put the tiller together.

I did real well with the engine assembly and

only got the handles backwards. That required

me to disassemble the entire machine twiceto get them right. Finally, after a few bruised

knuckles and three Band-Aids due to box-

cutter-inflicted puncture wounds from opening

the hermetically sealed parts, the tiller looked

showroom perfect.

With the pride of a kid holding a brand-new

bike, I gently carried my 20-pound,two-cylinder tiller to the backyard. With

instructions in hand, I pushed all the buttons

and gave the starter cord a yank. The little

engine started to purr like a kitten, and I

pulled on my form-fitting professional garden

gloves like I was a racecar driver in the

Indianapolis 500. I pulled down my JD cap

over my eyes and gave the troll lever a

squeeze to set the tiller in motion.

The little purring engine immediately

started sounding like a giant hornet locked up

in a fruit jar for two days. It roared with itsentire might, and I suddenly noticed one

mechanical failure on my part that was really

making a difference. I had put the blades on

backwards, and my little tiller had suddenly

become a deranged kangaroo. I had it by both

handles in a death grip, but it was bouncing so

high that at times it would block the sun.

I wanted to stop it, but I had failed to read

that far in the instructions. I had just read

the starting part, so I was now tilling things

that I hadnt planned on tilling.

After a bouncing trip around the yard, myhand finally (and accidentally) hit the kill

button on the handle. The tiller stopped, but

the laughs coming from the sunroom window

where my wife had been watching the tiller

rodeo continued into late afternoon. My arms

had become like jelly and, when I tried to

remove my gloves, I had a problem of making

my hands come together. I couldnt even take

my finger and touch my nose.

Since that afternoon, Im tilling somewhat

like the advertisement demonstrated. But next

time, I think I will pay the $30 for assembly.That seems more therapeutic than being the

whole show for a tiller rodeo.

Springtime ShowNEW TILLER TURNS GARDEN INTO RODEO


Read All About It


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24

5

1/Why Rockefeller RocksThe Rockefeller Archive Center

online exhibit, Their Bellies Are Being

Satisfied: The Rockefeller Quest To

Conquer Hunger, shows the worldwide

impact of Rockefeller funding for

agriculture. John D. Rockefellerestablished the General Education

Board (GEB) in 1903 without

distinction of race, sex or creed.

Although U.S. colleges received

grants for buildings, salaries and

scholarships, the emphasis was to

improve the rural Souths economy by

educating impoverished farmers. Many

were African-Americans who had few

occupational choices due to legal and

social discrimination, so the GEB hired

traveling agents to demonstratemodern farming techniques and assist

farmers with testing new crops. The

University of Tennessee and Tennessee

Agricultural and Industrial College

both received GEB grants.

Visit www.rockarch.org/gallery to

view the online exibit.

2/Photogenic FarmersHe visited with farmers families.

Ate their homegrown food. Walked their

unpaved paths. Then, he shot photos.

Over the course of three years, Paul

Mobley photographed more than 300

farmers in 35 states from Tennessee to

Montana, traveling more than 100,000

miles across North America. In 2008,

he amassed his striking images into a

book,American Farmer: The Heart of

Our Country.The book has more than 150 photos

and includes interviews by Katrina

Fried, who provides the farmers

perspective on the struggles and

blessings of life married to husbandry.

Go to tnfarmbureau.org for more

information and a link to purchasing

a signed copy at a discounted price.

3/Commander Inn ChiefIts not the White House, but all

three presidents from Tennessee

stayed there.

The Netherland Inn of Kingsport was

frequented by several prominent

Americans, including Andrew Jackson,

Andrew Johnson and James K. Polk.

The estate now known as The

Netherland Inn House Museum and

Boatyard Complex is the nationsonly registered historical site that was

both a boatyard and stagecoach stop.

LindaCraft

PhotoCourtesyofRichardEvans


Short Rows


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TNFARMFRESH

Watch Your Garden GrowAn entrepreneurial Giles County farm is doing its best to redeem the

perception of chicken manure.

In 1993, Rollins Farm added chickens more specifically, their eggs to

its stock of cows and pigs. With thousands of chickens roosting, Ed and

Teresa Rollins soon realized the potential for using the birds waste as

fertilizer. Their composting effor ts led to a partnership with the Tennessee

Department of Agriculture and the University of Tennessee Extension

Service to develop a new product: R- GROW organic soil conditioner.

Through a closely monitored five-phase system, R-GROW is a mixture of

natural waste and fresh wood shavings, blending carbon and nitrogen to

emit as little odor as possible.

The conditioner serves as an excellent choice for top dressing and soil

incorporation. According to customers, the nutrient-enriched plants

possess brighter colors, higher yields and healthier appearances after

R-GROW application.

Ed Rollins traded in his former occupation for full-time farming in 1995.

Now dedicating himself to ensure that his clients are fully satisfied with

R-GROW and other Rollins Farms products, he seeks advice from

professionals, collaborates with retailers and meets with customers

face-to-face.

Ed and Teresas children, Debbie and Robert, also help run the farm,

which is solely family operated. Established in the 1970s, Rollins Farm also

sells fresh beef and honey. The soil conditioner contributes about one-fif th

of the farms revenue.

Bulk and individual purchases of R-GROW are available at Rollins Farm in

Prospect, and bulk can al so be delivered locally. Learn more about how to

order at www.rollinsfarms.com.

Developed in the early 1800s as a

Holston River boatyard, the site was

later bought by Richard Netherlandand converted into an inn and tavern.

Today, the Netherland Inn

Association owns and preserves the

site, where it hosts special events.

The museum, decorated with artifacts

and replicas from the 19th century,

revives the frontier days of America.

4/Send Us Your Photos!Its time for the 14th annual

Tennessee Farm Bureau Photo Contest.Bring out your cameras and capture all

the springtime beauty around you. Be

on the lookout for photos that fit in one

of these three categories: Tennessee

Churches, Things on a Fencepost and

Just Kids. Category winners will each

receive $100, and the grand-prize

winner receives $200.

For more details, check out the

entry form on page 45 or go online to

tnhomeandfarm.com. Also, be sure to

note the deadline change this year all

entries (whether online or mailed in)

must be postmarked by Aug. 1.

5/Fostering the ForestsSmokey Bear has old friends in

Knoxville, although fire prevention

isnt their main concern.

This year, the University of

Tennessees Tree Improvement

Program (UT-TIP) marks its 50th yearof commitment to faithfully improve

and protect the forests. Since 1959,

UT-TIP has been securing forest

animals winter food supply and

studying ways to make forest property

more valuable. The program also

benefits landowners by improving the

genetics, and thus productivity, of both

hardwood and coniferous trees.

Striving to educate students from

kindergarten up, UT-TIP is the oldest

active forestry research program in thestate. Visit treeimprovement.utk.edu

to learn more.

Tennessee Farm Fresh helps our states farmers market their products directly to

consumers through an organized marketing program. For more information about the

program and more Tennessee farm products, visit www.tnfarmfresh.com.

SEE MORE ONLINE



10/528 Home &Farm|Spring 2009 tnfarmbureau.org

Tennessee Living


11/52

Camping

LODESTAR FARM LETS KIDS GET UP CLOSE

AND PERSONAL WITH A RARE BREED OF HORSES

Clydesdales

As sunlight peeks into the barns of

Lodestar Farm in Buchanan at

daybreak each morning, youll find

Meredith Vajda mingling with a

herd of handsome black Clydesdales.

The first thing Meredith does every

morning is go down to the barn to see the

horses, says Jim Vajda, Merediths husband

and co-owner of Lodestar Farm. She wants

to make sure she likes the way everybodys

looking. Theyre like her own children.

Clydesdale horses, made famous by the

Budweiser Clydesdales that appear in

commercials and parades, are known for

the feathery white hair on their fetlocks and

are traditionally bay, or light brown, in color.

Black Clydesdales are a rare breed, with

fewer than 3,000 living in the United States.

Meredith and Jim started breeding and

selling the unusual black Clydesdales in

Washington state in 1999. They now have

10 of the black beauties: Bootes, Arcturus,

Raspaban, Nova, Spica, Keira, Dutchess,

Kimberly, Domino and Kaylee. Lodestar Farm

is also home to Kitalpha, a Gypsy Drum filly,

and Traveller, a Gypsy Vanner.

We wanted a project we could do

ourselves, and we considered miniature

horses, Meredith recalls. But while

vacationing in eastern Oregon, we saw

a herd of black Clydesdales, and we

were taken with their beauty and elegance.

They look very regal, and theyre gentle

and smart.

The Vajdas moved their Clydesdale farm

to West Tennessee in August 2007.

Jim wanted to retire and move somewhere

where it would be less expensive to buy

property the size we needed, Meredith says.

We looked at property in Indiana, Missouri

and Tennessee, and found this 91-acre cattle

farm that already had two barns on the

property. It also has a 10-acre field of hybrid

Bermuda grass, and were able to offer

boarding here as well as horse training.

To satisfy the publics curiosity about their

rare breed of horses, the Vajdas graciously

open their farm to the public free of charge

on Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for open-

barn hours, giving people a chance to get a

STORY BY JESSICA MOZO

PHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY S. OTTO

Visit Lodestar Farm in

our online video, where

we see these unique

Clydesdale horses in

action and talk with

their owners, Jim andMeredith Vajda.

SEE VIDEOONLINE

With the

Three of Jim and Meredith Vajdas rare horses graze in a pasture at Lodestar Farm in Buchanan.



12/52

Meredith Vajda, top left, and her husband breed black

Clydesdales in West Tennessee. They also run summer

camps that teach children, such as 9-year-old Laura

Whitby, right, about riding and caring for horses.


Tennessee Living


13/52

close look at the black Clydesdales.

We had 300 people show up at our first

open barn. Most people who visit our farm

say theyve never seen a black Clydesdale,

Meredith says. Having open-barn hours is

our way of being a good neighbor. People

can pet the horses, and if there are little

kids, we try to give them a ride.

Kids ages 6 and up can ride the

Clydesdales and a whole lot more at

Lodestar Farms annual summer horsecamps. The day camps run Monday through

Friday every week of the summer starting in

late May or early June, and each week is

limited to six campers so everybody gets

one-on-one attention. In 20 08, the cost of the

summer camp was $275 per week.

We have a curriculum for the week, and

we do a little of everything, Meredith says.

We start off with lessons on being safe

around horses, grooming a horse and having

students learn what to look for in a horse.

Then we move on to leading a horse, trotting,bareback riding, basic Western and English

riding, and trail rides.

When the campers feel comfortable around

the horses, they can even play games with

them, as well as learn about bathing them,

horse feed and horse first aid.

We take clues from the students on how

much interest and experience they have,

Meredith says. Most are not horse owners,

but Im surprised at the number of kids who

arrive with some horse experience. We only

have two rules everybody needs to be safe,and everybody needs to have fun.

Campers leave with a new appreciation

for horses and for animals in general.

What they learn here can be applied to

other farm animals and even dogs, Meredith

says. The one-on-one interaction between

the horses and kids is so important. It gives

them self confidence when a 2 ,000 -pound

animal does what they ask them to do.

For the Vajdas, the best part about the

camps is seeing other people enjoy their

horses as much as they do.

We get a kick out of seeing a little 6-year-old kid control an animal that big, Meredith

says with a laugh. Our horses are well-

trained, so if you touch the back of their foot,

for example, the horse will lift it up for you.

Clydesdales originated in Scotland during

the Middle Ages to carry knights in armor

and arrived in the United States in the 1800s.

The knights needed a big-boned, hearty

horse to carry all that weight, and they

appreciated the Clydesdales big feet because

they were not likely to sink in the boggy land,

Meredith explains. The breed almostdisappeared from this country at one time,

but Budweiser helped change that in the 1950s

by offering free breeding to their stallions.

Meredith and Jim and all those who visit

Lodestar Farm love the black Clydesdales

for their gentleness, intelligence and beauty.

We love horses, we love this breed and

we love interacting with them, Meredith

says. Going down to see them at the barn

is the first thing I do every morning and the

last thing I do before bed at night.

Visit www.lodestarfarm.com or call(731) 247-3220 for more information on

Lodestar Farms summer horse camps.

FarmFacts

Horsing Aroundin Tennessee

Our state ranks second

in the nation for total

equine numbers. That

means more than

200,000 horses and

ponies reside on 41,000

farms. Rutherford

County is home to the

most horses, followed

by Wilson, Williamson,

Bedford and Marshall.

Tennessees most

popular breed, quite

logically, is the

Tennessee Walking

Horse, followed closely

by quarter horses. The

two breeds combined

account for more than

half the states total

equine numbers,

according to the

Tennessee Agricultural

Statistics Service.



14/52

A Trip Down


Travel


15/52

When most of us think about our

backyards, decks, swing setsand flower beds come to mind.

When Mike and Cathy Barnett

think about their backyard, theyre thinking

old-timey barbershops, antique cars and a

train depot.

Welcome to Our Backyard Town bed and

breakfast in Martin, one of Tennessees most

fascinating, one-of-a-kind destinations and a

unique spot for a close-to-home getaway.

Located on part of what was once Mike

Barnetts family sawmill and farm (he still

runs the lumber business there), OurBackyard Town boasts four acres of antique

and new buildings. Together, these buildings

recreate the look and feel of two towns of

yesteryear the 1920s on one side and the

1950s on the other.

In addition to a nostalgic trip back to a

kinder, gentler time, overnight guests can

enjoy comfortable pampering in two log

cabins and a hearty home-cooked breakfast

by Cathy, an accomplished chef.

We had no plans to be a bed and

STORY BY LAURA HILL

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WES ALDRIDGE

Reserve a Room

in Their BackyardOur Backyard Town

is located at 520 N.

College St. in Martin.

Call (731) 587-1918 for

reservations, or visit

ourbackyardtown.com.

OUR BACKYARD B&B RE-CREATES

A SIMPLER, GENTLER TIMELane

Memory

Cathy and Mike Barnett opened Our Backyard

Town, a junk-collection-turned-B&B, in 1998.



16/52

breakfast, says Cathy, who admits

she had never stayed in a B&B until

she owned one. We were just tryingto entertain ourselves while our kids

were in college. Some people hire

psychiatrists; we just played in our

junk in the backyard.

That junk was the result of

Mikes lifelong collecting affliction.

Antique cars. Porcelain advertising

signs. Relics from country stores.

Flea market finds, estate sales and

lots of swapping.

As the collection grew, especially

the cars, the Barnetts began reworkingexisting buildings on the property into

display areas for their treasures.

People came to visit, celebrations of

all sorts took place in the yard, and

their tiny town grew and grew.

Eventually, people asked to spend

the night, and word of the Barnetts

bounteous hospitality spread.

They obtained their B&B license in

1998, but another year passed before

any official guests were registered.

I was worried my grandmotherwas sure wed be robbed blind,

Cathy laughs.

Today, two log cabins equipped

with all the conveniences of a

modern hotel room attract visitors

year-round from throughout the

country and overseas and even

from closer to home.

I have to say it was one of the

most wonderful experiences I ever

had for an anniversary, says Brenda

Evans of Martin, who was treated toa night at Our Backyard Town by her

husband. It was very welcoming,

the dcor was homey and beautiful,

and we were treated like royalty

from the moment we arrived.

In the backyard today, Clints Cut

and Chew, a mans place set in the

farms old smokehouse, serves as an

old-fashioned tobacco store and

barbershop. A vintage checkerboard

appears to have a game in progress,

and an antique barber chair and toolslook ready for a shave and a haircut.

In the old chicken coop, visitors

enjoy a gas station with antique

pumps, a 1950s diner and a vintage

grocery store complete with screendoor and a nostalgic array of

groceries from rural general stores

of yesterday. A 1920s drugstore

contains an authentic soda fountain.

A tiny chapel seating 20 guests has

become a charming spot for weddings

of all kinds. And soon, a train depot,

complete with toy train and antique

four-poster bed, will join them.

Its like stepping back in time,

says Kate Miller of Knoxville, who

spent several weeks at Our BackyardTown when husband Daniel was

temporarily working in Martin. The

little details are amazing, right down

to the canisters in the general store.

And the Barnetts go out of their way

to make you comfortable.

Perhaps the towns biggest

attraction is Mikes collection of 27

antique cars, a hobby he began at

15. Among his collection is a 1911

Maxwell, a 1939 Packard Victoria

convertible and a 1931 CadillacLaSalle that once belonged to Hoot

Gibson, retired NASA astronaut.

As popular as the buildings and

vintage treasures are within, though,

it is the Barnetts hospitality that

keeps visitors coming back. Cathy

modestly attributes her talent for

making people feel comfortable to

her mother and grandmother and

to a major change wrought by a bout

with Guillaume-Barr syndrome that

cost her the sight in one eye andimpaired the other.

I tell people all the time that we

have plans for what were going to

do with our lives, but we dont know

what God has planned, she says.

God gave me the gift of hospitality.

She and Mike have never met a

guest they didnt like, Cathy says.

Apparently the feeling is mutual.

People plan to come for a night

and ask if they can stay another, she

says. Thats the highest complimentI can get that and when people

come back to see us.


Travel


17/52

Pottery onthe PremisesOne of Our Backyard Towns unique

attractions is the hand-thrown

pottery made on the premises by

the Barnetts son, Clint Riley.

A graduate of the University of

Tennessee at Martin with a degree in

visual arts, Riley has exhibited widely

at festivals and crafts shows, where

his functional and decorative itemshave gained considerable attention.

Rileys Six Toe Studio is named for

his son, Kizer, who was born with six

toes on his left foot. Its a reminder,

Riley says, of the uniqueness of

each of us as humans as well as

each piece of pottery. True to his

mantra, no two pieces of Rileys

work are exactly the same.

Visitors to Our Backyard Town can

watch him make his pottery, buy a

piece in the gift shop, or order a

custom piece with choices of size,

color and glaze. To learn more, visitwww.sixtoestudio.com.

A cozy room in a log cabin at Our Backyard Town costs just $120 per couple per

night, making it popular for anniversaries. Visitors also come to see the collection of

27 antique cars and many other nostalgic items, from collectibles to entire buildings.



18/52


19/52

In a peaceful clearing on the spacious grounds of EllingtonAgriculture Center in Nashville, irises of more than a hundredvarieties and colors pop up from the ground every spring.Its kind of like a secret garden not everybody is aware

its there, says Darnell Hester, vice president for Region 7(Tennessee and Kentucky) of the American Iris Society and anavid iris grower on his Springfield farm. You can see so manynew and popular iris varieties on about one third of an acre.The iris garden is located at the end of a scenic nature trail

and features a stunning white gazebo, which has made it oneof Nashvilles most popular outdoor wedding destinations.The garden is maintained by around 40 volunteer members

of the Middle Tennessee Iris Society, an affiliate of the

American Iris Society.We are responsible for weeding, fertilizing and replanting to

keep the iris plants growing, Hester says. The society alsohas a flower show in May and an iris sale in July. Both are heldat the Ellington Agriculture Centers Jones Auditorium.It was the annual iris sale that prompted Hester and his wife,

Judye, to join the Middle Tennessee Iris Society in 1989.We saw an ad for the iris sale and wound up buying some

plants, Hester recalls. Now we have our own iris gardenon our farm where we grow more than 1,000 iris varieties,including ones we hybridize.Iris blooms begin to appear in mid-April and reach their peak

around the second week in May. Ellington Agriculture Centeris open during normal business hours Monday through Friday,and admission is free.

Interested in joining a local chapter of the American IrisSociety? Call Hester at (615) 384-6593.

State Flower Power


Photo Essay


20/52

Looking for more places to see irises?

Visit www.tennesseeirisfestival.comfor

details on the event in Dresden, or learn

about Greenevilles annual Iris Festival

at www.greenecountypartnership.com.

SEE MORE ONLINE


Photo Essay


21/52

For a virtual tour of the

iris garden at Ellington

Agricultural Center, visit

tnhomeandfarm.com and

click on the video page.

SEE VIDEOONLINE



22/52

Learn more about Col.

Littletons products from

The Colonel himself attnhomeandfarm.com.

SEE VIDEO ONLINE



23/52

Most folks regard their family

heirlooms with more than a

touch of nostalgia, counting

items of lasting value whether

sentimental or otherwise among their

most prized possessions. Since 1987, one

Tennessee designer and craftsman has

staked his entire business on that reality.And hes accomplished much success.

I got to thinking about family heirlooms,

says Col. Garry Littleton, proprietor of Col.

Littleton, Purveyor of Fine Accouterments in

the Americana Tradition. There are no more

swords, no more pearl-handled pistols, no

more pocket watches. So, I thought of a

pocketknife. If you had your granddaddys

pocketknife, what would you take for it?

Probably nothing. And thats where I started.

In fact, every heirloom-quality knife the

company sells is accompanied by a card

bearing the story of how Littletons own

grandfather gave his pocketknife to

9-year-old Littleton a gif t he still carries.

Today, Col. Littleton knives are crafted

with mother-of-pearl and bone handles and

Damascus steel blades. His knives, along

with leather apparel and accessories

ranging from picture frames to flyswatters,

are sold at retailers, in catalogs and online,

as well as at the Col. Littleton store in

historic downtown Lynnville, population 327.

Company headquarters and works,

including Littletons unique field-tent office

and artifact-filled research and development

department, reside on his Foxfire Farm on

the edge of town. It might be easier to run

the business from a metal building in an

industrial park somewhere, Littleton

acknowledges, but the farm is part of thephilosophy of what were about.

A major Lynnville employer, the company

gets its leather from a small tannery nearby.

We use all-American steer hide, Littleton

says. If you want some fancy black Italian

leather, youll have to buy it somewhere else.

Were a brown company.

Furthermore, all his products could have

been made in 1890, he says, and some

actually are based on designs of that era.

Many of the tools used to manufacture them

have changed little in the past century.

Even The Colonel himself, sporting a

handlebar mustache and flowing gray hair

and speaking with elegant country wisdom,

seems like a throwback to less complicated

times. I think everybody wants to believe

theres still a Mayberry somewhere where

lifes simpler, Littleton says. Thats pretty

much the way it is around here in Lynnville.

Its just real simple.

To order the leather products, call (800)

842-4075 or visit www.colonellittleton.com.

STORY BY CAROL COWAN

PHOTOGRAPHY BY TODD BENNETT

Quite FamousSome of the famous

people who own Col.

Littleton products

include:

LYNNVILLE MAN

CRAFTS LUXURY

LEATHER GIFTS&HideSeek

Col. Garry A. Littleton owns Col. Littleton LTD, which sells saddlebag briefcases, leather journals,

belts, hats, strongboxes and other products in hundreds of upscale mens stores, catalogs and online.


Tennessee Living


25/52

GO GREEN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT,

BUT ALSO FOR GOOD HEALTH

Eating

Go Green has become Americas

mantra when it comes to reducing

our energy consumption in the 21st

century. But the slogan could very

well serve another important purpose that

of our diets.

Leafy greens such as spinach, cabbage,

kale and chard are readily available in

backyard gardens across Tennessee (or insupermarkets, if your thumb is anything but

green), and they pack a punch when it comes

to vitamins and minerals. Iron, fiber, beta-

carotene and folic acid are just a sampling of

the nutrients you can get from spinach and

other greens, and that translates to health

benefits like stronger bones, disease

prevention and even a lower risk of

developing cataracts.

Not sure how to turn greens into a flavorful

dish youll actually want to eat? Thats where

we come in.Try combining chopped Swiss chard with

savory garlic and onion, and simmer it all with

rich chicken broth and plump, golden raisins.

Sprinkle on toasted pine nuts, and voila!

If spinach is your favorite green, whip up

our Wilted Spinach Salad with Warm Bacon

Vinaigrette. Spinach leaves, grated egg and

tomato slices are drizzled with a warm

dressing made from balsamic vinegar, onion

and spices with bits of crispy bacon.

You can even incorporate greens into soup,as we did in our Kielbasa and Kale Soup. Its

a chicken broth-based soup thats chock-full

of kale, a member of the cabbage family, as

well as sweet yellow onion, bright orange

carrots, fiber-rich cannelloni beans and

sliced kielbasa.

Finally, for a salad with Chinese flair, try

combining chopped Napa cabbage and bok

choy with toasted ramen noodle bits, slivered

almonds and sesame seeds. Toss it all with a

homemade soy-flavored vinaigrette dressing,

green onions, carrots and red pepper. Youcan even make it a healthy meal by adding

grilled chicken or shrimp.

STORY BY JESSICA MOZOPHOTOGRAPHY BY JEFFREY S. OTTO

FOOD STYLING BY KRISTEN WINSTON CATERING

Green


Food


26/52

Wilted Spinach Salad withWarm Bacon Vinaigrette

10 ounces baby spinach

4 ounces bacon, cut into -inch pieces

2 tablespoons olive oil

small red onion, thinly sliced

teaspoon kosher salt

teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

2 hard-boiled eggs

5 ounces grape tomatoes (about half of a package),

sliced in half, lengthwise

Place spinach in a large bowl.

Fry bacon in medium skillet over medium heat

until crisp, about five minutes. Remove, leaving

grease in skillet. Return skillet to medium heat and

add oil, onion, salt, pepper and sugar. Cook, stirring

occasionally, two to three minutes or until onion is

slightly softened.

Add vinegar and swirl to incorporate.

Pour warm dressing over spinach and toss gently

to wilt. Sprinkle bacon over the salad, grate the eggs

and top with grape tomato slices.

Swiss Chard with Pine Nutsand Golden Raisins

2 bunches red Swiss chard


1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 teaspoons minced garlic

1 cup chicken broth

cup golden raisins

2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Wash the Swiss chard and cut leaves from stem.

Coarsely chop leaves.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Add onion and

saut until soft. Add garlic and saut two minutes.

Add chard and toss until wilted. Add chicken broth

and raisins, and simmer until greens are tender,about 10 minutes. Sprinkle with toasted pine nuts

and serve.

When adding the Swiss chard to the pan,

it may seem as if theres too much, but

just keep tossing and it will wilt enough to fit.


Food


27/52

Napa Cabbage Salad

cup butter

2 3-ounce packages ramen noodle pasta, crushed

(do not use spice packet)

cup slivered almonds cup sesame seeds

1 medium head of bok choy (white part included)

1 medium head Napa cabbage

4 green onions, thinly sliced

2 medium carrots, julienned

1 red pepper, julienned

Vinaigrette Dressing:

6 tablespoons rice vinegar

4 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon pepper

cup canola oil or light olive oil

1 tablespoon soy sauce

Melt butter in a skillet. Add ramen noodles,

almonds and sesame, and saut until toasted.

Remove from heat and set aside.

In separate bowl, combine vinaigrette ingredients.

Trim the bok choy three inches from the bottom

and chop remaining in one-inch ribbons. Chop Napa

cabbage in one-inch ribbons.

Add remaining vegetables to cabbage mix. Before

serving, toss with noodle mixture and vinaigrette.

Kielbasa and Kale Soup

1 pound kielbasa, sliced into rounds


2 medium yellow onions, chopped

2 carrots, chopped2 teaspoons minced garlic

5 cups kale, thinly sliced in approximately

-inch ribbons

1 teaspoon kosher salt

teaspoon ground black pepper

2 14-ounce cans cannelloni beans

1 bay leaf

7 cups chicken broth

In a Dutch oven over medium heat, saut kielbasa

approximately five minutes. Remove kielbasa andset aside.

Add olive oil, and saut onions and carrots five

minutes. Add garlic and saut one minute. Add kale,

turn to low heat, cover and let kale steam for four

minutes. Add salt and pepper, then stir to combine.

Add beans, bay leaf, broth and kielbasa. Bring

to a boil, then turn heat to low and simmer for

10 minutes.

This dish tastes even better when

served the next day.



28/52

Want More?

Each issue of

Tennessee Home & Farm

highlights a selected

recipe from Country

Classics Volume II.

Copies of the cookbook

are available for

$17 each, including

shipping and handling,

from county FarmBureau offices, or by

calling the Tennessee

Farm Bureau home office

at (931) 388-7872,

ext. 2217.

One things for sure about Ann

Morrisons family and friends: Theyll

never go hungry on her watch.

You name it, I can it. I freeze, I make fried

pies, I make peanut brittle, I make chocolate

butter rolls, says the 74-year-old Henderson,

Tenn., homemaker who happily shares her

tremendous bounty. My mama said, You give

more away than anybody. The Lord has blessed

me in so many ways, I love to give it away.

Included in her repertoire of Mason jar

magic are Pickled Peaches, featured in Country

Classics II, published by the Tennessee Farm

Bureau Women, now in its second printing.

The peaches get mixed reviews from people.

Theres a lot of them that dont know what

they are or dont like for them to have to have a

seed, she says. Some people love them, and

some dont.

Still, Morrison keeps making her prized

pickled peaches and other homemade delights.

She stores her wares in her own freezers and

her two daughters freezers she is mother

to five, grandmother to seven, and great-

grandmother to two as well as her library,

which is an old smokehouse she and her late

husband, James, used for curing meat. A son

converted it to a pretty library, Morrison

says, with old books and souvenirs on one side

and shelves for her foodstuffs on the other.

In fact, all of her children live within six milesof her, so large family dinners are frequent.

When two of her grandchildren were in the

service, Morrisons peanut brittle made it to

them all the way to Iraq, Germany and the

Mediterranean. She sent it with the pastor

when he toured underdeveloped countries.

He came back with rave reviews.

Thats been my thing peanut brittle and

fried pies, she says.

Before her husbands passing in 2000, the

couple farmed all of their lives corn, cotton

and beans.I loved it, she says, having driven a tractor

for 35 years.

Morrison still lives on the family farm.

Its just in me, she explains. Im an outside

person. When spring comes, I love to run a

garden tiller and love to mow the yard. Ill be

here until someone takes me away.

Catherine Darnell

Pickled Peaches

4 cups sugar

2 cups vinegar

24 small whole peaches

4 sticks cinnamon

1 teaspoon whole cloves

1 teaspoon salt

Boil everything except the peaches for

5 minutes. Add peaches (not open hearts).

You can strain out cloves, if desired. Simmer

15 minutes or until tender. Place in hot sterile

jars and seal.

Mason Jar MagicCANNING WITH ANN MORRISON IS JUST PEACHY

BrianMcCord


Country Classics


29/52

The Dish on JustDivine Tea Room

Throughout the year,

our team travels the state

in search of good food

and friendly service. In

each issue, we feature

one of Tennessees best

eateries, and in our

opinion, the best dishes

to try.

Just Divine Tea Room,

located at 2257 Highway

88 W. in Halls, is open

for lunch Tuesdaythrough Saturday from

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dessert

is served until 3 p.m.

Just Divine can also be

reserved in the evenings

for private gatherings.

Call Pam Davis at

(731) 836-6113.

Visit the Food section

of tnhomeandfarm.com

for more Tennessee

restaurants worth

visiting.

Though the atmosphere of Just Divine Tea

Room is country-casual, visitors might beinspired to wear their Sunday best when

stopping by for a weekday lunch. Thats because

the eatery makes its home in the former Hales

Point Baptist Church. But no matter how they

dress, customers will f ind themselves singing

the praises of the tasty, home-style fare.

In 1998, Charlene Roberts spotted a vacant

country church while checking crops on the

family farm with her husband, Ronnie. They

bought the 50-year-old clapboard building and

moved it to its current location at Charlenes

Colony of Shoppes on Highway 88, where itjoined a thriving group of quaint boutiques.

After a year of renovation, the former church

sanctuary was transformed into the main

dining room, a cheerful space painted yellow

with white wainscoting accents. The walls are

covered with eye-catching dcor an antique

lamp, a landscape print, blue-and-white china,

a ceramic rooster all for sale, part of Roberts

inventory from her home furnishings store.

The smaller former Sunday school rooms,

called the Blue Toile and the Green and White

rooms, are designed for more intimate dining.A one-room house relocated by the Roberts now

serves as a larger formal dining room. Adorned

in rich reds and earthy browns, its perfect for

large groups and private parties.The loving attention to detail in the dcor

carries over into the food. Just Divines simple

menu features gourmet deli sandwiches and

salads, such as the zingy mandarin orange

salad with honey-pecan dressing, as well as

daily specials, like the creamy pesto pasta with

grilled chicken or shrimp. For a new twist on an

old Southern favorite, try the orange-scented

cornbread or the garlic-cheddar biscuits.

The restaurants fabulous chicken salad,

which began as one of Charlenes recipe

improvisations, has become something of alocal legend. Folks order it for sandwiches,

and they take it home by the pint. No wonder;

its made daily from fresh chicken breast

(no canned meat here), red seedless grapes,

chopped red and green bell peppers, almonds,

and a light honey-mustard-and-mayo dressing.

Dont miss homemade scrumptious sweets

like chocolate cobbler, hot-fudge cake, apple

dumplings or the decadent four-layer dessert,

built on a base of pecan shortbread covered in

chocolate pudding and cream-cheese whipped

topping, drizzled with chocolate syrup andsprinkled with toasted pecans. Its heavenly.

Leslie LaChance

A Little Taste ofHeaven in HallsTHIS CHURCH-TURNED-TEA-ROOM ISNT JUST FOR SUNDAYS

StaffPhotos


Restaurant Review


30/52

1Travel



31/52

VISITORS FIND A MIX

OF HIGH-TECH AND

HISTORY IN HUNTSVILLE

The 360-foot-tall Saturn V rocket

towering above Huntsvilles skyline

is the first indication that this city

offers something a little different.

Known as Rocket City, Huntsville, Ala.,

is home to Redstone Arsenal, a U.S. Army

post where work focuses on missiles,

aviation and rockets.

Just half an hour south of the Tennessee

border, this thriving cosmopolitan city offers

a wealth of fun and interesting places to

visit, from space-themed activities to a lush

botanical garden and interactive historic sites.

1/CLAIM-TO-FAME ATTRACTIONSThe states largest attraction is the U.S.

Space and Rocket Center, a hands-on

showcase of space technology.

Visitors can try dozens of interactive

exhibits from experiencing three times the

force of gravity in the G-Force Accelerator

to feeling the G-forces of launch aboard

the Space Shot.

Next to the space museum is the renowned

Huntsville Botanical Garden, a 110-acre site

with inviting woodland paths, grassy

meadows and flowers ablaze with color from

spring through fall. The Nature Center and

Childrens Garden complex features the

largest seasonal butterfly house in the nation.

The Huntsville Museum of Art in downtown

Huntsvilles Big Spring International Park

includes seven galleries filled with traveling

exhibitions and the work of nationally and

regionally acclaimed artists, along with a

2,522-piece permanent collection.

2/FUN FOR THE FAMILYBurritt on the Mountain A Living Museum

is a must-see stop for families. The 167-acre

site overlooking the city is home to a historic

mansion, a park with restored 19th-century

houses and an animal-filled barnyard.

Interpreters demonstrate activities that took

place on an 1800s-era farm blacksmithing,

spinning and cooking over an open hearth

STORY BY REBECCA DENTON

ROCKETHave a Blast in

CITYTENNESSEE

NEIGHBORS

SEE

Two lucky families will

win a trip to Huntsville!

You can check out the

entry form and official

rules on page 47, or

register online at

tnhomeandfarm.com.

A Saturn V rocket replica stands outside the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville. Visitors can

view the real restored spacecraft inside the museums Davidson Center for Space Exploration. Staff Photo



32/52

and nature trails wind through the

woods and around the mountain.

Sci-Quest Hands-on Science

Center is another great place for

kids to explore. The childrens

science center is home to more than

150 interactive exhibits including

a tornado simulator and a giant

magnetic pendulum and a 3D

Immersive Reality Theater.

For a change of pace, Monte Sano

State Park just a short drive from

downtown has more than 14 miles

of hiking/biking trails and a picnic

area on a bluff overlooking a scenic

mountain valley.

3/HISTORICAL INTERESTSOne of Huntsvilles most popular

historic destinations is the

EarlyWorks Museum Complex

downtown, which includes three

interactive museums Alabama

Constitution Village, the Historic

Huntsville Depot and EarlyWorks

Childrens History Museum. Some

highlights include a 46-foot river

keelboat, an 1860s-era train depot

with locomotives visitors can climb

on, and the cabinet shop where

delegates stood to sign the Alabama

State Constitution in 1819.

The stately Weeden House

Museum, built in 1819, is known for

its collection of period furnishings

and its elaborate design features.

Twickenham Historic District,

with early 19th-century homes

dating from 1814, is another good

place to check out architecture.

Visitors can rent or buy a self-guided

CD of the district at the Visitor

Information Center on Church

Street downtown.

4/GOOD EATSWhen youve worked up an

appetite, take time out to enjoy

the citys diverse restaurants.

The Blue Plate Caf is a local

landmark that specializes in home-

style favorites such as meatloaf,

fried pork chops, chicken and

dumplings, hash-brown casserole

and black-eyed peas.

The Jazz Factory, downtown on

Washington Square, serves up San

Francisco cuisine in a large dining

room with a mezzanine. Open

nightly for dinner and brunch on

Sundays, this restaurant also hosts

live music several nights a week and

features an upstairs lounge with

pool tables.Rosies Mexican Cantina is a

casual, family friendly place known

for its spicy barbecued chicken

nachos as well as signature chips

and salsa.

The upscale 801 Franklin serves

creative and elegant dishes prepared

with heirloom and organic foods

from local farms, and it focuses on

a seasonal menu.

Another choice for fancier fare

is Dolce Enoteca e Ristorante, amodern, casually elegant Italian

restaurant and lounge.


Travel


33/52

5/RING IT UPA must-see shopping stop is

Harrison Brothers Hardware on the

square downtown. Established in

1879, its the oldest continuously

operating hardware store in the

state. Things havent changed much

inside this store, where shoppers can

find old-fashioned candies, marbles

by the scoop, cast-iron cookware,

oak rocking chairs, bird feeders and

other gifts.

Modern-day shopping destinations

with a range of retailers and

restaurants include Madison SquareMall, Bridge Street Town Centre,

Parkway Place mall and Interior

Marketplace.

For more information about

Huntsville, including a list of

attractions and itinerary options,

visit www.huntsville.org .

The Huntsville Botanical Garden spans110 acres. Above: The childrens area at

EarlyWorks Museum Complex Right: The

Huntsville Museum of Art Staff Photos

3

1

1

Antony Boshier



34/52

For the latest Value Plus information and more discounts for Tennessee Farm Bureau members,call the hotline at (877) 363-9100. Visit our Web site at www.tnfarmbureau.org/valueplus.

Exclusive Farm Bureau Member Savings

Visit our Web site at

www.tnfarmbureau.org/valueplus

TOLL-FREE

(877) 363-9100

American Cellular

Offer applies to new activation. 10% cell phones,

smart phones and air cards with recommitment toexisting contract. www.americancelluar.net (user

name and password: tfbf). Available only by

calling or visiting American Cellular location.

Car Rental Discounts

(800) RENT-A-CAR

(800-736-8222)

www.enterprise.com.

Prices will reflect your member-only discount.Posted Internet rates and 1-800 rates may differ.

10% Discount

Nashville Super Speedway

*Not valid on day of race


35/52

Where Membership Means

Tennessee Farm Bureau

*Offers are subject to change without notice

Choice Hotel Discounts

Call or go online: (800) 258-2847www.choicehotels.com

Farm Bureau ID# 00800606

Prescription Savings

Present Farm Bureau membership card toparticipating pharmacy to receive discount.

independent pharmacies.

Visit the Agelity section ofwww.tnfarmbureau.org/valueplus to locatepharmacies and obtain drug pricing.

The card is not an insurance benefit and willnot offer additional savings on pharmacy discountsoffered through insurance plans. Some restrictions may apply.

Vision Discounts

of America on the Web @ www.ecca.com.

Discounts cannot be combined with insurance benefits, coupons,promotional offers or any other offer.

Online Tax Preparation

20% Discount

Home and Commercial Security

System Discount (ADT)

standard monthly monitoring rate

savings account. Offer applies to homeowners only. Local permitfees may apply. Certain restrictions may apply. Offer valid for newcustomers only. Other rate plans available. Cannot be combined

UP TO 60%SAVINGS!

FB MEMBER

ANY COUNTY ASSOCIATE

MEMBER NO. 99-12345 EXP. 12/31/01

TENNESSEE FARMERS INS. COs.

www.fbitn.com

TRH HEALTH PLANS

HOTEL/MOTEL DISCOUNTS

-ID#00800606

20%

ComfortInn &Suites, Quality,SleepInn, Clarion,MainStaySuites,Econo Lodge,RodewayInn,CambriaSuites,Suburban

GRAINGER INDUSTRIAL SUPPLY

CELLULAR SAVINGS

VISION DISCOUNTS

ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CAR

ADT HOME SECURITY -

PRESCRIPTION DISCOUNTS

Advance reservations required. Blackoutdates and other restrictions apply.

Lands End

Business Outfitters


36/52

Good forMindYour



37/52

GARDENING BENEFITS MORE THAN JUST YOUR STOMACH

I

ve been gardening for more than

25 years, and experience has taught

me that gardening benefits my body as

well as my mind. Working in my garden

is a real stress buster, helping me relievefeelings of anxiety and providing a break

from the general rush of my life.

Ive learned that Im not alone in my

thinking. Noted author Eva Shaw reports

many psychological benefits of gardening

in her book Shovel It: Natures Health Plan.

Her research found that people who garden

generate the same brainwaves as people

who meditate, and that grief-stricken people

who worked in a garden recovered faster

than those who didnt. She also reports that

gardening can lower blood pressure, reducedepression, cut the effects of chronic fatigue

and reduce the need for pain medication.

Environmental psychologist Roger Ulrich

reports similar findings in his research. His

studies show that even just viewing a garden

or nature has healthy psychological benefits

and can help people heal and recover faster.

Many hospitals now have gardens as part of

their facilities because Ulrichs research has

shown that people with wounds or other

physical problems heal faster if exposed to

gardens or landscapes. By focusing less onthemselves and more on plants, they have a

more positive outlook.

Ulrich now works full-time consulting

on the design and implementation of

therapeutic gardens for health-care

facilities. His work demonstrates that

gardens can be planted with stress reduction

in mind using soothing colors and scents

and buildings need to be designed to provide

plenty of views of nature.

Gardening connects us with the rhythm

of life.In fact, a growing area of professional

study is horticulture therapy, which uses

plants and gardens as a mode of treatment

for recovery from a variety of maladies.

Gardening can also be a good brain

workout. It gives us a chance to be creative.

I like to think of plants as my box of crayonsor paints, and the canvas I create usually

provides a great deal of satisfaction for me

along with a sense of accomplishment.

Plants serve as mental refreshment.

Research by Dr. Virginia Lohr found that

when interior plants or flower arrangements

are placed in an interior work environment,

employee work productivity is increased and

absenteeism is decreased. Based on this

finding, my boss provides fresh flowers

weekly for all office staff.

Adults arent the only ones to reap thebenefits of gardening; its advantageous for

children, as well.

In his latest book, Last Child in the Woods:

Saving Our Children From Nature-Deficit

Disorder, journalist Richard Louv says that

many children today who spend too much

time indoors being physically inactive and

not engaged in the natural world suffer from

nature-deficit disorder. He reports that the

symptoms of nature-deficit disorder are

ADHD, depression and obesity.

We are seeing an all-time high of theseafflictions in our children. Louv maintains

that gardening is a good activity to engage

our children with the natural world and

reduce nature-deficit disorder. I cant tell you

how many times I make my children shut off

the television and computer and go play

outside in their own garden.

Gardening requires us to live in garden

time. We all could use a lesson in slowing

down, and the garden therapy you can find

in your own backyard might be cheaper than

a therapist.Even if you dont have a green thumb, you

can benefit from a bit of garden therapy.

About the AuthorDr. Susan Hamilton is

an associate professor

in the University of

Tennessee Department

of Plant Sciences and

director of the UT

Gardens. The gardens

are a project of the

Tennessee Agricultural

Experiment Station,

with locations in

Knoxville and Jackson:

http://utgardens.

tennessee.edu.


Gardening


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About the Author

Dan Batey is vice

president of corporate

communications for

Tennessee Farm

Bureau Insurance

and can be reached

at [email protected].

Afew years ago I wrote an article on how

they make skillets over at the Lodge

Cast Iron Cookware foundry in South

Pittsburg. One of the things they told me is

that they were going to have to start

seasoning the skillets before they left the

factory, because people either would not or

could not do the job themselves, which caused

sales to suffer.

In case youre wondering what Im talking

about, seasoning a cast-iron skillet involves

oiling it up, bringing it to a high temperature,

then letting it cool slowly. Then your cornbread

will pop right out.

Lodge was compelled to offer pre-seasoned

skillets to keep pace in a world of Teflon. Try

finding anything but nonstick cookware any

place other than a serious cooking store.

Some people will try to tell you nonstick

cookware is intended to lessen the need for

grease, butter and oil, but, in my observation,

those pots are a sure sign of someone who

lacks appreciation for proper stovetop skills.

Nonstick pots and pans are just one example

of inventions that are intended to make life

easier but actually just dumb us down.

Spell-checks on computers are handy, but

they arent much help if you dont know the

difference between allude and elude.

And if a man doesnt have enough sense to

know when to turn his headlights on without

an automatic sensor, does he really need to beout driving around after dark?

Speaking of cars, a friend of mine bought his

son a fancy new SUV with a buzzer to let him

know when he was about to back into

something. All the device did was train the boy

not to look where he was going, and sure

enough, his daddy had to pay the deductible

when the alarm quit working.

Another automotive convenience that

renders lots of folks brainless is the cruise

control. How many times have you seen two

cars traveling door-handle-to-door-handle formiles because both of them have their cruise

set at the same speed and are blissfully

unaware of each other?

Recently there was an article in The Atlantic

magazine in which a British writer argued that

Americas jumble of traffic signs, intended to

make us safer, actually has the opposite effect.

He says Americans are trained to look for

speed limit signs (and scope the bushes for

the police) instead of looking at the road and

making sound judgments based on actual

driving conditions.

The gizmo makers and sign posters may

want to rob us of our good common sense, but

we can take a stand. Everyone should know

how not to weld an egg to a skillet. (By the

way, Charlie says it only takes a drop or two

of oil, and dont put the egg in until the skillet

is hot enough.)

Out on the road, dont rely too much on

artificial intelligence. Look over your shoulder

when youre backing up. Understand why

bridges freeze before the roadway. Know when

to cut off the cruise control. And in a howling

rainstorm, the sign may say Speed Limit 70,

but that doesnt make it a good idea.

Youll be happier and live longer, and your

insurance company will thank you, too.

Seasoning OurselvesTAKE A STAND AGAINST LOSING YOUR COMMON SENSE


Family Security


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V I S I T

www.tnfarmfresh.com

for a listing of local farmers near you!Or call (931) 388-7872 ext. 2763

When you buy from

local farmers you ...



41/52

About the Author

Anthony Kimbrough

is vice president

of marketing and

government relations

for TRH Health

Plans. His e-mail is

[email protected] more information

about TRH Health Plans,

call (877) 874-8323 or

visit www.trh.com.

Its a funny-looking Cat in the Hat cup,

but the nice folks at the bank wont like it

because its the third cup right now. The

other two beside it are already brimming over

with pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters. At

the end of each day, I toss what change I find

in my pockets into the cup, a habit I inherited

from my father. Eventually, my months of

saving all go into a bag, and Im off to the bank

to see how closely I guessed to the amount.

Ill admit its become a game for me,

watching a little change here and there add up

substantially. Last family vacation, it went a

long way toward paying for a beach condo.

Tightwad that I am, that was pretty cool.

Recently, two things happened in the same

day that caused me to wax philosophical about

the change-collecting habit. One, my teenage

daughter completely out of the blue told me

she had started her own change pile, and it

was growing. I was impressed and a bit proud

that she is following in her dads footsteps,

though I suspect it might also have been a

veiled suggestion that her allowance iswoefully shy of where it should be.

And secondly, a report came across my

desk at work that made spare change seem

insignificant: In one months time, 10

individual health claims totaling nearly

$2.4 million had been filed with TRH Health

Plans. Two claims totaled more than $500,000

each, and, maybe most startling of all, was

that four of those 10 claims were for children,

which alone accounted for $1.6 million.

Discounts, negotiated partly due to the

strength of having nearly 200,000 peoplecovered, enabled that $2.4 million to be

reduced by $1 million-plus, and then TRH paid

MakingCentsHEALTH-CARE COSTS, LIKE

CHANGE CUPS, CAN ADD UP

about $1.2 million of the remaining balance.

As I s tudied the report, I recalled a handful

of conversations over the past two or three

years with TRH members. Often prompted by

notification that premiums would increase to

keep pace with rising health-care costs,

members inevitably offer a phrase somethinglike this: Ive been paying premiums to you

folks for a long time and hardly ever have any

claims, or Weve not filed a claim this year.

Their point is very understandable,

especially when health-care costs continue to

outpace virtually everything else. But because

we also get the other side of the story told by

individuals and families like those 10 claims

we realize such a complaint misses the mark.

It fails to account for the unexpected and

tragic health issues that occur each day, the

kind of costly situations that, without health-care coverage, would financially bankrupt an

already emotionally bankrupt family.

It may sound too flippant, even when its not

intended to be, for us to simply respond to

complaints about cost by saying, Be grateful

you havent had claims. Unfortunately we

know those who have, and yet we are pleased

we can be a financial safety net for them.

The policies offered by TRH Health Plans are

an opportunity for folks to have something

in the cup. Its not exactly pennies, nickels,

dimes and quarters, but it adds up remarkablywhen that health issue youd hoped would

never occur actually does happen.


To Good Health


42/52

This listing includes events of statewide interest scheduled in March,April and May as provided by the Tennessee Department of TouristDevelopment.

Dates were accurate at press time but are subject to change; please call

the contact listed before traveling long distances to attend.

To include your local events in our listing, please call the Tennessee

Department of Tourism at (615) 741-7994. Events are included as space

permits. Additional information on Tennessee events is also available

online through the departments Web site, www.tnvacation.com .

MARCHMARCH 6-8ALL NATIONS AMERICAN

INDIAN FESTIVALTennessee Livestock Center, Murfreesboro

This festival includes Native Arts Market,

exhibition dancing, cultural exhibits, family

entertainment and more. CONTACT:

(615) 796-4210, www.mtsu.edu/powwow

MARCH 14

FEILE FRANKLINHistoric Downtown Franklin

Includes Irish dance and musicperformances on Main Street, special Celtic

vendors and festival foods. Throughout the

day, there are two stages of continuousdance and music. CONTACT: (615) 591-8500,

www.historicfranklin.com

MARCH 20-21

OLD TIME FIDDLERSCHAMPIONSHIPClarksvilleThis 34th annual state championshipfeatures authentic old-time music.Competition in 12 events with monetaryprizes awarded. CONTACT: Tad Bourne,(931) 552-6149, www.tnfiddlers.com

MARCH 21

60th ANNIVERSARY

OF THE OPENING OFTHE GATES CEREMONYOak Ridge

Sixty years ago, the secret city of Oak Ridgewas officially opened to the public, withnotable speakers and famous movie stars alllining up to be the first to enter the gates. This

year marks the anniversary of that event, anda recreation of that remarkable day will takeplace at the original Elza Gate and theAmerican Museum of Science & Energy.CONTACT: (865) 481-0542, www.orhpa.com

MARCH 21

47th ANNUAL WEARINOF THE GREEN IRISH DAYErinFrom the Grand Parade, leprechauns andbanquets to carnival rides, pageants andarts-and-craft booths, there is entertainmentall around. From wee tots to wise oldleprechauns, we have something for

everyone. Relive the spirit of St. Patrick at oneof the largest St. Patricks Day celebrationssouth of Chicago. CONTACT: (931) 289-5100

MARCH 28

OAKLANDS HISTORICHOUSE MUSEUM 50thANNIVERSARY EVENTMurfreesboroOnce the center of a 1,500-acre plantation,Oaklands was the home of the Maneyfamily. The house was built in four phasesduring a 40-year period; Oaklandseventually was transformed into anItalianate mansion with the fourth and finaladdition in 1857, just a few years before thebeginning of the Civil War. CONTACT:(615) 893-0022, www.oaklandsmuseum.org

Tennessee Events & Festivals

Fall Creek Falls Wildflower Weekend and Townsends Herb and Wildflower Day are two of many flowery events popping up.



43/52

MARCH 28-29

HISTORIC MANSKERS

STATION SPRINGENCAMPMENTHistoric Manskers Station, GoodlettsvilleObserve how people lived on the frontier inthe late 1800s. Costumed interpreters andre-enactors will camp around ManskersFort. Watch woodworking, blacksmithing,spinning, cooking over the fire and breadbaking. Tour Manskers Fort and the BowenPlantation House, built in 1787. CONTACT:(615) 859-FORT, www.manskersstation.org

APRILAPRIL 2-5

MULE DAYColumbiaOne of the biggest mule celebrations in theworld, this includes mule sale, mule pulling,mule shows, pancake breakfast, flea marketand parade. CONTACT: Mule Day Office,(931) 381-9557, www.muleday.com

APRIL 4

WOOLLY DAYRocky Mount Museum, Piney FlatsRocky Mounts annual spring event focuseson 18th century wool processing and otheragricultural activities. Come and see sheepshearing, spinning and weaving, and livinghistory tours of the Cobb House andgrounds. CONTACT: (423) 538-7396,www.rockymountmuseum.com

APRIL 4

GILES COUNTYGOBBLERS GALAPulaskiThis community event includes deliciousturkey, entertainment, games, crafts, andthe Turkey Roll and Turkey Calling contests.CONTACT: (931) 363-3789,www.gilescountytourism.com

APRIL 4

HERB AND WILDFLOWER DAYTownsend Visitors CenterA tribute to the beauty and fascination ofwildflowers, ferns, trees and herbs. Visitwith expert botanists, photographers andnaturalists. CONTACT: (800) 525-6834

APRIL 4

CELTIC CELEBRATIONMemorial Auditorium, ChattanoogaJoin the Chattanooga Symphony Orchestraas Irish fiddler Riverdance star EileenIvers electrifies with her blue violin at thisCeltic Celebration. CONTACT: ChattanoogaSymphony & Orchestra, (423) 267-8583,www.chattanoogasymphony.org

APRIL 4-5

WILDFLOWER WEEKEND

Fall Creek Falls State Park, PikevilleExplore the park and see wildflowers andbreathtaking views. Features a variety ofhikes, workshops, driving tours and more.CONTACT: Betty Dunn Nature Center,(423) 881-5708, www.tnstateparks.com

APRIL 9

JOHN OVERTONS BIRTHDAYTravellers Rest Plantation, NashvilleThe historic house will be open as you takea look at one of Tennessees most influential19th-century citizens. CONTACT: (615)832-8197, www.travellersrestplantation.org

APRIL 16-18

4th ANNUAL DUMPLIN DAYSAND STORYTELLING FESTIVALFiddlers Grove Historic Village, LebanonCome and experience storytelling, old-timegames, dumplin cook-off, musicalentertainment and more. CONTACT: (615)444-5503, www.lebanonwilsontnchamber.org

APRIL 16-18

4th ANNUAL FIDDLERSGROVE STORYTELLINGWard Agricultural Center, LebanonThe event will include a delightful day ofdumplins stewing in pots, storytelling

featuring nationally known storyteller BillLepp, storytelling workshop for those whowould like to work on their storytellingskills, craft demonstrations, an assortmentof food vendors and an old-fashionedchildrens game. CONTACT: Johnnie Payton,(615) 812-1183, www.fiddlersgrove.org

APRIL 16-19

AFRICA IN APRIL CULTURALAWARENESS FESTIVALMemphisCelebration honoring The Republic ofMauritania using education, economics,fashions, arts and crafts, music and cuisine.

CONTACT: (901) 947-2133,www.africainapril.org

APRIL 16-19

MARDI GRAS RIDEEast Fork Stables, JamestownCajun food, Cajun music, Mardi Grasparade, costume prizes, beads and bingo.CONTACT: (800) 978-7245,www.eastforkstables.com

APRIL 17-19

SPRING NATURE FESTIVALWarriors Path State Park, KingsportFeatures a wide range of nature topicswhere each leader first gives an indoormini-seminar then leads an outdoor walk onthat same topic. CONTACT: (423) 239-6786

APRIL 18

SPRING MILE-LONGYARD SALE ANDEXCURSION TRAINWatertownRide the train to the huge yard sale,which features arts and crafts,entertainment, and more. CONTACT:Jim Amero, (615) 237-1777, www.tcry.org

APRIL 18

DISCOVERY FESTWartburgFeatures rock climbing wall, hiking,paddling, horseback trail riding, ATV rides,kayaking clinic, childrens activities, food,arts and crafts, live music, and more.CONTACT: (423) 346-5740,www.morgancountychamber.com

APRIL 18

33rd ANNUALCANNONSBURGHPIONEER DAYCannonsburgh Village, MurfreesboroFood, crafts and demonstrations of life inpioneer times. CONTACT: (615) 890-0355

APRIL 18

ELKTON MILE LONGYARD SALEHwy. 31 South, ElktonMile long yard sale. CONTACT:(931) 363-3789, www.gilescountytourism.com

APRIL 20-26

WORLDS BIGGEST FISH FRYParisOver five tons of catfish are on order toserve thousands of visitors at this fish fry.Includes IPRA rodeo, parade, catfish racesand more. CONTACT: (731) 642-3431,www.paristnchamber.com

APRIL 25

EARTH DAYAK Bissell Park, Oak RidgeThis family-friendly event educates,encourages, and empowers citizens tocreate a sustainable community. Featuresinteractive exhibits, activities for all ages,presentations and live music. CONTACT:(800) 887-3426, www.oakridgevisitor.com


Events & Festivals


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APRIL 25

WHITE COUNTY

RENAISSANCE FESTIVALSpartaA medieval renaissance festival with ahuman chess match, storytelling, food,masked ball and much more. CONTACT:Carol Lee Norris, (931) 738-9238

APRIL 25

HERB FAIR AND GARDEN SALEThe Rose Center, MorristownThe Rose Center Herb Society conducts thefair that includes 50 herbalists. CONTACT:(423) 581-4330, www.rosecenter.org

APRIL 25-26

13th ANNUAL NATIONALCORNBREAD FESTIVALSouth PittsburgLive entertainment, juried arts and crafts,and food. This festival honors cornbreadwith the National Cornbread Cook-Off.Sample cornbreads and main dish recipes.CONTACT: (423) 837-0022,www.nationalcornbread.com

APRIL 25-26

FRANKLIN MAINSTREET FESTIVALFranklinMore than 220 artisans and crafters, four

stages of music and dance, two carnivals,and food courts. CONTACT: (615) 591-8500,www.historicfranklin.com

APRIL 25-26

CIVIL WAR LIVING HISTORYDAYS AT RAMSEY HOUSEKnoxvilleCivil War encampment with drills,demonstrations, and a skirmish each day.Demonstrations include arms, medicine,period clothing, period cooking, music andmore. CONTACT: (865) 546-0745,www.ramseyhouse.org

APRIL 26-MAY 2

TRENTON TEAPOT FESTIVALTrentonThis celebration is centered around thetheme of the Worlds Largest Collection ofRare Porcelain Veilleuses. The festivalbegins with a ceremonial Lighting of theTeapots and culminates in the AnnualGrand Parade. CONTACT: (731) 855-2013,www.cityoftrentontn.com

APRIL 30

CASEY JONES DAYJacksonCelebrate the anniversary of the legend ofCasey Jones, the worlds most famousrailroad engineer. Tour his original 1890shome in Casey Jones Village. CONTACT:(731) 668-1222, www.caseyjones.com

MAY 1-3

38th ANNUAL TACA TENNESSEE CRAFT FAIRNashvilleThis juried crafts festival features more than 180 contemporary an

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