Scenic Roots

Aerial view of the Hunter Museum of American Art. (Hunter Museum of American Art) The arts can - and should - provide a place of learning and healing for a community. Here in Chattanooga, how the Hunter Museum of American Art connects the arts and health for the community benefits people from all walks of life - including artists and health care professionals. This work at the Hunter received rene...

Under the Terminal Station Dome at the Chattanooga Choo-Choo. (AIA Tennessee) Perhaps the most iconic building - along with its sign - in this city, the Chattanooga Choo Choo complex has evolved over time from a gateway to the world to a hotel and entertainment center. As the Choo Choo complex evolves once again, let’s look back as we prepare for all aboard into the future - in our latest conversa...

Inside the PodLab at UTC. (UTC) “Do you believe we have more in common than what divides us?” “Who have been the most influential people in your life? What did they teach you? “Is there someone you disagree with - but still love or respect?” “What are your hopes for the future?” Those are some of the questions asked, one conversation at a time, in “One Small Step” - a nationwide initiative of Stor...

(Chattanooga Area Food Bank) The high inflation of the past year has deepened the crisis of hunger from coast to coast. Food banks have been squeezed by higher prices - and by higher demand from the people who need food. The Chattanooga Area Food Bank - which operates in several counties in Southeast Tennessee and Northwest Georgia - recently began an expansion of its site in Dalton. Dominique Bra...

The Chattanooga Area Food Bank’s expansion in Dalton. “One Small Step” for Chattanooga and the Tennessee Valley. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

(Rosario Moore) Rosario Moore is from Mexico - and just a few years ago, she made her home here in Chattanooga. Now a teacher at St. Peter’s Episcopal School, Rosario is the author and illustrator of “The Wholks” - a series of bilingual books, in English and Spanish, for children. Rosario Moore at WUTC. (Rosario Moore)

Students in UTC’s Social Work program. (UTC) Trust is key for social workers - and the people they are trying to help. For students who pursue a career in social work, how do they learn to establish and maintain trust? One answer you’ll find here on our campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Mary Andrews is a lecturer and clinical instructor for UTC’s Social Work Program. Laurie Allen...

Common House No. 3 - a restored Industrial YMCA - in Southside Chattanooga. (Preserve Chattanooga) Every day, historic preservation is happening in many ways here in Chattanooga. What is that experience from a regulatory perspective - as a preservation-oriented developer - an advocate for historic sites - or just involved with personal projects? We’ll dive into all of that for the latest in our co...

Preserve Chattanooga: front lines of historic preservation. Still images build trust for social work students at UTC. Rosario Moore, teacher - and creator of “The Wholks.” These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

(Michael McCallie / via MainX24) For Main Street and Southside Chattanooga, the first Saturday in December spells MainX24. This year’s 24-hour festival of community events begins this Saturday at 7 AM. Monica Kinsey is coordinator of MainX24.

From “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” (CTC) At Chattanooga Theatre Centre, it’s a stocking stuffer of plays for the holidays. Scott Dunlap is the director of “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)”, which premieres this Friday at CTC. Chuck Tuttle is the director of “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever”, which opens next Friday, December 9th.

(UTC) In the business of logistics, a freight broker is the communications link who ensures freight moves smoothly between carriers and shippers, arriving safely - and on time. Starting in January, UTC’s Center for Professional Education will partner with logistics firms here in Chattanooga to offer a Freight Broker Professional Program. An open house is set for Tuesday, December 6th on campus. Jo...

A recent story from Rising Rock. (Rising Rock) “Rising Rock” is a class for storytellers here on our campus, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Billy Weeks is the professor of the class in UTC’s Department of Communication. For this semester, Madison Van Horn is Rising Rock’s editor. Seth Carpenter and Haley Bayer are assistant editors. _____ We look forward to sharing stories from this s...

This season of student storytellers at UTC’s Rising Rock. A training onramp at UTC for future freight brokers. MainX24 returns; Back-to-back holiday plays at CTC. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

(Creative Exchange) Creative Exchange is a new outlet for artists and creatives here in Chattanooga. Its first event is Sunday at PanCake Bakery on 801 Dodds Avenue, from 7 PM to 9 PM. Karla Felecia Scaife is with Creative Exchange.

Wreaths Across Chattanooga in 2021. (Wreaths Across Chattanooga) Each year, our fallen veterans are honored with wreaths at cemeteries around the country on National Wreaths Across America Day. This year’s remembrance is Saturday, December 17th. Mickey McCamish, retired U.S. Navy Captain, is president of Wreaths Across Chattanooga.

Art from “Unmasking.” (Mark Making) The week after Thanksgiving, Mark Making presents “Unmasking: Now We Speak” in downtown Chattanooga. The art exhibit with performances of poetic monologues takes place at ArtsBuild on Thursday, December 1st starting at 5 PM. I spoke with Frances McDonald, executive director of Mark Making - and Samacallihan, whose work is part of “Unmasking.” Samacallihan and Fr...

(Bernie Goldbach / Creative Commons) Starting Friday, Be the Change Youth Initiative presents a series of Concerts for a Cause here in the Chattanooga area. The concerts will celebrate the holiday season by providing gifts for youth - a toy drive in collaboration with the Partnership for Families, Children and Adults; Chattanooga Room in the Inn - and Isaiah 117 House. (Be the Change Youth Initiat...

Concerts for a Cause this holiday season in Chattanooga. Mark Making presents “Unmasking: Now We Speak.” Wreaths Across Chattanooga; Introducing Creative Exchange. These voices - and more - on this edition of “Scenic Roots.”

“Rise” by Lesley Dill, part of the “The F Word: We Mean Female!” exhibit at the Hunter Museum in 2020 and 2021. (The Hunter Museum of American Art) This year, the Hunter Museum of American Art celebrates 70 years here in Chattanooga - and we’re bringing you a series of conversations on its history, legacy and impact. For this conversation, we share perspectives from artists within reach of the Hun...

(ArtsBuild) For artists here in the Chattanooga area, applications are now open for a grant program that concludes with an exhibit or performance within Hamilton County. Grants of up to 10,000 dollars are available from the “Artists Work” program, run by ArtsBuild. The deadline for individual artists and artist studios to apply for a grant is Monday, January 9th. Melissa Astin is with ArtsBuild.

(River City Company) It’s a four-decade tradition on the Friday after Thanksgiving: reindeer and lighted boats in downtown Chattanooga. This Friday, from 4 PM to 8 PM, Reindeer on the Riverfront returns to Ross’ Landing - and on the Tennessee River, the Lighted Boat Parade from “The Southern Belle” and Erwin Marine Sales. Fireworks cap the free event. Dawn Hjelseth is with River City Company.

(Grateful Gobbler) On Thanksgiving Day, the Grateful Gobbler 5K Walk / Run begins at 8 AM in Chattanooga’s Coolidge Park. The event benefits the Maclellan Shelter for Families. Stan McCright is co-director of The Grateful Gobbler.

(Creative Commons) A car repair. A month’s rent. A utility bill. These are a few of the expenses covered by the Neediest Cases Fund here in Chattanooga, which gives one-time assistance to people in difficult circumstances to cover their expenses. The fund - filled with donations from readers of The Chattanooga Times Free Press during an annual appeal between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day - is ad...

(CHATT Foundation) This fall, the Chattanooga Community Kitchen changed its name to the Chatt Foundation. For more than forty years, the nonprofit has served three meals a day to those in need - but its mission today goes beyond that in many ways. Baron King is CEO of the Chatt Foundation.