Burgess Falls Butterfly Garden Celebration - Sat. June 15, 2013

Middle Falls at Burgess Falls State Natural Area

Burgess Falls . . . one of my favorite waterfall / hiking places. And the staff and volunteers works so very hard to develop and enhance the features at the Park.

Saturday, June 15, is the date for the Annual Burgess Falls Butterfly Garden Celebration ~

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

 9:00am   Walk in the Woods: with State Naturalist Randy Hedgepath. As we enjoy an easy walk, Ranger Randy will talk about the trees and their stories. The forest is likely to provide a few surprises from the multitude of plants and animals that live there.

10:00am Birds of Prey: Join the Ranger at the amphitheater to learn about our native hawks and owls.

11:00am Mammals of Tennessee Join the Ranger at the amphitheater to learn about our native mammals.

11:00am Landscaping with Native Plants:  Join us for a program on learning to landscape with native plants and attract butterflies and other wildlife to your yard.  Meet at the amphitheater.

12:00pm Butterfly Identification Walk:  Middle Tennessee Naturalist John Froeschauer will conduct an informal butterfly identification walk and talk. It will begin in the open garden, and will continue into the neighboring woodland habitat, where different species may be found. The walk will also focus on native butterfly food and nectar plants. Bring binoculars if you have them.

12:00pm Creek Studies:  Have you ever wanted to tell if a stream was clean or not by looking at the animals that live in it?  Well, if so this is your chance. Meet the Ranger at the picnic pavilion; wear shoes that you can wade in.

1:00pm Landscaping with Native Plants:  Join us for a program on learning to landscape with native plants and attract butterflies and other wildlife to your yard.  Meet at the amphitheater.

2:00pm Hike to the Big Falls Overlook:  Join the Ranger for a hike to the main falls overlook.  Meet at Picnic Shelter. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. About one hour, meet at the amphitheater.

2:00pm Butterfly Identification Walk:  Middle Tennessee Naturalist John Froeschauer will conduct an informal butterfly identification walk and talk. It will begin in the open garden, and will continue into the neighboring woodland habitat, where different species may be found. The walk will also focus on native butterfly food and nectar plants. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Additional exemptions approved for senior citizens on Hall Income Tax

Note: Information provided by Tennessee Town & City

Tennessee lawmakers approved legislation last week that raises the income exemption levels on the Hall Income Tax for senior citizens.

SB198 / HB192 increases the Hall Income Tax maximum allowable income exemption levels, for taxpayers 65 years of age or older, from $26,200 to $33,000 for single filers, and from $37,000 to $59,000 for joint filers, for tax years beginning in 2013.

Local government revenue  is estimated to be reduced by approximately $821,500 in fiscal year 2014-2015.

Many lawmakers have stated publicly that this is part of multi-year phase-out to totally eliminate the Hall Income Tax.

During TML's annual Legislative Conference in March, Rep. Charles Sargent, chairman of the House Finance Ways and Means Committee, told city officials "Over the next 10 - 12 years the Hall tax will probably end up disappearing. It's something that will be phased our over several years so everyone can adjust."

Chamber Welcomes Newest Members - Clippers Hair Studio

Clippers Hair Studio is growing and the Sparta - White County Chamber of Commerce recently held an official Red Ribbon Ceremony to celebrate the success.

"Clippers Hair Studio is the Best of the Best in the hair business," said Becky Simmons, "We offer cuts, perms, colors, waxes, spray tans and soon will have a esthetician here, too."

Staff includes: Becky Simmons, owner; Micha Simmons, Terrenia Zuber, Tiffany Jones and Tiffany Hutton.

Relay 2013 - Watch the slideshow

What a great event - and the #1 fundraising event for Cancer Research.

Here are some of the photos from the May 4, 2013 event in White County. (click on photo)

Nice Weather and Low Taxes - two reasons Tennessee listed as a Top State to Retire

Nice weather, low taxes, low cost of living, and great health services - just a few of the main reasons Tennessee is 

named a Top State to retire.

People who have made White County home already know how great it is to live here. Now the secret is getting out, Tennessee is one of the very best places to live ~ and CNN Money says even the pocketbook can attest to that. Click here for full story.

Located about an hour east of Nashville, north of Chattanooga and west of Knoxville, White County offers visitors and residents an eclectic mix of quaint hometown feel with easy access to world renown outdoor recreation and world class art and music.

While the area has been a retiree destination for decades, White County was designated an official 'Retire Tennessee' Community in 2012 after meeting the requirements set by the State of Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. This designation offers the community the ability to be part of a statewide team that specifically promotes the official counties in target markets.

According to the Tennessee Dept of Economic and Community Development "Tennessee's array of amenties will please any interest. Whether you enjoy an active lifestyle of prefer a more leisurely pace, Tennessee provides natural beauty, a mild climate, urban conveniences and rural peacefulness. With reasonable living costs and quality health care, Tennessee is a great state to call home. Come experience Tennessee and we'll show you how the good life just keeps getting better."

For more information or to request a relocation packet on moving to White County click here

Granny's Flower Beds and more

Remember when we would sit through Papa's slide shows? Quietly, attentive . . . remember??? Well, aren't we glad Papa took all those photos now.