White County officially named a Retire Tennessee Community

It's official. White County has become a Retire Tennessee Community.
Anyone interested in finding out more information, please call me at 931-836-3552. 

Franklin and White Counties Join 12 Established Communities

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bill Hagerty today announced Franklin and White counties have met the criteria to join Retire Tennessee, the state’s retiree recruitment program, bringing the state’s total number of active Retire Tennessee programs to 14.

“The addition of Franklin and White counties to our Retire Tennessee Program reflects a commitment from each community to promote Tennessee as a great place for retirees to call home,” Hagerty said.  “I applaud those communities that have made retiree recruitment a part of their economic development strategies and who see the benefits retirees can bring to the communities in which they choose to live.”

Communities participating in the Retire Tennessee Program have established a Retiree Relocation Committee, conducted a community assessment, started marketing efforts to attract and relocate the retiree market and participate in trade shows geared toward attracting retirees.

“We are so excited to officially be part of the Tennessee Economic and Community Development’s Retire TN Program,” said Jody Sliger, tourism and marketing director for the Sparta-White County Chamber of Commerce. “The Retire Tennessee Program focuses on recruiting retirees who are looking to become active community members, those looking for an active lifestyle in an outdoor setting, and individuals looking for a rural community with easy access to larger cities. I love Sparta and White County and feel we have exactly what people who are looking for in a place to retire.”

“White County has been welcoming retirees for many years, and we are very excited about being part of the Retire Tennessee Program,” Herd Sullivan, White County executive, said. “Retirees are absolutely one of the best economic impact dollars we can recruit.”

For more information on the Retire Tennessee program, visit www.retiretennessee.org or contact Ramay Winchester, ECD Retire Tennessee director, at ramay.w.winchester@tn.gov.

About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies which help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. The department seeks to attract new corporate investment in Tennessee and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tn.gov/ecd.  Follow us on Twitter: @tnecd.  Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd. 

The other Retire Tennessee communities are Cumberland, Hamilton, Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Loudon, Maury, Putnam, Roane, Robertson, Sullivan and Warren counties.

Perfect location. With great roads - about an hour
from Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga.

Follow me to Sparta Tennessee

Industry Appreciation Sparta-White County

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you - a great big THANK YOU goes to all our manufacturers and industries in Sparta and White County. You are so important to the county and we just want to show you a little of our appreciation. The event was held at the White County Heritage Museum on July 10, 2012.

Several of the 50 area industry, manufacturers, raw material providers, warehousing and transportation, and tool and die industry displayed some of their products and were on hand to share more information about them.

Here are just a few photos from the event.

The Journey - Junior Garcia

 Follow Junior Garcia on his Journey to take the message of The Cross to Washington and pray for our national leaders

This is Sparta TN HOG Rally 2012

TN HOG Rally - visits Sparta and White County

Thank you so much for visiting Sparta and White County while attending the Tennessee State HOG Rally in Cookeville. We were happy to see you traveling the roadways, visiting our restaurants, enjoying our wonderful waterfalls at Burgess Falls and strolling around town - We welcome you back anytime!

This is Sparta

click on photo to see video

Travel Writers visit Sparta and White County

Thank you to the State of Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Geiger and Associates for bringing this Press Tour of Travel Writers to Sparta and White County as one leg of your recent Travel Writer Tour of the Upper Cumberland.

We had a great time visiting with them and showing them some of the wonderful treasures we have in Sparta and White County.

There were actually four 'tracks' the writers could choose from, and each of these tracks had optional activities - so from one visitor to ten visitors, depending on the activity - enjoyed the scenic beauty, adventure travel or other interesting location across the county.

Writers from across the US and one from Canada were part of the tour.

Y'all come back now, anytime!

Earl Webb - Sparta native still holds baseball doubles record

Did you know . . .

William Earl Webb (September 17, 1897 – May 23, 1965) was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball, playing from 1925 to 1933. He played for five teams, including the Boston Red Sox for three years. He was born in White County, Tennesseeand died in Jamestown, Tennessee. In 1931, while playing for the Red Sox, he hit a record 67 doubles, a record that still stands today. He had a career batting average of .306 with 56 home runs. Webb finished second in the league in extra base hits in 1931 with 84. His .333 batting average in 1931 was seventh-highest in the American League. He also finished seventh in the 1931 American League Most Valuable Player voting. He batted left-handed, and threw right-handed.

McMinnville Historical Society Awards - May 2012

McMinnville held their Historical Society Awards in May
Guest speaker was our wonderful friend,
Lee Curtis, Special Projects Director with the State of TN Dept. of Tourist Development.

 

 

 

 

2012 Relay for Life - Sparta - White County Tennessee

Enjoy the slide show -
photos from the 2012 Relay for Life event in Sparta - White County Tennessee

2012 Relay for Life Sparta White County TN - slideshow

Leadership Class of 2012 - State Gov. Day in Nashville

Sparta - White County Leadership Class Members got a crash course in Tennessee State Government when they traveled to Nashville for State Government Day.

We sat in on several committee meetings, listened to a representative from the Fiscal Review committee, learned about lobbying and how it works from a respected lobbyist, visited with State Representative Charles Curtiss and Senator Charlotte Burk, and toured the State Capitol.

It was a packed day and while walking across Legislative Plaza, came upon Gov. Bill Haslam and he graciously asked to have his picture made with us.

The Leadership White County Program is administered through the Sparta - White County Chamber of Commerce, and classes begin in January and go through July, with graduation in August. For more information about this or any other Chamber program, please call 931-836-3552

Quilts on Barns

www.quiltsonbarns.blogspot.com

Tour the Sparta - White County Quilts on Barns Trail. Download the map guide, or visit the Chamber office for a copy. New information updated as available.

Stitching the world together, one block at a time.

Quilts on Barns - click on link

UCTA - May 2012 meeting

 

 

 

Northfield Elementary PreK Garden 2012

Northfield Elementary School in Sparta Tennessee has designed and constructed a garden at the school. The dedication service was held on last week and I created a video with some of the pictures and video.  Their song at 3 minutes is very cute.

Enjoy

Highlands Medical Center - formerly White County Community Hospital

Exciting news for Sparta and White County health care.

Several changes have been taking place at the hospital in Sparta over the past few years. Some of the wonderful local doctors purchased part of the hospital, Capella Healthcare has improved the quality of services provided and now the hospital has . . . 


finalized the partnership with St. Thomas Health.

Highlands Medical Center, formerly known as White County Community Hospital, is entering a new phase of healthcare -


"This is a landmark partnership for us and the communities we serve," said Mike Schatzlein, M.D. Saint Thomas Health president and CEO.

According to the official announcements made on May 1, 2012, Capella hospitals included in this joint venture are River Park Hospital in McMinnville, White County Community Hospital in Sparta, DeKalb Community Hospital in Smithville and Stones River Hospital in Woodbury. These hospitals will operate as part of the St. Thomas Health Network.

The changes will be soon evident and on May 1, 2012, not only did White County Community Hospital become Highlands Medical Center, renovations were launched with more than a $1 million investment that will focus on interior and exterior improvements - all with the goal of improving patient care.

Additionally the partnership will include:
A new standard of Quality and Service
Enhanced Cardiac Care; A new investment in expanded cardiac service lines at all four hospitals, development of a nationally accredited Chest Pain Center, as well as dedicated cardiologist coverage.

Click Here to view video of announcment:

Sparta - White County Community Guide

Have you checked out the Sparta - White County Community Guide

Click Here      

(If you want a copy to hold in your hand, drop by the Chamber office and pick one up)

Noah and a trip to the Capitol

Noah in front of the Tennessee Capital Building

When we had an opportunity, on a day Noah was out of school, we took a field trip for a fun history lesson. He and I spent some time touring the Tennessee Capitol Building in Nashville, walking around downtown Nashville, and checking out things at the Tennessee State Museum.

We saw so many wonderful things, historic and special - the historic Capitol Building, with original chandeliers - legends about marble staircases, but the most interesting (from Noah's point of view anyway) is the fact that . . . their are people buried in the walls!!!! Too cool!

All I can hope is that my constant stream of information (he kept on telling me I was talking and talking, like he was not going to listen) found some place to hide in that quick brain of his just waiting for the right time to make an impact. Of course I bought a book and some other history trivia cards and games that we will need to play. Sounds like fun to me - I will probably have to bribe him. Oh well.

There was a light drizzle going on that day, but it wasn't too cool and we had a great day.

24 Fit - Fitness Center, Sparta

Have you checked out 24Fit in Sparta?? If not, you are missing out.

Open 24 hours and day, seven days a week - convenient for YOU no matter what your schedule is.

24 Fit Grand Opening and Chamber Ribbon Cutting Ceremony - Feb. 2012

Relay for Life - because Cancer never sleeps

Give to the White County Relay for Life

The Patrick Story of 13

Happy Birthday Mary Elizabeth Patrick Smith - my precious big sister!


Today is January 13th

Thirteen is my lucky number, and my sister's . . . and my other sister's . . . and on some days my mother's . . . and although he would question it . . . I think my brother is pretty lucky on the 13th. At least on the 13th day of January, July and August. You see, all three of his sisters were born on the 13th of the month (January, July and August). Of course it is his lucky number, three SISTERS, all older than him, all born on the 13th! Please wish my sister a Happy Birthday today and read the story of 13 below.

Patrick kids of Cordova Tennessee

Seam ripper

Yes little seam ripper, I am giving you a workout tonight. Yes, I wish I had doublechecked the block layout too. Lesson learned. (Hopefully )

Sparta Snowman Contest

Here are a few of the entries for the Sparta Snowman Contest, we will post the winners and more entries as soon as possible.

Next year - YOU need to enter. All proceeds go to charity.  Be thinking of how you are going to create yours in December 2012

Dipsy Doodle yummy pie

Dipsy Doodle yummy pie. Look at that meringue.

I am enjoying my days off this week so very much. During the summer, I had a vacation scheduled and life happened, so instead I was off one day.

So here it is, the week before Christmas and I have never taken off at this time before - however, I worked Monday and have been off now three days.

All I can say is wonderful! I had no idea how great it would be to take off a few days the week before Christmas. It has rained and I don't care, because I have several projects I have been wanting to accomplish around the house. I am feeling a huge sense of accomplishment right now.

Not only that, all of the Christmas presents are wrapped.

The kitchen is clean, clean

And my sewing / quilting room is nearly finished.

Watch out fabrics, here I come with my rotary cutter.

Jody's Red. Green, Gold Quilt

Finally finished my Red, Green, Gold quilt . . .