A Family Business with Family Values
By Brandon Lowe
http://rrcustomdraperies.com

Even though R & R Custom Draperies technically got its start in 1996, the local family business, known for hand-sewn custom drapery design, truly got its start nearly 35 years ago.

At that time, Tazewell’s Ruby Muncy opened Ruby’s Decorating Center, which she ran successfully for years. Upon Ruby’s death in the early 1990s, the business was temporarily closed.

“After my Nanny passed my heart was broken,” says Ruby Ramsey, granddaughter of Ruby Muncy and now owner and designer for R & R Custom Draperies, which stands for the two Rubys.

“The family asked if I would like to carry on the business and I said no, that I didn’t think I could carry on without her,” says Ruby. “But after a few years of doing different things, I decided to open the business back up because there wasn’t anything more in the world that I loved to do than to design and create custom drapery.”

So, in 1996, Ruby, who began sewing with Nanny Ruby at the age of 16, decided to restart the business using the same industrial machines her grandmother purchased in 1973. Flash forward to 2010, and Ruby continues to offer the same simple and elegant design her Nanny Ruby offered years before.

“I hold her memories and values close to me and each project I do is a reflection of her,” says Ruby, a designer with an eye for accents.

And although R & R is known for custom sewing, the small business can also serve as a one-stop for your design needs. R & R now offers fabrics, trims, hardware, and can even furnish 2″ wood blinds, personal roller shades, and Roman blinds.

Also, first time R & R clients always receive a $50.00 gift certificate and Ruby offers two-hour in-home consults, as well as free installation.

http://rrcustomdraperies.com

Martha, Elizabeth and Josephine Ijams

An outdoor treasure in your own backyard

Located five minutes from downtown Knoxville, Ijams Nature Center is a 175-acre wildlife sanctuary and environmental learning center for all people. Ijams provides community-wide connections and outdoor experiences through education, conservation, recreation and responsible environmental stewardship.

This year, Ijams celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Ijams Family legacy, which began 100 years ago when H.P. and Alice Ijams purchased 20 acres of land on the outskirts of Knoxville in 1910. Over the years, the Ijams family developed the land into a natural showplace known as the Bird Sanctuary, which attracted birders and nature lovers everywhere.

H.P. Ijams, a talented commercial artist and bird fanatic, spearheaded Knoxville’s first ornithologist movement and hosted annual bird counts at the Ijams Bird Sanctuary for decades. Members of the East Tennessee Ornithological Society would camp overnight at the Ijams place and rose early the next morning to regularly document more than 100 species of birds before noon.

H.P. Ijams’ wife, Alice, ran a commercial horticultural business. Her passion for education and conservation inspired the formation of numerous local garden clubs. Alice was also involved with the Knoxville Girl Scout Council, who has been coming to the Ijams place since 1923. The four Ijams daughters, all talented naturalists, were the first Girl Scouts to be educated at the Ijams Bird Sanctuary. In the 1940s, students began making regular field trips. Similar expeditions still happen frequently today.

The Ijams Family Legacy also extends across the region through H.P. Ijams’ connections to the first campsite on Mt. LeConte. During the 1930s, H.P. used his artistic talents to promote the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Ijams and Townsend family ties also helped create Camp Margaret Townsend for Girl Scouts, which was directed for a time by Elizabeth Ijams, the eldest of the Ijams’ daughters. The site of the legendary camp is now home to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont.

The story of the Ijams family will be told in a new history book, Ijams Nature Center, written by Ijams’ Executive Director, Paul James. The book will be released on May 17 by Arcadia Publishing as part of its popular Images of America series and will feature 185 vintage photographs, drawings and maps from the Ijams family archives and other local sources. Coinciding with the book is the opening of a new permanent exhibit on the Ijams family at Ijams Nature Center. The exhibit will be open in time for a special Founder’s Day event for the public on Saturday, May 22nd from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. Visit www.ijams.org for further details.

In 2001, Ijams acquired Mead’s Quarry, a historic site that once produced Tennessee Marble used in local and national buildings and monuments, and is also featured in the new book. The National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. is at least one famous building that features Tennessee marble extracted from numerous East Tennessee quarries such as Mead’s. Although for many years Mead’s Quarry existed as an abandoned dumpsite, now once restored, the property, with its clear-blue 25-acre lake, scenic vistas and looped trails, has become a visitor favorite and a genuine jewel in the crown of Knox County Parks.

The success of Mead’s Quarry has facilitated further land expansion at Ijams with the addition of the Ross Marble Quarry, which Ijams is slated to open in November. The new 100-acre property features unparalleled scenic views, including natural rock formations and abandoned blocks of Tennessee Marble form rock bridges and keyholes that punctuate the landscape. An unforgettable experience, the Ross Marble Quarry echoes the rugged terrain of the Big South, and adds yet another dimension to Ijams’ natural areas.

For outdoor lovers seeking a more close-to-home destination, Ijams Nature Center offers a genuine alternative to driving to the Smoky Mountains. With new exhibits and plenty of nature programs for all ages, Ijams really is much more than one of Knoxville’s best kept secrets. Ijams is a historical, cultural and natural treasure.

The Carolina Chocolate Drops to Perform Benefit Concert for Joy of Music School and Other Local Charities

Internationally acclaimed music trio The Carolina Chocolate Drops will headline a fundraiser concert at the historic Bijou Theatre on Sunday, May 16 at 7:00 pm.  Presented by The Knoxville Breakfast Rotary Club, the 2nd annual concert will benefit The Joy of Music School and other local charities. A post-concert party will be held with the group for VIP ticketholders.

Heralded by the New York Times, Rolling Stone, Billboard, USA Today and many others, The Carolina Chocolate Drops are among today’s hottest musical acts and will appear at the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival this summer. Their song “Hit ‘Em Up Style” was featured as National Public Radio’s Song of the Day on April 5.

Paste Magazine praises the group’s “classic old-timey string blues, traditional folk tunes and groove-based contemporary numbers.” More information about the band can be found at carolinachocolatedrops.com.

“We are so grateful for the Carolina Chocolate Drops’ decision to play for us this year,” said Tom von Berg, Breakfast Rotary Club President. “They will help the great work of the Joy of Music School, which provides teachers, instruments and a place to play for disadvantaged kids in Knoxville.”

“We believe in bringing music to kids, and the work of the Joy of Music School, so we are excited to be able to help,” said Rhiannon Gibbons, vocalist for The Carolina Chocolate Drops.

Joy of Music School Executive Director Francis Graffeo added, “These fine musicians will be an inspiration to the 130 students and 60 volunteers who teach them at the School. We appreciate The Chocolate Drops making time in their very busy schedule to perform for us, and to help support this charity event for our work with those deserving kids and their music.”
       
General admission tickets are $35 and premium tickets are $100, which include reserved seating, a private, post-concert party with The Chocolate Drops, and a signed poster. Tickets for the concert are available online at knoxbijou.com, The Joy of Music School or Knoxville Breakfast Rotary Club.

Knoxville Breakfast Rotary Club is a member of Rotary International, the world’s largest service club.  Rotary is a worldwide organization of business and professional leaders that provides humanitarian service and encourages high ethical standards in all vocations. www.knoxvillebreakfastrotary.org

The Joy of Music School in Knoxville, Tennessee provides free music lessons and instruments to hundreds of children who would otherwise do without. Private lessons are taught by some 60 highly dedicated volunteer teachers. The School’s mission is to provide quality music education programs for financially disadvantaged youth. www.joyofmusicschool.org

Think outside the vase at bath junkie

Believe it or not, May is one of the busiest gift-giving times of the year. Between Mother’s Day, high school and college graduations, and birthdays, this is a month that definitely calls for some thought and some gift-giving originality.

But this time around, don’t rely on the usual gift suspects, such as the traditional vase of flowers on Mother’s Day. Instead, visit bath junkie at Turkey Creek, where they pride themselves on helping shoppers think outside the vase when it comes to finding an ideal gift for any occasion.

“Make your gift giving easy with one of our Fill’er Up gift sets. It’s the gift that’s always perfect,” says store co-owner and manager Amber Roggeman.

Shoppers simply purchase empty containers for bath junkie’s unique products, allowing the recipient to come in and customize each container by choosing her (or his) favorite products, fragrances and colors.

“Everything is already paid for, so you’re giving not just a gift but an experience,” Roggeman says. “The person just needs to come in and experience bath junkie’s personalized service.”

She adds that many gift recipients enjoy coming in as a group—bringing a mother, daughter, sister or friend along, for example—and sharing the process of creating their own special customized products.

Of course, even if the people on your gift list don’t get that good ol’ vase of flowers, they can still enjoy memorable aromas by choosing from among bath junkie’s hundreds of different fragrances. The fragrance of the month for May is Sweet Magnolia.

“You can combine that with Breeze and Sweet Rain to create the perfect spring fragrance,” suggests co-owner Jill Thompson. “It’s like picking a bouquet from our fragrance garden that will never wilt.”

Fun Dog and Cat Facts

Dogs:
• If never spayed or neutered, a female dog, her mate, and their puppies could produce over 66,000 dogs in 6 years!!!
• Obesity is the #1 health problem among dogs.
• A dog’s mouth exerts 150-450 pounds of pressure per square inch!
• Dogs have about 100 different facial expressions.
• Dogs sweat through the pads of their feet.
• 33% of dog owners admit to talking to their dogs on the phone or leaving them messages while away.
• Overgrown toenails cause most foot problems in dogs!

Cats:
• Cats respond best to names that end with an “ee” sound.
• Cats can be right or left pawed!
• Cats can see up to 120 feet away and their peripheral vision is about 285 degrees.
• Cat’s tail language: held high means happiness; twitching is a warning sign; tucked close to the body means insecurity.
• All cats need taurine in their diet to prevent heart disease.
• Milk can give some cats an upset stomach!
• Cats born with 6-8 toes per foot are called “polydactyl.”

Hopefully, with this beautiful spring weather, everyone is enjoying outside time with their pets. Just be careful not to let them overheat! Also, remember that the insects come out this time of year. Please protect your pet from fleas, ticks, and heartworm disease!!!

Erins' Meadow Herb Farm

Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm rests among the quiet, green rolling hills of Anderson County, TN in Marlow community just 10 minutes from Oak Ridge.
www.erinsmeadowherbfarm.com

Erin’s Meadow specializes in organically grown herb plants but offers everything “herbal” a person could desire, including “herbal education” through the many classes and workshops they offer.

Three large greenhouses are filled with thousands of herbs, many rare and unusual. Culinary favorites, herbs for tea, crafting, fragrance and medicine can be found. The farm offers 10 varieties of lavender alone!

Organic seasonal vegetables are available as well. The herb farm also offers a variety of berry crops and annual and perennial flowers.

Erin’s Meadow is a quiet country sanctuary that every gardener should experience. Owner Kathy Burke-Mihalczo and husband John Mihalczo, Jr. invite visitors to tour the 12 herbal theme gardens on display or explore the farm’s gift shop for organic gardening supplies, dried bulk organic herbs, essential oils and aromatherapy items. “Garden-tiques,” one-of-a-kind vintage accessories for the home, patio and garden are for sale and beautifully displayed throughout the gift shop.

Located in the gift shop is the herb farm kitchen classroom. The large u-shaped counter and seating is the ideal location for classes and programs. Students enjoy a close-up, hands-on experience during classes which are offered year-round. Classes offered include sessions on cooking with herbs, growing herbs, herbal medicine, crafting and aromatherapy.

Special events are a fun part of Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm. Each year several events are held. These events are free to the public. May brings the annual Mother’s Day Tea, always held the Saturday before Mother’s Day. The first weekend in June celebrates the herb farm’s birthday. Happy 15th birthday this year! July will simmer with the aromas of the Garlic Fest on July 17th. Herbal Education Day is in August, and Fall Herb Day and Girl’s Day Out are offered each autumn. And “Herbal Christmas” celebrates the holiday season.

Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm
May 2010 Classes and Events

May 29 at 1:00: “Plant and Use a Backyard Medicinal Herb Garden” – $25
Provide simple home remedies and promote natural health with a backyard medicinal herb garden. Discover the best medicinal herbs for your garden and how to plant and maintain them. Design tips will be discussed and students will be introduced to several basic medicinal preparations. A little self sufficiency can go a long way in a world of crowded waiting rooms, insurance claims and drug recalls!

Join us Saturday, June 5th from 10:00-3:00 for our 15th Anniversary Celebration! Food, music, door rrizes and 15% OFF EVERYTHING!

Below are the upcoming classes and events held at Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm. For a map, driving directions, business hours and class information, visit online www.erinsmeadowherbfarm.com

Erin’s Meadow Herb Farm
132 England Lane
Clinton, TN 37716
865.435.1452
www.erinsmeadowherbfarm.com

Mothers Day at Pure Luxe Spa
pureluxespa.com

Celebrated every year, Mother’s Day is an occasion when individuals express their love and respect that they have for their mother. It’s time to pamper her for all she has done for us over the years. What better way to show your appreciation and love than to treat her to a day of pure luxury?

A day at the spa is the perfect way to thank the mom in your life for everything she does. When she comes to Pure Luxe, she will experience all the pampering and luxury there is to offer. The moment she steps through the doors, she will be transported into a soothing environment and greeted by the friendly staff. She will then be shown to the women’s bathroom which is adorned in marble, crystal and sparkling decor. After changing into her plush robe, she will relax in the lounge before she is guided to her private massage room. After a full hour of mesmerizing massage, she will then receive a rejuvenating facial and pampering manicure and pedicure.

Her day at the spa does not stop here! After her treatments, she is invited to make full use of the opulent facilities. This includes basking in the sauna with a cool towel soaked in eucalyptus, detoxifying in the private steam shower, and bathing in the experience shower. All of this is accompanied by a spa lunch made with fresh, local, organic ingredients provided by Luxe Catering & Events.

So thank the mothers in your life with a Spa Package from Pure Luxe, and she will be thanking you!

For more information on pricing and packages, call 474-7873.

Pure Luxe Salon, Spa & Medspa
10780 Hardin Valley Rd
865.474.7873
pureluxespa.com

Knoxville Landscape Company Branching Out

You’ve surely seen their signs in yards and on trucks throughout Knoxville and the surrounding region, but what you may not know is that Acadia Landscape Company offers much more than just landscape / hardscape installation.

“It all starts with a design,” say designer Julie Cooper and landscape architect Patrick Beasley. “Acadia has developed a reputation for working hand-in-hand with their clients to develop unique gardens and outdoor living spaces that are perfectly suited to their individual needs.”

Acadia’s chief operator, Phil Bonifacio, agrees. “More and more of our clients are looking for a one stop shop – someone they can trust to blend good ideas and quality materials into a functional outdoor garden. And because more of our work involves our entire spectrum of landscaping services, we’ve recently expanded to a new location in the old Ellenburg Nursery space at 5805 Walden Drive (off of Northshore Drive near Kingston Pike).”

The new facility allows Acadia to stock samples of hardscaping materials, plants, fountains and containers, which makes the selection process easier and more involved for the client.

In addition to their new location, Acadia is offering expanded landscape architecture services, including LEED-certified plans for those looking for environmentally friendly landscaping services. Or, as Phil points out, you can still install the exact same eco-friendly garden but not worry about “counting points.” “LEED certification is a point system, with pre-set guidelines for making a project more environmentally friendly. Developers and commercial projects will do it in for tax breaks, but most of our residential clients do out of the goodness of their hearts.”

In time, Acadia hopes to offer a variety of plants and shrubs unique to their company. “We plan on stocking hard-to-acquire varieties that are currently unavailable in this region — shrubs, trees and flowers that will make a landscape unique.”

Bill Jones Music

In with the New… Bill Jones Piano and Organ

Out with the old and in with the new is what spring is all about. This year, Bill Jones Music is celebrating spring in a whole new way with the grand opening of their second piano and organ retail location in Turkey Creek, Bill Jones Piano & Organ (formerly Heritage Piano and Organ next to Ethan Allen). This new location will house a wide variety of Yamaha, Kawai, Pearl River and Hallet & Davis Grands, Baby Grands and upright pianos. Additionally, Bill Jones Piano & Organ will also carry an array of brand name Allen Church organs and Lowrey home organs.

Like the flagship Bill Jones Music location on Kingston Pike that offers piano education courses such as the Yamaha School of Music and Scott Houston’s, Play Piano in a Flash, Bill Jones Piano & Organ in Turkey Creek will additionally provide music learning through its Lowery Quick Start Program. While the Yamaha School of Music and Piano in a Flash courses are geared toward children and adults, the Quick Start Program is specifically designed for seniors. With the addition of Bill Jones Piano & Organ, Bill Jones Music can now offer music education at every stage of life, for all the people in East Tennessee.

To celebrate this Grand Opening Event, Bill Jones Music and Bill Jones Piano & Organ has arranged a Special Dealer Purchase with up to HALF OFF plus low interest financing or no interest cash options on name brand pianos and organs available at both locations from May 10th through the 31st. Don’t delay… Grand Openings only happen once and the best values go fast!

Bill Jones Piano and Organ
11139 Turkey Drive
Knoxville, TN 37934
865.675.1512

Bill Jones Music
10412 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37922
865.690.6465
www.billjonesmusic.com

In 1947, New York newspaper reporter John Gunther, came into town, checked out the area, then returned to New York and wrote that “Knoxville, Tennessee is a scruffy little city on the Tennessee River and the ugliest city in America!” Those remarks led to the founding of the Dogwood Arts Festival. The natural beauty of Knoxville, its dogwoods, azaleas, and other flowering plants seemed to be the vehicle to “polishing” Knoxville’s image. Thus, in 1955 members of the Knoxville Garden Club lead by Betsey Creekmore, Martha Ashe and Betsy Goodson, along with a group of concerned citizens with a vision began a civic beautification project… “The Dogwood Trails.”
As more people came to Knoxville to drive the trails, area business and community leaders felt more entertainment was needed for the visitors. A Charter of Incorporation was signed on March 31, 1961, and that official document listed the Festival’s purposes as “advancing, promoting, supporting, and fostering the natural beauty of the City of Knoxville, Tennessee, and the surrounding area and advancing, promoting, supporting and fostering educational programs, charitable undertakings, historical, horticultural, drama, crafts, tours, lectures and other related activities, either singly or in cooperation with other organizations, for the purpose of emphasizing the cultural opportunities of the City of Knoxville, Tennessee, and for other related purposes.”
When it was first organized, the Festival Corporation was the creation of the Junior League of Knoxville and the Greater Knoxville Chamber of Commerce. Two of the signers of the charter were the first Festival Co-Chairs, Goldsby Timberlake and Jim Talley, representing the League and the Chamber.
By 1976, the Festival was large enough to go into the world on its own and have a separate Board of Directors. One of the Board’s first actions was to hire a full time Executive Director.
The Festival has been one of the largest and finest annual festivals in America. It has been recognized nationwide, though professional associations such as the IFEA (International Festival and Events Association), TFEA (Tennessee Festival and Events Association), membership with ABA, (American Bus Association), and many others. DAF has been named among the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Bus Association and one of the “Top Twenty Events” by Southeast Tourism Society.
Over the past 50 years, thousands of volunteers, patrons, media and corporate sponsors have assisted a small Dogwood Arts staff to make a festival of this magnitude possible.
With the flowering of the dogwoods in the spring, coupled with the creative culture and the community-wide pride, the Festival always has a newness and wonderful freshness every spring. Individual home owners who spruce up their yards make the dogwood trails a sight to see year after year.
The Dogwood Arts Festival represents the very best of nature and the people of East Tennessee and its commitment to that Charter Goal will always be in the forefront.