The Library’s building campaign, Expanding Our Story, is in full swing. Our goal is becoming more attainable, but we need your help. If you haven’t contributed yet, please do so soon. And come by and see the bookstack thermometer that shows our progress!

Also, check out the home page of our website (signalmountainlibrary.com) for a virtual tour of the proposed addition. There you can see just how perfectly the new space fits into our present one.

Part of our 50th anniversary celebration, this expansion will serve all of our patrons and provide roomy places for community gatherings, children’s programs, book club meetings, picnics and much more. Please join us in this exciting project and help us open a new chapter for the Signal Mountain Library.

Brief Reviews of Some of Our New Nonfiction

“Race Against Time: A Reporter Reopens the Unsolved Murder Cases of the Civil Rights Era” by Jerry Mitchell is a fascinating look at four cases from the early days of the civil rights movement and how the perpetrators were finally brought to justice. One case is particularly interesting because the victim, Medgar Evers, was killed in June of 1963 in Jackson, Miss., by Byron De La Beckwith, who later became a resident of Signal Mountain.

Beckwith had moved here after being acquitted in his first trial for Evers’ murder and after his second trial ended in a hung jury. Author Mitchell unearthed clues that lead him to suspect that Beckwith was truly guilty. He came to the mountain to interview Beckwith, a KKK member, and his investigation prompted more scrutiny that was eventually instrumental in Beckwith being tried again and, this time, found guilty of Evers’ murder.

This case and the others included in the book are compellingly related by Mitchell, who was an investigative reporter for Jackson’s Clarion-Ledger for more than 30 years. He has won many awards, including a MacArthur “Genius Grant,” and was a finalist for a Pulitzer. In 2019 he founded the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting. “Race Against Time” received starred reviews from Kirkus, Publishers Weekly and Booklist.

“You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington” by Alexis Coe delves into the private life of our first president, relying on extensive research to present him in an engaging and clever light. “Every now and then a fresh, new biography by a gifted storyteller on a familiar figure captures our imagination,” said historian Doris Kearns Goodwin about the book. Coe hosts the popular podcasts “Presidents Are People, Too” and “No Man’s Land” and is the author of “Alice + Freda Forever: A Murder in Memphis,” currently being made into a movie.

“Elderhood: Redefining Aging, Transforming Medicine, Reimagining Life” by Louise Aronson, a geriatrician and professor of medicine at UCSF, looks at old age and sees a time of both frustration and a time of joy. She calls for empathy for those who are aging, a condition that everyone hopes to experience someday, and suggests ways in which society can readjust to help make our last years more comfortable and enriching. She urges medical professionals to refrain from treating old age as a disease and see elders as meaningful contributors, worthy of compassion and hope.

“Author in Chief: The Untold Story of Our Presidents and the Books They Wrote” by journalist and historian Craig Fehrman looks at our presidents through the pages of the books they wrote about themselves and their times. Providing access to lesser-known stories of these leaders, the book is full of anecdotes and insights that will absorb and enlighten. Said Chattanooga native Jon Meacham of the book, “[It] should have been written and should surely be read. By looking at presidents through the prism of their published writings, Fehrman throws new light on what John F. Kennedy - himself an author-president - called ‘the vital center of action.’” It has garnered starred reviews in Publishers Weekly and Booklist.

“Counterpoint: A Memoir of Bach and Mourning” by Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Philip Kennicott relates how listening to Bach helped the author deal with the death of his mother. Kennicott found Bach’s music to be the perfect catalyst for him because it encompassed both despair and joy. He describes how he spent five years learning to play Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” and how this mastery helped him deal with his loss. But it is his explanations of the music that are so enthralling and memorable. Three starred reviews - BookPage, Booklist and Kirkus - concur. It will appeal to every music lover, especially those who have tackled Bach.

“Falcon Thief: A True Tale of Adventure, Treachery, and the Hunt for the Perfect Bird” by Joshua Hammer is a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction tale that follows British agent Andy McWilliam who is on the trail of Jeffrey Lendrum, a smuggler who makes his money capturing and then selling the eggs of wild peregrine falcons. Prized for their speed, the birds are worth millions of dollars to the men who race them, and this story takes readers around the globe on McWilliams’ quest to thwart the bad guys. Reminiscent of Susan Orlean’s book “The Orchid Thief,” it is a thrilling story that you could never imagine.

“The Man in the Red Coat” by Booker Prize winner Julian Barnes is an elegant look at Belle Epoque Paris in the summer of 1885. The title refers to Samuel Pozzi, a surgeon who was famously painted by artist John Singer Sargent and who rubbed elbows with such literati as Henry James, Sarah Bernhardt, Oscar Wilde, and Proust. According to an NPR review, the book shows “some interesting parallels with our own times.”
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“Splendid and Vile: A Saga of the Churchill Family, and Defiance During the Blitz” by Erik Larson, also author of “The Devil in the White City,” was named one of the most anticipated books of 2020 by numerous news outlets. The book covers the year from May 1940 until May 1941 when Churchill, as Britain’s Prime Minister, led his nation during the Blitz, Hitler’s bombing campaign that killed 45,000. Larson relied on diaries and historical documents, as well as intelligence reports, to describe the day-to-day lives of Churchill and his family during this dangerous year. Readers will be captivated by the author’s skill at creating a fast-moving and gripping work, even though we know the outcome. A review on Lit Hub says it all: “… it makes one long powerfully for real leadership.”

Work out in a non-judgmental atmosphere in common areas and help local schools at the same time.

That was the vision of friends and fitness trainers Eden Lusk and Marsha Goldberg when they introduced their “Fit and Fab” sessions last fall. These mini sessions were created from a long-standing goal to host workouts for the community and also give back to the Mountain Education Foundation, which raises money to provide additional support to our three public schools on Signal Mountain.

“We wanted to target a wide cross section of people and abilities by offering an affordable workout option after work or school,” Lusk said. “We also wanted to create an environment where people felt confident to work out in a ‘no judgment zone.’”

Thus far, the popular sessions have been held at the Signal Mountain Middle High School track, on the Signal Mountain Town Hall basketball court, and in the SMMHS weight room.

Session 4 starts March 9 at the SMMHS track and runs through April 15. Classes will again take place every Monday and Wednesday from 7 to 7:45 p.m. The cost is $75 for all or $15 per class to allow people to drop in and out as schedule permits. The MEF receives a percentage of all class fees.

The sessions have attracted both new and old customers of Lusk and Goldberg. Ironman veterans, these two gals are both trainers/instructors at the local Balanced Studio and Echelon, while Lusk also teaches at the Signal Mountain Athletic Club and Goldberg at the downtown YMCA.

“I was sitting at my daughters’ pediatricians office, and I looked over and saw the flyer promoting the Fit and Fab class,” said Katie Edgemon. “I knew I wanted to do something to get back in shape, but I just kept pushing it off and telling myself  ‘I’ll do it later.’ Seeing their flyer gave me hope!”

Kim McCullough knew both trainers through Balanced Studio and enjoyed their classes there. “When I saw they were offering a class that would welcome the community and support our schools, I wanted to be a part of that,” she said.

Melanie Walker was a big fan of Lusk (now loves Goldberg, too) and “loved the idea of a group class outside of a gym, knew it would be challenging, and full of good company. Supporting MEF was a great perk, too!”

McCullough was looking for something that provided more consistency in her schedule since other classes often conflicted with her being a working mom. “Fit and Fab meets in the evenings at 7 p.m., which gives me time to get home from work, help my family and grab a workout,” she said.

All three women admit the workouts were a bit more challenging than expected, but, with encouragement from their trainers, all have been very pleased with results.

While she found the classes harder than anticipated, Walker said, “I actually didn’t know what to expect, but every session has pushed me in a different direction and helped me grow in some new way. I always feel a little bit sore the next day and proud of the work we all did together. There are some fun and very fierce champs in this crew.”

Edgemon agreed the classes have been “so much more challenging but in a good way! Eden and Marsha are incredible trainers who challenge us because they know we have the strength to do it,” she said. “We push ourselves each and every class to a limit we didn’t know we had. They bring out the best in us!”

The women proudly note accomplishments. Edgemon is back down to her “pre-baby weight.” Walker, who keeps up with cardio and running, is thrilled with “my improvement in strength overall, especially in my core.” McCullough added that a winter session on strength helped increase her upper and lower body weight resistance.

While they appreciate the physical improvements, the women said they most enjoy the bond among classmates.

“I always enjoy the company and the camaraderie of this group,” Walker said. “I look forward to seeing them every time. I know I will work hard, and it won’t be easy, but I will be in great company and spend a lot of that time laughing during the groans and sweat.” Edgemon agreed and said, “We motivate each other.”
They laugh when mentioning what they dread the most. Those included a “deck of cards” workout, which includes doing wheelbarrows across the field, tuck jumps and suicide sprints, but said those are much more feasible after working through the sessions.

“I definitely enjoy the people and the opportunity to gather together to push ourselves to increased levels of fitness,” McCullough said.

“I would also have to say it is nice to have the input of both instructors for each session,” she added. “They each introduce movements and exercises you may not have tried on your own. Having two different personalities and training styles leading class benefits the participant.”

It definitely sounds like Lusk and Goldberg are meeting their goal in helping people be the best versions of themselves. Swing by the track on a Monday or Wednesday these next few weeks and see if you want to join the group to become Fit and Fab.
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by Melissa Barrett

​Come and help rescue McCoy Farm & Gardens from non-native invasive plant species on March 7, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. We will work together to remove especially harmful bushes and vines such as privet hedge, kudzu, bittersweet and English ivy. As part of the third year for Weed Wrangle®-Chattanooga, you will be participating in a one-day city-wide volunteer education and weed eradication event.

Wear clothing appropriate for the work and weather and bring gloves and hand clippers or loppers. Meet in the McCoy Farm & Garden gravel parking lot at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 7. To learn more, contact volunteer coordinator Karen Stone at (423) 886-4568 or karenstone@waldenhouse.com or grounds chairman Andy Jones at (423) 802-6025 or andyjonesobgyn@gmail.com.

Come learn how to recognize and remove non-native invasive plant species and how to plan, execute, and maintain restoration of native plant communities. No experience is necessary, since volunteers are supervised by an expert in invasive weed management. To learn more about the movement, go to https://www.weedwrangle.org/

Non-native invasive plants are harmful to our natural ecosystems. They greatly impact the health and regeneration of forest lands by spreading into the understory of a forest and suppressing native plants and wildlife dependent on them. These species will destroy or replace native food sources, making the ecosystem less diverse and more susceptible to further disturbances, such as disease and fire.

Native plants have extensive root systems that control erosion, moderate floods, filter water to improve water quality, and decrease the amount of water needed for landscape maintenance. Important for biodiversity, native plants provide food and habitat for pollinators and wildlife. Native plants provide several distinct advantages gained through their evolutionary development in association with the land, climate, fellow native plants, and native wildlife.

Invasive species will take full advantage of disturbed empty space unless other plantings are added to fill that space and provide sufficient competition. Removal of non-native species should be followed with the introduction of suitable native plant species chosen for their compatibility with the soil pH, fertility, moisture and amount of sunlight. Without the overwhelming competition from invasives, native plants will have the space, nutrients, water, and sunlight they need to germinate seeds and grow unimpeded.

State, federal, and private natural resource managers have worked together to reduce populations of non-native invasive plants for years, but often cooperative effort is hampered by boundaries. Even the diligent, intensive control efforts of land managers won’t be successful in the long run if non-native invasive plants can find refuge on a neighboring property. Only together can we control the spread of non-native invasive plants.

A step-by-step guide from Tennessee Invasive Plant Council walks homeowners through the process of identifying invasive plants in the residential landscape and helps them select the best solution for effective and lasting control. “Invasive Plant Primer for the Home Landscape: Identify, Control, Replant” outlines the best way to move from a lifeless yard choked with invasive plants to an ecologically functional landscape of diverse native plants supporting area wildlife. Find it at https://www.tnipc.org/. Printed copies of the guide are available thanks to the Tennessee Division of Forestry and a grant from the U.S. Forest Service.

Non-native invasive plants pose a major threat on a national scale to our native plants. Across the U.S., invasive plants are estimated to occur on seven million acres of our national parklands, and at least 1.5 million acres are severely infested. In addition to federal lands, state and private lands are also plagued with invasive/non-native plants and have potentially even higher infestation rates. This problem is an expensive one. The economic cost to remove invasive plants is estimated at more than $34 billion per year, and the costs continue to grow.
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by Karen Stone

Looking for a fresh take on gardening? Interested in conservation and the preservation of the unique ecosystem here in our beautiful Tennessee Valley? Dreaming of an opportunity to shop some of the best native plant nurseries in the Southeast? The Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Wild Ones is holding its ninth annual native plant symposium, “Plant Natives 2020!” on March 14 at the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga University Center starting 9 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. with registration beginning at 8 a.m. This annual event brings gardeners, conservationists, landscapers and policy-makers together for inspiration and education as it focuses on the importance of native plants as the foundation for preserving and promoting biodiversity.

Keynoting the symposium is Benjamin Vogt, owner of Monarch Gardens LLC, a prairie garden design firm. Vogt speaks nationally and writes a sustainable garden column for houzz.com. His book’s title, “A New Garden Ethic: Cultivating Defiant Compassion for an Uncertain Future,” is the theme for Vogt’s keynote speech. His second presentation’ “Busting Garden Management Myths,” will challenge some traditional practices that aren’t in sync with more natural plant processes.

Philip Juras, an Athens, Georgia-based landscape architect and landscape painter, will follow Vogt. Juras’ presentation will be “Picturing Nature’s Design in the Landscapes of the South,” which coincides with his exhibition opening March 4 at the University of Georgia Circle Gallery. Juras portrays the rich aesthetics of a wide range of ecologically intact environments by combining direct observation with the study of the natural science and history of the subject.

The symposium concludes with a presentation by Bodie Pennisi PhD, who will address “Creating a Healthy Biodiverse Community with Native Plants, Pollinators, and Other Beneficial Insects.” Dr. Pennisi is an extension horticulture specialist in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Georgia. She will present her research findings on native plant and insect connections, a vital topic given that insects have suffered tremendous losses in recent years.

The symposium will be hosted by Amy Katcher-Dunne, former WDEF-TV News Channel 12 anchor and current Regional Director of External Affairs, Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
All day long on Saturday, the Native Plant Marketplace and Expo will offer native plants, artwork, garden inspiration and opportunities to talk with representatives from area environmental nonprofit organizations, as well as showcase local students’ poster presentations. The Marketplace and Expo is free and open to the public from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.

The cost for the symposium is $60 for Wild Ones members, $70 for the public for registrations before March 11, or $75 at the door on the day of the program. College students are $25 with a valid student ID. Lunch is included, and there will be door prizes, exhibitors and plenty of friendly people to meet. For more information and to register, go to www.tnvalleywildones.org/plantnatives-2020.

​Wild Ones memberships will be taken at the registration desk, or persons interested in joining may go to https://wildones.org/membership for more information and to become a member. The University Center is located at 642 E. Fifth Street, Chattanooga, Tennessee.