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Signal Mountain Happenings

Check back often for all the latest Signal Mountain news between issues of the Mirror.

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Celebrating Halloween on Signal Mountain

10/30/2015

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Picture Emma Avery and Grayson Pitcaithly from St. Ives. Photo by Dominque Belanger Angle.
by Mary Dunlap
The air is turning cooler and the leaves are changing colors. It is truly a magical time on the mountain. Along with this beautiful sight comes the buzz of all the fall activities. For children, and some adults, the highlight of these activities is Halloween. Costumes are planned, candy is chosen and houses are decorated well in preparation for the big night.


You never know what to expect of the weather on this outdoor holiday, and last year brought snow! Wasn’t that a surprise?


While one might not be able to predict the weather, there are some fun traditions that can be counted on. My family has been tricked the past couple of years by being “booed” by a mystery person. It is such a fun surprise to hear the doorbell ring and find a treat waiting for us on our doorstep. Our deliverer runs off into the night, leaving us to guess his or her identity. It then becomes our turn to “boo” three other houses. We assemble our treats and plan our surprise attacks. My children love the thrill of sneaking up to a friend’s house, quietly leaving the gift, ringing the doorbell and then dashing off before being seen.


The schools also get in on the fun, allowing students to dress up in their costumes, have class parties or give out goody bags. Thrasher Elementary hosts a Monster Mash party. The children come dressed in costumes ready to dance and indulge in tasty treats. Some churches also mark the holiday with a “trunk or treat” celebration. Families come with their car trunks decorated in the Halloween theme and everyone runs from vehicle to vehicle trick or treating.


Many neighborhoods, and even individual streets, have begun their own traditions as well. My family and I were lucky enough to be invited along to join in on a couple of these celebrations. On Chamblee Court in Hidden Brook, the neighbors gather in the cul-de-sac for food and fellowship before the night begins. There are games for the children and plenty of food and drinks for the young and old.


In Shepherd Forest there is a similar gathering. Neighbors congregate in a designated yard to socialize before the chaos begins. They then head out together to tackle the business of trick or treating.


Folks in St. Ives take a different approach, with one kind family opening its home to neighbors for a Halloween breakfast. They kick off the day by starting the celebration early, inviting the children to come dressed in their costumes and begin this candy-filled day with a little hearty substance. What a fun way to begin the day!


My family and I had our first experience trick or treating in Old Town last year, and I must say it was a blur of little monsters, princesses, super heroes running from house to house. We were told this is a popular spot for a couple of important reasons, one being that this neighborhood is flat and the houses are close together. Living on a mountain, the flat terrain can be difficult to find and the close proximity of the houses means more time for more houses, which leads to more candy. It is truly a sight to see, and the sound of laughter and screams are infectious.


A Halloween must-see on Signal Mountain is Phyllis Casavant’s house on Signal Mountain Boulevard. Phyllis’s son, Jay, began the tradition of decorating the house for Halloween when he was just 5 years old. Halloween is Jay’s favorite holiday, and over the years the scale of decorating grew as he did. Twenty-two years later, he now has a maze leading trick or treaters around the front yard to the door for candy and Slinkies, and stuffed animals.


Jay builds the maze and decorates the house two to three weeks before Halloween so it can be enjoyed for an extended time period. It takes him two to three days to complete this work of art (which he changes each year) and he averages 300 to 500 visitors a year. Adults who used to come as children are now bringing their own children for the experience.


Jay says he simply loves to see the smile this Halloween tradition puts on a child’s face and that is enough reward for him, which speaks volumes to the Casavant family’s generosity.


Halloween is a playful holiday where children and adults alike have an excuse to be silly, sneaky and creative. It is another reminder to me about the wonderful place where we live. Community is a priority, fellowship is fostered, family life is celebrated and children are encouraged to be children in a safe and loving environment. Traditions are important, no matter how trivial they may seem. I hope your family will continue your Halloween traditions and be inspired to begin some new ones.




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Leaf Pickup to Begin

10/28/2015

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Leaf season is nearly upon us. The Town of Signal Mountain estimates it will begin the first round of leaf pickup in the second week of November. This year, the town will begin in Area 2, the northwest quadrant of town, and work in a clockwise direction.

Signs will be posted that state “Leaf pickup in this area next.” The signs will be posted approximately one week prior to being in that particular area. Please place loose leaves at the curbside before your area is scheduled for the next pickup to ensure they are not missed. A map of the pickup areas is posted on the town’s website.

Each area takes approximately two weeks to complete. However, issues such as weather, equipment problems and labor force may prolong pickup times. You may see leaf trucks out in various locations over the next few weeks. This will be training for new employees. The crews collecting leaves are the same crews responsible for maintaining the town rights-of-way. The faster we can get the leaves collected, the sooner these crews can return to their normal duties. Brush pickup will be kept at a minimum during leaf season.

Please consider backyard composting and mulching, as it is great for the lawn and the environment.

Loose leaves should be placed at the curb in a pile, separate from brush and other yard waste, which could damage the leaf machine. All leaves must be away from utility poles, mailboxes or other structures. Leaves must not block drainage ditches or curbside drainage catch basins. This violates Stormwater Regulations.
For safety reasons, leaves must not hinder traffic nor block travel lanes. Also, if you live at an intersection, keep leaves away from the intersecting street. Wet or frozen leaves are slick and can make it difficult to stop.

Please call the Public Works Department at (423) 886-2177 (option 2) if you have any questions about leaf pickup.

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Shearer to Lead Walk through History

10/26/2015

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PictureRyan Lowery, founder of Chatt Aspie History Hunters at famous baseball promoter, Joe Engel's gravesite in Forest Hills Cemetery.
John Shearer, a contributing Mountain Mirror writer, will lead a walk through Chattanooga history in Forest Hills Cemetery, 4016 Tennessee Ave. in St. Elmo. This event is open to the public and free. Meet at the front gate at 11 a.m., October 31 for a tour of some of the resting places of some of Chattanooga’s most interesting characters.

Forest Hills houses the gravesites of Civil Wars officers, entertainers, industrialists and even a United States postmaster general. However, Forest Hills is more than a burial ground. It is also a monument of history and art.


Shearer worked for the Chattanooga News Free Press as a writer and is an avid collector of interesting stories of the history of Chattanooga and the area. He covered everything from obituaries to sports. He now lives in Knoxville and continues to write as a freelance sports, news and feature writer for Knoxville News Sentinel, as well as the chattanoogan.com and the Mountain Mirror. “Printer’s ink has remained in my system all these years,” says Shearer, as he continues to write and publish books.

For more information, contact Ryan Lowery, Chatt Aspies History Hunters, at (423) 320-0665 or visit http://chattaspieshistoryhunters.weebly.com/


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Playhouse Dedication Set for October 24

10/23/2015

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Everyone in the community, including patrons of the Signal Mountain Playhouse, performers and the board of directors and their significant others, is invited to a party to celebrate the beautifully upgraded Playhouse amphitheater. For the occasion, there will be great food and music. Playhouse performers will reprise some of their great songs from shows. A really fun part of the evening is that the Playhouse is picking up the tab in gratitude to all who support its shows by their attendance, performances, advertising and underwriting.

This open house supper will take place at the Playhouse amphitheater on the corner of James Boulevard and Rolling Way on Saturday, October 24, from 4-8 p.m. Be sure, as always, to bring lawn chairs.


Commemorative pavers will be available for ordering during the event.

Please plan to attend the Playhouse’s celebration of its beautiful new amphitheater. For more information, go to smph.org or the Signal Mountain Playhouse page on Facebook.


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