The old blacksmith shop at the McCoy Farm & Gardens has been rebuilt on the original site by the Signal Mountain Lions Club. The original chimney and forge were saved and are operational. In addition, some of the original siding was salvaged and used on the interior of the shop. A few tools from the original shop were saved and McCoy has received some donations of tools and equipment, including anvil, vise and an old manual drill press. McCoy Farm volunteers would like to to have more old tools from the early 1900s that would typically be found in a farm/blacksmith shop. These tools will be prominently displayed in the shop. If you have tools that you would like to donate to McCoy Farm & Gardens, please contact Paul Jenson at (423) 886-2889 or email him at jensbrow@epbfi.com. On Saturday, April 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Signal Mountain Police Station and the Drug Enforcement Administration will give the public its 15th opportunity to prevent pill abuse and theft by ridding their homes of potentially dangerous expired, unused and unwanted prescription drugs in pill or patch form. Bring your pills for disposal to the Signal Mountain Police Station at 1111 Ridgeway Ave. Note, liquids, needles or sharps will not be accepted. The service is free and anonymous, no questions asked. The collection point will be located in the Signal Mountain Fire Department truck bay. Pull in through the garage bay doors off of Hershel Dick Road (entrance of the parking lot for Police and Fire Department) and exit through the garage bay doors on to Rolling Way. Last October, Americans turned in 456 tons (over 900,000 pounds) of prescription drugs at more than 5,300 sites operated by the DEA and more than 4,200 of its state and local law enforcement partners. Overall, in tbe 14 previous Take Back events, DEA and its partners have taken in over 9 million pounds—about 4.5 tons—of prescription drugs. This initiative addresses a vital public safety and public health issue. Medicines that languish in home cabinets are highly susceptible to diversion, misuse and abuse. Rates of prescription drug abuse in the U.S. are alarmingly high, as are the number of accidental poisonings and overdoses due to these drugs. Studies show that a majority of abused prescription drugs are obtained from family and friends, including from the home medicine cabinet. In addition, Americans are now advised that their usual methods for disposing of unused medicines — flushing them down the toilet or throwing them in the trash — both pose potential safety and health hazards. If you are unable to participate in the Drug Take Back event on April 28, the Police Department has a permanent collection bin located in the lobby of the police station. The lobby is open 24 hours a day, and citizens are welcome to stop in and deposit their unused/unwanted medication at any time. For more information about the disposal of prescription drugs or about the April 28th Take Back Day event, go to the DEA Diversion website or contact the Signal Mountain Police Department at (423) 886-2124. On Saturday, March 10, the Town of Signal Mountain will host a Sparkle Day clean up effort sponsored by the Signal Mountain Lions Club. The event will begin at 9 a.m. and lasts until noon at Althaus Park, behind the Signal Mountain Country Club at 809 James Blvd. Participants will meet at Althaus Park and split up into groups in order to canvass “Clean-Up Zones” designated by the Sparkle Day organizers. The initial zones will be Taft Highway, Shackleford Ridge Road, Shoal Creek, Lena Givens Park, Rainbow Lake Land Trust and James Boulevard. As more people participate additional zones will be added to the event. “We hope a lot of folks come out and join the fun and festivities, as we help to clean up our mountain byways," said councilmember and event organizer Robert Spalding. "This event was very successful last year and we’re hoping that we can build on that success this year. In addition we’re asking the people of Signal Mountain and Walden to form street teams in their own neighborhoods, in order to clean up their general vicinity.” He said, “Sparkle Day was initially an event that took place back in the '70s on Signal Mountain formed by Realtor John Rankin. It was always an eco-friendly event and was a tremendous success. So far, from the reaction from Sparkle day last year was tremendous, and we hope to bring that energy back to the event on March 10. We’ve already received an enormous response from many community groups who wish to return and participate in 2018”. After the clean-up a celebration is planned at Althaus Park, including awards, music, food and games. The event is co-sponsored by the Signal Mountain Lions Club and the Town of Signal Mountain. Additional information can be found at www.facebook.com/signalmountainsparkleday, or by emailing info@signalmountaintn.gov or calling (423) 886-2177. The State Fire Marshal’s Office recently presented the Lone Oak Volunteer Fire Department with a supply of 10-year battery smoke alarms to be installed in homes within the community that are at high risk of fire. This statewide distribution of smoke alarms launched in November of 2012 and is part of the State Fire Marshal’s effort to both educate and equip Tennesseans to incorporate fire safety into their daily lives. “We want residents to make sure they have functional smoke alarms in their homes, as well as a rehearsed fire-escape plan. These are tools proven to save lives – because even one fire death is one too many,” says State Fire Marshal Julie Mix McPeak. The alarms are free, but must be installed by the fire department or a partnering organization that has been trained by the fire department. Because supplies are limited, the fire department may need to give first preference to those who are not able to otherwise afford smoke alarms. “We are excited to be able to partner with the State Fire Marshal’s Office in providing these smoke alarms for families in our community,” said Chief Dana Clift of the Lone Oak Volunteer Fire Department. “Fire can spread through a home in a matter of minutes, and smoke alarms can give residents the warning needed to get out safely.” To request an installation, email loneoakvfd810@gmail.com or visit www.facebook.com/LOVFD. Include your name, address, email and phone number. A fire department representative will then contact you to schedule a time for the installation. In addition to having working smoke alarms, follow these other important tips to make sure your home is fire-safe:
For more information on fire safety, visit the State Fire Marshal’s Office “Get Alarmed Program” website at www.tn.gov/commerce/article/fire-get-alarmed. |