Volume XXXV No. 21 sewaneemessenger.com Friday, June 14, 2019 Grand 1866 Revival Set to Open SSMF Celebrates by Bailey Basham, Messenger Staff Writer Marshals Mandi Oakes has had a love of antiques since she was a little girl. She remembers fondly the fi rst piece of antique jewelry she found, and 63rd Season Announced now years later, old rhinestone brooches have a way of catching her eye. by Bailey Basham, Messenger Staff Writer Th e Fourth of July Committee Oakes owned her own antique store in Chattanooga until she met Th is weekend, more than 200 young musicians will gather on the Do- is pleased to announce that the her husband, Joseph Oliver. He also had an antique store. With the two main to settle into their summer homes in campus dorms. Th e students, 2019 Grand Marshals are John and businesses between them, there was little time for breaks. however, are not on the Mountain for summer classes at the University. Bonnie Green. We appreciate their To settle into a slower way of living, Oakes and Oliver moved to Th ey are here to take part in one of the nation’s premier summer training service for the community and are Sewanee. Th ey brought with them their love of antiques, something programs in orchestra and chamber music. proud to have them marshal the they hope to share with the rest of the Mountain by way of a new store Since 1957, musicians from all over the world have converged on parade. More information about opening this month, 1866 Revival. the Mountain for the Sewanee Summer Music Festival (SSMF), which the marshals will be available soon. Drawing inspiration from the second founding of Sewanee, 1866 serves as a home for students to work closely with renowned artist-faculty, For more information on the Revival will off er primitives, industrial, mid-century modern design, as develop leadership skills and refi ne their approach to repertoire. Sewanee Fourth of July activities, well as other home decor pieces and locally-made soaps, candles and art. Each summer, the festival maintains two full orchestras, each rehears- go to page 14. Oakes said the couple found the building, which is the former location ing daily. Th e orchestras perform weekly to promote high standards of Julia’s, about three months ago. Ever since, they have been transform- of performance and introduce a distinguished array of internationally Updates on ing 24 University Ave., into their vision for the store. renowned guest conductors to the community. “My husband and I have done similar stores on larger scales before, Held the fi rst week of the festival is the Jacqueline Avent Concert New Middle but we’re just trying to slow it down. We were open 7 days a week previ- Competition, which was established by Walter E. Nance and Mayna ously. We’ll only be open Wednesday to Saturday in Sewanee,” Oakes Avent Nance in memory of Jacqueline Avent. Th e competition serves as said. “We adopted a 2-year-old and we’re trying to step back. Coming an opportunity for students to earn scholarships for future seasons. Win- Schools, to Sewanee was really about us looking for the small town atmosphere ners are featured with the orchestra during the fi nal week of the festival. and the community. We’re also just trying to bring in something dif- Th e festival also promotes student learning through chamber music the 2019- ferent to the area.” ensembles, which develop leadership skills, foster collaboration among Oakes and Oliver plan to open the store toward the middle of the artists and promote high-level musical thinking. 20 Budget month. For updates, visit <www.instagram.com/1866revival/> or call In addition to orchestral and chamber music opportunities, students (931) 463-5001. selected to study composition at Sewanee will see their own composi- Defi cit tions performed, work shopped and coached. Th is program is capped by Leslie Lytle at four student composers in the composition track to allow ample time Messenger Staff Writer for reading sessions, rehearsals and performances. During the 2019 season, the Sewanee Summer Music Festival will “We’re making good progress,” explore the beauty of the natural world and the initiate connection said construction manager Gary between music and nature. Orchestral literature and chamber music Clardy, updating the Franklin programming will refl ect a broad range of music that is inspired by the County School Board on progress beauty of the natural surroundings. in the construction of the new Every SSMF student receives several chamber music assignments middle schools at the June 10 meet- during the festival working regularly with a faculty coach, along with ing. Th e optimistic news contrasted time to work independently. the anxiety expressed by the board At the end of each week, ensembles perform for the public on Student about the $2.28 million draw on Chamber Music night at 7 p.m. each Friday. the school system’s reserve fund Th is year’s season of the SSMF will begin at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, balance to keep the schools operat- June 15. Season tickets ($125) and tickets for individual events ($20) ing next year. Director of Schools are on sale now. For a complete list of events or to purchase tickets, visit Stanley Bean called the situation, <www.ssmf.sewanee.edu>. Th e season will run through Sunday, July 14. “Sad.” Clardy said the pads for the new construction were 95 percent complete. He noted “asbestos abatement” has to be done at both schools due to discovery of asbestos on the gym ductwork. According to Clardy, there are suffi cient funds in the contracts to cover the $3,500 cost, explaining there was some money set aside for unanticipated Hammer’s Department Store, located on the square in downtown expenses. “We should be very suc- Winchester. cessful in keeping the project in budget.” Th e schools are expected to be student-ready by the begin- Hammer’s in Winchester ning of the 2020-21 school year. Urging board members to at- is Closing tend the upcoming county fi nance by Baily Basham, Messenger Staff Writer committee meeting, Bean said, After nearly 65 years in business, Hammer’s Department Store on “I’m fairly certain our budget will the square in Winchester is closing. pass,” but added, “I don’t think the Hammer’s is a chain of family-owned department stores with locations county commission realizes how in Ft. Payne and Scottsboro, Ala., and in Winchester, Clinton, Wartburg, dire it is. We can’t keep drawing South Pittsburg and Sevierville, Tenn. down the fund balance.” Th e Winchester store has been under Earl Hammer’s ownership since At the June 4 meeting, the 1955. Joshua Hammer, spokesperson for the store, said the store is closing finance committee refused the to allow his dad to enjoy his retirement. board’s request for $226,784 to Other store locations will remain open. cover one-third of the cost of pay Joshua Hammer said there is no specifi c timeline for when the family raises, 1.5 percent for contract bus will turn over the closed sign on the doors for the last time, but discounts During the Reunion Weekend at the College, the Bachelors of Arts (shown) drivers, 2 percent for support em- will continue. and the Bachelors of Science alumni competed in a tug of war on June 8. ployees, and an average 2 percent “Discounts will be getting deeper every week as we try to get dad’s Science won. Photo by Lyn Hutchinson for certifi ed employees based on money out of it and get it back to him,” he said. “When we get to that years of service and degree advance- point, we’ll close the doors and be done.” ment salary increases. In 1942, A. B. Hammer Sr. opened the fi rst store in Guntersville, Ala. P.O. Box 296 At a special called meeting June In 1947, the second store was opened in Haleyville, Ala. One year later, Sewanee, TN 37375 6, the board voted to fund the pay the Scottsboro location was opened. Fast forward to 1955, Winchester’s raises by cutting funds designated landmark location opened its doors on the square. Today, all remaining for technology, elementary and locations are operated by second, third and fourth generations of the secondary curriculum, and the Hammer family. long-overdue improvements to “We appreciate all the customers we’ve had over the years. We’ve really the Franklin County High School come to love everyone,” Hammer said. “We appreciate this community auditorium PA system. and all the opportunities they have made possible. We are still here even To keep the schools operating, after the store is gone.” the 2019-20 budget will draw Visit Hammer’s Facebook page to keep up-to-date on weekly ads (Continued on page 7) and special sales. 2 • Friday, June 14, 2019 • Th e Sewanee Mountain MESSENGER skipping one meal a day. cutting them. Exemplifying eff ects 2. Population control by mak- of tree planting, carbon is thereby Letters ing fewer children, such as two to sequestered and provides life to family. degraded landscape, food security, STREET DANCE UPDATE 3./4. Although at present coun- and jobs. ter to traditional conservation eth- 10. A website “Project Draw- Published as a public service to the community since 1985, this newspaper To the Editor: ics, Genetic Modifi cation thereby down” offers guidance to addi- is printed on Fridays, 46 times a year. Free of charge, copies are distributed Louise Irwin and Freddy Tucker combined with Land-use intensi- tional valuable information as to to 100 locations, including businesses and post offi ces across the Plateau.