And...she cooks!

Our own Sandra Garrett (known as "Snad"on the blog comments) was featured in the Elizabethton Star regarding her culinary talents.  Check it out:

Sandra Garrett and her husband, John Dewey, are big fans of the first meal of the day.

“Since my husband works nights, and I work part-time in the afternoons, we get to luxuriate over breakfast a lot,” Sandra said. “We enjoy our breakfasts.”

She enjoys experimenting with recipes. For instance, she enjoys combining different ingredients in her omelets, including pepperoni and cottage cheese as well as smoked salmon and cream cheese.

Sandra now has an extensive menu she has compiled around the breakfast meal.

“I have some favorites that I’ve developed: baked oatmeal, oat flour-spelt pancakes, baked eggs with greens, tofu scrambler, oven-baked pancakes with apples, sausage biscuits, and of course, milk gravy and biscuits.”

Sandra’s an enthusiastic breakfast advocate.

“I encourage people to have fun with breakfast, to slow things down and enjoy it,” she said.

Sandra laments the notion for some that breakfast is a “throw-away” meal. “I’m happy to be part of a breakfast renaissance,” she said.  (Read More)

Great article, Sandra!   She even included a mention of your favorite congregation.

Gary Barrigar Receives Lifetime Environmental Award

Our own Gary Barrigar who along with his wife, Nancy Barrigar, co-chairs our congregation's Peacemaking Committee, received a prestigious award from the governor of Tennessee.  It is the Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award for Gary's work with environmental awareness, education, and advocacy.  Here is the story:

The Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Achievement Award was given to Carter County native Gary W. Barrigar, an award-winning science teacher and long-time advocate of Tennessee’s environmental heritage.

“Each year, we recognize an individual who has devoted a lifetime of exemplary service to environmental protection or conservation stewardship in Tennessee,” said Martineau. “Gary Barrigar has imparted the value and importance of the natural world to thousands of students, parents, administrators and various organizations throughout his 40-year career by using nature as a classroom and integrating environmental education into daily curriculum.”

In 2000, Barrigar was selected to chair the Tennessee State Board of Education Science Standards Committee that developed standards for high school courses in Ecology and Environmental Science that remain in use to this day. Barrigar also served as the president of the Boone Watershed Partnership from 2005-2012, growing the multi-faceted partnership from a loosely organized group to a highly effective 501(c)(3) organization that works to identify and address water resource issues in the Boone watershed, located in East Tennessee and parts of Virginia.

Barrigar also has served in a number of leadership roles with various environmental and conservation groups, including the Southern Appalachian Highland Conservancy, Friends of Roan Mountain, the Buffalo Creek Watershed Alliance and the Overmountain Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Alongside his wife, Nancy, Barrigar has led the “Peacemaking Committee” at First Presbyterian Church in Elizabethton, Tenn., for more than 20 years – a group that involves church members in a variety of projects and activities focused on improving our natural environment. 

Congratulations, Gary!  We are very proud of you!

 TDEC Commissioner Bob Martineau and Deputy Governor Claude Ramsey present Gary Barrigar of Elizabethton (center) with the Robert Sparks Walker Lifetime Conservation Achievement Award at the 2012 Governor's Environmental Achievement Awards.

Andrew Taylor-Troutman, Take My Hand on Religion for Life, June 14-18

Many books are written by clergy about their experiences. Usually these books are written after long careers. Here is a twist. Rev. Andrew Taylor-Troutman is a Presbyterian Minister in New Dublin, Virginia. He is brand new at it. He wrote a book about his first year as a minister. It is called Take My Hand: A Theological Memoir. Join us on Religion For Life for a unique perspective on church, life, and ministry from an energetic minister just out of the gate!



Listen via livestream…

Thursday, June 14th at 8 pm on WETS, 89.5.
Sunday, June 17th, at noon on WEHC, 90.7.
Sunday, June 17th, at 2 pm on WETS, 89.5.
Monday, June 18th at 1 pm on WEHC, 90.7.
Via podcast beginning June 19th

Landon Whitsitt, Open Source Church on Religion For Life, April 5-9

Rev. Landon Whitsitt is the Vice Moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) He is the author of Open Source Church: Making Room for the Wisdom of All. Drawing his metaphor from open source software, he suggests the church of the future would do well to consider being "open source" regarding welcoming new people and new ideas. He was the Theologian In Residence at Tusculum College in February 2012. He graciously agreed to visit the WETS studio and talk with me on Religion For Life.

He blogs at landon whitsitt (dot) com





Listen via livestream...

Thursday, April 5th at 8 pm on WETS, 89.5.
Sunday, April 8th, at noon on WEHC, 90.7.
Sunday, April 8th, at 2 pm on WETS, 89.5.
Monday, April 9th at 1 pm on WEHC, 90.7.
Via podcast beginning April 10th.