With the 2022-23 school year well under way, the Austin Hatcher Foundation Teen Ambassadors have been hard at work volunteering at events and working at the foundation’s Educational Advancement Center in an effort to help families affected by pediatric cancer. When a group of the Teen Ambassadors realized that they all were tennis players from different local schools, they put their minds together and decided to create a tennis fundraiser to benefit the foundation, and Hit It for Hatch was born. The group of organizers include Baylor sophomores Claudia Finlay and Caroline Stickley, Chattanooga Christian School sophomores Kathryn Leavengood, Zoe Osborn and Libby Pooler, and McCallie sophomores Drew Holland and Arjun Patel.

Under the guidance of parent advisor Tiffany Holland, the group spent the last six months planning the fundraiser from the ground up. Each ambassador picked a leadership role, and the group laid out a timeline to bring its vision to life. From picking a name, designing a logo, securing a location, budgeting expenses, setting goals, planning the event format, creating a flyer and soliciting sponsorships and participants, the group has taken responsibility for every aspect. “We have all had fun working together,” said Caroline Stickley, who has served as the group’s secretary. “While I thought it was hard to ask for sponsorships, we have been amazed at how we were able to reach our fundraising goal and set a new one.” Patel, who designed the event logo, was excited to put his skills to work. “Art has been a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. Through the Austin Hatcher Foundation, I can spread the awareness of pediatric cancer while doing what I love,” he said.

When Tiffany agreed to oversee the project as the parent advisor, she did so with the caveat that the ambassadors would be the ones doing the work, not her. “I suspect that initially the group was focused on the fun aspects of planning a tennis fundraiser and likely didn’t realize all the behind-the-scenes work that is involved in creating this type of event. They all joined this committee with knowledge and love for the game of tennis, but I do not think that they expected to learn so many relevant business and life skills along the way: art and design; digital marketing; creating and sending invoices; budgeting; not to mention contacting businesses about sponsorships,” Tiffany said. “Watching them meet every challenge is all that anyone could ask for! I am so proud of all they have accomplished.”

The inaugural Hit It for Hatch presented by Sawrie Orthodontics and Mountain View Auto Group will take place on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at McCallie’s Strang-Voges tennis facility. Hit It for Hatch is a tennis mixer with a doubles up/down format. There is no need to sign up with a partner, as players will be switching partners throughout the event. All participants will receive a t-shirt and overall winners from each flight will receive a prize. There are four flights throughout the day, including two flights for adults, one for middle school students and one for high school students.

To register to play in the inaugural Hit It for Hatch, volunteer at the event or donate, please visit hatcherfoundation.org/hititforhatch, or use take a scan the QR code above with your smart phone. For more information about the tournament or the Austin Hatcher Foundation’s Teen Ambassador Program, please email jenny@hatcherfoundation.org.
​
by Jenny Stickley

When Mountain Mirror publisher Lucia Hopper opened a recent issue of Architectural Digest with Gwyneth Paltrow on the cover, she was fascinated with the walls in the star’s dining room: beautiful scenes of nature painted in monochromatic shades of sepia.
​
Lucia had seen some of Lydia Reynold’s work at a friend’s home and wondered if she could do something similar to Paltrow's walls in her Lookout Mountain home. Lydia and Lucia bounced around some ideas. They liked the idea of a scene moving from wall to wall around the room. They even went across the street to take pictures of the view from the western brow of the mountain.

Lydia planned to incorporate these vistas in the murals for the dining room and made up a few sample boards. Color was very important, and the two gals decided to use soft grey tones instead of sepia. The result is spectacular, with many shades of deep colors of the trees to light smoky tones of the mountains in the distance.

Lydia works with her sister-in-law Eugenia Garret on creating the perfect colors, and they make a dynamic duo. Eugenia mixes her own color wash to use as the final coat, making the work pure perfection! Needless to say, the Hopper dining room is spectacular.

Lydia was literally raised in an environment of art and creativity. Her father was the art supervisor for the city school system in Chattanooga, and her grandmother was a professional artist.

Lydia was smack dab in the middle of five siblings, all of them artistic with their own flairs. She laughs and says that you could never see the top of the dining room table because it was always covered with someone’s project or multiple projects. This environment gave her so much freedom of expression, sense of adventure in art and the ability to adapt to a multitude of styles and ideas.

Today, she uses this talent to beautify everything she touches. She has painted murals for countless nurseries - using lots of bunnies, birds, flowers and other animals - each with its own personality. Many wear whimsical hats or bows! With her own special flair, she paints nursery rhymes, under-the-sea murals and flower gardens with picnic scenes. She also paints furniture with special critters like Peter Rabbit, and tea party tables reminiscent of Mackenzie-Childs.

Powder rooms all over town have stars on the ceiling, beautiful trees or whimsical monkeys playfully scampering on the walls, as well as countless more enchanting scenes. Her work is on display at the Chattanooga Zoo; two 14-foot tall giraffes grace the entrance to their enclosure. Of course, they show the artist’s personality with their long eyelashes and mischievous smiles!

Lydia always had art in her heart, but in 1991 she obtained a business license and became a real professional, working with with Kids on the Block. At that time she was a busy young wife and mother with three adorable children, Laura Jane, Zack and Luke. Married to Wayne Reynolds, a teacher and basketball coach at McCallie, Lydia is beloved by folks far and wide. “Lydia Reynolds is one of the most wonderful women I have ever known,” said Bobbie Steffner. “In addition to being incredibly talented, she is kind and good. When I think of the phrase, ‘Be the change you want to see in the world,’ I think of Lydia. She makes the world a better place with her beauty, grace and flair.”

Lydia Reynolds has been using her artistic talent to bring beauty into homes and environments of so many people. She has a flair for matching her artwork to the personality of the home, and it can be whimsical or sophisticated, bright or muted, realistic or fantastic.

For one friend, Lydia painted limbs across the den; mounted on the limbs is the family’s collection of hand-carved birds. A forest of white aspen trees covers another friend’s room.

Some of her clients have a fascination with these extremely expensive wallpapers that are seen in the fine design magazines. Lydia can put a very similar design on the wall, painted by hand, working around windows and doors, without the waste of extra wallpaper. She is a genius with color, perspective and design. And a wonderful person to boot!

by Judy Rowland

It is an honor for an artist of any stature to be invited to exhibit his or her work in a gallery, whether that venue is local, known statewide, or acclaimed worldwide. Alan Shuptrine can claim all of the above accolades, and his skill and talent as an artist are remarkable. For over 35 years, Shuptrine has honed and perfected his craft through countless hours of hands-on experience. His mastery in gold leaf appears in every aspect of his work - from a dogwood blossom etched into a large gilded panel to delicate designs carved into a fine art frame.

Sought after for his expertise in the decorative arts, Shuptrine has provided handcrafted, custom water gilded fine art frames, restorations, and conservation of gilded period pieces throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. His work can be found in both the Georgia and South Carolina Governor’s Mansions, Natchez National Historical Park homes, the Atlanta History Center and the corresponding Philip T. Schutze Swan House, as well as many other galleries, historical institutions and museums and both corporate and private collections. In 2005, he was chosen to provide restorations for the entire permanent collection of frames and gilded artifacts in the New Orleans Museum of Art following Hurricane Katrina. 

Nationally renowned for years if not decades, Alan Shuptrine, is headed to a place known as the mecca of world-famous masterpieces: Florence, Italy. The birthplace of the Renaissance, this city holds its art in high regard and is home to Michelangelo’s “David,” Botticelli’s “Birth of Venus,” and Vasari’s “Last Judgment.”

Mr. Shuptrine is invited to exhibit his 22kt gold leaf, water gilded art panels at the Florence Academy of Art throughout September 2022. The panels are exquisitely decorated with genuine gold leaf and etched with the centuries-old technique of sgraffito, a form of decoration made by scratching through a surface to reveal a lower layer of a contrasting color, typically done in plaster or stucco on walls.

Concurrent with the exhibition, Shuptrine will teach a master class in water gilding with genuine gold leaf. This rare opportunity is open not only open to students of the Academy, but also to anyone interested in learning this lost art. Held in a city with some of the most beautiful and artfully gilded frames in the world, the workshop will include a tour, led by Shuptrine, through the nearby Uffizi Gallery. Students will be able to experience the historical beauty of gold leaf as they learn from the past and utilize the same methods perfected by masters centuries prior. In case you are abroad and near Florence, the class dates are September 12-16, 2022.  For more information, email info@florenceacademyofart.com.

It is quite the feather in an artist’s cap to be given the nod by this city, but how to describe the honor it would be to be asked to instruct other artists on your craft?

“As you know, I love to teach, and to get an opportunity to teach the Old World craft that gave me my start in the art business 37 years ago is priceless. And then when you consider that it’s Florence, Italy - the gold leaf capital of the world (in my opinion) - you can understand why I’m ecstatic!” Alan said.

Florence, Italy, can add this American master artist to its list.
​
by Ferris Robinson

I’d like to take you, dear readers, on a walk down memory lane – a visit to the Plum Nelly clothesline art show started by Fannie Mennen well over 50 years ago. It was “the event” of early autumn and not to be missed. The Plum Nelly was the “place to see a topnotch arts and crafts show in a beautiful scenic setting in the open woods with an awe-inspiring view of the valley,” according to a flyer from 1972. The flyer also  claimed “original works of art add distinction to your home, including pottery, prints, handcrafted jewelry.”
​
Fannie Mennen, born 1903, was an amazing person. She was an artist as well as a businesswoman. She was proud of the fact that she grew up in Chattanooga after coming from Lativia with her parents at 8 months. She loved to read at the Carnegie Library on Georgia Avenue. (This building is being brought back to life by Christy and Todd McCain as headquarters of Cumberland Title, their business.) Fannie was especially proud of the fact that her father was Chattanooga’s first permanent rabbi at the oldest synagogue in the city. She earned degrees in music and education in 1929 from Peabody College and a master’s degree from Columbia University. Studying at night at the University of Chattanooga, she was awarded the Ford Foundation Fellowship in 1953 to travel to Haiti. That country’s culture continued to be shown in her primitive block designs. Fannie taught art at Northside Jr. High School for 30 years.

Fannie Mennen loved nature. The rocky bluff of Lookout Mountain overlooking Rising Fawn spoke to her, and it was meant to be her home. In 1934 she bought the property, paying for it over the years on a teachers’ salary, and moved to the log cabin after remodeling it and adding a second cabin. Her brother just shook his head doubtfully and said, “This is plum out of Tennessee and ‘nelly’ out of Georgia.” The name stuck.

Fannie started the show in 1947 in an effort to showcase her own artwork, printmaking; she cut her own blocks and mixed her own dyes to make wall hangings, note cards and tote bags. Her designs included wildflowers, trees and Appalachian animals in shades of black, brown, orange and green. The first show attracted 30 fellow artists and featured paintings, jewelry, woodcarvings, prints, pottery, weavings and other arts. To reach the show on her property, folks traveled up a winding road through grassy meadows under mature shade trees. She was very protective of nature, and did not allow nails to be pounded into the trees; the clotheslines displaying the art were all tied.

“On my first years to visit there, Fannie Mennen had done a number of watercolors of insects – the subjects were enlarged visually – quite colorful – the public loved them. But her specialty was printmaking. Her own Persian cats were models. In the middle of the property was an area for musicians to play. For several years, a small string orchestra performed. They played under a canopy of autumn leaves with the sun dappling through. The effect was charming. Cider was for sale, but not food. She wanted nothing to litter her grounds, such as discarded plates or wrappers.

“People flocked to Plum Nelly from everywhere, including Nashville, Atlanta and Birmingham, as well as Chattanooga. Parking was handled as the crowds increased. It could be pandemonium outside but tranquility inside,” said Chester Martin, historian and painter.

As the art show continued to grow, a puppet show was added, to the delight of children. The New Salem Methodist Church began serving sandwiches, hotdogs, chili, cake and coffee. Wonderful mushrooms made of concrete, handmade by Josie Sibold, can still be found in many Chattanooga gardens. Pottery and paintings from this iconic show are still in places of honor in many Chattanooga homes.

Plum Nelly contributed much to the spirit of the art community, although all good things must come to an end. Miss Mennen ultimately decided to work on her art fulltime and let the “clothesline art show” live on only in people’s memories. There was a great feeling of sadness that was almost palpable in the entire art world.

Bringing part of the arts and crafts spirit to the city, Fannie and her sister Celia Marks opened the Plum Nelly Shop on Hixson Pike in 1972, along with Cornelia Bradshaw and Liz Phillips. In 1985, Joy and Jim Storey purchased the thriving business and moved it to the Corner in Riverview.

The legacy of fine craftsmanship lives on now through Plum Nelly owner Catharine Daniels. She represents the fourth generation of female-owners in a continuous succession since its inception. Located on Frasier Avenue, it is a treasure trove of local artists’ works. Catharine invites you to stop by and sample a bit of Chattanooga history when you are looking for a unique gift or treasure for your home.

by Judy Rowland

Betsy Caulkins Bookout is facing a battle that strikes fear in the bravest of us. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, Lou Gehrig’s disease or ALS, has taken so much from her. But she is waging war on this dreaded disease with a grace that speaks volumes.

Betsy was born on August 1, 1961. Her sister, Caroline Caulkins Bentley, also lives here on Lookout Mountain.  Betsy and her precious family have been a fixture on Lookout Mountain for many years.  As a member of the LMS class of 1973, Betsy was loved by her classmates.  She then became an esteemed student at GPS, where she was captain of the varsity swim team. Betsy was also on the varsity volleyball team and was a member of the Spanish Club. She attended Brenau College where she served as an officer for Tri Delt.  Betsy has a beautiful daughter, Elizabeth, and precious grandson, Jesse.

Betsy has spent her life pouring into others, especially young people. She was everyone’s favorite kindergarten teacher at Brainerd Baptist before she began teaching at LMS, where she was a beloved third grade teacher. Known for pink and green, Lilly Pulitzer, a happy classroom, and a sweet voice, Mrs. Bookout has always loved her students, and it was mutual. Students remember her kindness, her M&M jar, and reading good books together.  

When she was not in the classroom, Betsy was still  teaching swim lessons at the Lookout Mountain Club and McCallie and by helping coach the Fairyland Flash. Both teaching and coaching swimmers were especially fun for Betsy because she was able to do them alongside her sister, Caroline. Billy Caulkins, their father, was also passionate about swimming, and the city meet was named for him in recent years.  

Additionally, Betsy taught Sunday school at Lookout Mountain Presbyterian Church where her late mother, Nancy Caulkins, taught before her.  Most families on Lookout Mountain have been touched by this sweet soul who unselfishly loves others and humbly gives of herself. 

We are thankful for the way she has loved others so well. Hebrews 13:1-2 says, “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing, some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”  While Betsy is no doubt an angel in our midst, we are all thankful for the way she continues to love and care for others. Friends wanted to honor her with special memories from over the years!

Betsy truly embodies what it means to be a kind soul.  She is so full of gentleness, compassion, care, and overall kindness and goodness.  Every time I have been with her since her ALS diagnosis, I see nothing but joy in her heart and she still has the best sense of humor.  She's an inspiration with a heart of gold, and we are all blessed to have her in our lives.
Susan Bevill

“I met Betsy in the spring of 2011 when she joined her mom teaching kindergarten Sunday school at LMPC. Nancy had been teaching kindergarten Sunday school as long as I attended LMPC, and it was lovely to see mother and daughter sharing in such a sweet endeavor. The Caulkins’ ladies in their signature pink and green brightened the room just like their love for Jesus and their desire to serve him enlivened the atmosphere. Betsy has continued to teach kindergarten Sunday school ever since then. She has been a delight and a blessing to have in our midst!”
Greta Erickson

“Betsy is kind, fun to be around, and always takes an interest in others. Her mom Nancy Caulkins had a big impact on my life and was my Sunday school teacher on the pre-k / kindergarten hall at LMPC. She let me be her assistant in that class when I was a little older(upper elementary school). When I moved back to Chattanooga with a family of my own, I was happy to see that Betsy had started teaching in the same Sunday school class that her mom taught in for many years. It was so sweet for me to be able to drop off my 5 year old daughter Kaky in Betsy’s class (the very one where her mother taught me when I was 5). She has a gift of creating a warm and welcoming class for those children just like her mom.”
Elizabeth Morton Doak

“I loved being in Ms. Bookout’s class so much, as she really encouraged and inspired me to read and to really love it.

We did so much fun stuff in third grade, and most of it was thanks to Ms. Bookout, like writing letters in shaving cream, watercolor, and even visits to Thrive to help out and make cards! I love her so much and have missed being in her class.”
Bea Burbank

“Three of my children took swimming lessons from Betsy when they were young. One child in particular comes to mind when I think of those lessons with Betsy. She was terrified of swimming and was pulling sweet patient Betsy’s hair and thrashing all over the place. Betsy never hesitated or reproached, she just patiently continued working with her. ”

“My girls always love coming up to Mrs. Bookout on Sunday mornings and getting their hugs. Aside from her being their 3rd grade teacher, all 4 of my children had her as their 1st grade Sunday School teacher. They all have wonderful memories of her reading books aloud to them from her rocking chair- one of their favorite things even to this day!”
Jennifer Mixon

“I have watched Betsy walk this season with such grace but also the way others have ministered to her has ministered to my soul! It has made me see the true picture of community. I also love how she’s not ashamed of using her “pad” to share with people what’s going on with her. It’s truly been “a sermon in shoes.”
Merrile Stroud

Betsy Bookout was my first teaching partner. Me just out of college and her with 20-plus years of experience. Immediately, we meshed together like peanut butter and jelly. I was loud and chaotic, and Betsy was there with her calm and organized nature. My room was bare and messy, while Betsy’s bright pink and lime green room brightened our grade. Eventually we used my love of math and her love of reading to make the third grade departmentalized. Through our four years of working together, we shared countless laughs, great classroom lessons, fun extracurriculars - such as making pancakes for the whole third grade (multiple times), dressing up for Boosterthon, or dominating every fifth grade vs. teachers volleyball game. Betsy was always there for me, giving me advice whether professionally or personally. She helped plan wedding gifts for my fiance and me and was there when we tied the knot. She became someone I could count on during my time at LMS. She is still the best teaching partner I have ever had and probably will ever have. 
Bryan Mann

“Betsy and her family are treasures to the mountain - their faith, deep love of the community, unselfishness with their time, warmth, generosity, and sincere desire to serve are such gifts to us all!”
Anna Hunter

“I loved teaching with Betsy!  She regularly poked her head in my room on her way down the hall to check on me. She was always busy in her cheery pink and green classroom teaching and loving her children. Betsy is more than a colleague to me! She is a dear, kind friend who always asks how my family and I are doing. She is more concerned with others’ welfare than her own! Betsy is an amazing person who has persevered through many hardships and is a perfect role model of faith and strength. Betsy and I love to go to Southern Star together! I am blessed to call her my friend!” 
Amy Thatcher

“She was a fabulous third grade teacher. I will always remember her joyful voice echoing through the halls of LMS!
Maggie Estes

“I am so thankful the Lord allowed me the opportunity to be friends with Betsy. She is one of the most generous and giving people I know - both of her time and resources. I will never be able to eat a Rice Krispie treat again without thinking of her and all the ones she bought me over the years from Southern Star. She truly has a servant’s heart, wanting to best meet the needs of those around her. Watching her patience and tender heart towards children is always inspiring. She has made me laugh more times than I can count, even in the midst of her pain. She seeks to fight for joy each day, no matter the hardships she has faced. My life is truly richer because of her friendship.”
 Julie Dean
    
“Betsy and I have been dear friends ever since we taught next door to each other at LMS.  I taught the fun fifth-graders, while Betsy taught third grade next door. Betsy is always patient and kind as a teacher. She is a wonderful encourager who sees the best in others. Betsy’s classroom was calm and cheery with her pink and green everywhere. Students loved being read to by Betsy.
“To us as teachers and staff, Betsy is a dear friend. We laughed together at teacher meetings and over lunch in the lunchroom. Betsy loves egg salad and sour cream and onion chips. She has always been willing to cover carpool duty or to help a friend. Betsy is a wonderful person, and a precious friend.

“Recently, now that we are both no longer teaching, I have looked forward to Wednesday mornings where I get to sit beside Betsy at Bible Study. Betsy has a beautiful joyful spirit, and I love being with her. She is a treasure who is loved very, very much by all who know her!”
Ann Henley Perry

“Betsy has been a treasure to our girls. From their first days of swim team, to coaching their swimming at McCallie, to Sunday school at LMPC and teaching at LMS, she has loved them and encouraged them (and rewarded them with candy!). Our girls have had such a dear relationship with her. She has spent so much of her life devoted to the children of Lookout Mountain and the Chattanooga community and has touched so many lives. Our children wouldn’t be the same without having had her smile, her cheerful Lily prints, and candy treats!”
Anne Carr

“Mrs. Bookout is the best teacher ever. She is super nice. I loved it when
she read aloud to us in class; it was always super fun.”
Caroline Carr

“It was fun during COVID-19 in 2020 to have her as our own pen pal. It was great to hear from her and get candy!  She always gave out a lot of candy!”  
Catherine Carr

During quarantine, the Carr girls would walk to Mrs. Bookout’s house and leave letters for her. Mrs. Bookout always had letters and candy waiting for them. Clearly, Betsy has always been an incredible teacher who invests in her students in and out of the classroom!

Betsy Bookout is one of those special teachers who fully invests in her students - whether they are her swimmers or classroom students. Mustafa Kemal Ataturk said, “A good teacher is like a candle. It consumes itself to light the way for others.”  We are all thankful for the guiding light that is our wonderful, precious, beautiful, courageous Betsy Caulkins Bookout. 
​
by Ann Henley Perry