By Anna Lee Mutter

The Lookout Mountain School PTA’s “Night Out for Lookout” fundraiser, held on Friday, March 1, was a wild success. Headed by Jessica Youngblood and co-chair Kristen Miller, the evening raised more money for Lookout Mountain School, over $90,000, than any prior auction. Next year’s 10th anniversary auction will have some big shoes to fill.

I asked Jessica about her experience organizing the event, and I spoke to Rob Huffaker, who bravely agreed to auctioneer after many years of the charismatic Henry Glascock leading the charge. Rob really understood the heft of the expectations riding on his shoulders. Asked whether he was nervous prior to the big evening, he replied, “I was enthused about being the auctioneer and so wanted to do a good job for the ladies of the PTA who work hard to raise almost $400,000 overall each year for our wonderful mountain treasure, LMS. As I learned how important this event is to the PTA and that the money is used to provide nine of the 17 teaching positions in one of the best Tennessee public elementary schools, I desperately wanted to do a good job and asked lots of people to pray. As I stood between the two groups of generous givers (those who gave the items auctioned and those who bought them), I was so blessed to be in that number. What a great group of generous people who love our school, community, and each other! I was proud to be a part of Jessica Youngblood’s team, and I had a blast. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of such a special evening.”

Thank you, Rob, for boldly taking on such an important role, and executing it so masterfully. You were a natural, and your daughter, the lovely Kakhi Huffaker Wakefield, beautifully outfitted the Lookout Mountain Club’s ballroom in Lenten roses and daffodils.

Despite recovering from a marathon month preparing for the auction, Jessica Youngblood, chairman of NOFL this year, was able to answer a few of my questions about how she and Kristin pulled it all off:

Anna Lee: NOFL is the biggest single fundraiser that the PTA puts on, and there’s a lot riding on it because the funds go to support teachers’ salaries and special projects, like the now-completed playground. After all your efforts to organize it, line up the auction items, catering, decor, and to get the word out, were you anxious the night of or did you have a sense that things would go off without a hitch?
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Jessica: The auction always tends to come together at the end. I had a sense of peace about the whole thing and trusted our community would turn out in support of our sweet school … and they did!

Anna Lee: Yes! There was an excellent turnout, and everyone had a ball! What was your favorite part of the process?

Jessica: I enjoyed working alongside other parents. We all take away so much from the school, so it’s nice to see so many come together for this fundraiser.

Anna Lee: What was your favorite moment of the night?

Jessica: I loved the live auction. The energy was great and Rob Huffaker did such a great job engaging everyone!

Anna Lee: He certainly did - Nobody would have guessed he was a first-timer! What is the big goal that the PTA is working towards? In the past, it was the playground. How much money is needed and did you make enough?

Jessica: The special project this year was working towards a much needed renovation for our auditorium. As of now, we are a little less than halfway towards our budget. New seats, curtains, and carpet are all part of the plan, and the goal is to raise $75,000.

Anna Lee: Wow! The dedicated seats are a great idea! It isn’t often one gets to specifically support a beloved institution’s arts program and have one’s name or children’s names engraved on a seat, there to support every play and “LMS Day” for years to come. No alumnus or parent should be without! Are seats still available?

Jessica: They are! At $250 per seat, we hope to raise more money for the auditorium through the initiative. I can be contacted directly for information pertaining to seat dedication at the4youngbloods@ gmail.com

Anna Lee: That’s wonderful. Get in touch with Jessica about dedicating a seat to your grandchild, elementary-aged children, or yourself as an alum! In closing, how much money was raised overall?

Jessica: We are just over $90,000 before we pay out our expenses for the evening. It was an incredible fundraiser, and the community turned out like never before. We are so thankful!

Anna Lee: That’s a breathtaking number, almost $100,000! What an incredible community we have! Lastly, what is your advice to whatever brave parent steps into your shoes and pulls off this event next year, the acution’s 10th anniversary year?

Jessica: Delegate, delegate, delegate, and then trust! It really is a “well oiled machine” and is a very manageable job with the right volunteers.

Anna Lee: Well, you and Kristin are rockstars for pulling off NOFL 2019 and making so much money for LMS! Principle Ruth White said of you all, “I cannot thank Jessica Youngblood, Kristen Miller, and Rob Huffaker for the time, energy, and efforts they made on behalf of LMS on Friday evening. The event was a total success and a joy to attend!”

I heartily agree that it was a joy to be there and hope that everyone gets to turn out in droves and turns out their pockets in honor of our beloved LMS next year on Night Out for Lookout’s 10th anniversary, and, in the meantime, get in touch with Jessica about that seat with your name on it!

By Ann Caldwell and Wendy Robinson

The late John Smartt picked up litter for many years on the mountain. Lookout For Litter is committed to resuming his tradition and efforts, and we hope you’ll join us for some rewarding outdoor FUN!

The first community-wide litter collection effort is planned for Saturday, April 13. Please meet at Good Shepherd Church’s lower parking lot at 9 a.m. for instructions on routes, teams and supply distribution. We have found that golf carts are ideal for easy in/out, but any vehicle that can carry possibly messy garbage will work. Lookout for Litter will collect the full bags from roadsides Saturday afternoon.

Trash bags, light snacks and bottled water will be provided.

We will be finished by noon at the latest, but come at 9 a.m. and stay as long as you can - any participation is so appreciated.

Be on the lookout for signs before the workday, and check the Lookout Mountain Neighborhood Page on Facebook for updates and details.

Please wear a neon or brightly-colored shirt or a safety vest, work gloves and sturdy shoes, and bring grabbers or a paper-stabbing tool if you have them! Golf carts or pick-up trucks are hot commodities, so if you have one, bring it!
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Thank you in advance for your consideration and participation!

Erlanger Hospital’s third annual Believe Bash will take place Saturday, April 6, at the Chattanooga Convention Center. The gala is themed “Underwater Enchantment,” and proceeds will benefit the new Pediatric Outpatient MRI and Procedure Center at the new Children’s Hospital Kennedy Outpatient Center. The new addition will allow children and adolescents to experience MRI scans and minor procedures in a space that is completely and uniquely designed for them.

“This year’s gala promises to be an evening of underwater enchantment,” said Lynda Minks Hood, who is co-chairing the black tie event with Tracie LeSar, Judy Spiegel and Kim Griffin. “Guests will be immersed in glimmering elegance as they dance the night away.”

Activities for the night include an extended cocktail hour and a four-course dinner. A live auction will take place during the program portion of the evening, while a silent auction will be featured for a few days leading up to the event. The Ben Friberg Trio and Big Swing and the Ballroom Blasters, a 22-piece band, will entertain the guests.

The new Kennedy Outpatient Center, which opened December 2018, is a 90,000 square foot facility built with the child in mind, housing fun and unique areas to reduce stress and anxiety while providing treatment. Each year the Kennedy Outpatient Center will care for more than 55,000 patients, ensuring that children in our region have access to the highest level of pediatric care.
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For more information and to purchase tickets, call (423) 778-4803.

Registration is open for local backyard grill enthusiasts to compete in the fifth annual Battle Below the Clouds at Ruby Falls. Benefiting Lana’s Love Foundation, the amateur barbecue cook-off on April 13, 2019, gives competitors the chance to win awards and bragging rights as the best backyard cooks in Chattanooga, while supporting the foundation’s mission to bring fun activities to local kids with cancer and their families. Named for the late Lana Beth Webster, daughter of Cindy and Jim and sister of Alan and Cole, Lana’s Love is dedicated to helping kids with cancer and their families have fun during a very challenging time.

Amateur teams of grillers and smokers may include one individual or a team captain and as many assistants as the team deems necessary. Team registration is accepted on a first-come, first serve basis until the maximum number of teams is reached. Entry fees are donated to Lana’s Love and range from $200-$400, based on the size of competition site required by the team. Cook-off participants receive competition meat, a Battle Below the Clouds swag basket filled with giveaways and a crack at being named the coveted 2019 Grand Champion, 2019 Pulled Pork Champion, 2019 Ribs Champion and/or the 2019 Jim Brewer Spirit Award recipient.

“Battle Below the Clouds is not only a fun day with great barbecue and live music for Lana’s Love kids and their families, but it’s also an exciting event for local barbecue enthusiasts to test their craft,” said Ruby Falls president Hugh Morrow. “We invite backyard grillers to compete for sought-after bragging rights by putting their grill skills to the ultimate barbecue test on the most delicious day of the year on Lookout Mountain.”

Teams will be judged in four categories: dry ribs; ribs with sauce; pork butt with sauce; and pork butt without sauce. Competitors will check-in and receive their meat at Ruby Falls on April 12 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Grilling begins the following morning at 6 a.m. with awards announced on the entertainment stage at 5 p.m.

More information and registration is available at www.lanaslove.com. Team registration ends April 5.

The Lookout Mountain community yard sale, dubbed Fairyland Finds, is starting back up on April 6. Located at the Lookout Mountain, Ga., town hall’s parking lot, this event is open to anyone who wants to come and sell some wonderful treasures. And, of course, shoppers are welcome to come peruse these great bargains!
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This grand event began over a year ago, going on hiatus for the winter months. With spring upon us, the community-wide sale is back again! There is no charge to set up a “booth” in any spot that you want in the parking lot. Some people might prefer to sell their items on Facebook, but this is a way for the community to come together, visit each other, meet new neighbors and sell any of the “white elephants” taking up space in your closet. Oriental rugs, fine china, wine racks and furniture have all changed hands at this sale, so who knows what the first Saturday of the month will bring?

The sale starts at 8 a.m. and lasts until the vendors pack up and go home. It’s scheduled for the first Saturday of every month until the cold weather forces us inside again. So gather up your wares to sell, or come browse all the items your neighbors have for sale. You may find something that you can’t live without! Hope to see you there.