Unraveling Your Utility Bills -- Part 2 of 3

The Valleyist Papers

A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS

WRITTEN IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF STEPHENS VALLEY

Author – William Ray

 

Edition 2. Issue 10.

Unraveling Your Utility Bills – Part 2 of 3

This subject is far more involved and complex than most of what we have offered here. To keep this discussion short and simple, such that you might choose to stay engaged, this subject is offered in three parts.

Last issue we were discussing the way that utilities like NES (and HVUD and Piedmont Natural Gas) collect their Fixed Costs. This month we will return to that discussion and expand on the subject.

When NES (and nearly every other electric utility) tries to collect the $54.00 Fixed Cost per residential customer (which covers all their costs that are not directly related to your volume of energy consumption) with a customer charge AND a markup on each kWh, practically no one pays an amount equal their cost of being served. Nearly everyone either overpays or underpays. In Nashville, the average monthly kWh usage is currently about 1,250 kWh, so if we multiply 1,250 kWh by 2.6 cents, we get $32.50, which is more than half of what NES needs to pay their Fixed Coster per residential customer! If you add that $32.50 to the $23.56 Customer Charge, then NES neatly collects nearly exactly $54 to cover the Fixed Cost for the average residential customer (this makes sense because retail rates are designed around the average customer). So, for the handful of residential accounts that regularly consume the average 1,250 kWh per month, the NES rate architecture works quite well. But it gets remarkably unfair (and remember, this is not a NES exclusive problem), when we examine what happens to residential accounts whose monthly consumption of kWh is lower, or higher, than average.

Stay with me now. That 8.4 cent per kWh average wholesale cost has several components besides the varying cost of a wholesale kWh. For example, a very large component of the wholesale power cost is the monthly peak demand charge. This can amount to 40% of NES’s monthly wholesale power bill from TVA, and while modern electric meters like the ones on our houses in SV can determine just how much each home contributes to that peak demand, the local power companies choose to ignore the opportunity to determine that amount and bill each account for their actual contribution to that cost. Rather, the local power companies choose to socialize the demand charge and include that cost as a portion of the 11 cent per kWh charge for a residential account. A residential account’s contribution to NES’s monthly peak demand charge can vary wildly. In the summer, NES’s peak demand will always happen between noon and 6 PM on a weekday. If your home is only using air conditioning during the peak, it is likely that the socialized rate over-estimates your contribution to peak demand such that you over-pay. If you throw a roast in the oven, or wash and dry clothes during the peak hour, your actions might drastically eclipse the amount NES has estimated in the socialized retail rates, which means that you under-pay. This is a demonstration of how no one really pays the true cost of buying electric power using the simple rate architecture employed by NES and most other local power companies.

In summary, NES needs to collect a bit over $54 from each residential customer over and above what the actual wholesale energy cost is for each customer. To accomplish that, they have implemented a Customer Charge of $16.90+$6.66 ($23.56) for those accounts who use something near 1,250 kWh per month, and that works quite well. But this system fails for any residential accounts who use less than the average amount. Those accounts are served at a loss, and it might amaze you to know that many of us in SV fall into that category! For those who use more than 1,250 kWh per month, things go really off the rails. At present NES published retail rates, if an account has used over 2,000 kWh in the last year, the Customer Charge goes to $24.90+$6.66. Also, that 2.6 cent markup would produce about $55 in net income (for a residential account using just 2,100 kWh). For that volume of kWh (an amount used by many homes in SV), NES is thus collecting about $87 to cover its Fixed Cost estimated at $54 per month. As consumption goes beyond 2,100 kWh per month, the problem just gets worse. These customers are being forced to subsidize the Fixed Costs of those who use less than 1,250 kWh per month. That bears repeating. That large home just down the street from you is likely averaging over 2,000 kWh per month of electricity consumption, and they are being forced to pay more than their actual Fixed Cost for being connected to the grid. The Fixed Cost of serving each residence in SV does not vary, but what those residential accounts are being charged for Fixed Cost recovery varies greatly!

Recently NES implemented their Power of Change Program, wherein they round up all energy bills to the next higher dollar (all accounts were automatically enrolled in this program, but all accounts are also allowed to opt-out if they contact NES and tell them) and many howled about this on social media, even though it would only add, on average, 50 cents to their monthly bill. What if those folks knew they are regularly forced to subsidize their neighbor’s power cost to the tune of maybe $30 per month?

If you are still interested in this matter, look for more details in next month’s issue of The Valleyist.

Unraveling Your Utility Bills -- Part 1 of 3

                                                       The Valleyist Papers

A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS

WRITTEN IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF STEPHENS VALLEY

Author – William Ray

 

Edition 2. Issue 9.

Unraveling Your Utility Bills – Part 1 of 3

This subject is far more involved and complex than most of what we have offered here. To keep this discussion short and simple, such that you might choose to stay engaged, this subject will be offered in three parts.

There is a good chance that the most recent electric bill you got from NES is the most expensive you’ve seen for your Stephens Valley home. It is also likely that you don’t spend a lot of time studying your NES bill. That might be exactly the way you want it, but if you decide to read this issue, you’ll learn some interesting facts about your energy consumption here in SV, the way NES bills you for that energy, and how your billing could be a lot fairer, and more effective.

Looking at the bill, you don’t get a lot of information, and, unfortunately, that is by design. The generic electric bill in the United States only shows you the difference between your meter readings for the current month and the preceding last month. Those readings are used to determine your kWh consumption for the month. The kWh usage is then multiplied by just over eleven cents and that becomes your simple energy charge. The net bill also includes a NES customer charge of $16.90 (unless you’ve had a month in the last year where your home used over 2,000 kWh, which makes your customer charge $24.90) and a TVA grid access charge of $6.66 for a total Customer Charge of $23.56 for an average residential account. This simplistic billing seems to best suit the customers who are not energy experts, but is that reason enough to use it?

Just how are these simple rates derived? If you want to know that answer, prepare yourself for a little mathematical discussion that will reveal some intrinsic, yet bizarre issues with the way NES (and, for that matter, all retail rates presently implemented by TVA’s local power companies) designs its retail electric rates. Where does the 11 cents per kWh cost come from, and what is the deal with the additional customer charge? Well, here goes. Out of that 11-cent charge, about 8.4 cents is collected just to pay for the power purchased from TVA (the TVA wholesale cost varies by time, day, and month, so that 8.4 cent cost is averaged here for simplicity). The remaining 2.6 cents per kWh is retained by NES to help cover their non-energy costs of accomplishing their mission (these are called Fixed Costs in utility speak). So, NES is using a volumetric adder to kWh consumption (which is sort of invisible to the customer) and a Customer Charge to collect the revenue needed to cover their Fixed Cost for serving each account.

Here we should discuss this important difference between volumetric charges and fixed charges, as that is the big argument among retail electric rate experts at the 3,000 electric utilities in the United States. Volumetric charges are derived by measuring the volume of something, then multiplying that volume by a per unit amount. That works fine for kWh, because utilities like NES also buy their kWh from a wholesale vendor that charges them volumetrically. The problem comes when a utility tries to collect a fixed amount, to cover a fixed cost, via an added amount to a volumetric per unit amount. Since the volume purchased varies wildly, it is certain that any volumetric collection of a fixed cost is going to be inaccurate, unjust, and discriminatory. NES, and scores of other local utilities, try to skirt this issue by doing some of both, which guarantees that their rates are not actually cost-based, but it allows them to bury some Fixed Cost revenue collection by disguising it within the cost per kWh. Other utilities serving SV do the same thing. HVUD and Piedmont Natural Gas both employ the monthly fixed charge plus a per unit adder as well. This system isn’t fair because it is invisible to most customers. This situation is just another example of the struggle we all face in the search for equality of treatment from vendors we count on to make us feel secure.

For a residential electric customer of NES, the assigned Fixed Cost is somewhere around $54.00 per month (this is an educated guess from experience). So why are we charged $23.56 (or $31.56) per month for the customer charge? Why isn’t everyone charged $54.00 instead? This is where the commitment to ancient metering infrastructure, ancient rate architecture, and political philosophy rears its head, as discussed above. If everyone were paying a customer charge equal to the Fixed Cost of keeping our home attached to the NES grid, then we should only have to pay that average 8.4 cents per kWh, which is the wholesale cost, for our actual energy usage. Instead, mainly because of the momentum of the way electric utilities have operated for the last century, NES marks up each kWh by 2.6 cents to collect a portion of their Fixed Costs AND they also charge a customer charge which is also intended to collect another portion of the Fixed Costs. As explained above, this is a problem that results in practically no one paying their fair share of a utility’s Fixed Costs.

If you are interested in this matter, look for more details in next month’s issue of The Valleyist.

A Local Newspaper Makes Us More of a Community

The Valleyist Papers

A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS

WRITTEN IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF STEPHENS VALLEY

Author – William Ray

 

Edition 2. Issue 8.

A Local Newspaper Makes Us More of a Community

Plop! In the kind of Mayberryesque small town we hope SV to become, that would be the sound of a local newspaper hitting our front porch, but like the promised Stephens Valley (SV) Town Square, and other amenities, that local newspaper doesn’t fully exist -- yet. Sure, The Valleyist is nice, and Slack sort of mimics a local newspaper in a few ways, with SV residents providing the content, but a truly local newspaper would provide us so much more. So, would having a local paper help us progress toward the community we want? Hmmm.

The decline of small local newspapers is a serious problem for communities across the country, and it is a very serious problem for a new community like SV that is trying to become viable. Local newspapers provide essential services that cannot be easily replaced. If we want to ensure that our communities are informed, engaged, and prosperous, we need to find ways to support small local newspapers, and maybe even create certain elements of a newspaper ourselves.

For now, a way to get in the local newspaper habit is to go to www.williamsonherald.com and subscribe. The Williamson County Herald was founded in 2005 to fill the need for local news in Williamson County, Tennessee. The newspaper is owned and operated by CMD Publishing, and it is printed locally by Franklin Web Printing. It is a really nice weekly publication.

The newspaper was founded by a group of local businessmen and journalists who were concerned about the lack of local news coverage in the county that was being provided by Nashville newspapers. The Herald quickly became a popular source of news for Williamson County residents, and it has since grown to become one of the most respected newspapers in the region. The Herald is published weekly, and even though it does not go Plop! on your front porch, it does appear in SV mailboxes a day or two after it is printed in Franklin. It can appear in your mailbox for the paltry sum of $50 per year. It is a true bargain.

Of course, we are Williamson County residents, and our only government services come from Williamson County. We are not citizens of any other local government, even though our address says we live in Nashville, we do not live in Nashville. That seems very odd, especially since right now so many people are running for Mayor of Nashville and all local media seems to be urging us to pick one of those candidates, but we don’t get a vote in that matter. Further, we are not residents of any of the five incorporated cities in Williamson County: Franklin, Brentwood, Thompson’s Station, Nolensville, and Fairview. Each of these cities has a local government which maintains infrastructure for the residents of these respective cities. Meanwhile, SV is not a part of any of this, but we do pay property taxes that helps support Williamson County infrastructure, and that gives us equity in that infrastructure and the decisions made by elected officials of Williamson County. We get to vote and help choose the Mayor of Williamson County (presently that is Rogers Anderson). The Herald strives to cover a wide range of topics, including all those local governments, as well as the overall county government, education, business, crime, and sports. The newspaper also features a variety of special sections, such as a weekly food section and a monthly lifestyle section.

The Herald is committed to providing its readers with accurate and unbiased news coverage, and that is not easy because they have six governments to keep an eye on! The newspaper's editorial board is made up of experienced journalists who seem committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism. The newspaper is a valuable resource for Williamson County residents, and it is sure to continue to be a leader in local news for many years to come. It is worth reading and stealing some of their ideas about how we can strengthen our relationships in SV by proactively producing content for our hyper-local interests.

There are many reasons why small local newspapers like Williamson County Herald should be saved, and each of these reasons would also be applicable to SV owners if we were able to organize an SV version of the Herald. Here are a few of the most important:

· They provide essential information to the community. Local newspapers are the primary source of news for many people, and they provide coverage of local events and issues that would not be covered by larger, national news outlets. This information is essential for citizens to make informed decisions about their community and to hold their elected officials accountable.

· They build community. Local newspapers help to build community by providing a forum for people to share their stories and to learn about each other. They also help to promote civic engagement by covering local events and issues and by providing a platform for people to voice their opinions. Slack already does some of this for SV, but it would be so much better with reports on the meetings of the Design Review Committee, reports from the discussions held in the various committees that have already been created, sports reports on racquet sports, etc., etc.

· They support local businesses. Local newspapers provide a valuable advertising platform for local businesses, helping them to reach potential customers and to grow their businesses. This support is essential for the economic vitality of the community.

· They strengthen democracy. Local newspapers play an important role in strengthening democracy by providing a forum for public discourse and by holding government accountable (and maybe even developers!). They also help to ensure that all voices are heard in the community, regardless of social status or economic power.

It is common for SV owners to be solicited for donations to a variety of causes which are important to our neighbors, so here is another solicitation. There are things you can do to help save small local newspapers, especially the Williamson County Herald:

· Subscribe to the newspaper. This is the most important thing you can do to support your local newspaper.

· Donate to your local newspaper. If you can't afford to subscribe, you can still support your local newspaper by donating.

· Advertise in your local newspaper. If you own a business, you can help support your local newspaper by advertising in it.

· Spread the word about the importance of local newspapers. Talk to your friends, family, and neighbors about the importance of local newspapers and why they should support them.

By taking these steps, we can help to ensure that small local newspapers continue to thrive in our communities, and we can follow their expertise in gathering and distributing news which we need to satisfy our genetic desire to know our community and our neighbors. 

Stephens Valley is Surrounded by Music!

 

The Valleyist Papers

A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS
WRITTEN IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF STEPHENS VALLEY

Author – William Ray

 

Edition 2. Issue 7.

We are Surrounded by Music!

The recent BBQ & Bluegrass event here in SV was a huge success! If you loved the idea of socializing with neighbors as talented musicians played and determined small businesspeople prepared food and drink for sale to the audience, there is great news. Much of this is available right in our area much more often than what the Rochford team can provide for us. SV is part of Music City, we there are many small music venues very close to us, that can give us that same feeling just about every week! Now that you live here, you are required to go out and take in local music!

Places like Cheekwood, Mockingbird Theater, Williamson County Performing Arts Center, City Winery, Franklin Theater, Eddy Arnold Amphitheater (inside Crockett Park in Brentwood), and 3rd & Lindsley Bar and Grill, are just a few of the places that offer convenience, low cost, musical diversity, and the same sort of relaxed atmosphere we just enjoyed in our own Meriwether Park. Here are some of the benefits available to SV residents without entering the carnival (and often offensive) atmosphere of the big venues in downtown Nashville:

Intimate Atmosphere: These small music venues provide an intimate setting where audiences can experience live music up close and personal. These venues typically have a limited capacity, allowing for a more intimate and engaging experience. The proximity to the performers creates a sense of connection and enhances the overall enjoyment of the music.

Locally Owned: Many of these smaller places are owned and operated by local people. When we attend their events, we vote with our dollars. We are voting for these small businesses to survive and flourish. These are very important votes for us to cast as they enhance our lives here in SV and tide us over until the time when we hope to enjoy more of this type of entertainment right here in our Town Square.

Discovering New Talent: Nashville is known as the "Music City" and, as we all should know, is home to a vibrant music scene that we should all sample often. Small music venues play a crucial role in showcasing emerging talent and supporting local musicians. These venues often host open mic nights, showcases, and smaller gigs, providing a platform for up-and-coming artists to gain exposure and build their fan base.

Diverse Music Offerings: Small music venues in Nashville cater to a wide range of musical genres and styles. Whether it's country, rock, folk, jazz, or blues, you can find a venue that specializes in your preferred genre. This diversity ensures that music lovers have access to a variety of performances and helps foster a vibrant and inclusive music community. Modern social media makes it very easy for us to seek out the venues mentioned above, like their Facebook or Instagram accounts, and then keep track of just what talent is appearing there. Living in SV puts us right in the middle of a tasty buffet of music which is served up regularly.

Accessibility and Affordability: Unlike larger venues, small music venues are often more accessible in terms of location and ticket prices. These venues I’ve mentioned are mainly around SV, but some are scattered throughout the city and surrounding areas. Their proximity makes them easier for SV residents to attend, park right at the venue, eat at a local restaurant or food truck at the venue, and enjoy without the hassle that comes with going to a show at Bridgestone Arena or the Ryman Auditorium. Additionally, ticket prices for shows at smaller venues tend to be more affordable, mostly free of ridiculous additional charges over the stated ticket price while allowing music enthusiasts to experience high-quality performances without breaking the bank.

Supportive Community: Small music venues often have a close-knit community of music lovers and enthusiasts. These venues become gathering places where people with a shared passion for music can connect, socialize, and create lasting friendships. The supportive atmosphere fosters a sense of belonging and encourages collaboration among musicians and artists.

Artist Development: For musicians, small music venues offer an opportunity for growth and development. Playing at these venues allows artists to refine their stage presence, interact with audiences, and experiment with their craft. It serves as a stepping-stone for aspiring musicians looking to build a following and progress in their careers.

Unique Experiences: Some small music venues in Nashville have distinct characteristics that make them stand out. For example, Cheekwood, in addition to being a beautiful botanical garden, hosts live music events, combining the beauty of nature with the joy of music. The Mockingbird Theater, Franklin Theater, and 3rd & Lindsley are known for their historical charm and architectural significance, creating a unique ambiance for music performances.

Of course, the most local and charming venues would be the front porches right here in Stephens Valley. We continue to dream that some of our talented neighbors will organize some informal performances on SV front porches so that we can just walk down the street, bring our chairs and our coolers, and drench ourselves in the talent that we are so lucky to have right down the street! Come on neighbors, make this happen!

Beyond the venues and events mentioned above, we are also surrounded by many annual events near our homes. Check out Franklin on the Fourth, Bluegrass Along the Harpeth, Bethlehem UMC Fish Fry, Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival, and the super-cool FirstBank Ampitheater and Graystone Quarry venue for their upcoming shows. We truly live in a music Garden of Eden, and there are many other events and venues not listed here.

In summary, small music venues in and around our corner of the world offer numerous advantages, including an intimate atmosphere, opportunities for discovering new talent, diverse music offerings, accessibility, affordability, a supportive community, artist development, and unique experiences. These venues contribute to the rich musical heritage of Nashville and play a vital role in shaping the city's vibrant music scene. In addition, these places give us multiple opportunities to get together with SV neighbors and go out for some fun!

Williamson County Parks and Recreation Is Ours!

 

The Valleyist Papers

A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS

WRITTEN IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF STEPHENS VALLEY

Author – William Ray

 

Edition 2. Issue 6.

Williamson County Parks and Recreation Is Amazing!

Since Stephens Valley is not within any incorporated city, and since our promised Town Square is a long way from becoming a reality, it can seem like our property taxes are just disappearing into the ether. Sure, we are helping to fund county schools, and we have access to police and fire protection and a great recycling center, but do you know about the Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department? Well, you should!

The Williamson County Parks and Recreation Department (WCPR) is a government agency that provides a variety of parks, recreation, and cultural programs for residents of Williamson County, Tennessee. The department was established in 1961 and currently operates over 30 parks and facilities, including:

• 13 community centers
• 11 recreation complexes
• 9 pools
• 8 splash pads
• 7 nature parks
• 6 athletic complexes
• 5 golf courses
• 4 senior centers
• 3 libraries
• 2 theaters
• 1 performing arts center

Using all of these facilities, WCPR's programs and services include:

• Aquatics
• Athletics
• Arts and crafts
• Fitness and wellness
• Nature programs
• Senior programs
• Special events
• Summer camps
• Therapeutic recreation
• Youth programs

In 2022, WCPR had a budget of $100 million. Let that sink in. Just because we live in Williamson County and pay property taxes, we have access to facilities and programs which cost $100 million per year! WCPR department employs over 1,000 people and serves over 600,000 residents, and SV residents should be using this asset in which they have so much equity! And you do not have to do athletic stuff to get benefits from WCPR! They have plenty of programs for residents who just want to have fun with their neighbors. There are trips to local restaurants, parks, museums and such. There are exciting entertainment events like concerts, plays, and so many more.

The closest WCPR facility to us is in Franklin, only eight miles away from SV, near the corner of Hillsboro Road and Mack Hatcher Memorial Parkway, and what a facility it is! Only a couple of miles further away, in downtown Franklin, is their Academy Park campus where the Public Library, the Enrichment Center, the Performing Arts Center, and the Academy Park Gymnasium are located. These are all treasures available to us and only 9 miles away! Throughout the county, WCPR is committed to providing high-quality parks, recreation, and cultural programs that enhance the quality of life for all residents of Williamson County.

Here are some additional details about WCPR's facilities, funding, and programs:

• Community centers: Community centers offer a variety of programs and services for all ages, including fitness classes, arts and crafts, sports, and more.
• Recreation complexes: Recreation complexes offer a variety of amenities, including pools, splash pads, playgrounds, athletic fields, and more.
• Pools: WCPR operates nine pools, including outdoor pools, indoor pools, and splash pads.
• Nature parks: Nature parks offer residents a chance to enjoy the outdoors and connect with nature. The department's nature parks include hiking trails, nature centers, and more.
• Athletic complexes: Athletic complexes offer residents a place to play sports and get exercise. The department's athletic complexes include baseball fields, softball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, and more.
• Golf courses: WCPR operates four golf courses, offering residents a chance to enjoy the game of golf.
• Senior centers: Senior centers offer a variety of programs and services for seniors, including fitness classes, arts and crafts, social activities, and more.
• Libraries: WCPR operates three libraries, offering residents a place to borrow books, use computers, and attend programs.
• Theaters: WCPR operates two theaters, offering residents a chance to see plays, musicals, and other performances.
• Performing arts center: The Williamson County Performing Arts Center is a state-of-the-art facility that hosts a variety of performances, including concerts, plays, and musicals. This is an amazing small venue where you can park a few feet from the door. Just in June the listing of events you can enjoy there is amazing! https://www.wcpactn.com/tickets_and_events/tickets___events/index.php

Funding

WCPR's funding comes from a variety of sources, including:

• Property taxes: Property taxes are the largest source of funding for WCPR.
• User fees: User fees are charged for some of WCPR's programs and services, such as swimming lessons and sports leagues.
• State and federal grants: WCPR receives grants from the state and federal government to support its programs and services.
• Private donations: WCPR receives private donations from individuals and organizations to support its programs and services.

Programs

WCPR offers a variety of programs and services for all ages, including:

• Aquatics: WCPR offers swimming lessons, water aerobics, and other aquatic programs.
• Athletics: WCPR offers a variety of sports programs for children, youth, and adults, including baseball, softball, soccer, tennis, and more.
• Arts and crafts: WCPR offers arts and crafts classes for children, youth, and adults.
• Fitness and wellness: WCPR offers fitness classes, weight loss programs, and other fitness and wellness programs.
• Nature programs: WCPR offers nature programs for children, youth, and adults, such as hiking, bird watching, and nature walks.
• Senior programs: WCPR offers a variety of programs and services for seniors, including fitness classes, arts and crafts, social activities, and more.
• Special events: WCPR hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, such as festivals, concerts, and more.
• Summer camps: WCPR offers a variety of summer camps for children, youth, and adults.
• Therapeutic recreation: WCPR offers therapeutic recreation programs

The programs offered by WCPR are so diverse and ever-changing that there is really just one way to learn everything available to us – go to https://www.wcparksandrec.com/ and dig in! Next, take a day trip around the county and look at some of these amazing resources that you own. Then, get out your calendar and start penciling in events, trips, and programs that you want to experience. You will come away with a new appreciation of the luck you had when you decided to live in Stephens Valley!

Cheekwood is Practically Our Own Place

 

The Valleyist Papers

A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS

WRITTEN IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF STEPHENS VALLEY

Author – William Ray

 

Edition 2. Issue 5.

 

Cheekwood is Practically Our Own Place

 

What if we were getting our own botanical gardens/art exhibits/music venue as a part of the Stephens Valley Town Square we are promised? Would that be cool, or what? Well, the likelihood of that is quite remote. But we already have that just about seven miles east on Highway 100 – Cheekwood. Cheekwood is all of that, and more.

The story of Cheekwood began when Teddy Roosevelt famously requested a second cup of coffee while dining at Nashville’s fashionable Maxwell House Hotel and commenting that it was “good to the last drop.” This quip was seized upon by two southern Kentucky natives – Joel Owsley Cheek (from Burkesville, Kentucky) and Christopher Tompkins Cheek (from my hometown, Glasgow, Kentucky). They had just turned their family grocery firm into a business focusing on their blend of coffee which later became known as Maxwell House Coffee, after the hotel where TR made his coffee proclamation.

The Kentucky cousins had given the prestigious hostelry 20 pounds of their prepared coffee to try in the dining room. In time the supply of coffee was exhausted, and regular diners noticed the change back to the old brand and complained. As a result, the hotel began using the Cheek’s coffee exclusively.

In turn, the Cheeks acquired the use of the hotel’s name to market their coffee and began using the famous “good to the last drop” comment as their timeless slogan. At one point, Maxwell House Coffee had gained one-third of the American coffee market. In 1928, the company was sold to Postum for $42 million that was shared by extended Cheek family members who had invested in the company. The Postum company eventually sold to General Foods which was later sold to Kraft Foods. That $42 million allowed the Cheeks to become philanthropists.

Christopher T. Cheek married Ann Valeria Leslie, daughter of Gov. Preston H. Leslie also of Glasgow (thank you very much!). Their son, Glasgow native Leslie Cheek Sr., became an investor in the family business and in time, was president of the company.

While on a train traveling from New York to Nashville with a stop in Guthrie, Kentucky, Leslie Cheek noticed a beautiful young lady. He bribed the porter with a box of cigars to obtain her name, a ploy that failed. However, with a bit of maneuvering, Cheek found John Clemens, a friend of the young woman, who offered to introduce him, but he refused. Instead, Cheek insisted he wished to meet her at her home and a few days later the gentlemen arrived in Clarksville, Tennessee to call on Mabel Wood.

According to family oral history, Mabel watched from an upstairs window as Cheek and Clemens approached and found she was pleased with Cheek’s handsome and youthful appearance. Clemens explained Cheek’s interest and of his special trip from Nashville to meet her. Apparently agreeable, they all went to church together. Pretty soon, they also went to the altar together! Eventually they built their home – Cheekwood, a name combining Leslie and Mabel’s respective surnames. After three years of construction, the Cheeks moved into their country estate at Thanksgiving 1932. Leslie died at age 60 only two years later and the estate passed to his daughter, Huldah Cheek Sharp, who lived at Cheekwood with her husband Walter until the 1950s when they offered it as a site for a botanical garden and art museum in west Nashville. Today this is on a 55-acre site (adjacent to the Warner Parks described in an earlier issue by Libbey Hagewood) just 7 miles up Highway 100 toward Nashville from Stephens Valley, making it kind of our own place.

Cheekwood is home to a variety of gardens, including a rose garden, a perennial garden, and a Japanese garden. The garden also features a number of sculptures, including works by Henry Moore and Alexander Calder.

In addition to its gardens, Cheekwood also houses a museum that features a collection of American art, including paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts. The museum also has a number of educational programs, including art classes, lectures, and tours.

Cheekwood is a popular destination for both locals and tourists, and it is particularly popular with the residents of Stephens Valley (although it should be even more popular). The garden is open year-round, and the museum is open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is charged for both the garden and the museum.

If you want to experience the burgeoning Nashville music scene in a serene no-stress environment, Cheekwood is the place. They host a variety of music events throughout the year. These events include concerts, recitals, and other performances. The music events are held in a variety of venues, including the garden, the museum, and the Cheekwood Mansion. The events feature a variety of musical genres, including classical, jazz, rock, blues, and country. The events are also a great opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the Cheekwood gardens, especially during their Thursday Night Out events during the peaceful evenings from May through October. Make sure to check at www.cheekwood.org often to see what is coming up there.

Here are some of the upcoming music events at Cheekwood:

• Under the Stars Concert Series: These events cover three separate nights and feature local songwriters, bluegrass, and jazz artists. https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/under-the-stars-concert-series/
• Thursday Night Out: As the name implies, these events are relaxing opportunities for SV residents to grab a blanket and your neighbors and experience the music and beauty of Nashville. The first TNO for the year is on May 4, and the music will be by our own Les Sabler! Food Trucks are always there! https://cheekwood.org/calendar-events/thursday-night-out-230504/
• Christmas at Cheekwood: This holiday event features a variety of musical performances, as well as other activities such as carriage rides and a visit from Santa Claus. The event is held from late November to early December.

For more information about the music events at Cheekwood, please visit the Cheekwood website. www.cheekwood.org

 

Portions of this article were borrowed, with permission, from The Kentucky Roots of Maxwell House Coffee, written by Sam Terry of Glasgow, Kentucky.

Let's Watch Out for Each Other

 

The Valleyist Papers

A COLLECTION OF ESSAYS

WRITTEN IN FAVOUR OF THE IMPROVEMENT OF STEPHENS VALLEY

Author – William Ray

 

Edition 2. Issue 4.

 

Let’s Watch Out for Each Other

 

Nashville changed this week. It is certain that we all want to help heal everyone around us, but as Norman Maclean observed in his novel A River Runs Through It, “So it is,” he said, using an old homiletic transition, “that we can seldom help anybody. Either we don’t know what part to give or maybe we don’t like to give any part of ourselves. Then, more often than not, the part that is needed is not wanted. And even more often, we do not have the part that is needed.” But maybe we should still try. Maybe we should talk about Neighborhood Watch during this time. That seems like a plausible idea.

Several months ago, we had a neighborhood meeting with members of the Williamson County Sheriff Department relative to concerns about “visitors” who were cruising the alleys and checking out cars and other possessions. They gave us some really good advice about how we can lock arms and defend ourselves by employing team “my brother’s keeper” tactics. Their recommendations were not complicated. They just suggested that we get to know those around us. They said we should notice unusual things going on and unknown vehicles that might be parked nearby. They said we should talk to each other more and keep each other posted about planned absences and other changes around our homes. They said we should be prepared to call them when something seems amiss, even on each other’s behalf.

When you think about those recommendations, it becomes clear that what the WCSO recommends is also what we should all be doing to bring ourselves closer together and form an increasing bond with our neighbors. As we’ve discussed before in The Valleyist, and as evidenced by the recent annual “HOA” meeting, no one is going to bring us closer together unless we do it ourselves. While clear answers to our questions are still difficult to obtain from the developer, we can certainly provide clear and concise information for each other, and we can sincerely care for one another.

Thanks to a group of volunteers, we have a neighborhood directory of names, physical addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses. One way you are getting The Valleyist is through the email list created from your cooperation with this volunteer group (chaired by Sage Nozko) in providing the directory information. We all owe her and her volunteers a great big thank you for doing this work! But we also owe them thanks for spearheading the initiative to get everyone on Slack, which facilitates communications which are far more efficient and effective than email. The more the SV owners utilize Slack, the more effective we are at uniting and becoming one.

One of the most powerful features of Slack is the ability to create special channels for groups that share specific interests. For example, there is a channel called “#the-valleyist” and you can find current, and archived, copies of this newsletter there. Even more powerful and on-point with the Neighborhood Watch recommendations are channels like “#webster-street-alley.” Sage created this one in direct response the WCSO recommendations. This channel unites a segment of SV that shares a common alley (and those of you without an alley can unite around where you pick up your mail). Residents of that alley sought out their neighbors and urged them to join the Webster Alley channel and they mostly have. So, now anyone in that group can announce upcoming absences, lost/found items, odd vehicle presences, and such. We can even alert each other if the lighting over their garage doors is non-functioning so the lighting can be repaired.

Every alley group, or mailbox group, needs to replicate this effort! All it takes is someone in each group to become an activist and get their group organized. Walk around your group and collect the home addresses, then go to the SV Directory to convert those addresses to names. Give your proposed group a name and ask Sage (860-462-9466 sagenozko@gmail.com) to create a channel with that name. Then start inviting your neighbors, using their names, to join the new channel. If you cannot find them on Slack to invite them, then use the SV directory and email them a plea to join Slack and join the new group channel. After you have a channel populated, start using it to watch out for each other. Use it to offer congratulations to fellow channel members whose family did something cool. Use it to create impromptu gatherings and eat left-overs! Smell a natural gas leak? Use the alley group to see if others smell it too!

This is how we build community and lasting friendships. WCSO says it is also the way we lock arms to help enhance the security of our neighborhood. It seems logical that we should all make an effort to accomplish these simple tasks to form a more perfect community. Perhaps if we are able to do this, simply because we respect each other and want to be more united, we might even earn respect from the developer, and maybe that new respect will result in more transparency, and more responsiveness in the way our neighborhood operates. Norman Maclean also observed, “Help,” he said, “is giving part of yourself to somebody who comes to accept it willingly and needs it badly.”