August is rolling right along, school is back in session, and somehow summer is already starting to feel like it’s moving a little too fast.
This week we’ve got local kids trying something new, teenagers making a difference, neighbors taking care of neighbors, a beautiful East Brainerd home, plenty to do around town, and a Destination of the Week that might have you planning a weekend getaway before you finish reading.
Grab the coffee — here’s your Scoop. 👇
💬 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“Happiness is not something ready-made. It comes from your own actions.” — Dalai Lama
A good reminder heading into a new week: sometimes the little things we choose to do every day end up being the big things.
🤝 LOCAL PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
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❤️ HERE’S THE GOOD NEWS
🏹 Chattanooga Kids Take Aim at Something New
Hamilton County 4-H is giving local students an opportunity to try archery for free.
The annual Archery Preview Day is August 15 and gives students entering grades 4–12 a chance to get behind a bow before deciding whether the 4-H Archery Club might be for them. Even better, they don't need their own equipment to give it a shot.
🎓 Tennessee vs. Georgia: What's Behind the Education Gap?
Two neighboring states — but two very different positions in national education rankings.
Local 3 took a deeper look at what's behind the gap between Tennessee and Georgia and what educators say the numbers really mean for students and families in our region.
🌟 Local Teens Prove Age Is Just a Number
Here's one we love seeing.
Local teenagers are showing that you don't have to wait until adulthood to start making an impact. Their work is another reminder that Chattanooga's next generation has plenty of talent, ambition and potential already on display.
❤️ A Hot Meal, A Warm Shower & Someone Who Cares
Every other Thursday, a mobile shower unit pulls into Abba's House in Hixson to give members of Chattanooga's unhoused community access to showers and clean clothes.
But there's another reason people look forward to it: Judy Robinson's home cooking.
For two years, Judy has spent her Thursdays preparing hot meals for anyone who needs one — an incredibly simple act of kindness that has made a very real difference.
Local Veterans Wrapped in Appreciation
Five Chattanooga-area veterans received a special thank-you at the VA Clinic on Shallowford Road: handmade Quilts of Valor.
The quilts are individually handcrafted and presented to service members and veterans as a symbol of comfort, healing and appreciation for their sacrifices.
Sometimes "thank you" deserves to be something you can actually wrap around your shoulders.
🏥 Schools & Children's Hospital Team Up
McMinn County Schools is partnering with Dolly Parton's children's hospital on a new program aimed at helping local students.
It's another example of schools and healthcare organizations working together to bring more resources directly to kids and families in our region.
🏡 REAL ESTATE CORNER
🏠 LISTING OF THE WEEK
938 Reunion Drive — Chattanooga, TN 37421
This week's pick takes us to East Brainerd, where this beautifully maintained home sits on a large, private lot just minutes from Hamilton Place, shopping, restaurants and I-75.
$635,000 | 4 Bedrooms | 2.5 Bathrooms | 2,851 Sq. Ft.
One of the standout features is the professionally built all-season sunroom overlooking the manicured backyard — the kind of space that can quickly become everyone's favorite room in the house.
Hardwood flooring, thoughtful updates, plenty of space and a location that keeps you close to just about everything Chattanooga has to offer make this one worth a look.
🔎 Thinking About Making a Move?
Whether you're casually browsing, wondering what your home could sell for, or ready to start looking seriously — I'm always happy to help.
🏠 See Chattanooga's newest homes for sale
And if you're thinking about selling, don't underestimate what the right pricing and preparation strategy can do.
Just reply to this email and let's talk real estate.
📅 WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND CHATTANOOGA?
🎨 SPLASH Summer Youth Arts Festival
📅 Saturday, August 15 | 10 AM–3 PM
📍 Miller Park
💰 FREE
Downtown Chattanooga turns into one big creative playground Saturday with hands-on art, live performances, youth talent, food trucks, vendors and plenty for the kids.
🛍️ Chattanooga River Market
📅 Saturday, August 15 | 10 AM–5 PM
📍 Tennessee Aquarium Plaza
💰 FREE
Spend Saturday morning on the riverfront browsing local art, handmade goods, fresh produce and food vendors while taking in one of the best downtown settings Chattanooga has to offer.
🧠 Chattanooga Market Trivia
📅 Sunday, August 16 | 11 AM–4 PM
📍 First Horizon Pavilion
💰 FREE
The Chattanooga Market is introducing Market Trivia, with live rounds throughout the day covering everything from pop culture and food to history and general knowledge.
Shop local, grab something good to eat and see who's actually the smartest person in the group.
⭐ StarNight 2026
📅 Saturday, August 15
📍 Chattanooga Convention Center
Siskin Children's Institute's signature gala returns with a Western Glam theme featuring dinner, entertainment, a live auction and stories highlighting the families Siskin serves.
More importantly, the evening supports Siskin's work with children with special needs and their families.
🎯 4-H Archery Preview Day
📅 Saturday, August 15
Got a kid who's ever wanted to try archery? Hamilton County 4-H's free preview day gives students entering grades 4–12 the chance to learn the basics and see if the sport is for them.
Equipment is provided.
📣 SPONSORED EVENT OF THE WEEK
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🚗 DESTINATION OF THE WEEK
🌄 Windy Hill Farm & Preserve — Loudon, Tennessee
Okay... this place is a hidden East Tennessee gem.
About an hour up the road from Chattanooga, Windy Hill Farm & Preserve sits on 650 acres of rolling Tennessee countryside with two miles of shoreline along the Tennessee River.
This isn't your typical hotel getaway.
You can stay in beautifully designed cabins, the Lodge or Farmhouse, explore trails, get out on the water, take part in activities around the property and then sit down to some seriously good food.
And that's a big part of the experience.
Their onsite restaurant, Wilder, serves garden-to-table meals built around seasonal ingredients grown on the farm and sourced from nearby producers.
Want to do more than relax? Depending on your stay, Windy Hill offers everything from fishing and hiking to farm experiences, culinary activities, wellness experiences and guided adventures.
Or you can do absolutely nothing.
Sit outside. Look over the Tennessee countryside. Eat really good food. Forget your phone exists for a while.
That's a pretty solid weekend.
☕ THAT'S A WRAP
That's your Scoop for the week!
As always, thanks for spending a few minutes of your Monday with me and supporting something built around the people, businesses and stories that make Chattanooga home.
One good week doesn't happen all at once — it happens one good day at a time.
Go make it a good one, Chattanooga. 👊
— Dan
