🗞️ Chattanooga’s Scoop — September 22, 2026
Better late than never!
Good morning, Chattanooga!
The Scoop is coming to you one day later than usual this week. I had a brand-new screened-in porch finished last night and somehow completely forgot it was Scoop night. 😂
But no worries — bright and early the very next morning, we’re back!
We’ve got a great one this week: Chattanooga getting some national recognition, an incredible local educator, neighbors helping neighbors, a big Mocs win, UTC students giving back, and a special spotlight on a local author.
Let’s get into it!
💬 QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.” — Maya Angelou
A fitting quote this week as we spotlight a local author who is putting her own story onto the page.
I dont ask my scoopers for alot but this week I need you all to go pre-order this book Housedresses by Sharon Smith Shadrick - FINISHING LINE PRESS
Sharon Smith Shadrick is the co-author of The Power of a Paper Clip (Amazon) and the author of the upcoming poetry chapbook called Housedresses (Finishing Line Press).
“ It’s a small book with big emotions. A memoir in twenty-two poems. It’s about life in a small town. It’s about summer nights, going barefoot, and circling Leon’s Dairy Bar. It’s about being bullied in the girl’s locker room. It’s about growing up with an alcoholic father and a fierce Mama, both too young to parent. It’s about murder, prison, and violence through a child’s eyes. It’s about wanting things that seem out of reach. It’s about sitting with the ladies at Anna Faye’s Bouffant Beauty Salon and learning life lessons. It’s about respecting strong women who wore housedresses and taught me to never give up.”
Congratulations to Sharon on the upcoming release of Housedresses!
I need all the scoopers to go pre-order her book now! Support local Housedresses by Sharon Smith Shadrick - FINISHING LINE PRESS
☀️ GOOD NEWS AROUND CHATTANOOGA
🥾 Chattanooga Named One of America’s Top 5 Trail Towns
Another national accolade for the Scenic City!
Outside Magazine has named Chattanooga one of the Top 5 Trail Towns in the United States, highlighting something those of us who live here already know pretty well — Chattanooga has an incredible combination of city life and outdoor adventure.
Whether you're hiking, trail running, mountain biking or just looking for an excuse to get outside, we've got some pretty incredible options right in our backyard.
🍎 Lookout Valley's Educator of the Week
Congratulations to Caitlin Davenport of Lookout Valley Elementary, who was recognized as Educator of the Week!
It's always great to see the teachers making a difference in our local schools get a little recognition for the work they do every single day.
❤️ Turning Ballpark Leftovers Into Meals
Here's one that definitely belongs in the Scoop.
The kitchen manager at Erlanger Park is making sure leftover food from Chattanooga Lookouts games doesn't simply go to waste.
Instead, that food is being turned into meals for people experiencing homelessness in Chattanooga.
It's a simple idea making a real difference — and exactly the kind of story we love sharing here.
🏈 Mocs Dominate in SoCon Opener
Go Mocs!
Chattanooga opened Southern Conference play in a big way, rolling past Wofford 41–7.
That's one heck of a way to start conference play.
🤝 UTC Students Give Back
UTC students headed out into the community for the United Way of Greater Chattanooga's Day of Caring, volunteering their time with organizations throughout the Chattanooga area.
Thousands of little acts of service are what keep a community moving in the right direction, and it's great seeing the next generation of Chattanoogans getting involved.
LISTING OF THE WEEK
1078 Restoration Dr, Chattanooga, TN 37421
This week's featured property takes us over to East Brainerd, one of Chattanooga's most convenient areas for shopping, restaurants, schools and easy access around town.
Take a look through the photos and see what you think!
YOUR EVENT COULD BE HERE!
Hosting something around Chattanooga?
Put your business, nonprofit, festival, fundraiser or community event in front of local readers by becoming the Sponsored Event of the Week in Chattanooga's Scoop.
Reply to this email to learn more about being featured.
📍 DESTINATION OF THE WEEK
We're doing something a little different this week...
I'm saving it.
Because next week's Destination of the Week is going somewhere Chattanooga's Scoop has never gone before.
For the first time ever, I'm taking you outside Chattanooga for a special Destination of the Week. 👀
I'm not telling you where just yet — but I may be doing a little firsthand research this week.
✈️ Stay tuned. Next week's Scoop is going on the road.
That's a wrap for this week's Scoop!
Sorry for showing up a day late — apparently a new screened-in porch is enough to make me completely lose track of what day it is. 😂
As always, thank you for reading, supporting local, and helping us focus on some of the good happening right here in Chattanooga.
See you next week — from a little farther away than usual. 👀
— Dan
