McCoy Farm & Gardens Newsletter

Volume Ten: Issue ElevenxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxNovember 2025

"Emma Bell Miles and the

Mystery of the Shoe Flower"

Local Artist and Author Anne L.S.B. Davis Publishes New Children's Book

McCoy Farm & Gardens is delighted to receive an early copy of local artist and author Anne L.S.B. Davis's new children's book titled Emma Bell Miles and the Mystery of the Shoe Flower. This charming story of a grandmother sharing the life of Emma Bell Miles and the joy of nature with her granddaughter will delight readers of all ages. The hardback book costs $30, and a limited quantity will be available at McCoy's Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 4, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. A few days later, on Sunday, December 7, at 3:00 pm, Anne will be reading and signing copies of the book in the Bachman-McCoy House. Books are available by pre-order through November 21. To reserve your copy, click the button below. The proceeds from the sale of this book will be generously donated to McCoy.

Birding 101 at McCoy, 11/20

Interested in birding but not sure where to begin? If so, join us on Thursday, November 20, at 4:30 pm, for Birding 101, an introductory class taught by the Chattanooga chapter of the Tennessee Ornithological Society (CTOS).

They'll share with us the foundational skills you'll need to observe and identify birds, including how best to use binoculars, field guides, smartphone apps, and your eyes and ears. The class will include a short walk around McCoy Farm & Gardens to put to use what you've learned. If you have them, bring a field guide (Sibley, Peterson, e.g.), binoculars, and a smartphone; otherwise, we'll have binoculars and guides for your use.

Workshop cost is $10 per person, and space is limited. Children are welcome to participate with a family member. A family ticket for one adult and one child is $15.

Grounds Closed 11/24 & 11/25

Driveway Re-Surfacing Project Coming Soon

For the past 10 years, the driveway has been maintained by volunteers. Untold hours have been devoted to the project by board member Andy Jones, with assistance from volunteer Bob Robbins.

The wear and tear on the gravel driveway, resulting from increasing car traffic (an almost 20% increase in 2024 alone), has necessitated a new hard surface, known as soil stabilization.

McCoy will be closed on Monday, November 24, and Tuesday, November 25, for this process. If the weather requires rescheduling, the new dates will be posted on social media.

Thank you, Andy and Bob, for your longstanding service to our community.

Volunteer Appreciation Dinner

Sunday, 11/16

McCoy's success of the last 10 years is largely due to our dedicated volunteers who maintain the gardens and trails, decorate the Bachman-McCoy House, plan and work at our community events, give tours, fundraise, tend the beehives, fight invasives, research our history, write articles, create graphics, make items to sell, maintain our arboretum, host our field trips, and so much more.

If you are a McCoy volunteer, we want to thank you! Please join us on Sunday, November 16, at 5:00 pm in the Pavilion for a BBQ dinner so we can show our appreciation. Please RSVP by Monday, November 10, to Beth Myers at bethmeyers01@gmail.com.

10th Anniversary Celebrations

McCoy celebrated 10 years of being open to the public and run by the nonprofit on October 4 and 5. Over 75 volunteers helped ensure that the festival and trivia night dinner were fitting of the significant accomplishments of our community in restoring the property and realizing its full potential. A special thank you to our Community Events co-chairs, Annette Wildman and Mary Catherine O'Kelley, and the Pruett's team, who provided an exceptional dinner menu of elevated Southern dishes thoughtfully tailored to McCoy and perfect for the occasion. Happy 10th Anniversary to McCoy and its supporters!

What's Coming Up

Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 4, 5:00-7:00 pm

Mark your calendars for McCoy's Tree Lighting. Hot chocolate will be served compliments of the Town of Walden. Watch for more details in our December newsletter and on our website under Community Events.

Open Houses

Sunday, December 7 and 14, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm.

Join us for an afternoon of fascinating stories of the property and the people who have called it home.

Honey, bird feeders, blue bird houses, and other McCoy merchandise will be available for sale.

Emma Bell Miles Children's Book

Reading & Signing

Sunday, December 7, 3:00 pm

Come hear author Anne Davis read Emma Bell Miles and the Mystery of the Shoe Flower in the Bachman-McCoy House. Pre-ordered books will be available to pick up and a limited number of copies will be available for sale.

Contact McCoy Farm & Gardens

at katie@mccoywalden.org

to learn more about renting space at McCoy for your next event.

Or mail your check to

McCoy Farm & Gardens, P.O. Box 443, Signal Mountain, TN 37377.

McCoy Farm & Gardens is grateful to our Annual Sponsors, whose support allows the continued restoration and improvement of the property and buildings, as well as the expansion of McCoy's programming. If you are interested in more information about becoming an Annual Sponsor, please check out our Partners page on our website or contact the office at 423-598-1658.

McCoy Farm & Gardens encompasses 38 acres and features the Bachman-McCoy home, gardens, and several outbuildings, including the Pavilion, Carriage House, Barn, and Blacksmith Workshop. Our Level 2 Arboretum contains 72 species. With over 2 miles of trails, the grounds also include the site of the former home of artist, poet, and naturalist Emma Bell Miles.