🪑 A Chair at City Hall, the Last Can In, and a Call Back to the Pastor

Or: Thursday’s 5 p.m. Meeting, the Canned-Food Drive’s Final Day, a Church-Text Scam Check, Friday Homecoming and a Cold Saturday Night

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Thursday, October 15, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. Pour the coffee and take your time. Today is the last hot one — the National Weather Service has Dunlap near 89 this afternoon. By Saturday night we will be down around 38. That is quite a swing for one week, so keep a coat close.

Thursday is a doing day for church and community folks. The canned-food drive ends today. City Hall meets at 5. And a fake “church leader” text has been going around Dunlap, so we have a short, calm word on how a congregation looks after its own. Our sister roundups this morning covered the Social Security raise, Medicare season and burn permits. This edition stays with the pews, the potluck tables and the meeting rooms.

Times come from church calendars, church websites, the library, the city, the Chamber and Dunlap.Today coverage. Schedules can change, so a quick phone call before you drive is always wise.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Today (Thu., Oct. 15): Last day for the SCHS sophomore canned-food drive. Dunlap City Hall meets at 5 p.m., 15595 Rankin Ave. No seminar tonight.
• Any day: If a text from “your pastor” asks you to buy gift cards, stop. Call the church on a number you already know.
• Fri., Oct. 16: Homecoming parade in the morning (9:30 a.m. listed — arrive early). Alumnus of the Year 6:30 p.m., football 7 p.m. Seminar resumes at 6.
• Sat., Oct. 17: Breakfast, tractors, market, Fredonia Mountain Homecoming and a Whitwell fall festival — then a clear night near 38.
• Sun., Oct. 18 – Thu., Oct. 22: A Sunday fellowship meal, Bledsoe’s commission Monday, a free co-op breakfast Tuesday, and the library book sale Wednesday through Saturday.

📝 Jot This Down

1. Cans by tonight: North Star Boutique on Rankin Ave. (next to Patron Mexican Grill) is open inside today, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. The back-entrance box by the Harris Park lot takes cans any time.
2. City Hall, 5 p.m. today: Ordinance No. 321 (zoning at 1466 and 1494 Main St.) and a sludge proposal are on the posted agenda. City Hall: 423-949-2115.
3. Got a strange text? Real church leaders do not ask for Green Dot or gift cards by text. If you already sent card numbers, call Dunlap Police at 423-949-3319.

🏛️ Tonight at 5: A Folding Chair Still Counts

The Dunlap Board of Mayor and Commissioners meets today, Thu., Oct. 15, at 5 p.m. in the George L. Wagner Municipal Building, 15595 Rankin Ave. We checked the city’s website again this morning, and the agenda is still posted as before. The meeting opens with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, and Mayor Land calls it to order.

You saw the full list yesterday, so here is just the short version:

• Ordinance No. 321 — a change to the zoning map for 1466 and 1494 Main Street.
• A sludge mitigation proposal for the water and wastewater department.
• A gas account adjustment, plus police, fire, gas, water and money reports.

Public comment on agenda items comes near the start. If you want to speak on something that is not on the agenda, Dunlap.Today reports you need to turn in a request form at City Hall during business hours first.

What it means for you: Think of it like a church business meeting. You do not have to say a word for your being there to matter. Come a few minutes early, find a seat near the back, and listen. If you cannot go, a call to City Hall later this week will get you the outcome.

👉 Read more (City of Dunlap: Oct. 15 agenda) · Dunlap.Today: City Hall agenda posted

🥫 Last Call: Cans In by Tonight

The Sequatchie County High School sophomore class canned-food drive ends today. Every can counts toward the sophomores’ homecoming points, and the food goes to help families in need.

• Inside: North Star Boutique, Rankin Ave., next to Patron Mexican Grill — open today 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
• Any time: The collection box at the boutique’s back entrance, by the Harris Park parking lot.
• No cans in the pantry? The class also takes money by Venmo to buy food. Ask at the boutique for the account.

After today: The Sequatchie County Fellowship of Churches and Food Bank, 103 Heard St., takes donations and helps families by arrangement. Call 423-949-7716.

What it means for you: Three cans of green beans and a jar of peanut butter on your way to the post office. That is all it takes to help a teenager win a little school pride and a neighbor fill a pantry.

👉 Read more (Canned-food drive) · Fellowship of Churches and Food Bank

📱 “Can You Pick Up a Card for Me?” — How a Church Family Protects Itself

On Wednesday, the Dunlap Police Department warned that people are getting text messages from someone pretending to be local church leadership. The texts urgently ask folks to buy Green Dot cards. Police say the messages can look convincing, but they are not real. Our Local News roundup covered the warning this morning; here is the church-family side of it.

This trick works because we trust each other. Earlier this month, the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office warned about the very same scheme using a Crossville pastor’s name. It travels from small town to small town.

Three simple habits for any congregation:

• Call back on a number you already know. Use the church office number from the bulletin or the sign out front — not the number in the text. Do not trust the name or photo on the message.
• Slow down when it says “hurry.” A real need can wait ten minutes for a phone call. Scammers count on rushing you.
• Say it from the pulpit or the bulletin. Pastors and deacons can tell the congregation plainly: “We will never ask you for gift cards by text.” One sentence protects the whole flock.

If you already sent card numbers: Call the card company right away and ask whether the money can be stopped. Keep the texts and receipts. Then call Dunlap Police at 423-949-3319, or the E911 non-emergency line at 423-949-9912.

What it means for you: A real pastor asks you to fill a casserole dish, not a stack of gift cards. Share this with a Sunday School class or a widow on your church’s call list — the folks most likely to want to help are the ones scammers aim at.

👉 Read more (WDEF: Dunlap Police warning) · Local 3 News · Dunlap.Today Scam Watch

🏈 Friday, Oct. 16: Homecoming Day, Start to Finish

Friday is homecoming for Sequatchie County High School. If you are an alumnus, or you just like a parade, it is a good day to be in town.

• Morning parade: Dunlap.Today’s football preview lists 9:30 a.m. The library’s calendar once said 9 a.m. Arrive by about 9 and you are covered either way.
• 6:30 p.m.: The Alumnus of the Year ceremony, according to the school’s homecoming-week schedule. A fine reason for longtime alumni and their friends to come early.
• 7 p.m.: Football, Indians vs. Community, at Indians Stadium. Homecoming winners are announced at halftime.
• 6–7:15 p.m.: The free “Future Unfolding” seminar resumes at 105 Apache Lane after taking Thursday off. Friday’s title is “Revelation’s 1,000-Year Prophecy.” 423-949-2814.

The weather turns Friday. The National Weather Service (updated 6:05 a.m. today) has increasing clouds and a high near 80, with the wind swinging to the northwest in the afternoon and gusts to 25 mph. Friday night drops to about 45, with gusts up to 30 mph.

What it means for you: Bring a stadium blanket and a jacket for the game, and hold on to your hat during the parade. A folding chair at the curb beats standing for an hour.

👉 Read more (Homecoming football and parade) · Homecoming week schedule · Seminar calendar

🧥 Saturday, Oct. 17: Still On — and Colder by Dark

Nothing on Saturday has been canceled. The forecast just got a little cooler. NWS now says mostly sunny, high near 60, with a north wind and gusts to 20 mph. Saturday night: mostly clear and about 38. Hollows and mountain spots can run colder than town.

• 7–9 a.m. — Fredonia Mountain Community Center fundraising breakfast: $8 adults, $5 ages 6–10, under 6 free. A donor is covering the first 20 children.
• 8 a.m.–4 p.m. — Days of Yesteryear Antique Tractor Show, Coops Creek Commons, 287 Pine St. Free admission and parking. Runs Sunday too, same hours.
• 9 a.m.–1 p.m. — Dunlap Farmers Market at Harris Park, with Young Entrepreneurs Day.
• 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. — Seminar sessions at 105 Apache Lane.
• 1–5 p.m. — Fredonia Mountain Community Homecoming, 5242 Fredonia Rd. It honors the nation’s 250th birthday and the 50th year of Wheelers Apple Orchard. Look for old-fashioned games like ring toss and hopscotch, cornhole, crafts, Fredonia Volunteer Fire Department equipment and local history. No admission price was listed — call ahead if you need to know.
• 5 p.m. — Mount Calvary Missionary Baptist Fall Festival, 215 Mt. Calvary Rd., Whitwell: soup and chili cookoff, cake walk, hayride and children’s games. Bring your best pot of chili to enter, or a dessert for the cake walk. 423-800-1861.

What it means for you: Dress like an onion — layers you can peel off at noon and pile back on by supper. A hat and gloves in the car for the Whitwell hayride. And if you have an older neighbor living alone, Saturday night is a good night to check that their heat works.

👉 Read more (NWS Dunlap forecast) · Fredonia Mountain Homecoming · Fredonia breakfast · Tractor show · Mount Calvary Fall Festival

⛪ Sunday, Oct. 18: A Cold Start and a Warm Table

Sunday morning starts chilly after Saturday’s 38, then turns sunny with a high near 64. Times still listed (Central Time):

• Old German Baptist Brethren, Sequatchie Valley Church (Dunlap) — Worship 10 a.m.–noon, with a fellowship meal to follow. The church’s calendar says “Welcome to worship with us!” Questions: Brian Frantz, 937-307-6679. No street address is posted online, so call for directions.
• Mineral Springs Baptist (Whitwell) — 11 a.m., continuing its “Roman Road” sermon series.
• Dunlap United Methodist, 1958 Main St. — Sunday School 9 a.m., worship 10 a.m. 423-949-2724.
• Dunlap Church of Christ, 15964 Rankin Ave. — Bible Class 9:30 a.m., worship 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. 423-949-3286.
• East Valley Baptist, 28 Davis Loop — Sunday School 10 a.m., worship 11 a.m., evening 5 p.m. 423-883-0532.
• Fredonia Church of God, 4024 Fredonia Rd. — 10 a.m. 423-949-3609.
• Shepherd of the Valley Catholic, 6191 TN-28 South — Sunday Mass 8 a.m. 423-949-6903.

A good Sunday to say thank you. October is Pastor Appreciation Month, and it is half over. And after this week’s scam warning, a kind word to the church office folks who field those calls would be welcome too.

What it means for you: Warm the car a few minutes before the drive to early service, and take a sweater for the sanctuary. If a fellowship meal is on, just ask — you will almost always hear, “Pull up a chair.”

👉 Read more (Sequatchie Valley Church, Oct. 18) · Mineral Springs Baptist · Dunlap UMC · Shepherd of the Valley

☕ Monday to Thursday Next Week: Meetings, Biscuits and Books

Mon., Oct. 19. The Bledsoe County Commission meets at 7 p.m. at the courthouse in Pikeville, with two public comment periods. Sequatchie County’s commission is not expected to meet this month — the Dunlap Tribune reported its next regular session is in November. Call 423-949-3479 to be sure. In Dunlap, First Baptist Church, 12 Church St., hosts its free Women’s Support Program, 4:30–7 p.m., with a meal.

Tue., Oct. 20. Free breakfast and a drink for Sequachee Valley Electric members, 7:30–9 a.m., at the Sequatchie District Office, 97 Resource Road. The seminar continues at 6 p.m. (“Living Your Longest Life”). Flu shots and the library’s Medicare talk are that day, too — see our Health & Senior Services edition.

Wed., Oct. 21. Midweek church suppers and services return — check last week’s list or call your church. A new one for Whitwell neighbors: South Whitwell Baptist Church, 111 South Oak St., holds Wednesday Bible Study and Prayer at 6 p.m., working through the Twelve Minor Prophets. Seminar at 6 p.m. at 105 Apache Lane (Dunlap SDA prayer meeting is canceled during seminar weeks).

Wed., Oct. 21 – Sat., Oct. 24: The Whale of a Book Sale & Silent Auction. The Friends of the Sequatchie County Public Library hold their biggest fundraiser of the season at the Fair Building, 103 Heard St. Hours: Wednesday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. Silent-auction bidding closes Saturday at noon, with pickup at 1 p.m. The library’s calendar marks Wednesday as a Friends-only day, so call 423-949-2357 if you plan to go that first day.

A way to serve all year. CASA of the Sequatchie Valley, based in Dunlap, is looking for volunteers to speak up in court for children in foster care. Many good CASA volunteers are retired folks with time and patience to give. Details are on the group’s website.

What it means for you: Tuesday’s biscuit, Wednesday’s Bible study and Thursday’s book bag make an easy, low-cost week. Bring cash and a sturdy tote to the book sale; holiday gifts hide in those boxes.

👉 Read more (Whale of a Book Sale) · SVEC breakfast · South Whitwell Baptist Bible Study · Bledsoe Oct. 19 · CASA volunteers

🎃 Looking Further Ahead: Oct. 24–30

• Sat., Oct. 24: Great Pumpkin Festival, Dunlap United Methodist, 1958 Main St., 3–5 p.m. · Daus Baptist Fall Festival, 2686 West Valley Rd., Whitwell, 3–5 p.m., free · South Whitwell Baptist fish and chicken fry, 2 p.m. · DEA Take Back Day, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (the Sheriff’s Office box at 351 Fredonia Rd. takes old medicines any day).
• Wed., Oct. 28: Highway 28 Church of God Fall Party for kids and youth, 6:30 p.m., with a costume contest and dinner. 423-949-5811.
• Fri., Oct. 30: “Ghouls and Gears” Halloween car show, 6–10 p.m., Southern Drive Collective, 205 Industrial Pike, Whitwell — trophies, costumes, music and food.

Hosting a trunk-or-treat or a fall supper? Send us the date, time and place, and we will share it.

👉 Read more (Great Pumpkin Festival) · Daus Baptist · Highway 28 COG Fall Party · Ghouls and Gears · DEA Take Back

📅 Your Church & Community Week on One Page (Thu., Oct. 15 – Thu., Oct. 22)

• Thu., Oct. 15 (today): Canned-food drive’s last day (North Star 10–6, or back box). Dunlap City Hall 5 p.m. Shepherd of the Valley Spanish Mass 7 p.m. Library closed. No seminar. Near 89.
• Fri., Oct. 16: Homecoming parade (9:30 a.m. listed — arrive by 9). Seminar 6 p.m. Alumnus of the Year 6:30 p.m. Football 7 p.m. Gusty, night near 45.
• Sat., Oct. 17: Fredonia breakfast 7–9. Tractor show 8–4. Market 9–1. Seminar 10 and 6. Fredonia Mountain Homecoming 1–5. Mount Calvary Fall Festival 5 p.m. Night near 38.
• Sun., Oct. 18: Sunday services. Sequatchie Valley Church 10 a.m. with fellowship meal. Mineral Springs 11 a.m. Tractor show day two.
• Mon., Oct. 19: Women’s Support Program 4:30 p.m., First Baptist. Bledsoe County Commission 7 p.m., Pikeville. (No Sequatchie County Commission expected.)
• Tue., Oct. 20: SVEC member breakfast 7:30–9 a.m., 97 Resource Road. Seminar 6 p.m.
• Wed., Oct. 21: Book sale opens, Fair Building (Friends-only day per library — call ahead). Midweek suppers and services. South Whitwell Baptist Bible Study 6 p.m. Seminar 6 p.m.
• Thu., Oct. 22: Book sale 10 a.m.–6 p.m., open to all. Library closed (Thursdays).

✅ Your Front-Porch Church & Community Checklist

• ✅ Drop a few cans at North Star Boutique or the back box before tonight.
• ✅ Take a seat at City Hall at 5 p.m., or call 423-949-2115 later for the outcome.
• ✅ Write your church office number on a card by the phone — and use it to check any “urgent” text.
• ✅ Tell one church friend about the gift-card text trick.
• ✅ Pack a folding chair for the parade and a blanket for the 7 p.m. game.
• ✅ Set out a coat, hat and gloves for Saturday evening; check on a neighbor living alone.
• ✅ Make your best chili or bake a cake for the Whitwell festival.
• ✅ Call ahead for directions to Sunday’s fellowship meal.
• ✅ Mark Tuesday’s 7:30 a.m. co-op breakfast and Wednesday’s book sale.
• ✅ Circle Saturday, Oct. 24, for pumpkins, a fall festival and the Take Back box.
• ✅ Bookmark Dunlap.Today for next week’s church and community roundup.

Practical rule: If a message asks for money in a hurry, hang up the hurry — and call the church on the number you already know.

Service times and event details come from church websites, church posts, Dunlap.Directory listings and public calendars, and can change. Dunlap.Today lists them as a community service and does not endorse any congregation or teaching.

— Dunlap.Today

📚 Plain-English Community Glossary

• Board of Mayor and Commissioners: Dunlap’s elected city council. It meets in public and votes on city business.
• Ordinance: A city law. A zoning ordinance changes what land may be used for.
• Sludge mitigation: Plans for handling the solid leftovers from treating wastewater.
• Impersonation scam: When a crook pretends to be someone you trust — a pastor, a boss, a grandchild — to get money.
• Green Dot card: A prepaid card sold at stores. Once someone has the card number, the money can be spent and is hard to get back.
• Homecoming: A school’s yearly welcome-back week for alumni, with a parade, a game and a court. Many churches and communities hold homecomings too.
• Alumnus of the Year: An honor a school gives to a graduate who has made a difference.
• Fellowship meal: A shared meal after a service, often covered dishes. Visitors are usually welcome to stay.
• Cake walk: A festival game, like musical chairs on numbered squares. Winners take home a cake.
• Silent auction: Items set out on tables with bid sheets. You write your bid; the highest bid when time runs out wins.
• CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates — trained volunteers who speak up for children in foster care.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Future Unfolding seminar on tonight?

No. The Dunlap SDA calendar shows no session Thursday. It picks back up Friday at 6 p.m., then Saturday at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., and Tuesday and Wednesday next week at 6 p.m., at 105 Apache Lane. The series ends Sat., Oct. 31. Call 423-949-2814.

I got a text from my pastor asking for gift cards. What do I do?

Do not buy anything and do not reply with card numbers. Call your pastor or the church office on a number you already know. Dunlap Police say these “church leadership” texts are not real. If you already sent money, call the card company, then Dunlap Police at 423-949-3319.

Can I still give to the canned-food drive?

Yes, through today, Thu., Oct. 15. North Star Boutique on Rankin Ave. is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m., and the back-entrance box by the Harris Park lot is there any time. After today, call the Fellowship of Churches and Food Bank at 423-949-7716.

What time is Friday’s homecoming parade?

Dunlap.Today’s football preview lists 9:30 a.m. An older library calendar line said 9 a.m. Arrive by 9 and you will not miss it. The Alumnus of the Year ceremony is at 6:30 p.m. and the game at 7 p.m.

Will it frost Saturday night?

The National Weather Service has Dunlap near 38 Saturday night, mostly clear. That is cold enough for patchy frost in low spots and on the mountain, even if town stays just above freezing. Bring in tender plants and dress warmly for evening events.

When can I shop the library book sale?

Oct. 21–24 at the Fair Building, 103 Heard St.: Wednesday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. The library’s calendar lists Wednesday as Friends-only, so call 423-949-2357 before going that day. Silent-auction bidding closes Saturday at noon.

Is the Sequatchie County Commission meeting Monday?

It is not expected to. The Dunlap Tribune reported its next regular session is in November. Call 423-949-3479 to confirm. Bledsoe County’s commission does meet Mon., Oct. 19, at 7 p.m. in Pikeville.

🔗 Other Resources

• Dunlap.Today
• Dunlap.Directory — find local churches, clubs and services
• City of Dunlap government and agendas — City Hall 423-949-2115
• Dunlap Police Department — 423-949-3319 · E911 non-emergency 423-949-9912
• Dunlap Seventh-day Adventist Church calendar — 423-949-2814
• Sequatchie Valley Church (Old German Baptist Brethren) — 937-307-6679
• Dunlap United Methodist Church — 423-949-2724
• Highway 28 Church of God — 423-949-5811
• Sequatchie County Public Library — 423-949-2357
• Sequatchie County Fellowship of Churches and Food Bank — 423-949-7716
• Sequatchie County events calendar — 423-949-3479
• National Weather Service Dunlap forecast

🌾 Show Up, Check In, Call Back

This week asks three small things of us. Show up — a chair at City Hall, a curbside seat for the parade, a place at a fellowship table. Check in — on the neighbor with an old furnace when Saturday turns cold. And call back — on the number you know, before you trust a hurried text. That is how a valley full of churches and neighbors looks after itself.

We’ll keep watching the church calendars, club notices and meeting agendas for you. Read Dunlap.Today for calm, plain-English Sequatchie Valley news, and send us your church suppers, homecomings and trunk-or-treat dates so we can share them.