🍂 Wave From the Curb, Taste a Mountain Pie, and Save a Seat for Sunday

Or: Homecoming Day in Dunlap, City Hall Results Still Pending, First Baptist Names the Text Scam, a Fuller Saturday Than Ever and a Gentle Week of Biscuits, Books and Help

By Thomas Seest, Dunlap.Today · Friday, October 16, 2026

Good morning, neighbor. Pour the coffee and set a folding chair by the door. Today is homecoming, and in a small town that means a lot more than a football game. It is a reunion on the curb — old classmates, proud grandparents, church friends waving at the kids they taught in Sunday School.

By tonight the weather turns. The National Weather Service has Dunlap near 80 this afternoon, then a gusty night around 45. Saturday night drops to about 38. So this edition is about getting out and enjoying the next three days — warmly dressed.

Our sister roundups this morning covered the cold front, Medicare star ratings and Tuesday’s free flu clinic. This one stays with the parade route, the church calendars, the potluck tables and the meeting rooms. Schedules can change, so a quick phone call before you drive is always wise.

⏱️ What this means for you in 30 seconds

• Today (Fri., Oct. 16): Homecoming parade listed at 9:30 a.m. — be curbside by about 9. Seminar 6 p.m. Alumnus of the Year 6:30 p.m. Football 7 p.m. Gusty, low near 45 tonight.
• City Hall: Thursday’s meeting outcome (Ord. 321 and the sludge plan) is not posted yet. Call 423-949-2115.
• Church texts: First Baptist Dunlap says fake texts are using Pastor Josh Coffman’s name. Don’t answer — block and call the church.
• Sat., Oct. 17: Breakfast, tractors, market, a free pie-and-bluegrass morning on Whitwell Mountain, Fredonia Mountain Homecoming, two Whitwell food-drive and festival gatherings — then a night near 38.
• Sun., Oct. 18 – Fri., Oct. 23: A fellowship meal Sunday, Bledsoe’s commission Monday, a free co-op breakfast Tuesday, the library book sale Wednesday on, and free legal-aid help in Pikeville Thursday.

📝 Jot This Down

1. Parade morning: Listed at 9:30 a.m. (one library calendar still says 9). Curb by about 9. The library at 227 Cherry St. stays open during the parade — handy for a restroom stop.
2. Fake “pastor” text? First Baptist Church of Dunlap says Pastor Josh would not reach out that way. Check with the church at 423-949-2441.
3. Saturday night near 38: Coat, hat and gloves in the car for any evening festival. Check that an older neighbor’s heat comes on.

🎺 Homecoming Today: A Town Reunion on the Curb

Sequatchie County High School wraps up Homecoming Week today. Dunlap.Today’s homecoming article and the library’s weekly post both list the parade at 9:30 a.m. The library’s online calendar still says 9 a.m., so arriving by about 9 covers both — and gives you time to find parking and a good spot.

• During the parade: The Sequatchie County Public Library, 227 Cherry St., stays open (its Friday hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m.). Preschool Page Turners is off today, but adult Chair Dancing is still on at 1 p.m.
• Downtown treat: Firefly on Rankin, 15219 Rankin Ave., is hosting a Nothing Bundt Cakes pop-up today, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. or while supplies last. 423-653-8863.
• 6 p.m.: The free “Future Unfolding” seminar at 105 Apache Lane — tonight’s title is “Revelation’s 1,000-Year Prophecy.” 423-949-2814.
• 6:30 p.m.: The Alumnus of the Year ceremony, according to the school’s homecoming-week schedule posted on Dunlap.Today.
• 7 p.m.: Football, Indians vs. Community, at Indians Stadium. Homecoming winners are announced at halftime.

The weather turns this afternoon. NWS (updated 6:06 a.m. today): increasing clouds, high near 80, wind turning north with gusts to 20 mph. Tonight: mostly cloudy, low around 45, gusts as high as 30 mph.

What it means for you: Come for the parade even if you skip the game. A wave to a former student or a neighbor’s grandchild means more than you’d think. For the stadium, bring a blanket and a real jacket — the wind will have a bite by halftime.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: Homecoming parade this morning) · Homecoming week schedule · Library · Seminar calendar

🏛️ City Hall Met Thursday — Results Not Posted Yet

The Dunlap Board of Mayor and Commissioners met Thursday at 5 p.m. at 15595 Rankin Ave. On the agenda were Ordinance No. 321 (zoning at 1466 and 1494 Main St.) and a sludge mitigation proposal for the water and wastewater department. As of early this morning, the city’s website still shows the agenda, with no minutes or votes posted. That is normal; minutes usually come after they are typed and approved.

What it means for you: If those Main Street addresses are near your home or church, one call to City Hall at 423-949-2115 will get you the outcome. We will share it once it is published.

👉 Read more (City of Dunlap: government and agendas)

📱 Update on the Church-Text Scam: First Baptist Names It

Yesterday we shared three habits to protect a congregation from fake “church leader” texts. Since then, First Baptist Church of Dunlap has warned that scammers are sending texts pretending to be Pastor Josh Coffman, asking for urgent and private replies. The church says Pastor Josh would not contact people that way, and it asks folks to treat such texts as fraud.

The church’s advice:

• Do not reply to the message.
• Block the number.
• Report it as spam in your phone’s messaging app.
• If you have any doubt, call the church on a number you know: 423-949-2441.

This fits the Dunlap Police warning earlier this week about texts asking for Green Dot cards. If you already sent card numbers, call the card company first, then Dunlap Police at 423-949-3319.

What it means for you: Any church can be next. A one-line note in Sunday’s bulletin — “Our pastor will never ask you for gift cards or secret favors by text” — protects the whole congregation.

👉 Read more (Dunlap.Today: First Baptist scam alert) · WDEF: Dunlap Police warning

🥧 Saturday, Oct. 17: The Final Word — and a Few New Additions

Everything we listed earlier in the week is still on. Several new gatherings have been posted, too. NWS has Saturday mostly sunny, high near 60, north wind gusting to 25 mph. Saturday night: mostly clear, 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.
• 8 a.m.–4 p.m. — Days of Yesteryear Antique Tractor Show, Coops Creek Commons, 287 Pine St. Free admission and parking; demonstrations start at 9. Sunday too, same hours.
• 9 a.m.–1 p.m. — Dunlap Farmers Market, Harris Park, with Young Entrepreneurs Day.
• 9 a.m.–1 p.m. (new) — Bargain Basement sale, 7 Methodist St., Pikeville. Clothes, books, shoes, CDs and movies, $1 a grocery bag; most other items $1. Sponsored by the United Methodist Women for mission work.
• 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (new) — “Pie, Picnic and Play” at Camp Chet, 5050 Pocket Rd., Whitwell. Free admission. Bluegrass by New Grass Express 10 to noon, hayrides, children’s activities and BBQ. Bring a homemade pie for the tasting contest — voting runs 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Food proceeds help the Whitwell Mountain Volunteer Fire Department.
• 10 a.m.–2 p.m. (new) — Broom-making workshop at Wheeler’s Orchard & Vineyard, Wheeler Road, Dunlap. Learn to tie broomcorn the old Appalachian way. $40 per broom, materials included. To sign up, text 207-649-2937.
• 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. — Seminar sessions at 105 Apache Lane.
• 1–5 p.m. — Fredonia Mountain Community Homecoming, 5242 Fredonia Rd. Old-fashioned games, crafts, fire department equipment and local history, honoring the nation’s 250th and Wheelers Apple Orchard’s 50th year. No admission price was listed — call ahead if you need to know.
• 3 p.m. (new) — Marion County Cruisers food drive and cruise-in, 2595 Highway 283, Whitwell. Bring non-perishable food for the Marion County Food Bank; free hot dogs for those who come. 423-718-4483.
• 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. 423-800-1861.

What it means for you: Pick two and enjoy them — nobody has to do it all. A bag of canned goods in the trunk covers the Whitwell food drive. And a pie from your kitchen might just win a prize on the mountain.

👉 Read more (Pie, Picnic and Play) · Cruisers food drive · Pikeville community calendar · Broom workshop · Fredonia Mountain Homecoming · Tractor show · Mount Calvary Fall Festival

⛪ Sunday, Oct. 18: A Frosty Start, a Full Table and a Prayer List

Sunday starts cold after Saturday’s 38, then turns sunny with a high near 66. 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 or directions: Brian Frantz, 937-307-6679.
• Days of Yesteryear, day two — 8 a.m.–4 p.m., 287 Pine St., free. An easy after-church stroll.
• Our full Sunday pew list ran on Monday and Thursday. A few favorites: Dunlap United Methodist, 1958 Main St., worship 10 a.m. (423-949-2724); Dunlap Church of Christ, 15964 Rankin Ave., worship 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. (423-949-3286); East Valley Baptist, 28 Davis Loop, worship 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. (423-883-0532); Shepherd of the Valley Catholic, Sunday Mass 8 a.m. (423-949-6903).

A prayer list anyone can join. East Valley Baptist Church keeps a daily “Prayer Wagon” list and welcomes names from the whole community. To add someone, comment the name on the church’s prayer updates or call 423-883-0532.

What it means for you: Warm the car a few minutes before early service and bring a sweater. If you are new to a fellowship meal, just ask — the answer is almost always, “Pull up a chair.”

👉 Read more (Sequatchie Valley Church, Oct. 18) · East Valley Baptist Prayer Wagon · Dunlap UMC · Shepherd of the Valley

☕ Monday to Friday Next Week: Meetings, Biscuits, Books and Help

Mon., Oct. 19. Chair Dancing at the library, 1 p.m. First Baptist Church, 12 Church St., hosts the free Women’s Support Program, 4:30–7 p.m., with a meal. Grandparents with grandkids: the library’s “Scoops ‘n Stories” Harry Potter evening is at 6 p.m. at Udder Yum Ice Cream Shoppe (ice cream sold separately). The Bledsoe County Commission meets at 7 p.m. in Pikeville. Sequatchie County’s commission is not expected to meet until November — call 423-949-3479 to be sure.

Tue., Oct. 20. Free breakfast for Sequachee Valley Electric members, 7:30–9 a.m., Sequatchie District Office, 97 Resource Road. Free flu shots and the library’s 10 a.m. Medicare talk are that day, too (see our Health & Senior Services edition). The library’s monthly Book Club meets at 6 p.m. Seminar at 6 p.m. (“Living Your Longest Life”).

Wed., Oct. 21. Genealogy help at the library, 9–11 a.m. Midweek church suppers and services — call your church. South Whitwell Baptist, 111 South Oak St., holds Bible Study and Prayer at 6 p.m. Seminar at 6 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 21 – Sat., Oct. 24: The Whale of a Book Sale & Silent Auction, Fair Building, 103 Heard St. Wednesday–Friday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.–1 p.m. is “Fill a Bag Day,” and silent-auction bidding ends at noon. The library’s calendar marks Wednesday as a Friends-only day, while a Dunlap.Today post lists it as open — call 423-949-2357 before going Wednesday.

Thu., Oct. 22 (new). Legal Aid of East Tennessee holds free client intake at the Bledsoe County Courthouse in Pikeville starting at 10 a.m. It is for low-income Tennesseans and seniors 60 and up with civil legal questions — consumer problems, housing, veterans’ benefits, food stamps, unemployment or TennCare. Call Legal Aid in Chattanooga at 423-756-4013. The Dunlap library is closed Thursdays, but the book sale is open 10–6.

Fri., Oct. 23. Book sale 10–6. Chair Dancing 1 p.m. Seminar 6 p.m.

What it means for you: Tuesday’s biscuit, Wednesday’s family tree and Thursday’s book bag make a pleasant, low-cost week. If you or a friend over 60 has a nagging legal question — a landlord, a benefits letter, a bill you don’t understand — Thursday’s free session is worth the drive to Pikeville.

👉 Read more (Whale of a Book Sale) · Legal Aid in Pikeville · SVEC breakfast · Women’s Support Program · Bledsoe Oct. 19 · South Whitwell Baptist

🎃 Looking Further Ahead: Oct. 24–31

• Sat., Oct. 24: Fall Creek Falls Fire Department breakfast, 7–10 a.m., 24897 SR 30 West of Pikeville — $10 a plate, children 10 and under free · DEA Take Back Day, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. · South Whitwell Baptist fish and chicken fry, 2 p.m. · 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.
• 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: Library Fall Festival, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. · “Ghouls and Gears” Halloween car show, 6–10 p.m., Southern Drive Collective, 205 Industrial Pike, Whitwell.
• Sat., Oct. 31 (new): Hot Rod Halloween Trunk or Treat, 5–7 p.m., Cherry Street, Dunlap — treats, decorated cars and friendly animals to pet.

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

👉 Read more (Hot Rod Halloween) · Great Pumpkin Festival · Daus Baptist · South Whitwell fish fry · Highway 28 COG Fall Party · Ghouls and Gears · DEA Take Back

📅 Your Church & Community Week on One Page (Fri., Oct. 16 – Fri., Oct. 23)

• Fri., Oct. 16 (today): Homecoming parade (9:30 a.m. listed — curb by 9). Bundt pop-up at Firefly 11–5. Chair Dancing 1 p.m. 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. Pikeville Bargain Basement 9–1. Pie, Picnic and Play 10–2. Broom workshop 10–2. Seminar 10 and 6. Fredonia Mountain Homecoming 1–5. Cruisers food drive 3 p.m. Mount Calvary Fall Festival 5 p.m. Night near 38.
• Sun., Oct. 18: Sunday services. Sequatchie Valley Church 10 a.m. with fellowship meal. Tractor show day two, 8–4.
• Mon., Oct. 19: Chair Dancing 1 p.m. Women’s Support Program 4:30 p.m. Scoops ‘n Stories 6 p.m. Bledsoe County Commission 7 p.m.
• Tue., Oct. 20: SVEC breakfast 7:30–9 a.m. Flu shots 9–4. Medicare talk 10 a.m. Book Club 6 p.m. Seminar 6 p.m.
• Wed., Oct. 21: Genealogy 9–11. Book sale opens (Friends-only per library — call ahead). Midweek suppers. South Whitwell Baptist 6 p.m. Seminar 6 p.m.
• Thu., Oct. 22: Legal Aid intake, Bledsoe Courthouse, 10 a.m. Book sale 10–6. Library closed.
• Fri., Oct. 23: Book sale 10–6. Chair Dancing 1 p.m. Seminar 6 p.m.

✅ Your Front-Porch Church & Community Checklist

• ✅ Set a folding chair and a hat by the door for the parade — curb by about 9.
• ✅ Pack a blanket and a warm jacket for tonight’s 7 p.m. game.
• ✅ Call City Hall (423-949-2115) next week if you want Thursday’s outcome.
• ✅ Block any “pastor” text that asks for favors or cards — and call your church.
• ✅ Put a bag of canned goods in the trunk for Saturday’s Whitwell food drive.
• ✅ Bake a pie for the Camp Chet tasting contest, or just go taste.
• ✅ Lay out coat, hat and gloves for Saturday evening; check on a neighbor living alone.
• ✅ Call ahead for directions to Sunday’s fellowship meal.
• ✅ Mark Tuesday’s co-op breakfast, Wednesday’s book sale and Thursday’s Legal Aid session.
• ✅ Bookmark Dunlap.Today for next week’s church and community roundup.

Practical rule: Show up for the parade, slow down for the text, and bundle up for the night.

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

• Homecoming: A school’s yearly welcome-back for alumni, with a parade, a game and a court. Churches and mountain communities hold homecomings too.
• Alumnus of the Year: An honor a school gives to a graduate who has made a difference.
• Minutes: The official written record of a public meeting, usually posted after the board approves them.
• Ordinance: A city law. A zoning ordinance changes what land may be used for.
• Impersonation scam: When a crook pretends to be someone you trust — a pastor, a boss, a grandchild — to get money or favors.
• Cruise-in: An informal car gathering where owners park and visit. No judging, just admiring.
• Broomcorn: A tall grass grown for its stiff tops, used to make old-fashioned brooms.
• Fellowship meal: A shared meal after a service, often covered dishes. Visitors are usually welcome.
• Legal aid: Free civil legal help for people who qualify by income or age. Not for criminal cases.
• Trunk-or-treat: Trick-or-treating from decorated car trunks in one safe lot or street.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What time is the homecoming parade today?

Dunlap.Today’s homecoming article and the library’s weekly post say 9:30 a.m. The library’s online calendar still says 9 a.m. Be curbside by about 9 and you are covered. The library stays open during the parade.

Did City Hall pass Ordinance 321?

We don’t know yet. As of early Friday, the city has not posted minutes or votes from Thursday’s meeting. Call City Hall at 423-949-2115, or check dunlaptn.gov/government later.

I got a text from “Pastor Josh.” What do I do?

First Baptist Church of Dunlap says those texts are fake. Don’t reply, block the number, report it as spam, and call the church at 423-949-2441 if you’re unsure. If you sent gift-card numbers, call the card company and then Dunlap Police at 423-949-3319.

Is the pie event on Whitwell Mountain really free?

Yes. Dunlap.Today reports admission and activities at “Pie, Picnic and Play” are free, Saturday 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Camp Chet, 5050 Pocket Rd. Food is sold, with proceeds going to the Whitwell Mountain Volunteer Fire Department.

Who can use Thursday’s Legal Aid session?

Low-income Tennesseans and seniors 60 and older with civil (not criminal) legal problems, such as housing, consumer, veterans’ or government benefits issues. It starts at 10 a.m. Thu., Oct. 22, at the Bledsoe County Courthouse in Pikeville. Call 423-756-4013 with questions.

Can I shop the book sale on Wednesday?

Maybe. The library’s calendar marks Wed., Oct. 21, as a Friends-only day, but a Dunlap.Today post lists it as open to all. Call 423-949-2357 first. Thursday and Friday (10–6) and Saturday (9–1) are open to everyone.

🔗 Other Resources

• Dunlap.Today
• Dunlap.Directory — find local churches, clubs and services
• City of Dunlap government and agendas — City Hall 423-949-2115
• First Baptist Church of Dunlap — 423-949-2441
• Dunlap Police Department — 423-949-3319
• Dunlap Seventh-day Adventist Church calendar — 423-949-2814
• Sequatchie Valley Church (Old German Baptist Brethren) — 937-307-6679
• Highway 28 Church of God — 423-949-5811
• Sequatchie County Public Library — 423-949-2357
• Sequatchie County Fellowship of Churches and Food Bank
• Legal Aid of East Tennessee (Chattanooga) — 423-756-4013
• Sequatchie County events calendar — 423-949-3479
• National Weather Service Dunlap forecast

🌾 Wave, Taste, Gather

This weekend asks very little of us, and gives a lot back. Wave from the curb at a parade full of the valley’s children. Taste a neighbor’s pie on the mountain, or drop a can in a truck bed in Whitwell. And on Sunday, save a seat — at a pew, a fellowship table or on a prayer list — for someone who needs one. That is how a small town keeps its homecoming going all year.

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.