Some folks have a town dog. Lynchburg has it’s own distillery dog and now Buddy the Beagle has his own social media page. {Photo Provided}
LOCAL NEWS — For Jack Daniel’s hardest working canine, life can be exhausting. From sneaking treats from local tour guides to free belly rubs from any of the 300,000 visitors who come through Lynchburg each year … Buddy’s work is rarely done.
Those of you who know and love Buddy the Beagle can now follow him on his very own Facebook page. Click here for a link. The page is run by Jack employee Alison Goodwin Hartung.
On it, you can chronicle his adventures from greeting tourists, taking golf cart rides with tour guides, overseeing the landscaping crew, or taking selfies with locals. He’s also been known to get rides home in the evening from Jack Daniel security. He’s even been known to be featured regularly in this newspaper. Everybody loves Buddy. So go on over and give his page a like. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated community newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Quilts of Valor honored Lynchburg’s oldest known vet, Aulden Raby, in October. {Photo Provided}
This October, Moore County native Aulden Raby, looked all smiles as members of Quilts of Valor wrapped a warm, homemade quilt around his shoulders and honored his service in World War II. On Saturday, he’ll once again be honored as he rides in the annual Lynchburg Christmas Parade as the Grand Marshall.
Born in the Charity community of Moore County to Willis and Lorina Raby, Aulden Raby enlisted in the Army in 1944. U.S troops and their allies were fighting the Nazi’s in Germany and beyond and D-Day saw 155,000 allied troops land on the beaches of Normandy.
“At the time, it was pretty much expected of a young man,” says Mr. Raby of his decision to enlist. “But I felt the need to serve our country.”
He trained in Washington State and then headed overseas to places like France and Germany. By late 1945, the Axis collapsed and America and her allies claimed victory. Soon, Aulden Raby would return home.
Back home, he’d do what most men his age would do … get married and settle down. He and his wife had four children: Ronnie Raby, Connie (Raby) Taylor, Janice (Raby) Brown, and Virginia (Raby) Bracey. Eventually eight grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren, and five great great grandchildren would come along.
Mr. Raby says it’s an honor to be recognized for his service and sacrifice by his community. He’s looking forward to serving as the Grand Marshall on Saturday and has a full day of activities planned around it.
You can meet Aulden Raby at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday at a Meet and Greet held at Diamond Gussett on the Lynchburg Square. The Christmas Parade will begin at 2 p.m. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Movers and shakers enjoyed a glass of Uncle Nearest on Monday. Pictured (from bottom left) Ludacris, Jessica Burns, Ludacris’s wife his Eudoxie Mbouguiengue, Kenny Burns, Fawn Weaver and (in the top right) Will Packer and his wife, Nina. {Photo Courtesy of Nearest Green Distillery}
There are lots of made-in-Tennessee whiskeys sitting on liquor stores shelves with compelling stories but none enjoy the narrative of Nearest Green’s Distillery’s Uncle Nearest’s brands. For those who aren’t familiar, Nathan “Nearest” Green is the black, slave who taught Jack Daniel how to make whiskey. He’s credited with being the first Jack Daniel Distillery Master Distiller. Today, he enjoys a distillery that bears his name, the Nearest Green Distillery located off Highway 231 in Shelbyville.
On Monday, that narrative brought several famous faces to the distillery for a VIP tour with founder, Fawn Weaver. Atlanta-based rapper Ludacris along with his wife, Eudoxie Mbouguiengue, film producer Will Packer and his wife, Nina, jeweler to the stars Mo Jooma, and TV and radio executive Kenny Burns and his wife, Jessica all visited.
“Luda brought seven of his friends on his jet to do an all day Founders Tour with us,” said Weaver. “We started in Lynchburg and partnered with Jack Daniel’s Distillery to get them a private tour. They also had a meal a Miss Mary Bobo’s, saw the grave sites of Jack Daniel and the memorial for Nearest, and the Dan Call Farm. Lastly, they toured the Nearest Green Distillery and enjoyed a private meal catered by Chuck Baker at Barrel House Barbecue.”
Weaver says it’s the first time they’ve added the Jack Daniel Distillery tour to one of the Nearest Green’s Founder’s Tours.
“Luda and his crew loved it. They were here for over 10 hours and they had a blast,” Weaver said.
Just goes to show you that you never know who you might see in Lynchburg. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Promise Manor on Motlow Barns Road started decorating for the holidays this weekend. When they are finished, there will be a total of six Christmas trees. They’ll be included in the Lynchburg Twinkle Lights Tour this year. {Photo Courtesy of Promise Manor}
LOCAL NEWS — The tradition of Christmas lights dates all the way back to the 17th century. German celebrators were the first to attach small candles to Christmas tree branches. In Europe, homeowners displayed a burning candle in their window. Today, holiday lights have come a long way. Outdoor Christmas light displays not only add to the wonder of the season but often bring out the competitive spirit among neighbors.
If you live in Lynchburg and you plan to decorate your abode with lights this holiday season, be sure to let the folks at Christmas in Lynchburg know so you can be included in their Lynchburg Twinkle Lights Tour. All featured homes will be added to a map that will be distributed during Christmas in Lynchburg. To be added, contact event organizers Lorrie McKenzie at 931-247-8691 or Gina Henshaw at 931-808-2359.•
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
LOCAL NEWS — Due to scheduling conflicts for both the chairman and chairman pro-temp, the Metro Council will meet on the fourth Monday of November this month. Normally, regular session meetings are held on the third Monday of each month.
The meeting will be held on Monday, November 25 at 6:30 p.m. at the Lynchburg Legion Building (formerly the American Legion Building) located at 119 Booneville Highway. A Highway Advisory Committee Meeting will take place at 6:20 p.m. just prior to the Metro Council meeting.
According to Mayor Lewis, this is a one time meeting time change. The December meeting will happen on the third Monday or December 16 as per usual. An agenda will not be available until next week. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Jack Daniel Master Distiller Jeff Arnett and Assistant Master Distiller Chris Fletcher with Clark Crew BBQ, the 2019 winner of The Jack. {Photo courtesy of Jack Daniel’s}
LOCAL NEWS — Clark Crew BBQ won top honors last night at the 31st annual Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. It’s their fifth time to compete and first Grand Champion win.
They traveled all the way from Yukon, Oklahoma to earn $25,000, braggin’ right for the year, and a guaranteed invitation to defend their title next year.
“It’s just amazing, really. We’re completely thrilled to win The Jack,” said Pitmaster Travis Clark. “At every event we compete in, we try to be as consistent as possible. We felt great about our entries this year at The Jack, so we were just really hopeful that the judges liked them enough for us to be successful.”
Travis credits fierce competition on the KCBS sanctioned circuit as a secret to his team’s success. Led by Travis and his wife, Kimberly, the team began competing in 2013. They’ve amassed 650 Top 10 awards since then, including the overall title at the 2017 American Royal World Series of Barbecue.
It was close this year, with three team scoring above 700. Here’s a list of the final standings:
It’s early … before 8 a.m. as I walk through soggy Wiseman Park on the day of the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue. It’s not my first journalistic rodeo in Lynchburg. I know it’s good to get out here early to chat with teams. It’s casual and folks are in a good mood. That mood will change when it’s turn in time. Teams get tense and less chatty. And who can blame them … there’s a lot on the line.
Tents, RVs, and campers cover nearly every possible inch of Wiseman Park. In the blank spaces sits standing water and mud. But this isn’t unusual for the fourth Saturday in October. Veteran cookers like the Swine Fellows from Canada are used to it. They’ve competed for 23 straight years and a little mud doesn’t faze them.
Asher and Ezra Barnett
Up on the Lynchburg Square, the Jack Dash runners are beginning to cross the finish line. Asher and Ezra Barnett, of Lynchburg, stand with cardboard signs that say, “Run, Mama Run.” She did. Michelle snagged second place overall in the female division and 7th overall for both men and women.
The crowds swells around noon. The weather kept some folks away but not The Jack Daniel Squires. Master Distiller Jeff Arnett says the Squire’s Tent near the distillery is maxed out. You can’t rain on their parade.
I don’t usually partake very much during the event. If I ate all the barbecue and drank all the whiskey I was offered during the Barbecue I’d be …. well let’s just say, fat and happy. But I couldn’t pass up a boozy popsicle from Lynchburg Small Batch. Owners Michelle and Jerrod Parkin recommend the Apple Pie and wow, it’s delicious.
As judging comes to a close, I head into the main tent and run into Metro Mayor Bonnie Lewis. She judged this year and sneaks me a bite of one of the desserts. It’s some cheesecake made with a Jack Daniel sauce and it’s … to … die … for. I gotta figure a way into to this dessert judging gig.
Beside her is Barrelhouse BBQ’s Chuck Baker who judged for the first time this year.
“Did you have fun?” I ask.
“So much fun … what a great experience.”
The Black Label Smokers, from Lynchburg
It’s time for some awards, so I head to the stage in the back for the Shade Tree Division winners. Lynchburg’s own Black Label Smokers placed fifth in ribs, seventh in pork, and seventh overall. You couldn’t wipe the grin off their faces afterwards. They also had the loudest cheering section … go figure.
After a small break, it’s time to announce the World Championship winners. And then, the sky opens up in what my grandmother would have called a gully washer. Rain pours from the sky for a solid 30 minutes and the cloud look ominous. It’s at this point that I’m thankful for the Distillery’s fancy event tent with it’s waterproof floor. Without it, it would be a muddy, hot mess.
“Each one of these tiles has to be individually pressure-washed after the event. Can you imagine that job,” jokes Steve May, Jack Daniel’s Homeplace Director.
Competition barbecue folks are some of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. Their enthusiasm and lust for life is contagious. The awards ceremony is fun to watch. These teams work hard and travel from all over the world to be with us for the Barbecue. It’s a big deal.
The Distillery increased the prize money this year. The Grand Champion will take home a $25,000 check and the Reserve Grand Champion wins $10,000. And since both almost certainly won or placed in a previous category to gain the score necessary to win it all, they’re likely leaving Lynchburg with much more.
It’s time and everyone on the stage beams from ear to ear. Event Director Debbie Neal Christian and her sister, Vicki Neal Baucum, who earlier won Volunteer of the Year for being her sister’s right hand woman, exchange knowing looks. The event’s MC, Chip Chapman, draws out the suspense as long as possible. And the winner is … Clark Crew BBQ from Yukon, Oklahoma.
It’s was their fifth year to compete in The Jack. They earned 37th in chicken (171.977 points), 26th in ribs (173.73 points), 2nd in pork (179.44 points), and 3rd in brisket (with a perfect 180 score) to earn a Grand Champion score of 704.1544.
The Reserve Grand Champion, Shake ‘n Bake BBQ (703.4056 points), and third place, Redneck Scientific (700.5256 points), all scored over 700 points this year. It was very close.
When asked what it was like to take home The Jack, they told The Lynchburg Times it was like a dream come true.
“This was our fifth year in a row with seven wins to auto in. The Jack Daniels family of volunteers always do such a great job. It’s just a huge honor to be there, much less to win it,” they said.
My only regret of the day is I didn’t get to pet their dog. Now, I’ve got to go jog some of this barbecue off, y’all. Until next year … •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Lynchburg and Jack Daniel’s own Black Label Smokers will compete this weekend in the Shade Tree Division. {Photo Provided}
It wouldn’t be a complete Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue without a home team of Jack employees vying for the prize. For the third year in a row, Black Label Smokers will compete in the Shade Tree Division this weekend. Made up of Jack Daniel employees Jason Bobo, Joseph Caldwell, Wesley Richardson, and Daniel Smith, the quartet met through work but developed a love of competitive cooking by facing off with one another.
“We competed against each other two separate times,” says Bobo. (Wesley and Daniel on one team and Joseph and Bobo on another.) “Each winning one apiece … after that we decided to join together for a team.”
The blended team became a winning combination. The team finished fifth in pork shoulder that first year. Then started competing locally at other events like High on the Hog and the Lincoln County Fair.
They’ve won a “Top 10 finish at the High on the Hog and first place finish in chicken at the Lincoln County Fair,” according to Bobo and they are just getting started. When asked if they’d eventually like to earn an invitation to compete in The Jack, the answer is an enthusiastic, yes.
“Absolutely!! We would love to make it into the pro ranks,” says Bobo.
They’ve also set a goal to snag a top five overall finish this year with the ultimate goal of being crowned champion.
Preparations for this weekend started over a week ago. Bobo says they used the Lincoln County Fair competition as a test run this year as well as practice cooking at Caldwell’s house.
When asked about their favorite spot in Wiseman Park to set up, Bobo jokes that it’s “anyplace that will seem to be a little bit dry.”
“We found ourselves in a low spot in 2017 and there was ankle deep-water all-around cook site. After that we look at the lay of the land to see if we can find the ‘high ground.'”
Competitive cooking is as much about the smoking as it is about the camaraderie. Bobo says the Black Label Smokers enjoy meeting and getting to know the other teams in all the competitions. He also stresses that the event’s a group effort.
“I am listed as the chief cook for this event but is definitely a team effort. Each one of us has strong points that complement one another. One person seems to do the chicken, one does the ribs, one does the plating, one cutting, one does the shoulder.”
Ardie Davis aka Remus Powers administers the judges’ oath at last year’s Jack Daniel’s Barbecue. {Photo Provided}
If there’s one question we consistently get each year, it’s who’s the guy in the bowler hat?
Legendary barbecue judge Ardie Davis aka Remus Powers visits Lynchburg each October. The Jack Daniel World Championship Invitational Barbecue honored him as featured judge in 2008 and the Judges’ Choice Award in 2002. In 2016, industry leaders inducted Davis into the Barbecue Hall of Fame, which only includes 15 total members. He also authored several books and the officials judges’ oath that is take at all competitions sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS) including The Jack.
He’s a larger than life presence at the annual Barbecue, who can enthrall for hours with stories … a barbecue rock star of sorts.
Born in Oklahoma, Davis grew up loving the Uncle Remus stories, a collection of black American folktales published in 1881. They feature animal characters like Brother Rabbit, Brother Fox, and Brother Bear and explore the struggles black Americans encountered on southern plantations. Davis adopted Remus as his barbecue forename. The second part of his name sparked from his personal life … a mechanic by the last name of Powers whom Davis worked for in his youth.
He’ll return to the Holler on Saturday to preside over all thing barbecue. Keep your eye out for him. •
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
Everyone knows about the full slate of activities that happen on the Saturday of the Jack Daniel’s World Championship Invitational Barbecue but one of the lesser known events happens on Friday and it’s a ton of fun. The Parade of Teams through Wiseman Park will happen on Friday at 4 p.m.
Not only do teams from all 50 states gather in Lynchburg each year to compete for The Jack but also teams from Australia, Belgium, Canada, Hungary, Germany, Italy, Poland and Switzerland and other countries. On Friday, they’ll throw a mini Mardi Gras as teams throw candy, beads, flags, and other goodies along the parade route from Wiseman Park and around the historic Lynchburg square. •
Editor’s Note: We’ll post live updates throughout the The Jack on Saturday. Look for pictures and updates continuously throughout the day on our social media.
{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}
