The glorious days of Fall have begun to set in. Warm days, cool evenings under the Friday night lights, the colors changing and the scent of all things Pumpkin Spice. There’s no shortage of festivals to attend this time of year. If you’ve marked your calendar up, as I have, with every exciting event on the horizon, don’t forget to add Twigs-N-Things Christmas Open House on November 1^st & 2^nd from 9am-4pm. Ferrane and her amazing crew have been on the move expanding her unique offerings within her flower shop to include space a few doors down for the much anticipated “Twigs-N-Things Marketplace”.

Ferrane Wilson has been crafting beautiful arrangements in west Tennessee for 20+ years. Her selection of fresh flower arrangements mixed with her gorgeous silk creations offer Fayette County endless options. She has always enjoyed being a florist and has worked for a handful, but never dreamed that she would own her own store. About 10 years ago the previous owner of Twigs-N-Things decided to sell the business. She told Ferrane she thought it would be a great fit for her. Ferrane politely declined, but then her husband brought up the same idea. She decided to leave it in God’s hands. She didn’t have to wait long. The very next morning she knew what she was supposed to do and shortly thereafter Twigs -N-Things became her very own.

One of Ferrane’s many giftings was wedding flowers. The flower shop was well established at that time as a general florist. Ferrane began building up the wedding side of the business and also offered silk arrangements for any occasion. It didn’t take long to realize she needed help with the many facets of her business. Currently she has 12 employees, and boredom is a word none of them know. From the moment I set foot in the flower shop, people were on the move, coming and going, purchasing flowers, making creations and the phone was ringing. This influx of business is what caused Ferrane to expand the store, in 2020, into the space next door to the original store. It allowed her to offer a larger selection of gifts for every occasion, candles, silk arrangements and more. She had a small selection of local vendor items she carried in store as well. Ferrane knows none of this would be possible without her incredible staff and the community that supports them. This is what led her to look at more ways to both support and serve the community that has supported her business for so many years.

That’s where the idea for “Twigs-N-Things Marketplace” came from. She wanted to help support other local businesses that might not have a storefront but had a wealth of customers. She knew that bringing many of them to one space would benefit all of them and the surrounding community. As of this writing, there are currently 13 vendors with their own unique booth, in that space.  The Marketplace is located in the corner of the shopping mall 3 doors down from the original Twigs-N-Things. In the Marketplace you’ll find Mrs. Bear’s Wood Art, Warren Road Honey, Against the Grain, Dear Tucker, Maverick, Belle’s Grace, Olvia Rae’s, Vintage Pearl, Unique Boutique, Accents by Lisa, Kimmy Lee Cookies and Coffee Memphis. These vendors carry jewelry, wood art, coffee, home décor, clothing from Simply Southern, eclectic western clothing, dog treats and so much more! You can also find Southern Girl’s Catering, Greek Gourmet and Crave Bakery with both fresh and frozen options ready to walk out the door. Looking for a place to take a good lunch break? Come grab a fresh lunch from the cooler and eat it on the patio at the Marketplace. When you’re finished, take a stroll through the store to see what special item you need and grab a frozen meal to take home for supper that night.

The Twigs-N-Things team knows that businesses of all varieties need to band together to ensure success for everyone. I asked about the big box order-gathering companies online. It seems like an easy shortcut to call a nationwide company like that to fill your floral needs because they’re supporting your local florist, right? Wrong. They are middlemen who have zero knowledge of flowers, charge an extraordinary mark up and have been known to deliver a disappointing product or no product at all. So, what do you do if you don’t know who the florist is in another area? Call your local florist. They can help you locate a florist local to the area you are searching. Businesses like Twigs-N-Things are glad to help small businesses no matter where they are.  It can take an extra minute to support a local business, but it’s always worth it.

So, what’s next for the ever-growing Twigs-N-Things? Classes! There will be a floral design class available in November. In the future Ferrane hopes to offer cooking classes as well. Ferrane is always looking for ways to help further this community.  She was quick to remind me none of the business’ success would be possible without every, single employee. Each of their talents lends itself to the overall success that is Twigs-N-Things.

If you’re looking for a local florist to fill your needs, Twigs-N-Things is the place to call. They are a full-service florist, including delivery.  Ferrane sources as many flowers locally as she can and buys the rest direct from farms. By cutting out the middleman she can offer you the biggest and most beautiful arrangements for the best price. Follow Twigs-N-Things on their Facebook page, call them at 901-466-1234, order online at www.twigs-n-things.com or even better, stop in the original store at 7064 Highway 64, Oakland, then take a stroll down to the Marketplace. Fayette County has so much to offer and more coming available every day. Consider the fact that each dollar you spend here puts food on the table, puts a kid through school, supports a fundraiser and helps start a new business for someone local. Remember to shop local and shop Fayette first!

~Written By Karri Buck~

Imagine for a moment being the mother of a small child when you hear the familiar sound of your partner’s vehicle pull into the driveway and it causes your stomach to flip and your child to scurry for her room because no one knows what will happen next, but historically it hasn’t been good. Imagine your partner has placed hidden cameras throughout the house so that he knows exactly what you’ve been up to all day, making it impossible for you to live a normal life. Imagine being beaten and broken, but when you file with the officials they instead inquire as to whether you may have had alcohol and somehow deserved what happened to you. These are all real-life scenarios that happen every day to at least 1 in 3 women, though this is reliant on women reporting abuse and that abuse is severely underreported. What does a woman in any of these three scenarios have for options? Well, if she’s in Fayette County, she has Fayette Cares.

Fayette Cares was started in 1986. It’s original founding was through a group of Irish Catholic Nuns who had heard of the incredibly low standard of living here in Fayette County. During the late 1980’s Fayette County was one of the poorest counties in our nation. From the very start, Fayette Cares sought to unite the entire community in its mission, recognizing that true strength came from embracing all faiths and beliefs. The organization welcomed people from every background, believing that we are all enriched by diverse perspectives and united in our shared commitment to helping others. More than just a shelter, Fayette Cares offered (and continues to offer) life skills, support, and empowerment, striving to provide a hand up, not a handout, to help individuals and families build better futures.

Around 1998, it became clear that domestic violence was unfortunately on the rise. This is due in part to the stigmas around it being recognized and victims being willing to share their stories. Abuse also happens to men, so it was important that Fayette Cares have options available for all victims of domestic violence. This is when Alexandra Porto came on the scene. Humble to a fault, she was quick to tell me that Fayette Cares was not about her. It might not be, but without her optimistic outlook, firm direction and tender heart; the organization would be missing an integral piece in what makes it function. There are several members on the team that work at Fayette Cares taking care of families that have fallen on hard times and victims of domestic abuse. Fayette Cares also has a large board. Some of those board members have been victims of abuse themselves. Amy Oliver is one of those members. I spent nearly 2 hours talking with her. Not all victims of abuse are willing or able to speak of the horrific atrocities they have experienced. Amy has reached a place in her journey where she is able to speak out about what she has been through. It is her place to give the exact details, but if you think abuse only happens to those in low class communities, you are wrong. Amy started out in an upper-middle-class community, but as the abuse began and continued she started numbing out the pain she experienced. Ultimately her life spiraled out of control. When she reached her low point she came to Fayette Cares. They surrounded her with love, gave her direction and helped her get on her feet. And then she went back to her abuser. This is where people get angry. “Why would she be so stupid?!” they ask incredulously. The current statistics say that a woman leaves here abuser as many as 7 times before she finally leaves for the last time. Unfortunately, sometimes that last time she leaves is with the coroner. After Amy went back to her abuser it took time, but eventually she found the resolve to leave and to leave for good. Fayette Cares was with her every step of the way, from helping her find housing, to being by her side in court, to helping get therapy, to inviting her to be a member of the board so that she could give a personal voice in the decisions being made. Today Amy is healthy, happy, in a loving relationship and enjoying being a mother inside that safe space.

If you’ve read many of these articles, you’re probably used to upbeat reviews of businesses here in Fayette County. It’s easy to wonder why we need to spend time on this topic. Domestic Violence affects far more than the man or woman being abused. For every 1 intimate partner homicide, there are 8-9 near fatal injuries to children, bystanders and emergency responders. Nearly 1/3 of law enforcement killed in the line of duty were actively responding to a domestic violence call. In Fayette County, 47% of 2022 crimes against persons were domestic violence crimes. (*Source: Crime in TN 2022- TBI Crime Report). Abuse reaches far beyond the home it occurs in. It can become generational. The good news is that there are organizations all over the United States, like Fayette Cares, that are doing all they can to change its outcome.

In 2007 Fayette Cares expanded to offer their Supportive Housing Program. This was one way they could help combat homelessness in our area. “This program helps end homelessness by building self-reliance through life skills, training, addressing financial management, parenting skills, domestic violence, home readiness, career development, and physical and mental health care.” (www.fayettecares.org/history). Homelessness simply cannot be fixed by handing out money. Fayette Cares is stepping up to fill in the gaps that may have come because of financial, educational or societal shortcomings. In 2014 they were able to expand those services when they added an additional 7 units to their emergency housing program. These 7 units have as many as 30 beds available so there is room to house whole families as they get on their feet. There is an additional studio unit available for a single person who may have fallen on hard times. They also work with the Carl Perkins center to help keep families together. Keeping families together has a ripple effect. There are no band-aids at Fayette Cares, only tools to change lives while they stand beside families in crisis and victims of domestic abuse and guide them through what may be the darkest season of their lives. They are also involved in local schools and religious organizations. Their program, One Love, helps give young people language to express their feelings and to give them a sense of worth. Young people with little or no self-worth are easy targets for abusers. This is one way that Fayette Cares is able to be proactive in a largely reactive endeavor.

Fayette Cares can’t do all of this on their own and that’s where YOU come in. I asked Alexandra what was more helpful, items or money? Money, no question, was the response. She said the reason for that is it is hard to store items for families. Having a dining table in storage does no good if a woman needs a car seat. That is why Fayette Cares no longer accepts household donations. They do, however, accept clothing donations. These items are then placed in the Fayette Cares Store in the town square. Money made from those sales is then used to fund Fayette Cares programs.  They also have a plant sale and a golf tournament in April, “Forks & Corks” in June, the famous High Cotton 5K/1K at Cotton Fest in September and “A Night of Southern Elegance” in November. All of these events help families in crisis and victims of domestic violence. Right now tickets are available for “A Night of Southern Elegance”. You can purchase them by visiting www.fayettecares.org/gala  or by calling 901-465-3802 ext.223. If you’d like to be a sponsor for this incredible event, visit www.fayettecares.org/gala/sponsor .

There’s a great story that Alexandra loves to tell. A young boy came to the Fayette Cares food pantry with his youth group to donate food they had gathered through donations. During his time at the food pantry he told Alexandra, “I used to live here!” Through her conversation with him she found that it wasn’t a source of shame or disappointment. His time there was one of happiness and love. His family was cared for. He was cared for. This is Fayette Cares’ goal. I hope when you think of Fayette Cares you don’t think of it as a shelter, as a place for “those people”. Instead, I hope you see it as a launching pad for members of our community who are bright eyed and excited about their future. I hope you see it as a place of love, a place of community, a place for dreams to take off. I hope you see it as a place you can give to, knowing a difference is being made. That difference is in the lives touched. Fayette Cares is saving lives. What more could we ask? If you’d like more information on Fayette Cares or are in need of their services, visit their website www.fayettecares.org or call 901-465-3802. Their clothing store can be found at 106 E. Market St. in Somerville. This is a great cause to shop local and shop Fayette first!

~Written By Karri Buck~

Last week Clint Cox shared with us three great ways to make time for what matters so our bodies and minds can be in the best shape possible. This week he finishes with three more ways to maximize our time and efforts.

4. Kettlebell Quickies

Maximum Efficiency, Minimum Time If you’re looking for the most efficient tool for strength and conditioning, kettlebells are the answer. A kettlebell workout can engage multiple muscle groups, boost cardiovascular fitness, and build core strength—all within a short session. The best part is that kettlebells are incredibly scalable; you can adjust both the intensity and duration to fit your schedule and fitness level. A simple 5-10 minute session of kettlebell swings, snatches, or cleans can provide a full-body workout that rivals longer, more traditional gym sessions. However, it’s essential to learn proper form before diving into kettlebell training to prevent injury. Many people hurt themselves by rushing into it without instruction, so it’s worth seeking guidance from a qualified trainer. Once you’ve mastered the basics, a single kettlebell can become your go-to for quick, effective workouts.

5. The Social Media Squat Challenge

Still think you don’t have time to work out? Let’s put that to the test with a simple challenge: Every time you open a social media app, perform 5 bodyweight squats. This challenge works on two levels:

1. It reveals how much time you may be wasting on social media. According to recent data, the average person spends over two hours a day scrolling through social feeds.

2. It shows how little time exercise actually takes. By integrating small bouts of movement into your daily routine, you’ll quickly realize that it doesn’t require hours at the gym to make a difference.

The cumulative effect of doing 5 squats every time you open a time-wasting app on your phone could easily result in 50 or more squats a day, without any formal workout session. It’s a small, consistent habit that can yield impressive results over time.

 6. Consistency Over Perfection

At the end of the day, the key to long-term success in fitness—like anything in life—is consistency, not perfection. If you’re pressed for time, the worst thing you can do is nothing. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the idea of carving out an hour for exercise, start with small, manageable efforts. Five minutes here, ten minutes there—it all adds up. The biggest obstacle is often not time itself, but the mindset that exercise needs to be an all-or-nothing approach. Reframing fitness as something you can do in brief moments throughout your day makes it much more achievable. These small, consistent steps can lead to big changes over time—both in your physical health and your mental well-being. Remember, movement is medicine. It doesn’t need to be perfect; it just needs to happen. Start small, build consistency, and you’ll discover that even with a busy schedule, there’s always time to take care of yourself.

About the Author

Clint Cox is the owner and strength & conditioning coach at Penance Gym. A native son of Fayette County, raised on a family farm and active in athletics throughout his youth, Clint developed a deep connection to physically demanding activities early on. His passion for health and fitness led him to begin his professional training career in 2010, and in 2013, he founded Penance Gym. Originally focused on supporting athletes, Clint soon recognized a greater need for strength and fitness training among adults, prompting a shift in the gym’s mission. Clint believes in a simple, sustainable approach to fitness, emphasizing strength, stability, and exercises that enhance everyday life. He has developed a particular expertise in rehabilitating lower back issues, helping clients eliminate pain and rebuild functional strength. When he’s not coaching, Clint enjoys life on his homestead, where he cares for longhorn cattle, pigs, turkeys, and chickens. He spends his free time enjoying outdoor activities with his family, from camping and kayaking to playing sports—living an active life that reflects his passion for health.