Earlier this winter, I began helping the Lookout Mountain Conservancy tell its story in wider ways. I've known, admired and respected the Conservancy for many years; once I got closer, though, my respect grew even greater.

The Conservancy is a 34-year-old land trust that manages 1500 acres of Lookout Mountain land as it stretches through Tennessee, Alabama and Georgia.

There's also a 50-acre public park in St. Elmo that is a treasure-story waiting to be told and discovered.

It's the LMC bouldering park. Some 27 boulders, open to the public, all stewarded, built and maintained by student leaders from The Howard School.

These intern leaders are part of LMC's Howard Leadership Program. They're the ones caring for the bouldering park and adjacent Guild-Hardy Trail. They're our region's future conservation leaders. And they've become some of my favorite Chattanoogans.

Jenn. Josten. Quintez. Jada. Jacqeria.

And Aasean Whitener.

Not long ago, Aasean and I were talking near the food forest, next to the pollinator garden, on LMC's bouldering campus.

Aasean was talking about his life and all his accomplishments.

"It's not for me," he said. "It's for them."

This Sunday, we're bringing you the rest of Aasean's story; there's running, raised bed gardens, federal prisons, Kansas and kudzu - lots of Kansas, lots of kudzu - all held together with vision and loyalty.

"Loyalty over everything," Aasean says.

I want to be transparent; I'm wearing two hats here - the founder of Food as a Verb, a storyteller for the Conservancy. There's overlap, but all ethical and good.

See you Sunday, with Aasean.

• A big congrats to our friends at Clumpies Ice Cream, who won some big awards from the Greater Chattanooga Hospitality Association.

Ava Lafeyette - Clumpies, St. Elmo - was named the Restaurant Employee of the Year.

Kaitlin Jordan - Clumpies, Southside - was named the Restaurant Manager of the Year.

"Our teaching chefs at the See Rock City Institute of Hospitality and Tourism Management at The Howard School were also awarded Industry Educator of the Year," said Pepper Raper, See Rock City's public relations manager.

All this comes at a perfect time: July is National Ice Cream Month.

Visit Clumpies - a proud Food as a Verb partner - in the Northshore, Southside, St. Elmo or online.

• Finally, only two spots remain for our farm tour this Saturday at Rosemary and Thyme Creamery.

Several seats remain for our mindful pop-up dinner at Spice Trail on Monday, July 21, but the tickets are going fast.

Summer's here, undoubtedly.

Wherever you are, we hope it's a good one for ewe.

Story ideas, questions, feedback? Interested in partnering with us? Email: david@foodasaverb.com

This story is 100% human generated; no AI chatbot was used in the creation of this content.

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