PARANORMAL PUB: THE TERMINAL BREWERY

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

On a dark Chattanooga night, the glow of the lights and the sound of music beckons you. As you approach the old brick building, the aroma of sizzling steaks, crusty calzones and the enticing bouquet of micro brewed beer fills the air.  You’ve come to The Terminal Brewhouse for a fantastic meal and a fun evening, but you may find much more. You might find spirits of a different kind!

The building was built in 1909 as a hotel to serve the Terminal Station across the street, during the golden age of rail travel. Many important people rode the “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and stayed at the hotel. After travel by automobile became popular, the train station closed and the hotel failed.  It was used at one time or another as a speak easy, illegal gambling establishment, and even a bordello. Some say even more “unspeakable” activities went on behind closed doors. . Sometime in the 1940’s an enterprising luggage handler at the station named Chester Davis, had saved his tips and eventually purchased the building.

Eventually, the building fell into disrepair. Its metal stairways and cold brick walls were covered in dust and shadows. No one wanted to enter the building because of the eerie sounds and shadows within. Finally in 2006, a local raconteur began restoring the property. Two friends became interested in the Historic building and the three of them entered the building together. The walls and the rafters seemed to cry out to the men. They felt the presence of those spirits who had lived and died there, and wanted the building to come to life once more. As a result, the men decided to create a Brewhouse and restaurant. The eerie sounds continue, especially at night when the brewer is alone and brewing the many fine ales and beers served at The Terminal.  I spoke to one waitress who believes that the building is definitely haunted and reports that the wait staff have seen or heard mysterious things, but they all feel that the spirits are content and friendly. Visitors to the Brewery sometime sense the “residents”, but it doesn’t take away from the pleasure of a fabulous meal, great music and some of the best beer you’ll ever taste.

If you’re ever in Chattanooga, stop by The Terminal Brewery at No.6 East 14^th Street, right across from the Chattanooga Choo Choo. Who knows who you might meet!

CHILLIN' IN CHATTANOOGA.

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

Well, here I am in Chattanooga, Tennessee! My husband is driving his 1961 MG midget in the Coker Challenge this week so I get to come along and see the sights! We arrived Tuesday afternoon and had to go directly to Hooters for dinner. My husband helps one of our local Hooter’s girls to collect Hooters shirts from all over. She gives him a Melbourne one and he trades it where ever he goes. We went back to the hotel and got a good night’s sleep. Wednesday we rode on the Incline Railway. We’re talking STRAIGHT up the side of Lookout Mountain!

 What a view! We got to visit the National Park which showed all about the Battle Above the Clouds of the Civil War. We also got to see amazing views of the Tennessee River. From there we went to have lunch aboard the Southern Belle as we toured the Tennessee River. It was beautiful and we had the good fortune of meeting an older gentleman who knew all about the area and its history. After that, we rode up the mountain to Rock City. Thy have a lookout spot where you can actually see 7 states! There’s also a “lovers leap” and beautiful rock formations with waterfalls.

As if that wasn’t enough for one day, we went back to the hotel, met our friends from Virginia, and went to the Chattanooga Choo Choo. We celebrated our friend’s anniversary at the Station House Restaurant where the waiters and waitresses sing. The food, the atmosphere and the entertainment were all top notch.

Tomorrow the boys have inspection for the car bit afterwards we plan to visit the Aquarium or a local brewery. Once the rally starts, the guys will be busy so we girls plan to hit the quilt shop and the other sites in the area! There’s still Ruby Falls, The Tennessee Valley Railroad, Raccoon Mountain,  museums, shops and so much more!

All in all I have to say, Chattanooga is a fun filled destination!  Oh, and I won’t forget to go on a ghost tour so I can write the tales up for Paranormal Pub!

LIFE IS GOOD - Living the Logo

Marion Pellicano Ambrose

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After having the trouble erupt with my son over losing his Social Security, I asked
Barbara and Dawn not to print my “Life is Good” piece. I was too depressed and
disillusioned and felt like a hypocrite thinking of the positive things I said in the article.
But since I posted the story about Joe, the outpouring of empathy and support has been
astounding! Dear friends and perfect strangers alike have offered advice and prayers and
I’m SO grateful! I let myself forget that no matter how low the lows may get at times,
there are people who care. Life is indeed good! Thank you all for reminding me of that!

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I had never heard of the Life is Good company until a few years ago when a friend 
gave me one of their t-shirts. A few of the teachers I worked with and I formed a 
Kayak club and this friend bought us all the “Jake Kayaking” t-shirt with 
their famous mantra “Life is Good”. 
I loved the shirt but didn’t think much about the company or the saying.           

     
Sometime later, my husband bought me a t-shirt with Sprocket the dog roasting a marshmallow over a campfire, again with the same saying. I wore the shirt as we set off on a trip to Chattanooga for the Coker Challenge, an antique car rally. We drove our truck and pulled a 1961 MG on the trailer behind us. As we flew down the interstate, somewhere in rural Georgia, not one but two tires blew. The truck swerved out of control and right into the path of a semi tractor trailer barreling towards us at 70 miles per hour.We looked directly into the eyes of the terrified truck driver who could do absolutely nothing. Miraculously, we continued to slide out of his way and off the road, over an incline and into a deep ditch seconds before what we believed was the imminent impact. People stopped their cars and came running, thinking we were surely dead or critically injured. I remember looking at my husband who, like me, was sitting in stunned silence, without a scratch or bump on us. I looked down at my shirt and thought “Life is good!” The truck and trailer were totaled, we never made it to the rally, and the ditch was filled with water, bugs and snakes. But we were together and we were alive!