For the 5th year in a row Port Royal State Historic Park will be hosting its largely attended and popular “Port Royal by Lantern”.

Port Royal State Park’s Lantern Tours

Tour dates are this Friday October 26th and Saturday October 27th. The first tour starts at 6:00pm and the last tour heads into the woods at 9:00pm. Tours leave every twenty minutes. This is a FREE EVENT that is also including home baked goods, snacks and refreshments!

This event is a fun history driven event for the whole family. There will be nothing gory or gruesome in any of the accounts. It will be held on the Trail of Tears section of the park across the bridge from the Rangers Station, look for signs. Parking will be available at the site.

For directions or to reserve a time for your group you may call Port Royal State Historic Park at 931.358.9696.

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Elaborate backdrops set the stage for this weekend’s show.

This beloved musical is the highlight of the RCP’s 33rd season bringing quality community theater to Robertson County. Audiences continue to be amazed by the talented actors, singers, dancers and musicians living and working right here in our area.

During the run of the show there will be a display of Buffalo Bill and wild west memorabilia in the theatre lobby of the historic Springfield Middle School for viewing by the audience.

Andrew Dossett as Frank Butler, Leslie Marberry as Annie Oakley

The show will run Thursday through Saturday, July 12th-14th at 7:00pm, on Sunday July 15th at 2:00pm, and Thursday through Saturday July 19th-21th at 7:00pm, at Springfield Middle School Auditorium, 715 5th Avenue West in Springfield, Tennessee.

Advance Tickets can be purchased at the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, White’s Jewelers, & Holman Jewelers in Springfield, Greenbrier Florist in Greenbrier, BJ’s Family Restaurant in Pleasant View, The Bargain Browser in White House and on-line at www.TicketsNashville.com. At-the-Door Tickets will be $15.00 each.

For further information go to the RCP’s Facebook page or on Twitter at RCP_plays.

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“Christmas Down Home”, created by David Alford and Paul Carrol Binkley will be at the APSU Music/Mass Communications Concert Hall for the last stop on their holiday tour.

Enjoy an evening together with loved ones to set the tone for the Christmas weekend and let your heart be filled with cherished traditional holiday songs such as “Go Tell It On The Mountain,” “I Wonder As I Wander,” and “Sweet Little Jesus Boy.” Performed by accomplished Nashville actors and musicians, this production promises to be a heartwarming trip down memory lane infusing hints of Appalachia with honest family stories of togetherness and unity.

Another special treat in store for audiences Friday evening is “Truman Capote: A Christmas Memory” with original music composition by Paul Carol Binkley.

Binkley, alumni of Berklee College of Music, Boston (Jim Hall Jazz Award), Austin Peay State University, and Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, first collaborated with Alford on this collection in 1995 and together have refined it year after year to make it what it is today.

These intimate stories and songs will take you on a journey through time and your emotions to rekindle the tiny spark within us all that shines just a little brighter this time of year.

Christmas Down Home this Friday, December 23rd, – Music/Mass Communications Concert Hall – APSU, Clarksville, Tennessee. A portion of the proceeds to benefit the Mabry Legacy Campaign at Austin Peay. Tickets are $25.00 general admission, $15.00 students (with ID). Showtime is 7:30pm. House opens at 7:00pm, seating is general admission.

For more information about this event as well as bios on the other talented actors and musical guests for the evening, please visit www.christmasdownhome.com

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On Friday October 21st ,and Saturday October 22nd at 6:00pm, tours will step into Port Royal’s past, with guided groups leaving every twenty minutes until 9:00pm.

Each stop along the way will be 8-10 minutes long, for a total of an hour long tour. The tour will be held across the Red River on the newly opened trail section of the park.

Port Royal State Park's Lantern Tours

The tour is entertaining and educational, and not intended to be frightening. There will be a bonfire and free refreshments available on site for all to enjoy. Tour groups are welcome, and the trails are stroller and wheelchair friendly.

For directions or more information on this event please contact Port Royal State Historic Park at 931.358.9696.

Gallery

Map

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Adams, TN – When there is a chill in the air and the full moon illuminates everything it touches, then you know its time for SPIRIT. There’s something about this time of year that huddles people together. They gather under worn out quilts, ’round an open bonfire, or near a single candle flickering in the dark to whisper of things they don’t understand.One such event that entertains that very idea is held, where else? In Adams, TN the home of the Bell Witch!

SPIRIT: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch opens next weekend in Adams,Tn.

For the first time in Spirit’s run, some may say the stars have aligned and the past meets present when father and daughter will be portraying their direct ancestors John Bell and his daughter Betsy Bell, the two that were the focus of the Bell Witch torture.

The play was written by David Alford is a retelling of the paranormal events that occured to a young girl and her family between 1818 and 1820. This spirit would haunt and terrorize the Bell family, it sometimes spoke as a woman and would call herself Kate. Other times the spirit would make choking and gurgling noise or lash out in violence toward Betsy, the Bell’s daughter.It was an intelligent spirit. It could quote sermons being preached in the next town over, then turn around and sing bawdy bar tunes at the top of its lungs.

According to legend, news of the haunting even reached General Andrew Jackson who insisted on visiting the Bell farm to confront the spirit. His entourage was allegedly subjected to the spirit’s violent mischief, causing the General and his men to depart vowing never to return. Jackson was reportedly quoted later as saying, “I’d rather fight the British at New Orleans than deal with the Bell Witch.” – A Whisper of Smoke by Jason Zasky of Failure Magazine.

SPIRIT runs for two weekends Oct 20th-22nd and Oct. 27th-29th at 7:00pm on the grounds of the Adams School House in an open air pavilion you can purchase tickets on the grounds or online at http://www.bellwitchplay.com/tickets.html

Click here to view the embedded video.

Map

About Community Spirit

The Production of SPIRIT would not be possible with out the efforts of Community Spirit Inc. A not-for-profit organization formed to produce this play annually. Their support is kept this project alive.

Officers

• President – Kay Bagby
• Vice President – Patti Gregory
• Secretary – James H. Lindsey
• Treasurer – Samuel L. Ramsey

Board Members

• Sheri Alford
• Mayor Omer Gene Brooksher
• Dr. Rick Gregory
• Sarah Head
• Mary Nell Lindsey
• Mary Mantooth
• Josh Mason
• Sandy Ramsey
• Julie Rullmann
• Robert H. Bell III, Emeritus
  Carney Bell, Emeritus

About David Alford

Director, David Alford

Playwright David Alford is a native and resident of Adams, Tennessee. He graduated from Martin Methodist College (A.A.) and Austin Peay State University (B.S) before attending the Juilliard School for Drama at Lincoln Center in New York City, where he was awarded the Saint-Denis Prize upon graduation in 1991.

In 1994 he was awarded a Fox Fellowship for the foundation of Mockingbird Theatre in Nashville, a professional non-profit company that he served as Artistic Director until 2004.

From 2004-2007 he was Executive Artistic Director of Tennessee Repertory Theatre in Nashville, the state’s largest professional theatre company.

He currently serves as Director of Drama Programs at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, TN.

His plays include SPIRIT: THE AUTHENTIC STORY OF THE BELL WITCH OF TENNESSEE, GHOSTLIGHT (produced by Mockingbird Theatre, 2003), a stage adaptation of Alan Lightman’s EINSTEIN’S DREAMS (produced by Peoples Branch Theatre, 2001), the short play THE BOX and CLARA’S HANDS (work-in-progress for Tennessee Rep). Produced screenplays include ON MUSIC ROW (for CMT, winner, Nashville Independent Film Festival), PRISONER (2004, finalist in HBO’s Project Greenlight competition, which he also co-directed), ADRENALINE (2005) and HAVOC (Amylase Independent, 2007), both films in which he also starred.

He has directed numerous theatre projects, including the above mentioned SPIRIT and EINSTEIN’S DREAMS. Recent directing credits for Tennessee Rep include THE DRAWER BOY, INHERIT THE WIND, THE SANTALAND DIARIES, and DEARLY DEPARTED, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, and THE WINTER’S TALE, for the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. He recently completed directing GUYS AND DOLLS in Rome, Georgia, and in June 2008 will direct and star in THE TEMPEST at the Arkansas Shakespeare Festival.

Perhaps best known as an actor, David has appeared in over fifty professional theatre productions.  Screen credits include the above mentioned ON MUSIC ROW, HAVOC, ADRENALINE (a film done in one 88-minute continuous shot), THE SECOND CHANCE (Sony Pictures), THE LAST CASTLE (Dreamworks), and A DEATH IN THE FAMILY (PBS/Masterpiece Theatre). He also appeared recently in a Tennessee Lottery Commercial as a winner giving away an RV. Unfortunately, he was just acting.

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Poet Sarah Blackman

Clarksville, TN- The Clarksville Writers conference welcomed a new voice to the event this year. Sarah Blackman is the director of the Creative Writing for the Fine Arts Center in Greenville,South Carolina. At the Center she instructs writers on personal projects that they are working on and helps them see beyond the “writers block”

Writers who sat in on Blackman’s lecture got more than they were expecting. What started out as a workshop with all the best intentions of being “writing past plot” evolved into something more.Over a literary discussion on Joy Williams collection of stories: ‘Honored Guest’ you were faced with the dark, uncomfortable thought:

Did the masseuse  snap her clients wrist intentionally, or was she just mildly distracted by life and everything she was meant to be?

Then Blackman took her eager pupils on a journey of “what if’s” and by asking that simple question, you can propel your story forward through the series of events that need to happen to your character for your story to have a plot.

This particular workshop was so thourough that it left all in attendance with plenty of questions for their instructor with little time for answers. However, questions are not a bad way to end a workshop:

“Writing comes from questions not answers. When you start answering your questions, then maybe its a dead end.”—Sarah Blackman

Sarah Blackman is not only an instructor at the Creative Writing for the Fine Arts Center she is also an acomplished fiction and short story writer herself with an upcoming literary piece called ‘Hex’

Photo Gallery

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“Montgomery County Tobacco Farmer Holding Tobacco Leaves.” This photo was taken in Montgomery County, Tennessee, probably near the late 1800s or early 1900s.

Montgomery County farmers have prided themselves in the raising and selling of Dark Fired Tobacco for generations. In 1890 this county ranked the 6^th largest tobacco raising county in the country, selling over 9 million lbs of tobacco.

Our county along with Robertson County and parts of adjoining counties in Kentucky were once part of The Eastern Dark Fired Tobacco region, or also known as the Black Patch.

The tobacco crop raised here was highly desired by the European Market, The Imperial Tobacco Company of Great Britain and the Regi Companies. (1.Beach)The American Tobacco Company (ATC) was formed here and took part in determining the prices of this tobacco as well as its distribution.

When the ATC began fixing prices on purchased dark fired tobacco, farmers in south-central Kentucky counties and adjoining middle Tennessee counties were no longer able to turn a profit from their tobacco. So on September 24th, 1904  just about harvesting time, these farmers formed an alliance called Dark Tobacco District Planters’ Protective Association of Kentucky and Tennessee.

A small subgroup then came out of The Association. They were called the Night Riders. These hooded men would visit area farmers who had not joined with them and have “talks” with them until they changed their minds. These talks would sometimes include whipping, bullying, burning barns, raking crops and sometimes even death.

There were many large tobacco warehouses in Clarksville. However, the rivers protected this town from any large attacks. A vigilante by the name of Ben Sory, an ATC member and warehouse owner, formed a militia to protect the roads leading into Clarksville from the Night Rider raids. On January 21st,1908 the Hayes-Sory factory located on Main St. housed Regi tobacco and was the target of a plan to dynamite the warehouse. (1.Beach)

A few months later on March 9th a group of 27 Night Riders rallied in Port Royal. While there they entered the telephone operating building (now the park office of Port Royal State Park) cut the phone lines and “whipped” the man operating the board. Lines between Port Royal and Stroudsville and between Port Royal and Clarksville were cut. The line that was missed was the connecting line from Sango to Clarksville.

The story from the New York Times on the event in question

Word spread that Night Riders might be heading into Clarksville and Ben Sory went with a group of men to Sango. Two of these men were John Gardner and Walter Hunt. They waited at Port Royal and Trough Springs crossroads for the hooded men to pass by.

Around 2am seven of the men were returning home with no intention of raiding Clarksville. As they passed Gardner and Hunt they were fired upon. Five escaped with no injuries.  Two brothers, Earl aged 17, and Voyn Bennet aged 21 were both wounded. Earl walked home with buckshot lodged in his head,right shoulder and arm. When he arrived there it is said he went straight to bed without telling anyone of the matter until daybreak. He left behind his brother Voyn with fourteen buckshot holes in his head, neck and arm. He was found unconscious and died several hours later. He was buried in the Sango Cemetery.

Gardner and Hunt skipped town for two weeks before returning and facing their trial. Ben Sory was publicly attacked for being part of an action that should have been handled by Clarksville’s sheriff or chief of police.

The Association stepped forward and stated that he had acted out of order and without authority in going into the country with no more information than he had. The Association then boycotted all Clarksville businesses. The boycott lasted for a month and was lifted only after the city agreed to maintain its guards in accordance with proper regulations. The City of Clarksville suffered more as a whole from the boycott than it would have from a single raid.(2. Nall)

You can learn more about the Tobacco Wars and Montgomery County’s part in the event by attending one of the upcoming lecture series by Dr. Rick Gregory.

Dr. Gregory has a masters and  PHd From Vanderbilt University in History. His doctoral dissertation “Desperate Farmers: The Dark tobacco District Planters’ Protective Association Of Kentucky and Tennessee, 1904-1914″ was published in the Tennessee Historical Quarterly in 1980. He also has published “Robertson County and the Black Patch War”, as well as two articles in the Encyclopedia of Tenn. History. He was born in Robertson County and has spent the  last decade at his home on the Red River.

This lecture series will begin  May 16^th and continue through the last two Saturdays of the month, at the Guthrie Senior Center at 4:00pm. Your purchased ticket will include the informative lecture along with a home-style meal. Please call ahead so they can be expecting you. You can also attend a lecture at the Adams BBQ station prior to the Thursday and Friday performances. (Tickets to SMOKE are separate)

The lecture series is conjunction with the opening of SMOKE: A Ballad of the Night Riders written by David Alford. The musical opens this Thursday May 12th and runs through-14th, 19th-21st, and 26th-28th at 7:00pm with the special Sunday Matinée on May 29^th at 2:00pm. The performance will once again be  performed outside on the grounds of the historic Bell School in Adams, Tennessee. Tickets are $20.00 for adults and $10.00 for students. All seats are general admission.

For information on the lecture series and tickets please call:615-696-1300

For more information about SMOKE or purchasing the musical soundtrack visit their website at www.smokenightriders.com or call 615-696-1300

Sources:

1. “Along the Warioto or A History of Montgomery County, Tennessee” by Ursula Smith Beach Copyright 1964, pgs. 307,312,313/ Picture of The Grange: Tobacco Warehouse ,inset
2. “The Tobacco Night Riders of Kentucky and Tennessee” by: James O. Nall copyright;1939 pgs 94, 95

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Located in downtown Clarksville is Posh Boutique this store sales clothes for men and women of varying sizes. It offers big name brands such as Hudson and I hear they have a huge sales back room with markdowns of 50-70% off. This store location has a big turn around rate so you can often find current styles of the season for less!

Some of the trends they are carrying for this spring are bright corals and denim, denim, denim! Whether you are a fashionista looking for the hottest trend in skinny or a slim boot cut style or are just comfortable in a worn in pair of denim shorts you will find it at Posh.

Another look you may try out for the spring is the versatile blouse. It can be dressed up or dressed down and pair it with a sparkly bauble such as a cocktail ring and you will be street savvy wherever you go. Tunics are everywhere; they can be loose or pulled in with a belt for a fitted look to accentuate your waist.

Shoe alert! A little flat or pump in a nude shade will not only make your legs look longer but its versatile and can be worn with any look. Posh has many of their shoes on sale so you can save money. Like I say, the more money you save, the more you can shop! Right? Quick tip: While there ask about the Kelsey Dagger shoe.

Posh also carries its own label now. You can find the Posh brand name on many tops and sun dresses found in the store.

Kathy Hadley is the owner of the Clarksville location store and she travels all over to ensure she brings back only the best and on trend pieces for Clarksville shoppers.

So don’t give in by going to the large department stores, shop local!

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The Cast of Christmas Down Home

A new Christmas tradition is beginning in downtown Springfield,Tn. Come share a “Christmas Down Home” on December 11, 12, 18 and 19. Audiences will be reminded what life was like in a small Southern town before malls were on every street corner and when Christmas was not just about receiving presents.

“Christmas Down Home” is an evening of music and storytelling in true Southern tradition. It will be presented at Burdett’s Tea Shop in Springfield’s historic downtown by an accomplished group of professional performers. In past years, you may have enjoyed the Southern Christmas Sampler presented by Mockingbird Theatre and Tennessee Repertory Theatre in Nashville.If so you will be familiar with some of the pieces that will be included in Christmas Down Home. You will fondly recall Gloria Houston’s “The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree” and Truman Capote’s “A Christmas Memory” performed by David Alford and Paul Carrol Binkley.

“One might think of Christmas Down Home as a Prairie Home Companion, but Southern Christmas style.” – David Alford

David Alford, originally from the small town of Adams, Tn attended Austin Peay State University as a music major, and from there went on to Julliard in New York where he worked in professional theatre there for several years. Recently he is most locally recognized for writing “SPIRIT: The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch” and “SMOKE: A Ballad of the Night Riders” which are performed each year in Adams,Tn. He has worked in theatre and film, and as Artistic Director of Tennessee Repertory Theatre and is presently the Director of Drama Programs at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tn. You can even catch Alford this weekend at Austin Peay’s Holiday Concert with David Stienquest.

Paul Carrol Binkley, who is Musical Director at Tennessee Repertory Theatre and Nashville Children’s Theatre. He has performed worldwide with the super-group Alabama.“With Today in My Eyes” (from this show) will be featured on his Christmas CD, “Do You Hear What I Hear”.

Erin Ramsey is also a native of Robertson County. A Vandy graduate, she works extensively with local theatre companies including Tennessee Repertory Theatre, Nashville Children’s Theatre, Studio Tenn., Nashville Shakespeare Festival and Tennessee Shakespeare Festival.

Kahle Reardon holds a degree in drama from NYU and worked professionally in New York before moving to Nashville where she has worked as a professional actor and is presently employed by Martin Methodist College in their drama department.

Brad Albin and Toni Ferguson, who will be playing bass and fiddle, are both Nashville sessions players. In addition to studio recordings, they play live in multiple venues and are often seen on stage under the direction of Binkley in various theatrical productions such as “Tom Sawyer” for Nashville Children’s Theatre, “Big River” for Tennessee Repertory Theatre and were both part of the musical ensemble for SMOKE.

A Southern evening of music and storytelling would not be complete without great food. A Holiday Dessert Buffet provided by Burdett’s Tea Shop during intermission will satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth with a wide variety of desserts to choose from. Christmas Down Home at Burdett’s Tea Shop will be an evening you will long remember and cherish for its sweet nostalgia to a simpler time in your heart.

Performances are at 7:30 pm on December 11, 12, 18 and 19. Ticket prices are $45 for the show and dessert buffet. Call Burdett’s Tea Shop at 384-2320 for more information or to purchase tickets

The post All star cast to perform to perform “Christmas Down Home” in Springfield Tennessee appeared first on Clarksville, TN Online.

Great attention to detail has been made when putting together this production. The year is 1946. Radio announcer Freddy Filmore  (played by Steve Smith) is bringing together his all-star cast for a Christmas Eve live radio performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life”.

Cast members Beth Mitchell, Josh Webb and Beth Britton rehearse

Josh Webb brings all the charm and sincerity required for the role of  the much loved and adored character George Bailey, with many returning Robertson County Players such as Sam Dressler, Danny Atchley, Pamela Duke, Roger Grimsley and Steve Haley. Many new actors will be joining the brilliant cast; Nelda Atchley, Kathy Dorris, Mathew Hardee, Sarah Marberry, Kimberly Cox, James Saine, Nolan Underhill, Beth Mitchell and your author for this piece, as Mary Bailey.

So brush off your suit, grab your coat and furs ladies and be ready to be transformed back in time,

“It’s A Wonderful Life, A Live Radio Play” opens at Springfield High School on December 2nd and runs thru December 5th. The evening performances begin at 7:00pm with a special Sunday Matinee at 2:00pm on December 5th.

Advance Tickets are on sale now for $6.00 at White’s Jewelers, Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, Robertson County 50 + Senior Center and Holman Jewelers in Springfield. Tickets may also be purchased at the door for $8.00. With $1.00 of every ticket sold to benefit RCP’s Playing it Forward nominee Home Safe.

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Pair a tall knee length boot with a straight skirt with leggings or thick tights for the office. After hours change that skirt into a mini or slip into a maxi dress and those same boots can carry you out for drinks with a friend.

All day Saturday shopping at Governor’s Square Mall? Look fresh and on the go by tucking your dark denim jeans into tall square heel boots for all day support.

An ankle boot is for the truly sophisticated and can be worn either under slacks, jeans or with a skirt.

For the very brave and trend setters try out some funky suede ankle boots with thin jogging pants and an over sized shirt. No, I’m not crazy, I’ve seen this look pulled off so effortlessly and its definitely different and eye catching. I’ve seen its quite popular with students at Austin Peay for a casual comfort look.

Here’s an example of a very sexy boot by Adi. I can see this stunner under a long wool trench coat with stylish cap and scarf for any cool November evening out on the town. You can add this boot to your wardrobe now for $17.00 at Target.com

Whatever way you choose to wear your boots this Fall always remember to have fun with your wardrobe and wear what feels best to you.

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For the 3rd year in a row Port Royal State Historic Park will be hosting its largely attended and popular “Port Royal by Lantern Tour”. Take a guided lantern tour through one of the park’s newly opened nature trails and hear mysterious accounts of Port Royal’s past told by reenactors portraying actual past living residents of the town.

Port Royal State Park's Lantern Tours

Your journey will begin in the year of 1770 with a visit from Col. John Montgomery (portrayed by Michael Ramsey) Listen as this Long hunter recounts his days hunting trails in the Port Royal area.

Next, take time to stop and visit in the year 1790, with Susannah McFadden (Sylvia Britton) one of the earlier settlers to this area. Who will share with you her account of the Indian attack on her husband.

It’s the year 1817 at your next tour stop and its here you’ll meet John Bell Jr. ( Jerry Wooten) of Bell Family fame. Huddle in and listen closely as he shares with you his account of the Bell witch torture.

Listen in as a letter is being written from a detachment leader Elijah Hicks (Adam Neblett) on the Trail of Tears campsite in 1838.

Wind through the wooded trail to find a local townswoman (Beth Britton) who witnessed a murder in the town of Port Royal in 1862.

Your last stop on the tour will be with Henry Winters (Tim Henson) and learn how the Tobacco Wars of 1910 ravaged this area.

Tour dates are this Thursday and Friday Oct. 21st and 22nd. The first tour starts at 6pm and the last tour heads into the woods at 9pm. Tours leave every twenty minuets. This is a FREE EVENT that is also including home baked goods snacks and refreshments! This event is a fun History driven event for the whole family. There will be nothing gory or gruesome in any of the accounts. It will be held on the newly opened section of the park across the bridge from the Rangers Station, look for signs. Parking will be available at the site.

For directions or more information on this event please contact Port Royal State Historic Park at 931-358-9696.

Gallery

Map

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Adams, TN – Anticipation is building in the Robertson County town of Adams, TN.  This week the cast of David Alford’s play SPIRIT, The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch arrives in town and begins rehearsal on the old school grounds not far from where the Bell Witch legend first got its start. If you have never experienced this play for yourself this is not the year to miss it!

For the first time in Spirit’s run, some may say the stars have aligned and the past meets present when father and daughter will be portraying their direct ancestors John Bell and his daughter Betsy Bell, the two that were the focus of the Bell Witch torture.

“Its more personal, it bothers you more when you are on stage with your own daughter and you think of these horrible things happening to her. Its easier to get into character.” –Bob Bell

Bob Bell of Springfield, TN will be playing the role John Bell who happens to be his 5^th Great Grandfather. Bell comes from a long line of prominent men in the Robertson County community. Around town the Bell men are known as strong men of morals who stand for what they believe in and have what Bob Bell calls the “work ethic” gene. The Bells have endured and overcome trials in their past and continue to leave a strong legacy for those coming after them.

John Bell Sr. who moved in 1804 from North Carolina, like many during that time, and set in deep roots that took hold in rich Red River soil. He was a planter and had great ambitions for his family. His namesake John Jr. served in the War of 1812 under Andrew Jackson and through out their family line the Bell men bravely and proudly served our country. They were and still are men of faith, the God fearing type that cherish old family bibles and are present in church on Sunday mornings and gather for lunch afterwards with others in the community. The Bell family line is about as all American as you can get.

(L to R) Ann-Rickman Bell and Briley Bell rehearsing their roles in the play SPIRIT.

In the south it’s not uncommon for most people to be able to say the same about their family in some respect. You wouldn’t have a true old south family heritage without a few skeletons in the closet. The Bells however, have something a bit darker than just a dusty skeleton in their closet, they have something evil. Something so evil in fact that it wasn’t just “swept under the rug”- it wasn’t spoke of at all until recently when books, plays and even Hollywood took the story and ran with it.

Bob Bell feels that media hasn’t done a true factual portrayal of his family. Specifically mentioning the director Courtney Solomon of American Haunting, who according to Bell went with the most popular and profitable theory on the Bell Witch at that time. The movie American Haunting (2005) had blockbuster stars Donald Sutherland and Sissy Spacek and grossed $5,783,508 on its opening weekend. This film’s ending suggests that John Bell was sexually molesting his daughter Betsy and from that abuse Betsy conjures up this Witch or Spirit. The film then goes on to imply that John’s death was not necessarily from the poltergeist but from Betsy herself and perhaps with a little help from Lucy Bell, John’s wife and Betsy’s mother.

(L to R) Ann-Rickman Bell and Briley Bell from the play SPIRIT

Up until recently the earliest written documentation that the Bell’s had of what happened within their family was M.V Ingram’s Authenticated History of the Bell Witch written in 1894. However, Bob shared with me that there has now been a hand written letter found from a father and son written in 1819 to another member of their family in which they account that they were “ going to the Bell’s farm to see their Angel.” Further down into the letter the author claims that what they saw was “not an Angel but the devil himself”. This letter, if proven authentic, adds great creditability to the legend.

Perhaps though if one needs more convincing they only need to spend a short amount of time talking to any of the Bell family members to know that even now on the crest of the 200 hundred year mark since the “family troubles” first began they have yet to fully escape from the Spirit which provoked their ancestors.

One such story that especially peaked my interest more than missing family plots randomly turning up on family hunting trips, or Grandmother Bell’s china that did not shatter after taking an abrupt fall from its secure position in the china cabinet, or even the ghostly image of a young pubescent girl in a white dressing gown that apparently follows Bob Bell about town is what happens every year around the rehearsal and production of this play ‘SPIRIT’. Below is Bob Bell’s account of just one of the many occurrences.

Every year when our rehearsal moves to the Adams School yard where the play is performed we seem to draw in stray animals that have an interest in what we are doing. They show up only during rehearsals and we can’t get rid of them. No one knows who they belong to and afterwards they are not seen again around town. One year in particular there was a large black dog that came. He was a kind lazy dog away from rehearsal but when rehearsal began he would flop down on stage and not move. If you tried to move him he would growl at you. He would especially growl at my father Carney Bell who was then playing the role of John Bell Sr. So I was there opening night, sitting on the front row. This black dog, which had yet to see me before, was laying on the stage before the show. When he looked up and locked eyes on me he sprung from the stage growling and running straight for me! I thought he was about to bite my leg off! Instead, he came right up to me and laid his chin down on my knee. Strangest thing I had ever seen. It just wasn’t natural.

Who knows what might happen with so much fervor, family ties and raw emotions wrapped up in this year’s production of SPIRIT it will be a “Must see to believe” type of show.

Click here to view the embedded video.

SPIRIT, The Authentic Story of the Bell Witch will begin production the last two weekends in October. October 21st – 23rd and October 28th – 30th. Written by local playwright David Alford will be held outside at the Bell School Pavilion in Adams, TN. Show time is 7:00pm. Tickets $15.00 for Adults and $8.00 for students. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bellwitchplay.com with paypal or in person at the Robertson County Chamber of Commerce, the Bell School in Adams or by phone at 615-696-1300. The Schoolhouse Cafeteria in the Adams Antique Mall will be open for dinner before each performance.

This year’s production is being directed by Evelyn Blythe from Nashville, TN. With Lucy Bell being portrayed by Jane Stone, Lunden Ruhstaller as John Jr. and Emily Byrd as Kate Batts. Returning cast members are Adam El-Amin as Dean, Thomas Longo as Elder Sugg Fort and a host of other wonderful local and regional talent including another Bell family member Ann-Rickman Bell. Danny Proctor is serving as musical director. Reserve tickets now because they sell out quickly!

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Minimalist: Clean lines, form and structured pieces. I personally am excited to see this trend because a well-fitted suit for the office or an A line pencil skirt for after hours only makes you look your best. When an outfit is tailored to fit it will become your best-kept secret. This look also goes hand in hand with 50’s Retro. Think Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn in Sabrina or the ever-classic Grace Kelly for inspiration.

Military: In Clarksville the “military look” has become a part of the norm. We literally see it everywhere. Well, now be ready to see it on another level. Tall boots, broad shoulders in jackets, kaki, and olive will be found in abundance as well as bold pieces of red and General style jackets with parallel brass buttons.

80’s Rocker: This trend is more for the younger generation that missed out on all the glam and now want to try to reinvent it for themselves. But if you are feeling a bit nostalgic feel free to work in a few subtle pieces into your wardrobe such as the occasional studded piece of jewelry, red lipstick, and bangle bracelets. But for heaven’s sake not all at once! One place that I like to take small fashion risks are my shoes. You can play around with an animal print flat or spikey heels and both would be quite appropriate. Even a tasteful bomber jacket (no that is not an oxymoron) for those nights around the bonfire would totally work.

Luxe: We may be in a recession but you wouldn’t know it by the runway this Season. I think this concept captures Fall for me unlike any other. When I see warm camel colors on pea coats and cloche hats I want to race to the nearest coffee shop for spice chai tea latte. And someone get PETA on the phone because Fur is making a comeback. Well, maybe not real fur. But you will see it on coats, gloves and scarfs this season for the ultimate in nouveau riche!

Textures this Season

• Gold
• Camel
• Plaid
• Lace
• Wool
• Animal print
• Leather

This is my challenge to you though this Fall. No, not a challenge but a dare. I dare you to take the above list with you next time you are out shopping. Be it Target, Macy’s or our local Goodwill and just see if you can find something that fits under any of the above category for less than twenty…no…$15.00. I’m willing to bet you can if you just try.

Fashion doesn’t have to be expensive. Make it your own!

Fashion fades. Style is eternal. —Coco Chanel

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You will need brown paper, yellow construction paper, scissors, glue, a colorful ribbon, a painting smock, various colors of paints, a dry towel, and bowl of clean water.

Instructions

First you start with a large pre-cut circle made out of the brown paper

Start with a large circle cut out of brown paper

Next, talk with your child about what colors will they see the leaves changing too during the Fall months. Some of the colors that were chosen were green, yellow, orange and red. (my favorite)

You should cover your child’s clothing with a paint smock, then let them chose what color they want their “leaves” to be.

Paint their hands with each of their chosen colors, and press them firmly down on the construction paper creating a hand print.

Take care to wipe their hands clean between each paint color otherwise the colors will mix together on the paper.

When each of my girls had a turn we set the paper up to dry while we went on a Nature Walk to collect real fall leaves!

When the paint had dried I cut out the hand prints and glued them onto the circle in a clockwise pattern. If you have older children, you should let them try cutting the hand prints out and let glue them on themselves.

At last I wrapped colorful fall ribbon around the top and displayed the wreath in my kitchen window.

Happy Fall!!!

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For over a decade Clarksville mothers have turned to the Little Lambs and Ivy consignment sale twice a year to clothe their children for the upcoming season. What began in Donna Springer’s basement in the 1990’s has grown into quite an establishment, boasting over 300 consigners and almost double that in shoppers that pour through the Machinist Union Hall (located behind Wyatt Johnson off of Wilma Rudolph Blvd) during the four days that the sale is open to the public.

“This consignment sale is unique because you (the consigner) price and tag all your items to sale yourself.” said  Jeanette Smith, who has owned and operated the business since 2007.

This sale boasts some of the hottest merchandise for children and infants at incredibly unbeatable prices that such items like activity tables, cribs, changing tables, boutique clothing and nursery décor disappear within moments of the doors opening. So be sure to come early, and bring your clothes basket. You’re going to need it! Merchandise that is unique to the Fall/ Winter sale is Halloween costumes, corduroy and denim jeans, and thick winter coats and all the rich, warm colors you anticipate with the arrival of the crisp cooler months.

Perhaps, you just want to price and sale your items and not shop? That’s fine too.  For those that do consign you get a little extra incentive, you’re invited to the pre-sale. That’s right. If you have items in the sale you get to shop the  pre-sale the evening before it opens to the public. Jeanette opens the sale to the consigners and offers a child-free dash-grab shopping spree for you and one guest, and first dibs on the “goodies”.  You are also invited back to the 50% off discount pre-sale night the evening before the public gets to shop it.

Important Dates

The dates for the sale this year are

• Receiving dates: September 9^th through September 11th (All dates are fully booked)
• Pre-Sale: Tuesday, September 14^th 2010  5:00-7:00pm (Consigners only)
• 7:00pm- 9pm (Guests with passes)
• Open to the public: September 15th-18^th 7am-6pm Saturday 7am-Noon  with a 25% off day (Tuesday)  and a 50% off day (Friday and Saturday)
• Pick up day: Saturday September 18^th 4-6pm.

If you would like to volunteer to help with this event visit to the Little Lambs and Ivy website. While there you can read even more about how to sign up to consign your items, how to pin and prepare your clothing what not to include and even tips on how to price your merchandise to sell! For the past couple of years items that are not picked up or have been asked to donate have been given to the Salvation Army and most recently the New Spring thrift store.

If this is your first time at the sale prepare to be amazed at all there is to shop! This sale accepts boy and girl clothing from newborn to size 14 and even Maternity! So come and shop or consign or both and tell a friend! Or better yet, bring your friend with you! Digging the trenches of bargain shopping is better with a friend, besides you’re going to need that extra set of hands to carry everything back to your SUV!

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Poet Beth Ann Fennelly

If there is a poet that understands the human soul it is Beth Ann Fennelly. As she read “3mths after having a baby” from her aptly named book Tender Hooks, she hooked all that were in attendance and tapped into the core of motherhood itself.

Fennelly is an Associate Professor of English at the University of Mississippi. Along with the 2004 publication of Tender Hooks, she is author of  A different kind of hunger (1997) Great with Child: Letters to a young mother and most recently the daring Unmentionables:Poems. Her 2002 book Open House: Poems won her the 2001 Kenyon Review Prize in Poetry for a ‘First Book’.

With a piercing fire in her eyes and heavy words on her tongue Beth Ann Fennelly speaks to the deepest realm of a mother’s heart. She delivers raw and unapologetic verse that is so honest that her words leave you feeling a bit uneasy as if she just stepped into your deepest feelings and insecurities then put them on paper for the world to read. Its that kind of passion that you will find when you read her poems. As for good writing  she advises to “Pay attention to your own anxieties” .  Autumn is approaching and that’s the perfect time of year as the holidays approach to spend time in reflection with a book of poems. Fennelly’s work will fill that niche.

Beth Ann resides in Oxford, Mississippi with her husband, fiction writer Tom Franklin. They have two children and one on the way.

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All of these questions were answered by two men that were in attendance at the Clarksville Arts and Heritage Writers Conference.

Gordon Warnock

Gordon Warnock

When Gordon Warnock found himself writing story ideas in the margins of his Chemistry notes he began to realize that his path in life was not perhaps the degree in biology that he was pursuing but truly a life as a writer. With a change of focus and a  B.A  in Creative and Professional writing Gordon took it upon himself to learn the ins and outs of the writing “industry” and became a literary agent. He is now working under Andrea Hurst Literary Management group out of Sacramento, Ca.

Gordon was available for the Arts and Heritage Writer’s Conference this past weekend. He took time to meet with anyone (and everyone) who had questions or ideas concerning their writing and breaking into the business of writing. He patiently listened to each person that signed up for an appointment with him. He would brainstorm and encourage the aspiring writers and offered what many who do not take the time to attend such conferences fail to receive and that is one one one time with a literary agent. Getting this type of personal attention is not something all writers can just walk into. When you attend writers conferences you not only get to workshop and network with other writers you get an insider’s perspective on how to do exactly what you want to do with your work.

Gordon Warnock meeting with Sue Culverhouse

For those reading this article that did not have the chance to attend the writer’s conference this year, shame on you. However, you can still receive an important piece of advice from literary agent Warnock:

Perhaps the two best qualities you will need as a writer is Patience and Persistence.

Warnock also adds that another mistake writers that are just starting out make is not seeing a writing project through completion

Do not work diligently on a piece of work only to rush it in the final stages. Stick with it.

Gordon Warnock speaking with Beth Britton at the Clarksville's Writers Conference Banquet

Chuck Sambuchino

Chuck Sambuchino

Chuck Sambuchino who lead two workshops over the weekend echoed this piece of advice.

The single most important piece of  writing advice I can give is: put down the remote control. In other words, make time for your writing. The success you will have writing is directly  proportional to the time you put in. There are success stories every day, with people getting novels and books published. But to break out,you need determination, hard work and time

Chuck Sambuchino is not an agent but an editor who specializes in agents and has work such as Writer’s Digest Books and has two annual resource books Guide to Literary Agents as well as Screenwriters and Playwright’s Market under his belt and assisted in editing the most current issue of Writer’s Market ‘The Most Trusted Guide to Getting Published”. When he is not moonlighting in an  rock cover band he himself is writing. Sambucino is an aspiring screenwriter and author of soon to be released humor book “How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack.” Due out September 7th under 10 Speed Press.

Aspiring writers listening to Chuck Sambuchino's advice

Sambuchino knows a bit about working hard and persistence. He took a ground level entry job as an editorial assistant for The Community Press (later merged into The Cincinnati  Enquirer) just to write.Eventually he was able to move into a job as a reporter and began to build his platform brick by brick using dedication coupled with an eye for good writing. Sambuchino is a self made man who has learned to seek out what you want to, put yourself in the position to do it, then get it done. “So many times writers come to these conferences,meet agents and never do anything with it.”

So do you need an agent if you want to publish a book? “Yes!”, Sambuchino said in his Friday afternoon workshop “Everything you need to know about Agents.”  An agent knows what Publishing house will best fit your work as well as represent you and help navigate you through the process of getting your book out there. However you must ask yourself “Is it (your work) small in size? Is it small in scope?” before choosing to represent yourself and self publish.

For more information

Chuck Sambuchino asking the audience what type of work they do

If you missed the conference this weekend but still have questions about the process of editing and finding an agent you can visit Chuck’s blog :http://www.guidetoliteraryagents.com/blog/ for everything from writing query letters, proposals, to new agencies, the financial end of things and the pressing question “What’s up with that rock cover band?”

If you have done your work and are now ready to start looking for an agent you can find Gordon Warnock and other literary representatives at http://www.andreahurst.com/literary-management/about/

The outlook is bright for you if you want to become a published fiction or nonfiction writer. Good writing will sell itself. You just have to write it.

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David James Poissant

During a Friday morning workshop at the 2010 Clarksville Writers Conference, David James Poissant used a short amount of time to get across to attendees the ins and outs of the Short-short story.

A Short- Short is the new minimalistic approach to the Short story. In today’s media driven culture a new way of writing is approaching. It’s quick, to the point, and packs a big emotional punch. Its called “flash pieces”. Fiction that takes risks. It gets in and gets out. It’s brave, bold, and takes chances. For aspiring writers it’s a quick way of getting out a story as well as testing their writing skills in description and dialog.

David James Poissant drawing a normal story's plot line before showing the Short-short story's plot line

Poissant is a published and award winning author from the University of Cincinnati. During his workshop several short short pieces were discussed and analyzed. David James Poissant lead the discussion in a room filled with writers and aspiring writers from across the United States, the mood was casual with  open conversation and a welcoming environment that sparked thought provoking questions and the opportunity to discuss opinions in a relaxed way.

He  also helped launch the Sonora Review yearly writing contest. The Sonora Review is a literary journal that is put together by graduate students in the creative writing department at the University of Arizona. The Poetry contest has a grand prize of $1,000 and publication in the Sonora Review. The deadline for this year’s contest is December 1st. So if you are interested in entering click over to their website http://sonorareview.com/ and learn more.

Attendees at David James Poissant's morning session

Attendees of the Clarksville Writer’s Conference receive a real education from real professionals who are out there doing exactly what they want to do, and they are more than willing to give the attendees the tools they need so they too can reach their literary goals.

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American Pickers is about two mid-western guys; Frank Fritz and Mike Wolfe who travel in a Mercedes cargo van looking for buried treasure in outbuildings, sheds, and barns across America. The show is more than the rusted antiques and collectibles they flip for a profit but for the people that gave those items their story. This show is Americana at its best and its growing a grass-roots following. Along side Pawn Stars, this show pushed History Channel into the top 5 cable t.v shows in March ratings with a viewership of 3.2 million viewers. Mike Wolfe who claims to be a bit more Internet savvy then his Pickin partner Frank, has his own online following of over 6,000 fans on the social networking site Facebook and 2,000+ on Twitter.

This show is not your grandparent’s Antique Roadshow, these guys go crazy over junk! Not only do they have a passion for their finds but they are knowledgeable as well. The show is easy entertainment while also being educational. Finally, a reality show the whole family can sit and watch together!

American Pickers premiere’s tonight on The History Channel at 8:00 pm CST. The History Channel can be found on channel 70 on Charter Communications, channel 120 on CDE Lightband, channel 270 on AT&T U-verse,  channel 269 on Direct TV,   and channel 120 on Dish Networks.

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